Emily gasped awake. Cold sweat clung to her skin as her eyes darted around.  

The world was wrong — dim, suffocating, and drenched in red skies.  

The last thing she remembered was Aiden — the real one — fading from that rooftop memory. Now, everything felt heavier, like she was sinking in regret itself.  

A voice echoed through the air.  

"You're not supposed to be here..."  

Emily turned sharply.  

From the shadows, a figure emerged — a boy wearing a faded gray mask. The mask looked fragile, almost ready to break, with metal bars sealed over the mouth. His wide eyes peeked through, filled with fear. A faint chain symbol wrapped around the side of his mask.  

Emily stumbled back. "W-Who are you…?"  

The boy flinched. “I… I didn’t want to see this place again…” He trembled, hugging himself. “I-I should’ve kept running.”  

Emily’s chest tightened. There was something about him — the way he moved, the way his voice cracked…  

“…Aiden?” she whispered.  

The masked boy’s shoulders jerked. "D-Don’t call me that... I don’t deserve it... I ran. I always ran."  

Emily's eyes softened. "You're… one of them, aren't you?"  

He gave a shaky nod. "T-The others… they’re stronger. They fight. But me... I watched him die. I did nothing. I ran."  

Emily’s throat felt dry. “You… saw Aiden’s death?”  

The boy shivered violently. "I watched… everything. Every scream… every drop of blood… a-and when it was my turn to step forward… I ran." His voice cracked into a sob. “I still hear his voice. Begging me to fight. But I was scared… I-I’m always scared.”  

Silence hung heavy between them.  

“…Why are you here?” Emily finally asked.  

He hugged his knees tighter. "This world… it’s where regrets like me end up. Trapped. Always watching. Always remembering."  

The ground trembled suddenly. The sky above cracked, a deep growl rumbling through the air.  

The coward Aiden flinched. "H-He’s here…"  

"Who?!" Emily demanded.  

"...Lucian."  

Emily’s eyes widened.  

Before she could speak, a familiar, cruel voice echoed.  

"Ah… so the coward finally showed himself."  

From the shadows, Lucian emerged — tall, his jet-black mask glowing with red cracks. His blood-red eyes locked onto Emily.  

"I’ve been looking for you," Lucian sneered. "Didn’t think you’d find him first."  

Coward Aiden froze. "P-Please… don’t…"  

Lucian laughed darkly. "You think hiding behind that mask of regret saves you?"  

He raised his hand — shadows coiling.  

Emily stood in front of the trembling Aiden. "Leave him alone!"  

Lucian smirked. "Protecting this failure? Emily… even he knows he's worthless."  

Coward Aiden sobbed, "He's right… I-I am…"  

"Shut up," Emily snapped, surprising both of them. She turned, grabbing Aiden’s arm. "I don’t care how scared you are. You’re Aiden… and that means you’re coming with me."  

The coward gasped. "W-Why…?"  

"Because he wouldn’t leave you behind." Emily’s eyes burned with determination. "The real Aiden wouldn’t."  

Lucian growled. "Cute… let’s see how long that bravery lasts."  

The sky cracked open — shadows pouring. Lucian disappeared into the darkness, leaving a chilling warning.  

"You can run, Emily. You can hide. But eventually… you’ll all break."  

The world fell silent again.  

Coward Aiden sobbed into his hands. Emily knelt beside him.  

“I’m scared too,” she whispered. “But if you’re really him… then please… fight with me.”  

For the first time, the boy looked up — his terrified eyes meeting hers.  

“…O-Okay…”  

And in that moment, the smallest spark of light broke through the crimson sky.