The sky above was painted in hues of deep crimson and sickly gray — like the world itself was bleeding regret. Buildings stood half-formed, some melting into shadows, others frozen mid-collapse. The air buzzed with Lucian’s presence, but for now… there was silence.

The six Aidens gathered in a circle, Emily nervously sitting beside Coward Aiden, who hugged his knees, eyes darting around like the shadows might bite.

Ruthless Aiden cracked his knuckles. "Alright, since no one else’s got the balls to say it — we need to kill that bastard. Simple. Fast. Brutal."  

Cold Aiden shot him a sideways glare. "If simple worked, the original Aiden wouldn’t be dead."  

That stung. Ruthless growled but said nothing.

Emily glanced up. "Is that really the plan? Just… run in and fight him head-on?"  

Silent Protector finally spoke, voice low and steady. "No. If we do that… we die. Again. Lucian’s playing a long game. He wants us to act reckless."

Broken Aiden, adjusting the cracked edge of his mask, added, "He’s feeding on this place. Every regret. Every fear. That’s why this world looks like a graveyard… it’s our graveyard."

Coward Aiden whimpered. "I don’t… I don’t wanna be in a graveyard…"

Ruthless sighed. "We know, crybaby. You’ve been whimpering for an hour."

"Shut up," Broken Aiden snapped back. "If you keep bullying him, I swear I’ll drop kick you into next week."

"Bet you’d break your leg doing that, porcelain boy."

Emily burst out laughing suddenly, covering her mouth. "Sorry... you two are seriously like twins."

Even Silent Aiden’s lip twitched, almost like he wanted to smile.

Cold Aiden cleared his throat. "Enough. We waste time. Here’s what we know — Lucian is tied to this world. He created it from Aiden’s regret… his regret."

Everyone fell silent.

Cold Aiden continued. "There’s a core. The heart of this pocket world. If we find it, destroy it, we break his hold."

Broken Aiden whistled. "Lemme guess — if we’re wrong, we all get obliterated in the collapse?"

"That about sums it up."

Coward Aiden whimpered louder. "I… I wanna vote against that…"

Ruthless Aiden snorted. "Nobody’s voting. This ain’t a democracy, it’s survival." He grinned. "But fine — what’s the genius plan, ice-face?"

Cold Aiden rolled his eyes. "We split into three teams. One team finds the core. One team distracts Lucian. One team guards Emily… and him." He motioned to Coward Aiden, who yelped.

Ruthless pointed at himself. "Me. Distraction. I wanna punch him in the face so bad it hurts."

Broken Aiden shrugged. "I… can go with the core team. Not like my face is good for frontline stuff anymore."

Silent Aiden nodded. "Same. I’ll search for the core."

Coward Aiden glanced up nervously. "Wh-Why can’t I stay with… like… the whole group?"

"Because splitting up makes sense," Cold Aiden replied sharply. "And because someone needs to protect Emily while the rest of us play hero."

Ruthless grinned. "Yeah… protect." He winked at Emily, who threw a rock at him. It bounced harmlessly off his mask. "Ow."  

Emily smirked. "Serves you right."

Broken Aiden chuckled. "Alright, Romeo, focus. If Lucian catches us one by one, it’s over."

"Then we don’t get caught," Ruthless shrugged.

Silent Aiden spoke quietly. "There’s one more thing. Lucian can… twist the world. Create illusions. He might even create versions of us." He glanced at Emily. "If anyone acts… wrong… ask a question only the real one can answer."

Emily blinked. "Like what?"

Broken Aiden grinned. "Ask me what my biggest regret is."

Ruthless sneered. "Dude… everyone knows yours. You couldn’t save her, right?" The mood shifted.

Broken Aiden’s face crumbled. "You… asshole."

Emily, sensing the tension, quickly interrupted. "Okay — how about a code word? If anyone says ‘starfall’… that means it’s the real you."

Ruthless snorted. "Starfall?" That’s lame."

Coward Aiden perked up. "I… I kinda like it…"

Silent Aiden nodded. "Starfall it is."

Cold Aiden exhaled. "Then it’s settled. Ruthless and I will distract Lucian. Silent and Broken will find the core. Emily… you and Coward hide. Run if anything feels wrong. Don’t try to be a hero."

Emily frowned but nodded. "Okay. Deal."

Coward Aiden sniffled. "I… I’ll protect her. I swear… I’ll try."

Ruthless grinned. "That’s the spirit, coward. Maybe you’ll grow a spine yet."

Coward Aiden looked at him, smiling slightly. "You’re… annoying, you know that?"

"Yeah," Ruthless laughed. "But I’m your annoying."

Everyone chuckled — even Cold Aiden let out a small exhale of amusement.

For the first time, they felt like a team.

Emily stood. "Alright. Let’s finish this. Let’s bring him home."

Silent Aiden nodded. "Let’s move."

They broke — into shadows and light — ready for the final battle.