Scene: The Opening of the Gate – Hugo's Fatal Mistake

The heavy rain outside beat against the windows of the Gentoshi family estate, but inside, everything was eerily calm. The family sat around the dining table, speaking in low tones, their words filling the space with idle conversation that did nothing to ease the tension hanging in the air.

Mother: (sighing, glancing toward Lysander's empty seat) "Of course, he's still asleep. That boy never has any sense of time."

Angela: (grumbling, poking at her food) "Lazy as always. Probably binging his favorite show all night."

The rest of the family carried on with their conversation, ignoring Hugo, who stood in the corner of the room, barely acknowledged, as usual. He was like a ghost in their presence, his existence rarely recognized unless it was with fear or disdain. Only Andrea, seated at the table, spared him a glance, a brief smile that showed he hadn't forgotten his brother.

Andrea: (softly, to Hugo) "You're alright, aren't you?"

Hugo nodded but said nothing, his hands twitching at his sides. He could feel it—that energy, that darkness lurking just beneath the surface, always there, waiting. His family may have forgotten him, treated him like air, but he hadn't forgotten them. He wanted to be part of them, to protect them—especially tonight, when danger felt close.

Suddenly, the ground beneath them trembled, a low rumbling that shook the foundation of the estate. The lights flickered, and a crimson glow began to seep through the windows. The family froze, their conversations cut short as they realized what was happening.

Father: (urgently) "The gate…"

Before anyone could react, the front door exploded inward, a wave of dark, twisted creatures flooding into the house. Monstrous figures, straight from the gate, their grotesque forms illuminated by the red glow of the otherworldly breach.

Father: (standing) "Everyone, to the back!"

But the monsters were too fast. They tore through the furniture and walls, heading straight for the family. Angela screamed, grabbing Alexei's arm as they scrambled to retreat, while their mother tried to shield them, barking orders with mounting desperation.

Hugo stood frozen, his heart racing. He had felt it coming—the darkness, the chaos—but now that it was here, all he could do was watch as the creatures closed in on the people he loved, the people who barely saw him. But they were still his family.

Andrea locked eyes with Hugo from across the room, seeing the panic written all over his face. He didn't have time to say anything before the first creature lunged.

It was instinct—pure, unthinking instinct that made Hugo act.

The purgatory flame erupted from him, black and swirling, as he summoned the dark power he barely understood. It shot across the room, incinerating the nearest creature instantly, turning it to ash.

For a moment, there was silence. Everyone turned to look at Hugo—really look at him for the first time in years. They saw the power, the raw, untamed energy surging out of him.

But something went horribly wrong.

The flame didn't stop. Hugo tried to pull it back, but he couldn't. It was feeding on his fear, his desperation to be seen, to protect. It grew wild, consuming everything in its path. The fire roared out of control, lashing out at the walls, the floor, and—his family.

Mother: (screaming) "Hugo, stop—!"

But it was too late. The flame was too powerful, too chaotic.

The dark fire surged toward their father first, engulfing him in an instant. His scream was short, his body incinerating before anyone could reach him. His mother tried to run, but the flame was faster, catching her before she made it three steps. She fell, her scream echoing in the air as the fire devoured her.

Angela: (horrified, backing away) "No—get away from me!"

She tried to pull Alexei with her, but the flames lashed out again, wrapping around her like a predator. Angela fell to the ground, her body burning, her voice fading into the roar of the fire. Alexei, too, was caught, his body consumed before he could even reach his sister.

Andrea: (shouting) "Hugo, stop it!"

But Hugo couldn't hear him. The fire was out of control, feeding on Hugo's emotions, growing wilder with every second. Hugo dropped to his knees, clutching his head, his eye glowing with the intensity of the dark magic coursing through him.

Hugo: (desperately) "I—I can't—!"

Andrea, his heart pounding in terror, rushed toward Hugo. He could see the anguish on his brother's face, the guilt, the fear, all tangled up in the power that Hugo couldn't contain. Without thinking, Andrea grabbed a nearby jug of water and ran to Hugo's side.

Andrea: (urgent, calming) "Hugo, it's okay. I'm here. I'm here."

He dumped the water over Hugo's head, drenching him completely. The shock of the cold water hit Hugo like a slap, and the fire sputtered, flickering wildly before it started to die down.

The dark flames vanished, leaving only scorched walls and the smoldering remains of their parents and siblings. The room was quiet again, save for the sound of Hugo's ragged breathing.

