The Midnight Key

The world fractured.

Not like glass—more like time itself was bending, twisting, unraveling around them.

The ground trembled beneath their feet. The air rippled. The faceless figures in the mist watched, silent, unmoving, as if waiting for something.

But all Rene could see was Lucien.

Frozen.

His expression unreadable.

His golden eyes locked onto the figure before them.

The figure who had just called him brother.

Rene had never seen Lucien hesitate before. Never seen him at a loss for words. But now—his entire body was tense, his fists clenched so tight his knuckles were white.

Adrian and Adriel stepped closer, their silver light flickering.

Nyra's grip tightened on her blade, her voice low. "Lucien?"

He didn't answer.

The figure—his supposed brother—took another step forward.

And suddenly, Rene could see his features more clearly.

Golden eyes, just like Lucien's.

Dark, shoulder-length hair, the same deep shade of black.

And a presence—an aura—that felt like it had been torn from something ancient.

Rene swallowed hard. "Lucien…"

Lucien finally spoke, his voice hoarse.

"…You died."

The figure smiled. "Did I?"

Lucien's fists clenched. "I buried you."

The golden-eyed man tilted his head, amusement flickering in his gaze. "And yet… here I stand."

A cold chill ran down Rene's spine.

Something was wrong.

Adrian's silver eyes sharpened. "Who the hell is he?"

Lucien exhaled sharply through his nose, his voice tight. "Kieran."

Adriel's head snapped up, recognition flickering across his face.

"…The lost prince."

Rene stiffened.

Prince?

Nyra narrowed her eyes. "Lucien. You told us you were the last."

Lucien finally tore his gaze away from Kieran, his jaw tight. "I thought I was."

Kieran spread his arms. "Surprise."

Lucien's golden eyes darkened. "This isn't possible."

Rena, still in Rene's arms, suddenly stared at Kieran.

Her silver eyes unreadable.

Then—she spoke.

"You're not supposed to be here."

Kieran turned his gaze toward her. His expression didn't change. "Neither are you, little one."

The wind howled.

The air shifted.

Rene's grip on Rena tightened. "What do you want?"

Kieran's golden gaze slid back to her, then to Lucien.

"I should be asking you that."

Lucien's voice was like steel. "We're looking for Selene."

Kieran's smile faded.

And the air cracked.

A sharp, invisible force slammed into them.

Rene barely had time to react before Adrian and Adriel moved, their silver light flaring up just in time to block whatever that was.

Nyra cursed, stepping back into a defensive stance.

Lucien, however, didn't move.

He simply watched Kieran.

Kieran, whose expression had turned cold.

"So, you still seek her."

Lucien's jaw tightened. "Where is she?"

Kieran exhaled slowly, looking at the sky.

Then, in a quiet, almost bored voice—

"She's exactly where you left her."

Lucien stiffened.

Rene's stomach twisted. "What does that mean?"

Kieran's golden gaze flicked back to her, then to Rena.

And then—he smiled.

But this time, it wasn't amusement.

It was pity.

"…You don't even know, do you?"

The air crackled.

Lucien was suddenly in front of him, a dagger pressed against Kieran's throat.

But Kieran didn't even blink.

Lucien's voice was low, dangerous. "If you know something, tell me. Now."

Kieran tilted his head slightly, looking into his younger brother's golden eyes.

Then—

"You should ask her."

His gaze slid back to Rena.

Lucien's grip on the dagger tightened. "What?"

Kieran's smile didn't waver.

"You want answers, little brother? You want to know why Selene is waiting? Why they don't want you to reach her?"

His voice dropped, barely a whisper.

"…Then ask the child you carry."

Rene's breath caught.

Nyra's eyes widened.

Adrian and Adriel both tensed.

Lucien didn't move.

Only Rena—small, silent Rena—stared at Kieran, her silver eyes calm.

Then—

She reached up.

And gently touched Lucien's arm.

"…He's right."

The world went still.

Lucien turned to her slowly. "…What?"

Rena's silver eyes gleamed.

"I remember now."

A heavy silence fell over the group.

Rene's heart pounded.

Lucien whispered, his voice barely audible.

"What do you remember?"

Rena exhaled softly.

Then, in a voice filled with something ancient, something impossible—

"The truth."

And the ruins around them shattered.

To Be Continued…