INT - ERION'S ROOM - 9 AM
A ray of light slipped through the dark curtains, shining directly into Evah's right eye.
She groaned, squinting as the unwelcome illumination tugged her from sleep.
My head hurts. I just want to sleep!
She turned away from the sunlight, clutching the pillow she'd been hugging since last night.
As her eyelids fluttered, fighting against sleep, a blurry figure caught her attention. A person, half-naked, slipping on a dark polo shirt. She was too tired to react, her mind foggy with sleep, so she closed her eyes again.
The blurry figure stepped closer, and the shape slowly began to clear. But Evah was still trapped in that half-dream state.
"Hey, bunny," a voice murmured, sweet and concerned. "Did I wake you?"
She couldn't respond. Her mind was still heavy with sleep.
Realizing she was in no condition to answer, Erion smiled quietly to himself. She was sound asleep. He knew because he'd stayed in his room all night, guarding her, keeping her safe.
"I have to go to the office," he said softly, his voice now tinged with determination. "I need to process everything, start investigating for you. Don't worry—there's no need for you to give a statement. I'll handle it, just focus on resting." He pulled his jacket on, moving with practiced ease, but Evah didn't stir. She was still fighting to stay awake, her eyes barely open, gazing at him through a veil of drowsiness.
Erion approached her again, his footsteps light. This time, Evah pushed herself upright, trying to sit.
"Don't worry, bunny, You'll be safe," he reassured her, his voice gentle but there was a flicker of concern beneath it. "But I need you to be honest with me. Do you have any idea why they're after you?"
Evah shook her head, her reply automatic, her mind still far from alert. She was still only half-conscious, but her honesty shone through.
"You sure?" Erion pressed, his tone shifting slightly. There was a trace of suspicion there now, a question lingering in the air. "Nothing?" Evah gave a small, slow nod, too tired to say more.
"Got it." He patted her head gently, a soft smile tugging at his lips. "Go back to sleep. You need time to recover." She obeyed, sinking back into the bed, her body craving rest.
Hours passed, and Evah slowly drifted back into consciousness. She opened her eyes, and the unfamiliar surroundings greeted her like a distant memory.
"Eh?" she murmured, confused.
Did I change my room decoration?
For a few moments, she stared at the ceiling, trying to piece together the events of the previous night. Then it hit her. She wasn't in her own room.
She sat up, glancing at the shirt she was wearing.
I got one of his shirts before I slept. Did I actually sleep in someone's house?
Her eyes scanned the room. There was a table by the side, clearly Erion's study table. A large shelf lined one wall, packed with books and papers. Across from her, a massive closet full of clothes stood like an unspoken invitation. Indigo curtains blocked the light, casting a cool glow over the space.
Then, something caught her attention: a note resting on the bed beside her.
She stretched and grabbed it.
Hi Bunny!
I'm at work now. Just rest today. I'll talk to your superior about what happened. There's a button on the table—ring me if anything happens.
E
The memory of their conversation earlier that morning flashed through her mind. His voice had been filled with concern, but something about it felt... off. It sent a shiver down her spine, the same feeling that had lingered from last night.
I don't like this... she thought, her chest tightening. I don't want to think about it.
Evah knew herself well enough to know that if she didn't do something, the fear would consume her. She had one talent, one way to escape the lingering feeling inside her: work. If she could just focus on that, the rest would fade into the background.
I don't want to trust him... but I know he'll keep me safe. She glanced at the clock on the bed. 11:05. I'm late! With a jolt, she shot out of bed.
Come on, second day and I'm already late! I hope Dr. Riko will be cool with this.
She caught a glimpse of herself in the closet mirror.
She was wearing an oversized hoodie. It was the only thing she could find that passed as a dress. Hmm... don't have any clothes here…
She pulled open the sliding closet doors, revealing a vast collection of jackets, jeans, shirts, and more. He won't mind, right?
She selected a pair of pants and a shirt, her mind racing as she rummaged through the choices. A glint of silver caught her eye, and she pulled out a polo shirt—poly-cotton, the fabric smooth under her fingers. A silver brooch the size of a coin gleamed on the collar. Her breath caught in her throat.
This smell... The memory of the rainstorm rushed back—the kiss, the warmth, and Erion's presence. She had almost forgotten about it, but now the memories flooded back like a wave. She put her hands on her cheeks, trying to ground herself.
I used to hate that memory, she thought, but now... it feels better than the chaos I'm trying to forget.
She closed her eyes, repeating the mantra in her head.
It'll be fine. It'll be fine.
INT- MAJOR GENERAL OFFICE - CGO
The Head of the IronClad, Commander Xerxes Draegor, sat across from the Major General's desk, his teal-green uniform adorned with multiple badges, each a testament to his rank and experience.
"I've gathered all the data on the 'Son of the Goddess' sightings from the database," Erion said, sliding a black folder across the desk to the Commander. "When I matched it with the recent disappearances, the patterns were too similar to ignore."
He paused, allowing Xerxes to review the information.
"The numbers are different, but the facts... they don't lie." The Major General continues, How come we didn't see that.
Xerxes furrowed his brow. "Do you think the Perigo Cube incident and the cult are connected, Major?"
Erion leaned forward, his expression serious. "I can't confirm it. It's just a hunch. But looking back... there were allegations about this cult before—kidnapping, human trafficking. It was a long time ago, before it all came crashing down, but people forgot." He shifted in his seat, the weight of the conversation settling on him.
"I don't have proof. All I have are these loose threads, and they all point back to Evah." He added.
On his desk, a picture of Evah rested in an open folder. It was an old photo of her, smiling in her lab coat, looking younger, more vibrant than she had recently.
"What do they want from Miss Arsenault?" Xerxes's voice echoed in the room, full of concern. The thought of survivors being targeted again troubled him.
Erion sighed,"I know they wanted to kidnap her. But beyond that... maybe she knows something they need. She says she doesn't, but I'm not so sure. We can't trust our survivors completely, not yet. Maybe they're still caught in this scheme, just like before." He leaned back in his chair, the office suddenly feeling too large, too hollow. The case seemed impossible, too disconnected, too absurd to piece together.
"But it'll become a problem," he added, his voice quiet. "The Perigo Cube case was closed. I believe they'll lay low for now."
Xerxes nodded grimly. "We still need to keep them safe."
"Erion's gaze hardened. "Yes, Miss Iekami is under your protection, Commander. I trust you'll see to it." His voice, unwavering and filled with authority, left no room for doubt.
"Understood," Xerxes replied, his voice steady, but there was a flicker of concern behind his words.
Erion glanced at the drawer where he had placed the dagger from the night before. "The body from her apartment... have you found any leads on it?"
Xerxes's face shifted slightly, his neutral tone cracking. "We have nothing, Major General."Erion's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean by 'nothing'? Who are they?"
"The fingerprints were burned off, and the faces were intentionally disfigured, likely with acid, just before they wore masks during your encounter. All the teeth had been removed—probably weeks in advance, as part of their preparation. The blood sample doesn't match anything in our system. It's as if they vanished into thin air." Xerxes's voice grew softer as he continued, his own disbelief evident. He had seen many horrors during his time in service, but this... this was something different.
Erion's expression remained cold, unreadable. He refused to let his emotions show—he needed to maintain control, to stay focused. He could only imagine the horror those officers had witnessed.
"I'll gather more information about this," he said, his voice hardening with resolve. "But for now, focus on the case I gave you yesterday." Xerxes gave a sharp salute. "Yes, Major!"