The night stretched on, heavy with silence. Inside the room, Ren still sat trapped within the glowing seal Itsuki had cast — a holy circle keeping his volatile powers at bay.
He clutched the scarf around his neck, trembling. "Souta… Shira… I need them. I need all of them…"
A voice echoed behind him — soft, sultry, familiar.
"You're not alone, baby. You're with me."
Ren's eyes narrowed, refusing to turn around. "You don't exist," he muttered. "Stop haunting me. Stop whispering in my head."
The woman giggled darkly — and then, as if layered over her voice, another, deeper one joined in. Lucien Veylor's.
At the same time, they spoke as one:
"You're mine. And only mine."
Ren let out a primal growl and slammed his fists against the glowing gate imprisoning him.
From across the room, Itsuki sighed and stepped forward. "Ren, will you please calm down?"
Ren went still. Then, without looking at him, he said, "Itsuki… kill me."
Itsuki's eyes widened. "What the hell are you saying?"
"How else do I get this thing out of me?" Ren snapped. "It's eating my mind. My soul. And I hate it."
Before Itsuki could respond, a sudden knock echoed through the room.
He froze. "Who the hell would knock at a time like this?"
He moved toward the door.
"No," Ren growled. "Don't open it. Use your vision spell."
Nodding, Itsuki activated a scrying glyph. A translucent image shimmered before them — showing no one at the door.
"What the…" Itsuki whispered.
Then came the voice. Smooth. Mocking.
"Greetings, my dear mates."
Both of them whipped toward the window — and there, perched casually on the sill, was the hooded man.
Itsuki's eyes went wide. "How the fuck did he get here?!"
He quickly began to chant, but before he could finish, the hooded man flicked a finger. A crimson spell shot forward, slamming Itsuki into the wall. Chains of blood wrapped around his hands.
Ren screamed, struggling against the seal. "Itsuki! Release the damn spell!"
Itsuki groaned. "I… I can't. It's the only thing keeping him out!"
The hooded man stepped closer, a smirk on his pale face. "So… my weapon was right here all along. I didn't come to fight, Ren. Just to check in."
He leaned forward, eyes gleaming.
"You've been hearing voices, haven't you? Seeing her?"
Ren's rage ignited. "You've been doing this to me… You sick bastard."
Lucien Veylor laughed. "Of course. I don't have time to wait around for fate to play catch-up. I need you awakened, boy. It was my mistake… letting him escape with you."
Ren's eyes widened. "Who? Who the hell are you talking about?"
"Shira," Lucien whispered, as if savoring the name. "He was one of mine."
Ren felt the air leave his lungs. "Shira… was one of you?"
Lucien chuckled. "You didn't know? Pity. I thought you were more observant."
"What are you…?" Ren whispered, shaking.
Lucien's smile widened. "I can't tell you — not yet. Not until you awaken. Not until you come back… to where you belong."
"Belong?" Ren repeated.
Just then, Itsuki — bleeding but conscious — raised a trembling hand and fired a blast of flame straight at Lucien's side. It hit, knocking the demon off balance.
Lucien straightened, cracked his neck, and hissed, "You're annoying."
He launched a streak of blood magic toward Itsuki — but Ren, without thinking, leapt back instinctively.
And dodged it.
Lucien's eyes widened. He dodged that? While still sealed?
Ren blinked, stunned himself.
The hooded man narrowed his eyes. "No way… unless…"
Then he turned to the window and grinned. "This window makes a fine entrance and exit."
He jumped onto the ledge and looked back one last time. "Oh, and Ren — Lorth and his men? They're coming. They know."
With a wink, he vanished into the night.
Itsuki gasped, collapsing to the floor, the seal fading.
Ren fell beside him. "I need to leave, Itsuki."
"What?" Itsuki spat. "Why?"
"Because I can't stay here. Not when I don't even know what I am anymore."
Itsuki pulled himself up. "You leave now, you confirm their worst fears. You'll be hunted. Stay hidden until we figure this out."
Ren stared at the floor. "Please… tell Souta. Tell him everything."
Itsuki nodded slowly. "I will. But don't leave, Ren. Not yet."
As he walked away toward his own room, he muttered under his breath, "There's no more time."