The atmosphere in the café grew tense as Rose sat across from Jack Brynner, still reeling from the shock of seeing him here. Jack had always been a figure shrouded in mystery and power, but nothing could have prepared her for the bombshell he was about to drop.Jack leaned forward, his eyes fixed on Rose with an intensity that made her heart race. "Rose," he began, his voice calm but laced with something deeper, "there’s something important I need to tell you, and I'm very sure it'll come as a surprise to you,""What's that sir?" Rose managed to ask, trying to hide her discomfort.She just couldn't help but wonder what people around her would begin to think when they see her with Jack Brynner. She just hoped the meeting would end soon so she could return home, as she was already beginning to regret why she had even agreed to come with the men in the first place."I could be your father." Jack dropped the bombshell.The words hung in the air, heavy and surreal. Rose blinked, her mind s
Serpens paced the living room, his anxiety mounting with each passing minute. He had arrived home earlier than expected, eager to surprise Rose, only to find the house unsettlingly quiet. The usual warmth of her presence was absent, and something felt off. He called out her name, but the only response was the echo of his own voice.A knot of worry tightened in his chest as he quickly scanned the rooms, hoping to find her somewhere, maybe resting or lost in a book. But every room he checked was empty. His worry deepened when he noticed Rose's phone lying on the kitchen counter, its screen lighting up with each incoming call he made. She never left the house without it—especially not in a city like this.The sight of the phone, abandoned and ringing, sent a chill down his spine. Where could she have gone without it? His mind raced through possibilities, each one more unsettling than the last. He was on the verge of dialing Inspector Lui, ready to report that Rose had gone missing, when
The morning sun filtered through the hospital's large windows as Serpens and Rose walked into the pristine lobby. The sterile smell of antiseptic hung in the air, adding to the tension that already filled the space between them. Serpens walked beside Rose, his steps steady and composed, while Rose’s pace was slightly hesitant, her nerves evident in the way she clutched the strap of her bag.As they approached the reception, Dr. Sun, in her white lab coat, looking as beautiful as ever with her beautiful eyes, looked up from her desk. Her face lit up with a welcoming smile, but as soon as she saw the serious expressions on their faces, her smile faded, replaced by a look of concern. “Serpens, Rose, what brings you here so early?” Dr. Sun asked, setting aside her clipboard. She just couldn't help but hope it wasn't that Rose was having symptoms from what happened with Winter. Rose was already confirmed to have fully recovered before they signed for her to be discharged from the hospita
Rose sat in the quiet hospital waiting area, the envelope containing the DNA results still clutched in her hand. Her mind buzzed with a mix of emotions—disbelief, uncertainty, and a strange sense of resolution. She knew what she had to do next, and it weighed heavily on her.With a deep breath, Rose pulled out her phone and scrolled through her contacts until she found the number Jack Brynner had given her the day before. Her thumb hovered over the call button for a moment, but then she pressed it, steeling herself for what was to come.The phone rang only twice before Jack’s smooth, authoritative voice came through. “Rose?” he answered, his tone carrying a hint of curiosity.Rose hesitated for a split second, then spoke. “The DNA results are out,” she said, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her.Jack was silent for a moment, and Rose could almost picture him leaning forward, anticipation evident in his eyes. “And?” he prompted, his voice betraying a rare note of eagerness.
Xin managed to open her eyes, her eyelids fluttering open as a harsh, sterile light pierced through the darkness. Her vision blurred and unfocused, she tried to move but found her hands and feet bound tightly to a cold, metallic table. Panic began to set in as she struggled to come to terms with her surroundings. Her heart raced, and the coldness of the metal beneath her skin sent shivers through her body. She tried to take a deep breath, but the air felt thick and heavy, laced with a clinical scent that made her stomach churn. The room around her was stark and unfamiliar, its walls a pale, unforgiving white. The only sound was the faint hum of machinery, adding to the sterile, mechanical atmosphere that pressed down on her.She pulled against the restraints, desperation growing with each futile attempt to free herself. Her muscles ached, and her mind swirled with questions. How did she get here? Where was she? And more importantly, who had done this to her?The stark white walls, th
The night was a gentle embrace, soft and inviting, perfect for slipping into the realm of dreams. The sky was clear, a deep velvet canvas dotted with a thousand twinkling stars that seemed to pulse with a quiet, rhythmic light. The moon, full and luminous, bathed the world in a silvery glow, casting long, soft shadows that danced lightly across the ground. A cool breeze whispered through the trees, rustling the leaves in a soothing lullaby that filled the air with a sense of calm and serenity.The world seemed to have slowed its pace, the hustle of the day giving way to a peaceful stillness. The sounds of the night were gentle and comforting—the distant chirp of crickets, the occasional hoot of an owl, and the soft rustle of nocturnal creatures moving about their nightly routines. Even the air itself felt different, cooler and lighter, as if it carried the essence of dreams within it, urging all who breathed it in to close their eyes and drift away.The scent of blooming jasmine and n
The morning routine was almost automatic. Serpens crossed the room to his wardrobe, where his clothes hung neatly on the door. As he buttoned his shirt, his mind kept drifting back to the urgency of his quest, the need to find Xin and the draconic gem.After pulling on his trousers and fastening his belt, Serpens moved to the bathroom. He splashed cold water on his face, the chill waking him up fully. He stared at his reflection in the mirror—his dark hair tousled from sleep, his eyes sharp and alert despite the fatigue that lingered at their edges. With deliberate care, he combed his hair, making sure every strand was in place, trying to impose order on at least this small part of his life.He grabbed his school bag, checking to make sure he had everything he needed: books, notebooks, the pendant that Professor Layton had given him back then, was still there—a small token that served as a reminder of his mission.Before leaving his room, Serpens took a moment to gaze out of the wind
As Serpens pondered Zorvath's enigmatic riddle, a figure emerged from the trees surrounding the lake. It was a young woman with piercing green eyes and long, curly brown hair. She approached Serpens with a confident stride, her gaze fixed on him."Ah, Serpens," she said, her voice husky and mysterious. "I've been searching for you. My name is Lyra, and I possess knowledge about your past and your connection to Xin."Serpens's eyes narrowed, unsure if he should trust this stranger. But something about Lyra's words resonated deep within him."What do you know?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.Lyra smiled, her eyes glinting with secrets. "Let's just say that I can help you unlock the truth about your draconic powers and the reason behind Winter's pursuit."Zorvath, who had been watching the exchange, suddenly spoke up. "Lyra, you shouldn't be here. This is a matter between Serpens and me."Lyra turned to Zorvath, her expression unfazed. "I'm afraid I have a stake in this too, Zorvath. Se