"Such words coming from someone with no mana." The Hollow grunted, his tone more amused than angry. "How did you even come up with that?"
"I...I..." Kaia hesitated. Her soul practically vibrated. There was no mistaking it—someone else was there, right there. Her heart pounded in her chest like it was trying to escape, and a strange rush flooded her senses, as if her very soul was teetering on the edge of something. Eyes wide, she forced out, "I'm sure of it." She didn't blink, staring at the vortex.
"Very well then," the Hollow grunted. "You're right."
"What?" Yona shot her a look, disbelief written all over her face. "This is the first I'm hearing of this!"
"No need to worry." The Hollow's voice was almost too casual. "The person in here is nothing more than a fluke. You don't need to get worked up. They aren't a whole person, just... a leftover memory of someone long gone."
Yona raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. "Who exactly is this 'person' you're talking about?"
"Ah, well... I can't really say much. It's... um... not someone important. Or someone you'd know. It's just... hard to explain."
Yona crossed her arms. "Who are they to you?"
The Hollow paused, an eerie quiet hanging in the air. "We shared a... deep bond once. You'll find out more when you track down all the Splinters."
Yona rubbed her temples. Great, she thought. We're getting nowhere fast.
Kaia, however, wasn't about to back down. "May I ask my other questions?"
"That's why I'm here," the Hollow replied, a little too eager.
"Okay then." Kaia leaned forward. "What exactly can you do from here?"
"I can watch..." The Hollow's voice took on a distant tone, as though he were gazing through the very fabric of reality. "The world. The universe. Multiple domains. I see everything. That's it. Nothing else."
Kaia frowned. "That's... kind of lame."
"Would you prefer I do something else?" The Hollow shot back.
"No, that works," she muttered. "So how do you know the Splinters are reincarnations of the nine sorcerers?"
"They've got this symbol on their back," he explained, as if it were the most obvious thing. "Makes it easier for me to track them."
Kaia's brow furrowed. "So... can they really be reincarnated in the same era, reunite, and... do whatever it is they're supposed to do?"
"There's a chance," he mused. "But it's complicated. Reuniting them... well, there's always something that gets in the way. You've got a good shot now, though. You know, I saw the Rabbit Splinter take birth a few years ago. Problem was, Apostle couldn't find him. And after that, I lost track of him too. Vanished into thin air."
"Rabbit Splinter?" Kaia echoed.
Yona chuckled. "It's been almost 500 years since one was born. Honestly, it's like a rabbit splinter was just a fairy tale."
Kaia blinked, then shrugged. "Alright. Last question. Is it possible for me to become a Splinter?"
"..." The Hollow was silent for a moment, as if contemplating the very nature of the universe. Finally, he spoke, his voice more serious than before. "There have been people who became Splinters without being born one. If you exceed the power of the nine sorcerers... you could become one. You'd join forces with the other Splinters and break the curse... or destroy me."
Yona stood quietly, letting their conversation simmer in her mind. All her questions were answered... sort of. But something still felt off. She glanced at the Hollow, suspicious. He's never been this open before. Why now?
"You two can leave now," the Hollow muttered, a wave of his hand dismissing them.
As Kaia and Yona turned to walk away, the Hollow added, almost lazily, "And Yona... just so you know, Kaia is way more stubborn than anyone else. If I hadn't answered her questions, she would've worn me down until my brain fell out."
Yona chuckled, shoving her hands into her pockets. She looked over her shoulder, grinning. "Maybe so. It's only been a few days since we met, after all." Her eyes flicked to Kaia, curiosity glinting in them. There's more to you, isn't there?
"I'm not that bad." Kaia's cheeks flushed a bright red, but she didn't even look back.
The Hollow chuckled, a soft sound like a ghostly breeze. "Very well. Just don't tell anyone about our little chat."
Yona smirked, her thoughts racing. I knew he was going to say that.
***
Kyros stood at the door of Thalia's house, looking every bit the part of someone attending a grand event—dressed in a sharp suit. Behind him, Kiaan was more casually dressed in what could only be described as "normal outing clothes."
