The alley was eerily silent, save for the faint crackle of dissipating Aether energy. Broken glass and charred debris littered the ground, remnants of the earlier fight that had left King exhausted and Tenko unconscious. King stood over Tenko's prone form, his broad shoulders tense, his sharp gaze scanning the shadows. The oppressive stillness pressed against his ears, amplifying the faint rustle of movement just beyond his sight.
A subtle, almost taunting clap broke the silence. "Impressive, King," a smooth, mocking voice echoed from the darkness, dripping with amusement. "I have to say, watching you struggle is quite the spectacle. But let's be clear—this place isn't your hunting ground. It's mine."
King stiffened, his eyes narrowing as the figure emerged. Shiro stepped into the faint light of a flickering streetlamp, her calm, calculated steps exuding control. The faint glow of her Aether-infused strings flickered at her fingertips, lazily coiling and uncoiling like snakes savoring their prey. Her tailored jacket and sharp features made her look more like a performer than a combatant, but King knew better. She thrived on the chaos she created.
"Shiro," King muttered, his tone carrying equal parts wariness and disdain. His knuckles whitened as he flexed his hands, though he kept his Aether restrained. "Why am I not surprised? This chaos has your fingerprints all over it."
Shiro smiled, tilting her head in mock curiosity. "Oh, flattery will get you nowhere, darling. But it's true—I did orchestrate this little test. Enlightening, wasn't it? You handled my pawns well enough, but," her gaze shifted to Tenko's unconscious form, "I'm more interested in him. Your little… liability."
King's jaw tightened, his posture shifting subtly as he stepped slightly in front of Tenko. "I owe him a debt, Shiro. That's all you need to know."
"A debt?" Shiro's eyes gleamed with something between amusement and curiosity. "How quaint. Tell me, what's so special about him? A late bloomer, perhaps? Or maybe…" Her voice trailed off, her playful demeanor faltering for a brief moment. "No, that's ridiculous. Maka wouldn't take a student. No one's that reckless. Not even her."
Her strings began to hum softly, the energy coursing through them audible in the heavy silence. "Still, I wonder... How much are you willing to risk for him? You look like you're running on fumes already."
King's glare hardened, his fists clenching. "If you're going to fight, fight me. But leave him out of it. He's not worth your time."
Shiro's laughter rang out, sharp and unkind. "Oh, King. Always so dramatic. Let's see how far that bravado gets you."
Without further warning, Shiro's strings lashed out, burrowing into the ground before erupting in a web of sharp tendrils around King. Each tendril glowed faintly with Aether, radiating an oppressive energy that made the air around them feel heavier. King barely managed to leap back, his arm instinctively shielding Tenko as the strings sliced through the space he had occupied. The tendrils shredded the debris around them, carving deep gouges into the alley walls.
"Cheap tricks, as always," King growled, his Aether flaring as he conjured a protective barrier to block another onslaught. The barrier flickered, absorbing the sharp impacts of the strings, but the relentless assault left King little room to counter. His breaths grew heavier, his stance faltering as he fought to defend himself and the unconscious Tenko.
Shiro's smirk widened as her strings danced around her, weaving an intricate pattern that seemed to trap King in a tightening web. "You're slipping, King," she taunted, her voice sharp and mocking. "All that bravado, but you're still just dragging around dead weight." She gestured disdainfully toward Tenko. "You should have left him. He's going to get you killed."
King's glare remained icy as he deflected another string, the impact forcing him back a step. "He's none of your concern," he snapped, though his voice betrayed the strain he was under. "If you're so desperate to prove a point, stop hiding behind your toys and fight me directly."
Shiro chuckled, her strings snapping forward with renewed ferocity. "Oh, King, this isn't about proving anything. This is about reminding you where you stand." One tendril wrapped around his arm, another coiling around his leg, pulling him down to one knee. The force of the strings tightened with a sharp, audible crack, and King gritted his teeth against the pain.
"Does it hurt?" Shiro asked mockingly, stepping closer. The faint glow of her strings cast eerie shadows across her face. "Good. Maybe this will teach you not to play hero."
As she prepared a final strike, her strings vibrating with concentrated energy, a blur of motion cut through the air. Shiro's attack was intercepted by a sudden surge of force, her strings snapping back as they collided with a wave of Aether energy that wasn't her own. The shock made her stumble back, her confident smirk faltering as she scanned the alley.
