Darkness.
For a while, that was all Arin felt. No pain. No sound. No weight.
Just drifting — somewhere between memory and nothing.
Then… warmth.
The scent of spices filled the air — turmeric, cumin, simmering onions. A familiar song hummed in the background, off-key and cheerful. The soft clatter of dishes behind a small wooden counter.
The restaurant.
His aunt's voice floated through the haze.
"Arin, are you daydreaming again?"
He turned. She stood at the stove, apron dusted with flour, a wooden spoon in hand. Smiling at him the way only she could — like he was the most important thing in the world.
He blinked. "Is this… real?"
She didn't answer. Just smiled wider and handed him a tray.
"Table three's waiting. You've kept them long enough."
He looked down. The tray in his hands shimmered faintly. Not real.
But his legs moved anyway, carrying him past empty tables, through golden afternoon light.
Outside the window, the sky was split — glowing blue and cracked like glass.
This is a dream, he realized.
He stopped. "You're not here anymore."
The room quieted. The song stopped playing.
Mira stood beside him now, her hands folded, her smile softer — sadder.
"No," she said gently. "But I'm still part of you."
Arin looked down, fists clenched. "I wasn't fast enough. I had power. I could fight monsters… but I couldn't even protect you."
She reached out and touched his face, brushing his hair behind his ear like she used to when he was little.
"I didn't raise you to fight monsters," she said.
"I raised you to care. And that's exactly why you're strong."
He closed his eyes. The memory of her death flared behind his mind like a scar. "I don't want this power."
"I know," she whispered. "But you have it. And now, you've used it to save people."
She stepped back, eyes shining.
"You've become strong now, Arin."
"Try to protect others."
The light around her grew brighter — soft and golden.
"Not because you owe the world anything," she added. "But because you can."
He reached for her, just as the restaurant began to fade.
"Please… don't go."
🔁 Scene Shift – Present (Hospital)
"Don't go," Arin whispered aloud, tears slipping from his eyes.
He stirred, breath shaking. His heart was racing.
"Please…"
His eyes opened.
A plain ceiling. White tiles. The quiet beep of a heart monitor. The sterile scent of antiseptic.
He was in a hospital.
Sunlight streamed faintly through a window. Machines pulsed beside his bed.
And standing at his bedside — watching him — was a girl.
She had dark hair pulled into a loose tie and pale eyes that seemed to weigh everything silently. Calm, composed… and familiar in a way he couldn't explain.
"You're awake," she said softly.
Arin sat up slowly, wiping his eyes. His chest ached. His arms felt like bricks.
"Where… where am I?"
Before she could answer, the door opened.
A man entered — tall, composed, in formal black robes with silver trim.
Arin blinked again. Recognition hit.
"You," he said. "From the graveyard."
The girl stepped aside as the man approached.
Then, almost as an afterthought, she looked at Arin and said,
"I'm Lyra. I was assigned to your recovery detail."
Arin's brow furrowed.
"Lyra…?"
His voice softened.
"That name sounds familiar…"
She didn't flinch. Didn't smile.
"Maybe you heard it during the gate incident."
But she didn't meet his eyes.
And Arin, still groggy from pain and memory, let it pass — not realizing that she'd once been more than familiar.
She'd been a friend.
👤 Chairman Vale
The man in black robes pulled a chair beside Arin's bed and sat down.
"How are you feeling?" he asked.
Arin took a slow breath. "Like a truck hit me. Then backed up and ran me over again."
A hint of a smile touched the man's face. "Understandable."
The girl — Lyra — added, "You were unconscious for two days."
Arin blinked. "You stayed with me?"
She shrugged. "Didn't want you waking up and vaporizing a nurse."
Before he could respond, the man said,
"I'm Chairman Vale. Leader of the Elarions Association."
Arin stared. "You… you were the one I met at the grave."
Vale nodded. "Yes. You were grieving. And now… you're awakening."
He leaned forward slightly, expression steady.
"You fought a gate boss. Alone. You held the line when no one else could. Thank you. You saved lives."
Arin shook his head. "Don't thank me. If the Elarions hadn't shown up, I would've died. It wasn't just me."
Vale's voice didn't rise, but his tone sharpened.
"Don't dismiss what you did. You defeated a high-tier boss. You stood your ground. That matters."
Arin looked at his hands. They were still trembling.
"It didn't feel like enough."
Vale stood.
"Then get strong enough to make it enough. But for now—rest."
As he turned, Arin's voice stopped him.
"Wait. I want to talk to you."
The Chairman turned.
Arin took a breath. His voice was quiet but clear.
"I want to join the Elarions."
The room went silent.
Lyra glanced sideways at him. One of the other Elarions in the room raised a brow.
Chairman Vale studied Arin for a long moment. Then gave a small nod.
"Then recover quickly. Because from here on out… it only gets harder."