The car sped through the night.

Rain began to fall in a thin mist, blurring the windshield. Elric gripped the steering wheel, his hands trembling, eyes flicking toward every approaching light as if danger lurked behind each one.

In the back seat, Evalina held Hope tightly to her chest. But not because of the cold.

She was terrified.

Hope hadn’t cried—not even when the sound of gunfire shattered the windows of their villa.

Her tiny body was too still.

Too... silent.

And her eyes—normally a bright, vibrant blue—had turned pale silver. Like moonlight reflected in a mirror.

Like something… not quite human.

---

They arrived at an old storage cabin...