Andrea stood beside his brother, placing a hand on his shoulder, his own eyes filled with grief and shock. But there was no anger in his gaze—only sadness.

Andrea: (softly) "It's okay, Hugo. I'm here."

But Hugo couldn't respond. His whole body shook with the weight of what he had done. He had only wanted to protect them. Now they are gone. All except Andrea.

Scene: The Moment of Exile

Gentoshi FAMILY ESTATE – MAIN HALL – NIGHT

Hugo stands before Lysander, who lounges in their father's old armchair, cold and composed. Andrea stands next to Hugo, his fists clenched, trying to contain his anger. The room feels heavy with loss, their parents gone, the estate eerily quiet.

Lysander (his voice icy) "You think I didn't see it, Hugo? You think I don't know what you did?"

Hugo's single eye flickers with guilt as he stares at the floor. His black flames have long since faded, but the memory of the explosion haunts him.

Hugo "I... I wasn't—"

Lysander (interrupting) "You weren't what? Trying to kill them?"

Lysander leans forward, his voice sharp with accusation.

Lysander "Don't play innocent. You spread chaos with those cursed flames of yours. Our parents, Angela, Alexei—none of this would have happened if it weren't for you. You wanted this. You've always wanted to be rid of us!"

Andrea (defending Hugo) "Lysander, stop! You know that's not true. Hugo was trying to protect everyone!"

Lysander scoffs, his eyes cold as he pulls out a remote and presses play. The security footage from the night of the explosion flickers to life on the nearby screen. They watch as Hugo's flames grow out of control, engulfing everything in sight. The fire explodes, and the screen goes black.

Lysander "Protect us? That's what you call this? Look at what your 'protection' did!"

He stands, approaching Hugo with contempt in his eyes.

Lysander "Our parents are dead because of you. Alexei and Angela—they're gone because of your monstrosity."

Hugo flinches at the word, his fists trembling.

Hugo (softly) "I didn't mean to—"

Lysander (snarling) "I don't care what you meant. You've lost your right to be a part of this family. Leave."

Andrea steps forward, anger flashing in his eyes.

Andrea "Lysander, you can't—"

Lysander (cutting him off) "I can and I will. Hugo is not welcome here. GO!!!"

Andrea (surprised but quickly getting back his posture) "You have no right to throw around accusations like that, Lysander. I'm the eldest. I am the head of this family, not you."

Lysander "Head of the family? Is that what this is about? So mr. Head of the family would let his 'precious little brother' stay after his murder?"

Andrea (his voice goes down) "I…"

Lysander (snarling) "The court's already seen the footage. As far as they're concerned, this was no accident. I cannot let a murderer here… Our family cannot have a murderer."

Andrea "Don't twist this, Lysander. You're not doing this for justice..."

Lysander (coldly, high voice) "When, dear brother, has justice ever done anything good for us?"

Andrea "Then I'm leaving too." His voice shakes with barely contained anger. "I won't let you do this to him."

Lysander narrows his eyes, stepping back toward the door.

Lysander "Fine. But don't come crawling back when you realize what he truly is."

Scene: Lysander and Floria's First Real Talk

A quiet evening in the school's garden. The sun is setting, casting a faint orange glow over the rows of trees, a soft breeze rustling through the leaves. Lysander sits alone on a bench, head in his hands, staring at the ground. Floria walks in, her eyes hollow, her face pale from sleepless nights. She hesitates for a moment before sitting beside him.

Lysander: ("Why do they all say it gets easier? It's been weeks, and it still feels like my chest is about to cave in.") (He doesn't look up as Floria sits next to him.)

Floria: (quietly) "I saw you from the window... I thought I'd sit with you."

(Lysander doesn't reply, but Floria can hear his ragged breathing. She grips her hands tightly in her lap, the weight of silence growing unbearable.)

Floria: "It's hard to talk about, isn't it?"

Lysander: (gritting his teeth) "There's nothing to say." (Still deep in his thought "I even kick Hugo out in the heat of vengeance but… this sense of hollow…")

Floria: "I think about him every night. I—I can't sleep, Lysander. Alexei's gone, and I still... hear his voice. Like he's going to walk in the door, smile, and everything will be okay." (Her voice cracks, and she wipes her eyes hastily, refusing to let the tears fall.) "But he doesn't come back. He never will."

