Morning came early, but for Zane and Sera, vengeance had no clock.
Kael had gone too far last night. And for that, he had to pay.
In the garden behind the Windswept manor, the duo crouched behind a hedge like two war generals surveying the battlefield.
"Operation Soak the Squirrel is a go," Sera whispered, tying her hair up like she meant business. She held a wooden bucket filled with cold water.
Zane, next to her, adjusted his gloves. "What if he cries?"
Sera smirked. "Then we double it."
Kael darted out of the manor moments later, clearly suspecting nothing. He was humming some annoying tune and tossing an apple up and down.
Zane whispered, "Now."
He activated Voidwalk, vanishing into a shadowy ripple. In an instant, he reappeared in front of Kael, arms crossed.
"Morning," he said coolly.
Kael blinked. "...Oh no."
Before he could bolt, Sera's clones appeared all around him—four in total, each with a bucket raised like holy retribution.
Kael backed away, eyes wide. "Wait, wait, WAIT—!"
Then—
He vanished.
Literally.
Gone.
Just—poof.
Sera stared at the spot where he stood and groaned. "Ughhh. I forgot he could do that."
Zane blinked. "He can turn invisible?"
"Yeah. Mom says he inherited it from her side. Dad says it's the universe punishing him."
Suddenly, the garden sprinkler burst on… sideways.
Zane got soaked straight to the bone.
Somewhere, Kael's giggles echoed through the hedges like a villainous ghost. "Nice try, losers!"
Sera sighed, already drenched. "This is war."
Zane shook his arm dry. "This is personal."
They both exchanged a nod.
The battle for Windswept Manor had officially begun.