The sun had begun to lean westward. Its light filtered through the half-open window, splitting the room in two, one side glowing in a sheet of white, the other drowned in thick shadow.
Inside the mansion, Enatur was resting in his room. The warm air carried a faint scent of antiseptic. Po-chan stood next to him, its small hands deft and careful as its wiped the wounds across his body. Its movements were gentle.
The bed creaked softly when Enatur's eyes fluttered open. His vision blurred for a few seconds before finally settling on the ceiling. Yunia entered through the door, her lips curling into a gentle smile the moment she saw him awake.
"You're finally awake," she said, sitting beside his bed. Her soft hand brushed through his hair.
"I still can't stop trembling when I remember how terrifying you were during my test," Enatur muttered, pouting slightly.
Yunia chuckled. "But you passed. You even managed to land the final strike. I thought you were running away, but you actually lured me into your own battle rhythm."
His face flushed red. "I just thought it was impossible to beat you, that's all."
Yunia exhaled slowly. "Even so, with your current ability, you've already proven yourself capable… You should be proud of that."
Enatur rested his head on Yunia's lap. "Mom, do you think I can live past seventeen?" His voice quivered faintly.
Yunia fell silent. The sunlight touched her face, revealing the faint tremble in her pupils.
"Of course you can," she whispered. "I'm still searching for an alchemist who can craft the cure you need. Even my divine allies are helping, but… the information isn't easy to obtain."
His eyes stared blankly at the ceiling. "What do you think the person who implanted the Soul Core into me was thinking?"
Yunia lifted her gaze toward the window. "Maybe that person wanted revenge, for the sins I committed long ago. By doing this to you, they must have thought their vengeance was complete."
Enatur turned sharply, his eyes wide. "What… what did you do in the past?"
Her tone softened, her voice carrying the weight of years. "Too many things happened back then. I was a villain once, someone who hurt many Gods and Goddesses. Even… your first sister came to despise me."
Enatur's eyes widened. He quickly sat up, staring at her. "Then… what was my eldest sister like?"
Yunia's lips curved faintly, though her eyes dropped to the floor. "She used to be cheerful, ambitious. But because of my mistakes, she changed… she cut all ties with me."
Guilt washed over Enatur's face. He leaned in, hugging Yunia gently. "I'm sorry, Mom… I shouldn't have asked that."
Yunia nodded in understanding. They stayed quiet for a long time. The silence wasn't empty, it was warm, as if both hearts understood one another without words.
After a while, Enatur looked up again, eyes steady on her face. "Mom, is there a way to control the Soul Core's curse?"
"I don't know," she replied softly. "But maybe there's someone who could give us a clue."
Yunia's eyes narrowed slightly. "A woman… my greatest rival, Karen Van Dammon."
Enatur puffed his cheeks. "Tch! Just how many enemies do you have, Mom?"
Yunia let out a short laugh. "Quite a lot, actually, even-"
Her bracelet phone rang, a holographic screen lighting up. Hera's face appeared. Yunia pressed the green icon.
"Hera, what is it?"
"Yunia, I have good news. I've just received information from the Dark God Faction about the final formula for the cure."
Yunia's eyes widened. "Finally! The formula exists! Where are you now?"
"I'm dealing with a small issue in the Nordic Realm. I'll return tonight. There's something else you'll want to hear."
Yunia's shoulders relaxed, eyes glimmering with tears. "Thank you, Hera," she whispered softly. "See you tonight."
"Never mind! See you later." Hera ended the call.
Yunia exhaled in relief.
"At last… ten years of waiting might finally pay off."
The tension in her shoulders eased, her neck muscles loosening for the first time in years.
---
Night fell. The mansion was wrapped in stillness. The cold wind slipped through the tall windows of the lounge, swaying the silver curtains. The circular black sofa surrounded a glass table gleaming faintly under the moonlight.
"Yo, Enatur," Lucifer called out, ruffling his younger brother's hair with a mischievous grin. "I saw your sparring match with Mom. You're tougher than before."
Enatur nodded. "It's been two weeks since you and Sis last visited."
Gabriel smiled softly. "After seven years of gloom, I'm glad to finally see you smile again." Enatur blushed, letting out a small laugh.
Enatur brewed their favorite coffee, and Po-chan carried the warm cups to Yunia, Hera, Lucifer, and Gabriel. On its chest display appeared the text: 'Please. Enjoy.'
"So this is your assistant robot?" Lucifer asked. Enatur's sixth brother. He has short black hair and black eyes.
"What a sweet robot," Gabriel added, admiring Po-chan's tiny bow. Enatur's eighth sister. She has short blonde hair and turquoise eyes.
Hera glanced around the room. "Earth and Marina aren't here? What about Carl and Marissa?"
"Carl and Marissa are on a study trip out of town," Yunia replied. "Marina's dealing with issues in the Sea Realm, and Earth's preparing for the next fashion show."
"I see. They're all busy. Even Lightya and Nightya haven't returned from their missions," Hera said.
Yunia projected a holographic screen from her bracelet.
===
Soul Recovery Herbal Formula
Function: Advanced spiritual recovery.
Recipe: Forbidden Fruit from Eden's Garden, God's Blood Essence, Spirit Essence.
Status: Collected.
===
Spirit Grass Essence
Function: Strengthens the immunity of the spiritual soul.
Recipe: Five Spirit Grasses. Essence must be extracted with fire.
Status: Collected.
===
"The rest is for the Soul Essence Elixir," Yunia said, unrolling another scroll given by Hera.
===
Soul Essence Elixir
Funcion : Medicine that heals a dying spiritual soul.
