After school, the atmosphere felt strangely heavy. The sky was clouded, the wind sharp, and students rushed home quickly as if sensing something was wrong.
Aria didn't miss it.
Something was coming.Something connected to Rayana.
Leon had gone ahead to get the car, leaving Aria alone as she walked down the nearly empty hallway. She planned to confront Aiden again—this time gently, without provoking him. She understood now how fragile he was beneath the hard shell he wore.
But before she reached the stairs, she heard raised voices from outside the gym.
Aiden's voice.And Rayana's.
Aria's eyes sharpened. She ran toward the sound.
The scene that greeted her made her blood run cold.
Aiden stood cornered near the wall, panting, a glowing mark burning faintly on his arm.That mark—Aria recognized it. It belonged to that master. The more Aiden used his cursed ability, the more it consumed him.
Rayana stood opposite him with a satisfied smirk, holding a small controller-like device in her hand. Its screen glowed with the same cursed energy.
"Aiden," Rayana said sweetly, "didn't I tell you? If you don't listen… this thing will punish you."
Aiden fell to one knee, clutching his arm as the energy surged violently through him.
"STOP!" Aria's voice echoed like thunder.
Aiden and Rayana both turned.
Aria's eyes were blazing.
Rayana didn't even blink. "Oh? You finally arrived."
"What did you do to him?" Aria demanded, stepping between Aiden and Rayana.
Rayana tilted her head innocently. "Why? Are you jealous? Upset? Scared? I'm simply reminding him who he belongs to."
Aiden growled under his breath, "I don't belong to you…"
"Oh?" Rayana pressed a button.
Aiden's entire body jerked in pain.
Aria's fists clenched so tightly her nails pierced her palm.
"You're hurting him," Aria said, voice low and dangerous.
Rayana chuckled. "So what if I am? You think you can save him?
Aria took a slow breath. "Let go of him. Now."
Rayana's expression shifted. Her eyes darkened with something vicious, sharp, almost unhinged.
"You've taken Elias from me. Then Leon. And now you're trying to steal Aiden too?" she hissed. "You're nothing but an unwanted outsider! Why are you even alive?!"
Aria didn't move—but Aiden did.
"Oh?" Rayana smirked and pressed the button again—
A violent surge of power shot out.
Straight toward Aiden's chest.
Aria didn't think.
She moved.
Her body slammed into Aiden, shoving him behind her.The attack hit her squarely in the side.
A searing pain tore through her body. She gasped, knees buckling, but she didn't fall.
Aiden froze.His pupils shook violently.
"NO—!" Aiden shouted hoarsely.
Aria turned slightly, giving him a tired smile."An older sister should take care of younger ones," she whispered.
Then she faced Rayana again, blood trailing down her lip.
"If anything happens to Aiden… you will have to face me first."
Rayana's smirk faltered.
Aiden reached for Aria, voice trembling. "Why… why would you do that… I hurt you… I pushed you… I didn't even believe you…"
Aria didn't look back. "Because you're my little brother."
Something broke inside Aiden. He stared at her, stunned, hands shaking and recalling that when their mother was about to punish him for causing fracture to her, she took the hit for Aiden and said " as an older sister I should face the problem for you".
Rayana's eyes filled with fury. "How touching. But useless."She raised the device again."This time, I'll remove you completely—"
A sharp whistle cut the air.
Leon arrived like a storm, delivering a powerful kick that sent the device flying from Rayana's hand.
The screen shattered.
Rayana screamed, "You—!"
Leon grabbed her collar, lifting her off the ground, eyes burning with hatred."You dared to hurt her again?"
Rayana clawed at his hands. "L-let go of me! You can't—"
Aria spoke weakly, "Leon… don't kill her."
Leon froze.
He slowly released Rayana, though his glare promised violence.
Rayana stumbled back, terrified for the first time. She looked at the broken device, then at Aiden, whose eyes were now glowing with unstable power.
She ran.
But Aria didn't chase her.
Because Aiden suddenly collapsed to his knees.
Aria spun around and knelt beside him instantly.
"Aiden!" she said urgently. "Are you okay? Where does it hurt?"
Aiden stared at the wound on Aria's side, his body trembling.
His voice came out broken.
"It should've… hit me…"
"But I couldn't let it," Aria said softly.
Aiden clenched his fists, tears gathering in his eyes despite his pride.
"Why?" he whispered. "Why would you protect me when I've only… hurt you?"
Aria cupped his cheek gently."Because family protects each other. Even when it hurts."
Aiden's breath hitched.
Leon knelt beside them, expression gentle. "Aiden. Look properly. She's real. She's alive. Our sister… she came back."
Aiden's lips trembled. "I… I don't deserve her…"
"No one is asking you to deserve anything," Aria said. "You only need to come back to us."
Aiden lifted his gaze slowly, eyes filled with pain, regret, longing.
And for the first time… hope.
"Sister…" he whispered, voice cracking."Are you really… really back?"
Aria smiled softly."As long as you want me to be."
Aiden broke.
He pulled her and hugged her.
"I… I missed you," he choked out.
Aria's eyes softened."I know."
Leon hugged both of them from behind, laughing tearfully.
For the first time in eleven years…All three siblings were together.
But Aria knew one thing clearly—
Rayana wouldn't stop here.
The real war was only just beginning.