The morning sun streamed through the windows of the Abuja headquarters.
I woke up slowly, my body still aching from the twin Rift battle. Every muscle screamed. Every joint protested. But for the first time in days, I felt... rested.
I sat up, stretching.
My palm itched.
"Good morning," the Voice said.
"Morning," I muttered.
"Sleep well?"
"Like the dead."
"That's appropriate. You almost were."
I ignored the comment.
Breakfast was a quiet affair.
The dining hall was half-empty—most of the Hunters were still recovering from the recent battles. I sat with Grace and Mark, picking at my food.
"Where's Lyra?" I asked.
"Sleeping in," Grace said. "She's been exhausted lately. I think the twin Rift took a lot out of her."
"She's not the only one," Mark said, glancing at me.
I shrugged. "I'm fine."
"You look terrible."
"Thanks. You really know how to make a guy feel special."
Grace laughed. It was a warm sound, light and genuine.
Commander Adebayo entered the dining hall.
She looked different today—more relaxed, almost casual. She was carrying a shopping bag and wearing civilian clothes.
"Good morning, everyone," she said.
"Good morning, Commander," we replied in unison.
She smiled. "I have good news. Our Foresight Lurker has predicted that there will be no Rift openings for the next two days."
Grace's eyes widened. "Really?"
"Really. The Rift activity in the region has stabilized. We have a window—a brief one—to rest and recover."
Mark leaned forward. "So we have two days off?"
"Two days," Commander Adebayo confirmed. "Enjoy it while it lasts."
She turned, already heading for the door.
"With that said, I'm off shopping. See you kids later."
And she was gone.
I blinked.
"Did she just... leave?"
"Looks like it," Grace said.
"A shopping trip," Mark said, shaking her head. "I've never seen her so... casual."
"She's human too," I said. "Even commanders need a break."
Grace stood, her eyes bright.
"Okay, girls. You heard the commander. Two days off. That means we're having a girls' day out."
I blinked. "What?"
"Not you, Eren. Me, Lyra, and Mark." Grace grinned. "Girl time."
Mark sighed. "Do I have to?"
"Yes. It's mandatory."
"It's really not."
"Fine. But I'm still making you come."
Grace, Lyra, and Mark headed out for their girls' day.
I watched them go from the window, a strange feeling settling in my chest. It was nice, seeing them laugh and joke like normal people. Like they weren't Hunters. Like they weren't constantly fighting for their lives.
I wished I could be that carefree.
But I wasn't.
I found Michael and Tom in the training yard.
They were stretching, their movements synchronized. Tom looked up when I approached.
"Eren! Perfect timing."
"Perfect timing for what?"
"We're doing two-on-one training," Tom said. "No Void energy. Just pure physical conditioning."
Michael nodded. "The purpose is to boost your stamina. If we can't fight without our powers, we're useless."
I hesitated. "I'm still recovering from the twin Rift—"
"Perfect!" Tom interrupted. "That means you need it the most."
I opened my mouth to argue. But Tom and Michael were already approaching.
"Fine," I said. "But go easy on me."
They didn't go easy on me.
The training was brutal. Two hours of sparring, running, and endurance drills. Tom and Michael took turns pushing me to my limits.
"Faster!" Tom shouted.
"Keep your guard up!" Michael added.
I stumbled, gasping for breath. My body was screaming. My lungs were burning. But I kept going.
"Again!" Tom said.
I got up.
And I kept fighting.
Meanwhile, Lyra's girls' day was... interesting.
Grace had dragged them to a market district, full of colorful stalls and bustling crowds. They'd shopped for clothes, eaten street food, and laughed at things that didn't matter.
Lyra had tried to enjoy it. She really had.
But her mind kept wandering back to the archives. To the sealed records. To the image of the Hunter with the Dangi.
"Lyra? You okay?"
She blinked. Grace was looking at her with concern.
"Yeah," she said. "Just tired."
"Tired? Or thinking about something?"
Lyra hesitated.
"Both."
The girls' day ended in the early afternoon.
Grace and Mark headed back to headquarters, their arms full of shopping bags. But Lyra had somewhere else to go.
She needed answers.
And there was only one person who could give them to her.
She found Theo in an alley behind a market stall.
He was leaning against a wall, his lollipop in his mouth, his eyes half-closed. He didn't seem surprised to see her.
"Stalker," he said.
"Where were you?"
"Here. There. Everywhere." He shrugged. "What do you want?"
Lyra stepped closer.
"Tell me about Dangi."
Theo's eyes narrowed. "I already told you about Dangi."
"You told me what they are. You didn't tell me why the Order is hiding them."
Theo was quiet for a moment.
"The Order hides a lot of things, Lyra. That's what they do."
"I know. But I want to know why."
"I can't help you with that."
"Why not?"
Theo's expression hardened. "Because it's not my place."
Lyra grabbed his arm. "Theo, please—"
His eyes flashed.
"Who the hell do you think you are?"
The scythe appeared in his hand.
It was at her throat in an instant—the blade cold and sharp against her skin. Lyra froze, her heart pounding.
"I ain't with the Order," Theo said, his voice low and dangerous. "So whatever the Order is hiding is none of my business. And it's none of yours."
The blade pressed closer.
"So never ask me that again."
Lyra couldn't move. Couldn't speak. She just stared into his eyes, seeing something cold and distant.
Then the scythe dissolved.
Theo turned and walked away.
"See yah, Lyra."
Lyra stood in the alley, trembling.
The words repeated in her head.
"I ain't with the Order."
"None of my business."
"Never ask me that again."
Lyra walked back to headquarters, her mind spinning.
She'd never been scared like that. Not really. She'd faced Riftspawn, Riftguards, and the Void itself. But Theo's eyes—cold and distant—had terrified her.
Why is the Order hiding Dangi?
What else are they hiding?
She didn't have answers.
But she was going to find them.
Eren collapsed on the training yard ground.
"Okay," he gasped. "I'm done. I'm actually done."
Tom laughed. "Not bad, Voidwalker. You lasted longer than I expected."
Michael nodded. "Your stamina is improving."
"Great. Now let me die."
They helped him to his feet.
"Same time tomorrow?" Tom asked.
"I hate you."
"That's not a no."
The day ended quietly.
Grace and Mark returned from their shopping trip, laughing and chatting. Lyra was quiet, lost in thought. Michael was exhausted but satisfied.
And me?
I was just glad to be alive.
My palm itched.
"You did well today," the Voice said.
"Thanks."
"You're getting stronger."
"I know."
But as I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was coming.
Something big.
Something dangerous.
And I wasn't sure we were ready for it.
End of Chapter