From the shadows, a masked figure emerged, their cloak billowing slightly in the residual energy. They moved swiftly, closing the distance between themselves and King, deflecting another string aimed at him with effortless precision. With a sharp, calculated strike, the figure severed the strings binding King's arm and leg, freeing him. Shiro's eyes narrowed in recognition as the masked figure stepped fully into the dim light.
"Well, well," Shiro said, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she steadied herself. "I should've known you'd show up, Charybdis. Always meddling where you don't belong."
The masked figure ignored the taunt, her stance unwavering. With a flick of her wrist, a barrier of controlled Aether formed between her and Shiro, radiating a calm but immense power. "You've made your point, Shiro. Leave, before you regret staying."
Shiro's smirk twisted into a sneer. "You think I'm afraid of you, Charybdis? You're just another rogue anomaly hiding behind theatrics. Let's see what happens when I cut that mask off your face."
With a sharp motion, Shiro's strings lashed forward, the tendrils glowing with an intense energy as they darted toward Lena. The masked figure stood still, her aura undisturbed as she raised one hand. The ground rumbled beneath their feet as Lena's Aether surged, summoning a controlled wave of force that deflected the strings mid-air. The tendrils hissed and crackled as they collided with her barrier, unable to penetrate its defenses.
"You're wasting your energy," Charybdis said, her voice calm but edged with steel. "This isn't a fight you can win."
Shiro's eyes narrowed as she redoubled her efforts, her strings snaking around the barrier in an attempt to encircle Charybdis. "You're not as untouchable as you think," she snarled, the ground trembling as her Aether surged. "Let's see how long that calm façade lasts."
Charybdis moved with precision, her hand cutting through the air in a fluid motion. The ground beneath Shiro erupted, a sharp spike of earth knocking her off balance. The strings wavered as their control faltered, allowing Charybdis to advance. Her movements were deliberate, each step forcing Shiro to retreat.
"You talk a lot," Charybdis said, her voice steady, "but all I see is desperation."
Shiro gritted her teeth, her gaze darting to King, who was regaining his footing. She let out a frustrated growl and snapped her fingers, her strings retreating in an instant. "This isn't over," she spat, her tone venomous. Her gaze lingered on Tenko, a flicker of curiosity and contempt in her eyes. "You've made your choice, Charybdis. But don't think for a second that you can protect him forever."
With a final glare, Shiro turned and vanished into the shadows, the faint glow of her strings dissipating as quickly as it had appeared.
Charybdis knelt beside King, her mask hiding any trace of emotion. "How bad is he?" she asked, nodding toward Tenko.
"Boss??" King's mind raced, his eyes darting to the masked figure. Charybdis? No—it couldn't be. The presence, the precision—it all pointed to the SS-rated rogue anomaly, but there was something unsettlingly familiar about her movements. Shaking off his disbelief, King refocused on the unconscious Tenko.
"He's alive," King replied, his tone gruff. "But whatever's happening to him, it's taking a toll."
"We need to move," Charybdis said, rising to her feet. Her voice remained steady, betraying no acknowledgment of King's earlier assumption. "Bring him to Kami-Taku. He'll be safe there."
King hesitated, glancing at her masked figure with suspicion, but she offered no further explanation. The air between them was thick with unspoken tension, leaving King to wonder if his suspicions were true as they prepared to leave.
As they made their way through the labyrinthine backstreets, the faint hum of Zamboni drones grew louder. Their mechanical buzz reverberated off the walls, and beams of light swept the area as they scanned for the disturbance reported earlier. Charybdis's steps quickened, her composure unshaken even as the danger loomed closer. King followed her lead, struggling to balance Tenko's weight and his mounting frustration.
"This is cutting it close," King muttered under his breath, casting a wary glance at the shadows.
"Stay quiet," Charybdis replied curtly. She raised a hand, emitting a faint pulse of Aether that disrupted the nearest drone's signal. The machine wavered mid-air before veering off-course, its scanning beam fading. "The drones won't track us if we keep moving."
King gritted his teeth but said nothing, his suspicion deepening. Charybdis's precision and control over her Aether were uncanny, further solidifying her identity in his mind. Yet her familiarity with the area and the methods she employed to avoid detection hinted at something more.
Finally, they reached the outskirts of Kami-Taku, the warm light spilling from the diner's windows a stark contrast to the cold, tension-filled streets they'd just traversed. Charybdis motioned for King to bring Tenko inside.
