The oil lamp cast a soft light in the small living room of Kira's house. Sitting at the table, Ikan followed the lines of an old book with her finger while her aunt helped her decipher.
Her aunt was called Naëlys. A woman with calm eyes, long dark hair tied in a braid, and a voice that was always soft, even when anxiety ate away at her.
"Gently, Ikan… take after me," she whispered.
— The stars… guide… lost… souls…
He still struggled with some words, but he did his best. Naëlys smiles at him proudly.
— You are progressing very well.
Suddenly...
BANG!
The door opened violently.
Naëlys jumped up. Ikan jumped.
In the doorway stood Asher and Bryan, supporting a limp body between them. Blood was still running down Eiden's arm.
Behind them entered Kira, livid, Alix, Miria—awakened, still trembling—a healer, and two armed guards.
- Dad… ? whispered Ikan.
He dropped his book and stood up, trembling.
- DAD !!
He wanted to run to Eiden, reach out, touch him.
But Asher and Bryan moved forward immediately.
"Not now, Ikan," Asher said firmly.
"He needs to be treated right away," Bryan added.
They walked through the house without slowing down and disappeared into the room Eiden shared with Kira.
Kira took a step to follow them.
- Wait-!
Miria abruptly placed her hand on his wrist.
"Kira… let them do it. They take care of him. You won't help him by collapsing there.
Kira trembled. His teeth clenched. Then she nodded slowly.
At that moment, Ikan approached her, his face ravaged by fear.
— Mom... Dad... He... He's going to be okay, right?
His voice cracked.
— He's better... isn't he...?
A tear slipped down her cheek.
Kira immediately crouched down in front of him. She placed her hands on his shoulders, gently forcing him to look at her.
—Listen to me carefully, my heart.
His voice trembled, but his gaze was firm.
—Your father is the prince of supernatural hunters. He is one of the strongest warriors in this world. It's not an injury that will bring him down.
She gave a weak but sincere smile.
— He's going to get through this. I promise you.
Ikan hesitated... then threw himself against her. She held him tightly to her heart.
In the corridor, in the distance, we could already hear the healer's orders.
And the fight for Eiden's life had just begun.