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The romantic movie played on Lira's small TV, but neither of them was really watching it anymore.
Lira sat curled against Draven's side on the couch, her head resting on his uninjured shoulder. The oversized sweater she wore had slipped slightly, and she absentmindedly traced small circles on his arm with her finger. The 8th Form rested on the coffee table across from them, its indigo-violet blade catching occasional glints of light from the screen, the runes pulsing in slow, steady rhythm.
During a quiet scene, Lira suddenly paused the movie and turned to face him fully.
"Draven… can I ask you something serious?" Her voice was softer than usual, the bubbly energy tempered by genuine concern. "The 8th Form — Violet Eclipse — it spoke to you, right? What exactly did it say? And… does it ever feel like it's changing how you think? Like, making the shadows feel louder?"
Draven stared at the paused screen for a moment before answering. His hand found hers, holding it loosely.
"It said the 8th Form is unlocked. Stage 8. The slashes now carry devouring shadow-light — they linger and drain power. It wants worthy blood to keep advancing toward the 99th stage… the one that requires the Monster King." He paused, then added quietly, "It doesn't control my thoughts. But the hunger is stronger. It makes everything sharper. Clearer. Sometimes too clear."
Lira bit her lip, squeezing his hand. "That sounds intense. I'm happy you're stronger — really, I am. The violet looks amazing on the blade, like it's finally showing some color in all that darkness. But I worry. What if the more stages it unlocks, the harder it becomes to come back to moments like this?" She gestured between them. "Pancakes, bad movies, me being annoying and making you eat strawberry stuff. I don't want the 8th Form to steal the Draven who forgets dates and lets me hug him without complaining."
Draven turned his head to look at her. The cold, emotionless mask was thinner than ever in the soft afternoon light filtering into the apartment. He lifted his free hand and gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, the gesture becoming almost familiar now.
"You make the hunger quieter. For a while." His voice was low, almost reluctant. "That's why I came today instead of training alone. But the survivor — Veyron— was right. The color shift is a beacon. Stronger monsters will come. The cave is waking faster because of the 8th Form."
Lira nodded slowly, then suddenly smiled with determined brightness. "Then we prepare together. I can look up old legends about the lost seven and the cave while you train. I'm good at research, you know — I found that forum post about swords with multiple stages last night." She leaned in closer, her nose almost brushing his. "And when you need a break from the violet hunger, you come here. Deal? No more 'stay away' excuses."
Draven exhaled a slow breath, the corner of his mouth lifting the faintest bit. "You never accept the warnings."
"Because they're boring," she teased, poking his chest lightly. "And because I like this version of you — the one who actually replies to texts and tries strawberry pancakes." She glanced at the 8th Form on the table. "Even if the sword is getting prettier and scarier at the same time."
The 8th Form gave a faint, almost amused pulse, the violet runes brightening for a second.
Lira laughed softly. "See? It agrees with me. Or at least tolerates me now."
Draven allowed a rare, quiet chuckle — barely audible. "It tolerates you more than most."
They sat in comfortable silence for a while longer, the movie forgotten. Lira eventually rested her head back on his shoulder, her voice turning sleepy and content.
"Stay a little longer today? We can order lunch later. No portals, no monsters… just us and the violet sword being quiet in the corner."
Draven didn't answer immediately. Instead, he shifted slightly so she could settle more comfortably against him, his arm draping loosely around her. The 8th Form continued its slow, steady pulse on the table — a reminder of the power awakening, but for now, pushed into the background.
"…A little longer," he murmured.
Outside the apartment, the city continued its normal rhythm.
But in the monster realm, the ancient cave throbbed with stronger indigo-violet light. New fissures opened in the stone, and low, guttural voices began to echo through the dripping corridors.
The 8th Form had awakened.
The hunters were coming.
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**To be continued...**