As King set Tenko down on a makeshift cot in the backroom, he turned to Charybdis, his expression a mixture of wariness and frustration. "You're not going to say anything, are you? About who you really are?"
Charybdis tilted her head slightly, the faintest hint of amusement in her voice. Without a word, she reached up and removed her mask, revealing the unmistakable face of Lena. Her sharp eyes locked onto King, her expression a mix of irritation and authority.
King's eyes widened in shock. "Lena? You're—"
Before he could finish, Lena's fist connected with his chest, a burst of Aether-infused energy sending a warning shock through his system. The blow wasn't enough to injure him severely but left him winded and stunned.
"Never call me out like that again," Lena said firmly, her voice cool and commanding. "What I do in this mask is my business. Stick to your debts, King."
Before he could respond, Lena turned sharply on her heel and opened a cabinet behind the counter. She pulled out a glowing Aether Orb and tossed it to King with a casual flick of her wrist. He caught it instinctively, frowning at the faint warmth radiating from it.
"That's for you," Lena said curtly, her tone still firm. "You're not much use if you collapse before morning." She crossed her arms and leaned against the counter, her expression softening just slightly as her gaze shifted to Tenko.
"As for him," she continued, nodding toward the unconscious figure, "he's in a precarious state. The surgery to implant the Brimstone Witch's channel was experimental at best, reckless at worst. His body's rejecting and adapting to the foreign Aether simultaneously. That's why his energy levels are all over the place."
King frowned, gripping the orb tighter. "And what's your plan, then? Just let him burn himself out?"
Lena's eyes narrowed. "Hardly. He needs time to stabilize—and support. The Anti-Aether in his blood is complicating things, creating a tug-of-war with the Brimstone channel. If we're not careful, it could destroy him from the inside out." She glanced at King, her tone sharpening. "Which is why I don't need you stirring the pot with your petty questions or assumptions."
King sighed, the weight of her words settling over him. He glanced at Tenko, whose breathing was shallow but steady. "So what's the next step?" he asked grudgingly.
Lena pushed off the counter, her commanding presence returning. "For now, we monitor him. Keep him hydrated, fed, and away from any major Aether stressors. This is uncharted territory. I've never dealt with someone carrying Anti-Aether while also trying to adjust to foreign Aether." She paused, her tone sharpening. "It's a risky balance. If we push too hard or expose him to the wrong stimulus, the conflicting forces could tear him apart."
She fixed King with a piercing stare. "And you…" her voice dropped into a quieter, more dangerous tone, "you're going to help. Consider it part of your debt."
King huffed but didn't argue, the Aether Orb still glowing faintly in his grasp. With a resigned sigh, he tightened his grip, crushing the orb in his hand. The Aether surged through him in a rush of warmth and light, invigorating his drained energy. But then something unexpected happened.
A fraction of the Aether diverted from King, glowing faintly as it drifted toward Tenko. The shimmering threads of energy sank into Tenko's body, causing his shallow breathing to hitch momentarily before steadying again. King's eyes widened in alarm.
Lena's gaze snapped to Tenko, her sharp eyes narrowing. "That's... unexpected," she muttered under her breath. Her mind raced, analyzing the interaction. The Anti-Aether in Tenko's blood shouldn't have allowed that—but it did.
"Maybe..." Lena began, her tone thoughtful but laced with caution. She looked to King. "It's risky, but forcing controlled doses of Aether into him might stabilize the balance. His body's reacting—that's more than I expected." She straightened, her commanding presence returning. "If we do this, it has to be precise. One mistake, and it could tip everything into chaos."
King scowled, his expression dark. "So now you're saying we push him harder after warning me about stressors?"
"I said it was risky, not impossible," Lena shot back, her voice cool but firm. "Do you want to save him or not?"
King exhaled sharply, his gaze flicking to Tenko. "No. I'm not agreeing to that," he said firmly, his grip tightening on the remnants of the Aether Orb. "You just said this could tear him apart."
Lena stepped closer, her sharp eyes locking onto his. "And what do you propose instead? Watching him fade away because you're too afraid to take a calculated risk?" Her voice was edged with frustration but remained controlled. "This is the only way we might stabilize him."
King's jaw clenched, the weight of her words pressing down on him. "You don't know that. You're gambling with his life."
Lena's gaze didn't waver. "And you're already in debt to him, King. Or have you forgotten he saved your life?" She tilted her head slightly, her tone cooling but firm. "How long have you thought about that? Wondering just how much I know about your little run-in with those thugs?"