(Lysander finally looks up, his eyes red and swollen, dark circles under them. There's a flash of something dangerous behind his eyes.)

Lysander: "It wasn't supposed to be this way. Angela—Alexei—they should still be here." (He clenches his fists, his knuckles turning white.) "And that monster... Hugo..." (his voice falters) "I can't stand it. Knowing he's still breathing while they're gone."

(Floria closes her eyes, her grief mirrored in the fury bubbling inside her. For a moment, they are silent, sharing the same aching emptiness.)

Floria: "There has to be a way..."

(Lysander's gaze shifts toward her, confused, then curious. She can feel his eyes on her, but she keeps staring ahead.)

Lysander: "A way to... what?"

Floria: (slowly, deliberately) "To bring them back."

(Lysander sits up straight, his breath catching in his throat. The suggestion is absurd, impossible—yet the desperate edge in Floria's voice pulls at something buried deep inside him.)

Lysander: "How? How would that even—"

Floria: (her voice trembling but firm) "There's magic... rituals, powerful ones, that can turn back time. I've heard whispers in the hidden circles... about magic that can reverse death."

(Lysander stares at her, the thought horrifying and exhilarating all at once.)

Lysander: "Time magic is forbidden for a reason, Floria. It's dangerous—no one has ever successfully..."

Floria: "But no one's ever been desperate enough to try." (Her eyes meet his, filled with determination and the rawness of her pain.) "If there's a chance, any chance, to undo what happened... isn't it worth it?"

(Lysander's heart pounds. Floria's words echo the dark thoughts that have been gnawing at him since the day he lost Angela. The rational part of his mind is screaming that this is wrong, but the part of him that's drowning in grief... it's listening.)

Lysander: "Even if... even if it could work... time manipulation, it—it messes with everything. There are risks..."

Floria: (softly) "Nothing is worse than losing them. Nothing." (She swallows hard, her voice quieter now.) "I'd do anything to have Alexei back. I can't go on like this, Lysander. I won't."

(Lysander looks at her and sees the same broken pieces of himself. They're both willing to take risks—both willing to throw everything away to bring back the ones they love.)

Lysander: (after a long pause, almost whispering) "We'd need to find someone... someone who knows about that kind of magic."

Floria: (her eyes lighting up with a faint flicker of hope) "I already know who can help. We'd just have to go to them... we'd have to be willing to pay the price."

(For the first time in weeks, Lysander feels something other than grief—a grim, determined sense of purpose. His heart still aches, but now, at least, there's a direction.)

Scene: Floria's Theft

The dimly lit hallway of St. Alaric's Academy felt like a labyrinth at night. The creak of Floria's footsteps echoed through the stone corridors as she approached her destination—a door marked Professor Roderick: Arcane Studies.

Floria hesitated in front of the door, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew what she was about to do was dangerous, but there was no other choice. This ritual was their only hope—her only hope to save Alexei.

She pulled out a set of keys she had borrowed from the janitor earlier that day. Timing was everything. Professor Roderick always left campus by sundown, and there were no night classes on Thursdays. It was now or never.

With a soft click, the door unlocked, and she slipped inside. Moonlight spilled through the window, casting eerie shadows on the shelves filled with ancient tomes and magical artifacts. Floria's eyes scanned the room, her breath shallow as she approached the professor's desk.

The Grimoire of Time Manipulation, the book they needed, was hidden in a secret compartment—one that Professor Roderick guarded closely. Floria had overheard him once, talking about it. She knelt beside the desk and ran her fingers along the bottom drawer, finding the faint rune etched into the wood.

Floria whispered the words she had memorized, and the rune glowed faintly before fading, unlocking the compartment. The hidden drawer slid open, revealing the grimoire. The leather-bound book radiated a cold, dark energy. She hesitated, her stomach twisting.

"You can do this. You have to," she muttered to herself, steeling her resolve.

Grabbing the book, she turned to leave. Just as she reached the door, a soft creak echoed from the hallway. Her blood ran cold.

"Who's there?" a voice called out. It was the night guard.

Without thinking, Floria dashed to the window. She pushed it open and dropped to the ground below, running until she reached the rendezvous where Lysander was waiting.

Scene: Lysander's Preparation

Back at an abandoned church, Lysander paced anxiously, checking his watch every few seconds. The moonlight filtered through the cracked stained-glass windows, casting fragmented beams across the room. The air was heavy with anticipation and something darker—something foreboding.

