Lute had withdrawn from the party, furious over what had happened, and Kutichay watched her disappear into the crowd, her figure sliding like a shadow among the flickering lights and the murmur of the guests. A sharp pang of worry pierced his chest, cold and urgent.
— I need to go to the bathroom —he murmured, more to himself than to anyone else, his eyes following Lute's every step.
Without thinking too much, he decided to follow her carefully, weaving between columns and groups of people, avoiding being noticed. The music of the party thumped through the floor, blending with the echo of his own footsteps.
Lute walked with firm steps, her hands clenched into fists, muttering to herself as if the shadows of the hall were her confidants:
— Pathetic… celebrating a sensitive angel…
When she reached the late Adam's room, the atmosphere shifted abruptly. The light grew dimmer, the curtains barely letting in a ray of moonlight that spilled over the creaking wooden floor. A spectral figure suddenly appeared, floating with his usual arrogant air and a mocking smile.
— Should we sing a song so my "scrawny" son could give you orders? Really, Lute? —Adam sneered, his voice echoing through the empty walls.
— I promise those idiots will pay —Lute replied, never lifting her gaze from the floor, her shadow stretching long against the wall.
Kutichay knocked softly on the door, trying not to interrupt too much, though the sound of his knuckles against the wood seemed far too loud in the stillness of the room.
— Lute… are you okay? —he asked, his voice low and careful.
There was no response. He took a deep breath and gently pushed the door open, finding her sitting on the floor, head lowered, barely illuminated by the moonlight filtering through the window.
— What are you doing here alone? —he said, trying to sound natural, not pushing her.
— It's none of your business —Lute answered coldly, as the air around them seemed to grow heavier and denser.
Kutichay frowned, a hint of disappointment surfacing in his eyes.
— It's always the same with you… it's like no one can make you see that not everything is black and white —he said firmly, but without anger, as his shadow merged with hers on the cold floor.
— What do you know! —Lute snapped, lifting her head slightly but not quite looking at him—. You're just a sensitive angel.
— Yes… sensitive —Kutichay replied with a sigh, as the night breeze gently stirred the curtains—, but I can also see that you're still clinging to something that hurt you.
Lute lunged at him, driven by rage, but Kutichay dodged and gently held her against the wall, steady and calm without losing firmness. The wood beneath his hands creaked softly, reminding them they were alone in that space filled with memories and shadows.
— I respect you as an exorcist, as a person… but Adam never respected you. He hurt you, and you're still thinking about him —he said, his voice soft yet heavy with truth, echoing through the silent room.
— I don't need your pity —she said, struggling faintly, the echo of their movements filling the room as if even the air held their tension.
A heavy silence settled between them. Then Kutichay took a deep breath and began to sing the words they had both been holding onto for some time:
GRAVITY — REPRISE
Kutichay:
I know it hurts more
than you let it show
but resentment won't bring
the peace you want to know
It's not your mission
to lose yourself this way
there's another light
still alive in you
Don't fall again
Let it burn
Lute:
There's still blood to collect
only a coward would forgive
for what he tore from me
for what he stole from me
I will bring justice, not you
CHORUS — BOTH:
The storm will pass…
The storm will come at last…
Kutichay:
This time nothing will drag you down
Lute:
This time nothing will save you
BOTH:
You'll see it rain with brutal force
like gravity
Kutichay:
It's not eye for eye to repay
it's not blood that will heal
Lute:
Eye for an eye, you'll pay
with your blood in my hands, I'll collect
BOTH:
The flood will fall in chaos
and it will weigh on you like gravity
Kutichay:
There's still a path to forgiveness
not everything heals in pain
you don't have to be
what hatred created
Break the chain today
Lute:
Don't stop me, I've already decided
I wasn't born to give up
if the world wounded me
I'll wound it better
Let the one who destroyed me pay
CHORUS — BOTH:
The storm will pass…
The storm will come at last…
This time nothing will drag you down
This time nothing will save you
You'll see it rain with brutal force
like gravity
When they finished singing, a lighter silence filled the room. Lute slowly stepped away, her shadow still trembling on the wall, her gaze cold but slightly less tense.
— I won't change my mind… but thank you —she said, before turning and leaving, her footsteps echoing on the wooden floor until they slowly faded away.
Kutichay remained there for a few seconds, watching her go, his heart tight, silently wishing he could ease at least a little of her pain. The room returned to calm, moonlight brushing against the empty furniture as shadows played along the walls.