Chapter 5 : The Great One

The weekend came quietly.

For Lyra, it was the first real break she had gotten in days.

Ever since the exams started, she had barely had time for anything else. She spent most of her days studying, reviewing notes, and preparing for the next test.

Because of that, she hadn't visited the mansion in quite some time.

She hadn't even seen the cat as often as before.

The thought suddenly made her remember her last visit.

She had been sitting in the guest room with the elderly woman when her eyes had followed the cat around the room.

“What is his name?” Lyra had asked.

The elderly woman had smiled.

“All names hold great power.”

Lyra had blinked.

“Power?”

“A name is not something to give carelessly.”

She had glanced toward the cat.

“So you don't have a name for him?”

“Oh, he has one.”

The woman's smile had become slightly mysterious.

“But you don't need to know it yet.”

Lyra had looked at the cat again.

“Then what am I supposed to call him?”

“You may call him anything you wish.”

Lyra had thought for a moment.

The cat had been standing proudly near the window, its tail raised high, looking as though the entire mansion belonged to him.

She had smiled.

“Then I'll call him The Great One.”

The elderly woman had laughed softly.

“That suits him.”

Back in the present, Lyra smiled at the memory.

She hadn't realized how much she missed the mansion.

Or the strange cat that always seemed to appear whenever she visited.

After finishing her breakfast, Lyra decided to go out.

She headed toward the marketplace and stopped at a pet shop.

She picked up a bag of cat food.

“This should be enough.”

As she paid, she suddenly remembered the elderly woman.

She had noticed during her visits that the woman seemed particularly fond of flowers.

Maybe she should bring her something.

Lyra walked through the nearby shopping area, looking from one flower shop to another.

She wasn't in a hurry.

She wanted to find something that the old woman would actually like.

Ciel

Ciel had returned from the capital only recently.

He had spent years away from home.

But after coming back, he made a decision.

He was going to stay.

Not because his parents had asked him to.

They were probably too busy with work to notice whether he was home or not.

For as long as Ciel could remember, his parents had always been occupied with business.

Meetings.

Travel.

Phones.

Work.

There was always something more important.

Even when he was younger, Ciel had learned not to expect them to be there.

His grandmother was different.

She had always been there.

And now she was growing older.

Ciel wanted to stay at the mansion and take care of her.

The mansion had always been large enough to make a person feel alone.

His grandmother had lived there for years with the household staff.

And, unfortunately...

Caeltharos.

Ciel's expression darkened at the thought.

That creature had been there for as long as he could remember.

And Ciel had never liked him.

Not even a little.

His grandmother, however, seemed to adore him.

Earlier that morning, she had called Ciel into her room.

“There is someone I want you to meet.”

Ciel had sighed.

“Who?”

“Lyra.”

His grandmother had watched him carefully.

“You need to guide her.”

Ciel's expression changed.

“Guide her?”

“Teach her.”

She paused.

“And protect her.”

Ciel stared at her.

“Why?”

His grandmother's expression became serious.

“Because you need to prepare her for what is coming.”

Ciel said nothing.

“A disaster is approaching,” she continued. “And she needs to be ready.”

He didn't understand why Lyra was involved.

But he knew better than to argue with his grandmother when she spoke like that.

She had given him Lyra's address.

Ciel had planned to go there immediately.

But his grandmother had stopped him.

“Don't take the car.”

“Why?”

“She doesn't like that sort of thing.”

Ciel frowned.

“How do you know?”

His grandmother simply smiled.

“Just trust me.”

So Ciel left the mansion on foot.

As he walked through town, he couldn't help thinking about it.

His grandmother had been talking about Lyra as though she were already part of their family.

She really likes this girl.

Ciel sighed.

More than she likes me, apparently.

The afternoon air was warm.

Lyra held the small bag against her side as she continued down the road.

She was already thinking about the mansion.

She wondered if The Great One would remember her.

She wondered if he would still let her pet him.

A sudden movement caught her attention.

A cat darted across the road.

