"El… are you okay? El… EL! EL!"
Ariana tried snapping him back to reality, but it was useless. The weird part was that just seconds ago, Ryan had looked ready to murder someone—that familiar edge that meant he was about to completely lose it. But then... nothing.
He just blanked out.
Now he stared at the empty chair where Eloisa had been sitting, as if she was still there giving him her usual cryptic bullshit.
"What happened to him?" Ariana asked, frustration bleeding into her voice. She recognized that look—the same hollow expression from four years ago, right before everything went to hell.
"I don't know," Rizel replied, studying Ryan's face. It was disturbingly empty, like someone had just unplugged him from the wall.
None of them noticed that the silver voice had gone quiet.
"El… Are you okay?" Ariana whispered, reaching toward him.
"Don't touch him," Selena's voice cut through the tension. She stepped between them, calm but commanding. "I'll handle this."
Ariana froze. Something about Selena's tone made it clear this wasn't a suggestion.
"Let's go," Selena said, linking her arm with Ryan's and flashing that practiced smile of hers.
To everyone's surprise, Ryan just stood up and followed her out like a well-trained dog.
Ariana felt that familiar tightness in her chest. Four years ago, all over again. She could see something was seriously wrong with him, could practically feel his pain radiating off him in waves, but once again, she was completely useless to help.
That same dead look in his eyes that haunted her nightmares.
She bit her lip, caught between wanting to punch him and wanting to shake him back to his senses. Part of her couldn't stand him anymore, but a deeper part still gave a damn, no matter how hard she tried to kill those feelings.
Rizel, meanwhile, was drowning in confusion. Too many puzzle pieces, not enough context. The more she tried to make sense of what just happened, the more questions piled up.
And that just made her more curious—which was probably dangerous.
....
....
Ryan's footsteps echoed down the empty corridor, but if you looked closely, you'd notice something off about the way he moved. Too mechanical. Too precise.
Selena was pulling the strings, literally—her telekinetic abilities guiding his every step while making it look natural.
After nearly an hour of this puppet show, they reached their destination. Selena tapped his meta-watch, and the door clicked open. The moment they were inside, Ryan collapsed onto the bed like someone had cut his strings.
Selena landed on top of him, studying those hollow, ash-colored eyes that used to have some life in them.
"Tsk." She brushed a strand of hair from his face. "To think a few words could break you this badly. Though I guess I can't blame you—you're playing right into her hands, becoming exactly what she wants."
She leaned closer, glancing up at the top bunk. "You know, you really are an idiot. You don't even realize the woman you're obsessed with is going to be your worst nightmare. You're supposed to be the strongest, yet...."
Her thumb traced his cheek. "I wonder what you'll do when you finally figure out who she really is."
Her fingers moved down to his chest, resting there. "Well... I won't let that happen."
Her expression hardened. "Come out, Asmodeus. I know you can hear me."
Ryan's dead eyes flickered, then blazed gold. When he spoke, it wasn't his voice anymore.
"Who... are you?" the thing growled, confused and pissed off. How could she know about the Primordial Gods? About his real name?
Selena's smile turned wicked. "You can call me the villainess."