Ninda walked with Mark to Bri's health center, her pace brisk and purposeful. As they approached the door, she stopped and handed Mark a key.
"Behind this door is Bri," she said curtly. "After you've seen her, go to the room I showed you earlier. That's where you'll be staying tonight."
Mark reached out to thank her, but before he could utter a word, Ninda turned and walked away without a glance back. Mark stood for a moment, watching her retreating figure, then sighed and stepped into the room.
Inside, Bri lay on a hospital bed, her pale face turning toward him. She managed a faint smile.
"This is the first time you haven't tried to attack me as I'm coming to see you," Mark said with a dry smirk as he sat on the edge of the bed.
Bri gave a weak chuckle. "I would've, but, you know, I'm kind of connected to tubes and stuff."
Mark's expression softened. "You scared me when you fainted," he admitted, his voice tinged with concern. "I was worried."
Bri's cheeks flushed as she tried to hide her embarrassment. "You idiot! Don't talk like I'm weak. Keep your worrying to yourself—I'm stronger than that."
Mark smiled and nodded. "Sorry. How's the treatment going?"
Bri sighed. "Honestly, I don't really know what happened. I was out the entire time, but I could hear voices. The doctor said I'll be fine if I rest for a few weeks. No more of that drug, either." She smiled brightly.
"That's good to hear," Mark said, relief evident in his tone.
A brief silence fell between them before Mark broke it. "You're not curious?"
"About what?" Bri asked, raising an eyebrow.
"About where you are," Mark clarified.
Bri shrugged. "I already asked the doctor. He told me you brought me here, so I didn't see the point in questioning further. I trust you."
Her words caught Mark off guard. He stared at her for a moment before blurting, "I love you."
Bri froze, her eyes widening as the words registered. Her face turned crimson, and before Mark could explain himself, she punched him squarely on the nose, knocking him to the floor.
"OUCH!" Mark exclaimed, holding his nose. "What was that for?" He thought to himself, I only meant as a sister!
Bri turned away, still blushing furiously. "You idiot! Get out!" she yelled, flustered.
Mark sighed and stood up, rubbing his nose. "You need serious help. I think you broke my nose," he muttered as he left the room, heading toward the kitchen to find ice. As he walked, he marveled at how strong Bri had gotten. "Nearly impossible to hurt me, but she managed it."
When he reached the kitchen, he saw Ninda and the boss talking. Ninda frowned as her eyes met Mark's but quickly composed herself and left when the boss asked to speak with him alone.
Mark approached the boss, watching Ninda leave. "She really doesn't like me," he remarked.
The boss chuckled. "That's just how she is. Don't worry about it."
Mark crossed his arms. "Why would you assume I wanted to talk to you?" he said, brushing past the boss. "I just came for ice. Maybe you shouldn't have sent Ninda away, because I have nothing to say to you."
The boss laughed awkwardly, hiding his embarrassment. He was about to leave when Mark called after him.
"Smith didn't know about Kyoka's death," Mark said, his tone sharp. "And since you're already here, why don't you explain it? Or do you not know how he died either?"
The boss paused, then smiled faintly. "Oh, I know. I even met Kyoka."
He began recounting the story. "Back then, there were only twelve of us. We exorcised seireis in this region, but Kyoka stood out among us all. When he was active, the death rate dropped, and the seireis felt safe. Everyone respected him, but he remained humble and goofy. I remember a reporter once asked him what made him different. He laughed and said, 'I guess it's because I'm an idiot. That's what everyone calls me.'"
Mark's mind flashed to a hazy memory of a man with the same warm smile holding him as a baby. He shook his head, unable to place the face.
The boss continued, "One day, a new member joined us—not recruited, but self-made. He saved thousands from a collapsing building before we could even arrive. His name was Damein. He idolized Kyoka, and they became best friends. Together, they were unstoppable.
"But something changed. Damein started believing it would be faster to kill seireis instead of exorcising them. It was efficient but cruel, and Kyoka tried reasoning with him. Damein wouldn't listen. He went rogue, killing seireis and anyone who tried to stop him. His standz ability—manipulating molecules with a single touch—made him invincible. There were this group of seven called "THE SEVEN", the where the most powerful standz user and there role was to ensure smooth rolling in every region exorcist group in the world and help out when needed but those bastards did help out when we needed them, when damein was on a killing rampage, not a single one upon the were seven in number, why you ask because this region is not well known, we could all die and no one would care.
"Kyoka was the only one who could face him. His standz ability nullified others standz. Their battle was catastrophic. In the end, Kyoka sealed Damein away. But the caster of the seal is also trapped. Kyoka sacrificed himself to save us all. Now, only Damein could return if the seal breaks. Kyoka is gone forever."
Mark stood silent, processing the story.
The boss smiled at him. "It's late. Get some rest. We have a long day ahead."
As Mark left, the boss watched him with a knowing look. "Like it or not, you're like him," he murmured. "Carter, you're related to him."
Mark, troubled by the story and his memories, retired to his room, unsure of what to make of it all, "I'll just go to my room and sleep it off", Mark says.