A group of four heavily armed guards stood around the perimeter, their expressions stoic as they watched for any sign of trouble. Lysander had paid a small fortune to hire them, promising a reward for their silence. He couldn't risk any interruptions during the ritual, especially not from those who would try to stop them. The arcane laws governing time manipulation were strict, and the consequences for breaking them were severe.

One of the guards, a tall man with a scar running down his cheek, approached Lysander, his voice low. "We've secured the area. No one's getting in without us knowing."

Lysander nodded, though the knot in his stomach tightened. "Good. Make sure it stays that way."

He couldn't afford any mistakes tonight. This ritual was the culmination of weeks of planning, of endless nights spent poring over old texts, trying to find a way to undo the past. He had thought about nothing else since his parents died—since Hugo had unleashed his uncontrollable flames, burning their family to ashes.

"Where is she?" Lysander muttered under his breath. Floria was supposed to be back by now. The ritual couldn't begin without the grimoire, and time was running out.

Just as his thoughts began to spiral, he heard the sound of footsteps approaching. Floria emerged from the shadows, out of breath but clutching the grimoire tightly in her arms. Her face was pale, and her hands trembled slightly as she handed the book to Lysander.

"I got it," she panted, her voice shaky but filled with determination.

Lysander took the book, his heart pounding in his chest. "A book? I thought you knew someone."

Floria hesitated, looking away. "I—" she faltered, searching for the right words. "The person I mentioned, Professor Roderick, knows time manipulation... but he would never agree to help us with something this dangerous. So... I had to take matters into my own hands."

Lysander stared at her, frowning. "You stole it? Are you insane? We needed someone who knew how to perform this ritual. This book—what if we mess it up?"

Floria's eyes filled with determination. "I had to, Lysander. Alexei's life depends on this. I won't lose him like you lost your parents." Her voice cracked, but she held her ground. "We can't afford to wait for someone else. We do this now, or we lose everything."

Lysander's jaw clenched. He didn't like it, but he understood. He was doing this to save his parents. Floria was doing it for Alexei. In the end, they were both equally desperate. "Fine," he said quietly. "Let's make sure this works."

Scene: The Ritual and Its Consequences

Inside the abandoned, dilapidated church on the outskirts of town. The air is thick with dust, and faded symbols line the stone walls. It's nighttime, and the moonlight filters through the cracked windows, casting eerie shadows. Lysander and Floria stand before an ancient altar, a book of forbidden magic open in Floria's hands. The room is cold, and an unsettling silence hangs between them.

Lysander: (nervously, glancing at the symbols) "Are you sure about this? I don't... I don't feel right."

Floria: (focused, flipping through the pages) "Says the rich boy who hired personal guards to help us."

(She said it without making it a mockery while tracing her fingers over a glowing rune etched into the ground. Her hands are shaking, but there's a fierce determination in her eyes. Lysander watches her, his heart racing.)

Lysander: "You're sure this will... bring them back?"

(Floria looks up, her expression unreadable. She wants to say yes, but the truth is, she doesn't know. It's a risk. It's always been a risk.)

Floria: (whispering) "It has to."

(Lysander takes a deep breath, steeling himself. They had come too far to back down. This is what they've wanted—for weeks, maybe longer. He steps forward, his hands trembling as he holds out the personal items they collected—Angela's bracelet, Alexei's jacket—placing them carefully on the altar.)

Floria: "We need something else."

Lysander: (frowning) "Something else?"

Floria: (glancing at him, hesitant) "The book says... we need a final offering. Something from the caster. A piece of them."

(Lysander's blood runs cold. He can see where this is going, and it terrifies him.)

Lysander: "You mean... a sacrifice."

(Floria nods. Her hand brushes against her side, where a small ceremonial knife is hidden beneath her jacket. She pulls it out, holding it between them.)

Floria: "It doesn't have to be much. A drop of blood. But... it has to come from you, Lysander. You're the one closest to Angela. Your connection... it's stronger."

(Lysander stares at the knife, his heart pounding louder in his ears. Could he do this? Could he really go through with it? But the image of Angela—his twin, his other half—floods his mind. He couldn't fail her. Not again.)

Lysander: (nodding slowly, voice shaking) "Okay. I'll do it."

(He takes the knife from Floria, gripping it tightly as he raises it to his palm. His hands are shaking uncontrollably, but Floria's steady gaze urges him on. With one swift motion, he slices across his palm, the pain sharp and immediate. Blood drips down onto the altar, pooling around the items they brought.)

