However, before Lewis could shut his eyes, he was stunned by a sudden, thunderous noise. If his senses weren't deceiving him, it sounded unmistakably like glass shattering. And then—
Boom.
A ground-breaking explosion echoed throughout the house, followed by a violent surge of fire. They had come dressed for silence and symbolism alike. Each member of the gang wore layered, pitch-black garments that blended seamlessly into the darkness. Long, high-collared coats fell to mid-thigh, tailored close to the body yet loose enough to flow like shadows when they moved. Upon their chests, dark, mysteriously emanating, light-absorbing violet sigils glistened—alive, almost watching.
As they slipped into the house, their sole purpose became evident: darkly glowing blades shimmered faintly in the moonlight.
A grim voice whispered, "Ugh… finally. How long I've yearned for this moment. To absolutely break that man. What are you waiting for? Go get them. The targets will have woken up by now, but rest assured—you shouldn't have any trouble. I will take the wom—"
Before he could finish the sentence, a swift slash tore through the hall, cleaving one of his subordinates in half.
"Who dares?" a breathtaking female voice thundered through the corridor.
"Ahhh, Hal. Long time no see. I see you've gotten a bit slower, haha."
Lewis's mother stood frozen in shock at the remark. "What—who are you?!"
She had no time to react. The figure dashed toward her in a blur, their weapons colliding as steel screamed against steel.
Lewis jolted upright, stunned by the immense commotion. What is happening? His thoughts faltered for a heartbeat, then he forced himself to focus. I need to get to Evelyn and Elias. And Mom.
At first, his senses failed to register immediate danger. Then brisk footsteps echoed closer.
Is this their doing?
His grip tightened around the metal bat as he moved cautiously toward the doorway. He knew better than to attack blindly without a plan—especially against enemies whose abilities were completely unknown. An ambush was the most viable option. Still, keeping his composure felt nearly impossible.
What about Evelyn and Mom? I hope Elias can hold his own… but I need to hurry.
A chaotic mix of irritation, anxiety, and fear flooded his mind as he waited. "I should call for help," he muttered.
The moment his hand reached toward his phone, a violent gust of wind blasted the door open, throwing him backward. Lewis reacted on instinct, rolling beneath his bed and pressing himself flat against the floor.
Seconds later, two men entered the room in absolute silence.
Lewis could only stare as their figures emerged from the shadows—too still, too unnatural. He stopped breathing the instant they stepped fully into the moonlight, his body locking as though his instincts had short-circuited.
Who are they? What was that wind? This isn't normal… They don't look like common thugs at all.
The room felt wrong. Their presence felt wrong. Above their heads, a dangerous violet light hovered, forming some kind of geometric sigil. At first, it didn't even register as danger—only as something impossibly out of place.
Cold crept up his spine, sharp and paralyzing. The intrusion hollowed him out.
"Shouldn't there be a seventeen-year-old boy here?" one man whispered. "Let's check another room."
Lewis remained frozen, defenseless, until one of them left. He finally gasped for air—only for the larger man to stop.
Moonlight traced the man's broad, muscular back despite his dark attire. He stepped toward Lewis's desk, glanced briefly at the posters on the wall, then smashed Lewis's phone with a single punch. The desk cracked apart, and a violent tremor rippled through Lewis's spine.
Lewis stayed hidden, but time was running out. His conscience battled against the crushing helplessness flooding his chest. He had to reach his siblings—no matter the cost.
That resolve dragged him into motion.
In one swift movement, Lewis seized the man's legs and wrenched them out from under him. The man's head slammed hard against the floor. Lewis followed through without hesitation, striking with his metal bat until the body went limp, never given a chance to react.
His focus sharpened unnaturally fast. Lewis repositioned himself beside the doorway, muscles coiled.
As expected, the companion rushed back in. Lewis struck first—two heavy blows to the head, followed by a precise hit between the hip and upper body. The man collapsed, rendered useless.
With his means of communication destroyed, Lewis turned toward the window, ready to shout for help. How had no one noticed the explosion by now?
The answer revealed itself instantly.
Outside stood an impenetrable wall of violet-black fog, stretching endlessly and swallowing his home whole. Streams of glowing violet particles drifted lazily within it. No matter where he looked, the fog grew denser, darker, the familiar outlines of neighboring houses blurring and dissolving into nothingness.
"Wh… what is this…?"
Calm down, Lewis. It'll be fine. I just need to get them and hide. They can't keep this up forever—otherwise, why bring so many? Eventually… it has to end. Right?
A scream tore through his thoughts.
"Please—stop! Ugh—leave him alone!"
Evelyn.
Her desperate cries sent ice flooding through his veins. Lewis lunged toward his sister's room, sprinting with everything he had—only to be met with devastation.
Blood streaked the floor in jagged, broken lines. One lifeless body and his screaming sister were being dragged away.
The injuries were unmistakable.
Elias's face was swollen and split, one limb twisted at a horrifying angle. Blood matted his hair, spilling from a deep gash at his temple. His eyes rolled unfocused, consciousness flickering as he weakly strained toward his sister.
Evelyn was bruised and coated in dust, her skin ashen. A deep gash carved across her arm as she fought desperately, sobbing hysterically, crying out for her brother while tears streamed endlessly down her cheeks.
His once radiant sister—now consumed by terror and pain.
When she saw Lewis, her expression shifted. For the briefest moment, relief washed over her face. Even through his horror, Lewis saw her silently mouth his name.
Then understanding struck.
She shook her head, raising trembling hands—urging him to stay back. To stay safe.
It was agonizing.
Her concern for him, even now.
It was excruciating. Blinding. Merciless.
Unbearable.
It hurt.
It really, truly hurt.
Then they were gone—dragged downstairs, disappearing from sight.
Lewis hadn't realized he hadn't moved at all.
He stood frozen, paralyzed from head to toe.
Something unfamiliar tore through him—something unfathomable, something soul-splitting. His heart shattered.
He had thought himself accustomed to violence. Books. Movies. Fiction. It had always felt distant. Sad—but bearable.
But this…
No. No, no, no.
Come on, Lewis. Are you really going to let them get away with this? Your brother and sister need you. Go. Save them.
Move.
Slowly, sorrow twisted into rage, flooding his body with heat and strength. His chest burned, his breath shook, and something dark and relentless began to claw its way out from deep within him—an emotion too raw to name, too violent to ignore.
Crash…