Lucy observed how close he was to breaking, uncertain if the person before her was still the funny Lucian she once knew. She decided to act, stepping over to him, lifting him from the ground, and embracing him.
"It's going to be okay," she assured, his tears staining her clothes.
They held each other for what felt like minutes before Lucian finally spoke, "We need to leave."
They released their embrace, and she carefully removed the knife from the old man's back before they started to depart the scene.
The once grand house, with its spacious halls and pristine white marble floors, was now marred with streaks of red. There was only one casualty: Robert Bart, their leader.
Bullet holes pocked the walls, some piercing furniture and shattering glass.
"Wait," Lucian said.
Lucy paused, and he inquired, "How long until the core manifests?"
"Another five minutes," she replied.
Lucian ascended the stairs, taking a seat, and Lucy joined him, head leaning against his shoulder. She reassured him, "Don't dwell on this. It was a matter of survival."
Lucian remained silent, waiting for the prescribed time. Then, the core emerged exactly where the heart should be.
It didn't simply materialize; it broke through Robert's flesh, finally coming to rest on the surface.
They both stood, Lucian retrieved the core, carefully stashing it in his pocket, and together they left the house.
...
At Lucy's:
"You're different from before. What happened to you?" asked Lucy.
"Nothing."
"Did you advance in your Pact? I saw you using some weird shadow power," asked Lucy.
"Yes," said Lucian, raising his hand, his fingers pointing upwards, conjuring shadowy tendrils.
"HOW!? You just recently became a Believer," said Lucy.
"I don't know," said Lucian, genuinely puzzled he didn't become a monster despite absorbing more orbs than advised.
Then he added, "However, it's all over now. They're safe, and I won't have to rely on these powers anymore. I just need to tie up a few loose ends before returning to my normal life."
"So that's it? We won't meet again?" said Lucy, her disappointment evident.
"I'll still come visit you. We can even go out with my brother and friends," he assured.
Afterwards, Lucy laundered his clothes and skillfully mended the torn sections from the bullet impacts.
"You're truly skilled at this," complimented Lucian.
"Thank you. I create and mend my own clothes, so this is second nature to me," replied Lucy.
...
Outside Bart's Residence:
The team of Sunners arrived, gearing up for the imminent confrontation with the family. Gathering intel from the captive girls and inquiries on the street, they located William Stockfield, identifiable by the mark on his left hand. As they reached his residence, they were greeted by an open door.
"Let's move!" urged Levi, directing his team to enter swiftly.
Inside, they found a young man tending to an elderly gentleman's wounds. Nearby, a woman sat on the floor, carefully tending to her own injuries, the ground beneath her stained crimson.
Lying on the floor was Robert Bart, using an alias - Stockfield. His lifeless body bore the gruesome marks of a savage attack, his throat slit, and his head brutally smashed.
William Bart lay unconscious on the ground, face down.
"DOWN! If you make a move, we won't hesitate!" commanded Levi, his Sunners positioned behind him.
The young man, realizing the odds were against him, complied and sat near the old man, hands raised in surrender.
Interrupting the young man, the woman spoke up, "A maniac and a woman burst in here and attacked us. He was like a monster. Thank you for saving us, officers."
Levi couldn't help but see through the deception. She thinks she can spin this tale and fool us.
"Bring everyone who's still breathing to the interrogation house. Make sure they don't slip away. If they try, take them down," ordered Levi to his team.
Though the woman now understood these weren't actual law enforcement officers, she resigned herself to her fate.
The young man, trembling with fear, kept his eyes closed, unsure of what awaited him, until a Sunner came to escort him away.
"For the wounded, get three doctors to the interrogation house," Levi directed.
As he approached Robert's lifeless form, Levi noticed the absence of a core. A shiver ran down his spine, a rare occurrence for a man who had never known fear.
Who did this... Or what did this...
...
In the basement of Melissa the Truthbearer at Rustel Street, 10:
The basement was illuminated by three gas lamps affixed to the walls, casting an eerie light across the slightly spacious, dusty chamber. Chains dangled from certain sections of the walls, and a heavy metal chair, its legs anchored firmly to the ground, featured additional chains for securing individuals. Across from it stood a small table with a regular chair, where Melissa took her seat.
In the top-right corner, four substantial wooden tables held the wounded members of the Bart family.
Bound to the metal chair, the young man's voice sounded drowsy as he spoke, "A man and a woman... I saw them, but I can't recall their faces."
Melissa's voice echoed through the basement as she addressed the attending doctors, "He doesn't know anything. Are the others in stable health?"
One of the doctors, busy tending to the injured Bart family members, responded, "This man is in good shape to leave. The lady should be stable within an hour or so. As for the elderly man, he's fortunate to be alive."
Melissa's hazel eyes glowed as she turned her attention back to the young man. "In exactly one minute, you'll find solace. Forget everything we discussed."
She motioned for William Bart, the stable one, to take a seat. He was unshackled, escorted by a member of the Sunner, and then securely fastened to the chair.
Once again, she began her questioning, and this time, one of her inquiries elicited information. "Have you had any recent encounters?"
William, who had previously consumed the vial, replied, "Yes. A client named Victor."
Perplexed, Melissa pressed further, "Was there anything peculiar about him?"
"Nothing that stood out," William answered.
Her final inquiry struck at the heart of the matter, "Do you recall what he looks like?"
"I... I can't seem to remember..."
"IT'S HIM," Melissa exclaimed loudly, prompting Levi to rush over to her for further information.
Raising her hand in a gesture of pause, she signaled for Levi to wait.
"Tell me everything you know about Victor," her eyes glowed brighter as she asked.
William shared all the information he had about the man. Then Melissa stated, "In exactly one minute, you'll find solace. Forget everything we discussed."
She exited the basement with Levi, ensuring their conversation would remain confidential. They ascended the stairs to her house and entered.
"Victor. The man's name was Victor, a recent client of his, probably for their illegal business involving worker girls..." She stopped short, realizing Levi had overheard the conversation earlier.
"Victor."
"Could Victor be the earlier guy, Lucian Wright?" he asked, still not entirely convinced of her powers.
Melissa's expression turned stern, though her features retained a certain charm. "No, it's impossible. Lucian didn't know anything. He was only sick because of Elizabeth. Plus, he has no knowledge of Believers or their powers. At the scene, there were clear signs of a Believer, from an unknown Pact."
"Hmm. I'll go ask around if anyone knows this Victor. You stay here and finish questioning them, although I doubt you'll find any more valuable information than this."
...
At home, 17:10:
"Did you find another girl, brother?" teased Henry.
"No, you know I like Elizabeth," said Lucian.
"I have some good news. Victoria will be moving in with us soon enough!" he announced.
"That's wonderful!" said Lucian with a smile.
They chatted for a while, and later, Lucian returned to his room. Without much thought, he simply lay on his bed and drifted into sleep.
In his slumber, he slipped into a lucid state, finding himself face-to-face with Selena. All around was shrouded in absolute darkness, and she stood as the sole source of light.
Although he couldn't discern her face, her figure was illuminated, adorned in a white robe complemented by cascades of silver-white hair.
"What a day, hmm," her ethereal voice echoed.
Then, she warned, "It's not over yet, Lucian. Unless you learn and advance your powers, you'll find yourself in situations from which escape is improbable. Both your family and friends, as well as you, will remain in constant peril."
Then everything fragmented, and Lucian slipped back into his regular slumber.