May 2, 1522
There was still a buzz lingering from yesterday's Jyotiksha Festival. Excitement hung in the air like smoke after fireworks—though a few groans were heard too, as people reluctantly returned to routine. Tales of the celebration were shared at every corner.
But Kite wasn't part of any of those conversations. His mind wandered far from the joy around him.
The officers are still sniffing around. I need to find a way out of this mess...
Lost in thought, he didn't even notice Ryenne beside him until a sharp pain yanked him back to reality.
"Ow! That hurts!"
"If it brings a blockhead back to his senses, I'd say it's worth it," Ryenne said with a smirk. Her tone was casual, her expression unbothered. It was just another aimless day for the two of them, walking without purpose.
"You're so mean. Do you actually enjoy bullying people?"
"Maybe."
"Sadist."
They both laughed lightly, their footsteps echoing through the halls of the STF base. But the ease faded when they passed the entrance to the lower sublevels. Just for a flicker of a second—barely even a breath—Kite saw it.
A massive eye. Watching him from where the metal gate should be.
He blinked and it was gone. Just cold steel and a rotating valve wheel. But he knew what he saw.
I swear... that was real.
Ryenne caught the haunted look on his face and grabbed his shoulders, shaking him.
"Hey. Where are you now?"
"N–Nothing…"
She narrowed her eyes, but chose not to press further. The laughter didn't return. The walk ahead turned quiet and slightly tense.
---
STF Archives
They entered the records wing of the facility—and immediately froze.
Lauren, the stoic STF officer who rarely said more than three words, was gripping the ears of twins Kora and Lora with terrifying precision.
"We already said we're sorry!"
"Yeah! Super sorry!"
"Oh no, no no," Lauren said, her tone deceptively calm. "You really thought you could get away with pranking me?"
She was smiling. That was the worst part. She never smiled.
Kite and Ryenne stood frozen. It was the first time they'd seen Lauren… like this.
Kite swallowed and took a step forward. Ryenne tried to stop him with an outstretched arm, but too late.
"Uh… excuse me…?"
Lauren's eyes slowly turned to him. Her stare could cut steel.
"Never mind." Kite backed up instantly, defeated. Ryenne sighed, then shoved him forward again with a kick.
"Is there something you wanted?" Lauren said, dangerously calm.
"Just wondering… what they did this time?"
"These little imps swapped the sugar in my tea with salt."
Kite's face went pale. No one dared mess with Lauren's tea. It wasn't a rule—it was a death contract even the devil can't escape.
He and Ryenne backed out of the archive and shut the door behind them. Screams soon followed.
"I think… I'm going home early today," Ryenne said, genuinely disturbed. She walked off, suitcase in hand. Kite stayed behind—he had something he needed to discuss with Audrey.
---
Audrey's Laboratory
Kite opened the door quietly.
"Excuse me, Aud—"
He stopped mid-sentence, his breath catching in his throat.
What he saw inside shook him to the core.
---
Noble Heights – Holland Residence
Ryenne walked down the quiet street, her suitcase tapping softly against her leg. Something about the town felt... off. There was no wind. No sound. Just a heavy silence that pressed in around her.
She reached the Holland residence and stepped inside. The lights were dim, shadows stretched longer than they should. She made her way to the kitchen, intending to help Audrey with the evening meal.
The moment she stepped past the threshold—
Clink.
Chains rattled behind her.
She froze.
Her breath caught.
A heavy presence loomed behind her. Not just someone—something. A shadow stretched unnaturally across the kitchen tiles. She didn't turn around. She didn't breathe.
She could feel it watching her.
And it hadn't moved yet.