Returning Home:-
The car ride back home was quiet. The night's events had left both Isa and Gale exhausted, though there was a sense of satisfaction in knowing they had done something meaningful.
As they stepped inside the house, the familiar warmth of home greeted them. The tension from earlier slowly faded, replaced by the comfort of being in a safe place.
Gale stretched, cracking his neck. "I'm heading to bed."
Isa glanced at him and raised an eyebrow. "Take a bath first."
He groaned. "Come on, I'm too tired—"
"No excuses," she cut him off. "You reek of blood and sweat. Go."
Gale huffed but nodded, trudging toward his room. "Yeah, yeah… Bossy."
Isa shook her head with a small smirk before heading to her own room.
---
Isa's Night Routine:-
The moment she stepped into her bedroom, Isa let out a deep sigh. Her body ached slightly, but it was nothing she couldn't handle.
With a thought, she stored her armor into her system inventory. The familiar weight disappeared instantly, leaving her in the simple clothes she had worn underneath.
Not wasting time, she entered the bathroom, turning the shower on to full heat. As the hot water cascaded over her, she let her muscles relax. The night had been long, and though she was used to battles and missions, this one felt… different.
Something about it lingered.
After washing away the grime, she dried off and changed into her usual comfortable sleepwear—a loose-fitting black T-shirt and soft shorts. Finally, she slipped into bed, sighing as her body sunk into the mattress.
But just as she was about to close her eyes, a familiar voice echoed in her mind.
---
Phiel's Concern:-
[Are you sure about this?]
Isa blinked at the ceiling. She wasn't startled by Phiel's voice—it was something she had gotten used to.
[What you're thinking…] Phiel continued. It's a big responsibility.
Isa remained silent for a moment before replying, "I know."
[Then?]
"I don't know if I can handle it," she admitted. "But I feel like I have to."
There was a pause.
Then Phiel's voice softened. […If that's what you decide, then I'll support you.]
Isa let out a quiet chuckle. "You don't have a choice."
Phiel huffed. [True.]
But even as she smiled slightly, Isa knew the weight of what she was considering.
---
Flashback – The Angel Conversation:-
Back at the hideout, amidst the chaos of the raid, Isa was still holding a little girl that leader had taken hostage, after crying for sometime she finally calmed down, but still trembling.
Terrified yet hopeful, the girl clutched her tiny hands together. "A-Are you an angel?"
Isa blinked, caught off guard. "Huh?"
The girl hesitated, then spoke again. "Mama said… that angels come to save good girls."
Isa felt something tighten in her chest. For a moment, she didn't know how to respond. Then, she knelt down and ruffled the girl's hair.
"Well, aren't you lucky then? Looks like your angel showed up."
The girl's eyes lit up with a spark of hope.
"What's your name?" Isa asked.
"Lily," she whispered.
---
The Emotional Shift:-
As Isa continued talking to Lily, she eventually asked about her mother.
At the question, Lily's expression changed. Her small hands clenched, and her lower lip trembled before she burst into tears.
Isa immediately panicked. "H-Hey! What's wrong?"
"You made a little girl cry," Sai chimed in, amusement lacing her voice.
Isa scowled. "Not helping."
Gale crossed his arms, smirking. "Damn, Isa, I didn't know you were that scary to make kids cry."
Phiel chuckled. [You're terrible at this.]
Isa groaned, rubbing her temples. "All of you, shut up."
She turned her attention back to Lily, gently patting her head. "Hey, hey, it's okay. Don't cry. What's wrong?"
Lily sniffled, rubbing her eyes. "Mama… She—she didn't come back…"
Isa felt something heavy settle in her stomach.
That was when a survivor stepped forward.
---
The Horrific Truth:-
The survivor, a woman in her mid-thirties, looked down, her face filled with grief and anger.
"The leader… He took a woman every day," she said bitterly. "They never returned."
Isa clenched her jaw. "When was the last time?"
"Three days ago."
Isa inhaled sharply, her fists tightening.
Three days ago.
Lily's mother had been taken three days ago.
She didn't need to hear the rest. The implication was enough.
Her vision blurred with red.
---
The Leader's Fate:-
Isa turned her gaze toward the so-called leader.
He was already on the ground, beaten and restrained, but her blood boiled just looking at him.
Her body moved on instinct—her hand tightening, ready to strike—
But before she could act, Gale stepped forward and slammed his foot into the man's ribs, sending him flying into a wall.
There was a sickening crack.
Isa blinked. "Gale—"
"Oops." Gale didn't sound sorry.
The leader groaned, barely conscious.
Isa sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "We need him alive."
Gale smirked. "Relax, I didn't kill him."
He grabbed the leader by the collar and dragged him away. When he returned, the man was barely recognizable—his fingers were broken, his limbs twisted, his face swollen beyond recognition.
Isa arched a brow. "Subtle."
Gale shrugged. "I was careful."
Isa sighed. "We'll deal with him later."
For now, she turned her attention back to Lily.
---
Keeping Watch Over Lily:-
Later that night, as Isa lay in bed, she opened a connection to Sai.
"Status on the rescued victims?" she asked.
"All are safe," Sai replied. "Most have been placed in shelters or reunited with family."
Isa hesitated. "And Lily?"
Sai paused briefly before answering, "Turns out she's from London and had came here for vacation trip with her mother, so it's taking longer time to find anyone that knows her. She was placed in a temporary shelter. No immediate relatives have claimed her."
Isa's fingers curled slightly.
"…Keep an eye on her," she said after a moment. "If she gets taken in by relatives, that's fine. But if she's sent to an orphanage, let me know. Also, gather information on that orphanage."
Sai acknowledged the order. "Understood, Master. I will keep watch."
Isa exhaled, feeling the weight of her decision settle on her shoulders.
---
Drifting Off to Sleep:-
As she closed her eyes, exhaustion finally took over.
But even in sleep, one thought lingered in her mind.
Was she really ready for this responsibility?
She didn't know.
But something told her she had already made her decision.
And there was no turning back.
{A/N:- what do you suggest? Should Isa take in Lily or not?}
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