Kaela's body trembled as she collapsed into the blood-soaked grass, her lightning aura flickering weakly around her limbs.
Lucas knelt beside her silently. He placed two fingers against her neck—her pulse was steady, just strained from overexertion. Without a word, he gently lifted her into his arms and carried her inside the house.
The room was dimly lit. Lucas laid Kaela down on her bed and pulled the blanket over her. As soon as her head hit the pillow, her breathing evened out—deep and exhausted. Her aura calmed, retreating into her body like a tide rolling back to sea.
Lucas stood there for a moment, watching her sleep.
"You're growing faster than expected…" he murmured.
Then he stepped out, his face unreadable.
—
Back at Liam's house…
Dreck picked Liam up like he weighed nothing, carrying him through the battered hallway and into his room. The boy's face was bruised, smeared with blood, but peaceful.
Dreck set him down on the bed and pulled the sheets up.
"You did well," he said quietly, though Liam was already unconscious.
Then he walked out, shutting the door behind him with a soft click.
Dreck's phone buzzed once. He picked it up, pressed it to his ear without looking at the screen.
"How's your end?" Lucas's voice came through, low and steady.
Dreck leaned against the wall, eyes still scanning the darkness outside Liam's window.
"Fine now," he replied, voice gruff but calm. "It's over."
There was a pause.
"I see… They came to your side too, didn't they?"
Lucas asked.
Yeah they did dreck answered how's kaela?"
"Kaela's fine. Sleeping."
"Same here," Dreck said. "They held their own longer than I expected."
There was a short silence between them. Then Dreck spoke again. "Keep an eye on her."
Lucas replied, "Same to you."
Dreck gave a soft grunt of agreement. "We meet tomorrow. We talk then."
Lucas hung up.
The connection ended. But neither of them went to bed.
—
Lucas stood on the roof top , his hands behind his back. His eyes scanned the streets below.
Miles away, Dreck did the same, arms folded as he stood on the rooftop of the house.
They stood in perfect stillness, each alone in their own world, yet tied by the same thread.
Both extended their awareness outward, far beyond the walls of the homes they protected. Their aether senses stretched like invisible nets, sweeping over rooftops, alleys, and tree lines. Every motion, every disturbance, registered. Though no more enemies came that night, they kept watching.
They didn't sleep.
They didn't blink.
And as the hours passed, their presence was like silent beacons—guardians standing between the young and the horrors that hunted them.
Within Liam's house, soft energy flickered faintly through the air like a song with no sound—a subtle hum of protective force, a barrier unseen.
And through it all, the two mentors stood alone, eyes sharp, waiting for dawn.
Sunlight broke across the horizon in pale streaks, washing over rooftops like a silent promise that the night was truly over.
At precisely 6:00 a.m., a sleek black car rolled to a stop in front of Dreck's house. Lucas stepped out, his coat trailing behind him in the breeze. He didn't knock—he didn't have to. The front door creaked open before he reached it.
Dreck stood waiting in the hallway, a steaming mug in one hand, his expression unreadable.
"Come in," he said simply.
Lucas followed him inside. They didn't speak until they reached the living room, where Liam still slept soundly in his room upstairs. The house was silent, save for the distant hum of city life returning.
Lucas took the cup Dreck offered without a word. They stood there for a moment, sipping in silence—two soldiers during a brief ceasefire.
Then Dreck broke the silence.
"This place won't hold much longer."
If we're moving out, I have a place in mind
Lucas said"
And what's that.
"There's a place I found a few years ago during my wandering. No maps. No records. Not even whispers in the Syndicate's files."
Dreck's gaze lifted slightly.
"A hollow verge—deep underground. Layers of natural aether run through it, untouched. I reinforced the outer perimeter with illusions and passive field seals. Even the best scouts wouldn't know it exists."
Dreck raised an eyebrow. "And you want us to move there?"
"Eventually," Lucas said. "This place isn't safe anymore. We don't know who else is watching. That base could be more than a shelter—it could become our foundation."
Dreck nodded slowly. "We'll need it. They're not ordinary kids anymore."
Lucas agreed. "They'll need a place where they can train… and prepare."
Dreck finished the last sip of tea, then stood. "We keep them here for now. Let them rest. But soon—soon we move."
—
Before leaving, Lucas stepped out onto the porch
He pulled out his phone and tapped the screen.
After a few seconds, the call connected.
"Principal Raymond speaking," came the warm, professional voice on the other end.
"Good morning, Principal," Lucas said politely, his tone calm and composed. "It's Lucas.
"Ah, Mr. Lucas. Is everything alright?"
"Yes, more or less," he replied. "I'm calling to inform you that I won't be coming in to teach today."
A pause. "I see. Is it an emergency?"
"Something like that," Lucas said. "Also… Kaela and Liam students from my class won't be attending classes for the rest of the week."
"Both of them?" she asked, concerned. "Are they alright?"
"They will be. They need rest. I'" . "I can't give too many details… but I personally take responsibility for their absence. Please pardon them for now."
Principal Raymond sighed lightly. "You're one of our best, Lucas. If you say it's important, I'll trust your judgment."
"Thank you," he said sincerely. "I appreciate your understanding. I'll check in again soon."
"Take care of them," she said.
"I will," he replied—and ended the call.
Lucas stood still for a moment, slipping the phone back into his coat pocket. His eyes scanned the sky as he left.