In the executive office, Kael stood near the window holding a warm cup of tea, reviewing a project file Ashu held out with both hands. Kael flipped to the blueprint page, examining the intricate diagrams.
"Hmm... this looks impressive," Kael murmured, turning his head slightly behind his mask. "Is it expensive?"
Ashu smiled faintly. "I estimate around 2.4 million dollars, sir."
Kael smirked. "You say 2.4 million like it's pocket change."
Ashu straightened his posture. "I can double-check the exact numbers with our financial advisor."
"Then ask Vrinda," Kael said, crossing his arms.
"Yes, sir!" Vrinda's voice chimed out sharply from directly behind him.
Kael turned around, blinking. "Wait... how long have you been standing there?"
"The whole time," she replied smoothly.
Kael handed her the file. "Can you verify the budget for this? It's a government contract."
Vrinda leaned over the papers, her eyes quickly scanning the technical blueprints and cost projections. As she focused, Kael noticed Ashu's face turning bright crimson. Ashu suddenly shifted his gaze, staring intensely at the ceiling and side walls—anywhere but at Vrinda.
A quiet smile formed on Kael's face beneath his mask. Leaning close, he whispered into Ashu's ear, "First love?"
Ashu stiffened, staring at Kael in absolute shock.
Vrinda tapped the file and nodded. "The numbers check out, sir. It will take roughly twenty to twenty-five lakh dollars to execute."
"Just as I thought," Kael said, glancing back at Ashu. "Twenty-four lakh."
Ashu cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure. "Everything looks good, sir... except for one inappropriate thing."
Kael tilted his head. "What's that?"
Ashu pointed a finger straight at Kael's face. "That black mask of yours inside an office."
Kael scoffed softly. "You annoying little..."
"Understood, sir!" Ashu bowed quickly and turned on his heel, hurrying back toward his desk in the main hall.
Kael watched him leave, shaking his head. Did he really just change the subject to escape?
Back at his desk, Ashu pulled out his phone, his hands trembling slightly as he typed a message to his best friend: Bro, I really like Vrinda. I want to propose to her.
A few seconds later, the typing bubble appeared on his screen, followed by a quick reply: Valentine's Day is coming up in February. Propose to her then.
Meanwhile, at the Redgrave bungalow, Renjiro sat on the edge of the living room armchair, staring tensely at his phone. He muttered under his breath, "Why hasn't Shion contacted me yet...?"
Sara tilted her head, watching her brother from across the room. "Is something wrong?"
Renjiro quickly forced a nervous smile, stashing his phone away. "Nothing at all."
Sara's eyes narrowed slightly, sensing the hidden tension, but she didn't press further.
Days turned into weeks, and January bled into the beginning of February.
The bright winter skies began to warp unnaturally. Heavy, pitch-black clouds rolled over the city, blotting out the sun until mid-afternoon looked like midnight. The air grew thick with demonic pressure, turning the clear weather into a violent, unnatural thunderstorm.
High above the clouds, hidden within the unnatural darkness, Mantra stood atop the lead war sledge. Thousands of demonic transports floated quietly beside her, waiting in the shadows.
"Look at that," Mantra whispered, a cruel smirk spreading across her face. "Even the weather bends to our will."
Down inside the bungalow, Kael looked out the floor-to-ceiling glass windows at the pitch-black afternoon sky.
"We've hit our profit margins for the quarter," Kael noted casually. "It's the end of the financial year anyway. Closing the company for a few days won't hurt us."
He turned to Sara with a small smirk. "Look at the sky, Sara. It's unnaturally dark out there."
The front door opened, and Sarina stepped inside, shaking raindrops off her coat. She looked up with a bright smile. "Thank you so much, Sara! You helped me understand my void magic so much today. And thanks to you too, Renjiro."
Before Kael could comment, a news notification flashed across his phone. He tapped it, announcing a company-wide holiday. Seconds later, another broadcast popped up on the television: Redgrave Group and Vrenj Group declare a joint corporate holiday due to unprecedented severe weather.
Kael turned toward Sarina, surprised. "When did you declare a holiday for Vrenj Group?"
Sarina put her phone back in her pocket, smiling sheepishly. "Just now."