"You're not here for a party, are you?" Kiaan narrowed his eyes, a smirk playing on his lips.
Kyros, armed with a bouquet of flowers, shot him an annoyed look. "Shut up. You wouldn't understand etiquette."
As Kyros reached for the doorbell, it swung open abruptly. Thalia stood there, a bright smile lighting up her face. "Good evening, please come in."
"I'm sorry, I came uninvited," Kiaan said, his expression the very picture of innocence. Kyros threw him a death glare.
"Not at all. I'm happy to have you both," Thalia replied, her smile unwavering as they stepped inside.
Happy to have us? Kyros thought, his eyes instinctively darting to the kitchen knife on the counter. I'm going to make this guy vomit blood.
"I can read your mind, you know." Kiaan whispered, moving close enough that Kyros could feel his breath.
"I'll just go handle things in the kitchen," Thalia announced, heading toward the back. "You two can sit."
I forgot to give her the bouquet. Kyros sank onto the couch like it was his own home, a relaxed smile creeping across his face.
"Just put it aside. She probably knows you didn't bring the bouquet just to decorate the place," Kiaan said, nonchalantly crossing his legs.
Then—ding dong—the doorbell rang again.
"Kyros! Can you open the door for me, please?" Thalia called from the kitchen.
"It's probably her mother!" Kyros whispered excitedly to Kiaan, practically jumping to his feet. "I'm going to give this bouquet to her so she gets impressed and makes me her son-in-law."
"Well, try it then," Kiaan said, crossing his arms, clearly entertained.
Kyros rushed toward the door, adjusting his tie and running his fingers through his hair, bouquet in hand. He opened the door dramatically. "This is for the woman who created the most beautiful daughter in the world," he announced, eyes sparkling, trying to look more attractive.
"But I'm more beautiful than my daughter. Still, thanks," Yona said, snatching the bouquet from his hands. "And my daughter is very happy to hear it. Although, I don't know how but I still found her ugly."
"He has eyes, mom. That's why," Kaia chimed in, playing along with Yona.
Kyros stood there, dumbfounded. I didn't expect them to show up. His face turned crimson with embarrassment. "Don't make fun of me!"
Before he could recover, Yona's gaze shifted to a glare. "Weren't you supposed to take Kai's place, Mister?" she asked, her voice sharp. "Why are you so carefree while leaving all the work for the others?"
"Uh..." Kyros took a step back, flustered, as Yona advanced with the precision of a predator closing in on prey.
"Kaia, welcome!" Thalia called out as she came out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron. She glanced at the bouquet in Yona's hands, then turned a confused look on Kyros. "Oh!"
Oh noooooo! Kyros screamed in his mind, thinking, Thalia probably thinks I like Yona, not her!
"Th-Thalia..." Kyros stammered, trying to salvage the situation.
But before he could say anything, Yona smoothly handed the bouquet to Thalia with a smile. "I'm Yona. I know your sister. This is for you."
"Thank you," Thalia said, smiling graciously as she accepted the flowers. "Please, come inside."
Kaia and Yona walked in. Kyros stood frozen in place like a statue, unsure of what just happened.
"Since when did you have a trio, sis?" Kaia asked, glancing at Kiaan, who was leaning casually against the wall.
"I didn't expect to meet you guys again," Kiaan added, his playful tone making it clear he was enjoying Kyros' discomfort.
"The table's ready, please take a seat," Thalia announced, gesturing toward a small wooden table.
A mouthwatering aroma filled the room, wafting from a covered dish in the center of the table.
"Let me bring some water," Thalia said, starting to turn when her eyes suddenly widened. Not again.
She froze, then turned to look behind her. Kaia was holding her wrist, an unspoken tension hanging in the air.
"Kaia?" Thalia asked, her confusion evident as she stepped closer.
Kaia's expression darkened, the mood shifting instantly. "What creature?" she asked, her voice colder now.
"Huh?" Thalia blinked, her mind struggling to catch up.