The Mysterious City
It wasn't ruined.
It wasn't alive either.
Tall black towers stood perfectly still, their surfaces smooth like obsidian. Streets were empty, yet clean—as if people had just left moments ago.
No birds.
No wind.
No sound.
"This city…" Vicky said softly.
"It feels wrong."
Luka nodded.
"This place does not appear on any map."
Vicky glanced at him.
"You've been here."
Luka didn't deny it.
"…Once."
Something Watching
As they walked deeper, Vicky felt it.
Eyes.
Not hostile.
Not friendly.
Aware.
Buildings reflected his image faintly—silver hair, red eyes—but sometimes, for just a second…
The reflection smiled before he did.
Vicky stopped.
"Luka," he said calmly,
"If something attacks—"
"It won't," Luka replied immediately.
"…They're waiting."
The Feather
At the center of the city stood a circular plaza.
Empty.
Except for one thing.
A single black feather lay on the stone floor.
Perfect.
Untouched.
Unmoving.
Vicky approached it slowly.
The moment he reached out—
The headache returned.
Not pain.
Pressure.
Memory knocking, not breaking.
He picked up the feather.
Warm.
Alive.
"…This feels familiar," Vicky murmured.
Luka turned his face away.
"That feather," he said quietly,
"does not belong here."
Nightfall
They found shelter inside a tall, hollow tower.
No doors.
No windows.
Yet it felt safe.
Vicky sat against the wall, the feather resting in his palm.
Luka stood near the entrance, silent.
"You don't sleep, do you?" Vicky asked.
"I wait," Luka replied.
Vicky closed his eyes.
The Vision
Darkness unfolded.
Then—
Fire.
Not destructive.
Majestic.
Golden-black flames filled the sky.
A figure stood within them.
Tall.
Calm.
Wings folded behind his back.
His eyes were gentle—but ancient.
He smiled.
"Still breathing, huh?"
Vicky felt no fear.
Only familiarity.
"…Do I know you?" he asked.
The figure laughed softly.
"You always ask that."
He stepped closer.
"My name is Lucifer."
The name echoed—not violently, but warmly.
Lucifer placed a hand on Vicky's shoulder.
"To the world, I'm many things," he said.
"But to you—"
He smiled wider.
"I'm something like a brother."
"…A friend."
Vicky's chest felt light.
Safe.
Before he could ask anything—
The fire faded.
Waking World
Vicky's eyes opened.
Morning light filtered into the tower.
The feather was still in his hand.
He sat up slowly.
Luka noticed immediately.
"…You saw him," Luka said.
Vicky didn't answer.
He stood.
Walked to the opening.
And smiled.
Not cruel.
Not arrogant.
A proud smile.
A smile that didn't belong to a boy who didn't know his past.
A smile with no origin.
Luka lowered his head slightly.
"…That expression," he whispered.
"It's back."
Vicky looked at the silent city.
"…Yeah," he said calmly.
"I think so too."