The morning sun cast its warm rays through the windows, illuminating the room with a soft, golden light.
Inside, Code lay motionless, his chest rising and falling with each slow, deep breath. Three days had passed since he'd last opened his eyes—three full days of uninterrupted sleep.
He rolled onto his side, groaning as a wave of soreness surged through him. The sunlight stabbed his eyes like a thousand needles, and he squinted toward the window.
"...Ugh..."
With a grunt, he pushed himself upright, limbs sluggish and stiff from inactivity. His feet dangled off the edge of the bed for a moment before he forced himself to stand. Dizziness hit immediately.
He barely took a step toward the door when it slammed open.
"Oh, finally! You're alive!" Nara blurted as he burst in, dramatically placing a hand on his chest. "We almost started planning your funeral. I even wrote a speech. Very heartfelt stuff."
Code blinked at him, disoriented. "...Funeral?"
"Three days, Code. You were out cold for three whole days."
Code's eyebrows shot up. "Three days? I've never slept that long..."
"Yeah," Nara said, gesturing animatedly. "I mean, you didn't even twitch. It was kind of creepy. Hina thought you were dead for real. She made snacks."
Right on cue, Hina walked in, holding a small tray with leftover rice crackers. Her eyes lit up when she saw Code awake.
"Code! You're awake!" she said with a relieved smile.
Code gave a weak grin. "Hey..."
"Van's training must've wrecked you, huh?" she said, setting the tray down. Then she leaned closer and whispered with a sly smile, "Don't worry, Nara once slept for five days straight."
"It was four!" Nara snapped immediately, cheeks red.
Hina waved her hand. "Yeah, yeah, whatever makes you sleep at night."
"Van said you awakened a sorcery style. What is it?" Hina said, turning to Code.
"B-Blood sorcery," Code replied.
Hina's eyes widened. "Blood sorcery? That's amazing! I've never met a blood sorcerer before."
Code tilted his head. "Is it rare?"
"Very," Nara said gravely. "Most of them end up anemic."
Code blinked. "What."
"Ignore him," Hina said with a sigh. "They're rare, but it isn't because of anaemia."
Code couldn't help but chuckle at the banter between Hina and Nara.
But something was off.
"Wait… where's Van?" Code asked, scanning the room.
Hina's playful expression faded into something more serious. "He left for a walk two days ago. Still hasn't come back."
Before Code could respond, the front door flew open with a gust of wind, and Van strolled in, a white nylon bag slung over his shoulder like some wandering merchant. His masked face gleamed in the sunlight, and that usual aura of mystery danced around him like smoke.
"Yo," he said casually, plopping down on the sofa. "Miss me?"
The trio stared at him.
"What?" Van tilted his head, amused. "Y'all look like you saw a ghost."
"Where exactly did you walk to again? The moon?" Hina asked, arms crossed.
"Just out for fresh air. Took a scenic route." He yawned.
Hina looked like she wanted to throw a shoe at him.
"Anyway," Van stretched dramatically, "got a mission for you."
"Huh?" Hina blinked, drying her hands with a towel.
Code straightened slightly.
"A mid-class demonic signal was detected on the outskirts of Azura. I think you guys should be able to deal with it."
Nara scoffed. "Mid-class? That's nothing."
"Says the guy who screamed when a low-class demon bit his sleeve," Hina muttered.
"I thought it was venomous!"
Van ignored them and turned to Code. His voice was low and steady.
"This'll be your second mission. Use it to train your sorcery style. Demons will be drawn to you now. You need to be strong enough to fight them off."
Code nodded slowly. Images of his first mission—Kael, Ran, Elara—flashed in his mind. This time, he had to be stronger.
"Wait," Hina said suddenly. "Shouldn't his sorcery style be kept a secret?"
Nara chimed in with mock-seriousness. "Blood sorcerers fetch crazy prices. I heard you could buy a mansion in Centralis. Maybe two, if they throw in the guy's spleen."
Code paled.
Hina slapped Nara on the back of the head. "Idiot."
Van leaned forward.
"She's right. The world must never know about Aidra's presence in Code. As long as we stay in Azura, we're under the radar. But Code—you've to be careful. There might be people out there who know this secret."
Van's tone dipped, more serious now. "And whatever you do, don't open Aidra. He might try to come out on his own."
Code nodded. He knew he had to protect everyone—himself included.
"I must become stronger," he muttered, nerves fluttering in his chest.
Van let out an exaggerated yawn, stretching like a cat. "Alright, I'm beat. Don't wake me until you're back. Seriously. Unless someone's dying. Or you brought snacks."
"Tch. Just admit you're lazy," Hina rolled her eyes as Van wandered off, waving lazily over his shoulder.
"Whatever!"
The trio exchanged glances and went to prepare. Tomorrow was coming fast—and Code was going to get stronger.
No matter what.
***
TBC