Her words hit their mark, and King's posture stiffened. His mind raced with questions, but he swallowed them down, focusing instead on the unconscious Tenko. Lena's presence loomed as she waited for him to respond. Finally, he muttered under his breath, "How long have you been watching me?"
Lena's lips curved into a faint, knowing smirk, though her eyes remained sharp and calculating. She didn't answer immediately, letting the weight of the moment settle heavily between them. The silence was deafening, broken only by the faint hum of Tenko's shallow breaths.
Finally, she spoke, her tone measured and deliberate. "Long enough to know you don't owe debts lightly, King. And long enough to see that you're too proud to admit when someone's pulled you out of the fire."
She stepped closer, her gaze unwavering as she studied his reaction. "You think you're careful. Calculated. But you're an open book to anyone who knows what to look for. And I always know what to look for."
King's fists tightened at his sides, but he didn't interrupt. She tilted her head, her expression hardening slightly. "You weren't ready for what they threw at you, and you know it. If it hadn't been for him..." She gestured subtly toward Tenko. "You'd be a corpse in that alley."
Her voice softened, but only slightly. "You owe him your life, King. And I'm not here to tell you how to repay that debt. But I am here to make sure you don't forget it."
She stepped back, crossing her arms as if the conversation was over. Her gaze flicked to Tenko, her expression unreadable. "Now, what's it going to be? Are you going to stand there arguing, or are you going to help me keep him alive?"
King's jaw clenched, his eyes narrowing as he shifted his weight uncomfortably. He hated how she could strip him down with just a few words, laying bare truths he wasn't ready to admit. His gaze flicked to Tenko, still unmoving, then back to Lena.
"You think I don't get it?" King finally growled, his voice low and sharp. "I know I owe him. But risking his life again on your gamble... That's not a debt I can pay off."
Lena's smirk didn't falter. "You're acting like you have a choice," she replied, her tone cutting but calm. "Whether you help or not, his life is already a gamble. The question is whether you want to tip the odds in his favor."
King exhaled sharply, his frustration mounting. He turned away briefly, running a hand through his hair before muttering, "Damn it."
The tension hung in the air like a storm waiting to break. Finally, he turned back, his expression hardened with reluctant resolve. "Fine. But if this goes south, it's on you."
"Noted," Lena said smoothly, turning her attention back to Tenko. She crouched beside him, placing a hand gently on his shoulder. A faint glow emanated from her fingertips, the subtle hum of Aether filling the room. "He's stronger than he looks," she murmured, almost to herself. "Let's see if that strength holds."
She glanced back at King, her eyes glinting with a mix of determination and warning. "And if you're going to stick around, I suggest you be ready for whatever comes next. This is far from over."
King let out a frustrated growl but stepped forward instead of stepping back, crouching beside Lena. "Fine," he muttered, his tone grudging. "But I'm not just standing around for this. Tell me what to do."
Lena glanced at him, her brows lifting slightly in surprise before her expression returned to its usual sharp focus. "You want to help? Good. Start by stabilizing his Aether flow. Place your hand here." She pointed to Tenko's chest, the faint glow of Aether already radiating from her own hands.
King hesitated for a fraction of a second before following her instructions. As he placed his hand on Tenko's chest, a strange pulse traveled through him—a mix of his own Aether and something foreign. His jaw clenched at the sensation, but he didn't pull away.
Lena continued, her voice steady. "Match your output to mine. Slowly. If his system reacts too strongly, pull back immediately."
King nodded, focusing on the task as the room grew even quieter, the hum of Aether the only sound between them. The glow around Tenko brightened faintly, his breathing deepening slightly in response. The sight made King's chest tighten, a mix of hope and apprehension settling over him. "This better work," he muttered under his breath.
King focused, his breathing shallow as he adjusted his output. Slowly, the energy began to synchronize, the chaotic pulses evening out. Tenko's body jerked suddenly, his chest heaving as his breathing deepened.
Lena's gaze softened slightly. "It's working. The channel's accepting the balance."
King's voice was strained but resolute. "Then let's finish this."
As the energy stabilized, the glow around Tenko's chest dimmed to a steady, controlled pulse. The oppressive weight in the air lifted, leaving a tense silence in its wake. Lena sat back, exhaling deeply as she wiped sweat from her brow.
King focused, his breathing shallow as he adjusted his output. Slowly, the energy began to synchronize, the chaotic pulses evening out. Tenko's body jerked suddenly, his chest heaving as his breathing deepened.
