Kael slowly opened his crimson eyes. A strange peace washed over him—those eerie voices were finally gone. Ever since he left the Lower Layer, silence had felt like a miracle. He glanced sideways; sunlight was pouring through a large window to his left.
"I'll never get used to this."
He lay on a small white hospital bed. Beside him, Nyros sat on the same bed, munching greedily on a roasted chicken. His body was wrapped in countless bandages, but Kael wasn't in better shape either—especially with his broken arm. Both wore the same light-blue hospital gowns.
Nyros noticed him.
"Kael!" he shouted, a wide grin lighting up his face.
Kael smiled back. This was his only friend.
"How are your injuries?"
Nyros hopped lightly off the bed, still chewing, the half-eaten chicken clenched in his hand.
When Kael saw the chicken, he lost control. He had never eaten anything but moldy bread and foul soup his entire life. Despite his pain, he lunged, using his broken arm to snatch the chicken from Nyros, who wrestled back.
"Let go! I got it first!"
"Come on, you greedy bastard! Just a bite!"
Right in the middle of their struggle, Silvana and Liseria entered. The scene before them—Kael with a drumstick in his mouth, Nyros clawing at it—was… unexpected.
Kael turned his head slightly, startled, which gave Nyros the chance to snatch the chicken and sprint away nimbly.
Realizing his mistake, Kael chased after him despite his injuries. They ran around the room, Nyros laughing, and each bite he took stabbed Kael in the heart.
Silvana and Liseria stared at the two in shock. Silvana finally stepped forward, grabbed both of them, and—
BOOM!
She slammed them to the floor. The chicken was still in Nyros's mouth as he chewed in pain. Kael felt pain in his chest… and his pride.
"You idiots! You're still recovering! What the hell are you doing?"
Liseria giggled and turned to Kael.
"Kael, didn't you see the tray of food next to your bed?"
He looked to his side. There it was—an entire feast. Shame crawled up his face.
"See? You just wanted my food."
"Shut up, greedy. You could've at least shared a little."
"Both of you, shut it!" Silvana yelled.
They hung their heads in silence. Yet Nyros… continued chewing.
Silvana sighed.
"You need to heal, not act like fools."
Nyros sat back on the bed.
"Apologies, milady. We were just excited to finally escape the darkness. So, where are we now?"
"You're in a hospital in the Grey District," she answered.
Nyros paused, thinking aloud as he chewed.
"Right. We couldn't be taken to the White City because of the Ninety-Nine Stairs…"
"So, Lady Silvana, what are you going to do with us?"
Silvana was surprised—Nyros was far too sharp for a teenager. The same had struck her about Kael when they first met him.
"Well… we'll heal you. That's the least we can do. Then maybe help you a little."
Nyros smiled.
"Thank you for everything. In that case, I have a proposal you might like."
She didn't respond—just stared. Nyros continued, smiling.
"The Hundredth Blood Season is approaching. We all know House Kaldras has struggled in recent years during the season. Their influence has waned."
Silvana's face darkened.
"Are you mocking House Kaldras?"
"Not at all, my lady. I deeply respect Kaldras. But facts are facts. The recent seasons haven't been kind. The family has lost a lot."
"As for my proposal… I offer you Kael."
Everyone froze—including Kael, whose face twisted in confusion and shock.
"What do you mean by that?" they all asked in unison.
Nyros kept smiling.
"We all know great families can adopt talented children. So tell me—who could be more suited than a boy who suffered his entire life in the depths of the world?"
"Of course, I can't be adopted—I already have a bloodline. But Kael? He has none. That means he can inherit yours and become one of you."
Kael looked at him, his expression unreadable.
"That's true," Silvana said. "But the adopted child must be no older than ten. Kael is sixteen."
"Sure. But you also know why that rule exists."
"To prevent conflict between great families."
"Exactly. But Kael was born in the Lower Layer and never left it. That rule doesn't apply."
Silvana and Liseria were both surprised.
"But…"
"Silvana, you know how important the Blood Season is. Believe me, in six months, Kael will do the impossible. He survived in hell. Do you think kids born with silver spoons can compare? The young lady of a great house is right next to you—and you're her guardian. You can decide here and now."
Silvana hesitated. Liseria said nothing, but her eyes glimmered with excitement.
Nyros noticed.
"If you don't accept, we might have no choice but to go to House Ksarim."
Silvana's expression changed. She spoke quickly.
"Fine. We'll adopt Kael."
Nyros raised his arms, grinning.
"Haha. Then we have a deal!"
Kael was furious.
"What do you mean, 'a deal'!?"
"Ladies, may we have some privacy?"
They nodded and exited respectfully. Liseria glanced back, her eyes quietly begging Kael to accept.
Nyros stood by the window.
"Kael… I'm sorry. But this is necessary—for your safety."
"My safety? Who are you to decide what I should do?"
He turned, his face unreadable.
"You don't understand this world. It's full of secrets. With your bloodline—and the Black Blood choosing you—you'll always be hunted. If anyone finds out, they'll all come for you."
"The safest place for you… is Kaldras. They're not like the others. You can hide there."
"Then why don't you come with me?"
"I can't. I already have a bloodline. And… I have my own goals. I promised myself I'd help you find a safe place. Liseria's presence was a lucky bonus."
Kael clenched his fists. He understood the truth behind Nyros's words.
"You know I already have a bloodline too."
Nyros smirked.
"Come on. I know you can steal others' bloodlines. Even the great Tharamis couldn't detect it. So they won't either—even the Matriarch herself."
"And we'll meet again—once you reach the Fourth Stage. We'll have to enter the Gates to move forward. We'll do it together. And I know you want to find yourself… and your parents. The Blood Season is the best place. All the great families will gather."
Kael stayed quiet for a while.
"Do you know I can only take pure bloodlines?."
"…Wait, what?" Nyros blinked.
"Why didn't you tell me sooner!?"
"I only figured it out recently."
Nyros turned to the window, deep in thought. Outside, Silvana and Liseria were chatting with a nurse. A wicked smile curled his lips.
"Don't worry, my friend…"
******
Meanwhile, deep in the Lower Layer…
Sylon stood inside a massive hall, motionless, hands behind his back. Before him, a blazing red portal pulsed with energy. He was waiting.
Suddenly, a man emerged—tall, broad,
wearing a pair of old-fashioned spectacles with a thin chain attached to them. Short black hair, elegant attire, and a crystal-topped cane in his hand. Six heavily armored guards followed him.
"Ah, Sylon! It's been a while," the man said with joy.
Sylon didn't react. Instead, he sent an internal pulse.
"What brings you here, Kandro?"
Kandro chuckled aloud instead of responding with his pulse.
"So cold, as always."
"Well, we've got a small case. A few days ago, a powerful pulse was detected. The Bloodwatch Tower couldn't identify the bloodline. Could be a forbidden one."
"Nothing happened here. Only a pulse from a Ksarim boy," Sylon replied.
Kandro smiled.
"Sylon… come on. I know it's here. Don't make this harder than it has to be."
As soon as he said that, dozens of Silent Wardens emerged from all sides, wearing identical uniforms to Sylon's.
Kandro laughed.
"So you've chosen this route, then. Looks like we're leaving without answers."
He turned toward the red gate. His six guards followed. Just before stepping through, he glanced back coldly.
"…Blood never forgets, Sylon "