The sky was still stained red. Emily sat quietly beside Coward Aiden, his head resting on his knees, shivering.  

“I can still hear him,” he whispered. “Lucian’s voice… it’s everywhere here.”  

Emily bit her lip. She could feel it too — this world was suffocating. Like it was alive, feeding off their fears.  

Suddenly, the ground beneath them pulsed — like a heartbeat.  

Coward Aiden gasped. "T-They’re trying to come here… the others…"  

Emily blinked. "What?"  

Coward Aiden shakily pointed upward. Cracks appeared in the sky —splintering light forcing its way through the red. Voices echoed faintly.  

— "Emily!! Hang on!" 

— "You’re not dying in there."  

— "I’ll break this damn place if I have to!"  

Emily stood up, heart racing. "They’re coming for us…!"  

Coward Aiden trembled. "N-No… they shouldn’t… this world… if they force their way in… it’ll break them too…"  

Before he could finish, a loud BOOM roared through the sky.  

Ruthless Fighter Aiden burst through the cracks — his maroon mask scratched, furious eyes glowing.  

"I FOUND YOU!" he growled.  

Right behind him, Silent Protector Aiden dropped down — crimson eyes scanning the area. "Emily… stay close."  

Coward Aiden stumbled backward. "No… no… why would you come here…?"  

Ruthless Aiden smirked. "Because I’m not you. I don’t run." He glared at Coward Aiden. "We’re dragging you out, kicking and screaming if we have to."  

Suddenly, the ground trembled — Lucian’s laughter echoed everywhere.  

"Ah… more lambs to the slaughter…"  

Lucian materialized from the shadows — red cracks glowing brighter, power leaking out. "You really think this is a rescue? This is your graveyard."  

Ruthless Aiden cracked his knuckles. "Then let’s make it loud."  

Silent Protector stepped forward, speaking low. "Emily. Get ready. We’ll create an opening — you pull him out."  

"But—" Emily started.  

"No," Silent Aiden interrupted. "This world wants him trapped. But you’re the key… you chose him."  

Lucian’s grin widened. "Pathetic. Let’s see which one of you dies first."  

The sky tore open again — Cold Aiden and Broken Aiden emerged, both breathing hard, masks damaged from forcing their way in.  

"We’re here," Cold Aiden said simply, staring at Lucian.  

Broken Aiden shivered but nodded. "I can’t… leave him here."  

Lucian sneered. "All of you… trying so hard to save the weakest one. It won’t matter. You’re all broken."  

The air pulsed — the fight was seconds away.  

Emily turned, grabbing Coward Aiden’s hand tightly. "No more running," she whispered. "You’re coming back with me."  

Tears fell from his eyes. "I-I’m scared…"  

"I know." Emily smiled. "But I’m here now."  

Behind them, the Aidens readied themselves — each glowing faintly as their powers ignited, the world screaming as their combined strength pushed against Lucian’s domain.  

Lucian laughed darkly, but for the first time… there was a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes.  

The war for Coward Aiden’s soul had begun.