Soft, flickering light filtered through the curtains.

Lucio slowly began to wake. His body felt heavy; his thoughts were hazy. For a moment, he wasn’t sure where he was.

Then, he felt a soft, gentle touch.

His eyes focused, and there she was—the blonde woman from the alley. She sat beside him, dabbing his forehead with a damp cloth while tending to his wounds. Her clothes had been changed, her wounds bandaged, but the bruises still painted her skin.

Lucio tried to sit up, but a sharp pain stopped him.

"Easy now," she said, her hand gently pressing against his shoulder. "You took one hell of a beating. I’m surprised you’re still alive."

Fragments of memory flashed through his mind — the rain, the men -
What even happened? Why was she attacked? Where am I?
So many questions linger on Lucio’s mind yet no answer –

Ella noticed that Lucio was visibly unsettled. She stared at him, a flash of fiery resolve in her eyes.
“Take a deep breath and relax!”
Before he could respond, she pinched his arm.

“Ouch!” Lucio winced.

“You clearly have a lot on your mind,” she said, calmly. “Just lie back down and let me explain.”

She gently pressed her hand to his shoulder, locking eyes with him.
“Either you’re brave, stupid… or both. But I’m really glad you showed up.”

Her voice softened.
“My name is Ella. Pleased to meet you.”

Lucio reached out, forcing a faint grin.
“Lucio-”
She burst into a short, warm laugh.
“Lucio! That’s… a strange name.”
A few quiet tears slipped down her cheek. She tried to play it off with a smile, but Lucio could feel the weight behind her words — the sincerity in them.

His expression grew serious.
“Jokes aside… I should be the one thanking you.”
Ella looked away nervously, her cheeks flushing.
“Y-you’re w-welcome,” she stammered.

Lucio sat up slightly, rubbing his temples as the memories trickled back.
“I still can’t believe those men tried to attack you — right under everyone’s noses. This city’s supposed to be safe, isn’t it?”

She folded her hands together.
“I’ve been followed before,” she said quietly, eyes drifting toward the window.
“Back when my mother was still alive... there were always close calls. But somehow, we always made it through.”

She paused, then turned back to him, her voice more solemn.
“But this was different. It felt planned. Eerie. Like they knew exactly where I’d be. I don’t know what would’ve happened…”

Lucio’s fists clenched with anger.
“Those bastards. What the hell did they even want from you?”

“I think they were looking for something. I just don’t know what.”
She looked down, fidgeting with her fingers.
“They kept asking strange questions… said something about relics. When I didn’t give them the answer they wanted, they… got rough. Bruised me up a bit.”

Her eyes lifted again, meeting his.
“I don’t know what was more impressive — your timing, or the fact that your sunglasses stayed on the whole time.”
She let out a soft chuckle.
“I’m honestly surprised they didn’t snap mid-fight. Must be some kind of expensive brand?”

“The sunglasses…” Lucio muttered. “Didn’t I throw them away... or did I?”
Ella pointed to the nightstand beside him.
“Look — there they are. Not a single scratch on them.”

Lucio stared at them, his gaze intense — as if in silent conversation with the object itself.

Then, a voice cut through the silence.
“Back in my day, we waited until the second date...”

Lucio jolted. An elderly gentleman stood in the doorway, arms folded and grin wide.

Ella jumped to her feet, face instantly red.
“G-Grandpa!” she snapped, then stormed out of the room in a flustered blur.

The old man let out a hearty chuckle and turned to Lucio.
“Name’s Johan — Ella’s grandfather. After your little lovers’ quarrel, I found you both on my way back.”

A voice echoed from the hallway.
“G–GRANDPA! Stop it! You’re embarrassing me!”

Still disoriented, Lucio let out an awkward chuckle.
“So… that’s how I ended up here. Thanks — I owe you. I should probably get going—”

Before he could finish, a firm hand clamped onto his shoulder. It was deceptively strong. A chill crawled down Lucio’s spine.

Johan’s tone was calm, but there was steel beneath it.

“Rest. We’ll talk later. There’s something personal I need to discuss.”

Lucio nodded slowly, the tension in his shoulders easing just a little.
“Alright… I’ll stay. I get the feeling this isn’t something I should ignore.”

Johan pats his shoulder and left him to rest.

Lucio’s mind slipped back into unconsciousness, and once again, he found himself in a dream.

The darkness was thicker, suffocating, as if it wanted to swallow him whole. In the distance, a figure cloaked in shadow and light emerged, almost barely visible against the oppressive blackness.

As the figure approached, Lucio could feel the weight of its presence. He couldn’t look away, the pressure of it closing in on him.

“I see you’ve accepted your fate. You are bound to them now. Life, the world as you know it, will not be the same. You must find a way... they are the key.”

The cloaked figure stepped closer; his eyes gleaming with an energy that seemed to pierce through the darkness. “The power is yours now. You will face trials, darkness... embrace it or perish.”

Before Lucio could speak, tendrils of shadow and light coiled around his body — tight, suffocating. He struggled, reaching for breath, for control… but then —
total darkness.

Lucio woke with a sharp gasp, heart pounding, his breath ragged.
But… no pain.
His body was whole — completely healed.