Seraphina
I stood before the keypad, my fingers trembling. After two failed attempts, a warning popped up on the screen: three more chances remained. If I couldn’t get it right this time, the system would alert the administrator.
Which meant Magnus would know.
I clenched my teeth. No, I couldn’t let that happen. I had to figure out the correct code.
But my mind was foggy, like a storm battering my thoughts. Magnus’s voice kept echoing inside my head.
“Kill Kael, Seraphina. He’s your enemy, the one you hate the most. You have to kill him.”
“Kael is your enemy. Only by killing him can you become normal again.”
“You want freedom, don’t you? If you see Kael, remember to strike.”
Then, like a flickering light in the darkness, another voice whispered in my mind.
“No, Seraphina! Don’t do it. Don’t let him deceive you. Wake up, please!”
The conflicting voices tore at me, leaving me paralyzed.
I had to stay focused, I told myself. But the keypad was a dead end. I couldn’t crack the code, and the iron door was too heavy to force open.
I couldn’t risk another mistake. If I failed again, Magnus would find out everything.
Biting my lip, I tasted blood. The metallic tang somehow cleared my head, sharpening my focus.
“258614.”
The voice was sudden, firm.
I froze. “Lyra? You’re awake?”
“Yes,” she replied, her tone calm yet warm. “I felt your determination calling out to me. I’m here now.”
Relief washed over me. “Thank goodness.”
For reasons I couldn’t explain, talking to Lyra filled me with hope. I didn’t feel so alone anymore.
“Alright, Seraphina,” Lyra urged. “Enter the code. Quickly.”
“How do you even remember it?”
She chuckled softly. “I’m good at this. Anything your eyes see, I can store in your subconscious.”
“My subconscious?”
“Exactly.”
Encouraged, I punched in the numbers. The lock clicked, and the door swung open.
I stepped forward but hesitated.
“Go on, Seraphina,” Lyra said. “I can sense Kael’s presence. He’s close-just five meters away.”
Her words stirred a memory, the vision I’d had the previous night. It was vivid, too real to dismiss. But it frightened me.
“What if I hurt him, Lyra? Like in my vision?”
“You’re not under Magnus’s control anymore. You won’t hurt him,” Lyra assured me. “Trust me. I can even smell his scent now-it’s intoxicating! Please, Seraphina, hurry.”
Under Lyra’s urging, I stepped out of the room.
Yesterday, during my outing with Magnus, I’d already scoped out the area. Strangely, there were no cameras or guards. Magnus must have been overly confident in his control of the facility.
That worked to my advantage.
Still, there were so many rooms. How would I find Kael?
“Stop here, Seraphina.”
Just as I was moving forward, Lyra’s voice stopped me.
“Here?” I eyed the door in front of me. It was just one room away from mine.
“Yes. I can smell his scent inside. It’s definitely Kael.”
Excitement tinged her voice, but I hesitated again.
I glanced at the keypad. “I can’t open it, Lyra.”
The only reason I’d managed to open my own door was because I’d seen Magnus enter the code. But this door? I’d never seen him unlock it.
“Then break it,” Lyra suggested. “We just need to destroy the lock and get Kael out quickly.”
“How am I supposed to take him away? Magnus will know instantly if I break the door!”
My voice wavered. I could already picture Magnus’s wrath.
“You’re strong, Seraphina. Stronger than you think. And you have me. Just try. Use your strength-it’s different now.”
Lyra’s voice was gentle, coaxing me.
Taking a deep breath, I decided to try. I gripped the lock and pulled with all my might.
It didn’t budge. The door was solid, unyielding.
“Don’t give up,” Lyra encouraged. “Take another deep breath and try again.”
I tightened my grip, summoning every ounce of strength I had.
Suddenly, I felt it-the lock was loosening.
It was working!
A surge of hope filled me as I realized my strength had grown. The lock wasn’t like a standard one; it was embedded in the door, different and more complex.
I pulled harder, and with a groan, the lock broke free.
The alarm blared instantly.
I didn’t have time to care. I yanked the door open, knowing I had to act fast.
“Let’s go, Seraphina,” Lyra urged. “Grab Kael and get out of here immediately.”
But doubts lingered. Could I really escape this place? Magnus had undoubtedly stationed guards throughout the facility.
“Can I use my teleportation ability now?” I asked Lyra.
“Yes, Seraphina. I’ll help you.”
I wasn’t sure if I could trust this ability, but I had no choice. Fear gripped me, but I pushed forward.
Inside the room, Kael was there-chained to the wall with iron bindings.
I froze, staring at him.
I had never seen Kael like this.
He was a shadow of the man I remembered. The fighter who had once been so strong, so invincible, now looked utterly defeated.
His clothes were torn, his body covered in bruises and cuts. Blood stained the floor beneath him.
He looked barely alive.
I rushed to his side.
Hearing me approach, Kael lifted his head with great effort. When he saw me, a faint smile appeared on his battered face.
“Seraphina… you’re here?”
He sounded so happy, despite everything.
I threw my arms around him, holding him tightly.
Seeing him like this tore me apart, my heart shattering into pieces.
What should I do? Seeing him hurt so badly made me feel as if I was dying too.