The darkness shifted again, and Seraphina, the female protagonist, and the main character found themselves inside a dimly lit living room. The air was thick with a sense of dread, and the faint smell of alcohol lingered, mingling with the stale scent of smoke. Seraphina felt a chill run down her spine as she took in the surroundings, realizing this was a memory far more painful than any they had yet seen.
In the corner of the room, a young Kai, no more than eight years old, huddled next to a small woman with gentle eyes and a tired smile—Sophia, his mother. She wrapped her arms protectively around him, shielding him from the looming shadow of a man standing across from them. This was Derek, Kai's father—a tall, menacing figure whose stance wavered, as if barely able to hold himself upright. His eyes, bloodshot and cold, bore down on them with a twisted resentment.
"Why are you hiding him from me, Sophia?" Derek's voice slurred, dripping with anger. He stumbled forward, the bottle in his hand clinking as he tightened his grip.
Sophia didn't respond, only pulling Kai closer. Her expression was resolute, but her hands shook slightly as she held her son. Kai buried his face in her side, trying to make himself as small as possible, his body tense with fear.
"Dad, please…" Kai's small voice was barely a whisper, but the plea hung heavy in the air.
The female protagonist gasped, pressing a hand to her mouth as she watched, horrified by the scene unfolding before them. The main character clenched his fists, rage bubbling up as he took in Derek's harsh demeanor and Kai's fearful eyes.
Derek laughed bitterly, an ugly sound that echoed off the walls. "You think you can protect him from me, Sophia? This boy's going to be just like me—weak and worthless." He took a step forward, and Kai flinched, squeezing his eyes shut, hoping it would all just disappear.
"Leave him alone, Derek!" Sophia's voice shook, but she held her ground, her protective gaze unwavering. "He's just a child… our child."
For a moment, Derek paused, as if the words pierced through his drunken haze. But then his eyes narrowed, and he sneered, his anger flaring anew. "Just a child? He's nothing but a burden, just like you." He reached out, grabbing Kai by the arm, his grip tight and unforgiving.
Seraphina's heart broke as she watched Kai struggle, his small form trembling as he tried to pull away. She wanted to reach out, to shield him, but her hand passed through him like smoke. She could only stand by, helpless, watching as Kai endured this nightmare.
Sophia tried to intervene, grabbing Derek's arm. "Let him go! You don't get to do this to him!"
With a grunt, Derek shoved her back, causing her to stumble and nearly fall. "Don't tell me what I can or can't do! I'm his father!"
Sophia's eyes were filled with tears as she watched Derek drag Kai away. "Kai… I'm so sorry…" she whispered, her voice breaking.
As Derek yanked him out of the room, the memory began to distort, blurring with another—a night when Derek's anger had been even worse, his wrath fueled by disappointment and bitterness. The scenes overlapped, shifting chaotically through different instances of pain and fear, all merging into one twisted portrayal of Kai's childhood.
---
They found themselves in another room—a small bedroom that seemed to be Kai's, the walls plain and bare. The young boy sat on the edge of his bed, staring down at his hands. Fresh bruises covered his arms, dark and painful-looking.
Kai's gaze shifted to the door as his mother entered, her eyes soft and sad. She knelt down beside him, pulling him into a gentle hug.
"I'm so sorry, Kai," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I wish I could take you away from all this… keep you safe."
Kai's small hands clung to her, as if she were his lifeline. "Mom, it's okay. I can handle it. I'll be strong… for you."
Tears slipped down Sophia's cheeks as she held him close. "You shouldn't have to be strong like this, Kai. You're just a child… my child."
The female protagonist's eyes filled with tears as she watched the scene, her heart aching for the boy who had to bear so much pain alone. The main character placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, but his own face was tense with sorrow and anger.
"His whole life… he's been carrying this," Seraphina murmured, her voice barely audible.
The memory began to shift again, but this time the darkness felt heavier, almost suffocating. They were about to see the moment that would change everything—when Kai's life would be torn apart, leading him to the tragic event that would eventually bring him into this new world.
---