The Midnight Key

The sky above them remained torn, the unnatural darkness swirling like a wound in reality. The whispers in the wind had faded, but their weight still pressed against Rene's chest.

Lucien hadn't spoken since Kieran's words.

Neither had Rene.

Because if she did—if she let herself question this—she wasn't sure she could handle the answer.

The silence stretched, thick and suffocating.

Finally, Nyra broke it. "Enough."

Her voice was sharp, cutting through the tension. She turned to Kieran, eyes cold. "You love your games, but I'm not playing. What does all this mean?"

Kieran shrugged. "I already told you. Rene was there when the seal was made."

Nyra's grip on her sword tightened. "That's not possible."

"She doesn't remember," Kieran said lazily. "That's the only reason you all believe that."

Nyra exhaled, frustration bleeding into her voice. "She would know if she had lived before."

Kieran smiled. "Would she?"

His gaze flicked to Lucien. "Tell me, little brother. What did you see?"

Lucien was quiet for a long time. His golden eyes flickered toward Rene, searching.

Finally, he answered.

"…A door."

Rene stiffened.

Lucien's voice was quieter now, more careful. "A locked door. And a girl standing beside it."

His gaze met hers.

"She had your eyes, Rene."

Rene felt cold.

Lucien wasn't the type to make baseless accusations. He wasn't one to be shaken so easily.

And yet—

Nyra shook her head. "No. No, this is wrong." She turned to Rena, still sitting quietly in Rene's arms. "You knew. Didn't you?"

Rena blinked up at her.

"…I always knew."

Silence.

Rene swallowed hard. "Then tell me." Her voice was hoarse, strained. "If I was there—if I was supposed to be locked away too—why am I here now?"

Rena hesitated.

For the first time since this started, she looked almost… uncertain.

Finally, she whispered:

"…Because you were never supposed to wake up."

The wind howled through the ruins.

Something about those words sent a shiver down Rene's spine.

She had no memories of another life. No visions, no dreams, nothing to suggest she had ever existed outside of this moment, this life.

And yet—

There was something inside her.

Something that felt like an answer she wasn't ready to hear.

Lucien watched her carefully. His golden gaze softened—just slightly. "Do you remember anything?"

Rene shook her head.

And yet…

A faint, distant voice whispered at the edge of her mind.

"If she wakes up… everything ends."

She clenched her fists.

Kieran stretched, his usual smirk returning. "Well, that's enough drama for one day. We should keep moving before—"

A sudden boom echoed in the distance.

Everyone turned sharply.

Lucien cursed. "They found us."

Adrian and Adriel moved instantly, their silver light flickering to life.

Kieran sighed. "Lovely. No time for an identity crisis now, dear sister."

Rene shot him a glare, but he wasn't wrong.

There was no time for questions.

No time for fear.

Because whatever was hunting them—

It was already here.

To Be Continued…

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