The front door burst open again, and Renjiro walked in carrying armfuls of snack bags. "I brought snacks for everyone!"
As he stepped into the living room, he spotted Sarina. Renjiro froze for a split second, adjusting his posture and taking slow, deliberate steps toward her. "Good morning," he said, trying to act cool.
Sarina giggled softly. "Oh, no need for formalities, Renjiro."
As Renjiro set the snacks on the table, a deafening crack of thunder shook the entire house, rattling the glass windows.
"Ah!" Sarina gasped in panic, instinctively reaching out and grabbing Renjiro's hands.
Another violent burst of lightning illuminated the room. Overwhelmed by the sudden noise, Sarina buried her face against Renjiro's chest, hugging him tightly.
Renjiro's eyes widened in surprise. Gently, he patted her soft pink hair, his voice softening. "It's okay... you're safe inside."
Realizing what she was doing, Sarina's face turned bright red. She quickly backed away, stumbling over her words in pure innocence. "I... I'm okay!"
In her rush to step back, her foot caught against the edge of the sofa cushion, causing her to lose her balance. Before she could fall, Renjiro caught her smoothly by the waist, pulling her back up to her feet.
"Careful," Renjiro chuckled softly. "You need to watch your step."
Kael grinned, breaking the romantic tension. "Alright, since we're all off today, let's hang out. Sarina, come sit with us."
Sara patted the couch cushion next to her, inviting Sarina to sit, while Renjiro took a seat beside Kael. Rexon sat in the corner armchair, completely engrossed in a mobile game.
Renjiro stretched his arms and smirked at Kael. "We should do an arm-wrestling match."
Rexon didn't even lift his eyes from his phone screen. "I'll be the referee."
Kael's golden eyes sparked with amusement. "Alright. Let me be your opponent."
Sara smiled, resting her chin on her hands. "We'll be the audience."
Rexon locked his phone screen, slipped it into his pocket, and leaned forward attentively. Renjiro dropped to his knees in front of the low coffee table, placing his elbow firmly on the wooden surface. Kael mirrored his stance, placing his elbow down and locking fingers with Renjiro.
"And we're off!" Rexon announced, putting on a dramatic commentator voice. "Brother Kael locks grips with Renjiro! What will our challenger Ren do to break through?"
Renjiro grunted, his muscles straining as he tried to force Kael's wrist down toward the table.
Sara leaned in, cheering. "Who's taking the win?!"
Sarina smiled brightly. "I don't know, but it looks intense!"
"Renjiro is executing a top-roll technique to break Kael's lock!" Rexon narrated rapidly.
Kael's eyes narrowed, his teeth gritting as he held his position. "Renjiro... you're using way too much physical force."
Renjiro laughed confidently, slowly forcing Kael's wrist backward. "I'm just getting started!"
Suddenly, Kael shifted his stance, reversing the momentum with a smooth counter-roll.
Rexon gasped dramatically. "No way! A sudden counter-attack!"
Renjiro shouted, exasperated, "Hey! Are you here to commentate or judge?!"
"I'm multitasking," Rexon deadpanned. "Appreciate the talent."
Kael chuckled, his golden eyes flaring with a faint surge of power. "Are you giving up yet, Renjiro?"
"Never!" Renjiro yelled, pouring his full strength into his grip.
With a single, effortless motion, Kael's golden aura flashed, slamming Renjiro's knuckles flat against the wooden table.
Silence fell over the room before Renjiro slumped over the table with a groan. "Ah, man... I lost."
Sarina offered him a comforting smile. "You tried your best, Renjiro."
Rexon leaned back, smirking dryly. "And there it is. The player receives his consolation compliment from his favorite person."
Renjiro snapped his head toward Rexon, a dark, dangerous aura flickering around his shoulders as he glared through his teeth. "Do you enjoy being alive, Rexon?"
Rexon calmly crossed his arms. "I'm just stating facts, sir."
Renjiro stood up, cracking his knuckles. "That's it. Today, I'm personally training you."
Rexon immediately took a step back, raising his hands defensively. "I was just joking!"
As laughter filled the warm living room, none of them noticed the black sky outside pressing lower against the earth—or the dark army silently preparing to descend from the clouds.