The wind in the capital wasn't normal that day.
It wasn't strong.
But it carried something.
A subtle discomfort.
Lyra felt it before she even received the order.
— You felt it already, didn't you?
The voice came from behind her.
She didn't turn.
— Always.
Firm footsteps approached.
— Then I won't waste time explaining.
Now she turned.
The Monarch was there.
With the same expression as always.
Light.
Almost calm.
But his eyes—
his eyes didn't match the rest.
— Mission?
Lyra asked.
— Capture.
Simple.
— Target?
— One of them.
Silence.
Lyra tilted her head slightly.
— Cult?
The Monarch smirked faintly.
— You learn fast.
— I pay attention.
Short silence.
— He's not strong.
— Then why me?
The Monarch answered without hesitation:
— Because he knows too much.
The air grew heavier.
— And because you don't hesitate.
Lyra held his gaze.
— Location?
— Outer zone of the capital.
— Abandoned sector.
— Recent activity.
— Not a coincidence.
Silence.
— It never is.
Lyra replied.
The Monarch gave a small smile.
— Exactly.
He turned his back.
— Don't destroy everything.
Lyra crossed her arms.
— I'll try.
— I know you won't.
Silence.
— But try anyway.
And then—
he was gone.
Not with an effect.
Not with magic.
Just… not there anymore.
Lyra exhaled slowly.
— Alright.
She started walking.
— Let's see what you're doing…
The city changed as she moved.
From the living center—
to emptier areas.
Quieter.
More… forgotten.
But not dead.
Never dead.
She stopped.
Felt it.
— There are people here.
It didn't take long.
— Finally, someone who notices.
The voice came from above.
Lyra looked up.
Broken rooftop.
A man sitting on the edge.
Bow on his back.
Eyes fixed.
— You're not the target.
Lyra said.
— No.
He replied.
— But I'm looking for the same thing.
Silence.
— Name.
— Riven.
He dropped down.
No rush.
Clean movement.
— And you?
— Lyra.
He nodded.
— Heard of you.
— You shouldn't have.
— Everyone should.
Short silence.
— You felt it too?
Riven asked.
— Yes.
— This isn't normal.
— No.
— Feels… wrong.
Lyra looked around.
— It doesn't feel wrong.
— It is.
A heavy impact.
The ground trembled slightly.
And then—
— HA.
A woman burst through a wall.
Axe resting on her shoulder.
— Finally found you.
Lyra didn't react.
Riven just watched.
— You always make entrances like that?
— Only when it's fun.
She grinned.
— Draka.
— Lyra.
— Riven.
She looked them over.
— Good.
— So you felt this crap too.
— We did.
Lyra answered.
— Then let's stop talking.
She pointed.
— It's right there.
Silence.
Lyra focused.
And saw it.
A figure.
Standing in the middle of the street.
Normal.
Common.
Wrong.
— That's the target?
Riven asked.
— It is.
Lyra answered.
— Doesn't look like much.
Draka said.
— Yet.
Silence.
Lyra stepped forward.
— I go first.
— Of course you do.
Draka replied.
— But if it goes bad, I'm in.
— It will.
Riven raised his gaze.
— He's not alone.
Silence.
And then—
shadows moved.
From inside houses.
From corners.
From places where no one should be.
— Oh…
Draka smiled.
— Now we're talking.
Lyra moved.
No hesitation.
One motion—
and she was already in front of the target.
— You're coming with me.
The man smiled.
— I knew you would come.
Silence.
— That makes it easier.
Lyra replied.
— It really does.
And then—
he raised his hand.
And the world around them…
slightly distorted.
Riven drew his bow.
Draka spun her axe.
Lyra didn't step back.
— Last chance.
The man smiled.
— You always think you still have one.
Silence.
And then—
everything exploded into motion.
— Last chance.
Lyra didn't raise her voice.
She didn't need to.
The man tilted his head, as if analyzing a painting.
— You talk like you still believe in that.
Draka let out a short laugh behind.
— Oh great… here we go.
Riven already had his bow drawn.
— He's not stalling.
Lyra didn't take her eyes off the target.
— I know.
— Then why are you still talking?
Draka asked.
Silence.
— Because sometimes… someone chooses right.