Recipe: Essence of SSS+ Monster Blood, Heart of the Black-Leaf Tree, Spirit Fairy Fruit, and Soul-Healing Mushroom.
===
Lucifer crossed his arms, his eyes gleaming. "I'm familiar with the Soul Essence formula. All of these ingredients exist in the Dark Fraction, Lord Marrec's universe."
Hera smiled knowingly. "And here's the most important part…"
Everyone swallowed hard, eager to hear what she would reveal.
"My connections say that during the incident, none of them ever found Chloe Van Dammon's body or her spiritual body."
The room fell silent. Their faces paled, breaths caught midair.
"But… didn't Karen say…"
"I told you before... sighed. Her words can't be trusted. It's possible that Chloe is still alive."
"What's a spiritual body?" Enatur asked quietly.
"It's a form of the spirit that detaches from the physical body when near death. It carries the Divine Core, the essence of life itself," Hera explained.
Her gaze sharpened. "If Chloe truly survived, this might be our only chance to find her."
Yunia nodded firmly. "Then we'll depart tomorrow. Hera, are you coming with us?"
"Ah, I have clinical rounds in the morning. This information is all I can give you for now," Hera replied.
"Thank you, Hera. You've helped more than you know."
"Never mind. It took me five years to track this down," Hera said with a small smile.
The night deepened. It was the perfect time for reflection, for letting silence breathe where words couldn't.
---
Later, Yunia sat alone in her private room, the moonlight washing over her in silver hues. Tears of relief welled in her eyes.
She could no longer stand; her legs trembled and gave way beneath her. Slowly, she sank to the floor, letting her back rest against the wall.
Relief didn't come as a sigh, it came as a pulse, a deep vibration spreading from her chest to her fingertips. Every tight muscle finally loosened.
The burden she had carried for ten long years… finally began to feel lighter.
---
The night waned, and silence wrapped around the mansion like a soft blanket. Before dawn could rise, that dream came for Enatur again.
He fell into an endless ocean of sorrow. That girl again…
He knew this scene too well.
"Show me that blue sky!"
The current dragged him under, everything moving too fast. He fell into a space of pure white.
The girl appeared five meters away, facing him. The upper half of her face was hidden by shadow, tears sliding down her cheeks.
"Hey…" her lips moved.
"Can you show me how beautiful the blue sky really is?" she asked, her voice trembling with hope.
She reached out her hand. He reached back.
Close…
And closer…
Their fingertips brushed...
Then, a blinding light swallowed everything.
...
"...tur!"
"Oi, Enatur!"
His eyes snapped open. He sat upright, drenched in sweat, breathing heavily. Shadow was standing nearby, watching with concern.
"Enatur, that dream again, huh?"
"Yeah… the same one I told you about."
"Hmm, then why are you crying?" Shadow tilted his head.
"Huh? Crying?"
Enatur touched his cheeks, wet with tears. Shadow was right.
"Is something wrong, Master?" Rein's voice chimed softly.
"Ah, no… it's just a dream, Rein."
"Am I crying because of that girl?"
He whispered to himself.
"Forget it for now. It's time to make coffee for everyone."
It was six in the morning. He returned to his usual routine, preparing coffee for Gabriel, Lucifer, Yunia, and Hera. Shadow took his smaller form, no bigger than a regular dog, when inside the house.
"Ara-ara, Enatur, thank you for the coffee," Hera said, taking a seat at the bar.
"Good morning, Goddess Hera!" Rein greeted cheerfully.
"Morning, Rein."
"Ah, Auntie, you look beautiful in that white coat. You have rounds today?"
"Yes, there are many patients waiting for prenatal exams. Obstetrics and gynecology—it fits one of my Authorities."
"You've been working so hard. You must really like it here."
"Indeed. I'm grateful to live here, far better than Olympus."
"I'll grab my tumbler and head out now. Bye-bye!"
"Be careful," he said softly as Hera left for the hospital.
Enatur's bracelet phone vibrated. Reina was calling.
"What is it, Sis Reina?"
"Sorry, Enatur, I'll have to delay my return to Anfield City. Some technical issues came up, so I'll be a bit late."
"Alright. I've got something urgent to do anyway."
"I can't wait to see the AI from another world, but I'll have to be patient. I'll call again once I'm back. Bye!"
"Take care, Sis Reina."
Soon, Yunia and the others joined in. "Good morning, our free barista," Lucifer teased.
Enatur smiled. "Good morning, everyone. Your coffee's ready."
"Good morning, I'm Rein, Master's AI assistant."
"Oh, so this is the AI from another world?" Gabriel asked.
"How impressive. I want one too," Lucifer said.
Po-chan handed them their cups, its chest display glowing: 'Please. Enjoy.'
"Before we gather the ingredients, I want to visit Karen first," Yunia said, her tone turning serious. "There's something important I need to discuss. Right, Enatur?"
Enatur lowered his head. "Yes, Mom. I'm thinking of mastering this curse, to control it…" He lifted his gaze, determination flashing in his eyes. "And make it obey me."
Gabriel's eyes flicked sideways toward him, while Lucifer closed his eyes briefly, as if choosing his words carefully.
"I understand your ambition, Enatur," Lucifer said at last. "But a method like that… has never been done before."
Gabriel kicked his leg under the table.
"Ow!" Lucifer rubbed his shin.
"I see… but since you're my little brother," Lucifer continued with a faint smile, "maybe even the impossible will kneel before you."
Enatur grinned. "Heh, just leave it to me."
"Alright then," Yunia said, finishing her coffee. "Once we're done here, we'll depart."
An hour later, they were ready. The journey toward Dark Fraction was about to begin.
No one knew what awaited them there. But they were ready to face it.