Floria: (murmuring the incantation, her voice low and melodic, resonating with the ancient magic in the air) "By the blood of kin, by the bond of love, I call to the past—reverse what has been undone."

(The symbols around them begin to glow, faint at first, but then brighter, until the entire room is bathed in an ethereal light. Lysander's heart pounds in his chest, his breath coming in short gasps as the energy builds around them. Floria continues chanting, her voice rising as the magic intensifies.)

Suddenly, the scene changed. 

Floria: (surprising) "Where is this…"

Lysander: (exciting) "My family estate… We made it. We reversed time"

Floria: (surprising yet exciting) "Ha… ha… what now?"

Lysander: (exciting) "What else do you think? I'll ask my parents to go on a family vacation now without Hugo. We must all survive." 

Scene: Lysander's First Attempt – The Accidental Flame

Lysander stands in the hallway, watching his parents in the study, both alive and well. He had convinced them to stay inside today, far from any possible danger. Angela and Alexei are with him, waiting nervously.

Lysander: (to himself, with quiet conviction) "This is it. This time, it will be different."

Suddenly, there's a loud crash from the front of the house. Lysander's heart skips a beat. He rushes towards the sound, and to his horror, he sees Hugo standing at the entrance, confused, his eye glowing with dark flame.

Hugo: (panicked) "I-I didn't mean to! I just wanted to protect you all—"

Before Hugo can explain, a flicker of his dark flame spills from his hand, spiraling uncontrollably. It slams into the wall and spreads rapidly, engulfing the house. The flames roar toward the study where their parents are trapped. No matter how fast Lysander runs or how hard he tries to douse the flames, he's too late. His parents perish in the blaze.

Lysander: (falling to his knees, whispering) "No… not again."

Scene: Lysander's Second Attempt – The Beast Within

This time, Lysander arranges for his parents to leave the estate early, far from Hugo's reach. He takes Angela and Alexei with him to ensure their safety. As the family sits together in a remote cabin, he feels a flicker of hope.

Lysander: (smiling faintly) "We've done it. We've finally escaped this."

But that night, there's a loud bang on the door. Lysander's heart sinks as he realizes who it is. Hugo stands there, disoriented and fearful, his hands trembling.

Hugo: (shouting) "I felt something—something coming for you! I came to stop it!"

Before anyone can react, Hugo's powers spiral out of control again. In his panic, his monstrous strength surges forth, knocking over furniture and sending deadly force rippling through the cabin. Lysander watches in horror as a stray blast crushes the very walls, collapsing the roof on their parents.

No matter how he tries to intervene, Hugo's accidental destruction claims their lives once more.

Scene: Lysander's Third Attempt – The Ritual Gone Wrong

Desperation pushes Lysander to try something more drastic. He convinces his parents to partake in a protective ritual designed to bind them to safety, a way to counteract the dangerous forces that always seem to converge around Hugo.

Lysander: (muttering) "This time, the ritual will work. It has to work."

But midway through the ritual, a loud crash shakes the house. Hugo, in his panic, bursts into the room, his eye flashing with dark energy.

Hugo: (panting) "I'm sorry—I didn't know! I thought I could help—"

Before anyone can stop him, the purgatory flames flare up, disrupting the delicate ritual. A wave of power surges through the room, causing the very symbols meant to protect them to backfire. The flames consume Lysander's parents, ripping their souls away just as he watches in despair.

Lysander: (screaming) "NO! Not again!"

Scene: Lysander's Last Attempt – The Fatal Decision

The air in the family estate was thick with tension, far colder than it should have been. Lysander stood in the hallway, his eyes narrowed, hands shaking at his sides. This time, he had made up his mind—no more endless loops, no more desperate attempts. He had one final plan, and it involved ending the problem at its source.

Hugo.

Lysander knew that every attempt to save their parents had been ruined by Hugo, who never meant to harm anyone, but whose dark powers always spiraled out of control. But if Hugo was removed from the equation before anything could happen—if Hugo was eliminated—then the timeline could finally reset in peace. There would be no more accidents. No more tragic deaths. He would save his parents, Angela, and Alexei, once and for all.

Lysander: (quietly to himself, resolute) "This ends tonight."

In the distance, he could hear Hugo moving around, perhaps restless, perhaps anxious, but unaware of what was about to happen. Lysander moved down the hallway, his footsteps barely audible on the thick carpet. Angela and Alexei were with their parents in another room, safely away from what he was about to do.

