The chamber pulsed like a living heart, soaked in old magic and blood memories. Cain's muscles trembled as he held the barrier in place. Lucien was on one knee, barely holding back the demonic surge clawing through their mother's body. Ayden had gone eerily silent, which was always when things were worst.
Then—
A sharp crack echoed through the tomb, followed by a rush of wind that sent the boys stumbling.
The torches flickered.
And through the ancient doorway, she walked in.
Selene.
Boots crunching against stone. Crimson cloak sweeping behind her like a warning. Two short blades strapped across her back. Her eyes—sharp and glowing faintly—surveyed the chaos like she'd just strolled into a casual problem and planned to fix it in under ten minutes.
"Hope I didn't miss the family exorcism," she said coolly.
Cain's relief showed for a split second. "Selene."
Lucien rolled his eyes. "Nice of you to show up."
Ayden muttered, "She really does love making dramatic entrances…"
Standing by the far wall, cloaked in a shadow cast by the broken altar, Eira watched it all unfold — stunned.
She had been by the brothers' side for days, risking everything. Fighting alongside them. Losing sleep, blood, and pieces of herself for this twisted, half-cursed family war.
And now here comes Selene — tall, confident, glowing like some battle angel — and Cain looked at her like she was the missing piece.
Eira blinked. Her jaw clenched.
She stepped forward, voice sharp. "Who... is she?"
Lucien caught the tone. He turned, grinning. "Oh boy. This is gonna be good."
Ayden shot a knowing glance at Cain.
Selene, for her part, didn't blink. "Selene. Demon hunter. Tracker. Strategist. Slayer of nightmares and part-time emergency support system for your boys. And you are?"
"Eira," she said flatly. "The one who's been helping your boys not die for the past few days."
Selene smirked. "Cute. I like her."
Cain sighed. "Eira, Selene's—"
"Old friend?" Eira cut in.
Lucien snorted under his breath. "Nope. Nope. Not getting into that."
Ayden stepped between them, whispering, "Eira. Now's really not the time to swing your jealousy sword."
Eira crossed her arms. "I'm not jealous."
Selene tilted her head. "Right. And I don't hunt demons for fun."
As if summoned by their bickering, the magic in the room surged — a dark, oily wave of corrupted power bursting from Elira's body.
She screamed — a voice both hers and not hers.
Cain reacted instantly, hand raised in a casting motion. Selene darted to his side, blades drawn in a blur.
"Back to the spell," Cain said. "Now!"
Lucien shouted something in old tongue. Ayden closed his eyes, reaching inward to the fractured soul tether he shared with their mother.
Eira didn't hesitate. Whatever her feelings were, she shoved them down and joined the circle.
Selene moved like lightning, flanking the demon's spiritual form, slashing glyphs into the air. "You've got five minutes before this place collapses."
Elira's eyes flickered. The real her was still in there, buried deep beneath the writhing darkness. "My sons… please…"
They pushed harder.
Magic lit the room.
Ancient stone cracked under the pressure.
Then — silence.
A long, endless silence.
The demon was expelled.
Elira collapsed.
They sat in the rubble, every breath labored.
Selene sheathed her weapons and leaned against a pillar, sweat trickling down her temple.
Cain knelt beside their mother, checking her pulse. "She's alive. Just… weak."
Lucien flopped backward. "Remind me again why we didn't just stay cursed?"
Ayden smiled faintly. "You love the drama."
Selene gave Cain a half-smile. "You good?"
He nodded once. "Thanks for coming."
She shrugged. "You always call when it's life or death."
Nearby, Eira stood still, watching. Her voice came quieter this time. "So… you and her?"
Cain hesitated. "It's complicated."
"Isn't it always?" she whispered, before turning away.
Lucien, ever the chaotic one, couldn't help but whisper, "You've got a type, bro."
Ayden added with a laugh, "Powerful women who can kill you."
Selene grinned. "That's his only standard."
Eira, still watching them all, smiled — but there was a heaviness behind it.
Selene finally looked at the door, her eyes narrowing. "We won the battle. But something's wrong."
Cain stood. "What is it?"
Selene's jaw tightened. "The council knows what we did. And they're not happy."
Lucien sighed. "Awesome. We piss off one ancient power and make enemies of another."
Ayden groaned. "Can I at least get soup before we die again?"
Eira quietly stepped closer to Cain, still unsure where she stood between them — the girl who had been there through hell… and the woman who had just walked back into their lives like a crimson storm.