Ron's footsteps echoed loudly through Lian's ward. Nox, already on edge, peered in.
"What's he planning to do to that criminal?" Nox muttered. Without thinking, he barged in.
He immediately saw Ron standing so close to Lian. Ron was tense, his jaw clenched, ready to explode. In a military-like reflex, Nox's voice cut through the air. "Lieutenant Colonel Ron Eosvile!"
Ron flinched. He took a step back, covering his face with his hands, trying to swallow his anger.
As Nox stepped inside, the room's temperature suddenly dropped. The cold was bone-chilling. His vision blurred. Something black, billowing like smoke from a fire, stood beside Lian.
"Teeth, sharp white..." Nox's breath hitched. His world spun. The floor rushed up to meet him.
"Ron..."
His body collapsed.
THUD!
The sound of his body hitting the floor stunned Ron. Lian shuddered slightly, not expecting Nox to notice Outer.
"Nox! Hey—Nox!" Ron quickly knelt down and reached for his brother's body. Nox's skin was icy cold, his breathing thin, and his face pale, as if he'd lost blood instantly.
From the corner of the room, Outer chuckled, staring at Lian. "He looks like Lian... very much so."
Lian restrained himself from turning around. He wanted to ask, "What looks like him? How are we connected?" but couldn't risk speaking in front of Ron.
***
In the control room, the CCTV operator panicked when he saw Nox fall. He immediately contacted military headquarters.
"General Bhairin! There's an anomaly with the suspect and Major Nox Eosvile! Major Nox collapsed suddenly. Unseen threat suspected! The subject must be extracted and neutralized immediately!"
***
Ron lifted Nox's body without hesitation and ran to the nurse's station. As soon as the gurney was ready, the nurse quickly started an IV. A doctor rushed in.
"His temperature is dropping severely. We're moving him to the ICU—now!"
Ron could only follow with unsteady steps, guilt gripping him.
In the ICU waiting room, time slowed. When the door opened, the doctor came out with a tense expression.
"Lieutenant Colonel... your brother is in critical condition. If his temperature drops further, he could fall into a coma."
Ron held the doctor's hand, his voice trembling but firm. "Please... save him. He's my only family."
"We're doing our best. Now you rest," the doctor said before leaving the room.
Ron remained standing in front of the ICU door, silent, bracing himself as he waited for the person he loved most.
***
The room was silent. Leuliang realized the CCTV cameras must be monitoring his every move after the incident.
He whispered without looking at Outer.
"You said I looked like him... what did you mean?"
Outer lowered his head slightly. "There's something about Lian... that's also in him."
"What is it?" Lian's voice was low, filled with anxiety.
"Lian and he… are bound by the same thread," Outer replied expressionlessly.
"We are connected?" Lian's heart hammered against his ribs.
Outer remained silent and stone-cold.
Lian gripped the blanket. "You won't explain?"
Outer let out a small sigh, or something similar.
"I'm sorry, Outer."
Lian glanced over, seeing Outer looking uncharacteristically unsmiling, unassuming. He decided not to press Outer. "It's okay. Just being here is enough."
The smile finally returned.
"Outer... do you know Serenity?"
For an instant, the room seemed to harden. Outer's smile vanished. His dark face was transformed into pure rage. His teeth were bared, his breath hissing sharply.
Lian tensed. "Outer... calm down. If I said something wrong, tell me."
"Don't ever mention her name again," Outer's voice echoed in a low, guttural tone.
"Okay," Lian whispered. "But do you know about her?"
"Outer thought Lian remembered who ruined Lian's life."
Outer's words struck Lian harder than any physical blow. He remembered the brief moment with Serenity in the garden—a gentle smile, sad eyes. No malice. No hatred.
But what lurked beneath?
"Outer... I'll go to sleep," Lian whispered, exhausted.
"Outer will watch over you," Outer replied.
Lian glanced at Outer. For the first time, despite the chaos, he felt a strange sense of safety as he closed his eyes.
***
In Ipsix, the world of Serenity resides.
The stars above were bright, mocking the darkness in her heart.
In her room, Serenity sat hugging her knees, gazing up at the sky. Her tears fell one by one.
"The pen is lifted... the page is dry..." she repeated Honest's words, her voice breaking.
"Something that cannot be changed..."
"Lian, may you find happiness," Serenity prayed.
***
Avalon smiled broadly in his office, staring at the Esculenta Code documents.
"Finally... the first phase begins."
Meanwhile, Honest, in complete contrast, simply stood on his porch, gazing up at the starry sky.
"Mother... if you were still around... what would you do for Serenity?"
The Peaceraft residence looked peaceful from the outside, but inside—it was suffocatingly silent.
***
In the Syntax world, Lian was being treated.
In the ICU waiting room, Ron stirred awake with heavy eyes and dark circles. A cold determination had replaced his grief.
"Tomorrow, I must get the truth from Leuliang. This time, I won't be fooled."
The sound of rhythmic, heavy footsteps approached. Ron stood at attention.
"General Bhairin. Lieutenant Colonel Eosvile reporting."
"No need to be so stiff. How is your brother?"
"Critical, Sir."
Bhairin nodded curtly. "I've seen the recording. Suspect Leuliang will be transferred to a maximum-security military prison. And you... are relieved of your duties in investigating Vellion City."
Ron froze for a moment.
The order cut more deeply than his anger at Leuliang.
"Sir... I understand. I will carry out the order."
"Focus on your brother. That is an order. Take your leave."
"Yes, Sir."
As Bhairin walked away, Ron sank back into his chair, burying his face in his hands.
"Justice... is never as simple as it looks," he muttered softly.
***
Bhairin headed to Lian's room, followed by six heavily armed counter-terrorism troops. When the door opened, only Lian was there, sleeping peacefully without any sign of threat.
Yet, Bhairin sensed something that even these elite troops were blind to.
To be continued…