Lysander slipped into the study where Hugo sat alone, his single eye glowing faintly in the dim light. The room was dark, the shadows cast by the flickering flames in the fireplace making Hugo look even more isolated. Lysander clenched his fists, knowing that this was the moment. He pulled out a small ceremonial dagger from his jacket, its blade coated with an enchantment meant to suppress Hugo's powers—long enough to kill him.

Hugo: (turning his head, surprised) "Big brother? What are you doing here?"

Lysander said nothing, his heart pounding in his chest. His mind was made up. If killing Hugo meant saving his family, he would do it. He had to. There was no other choice.

Lysander: (voice low, almost broken) "I'm sorry, Hugo. I have to do this."

Hugo's eye widened as he realized what Lysander was holding. Before he could even react, Lysander lunged forward, the dagger aimed directly at Hugo's heart. Hugo stumbled back, raising his hands defensively, but it was too late—Lysander drove the dagger into his brother's chest, the blade sinking deep.

Hugo: (gasping, eyes filled with shock) "Big…brother…"

But the moment the dagger pierced Hugo's flesh, something went horribly wrong. Hugo's dark flame, always teetering on the edge of control, reacted violently to the attack. Instead of dissipating, it surged outward in an uncontrollable explosion of energy, ripping through the room with devastating force.

Lysander was thrown back, slamming into the wall, his vision blurred by the sheer intensity of the blast. As he struggled to regain his footing, his ears ringing, he heard a deafening crash from down the hall—the same hall where his parents had been.

Lysander: (gasping, panicking) "No… no, no, no…"

He scrambled to his feet, rushing toward the source of the sound, heart pounding in his chest. When he reached the hallway, his worst fears were confirmed. The explosion had torn through the estate, and in the wreckage, his parents lay motionless, crushed beneath the debris.

Hugo stood in the middle of it all, still alive, but in a state of shock, his hands covered in his own blood from the wound Lysander had inflicted. The dark flame still flickered around him, but it was fading, as if the explosion had drained it of its strength.

Hugo: (weakly) "I didn't mean to… I… I just wanted to—"

Lysander: (screaming, tears streaming down his face) "You killed them! AGAIN!"

In his grief, Lysander charged toward Hugo, but his legs gave out beneath him before he could reach him. The weight of his own actions crashed down on him like a tidal wave. He had tried to kill Hugo, and in doing so, had caused the very thing he had been trying to prevent.

Lysander fell to his knees in front of the wreckage, staring at the lifeless bodies of his parents. All the plans, all the rituals, all the sacrifices—they were all for nothing. Hugo hadn't died. Their parents hadn't been saved. The timeline had been rewritten, but the outcome had always remained the same. His parents were dead, and Hugo was at the center of it, no matter how hard he tried to change it.

Lysander: (whispering in despair) "It's fate... I can't stop it."

Hugo, barely standing, took a faltering step forward, his voice weak with guilt.

Hugo: (whispering) "Big brother… I… I'm sorry…"

Lysander's mind snapped. He couldn't bear it anymore. There was no way to save their parents. It wasn't Hugo's fault, but it didn't matter. No matter what he did, no matter how many times he rewound time, it would always end this way.

Lysander: (quietly, broken) "It's over... I can't save them…"

At that moment, Lysander made his final decision. He would stop trying to save his parents. There was no way to change their fate. But he still had a chance to save Angela and Alexei. They were his last hope.

Lysander: (gritting his teeth, looking up at Hugo with cold resolve) "I can't save them… but I can still save the others."

And with that, Lysander turned away from Hugo, his mind set. He wouldn't waste any more time on his parents' doomed fate. From now on, his focus would be on Angela and Alexei—the only ones he had left.

Scene: Werewolf's Rampage 

The school courtyard erupted into chaos. A massive, snarling werewolf—its eyes glowing red, claws like razors—charged through the fleeing students. The beast's roar drowned out the terrified screams as it sent one boy flying with a swipe of its claw.

Lysander was the first to react, grabbing Angela's hand and pulling her close. His eyes darted around, searching for an escape.

Lysander: "Run! Now!"

They bolted across the courtyard, the heavy thud of the werewolf's footsteps pounding behind them. Floria and Alexei followed, their breaths coming in ragged gasps. The beast was faster—too fast.

