"Would you like another glass, sir?"
The attendant held a bottle of wine, his expression serene as he observed the man before him. The bar was empty, wrapped in a tranquil and silent atmosphere, with dim lights illuminating the space.
" Yes, please."
The squad leader sat at the counter, holding a leaflet and analyzing the news about the great disaster in Systella. He turned the pages calmly, examining each detail.
" Here is your order, sir…"
The attendant placed the glass gently on the counter before heading down to the basement. The leader glanced at the wine but stopped before drinking.
" I know you're there. " he said, setting the glass down.
In the darkest corner of the bar, far from the lights, the hooded man sat, his expression unchanged as he observed him.
" What did you find useful for me? " the leader asked, getting straight to the point.
With a smooth motion, the hooded figure retrieved a fragment and tossed it into the leader's hands.
" I found this during my visit to Systella. Besides that... I gathered information about Louis. He's getting stronger."
The leader sighed, slowly standing up. He walked over to the hooded man, a crooked smile forming on his face.
" You know what I love most about you?"
Suddenly, his expression darkened. With a precise strike, he smashed the table where the hooded man sat, destroying it instantly. Still, the other remained unfazed, as if he had already expected that reaction.
" It's your incredible ability to screw everything up and act like it's nothing! Do you have any idea how much work it's going to take me to fix the mess you made in that place?!"
The hooded man smiled, indifferent.
" But there is a silver lining to all of this... Louis is undergoing a transformation. Watching those he loves die was the perfect trigger to corrode his soul. Soon, he will become exactly what he hates the most…"
The leader placed a hand on his chin, thoughtful. He sighed and returned to the counter, picking up the glass of wine.
" I hope you're certain about what you're saying... because if you're not…"
He gripped the glass tightly, shattering it in his hand. The sound echoed through the silent bar.
" You're dismissed."
The hooded man smirked and disappeared with the wind. Moments later, the attendant returned, his eyes widening in shock as he saw the destroyed table and shards of glass scattered around.
" S-Sir...? What happened here??"
" Nothing. Just bring another glass."
Still shaken, the attendant nodded. The leader observed the fragment for a moment before slipping it into his pocket.
***
At the Headquarters of the Paths, Erick was sitting in the garden, enjoying the tranquility of the place, when he spotted Louis approaching.
" Louis!"
He waved with a smile, but as he got closer, Louis looked away, hesitant.
" Hey, Nii…"
Erick noticed his downcast expression and the bandages on his hand, remnants of what had happened the day before.
" What's wrong, Louis? Does your hand still hurt? " he asked, concerned.
" N-No, not at all! I just…"
Louis sighed and sat down beside his brother, lowering his head.
" I... wanted to apologize... for making you worry yesterday. And also for the way I acted with you all before…"
He hesitated, clenching his fists before continuing.
" ...Back then, in Cilvett, I was useless to everyone... I couldn't even help you with anything…"
" Louis, look into my eyes."
Louis lifted his head, confused, and met Erick's gaze.
" I am your brother. And I know you better than anyone. You always do your best, even knowing your limits. All of us, including me, believe in you. We know you would do anything to protect those you love. So don't think of yourself as useless. Just keep moving forward."
Erick placed a hand on Louis' shoulder and pulled him into a hug. Louis felt a comforting warmth, a relief he hadn't experienced in a long time.
" Thank you, Nii... " he murmured, a small smile forming on his lips.
On the other side of the door, Rose and Lilith watched them.
" Hmpf. Let's go, Lilithy."
Rose turned and walked inside, but Lilith lingered for a few more seconds, looking at Louis with a gentle smile before following Rose.
A few hours later, Louis climbed the stairs toward his room, lost in thought. Ever since he had woken up in Systella, a question had been haunting him. He had asked Lilith what had happened to her arm, but all he received in response was a calm smile and the words: "It's nothing."
Sighing, he ran a hand through his hair, restless.
"I feel like I did something terrible to her... Ah... If only I could remember..."
"Louis..."
He stopped abruptly upon hearing a voice calling his name.
" W-Who's there...?"
"Louis..."
His gaze swept the surroundings, but he saw no one. Then, something caught his attention—a faint light emanating from his room. With hesitant steps, he approached the door, gripping the doorknob with some apprehension. As he turned it and pushed the door open, his eyes widened in shock.
Resting on his bed was the katana he had found.
He took a step back, his heartbeat quickening.
" H-How did this get here...?"
The blade pulsed softly, emitting a weak aura, almost as if it were calling to him.
A shiver ran down Louis' spine, but as if moved by an invisible force, he began to step forward. His hand trembled slightly as he reached for the katana.
"Louis... Louis... Louis... Louis..."
The whisper echoed in his mind, repetitive, insistent.
In a sudden reflex, he grabbed the katana and, without hesitation, threw it out the window.
Panting, he placed a hand over his chest, feeling his heart pounding.
" What... was that...?"
Louis hurried to the door, ready to leave. However, as he opened it, he was startled by the sight of the katana resting against the wall.
"Louis... Louis..."
His heart pounded. Without thinking twice, he grabbed the katana and rushed back into his room. He flung open the closet and, without hesitation, tossed the weapon inside, slamming the door shut. The sudden silence brought a fleeting relief, but the unease remained. Not wanting to stay there any longer, he quickly left the room.
A short while later, Erick stood beside him, eyeing the closet with a puzzled expression.
" So... You're telling me there's a haunted katana in there? " he asked, raising an eyebrow.
" Yes! Please, believe me! " Louis gestured frantically.
Erick sighed, running a hand through his hair.
" Alright... Let's see what we've got here."
He slowly opened the closet, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. Louis watched, frozen in place. As the door swung open completely, there it was—the katana, resting serenely, showing no signs of unusual activity.
Erick carefully wrapped it in a cloth and, without wasting time, dashed out of the room. Minutes later, he returned, breathless.
" Done. I left it far away from here. It won't bother you anymore."
A sudden noise behind them sent a chill down their spines. Swallowing hard, they slowly turned around.
Shock was written all over their faces as they saw the katana lying right in front of them.
" Okay... This is starting to freak me out... " Erick muttered, staring at the blade in disbelief.