Raze Arcwell didn't make it far.
The moment he stepped onto the street at the outskirts of Nexara, the strength holding him upright finally gave out.
The Starbreaker suit—cracked, exhausted, barely functioning—did everything it could.
It locked his posture.
Stabilized his breathing.
Dulled the pain just enough.
But broken bones were still broken bones.
His vision blurred as flashing red-and-blue lights entered his sight.
A police station.
"…Good," he muttered faintly.
He took one more step—
—and collapsed.
◆ ◆ ◆
"Sir! Sir—can you hear me!?"
Raze didn't.
By the time officers rushed out, his body was already limp, the Starbreaker suit flickering weakly before finally powering down completely.
The Arcwell name did the rest.
Within minutes, emergency calls were made.
Within twenty, Arcwell security arrived.
Within an hour, Raze Arcwell was in a private hospital wing guarded by both heroes and Arcwells.
◆ ◆ ◆
The first thing Raze heard wasn't machines.
It was crying.
Soft. Restrained. Familiar.
"…Raze…"
His eyes fluttered, but didn't open.
Rose Arcwell sat beside his bed, holding his hand with both of hers. Her expression was calm—too calm—but her fingers trembled faintly.
Luna stood nearby, arms crossed tightly, jaw clenched as if she were holding herself together by force alone.
Roland stood at the foot of the bed.
Silent.
Rigid.
A man who had faced global crises without blinking—now staring at his son like he was afraid to breathe too hard.
Astra stood slightly back, hands clasped in front of her.
She hadn't spoken much since arriving.
She blamed herself.
They all did.
"He'll wake up," Rose said softly, more reassurance than statement.
"He always does."
◆ ◆ ◆
News spread fast.
"RAZE ARCWELL FOUND ALIVE — RETURNED AFTER NIGHTVEIL ABDUCTION."
Cameras swarmed the hospital.
Analysts speculated.
The public argued.
"How did he come back?"
"Did Nightveil release him?"
"Was it a warning?"
No one knew.
Because Raze was still unconscious.
Friends arrived quietly.
Roger stood awkwardly near the doorway, holding a ridiculous basket filled with snacks and stuffed animals.
"…I didn't know what to get," he muttered.
Rain placed a small charm beside the bed.
"For recovery," she whispered.
Gray didn't say anything.
He just stood there for a long time.
Get-well cards piled up.
Flowers filled the room.
But none of it eased the heaviness.
Because answers waited behind closed eyes.
◆ ◆ ◆
That night, when everyone finally slept—
Rose Arcwell stepped out onto the hospital balcony.
The city lights stretched endlessly below her.
She took out her phone.
Dialed a number.
It rang once.
Twice.
Then—
"…Rose."
She didn't flinch.
"You took my son," she said calmly.
On the other end, Nightveil's voice carried no static. No distortion.
"Temporarily."
"Why?" she asked.
There was a pause.
"…Simply because I could."
Rose's grip tightened slightly.
"You refuse to answer directly. That hasn't changed."
Nightveil chuckled.
"Some habits die hard."
Her voice lowered.
"You said you didn't hurt him."
"I didn't."
"So what—" Rose cut in sharply, "—the shattered armor, the fractured ribs, the internal damage… was that your idea?"
"No," Nightveil replied smoothly. "That was your tournament. Your heroes. Your system."
Rose closed her eyes.
"…Then listen carefully," she said.
For the first time, steel crept into her tone.
"My son was already hurt, when you took him."
Silence answered her.
"And if you touch any of my children again," Rose continued quietly, "it will be different."
Nightveil didn't laugh this time.
"…Is that a threat?"
"No," Rose replied. "It's a promise."
A long pause followed.
Then—
"You haven't changed, Rose Arcwell," Nightveil said softly. "Still protecting what you love… even when the world burns."
"And you," Rose answered, "still hiding behind riddles instead of answers."
Nightveil sighed.
"Rest easy. For now… our paths diverge."
The call ended.
Rose stood there for a long moment, phone still in hand.
She wasn't shaking.
She wasn't crying.
But her eyes burned.
Because she knew something no one else did—
Nightveil hadn't taken Raze by accident.
And he hadn't let him go out of kindness.
◆ ◆ ◆
Back inside the room—
Raze's fingers twitched.
A faint sound escaped his throat.
Rose turned instantly.
"Raze?"
His eyes fluttered open.
Light hurt.
Pain followed.
"…Mom?" he croaked.
Rose grabbed his hand.
"Yes. I'm here. You're safe."
His gaze drifted around the room.
"…Everyone… okay?"
Luna laughed shakily.
"You idiot."
Roland exhaled for the first time in hours.
Astra stepped closer, eyes glossy.
"…Welcome back."
Raze closed his eyes again, exhausted.
But alive.
Outside, the world speculated.
Inside, the Arcwell family held onto something fragile and precious.
And far away—
Nightveil watched the city lights and smiled faintly.
Because the game was no longer about heroes or villains.
It was about choices.
And Raze Arcwell had already made one.