Floria: (panting) "We can't outrun it! It'll tear through us!"

Lysander's eyes narrowed, his mind racing. Alexei was already scanning the surroundings, looking for anything they could use.

Alexei: "There! The alleyway—if we can trap it…"

Lysander nodded sharply, taking charge. "We'll split up, confuse it. Angela, you're the fastest. Lead it into the alley. The rest of us will draw its attention. Go!"

Angela's heart pounded in her chest, but she didn't hesitate. Without a word, she sprinted toward the alley, throwing a quick glance over her shoulder.

The werewolf's glowing eyes locked onto her.

Werewolf: (snarling) "RRRAARRGH!"

Angela dove around a corner, narrowly avoiding the creature's swipe as it lunged after her. The alley was tight—too narrow for the massive beast to move freely.

As the werewolf struggled to maneuver, Lysander, Floria, and Alexei fanned out. They picked up stones, debris—anything within reach—and hurled them at the beast.

Floria: (shouting, hands trembling as she throws) "Take this, you monster!"

The werewolf snarled, snapping its jaws as rocks pelted its fur. It turned briefly, distracted by the assault, but then its eyes flicked back to Angela.

Alexei: "It's still focused on her!"

Lysander: (grimly) "We have to pin it down."

Alexei's eyes landed on an old crowbar lying near a maintenance shed. He sprinted over, grabbed it, and ran back to the electrical box by the alley.

Alexei: "I'll get it open—cover me!"

Lysander gave him a sharp nod, hurling a piece of brick at the werewolf's head. Floria followed suit, doing her best to distract the beast while Alexei pried the box open with a grunt.

Alexei: (gritting his teeth) "Got it!"

Lysander rushed over, ripping out the exposed wires. He glanced at the puddle forming from the yard's sprinkler system that Floria had activated, drenching the ground beneath the werewolf.

Lysander: "Now! Hit it!"

Lysander slammed the exposed wires together. Electricity sparked wildly as the current surged through the water. The werewolf howled in agony, convulsing as it collapsed in the alley, its fur singed and smoking.

The beast lay still, twitching. Angela scrambled back from the alley's dead end, her chest heaving.

Angela: (gasping) "Is... is it down?"

Lysander stood up slowly, watching the werewolf's prone form. The air was thick with the smell of burnt fur and ozone. He wiped the sweat from his brow, his breathing heavy.

Lysander: (exhausted) "For now."

Scene: The Realization After the Werewolf Attack

The dim light from Lysander's computer screen flickered in the otherwise dark room. His fingers clicked mechanically on the keyboard, guiding his character through the latest online game, but his mind wasn't in it. The usual sense of escape wasn't coming. The gunfire on-screen blended into the background as memories of the werewolf attack looped in his head—the terror in Angela's voice, Alexei barely pulling her out of harm's way.

His jaw tightened as another explosion sounded from the game. He stared at the screen, but all he could see were flashes of the nightmarish encounter.

Alexei: (his voice low, filled with frustration) "Brother… we need to talk… about this incident."

Lysander didn't turn away from the screen, but his fingers slowed on the keys.

Alexei: "We nearly died tonight, and you're here—playing games?"

Lysander: (Lysander scoffed quietly, though his voice lacked its usual bite.) "What else can we do? Calling the cops? Or some hunters? These people only come after the tragedy."

Angela: (her voice sharp) "Is that your solution? To shut down and pretend like nothing happened?"

Lysander: (lazily answer) "What else can I do? I have been through hell. Like what the fuck? I manipulated time, tried to kill a bastard and now, werewolves? These things are beyond my control."

Floria: (leaning forward, her voice shaken but resolute) "Lysander, we've all been through hell, and I get it—no one can bear this burden alone. But you're not alone." Her voice wavered as she glanced at Alexei, the person she almost lost. "I almost lost him tonight. We can't afford to stop now."

Lysander: "Oh? Miss orphan here has any suggestion?"

Alexei: (his voice high, filled with anger) "What the… You!!"

Alexei raised his hand but Floria stopped him.

Lysander: (his voice low, filled with frustration) "I'm sorry… it's just too much."

Angela: (looking at Lysander, her eyes softening) "Alexei and I, we're here. And that was because of you, Lysander. Because you were willing to go through that ritual to rewrite time, I am eternally going to be grateful. But we need more. We couldn't even handle a mere werewolf, what if stronger monsters come? What if Hugo comes?"