Lena's gaze softened slightly. "It's working. The channel's accepting the balance."
King's voice was strained but resolute. "Then let's finish this."
As the energy stabilized, the glow around Tenko's chest dimmed to a steady, controlled pulse. The oppressive weight in the air lifted, leaving a tense silence in its wake. Lena sat back, exhaling deeply as she wiped sweat from her brow.
But the reprieve was short-lived. Tenko's head jerked suddenly, and his eyes shot open—not his usual gaze, but burning crimson, the unmistakable glow of the Brimstone Witch. His mouth opened, but the voice that emerged wasn't his own. It was cold, sharp, and carried an edge of malice.
"Well, well," the voice said, dripping with dark amusement. "This is unexpected. I never thought I'd awaken like this."
Lena froze, her body tense, while King took an instinctive step back, his eyes wide. "That voice... It can't be..." King muttered.
The crimson glow in Tenko's eyes flared brighter, and the Witch's voice continued. "This boy's body carries the remnants of my power. You've saved his body from going critical, but all you've done is open the door to something greater." The gaze fixed on Lena, unblinking. "Tell me... do you really think you can control something that was never meant to exist?"
Lena's jaw tightened, her hands slowly moving back to her sides. "You're not fully back," she said, her voice steady but cold. "This is just a remnant, a fragment of your will tied to the channel. Don't think for a second that we'll let you take over."
The Witch's laughter echoed, chilling and sharp. "Oh, don't misunderstand," she said, her tone now laced with an eerie calm. "I'm not here to take over. That would be too... predictable." Her glowing gaze fixed on Lena and King. "No, I'm here to watch. To see how far this boy can go—how far he'll take the power now coursing through him. Brimstone and Anti-Aether together... it's fascinating."
She paused, her voice taking on a sharper edge. "But let me warn you. His path won't be easy, and neither of you will have the strength to guide him through it. This is merely the beginning of his suffering. Let's see how long you can keep him alive."
The glow dimmed slightly as Tenko's body slumped back down, but his breathing was erratic, his chest rising and falling in uneven gasps. Lena quickly retrieved two Aether Orbs from a nearby cabinet, tossing one to King while holding the other tightly in her hand.
"We need these to stabilize him further," she said, her tone urgent. King caught the orb, nodding grimly as he prepared to crush it. But before either of them could act, a sharp crack echoed through the room.
Bright crimson veins of Anti-Aether erupted from Tenko's body, slashing through the air like jagged lightning. The orbs in Lena and King's hands shattered instantly, but instead of dissipating, the released Aether was drawn toward Tenko. The energy swirled in midair before being absorbed into his body, the crimson veins glowing even brighter as his Anti-Aether consumed and assimilated the foreign Aether. Both Lena and King recoiled in shock.
"What the hell?" King muttered, staring at the shattered remnants in his palm.
Lena's gaze remained fixed on Tenko, her mind racing as she analyzed the situation. The glowing veins of Anti-Aether pulsing faintly under his skin were unlike anything she had seen before. "We're not keeping up with him," Lena said finally, her voice measured. "We're watching an evolution in real-time. His blood isn't just adapting; it's setting the rules now."
King scoffed, running a hand through his hair as he paced. "Great. Evolution. So what? We just sit here and hope his body doesn't implode?"
Lena didn't flinch at his outburst. Instead, she stood and began pacing as well, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. "Implosion isn't our biggest concern right now. His body absorbed raw Aether from those orbs—Aether that wasn't tailored for him. If it's truly merging with his Anti-Aether, it means his body is rewriting its limits."
King stopped, glaring at her. "And that's supposed to be a good thing?"
"It depends," Lena replied, turning to face him. Her expression was grim but calm. "If his body stabilizes, he might be able to wield something entirely unprecedented. Brimstone Aether and Anti-Aether together... it could make him powerful beyond imagination. But if it destabilizes, it could destroy him—and anything nearby."
King clenched his fists, his frustration bubbling to the surface. "So, we're sitting on a ticking time bomb. That's reassuring."
Lena stepped closer, her tone sharp. "This isn't about reassurance, King. It's about understanding what we're dealing with. Right now, his body is processing more energy than it ever should have been able to. That means every second we wait, his odds of survival either improve—or collapse."
King looked down at Tenko, whose breathing remained uneven but steady. "And you still think just sitting here and watching him is the best plan?"
