The ambulance speeds toward the hospital.
Yuta stays in the back, frozen, unable to take his eyes off his injured parents.
Fear, sorrow, and above all… hatred swirl inside him like a tidal wave.
Upon arrival at the hospital, the doctors rush his parents into emergency care.
Their expressions tense as they realize the severity of the injuries.
— How… is this possible…? one of them murmurs.
Shortly after, the police arrive and lead Yuta into a room to question him.
— We're sorry about your parents. But you need to tell us what happened.
Yuta doesn't answer.
Not a single word.
His throat is tight.
His mind empty.
His eyes, however… fill with an icy darkness.
— Young man, if you want us to help you, you need to help us too.
Tell us what you saw.
Yuta slowly raises his eyes toward them.
His gaze alone is enough to freeze blood.
— Help me…? Don't waste your time.
I'll find the one who did this myself… and I'll make them pay.
— If you take justice into your own hands, we won't be able to help you anymore!
— No problem. Have a good day.
He leaves the room without waiting for their response.
***
Back near his parents' room, Yuta opens the door…
But only his father is there.
His mother is gone.
His heart stops.
He rushes out of the room, searching for a nurse.
But a doctor approaches him instead.
— Yuta, is that you?
— Yes! Where's my mother?! Why isn't she with my father?!
— Calm down… I need to tell you something very difficult.
He doesn't need to hear the rest.
The world blurs around him.
The doctor gently places a hand on his shoulder.
— We're sorry… but your mother didn't survive.
Yuta collapses.
His legs can no longer support him.
He cries like he hasn't since childhood.
Scalding tears.
Tears of pain… and rage.
The nurses leave him alone.
Because no words could ease what he feels.
***
Later that evening, a nurse knocks on the door and hands him an envelope.
— This is for you.
He hesitates before opening it.
His hands tremble.
Inside:
a letter.
Information.
And… a proposal.
Yuta takes a deep breath and reads.
══ ✦ ══
**"Hello, Yuta.
My name is Raythem.
If you are reading this letter, it means you have agreed to become an Eygis.
I will not explain everything here — some things must be said face to face.
First, know this: you are not the only Eygis.
And every single one of them has endured terrible trials.
I am sorry this has happened to you.
Accepting a power from Y'onn may seem simple… but understanding it and mastering it is not.
That is why I wish to offer you something.
Join us.
Learn to control the power of the Eygis.
Move forward with us.
Or remain alone.
And abandon your role.
If you choose the first option, go to this address:
[…]
Grant me your trust.
— Raythem"**
══ ✦ ══
— Raythem…? Arley never told me about him…
Yuta clenches the letter in his fingers.
He looks at his unconscious father.
His heart torn apart.
— Dad… I have to go.
I promise you…
I'll make them pay. Every last one of them.
For Mom.
Yuta chooses to join the Eygis.
Not for justice.
But for a desire fueled entirely by vengeance.