Kaito's dreams were plagued by whispers—faint, chilling voices that called out to him from the shadows. They sounded both familiar and foreign, as though the Abyss itself were trying to speak directly into his mind. Each night, he found himself wandering through a vast, dark expanse, lost in an endless void.
When he awoke, the cold clung to him, and he could feel the power of the Abyss simmering just beneath his skin, waiting for a moment of weakness.
At school, everything felt different. It wasn't just the usual restlessness of trying to keep his powers hidden; it was the way the world around him seemed dimmer, as if the Abyss was trying to seep into every part of his life. His friends' laughter sounded distant, their faces slightly blurred. And whenever he glanced at his reflection, his own eyes seemed deeper, almost hollow.
Only Seraphina noticed.
She watched him closely, her gaze sharp and unyielding. It was as if she could see the war raging within him, the push and pull between his humanity and the darkness he'd embraced. And though she tried to hide it, there was fear in her eyes.
After school, Seraphina met him on the rooftop, her expression unusually serious.
"Kaito," she said, her voice low. "We need to talk."
He looked at her, sensing the heaviness in her tone. "What's wrong?"
"It's about the Abyss. It's…changing you. More than I expected," she admitted, her gaze dropping. "I thought I could help you control it, but the Abyss has a will of its own. And I'm worried about what that might mean for you—and for us."
Kaito clenched his fists, feeling the familiar chill of the Abyss rise within him. "I can handle it," he said, though even he could hear the doubt in his voice. "I won't let it take over."
Seraphina shook her head. "It's not that simple. The Abyss isn't just some power you can control. It's alive, and it will try to consume you if you let your guard down, even for a moment."
Before Kaito could respond, a familiar voice broke the silence.
"You're not telling him everything, are you, Seraphina?"
Celestia stepped out from the shadows, her golden hair catching the fading light of the evening. Her expression was tense, her gaze shifting between Kaito and Seraphina.
"Celestia," Kaito said, surprised. He hadn't expected to see her so soon after her return to Heaven.
Seraphina's eyes narrowed, her posture stiffening. "This doesn't concern you, Celestia. Stay out of it."
Celestia raised her chin, defiant. "This concerns everyone. Kaito's connection to the Abyss is a danger not only to himself but to this entire world. You're leading him down a path that could destroy him."
Kaito took a step back, feeling the tension between them grow. "Wait. Both of you—what's going on?"
Celestia turned to him, her expression softening. "Kaito, the Abyss has a history with Heaven. A dangerous one. My father… he knew all along about your connection to it. He didn't send the Seraphim here just because of Seraphina's rebellion. He sent them because he feared what you might become."
Seraphina scoffed. "Heaven has always feared the Abyss. They see it as something evil, something that needs to be controlled or destroyed. But the Abyss is more than that. It's…freedom. Power that isn't bound by Heaven's laws."
Celestia glared at her. "Freedom? That's what you're calling this curse you've placed on him?"
Kaito could feel the weight of their words pressing down on him, the realization dawning on him that he was caught between two worlds that would never accept each other. And yet, he knew he couldn't choose one without forsaking the other.
"Both of you, stop," he said, his voice barely a whisper. "I'm not just some pawn in this war between Heaven and the Abyss. This is my life. My choice."
Celestia's expression softened, but Seraphina's gaze remained hard, unyielding.
"Kaito," Seraphina said, stepping closer, "the power you have now—it can make you stronger than any angel, stronger than anyone in Heaven or the Abyss. You don't need to be afraid of it."
"But at what cost?" Celestia's voice was soft, but her words were heavy with sadness. "The Abyss will take everything from you, Kaito. Your humanity, your soul…everything. Is that the life you want?"
He looked between them, his heart pounding. Celestia's words struck a chord in him, and he realized that the fear she expressed was the same fear that gnawed at him every night.
But Seraphina's gaze, filled with defiance and loyalty, spoke of a different path—a path of strength and power, one that he could walk without fear.
"I…I don't know," he admitted, his voice trembling. "I just wanted to protect the people I care about."
Celestia placed a hand on his shoulder, her touch warm and grounding. "Then let me help you, Kaito. You don't have to walk this path alone. You don't have to give in to the Abyss."
But Seraphina's hand reached out, her fingers brushing against his other shoulder, her touch cold yet comforting. "Kaito, this is your chance to be something greater than Heaven's pawn. The Abyss can give you the power to protect everything you love. To protect me."
The choice hung heavy in the air, and Kaito knew that no matter what he decided, there would be no going back.
He looked into Celestia's eyes, seeing her unwavering faith and compassion, a hope that he could still find redemption. But when he turned to Seraphina, he saw a fierce determination—a loyalty that was as unbreakable as it was dangerous.
Two paths. Two destinies.