They entered deeper into the cave and stepped into the familiar chamber. Asim sighed as memories flooded his mind — the fight, the terror, and the sight of Hina dying before his eyes. It still didn't sit right with him.
Inside the chamber stood two familiar faces: Dr. Jian Lu and Dr. Celina Aragon.
The two scientists had once served under Veynar until his imprisonment for his Eclipsera experiments.
After discovering the Eclipsera, Veynar took it himself and began preaching it like a prophet — wanting everyone to take it, regardless of the side effects. That was why he was imprisoned.
As Asim and Aiko stepped forward, Jian turned to face them. He had short hair and a tired, emotionless face. Celina also looked up — her calm expression hid intelligence sharp as a blade. Her lab coat was too large for her, sleeves hanging past her hands.
"Asim…" Jian said, slowly walking toward him.
Asim glanced at Aiko, who gave him a small nod before walking off to another group.
Celina stepped forward before Jian, irritation on her face. "We didn't ask for you. Where's the girl?" she demanded.
Asim sighed. "She's still recovering in the hospital. You can talk to her when you visit."
He crossed his arms. "Also, make yourself look presentable. We don't want her thinking you're the next Veynar."
Celina clenched her jaw. "Oh, go f—"
Jian quickly covered her mouth before she could finish. She squirmed in protest.
"Asim," Jian said, releasing her, "can we have a word? We need your full insight into what happened."
"What is it?"
"You said when Veynar activated his domain, your abilities went inactive?"
Asim nodded.
Jian exhaled heavily.
"Veynar always talked about overpowering enemies with his inventions, but they never worked," Celina said, folding her arms.
"He could've learned something in the Shadow Order prison," Asim suggested.
"Impossible," Jian said firmly. "Veynar never built without trial and error."
"Then how could he have created that domain?" Asim asked.
Jian fell silent, thinking.
"We're not sure…" he murmured.
Then, realization struck all three of them.
"His minions," they said together.
"But his experiments to create life through Eclipsera failed," Asim said.
Jian and Celina exchanged weary glances. Even they, Veynar's top scientists, couldn't make sense of it.
"He never showed the real invention," Celina admitted. "Of course he wouldn't — not until it was ready."
Jian frowned. "But why hide it?"
"I don't know…" Celina whispered.
…
The three stood in heavy silence. The air thick with confusion and unease.
"I think we all agree he's not dead," Asim said finally.
They both nodded.
"No body. No trace. Just spiritual void residue — I'll test it later," Jian said.
Celina lowered her gaze. "This isn't over, is it?"
Asim sighed. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask me, alright?"
Celina nodded. "Sure… thanks, Asim."
"No worries," he said with a faint smile.
"It's amusing seeing you be friendly — like witnessing a blue moon," Jian teased.
Celina scoffed. "Doesn't mean I—"
But when she turned, Asim was already gone.
"Whatever," she muttered, then looked back at Jian. "We need to investigate this. None of it makes sense."
"Agreed."