Arden stood under the shade of the giant tree. The wind blew soft… too soft for how loud his mind felt.
He lifted his head a little, staring at the moonlight leaking through the branches. His eyes glowed—quiet, dangerous purple—and flashes of Selena flickered behind his eyelids like someone flipping through painful memories too fast.
A rustle came from behind him.
He didn't turn fully, just shifted enough so the moonlight hit those glowing eyes again.
It was Verona. She stepped out from behind the tree like she'd been watching him for a while.
"Arden… are you okay? Ever since you came back you've… changed."
Arden didn't answer at first. He looked at the moon, then at the lanterns far ahead in the village—small dots of gold pretending the world was peaceful.
"You didn't eat either," she said. Her voice came out softer, almost nervous. "Is something bothering you?"
Arden finally spoke. "It's nothing."
He walked past her like he was walking through a dream.
Verona's voice dropped. "I see. You still don't want to share your feelings with me."
He stopped but didn't turn around. His shoulders stayed still.
"…It's not like that," he said calmly.
"It's just—" she hesitated, the words catching like thorns in her throat, "I thought after all the time we've spent together… you'd trust me enough to tell me what bothers you. You never say anything, Arden. I can't understand what's going on in your mind either. That day you came home bloodied after work, and now— now your behavior's changed again."
Her voice cracked.
"I don't get what's happening inside you."
Arden stayed silent. Like silence was safer.
Verona lowered her eyes. "I guess I haven't shown myself as someone who understands your pain."
Then she forced a small smile. "Forget I asked. I just… I don't know what's going on with you. But at least eat something before sleeping, okay?"
Arden turned slightly. The moment he saw her smile, his purple eyes shifted—snapping into glowing green.
His whole vision washed over in emerald.
The rotating octagon sphere floating above Verona's head spun slowly… and a thin crack pulsed across its surface.
Arden's eyes widened.
The green glow vanished. Purple returned—cold, steady, unreadable.
"You need not worry," he said as he walked away, voice calm again. "I'll eat."
Verona kept her smile. Just barely. "That's nice to hear."
She turned to the moon, adjusting her hair behind her ears.
—————
Later.
The house was silent. Verona lay on her bed, still. Almost too still.
Arden stood in front of the mirror, face blank, purple eyes refusing to dim even a bit.
They glowed with a kind of decision that didn't allow turning back.
"It's decided," he whispered. "No hesitation."
Across the room, Verona lay facing left, breathing slow and controlled. She wasn't asleep.
She whispered. "Arden… what are you up to?"
—————
Morning.
Arden stood beneath the red maple tree. It red leaves drifted down lazily, landing on his shoulders like the world didn't know he was changing.
He held a small bird gently in his hands.
"The first thing," he murmured, "is understanding the gift."
He breathed out slowly. "If I recall… what happened when I fought the boss… I used his power because I wanted it. Intention. It came from intention."
He looked at the bird.
"Which means…"
His eyes glowed purple. His hands followed. The bird's body reddened—tiny cuts slicing its skin open like invisible blades had played with it.
"Heal," Arden said.
His hands turned green. The bird glowed gently, wounds closing, feathers smoothing.
The animal trembled, then breathed normally again.
"This is the one the boss used. But the one I used was more..."
His eyes flashed purple.
And the bird exploded.
Blood splattered across Arden's face. A few drops rolled down his jaw. The grass drank the rest.
He didn't flinch.
—————
Two Days Later.
Dale drank a cup of water, wiping sweat from his brow when—
Knock. Knock.
He sighed. "Who knocks this late…?"
Another knock.
"I'm coming!" he shouted, annoyed.
He walked to the door, opened it—
—and froze.
Arden stood at the door hooded. Completely cloaked in black, but his eyes… those glowing purple eyes were burning through the dark.
Dale stumbled back. "Wh—who are you?"
Arden raised his head.
Those eyes were the only thing alive on his face.
He stepped inside. Calm. Slow.
"Let's have a little chat… Dale."
The door shut.
Some time later, a scream rang out in the house and Arden stepped out afterwards.
He walked away without making a sound .
—————
The dungeon was dark. Only Selena's staff lit the way, a floating fireball casting shadows on the stone walls.
She sighed. "F-rank dungeons like this are easy to clear alone. Time to go home and rest."
Footsteps echoed ahead.
She froze. Raised her staff. "Who's there? Show yourself!"
The steps came closer.
Then she saw a figure—glowing purple eyes emerging from the darkness.
Arden stepped forward, eyes locked on her like fate had cornered her.
She relaxed slightly. "There's no need to go deeper. I cleared this dungeon."
Arden didn't speak.
"So?" she asked. "What do you want?"
Arden's voice was calm.
"Your life."
Selena scoffed. "I see… so you're after me. You really seem cocky, standing right in front of me and saying you want my life."
She took two steps back, boots scraping on the dungeon stone.
She pointed at staff at him.
Then—
fwsshh—!
A fireball burst out of her staff and tore through the air.
BOOM!
Dust exploded everywhere, swallowing Arden in a choking cloud.
Selena didn't relax. She kept her staff pointed forward, shoulders stiff, breath held.
Her eyes darted through the dust.
Then it cleared.
Arden was still standing.
Still staring.
His eyes glowing purple.
A faint green aura hissed off his skin like steam leaking from cracks.
It faded. He brushed dust off his shirt with slow, almost bored taps.
Selena's eyes twitched wide.
"…A healer, huh?"
She smiled—thin, sharp, almost impressed but trying hard not to show it.
"You must have a death wish. As a healer, you should know there's no way you're beating me. If you really wanted a chance, you should have brought someone else along."
Arden's voice came out calm.
"You're right on that note. I didn't want to use them because I thought it wouldn't seem fair… but since you said I need help… then I have to go with your request."
Selena smirked.
"Show me what you've got."
Four glowing red eyes appeared behind Arden.
She didn't flinch.
But then more eyes appeared.
And more.
Red dots brightening the dark like embers coming alive.
Her smile slipped.
A low growl rolled through the dungeon, thick like something dragging claws on the walls.
Shapes stepped into the light—
Ten wolves.
Dark-furred and glowing red eyes.
All standing beside Arden like soldiers answering to a king.
Selena's hand trembled.
Her breath hitched.
Her pupils stretched almost thin.
"You're a healer… right?" she whispered, voice cracking on the edges. "A healer shouldn't be—"
Arden cut through her words with that cold, unmoving stare.
"I believe this is fair. According to your standards."
Selena grit her teeth—hard.
Her grip tightened around her staff .
"If you think I'll be scared just by showing me several puppies… then you're dead wrong."
Arden's voice sank, low and calm.
"Go."
Two wolves lunged.
Selena leaped back. A circle of flames erupted beneath them—
FWOOSH!
The wolves were swallowed in fire and hit the ground, burned and twitching.
The flames faded.
Selena smirked. "Two down. Eight to go. Bring it on."