Theodore hugged his knees tighter in the cold darkness of the Crimson Hand's dungeon. His small frame trembled, not just from the chill, but from the deep sadness inside him. The stone walls, the clinking chains, the musty air—it all made him feel smaller than ever.
Then a voice, soft and hoarse, broke the silence.
"…Hey. You're not alone, you know."
Theodore lifted his head slowly.
In the far corner, barely visible in the shadows, sat a boy about his age—thin, pale, with ragged clothes and messy purple hair that fell over tired red eyes. He looked sickly, like he hadn't eaten properly in weeks, and dark bruises marked his arms and neck.
"My name's… Amethyst," the boy said weakly, offering a tiny smile. "They caught me two months ago. I was stealing bread for my little sister. Haven't seen her since."
Theodore's lip trembled. "I'm Theodore… my twin sister must be so scared right now…"
Amethyst crawled closer and sat beside him. "Sisters worry. Especially when they love you."
"They do…" Theodore whispered. "We always stay together. But now I'm not even strong enough to protect myself."
"Me neither," Amethyst admitted. "But… I think it's okay to be weak. If we can still help each other. Even just with words."
The two boys stayed like that—talking quietly in the dark. Sharing stories. Stories of the skies above, of fire magic and flying beasts, of twin bonds and dreams. It didn't fix their situation… but in the shadows, it gave them something they'd lost: hope.
---
Meanwhile, aboveground, Aizen slammed his hand into the wall of a warehouse—cracks spreading like lightning across the stone.
"WHERE IS HE?!"
A terrified informant whimpered under Aizen's glare, nose bleeding, lips trembling. "T-The Crimson Hand… they m-move their prisoners below the southern sewers… b-but they change routes constantly—"
Aizen snarled, the air around him whirling violently. Lightning sparked faintly at his fingertips. "They took my family. I swear, I'll burn every inch of this city if I have to."
Before he could unleash another blast, Lina tugged on his cloak. Her feline ears perked. "Something's wrong."
Aizen turned, his eyes narrowing. "What is it?"
"I smell something… rotten. New. It's coming from the sewers… but it's not just where Theodore was taken. They're up to something bigger."
---
Back at the training fields, Lyra sat in still meditation. Her silver hair danced softly in the breeze, and a gentle glow surrounded her—her magic rising, focused, expanding.
Beside her, Mikaela sat with her knees to her chest, staring at the ground.
"If only… we had telepathy," she muttered. "I could've spoken to him… I could've told him to run…"
Her voice cracked. Tears welled in her eyes.
And then—a spark.
She remembered something… a faint lesson from her angelic magic training. Mental linking. It was hard, risky, but possible.
Eyes glowing faint gold, Mikaela extended her mind—reaching, praying—until she felt something.
"Theo…?"
She touched his mind for a brief moment, hearing his voice in shock.
"Mikaela! You found me! I—"
A surge of energy interrupted her.
A powerful magical wall—a barrier—smashed her spell and severed the link like a blade. She gasped and clutched her chest.
"Ugh… but… I found him! I know where he is!"
She bolted to her feet and turned to tell Lyra—but Lyra didn't respond.
"…Lyra?"
The Dragonkin girl remained seated. Her body slightly leaned forward, her breathing slowed… too slow.
Mikaela ran to her side and shook her.
"…Lyra?!"
But Lyra didn't wake.
---
Deep beneath the Crimson Hand's lair, Lyra's eyes slowly fluttered open.
The world spun at first. Her arms were bound by magic cuffs. Her head throbbed.
And beside her, she heard quiet crying.
"Theo…"
Theodore turned, stunned. "L-Lyra?!"
She pulled herself closer to him, tears forming in her eyes as she saw his bruised face.
"I'm sorry…" she whispered. "I was careless."
"I was scared," Theodore whispered. "But… I'm glad I'm not alone anymore."
She hugged him tightly.
---
Back at the city, Mikaela burst into their house and shouted, "I found him! I know where they are!"
Aizen whipped around, eyes wide. "Where?!"
But before she could answer—he noticed something.
"…Where's Lyra?"
Silence.
She wasn't there. Her presence… gone.
Aizen's breath hitched. A shadow fell across his face. First Theodore. Now Lyra.
His fists tightened.
"…Should I destroy this city with all my might?"
The wind howled.
---
(End of Chapter 17)