"It's the only plan," Lena said firmly. "Anything we do could interfere with what's happening. This process—whatever it is—is beyond us."
For a moment, silence fell over the room, broken only by the faint hum of residual Aether in the air. King's jaw tightened, his thoughts a whirlwind of frustration, guilt, and helplessness. Lena knelt back down beside Tenko, her expression softening slightly as she studied him. "If he wakes up... when he wakes up, he's going to need answers. And support."
King sighed heavily, crossing his arms as he leaned against the wall. "Support. Right. Because that's what I'm good at."
Lena glanced up at him, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. "You'll figure it out. You owe him, remember?"
King shook his head, letting out a dry laugh. "Yeah, yeah. You don't have to keep reminding me."
As they settled into an uneasy quiet, the faint glow around Tenko's body began to dim, though the pulsing veins of Anti-Aether remained visible. Lena's eyes flickered with a mix of hope and caution. "For now," she said softly, "we wait. And pray he's strong enough to handle what comes next."
The following days were marked by an uneasy balance of normalcy and vigilance. During the day, the diner continued to operate, with Lena and King alternating shifts to ensure both the business and Tenko's care didn't fall apart. The sound of clinking dishes, the hum of conversation, and the occasional laughter of patrons were stark contrasts to the tense, quiet moments spent by Tenko's side during the evening.
On the first day, Lena spent her morning in the kitchen, barking orders to the staff while keeping an ear out for any changes in the backroom. When her shift ended, she returned to find King slouched in a chair, eyes fixed on Tenko. "Nothing's changed," he said gruffly, not looking up. "Still glowing. Still not moving."
Lena set a cup of coffee on the table beside him. "It's a process," she said, her tone firm but not unkind. "You don't grow a new system overnight."
By the second day, King's patience had worn thinner. "I don't get how you're so calm," he snapped as he refilled a customer's drink. "We're sitting on a kid who might blow up, and you're acting like it's just another day."
Lena raised an eyebrow from behind the counter. "Because freaking out won't help him or us," she retorted. "Keep your head in the game, King. Or would you rather explain to the customers why we're so distracted?"
Despite her calm demeanor, Lena spent her breaks meticulously documenting Tenko's condition, her notebook filled with observations and theories. She noted how the glow of his veins seemed to pulse more steadily at night, as if his body was drawing energy from some unseen source. Each detail painted a picture of a transformation that defied everything she understood about Aether and Anti-Aether.
By the third night, exhaustion was beginning to creep in. Lena and King sat in the backroom, the diner finally quiet after a long day. King stared at the pulsing veins on Tenko's arm, his brow furrowed. "He's stabilizing, isn't he?" he asked, his voice softer than usual.
Lena nodded slowly, her eyes fixed on Tenko. "I think so. His breathing's more even, and the energy flow isn't as chaotic. But it's still a gamble."
King leaned back, running a hand over his face. "You've said that a hundred times, Lena. Can't you just say something reassuring for once?"
A faint smile tugged at her lips. "He's stronger than he looks," she said quietly. "And if anyone can pull through this, it's him."
That evening, just as the sky outside turned a deep indigo, Tenko stirred for the first time. His fingers twitched, and his breathing hitched, drawing Lena and King's immediate attention. The glow around his veins brightened briefly before dimming again, as if his body was testing its newfound balance.
"He's waking up," Lena whispered, her voice a mix of relief and caution. She knelt beside him, her hands hovering just above his arm. "Stay close, King. This might not be easy."
King moved to her side, his expression a mixture of anticipation and apprehension. "You think he'll be okay?"
Lena glanced at him, her eyes steady. "We're about to find out."
Tenko's chest rose sharply as his breathing deepened. His eyes fluttered open, the crimson glow faint but unmistakable. For a moment, they darted wildly, unfocused, before settling on Lena and King. His lips moved, forming a word that neither of them could hear.
"Tenko?" Lena asked softly, leaning closer.
His voice came out cracked and faint, barely above a whisper. "...She's waiting."
Lena's blood ran cold. "Who's waiting?" she pressed, her tone laced with urgency. "What do you mean?"
But Tenko didn't answer. His eyes slipped shut again, his body going limp as if retreating into himself. The crimson glow in his veins flickered once more before fading entirely, leaving behind a tense, oppressive silence.
Lena and King exchanged uneasy glances. "She?" King muttered, his brows furrowed. "Does he mean the Witch?"
"Possibly," Lena said, her tone sharp with thought. "Or someone—or something."