Lyra answered.
The man smiled.
— And you still think that exists.
And then—
he stomped the ground.
Nothing exploded.
Nothing broke.
But the air… shifted.
Heavy.
Like something had been pulled into the space.
— Now.
Riven said.
The arrow flew.
Fast.
Clean.
Perfect.
And stopped.
Midair.
Like it forgot where it was going.
Draka widened her eyes slightly.
— Oh no… I hate this.
Lyra moved.
No thought.
No pause.
Her hand already going for his throat—
But her body passed through.
Like smoke.
She stopped.
— Intangible?
— No.
Riven answered.
— Worse.
The man appeared behind her.
— I'm just not where you think I am.
Draka was already swinging.
— Then stay still and I'll fix that.
The impact came heavy.
Strong.
But didn't hit him.
The wall behind exploded.
Dust rose.
Draka looked at the damage.
— …okay.
— I liked that.
Lyra had already turned.
This time—
she didn't go for the body.
She went for the space.
Her hand cut through the air—
And something there… broke.
The man appeared.
For real.
For a second.
That was enough.
Riven fired again.
This time it hit.
Shoulder.
He staggered.
But didn't fall.
— Interesting…
He looked at Lyra.
— You see more than you should.
— I see enough.
Draka came again.
No technique.
No fear.
Just force.
The ground cracked under her step.
— Now stay there!
The axe came down—
And this time it hit.
Not clean.
But it hit.
His body was thrown to the ground.
Heavy.
He didn't get up right away.
Short silence.
Draka rested the axe on her shoulder.
— I like when it works.
Riven didn't lower his bow.
— It's not over.
Lyra was already walking.
Slow.
Controlled.
— It never ends fast.
The man started laughing.
Low.
— You're good…
He coughed.
Blood.
Still smiling.
— better than I expected.
Draka rolled her eyes.
— Here we go. Speech time.
— Shut up and let him talk.
Riven replied.
— I like this part.
Lyra stopped in front of him.
— You're coming with me.
He looked straight into her eyes.
— No.
Silence.
— I'm not.
Lyra didn't change expression.
— That's not your decision.
He smiled wider.
— You still think this is about decisions.
Silence.
— Isn't it?
Lyra asked.
— No.
He took a breath.
— It's about direction.
Draka scoffed.
— I'm hitting him again.
— Wait.
Lyra said.
The man looked around.
Like he was seeing something beyond them.
— You got far.
— But you're still late.
Silence.
Riven tightened his grip slightly.
— Late for what?
The man looked at him.
— To realize this already started.
Silence.
Lyra tilted her head.
— This what?
He smiled.
— The correction.
The wind passed.
Stronger now.
Different.
Wrong.
— Lilith…
Lyra said quietly.
He nodded.
— Just a test.
— Incomplete.
— Weak.
Draka crossed her arms.
— Weak? That thing almost killed everyone.
He laughed.
— Exactly.
Silence.
— Imagine when it doesn't fail.
The air grew heavy.
Real.
Lyra crouched slightly.
Closer.
— Who are you?
He looked into her eyes.
— People who remember.
Silence.
— And who decided to fix it.
Riven spoke low:
— Ancient gods…
The man smiled.
— You're starting to understand.
Lyra grabbed his collar.
— And Elion?
Silence.
Small.
But enough.
He smiled.
Different now.
— Ah…
— So you haven't talked to him yet.
Draka looked at Lyra.
— Who's that?
Lyra didn't answer.
— What about him?
The man let out a small laugh.
— He's the most interesting one among you.
Riven frowned.
— Why?
Silence.
— Because he understands.
— More than you.
Lyra tightened her grip.
— Is he with you?
— No.
Immediate answer.
— Not yet.
Silence.
Heavy.
— But he could be.
— And that…
He looked directly at her.
— should worry you.
The wind passed again.
Stronger.
And this time—
Lyra felt it.
Something bigger.
Much bigger.
— Take him.
Riven said.
— We need answers.
Lyra stayed silent for a second.
Then—
— I know.
She lifted him.
Without effort.
But her eyes…
weren't light anymore.
— This isn't over.
Draka said.
— No.
Lyra replied.
— Now it started.
And this time—
no one disagreed.