Lysander is speechless and shocked by his sister's words. He has kicked Hugo out of the family and got all of his parents' wealth. Hugo was someone who tried to steal his parents' corpses. He could try to get revenge.

Lysander: "Do you have any suggestions?"

Alexei: (his voice quiet, but certain) "Brother, do you know Yue?"

Lysander: "Ha… Our clan's strongest esper… who doesn't…" (he pauses, looking at Alexei) "You mean…"

Alexei: (his voice higher, excited) "What else do you think?"

Floria: (not realizing anything) "Uhh… What are you brothers thinking?"

Angela: (smiling) "They are talking about artificial superpower. Our family has been investing in many research projects about superpower. Our mother is an esper researcher for example, and Yue, one of our cousins, once volunteered as their lab rat to get an artificial superpower. He became one of the strongest espers out there and the king of our school, surpassing even Hugo."

Lysander: (his voice hardening) "The process to get one is brutal. It rewires your brain, makes you think in ways we aren't used to. Scientific precision, math, calculations, everything becomes a formula."

Angela (nodding): "But it works. Yue's proof. He's stronger than anyone we know."

Floria (hesitant): "But... isn't there a cost? What if it changes us? What if we lose something in the process?"

Lysander shrugs, his confidence unwavering.

Lysander: "We've already lost plenty. Our parents, our lives before all this… I don't see what's left to lose. We gain certainty. Power that we can control. That's all that matters now."

Alexei: (grinning): "Exactly. After everything we've done—rewriting time, taking down a werewolf—this is the next step. We can't sit around waiting for a miracle to happen."

Floria looks at Alexei, her doubt softening slightly. She knows he's right, and after everything they've been through, the need for power is undeniable.

Lysander (with finality): "So, we'll do it. I'll talk to Yue, get the details. It's going to be brutal, but if it means we can survive… we do it."

The room falls silent, but the weight of their decision hangs in the air. They all know what lies ahead will be difficult, but after today, there's no turning back.

Lysander (glancing around): "Is anyone against this?"

No one speaks. They've all made up their minds. The next step in their journey is clear.

Scene: Lysander and Angela Talk with Yue About Power

The late afternoon sunlight crept through the windows of the school's empty cafeteria, casting a soft glow on the table where Lysander and Angela sat with their cousin, Yue. There was a charged silence between them, the weight of unspoken thoughts heavy in the air.

Yue swirled his drink casually, his eyes sharp as they moved between the two.

Yue: (curious) "So, I heard about the werewolf incident… you two were there?"

Angela: (nodding, her voice steady) "It was bad. Worse than we expected. We barely got out without anyone getting seriously hurt."

Yue: (laughs) "Hahaha. You're unlucky. If I were there, the little mutt would have flown to the sky." 

Yue's arrogance antique has not changed after he received his power. If anything, it just reminded Yue once more that he is the best. After all, a rich, smart and now even super powerful guy, who could compete? He must have thought that.

Lysander: (leaning back, arms crossed) "It made us realize something. Brains can only take you so far when you're up against raw strength. We couldn't keep up."

Yue watched them closely, his casual demeanor dropping slightly.

Yue: (leaning forward) "You're not telling me this just to share war stories. What's really going on?"

Lysander and Angela exchanged a quick glance, their bond evident in the silent exchange.

Angela: (calm but determined) "We want to level the playing field, Yue. We can't keep relying on luck or tactics alone. We need real power—something that can actually protect us."

Yue's expression hardened. He placed his drink down slowly, his eyes narrowing as he gauged their seriousness.

Yue: (serious) "You're talking about artificial superpowers."

Lysander: (smirking slightly) "Just like what you have."

Yue: (sighing, leaning back) "You know what it does to people. We're from the same clan. You've seen what I went through, what it cost."

Angela: (her gaze unwavering) "We have. But we're not afraid of change, Yue. We're afraid of being powerless."

Yue: (firm) "The procedure… it rewires everything in you. You stop thinking like you used to. Your brain becomes a machine that runs on precision and logic. You lose… parts of yourself."

Lysander: (shrugging) "We've already lost too much. The way I see it… it's either we evolve, or we die."

Yue sighed, standing up slowly. He ran a hand through his hair, glancing at the two of them with a mix of understanding and wariness.

Yue: (quietly) "Alright. I'll set up the meeting. But remember, power comes with a price. I paid mine. Make sure you're ready to pay yours."