The air crackles with tension, thick and suffocating. Lloyd steps forward, his protective instincts overriding his own fear.
Lloyd: *He clenches his fists, his knuckles turning white. He glares at Darius, his eyes burning with defiance.* Leave my mother alone! *His voice trembles slightly, but his resolve remains firm.* What have you done to us?
Darius: *He chuckles, a sound that seems to mock Lloyd's anger. He tilts his head, studying him with an amused expression.* Such spirit. It reminds me of… someone. But to answer your question, young one, I haven't done anything… yet. I just want what is rightfully mine.
Jin-Woo: *His hunter instincts flares up again. Something seems off. He feels a pull, a strange connection to the being, like a distorted reflection. It unsettles him. He steps forward, shielding Monja and her kids.* And what is that? *He asks, his voice low and steady.*
A cold wind sweeps through the room, causing the flames of the nearby torches and candles to flicker and dance. The shadows deepen, swirling around Darius like a protective shroud. A gust of wind blows through the room, carrying in the scent of impending doom.
Darius: *He spread his wings further, their iridescent colors shifting and shimmering in the flickering light. He takes a step closer, his eyes locked on Jin-Woo.* Patience, dear boy. All in good time. Perhaps there's a larger game at play and perhaps your new friend is nothing more then a charade. *He pauses, his gaze shifts to Monja, a predatory glint in his eyes.* Perhaps you'd be more cooperative if you knew what was at stake, Monja. Christopher's life for instance.
Monja: *She gasps, her hand flying to her mouth. Fear washes over her, cold and numbing. Christopher… imprisoned. Her heart aches with a now all to familiar pain.* What… what do you mean? *Her voice is barely a whisper.*
Meanwhile, on the windswept cliff overlooking a turbulent sea, Michael stands beside a figure shrouded in darkness. The figure's wings, the colour of dying embers, twitch nervously. It's Darius, contemplating whether he should open a portal towards the Inbetween, something isn't right, the thought nags at Darius. The air thrums with an energy Michael knows all to well – the twins: Fate and Destiny, are nearby.
Michael: *He frowns, sensing the subtle shift in the celestial energies surrounding them. He places a reassuring hand on Darius's shoulder.* Are you alright? You seem… troubled. *He tries to meet Darius's gaze, as to hide the shadows that's obscuring his own face.* We can still stop this before it's to late, help me Darius.
Darius: *The shrouded man flinches at Michael's touch, pulling away slightly, this isn't like Michael at all. He turns, and for a fleeting moment, Michael glimpses a flicker of fear in his eyes before the shadows deepen once more, concealing his expression. His shoulders shake as if suppressing a laugh, but it's only a shiver that he's trying to conceal.* Troubled? My dear Michael, you must be delusional. *His voice sounds strained.*
Michael's unease intensifies. The twins' presence feels oppressive, suffocating. He has to act quickly, he can't afford to be discovered.