Lyra froze.

"Wait!"

A vehicle approached from the side.

The driver immediately stepped on the brakes.

The tires screeched against the pavement.

Lyra instinctively rushed forward.

The cat stopped in the middle of the road.

"Come here!"

She reached for it.

The vehicle stopped just in time.

Lyra stumbled backward, clutching the cat against her chest.

The driver lowered his window.

"Are you okay?"

Lyra nodded quickly.

"Yes, sir. I'm okay."

The driver shook his head.

"Be careful next time. You're still young."

"Yes, sir."

The driver drove away.

Lyra slowly looked down at the cat.

"Are you okay?"

The cat trembled slightly.

She carried it toward the side of the road and gently set it down.

Then she opened the cat food she had just bought.

"Here."

The cat cautiously approached.

Lyra smiled.

"Don't run into the road like that again."

She gently stroked its head.

"The world is dangerous, especially for someone like you."

The cat looked up at her.

Lyra paused.

Something felt wrong.

She looked more closely.

The cat's fur was similar.

Its size was similar.

Even its eyes reminded her of him.

But...

It wasn't The Great One.

There was a distinct pattern on the Great One’s forehead.

Lyra frowned.

"You're not him."

She tilted her head.

"You really look like him from far away."

"Are you an idiot?"

A deep voice came from behind her.

Lyra froze.

She slowly turned around.

A tall figure stood behind her.

The sunlight was directly behind him, making it difficult to see his face at first.

Lyra narrowed her eyes.

Then she recognized him.

The transfer student from the classroom beside Elodia's.

Ciel.

Lyra straightened and brushed the dust from her pants.

"Are we close enough for you to talk to me like that?"

Ciel shrugged.

"I don't even know your name."

Lyra raised an eyebrow.

"My name is Lyra."

Ciel nodded.

"Ciel."

"I know."

He looked slightly surprised.

Lyra crossed her arms.

"And you still haven't answered my question."

Ciel frowned.

"What question?"

"You called me an idiot."

"Yes."

Lyra stared at him.

"And?"

"Why would you risk your life for a mere cat?"

Lyra looked down at the animal.

Then back at Ciel.

"Every life in this world is important."

Her voice was calm.

"Even you."

Ciel raised an eyebrow.

"If you're ever in danger and I can help you, I'll help you."

She paused.

"Even if you're rude."

A sarcastic smile appeared on her face.

Ciel gave her an amused look.

"I don't need a short girl to save me."

Lyra blinked.

"And for your information, I'm strong."

Lyra laughed.

"Okay, Mr. Ciel."

She picked up the cat food.

"If I ever see you in danger, then I won't help you."

Ciel smiled.

"Good."

Lyra turned toward the cat.

"Take care."

She gave it one last gentle pat.

"Good day, Mr. Ciel. See you at school."

Then she walked away.

Ciel stood there for a moment.

His eyes followed her.

Then he put his hands into his pockets and started walking.

Casually.

Several steps behind her.

Lyra glanced over her shoulder.

Ciel was there.

She frowned.

She walked a little faster.

A few seconds later, she looked back again.

Still there.

Lyra stopped.

Ciel stopped too.

"Are you following me?"

"No."

"Then why are you walking behind me?"

Ciel shrugged.

"Why would I do that?"

"Exactly. That's what I'm asking."

"I just happen to be going this way."

Lyra narrowed her eyes.

"You're suspicious."

"I'm walking."

"So am I."

"Then keep walking."

Lyra stared at him for another moment.

Then she turned around.

"Fine."

She continued down the road.

Behind her, Ciel waited a few seconds before following again.

Whenever she looked back, he found something else to look at.

A passing car.

A store window.

His phone.

Anything that made it appear as though he had absolutely no interest in her.

Lyra noticed.

She just couldn't prove it.

The Flower Shop

Soon, Lyra reached the flower shop.

She stepped inside.

The little bell above the door rang softly.

The smell of fresh flowers immediately surrounded her.

Lyra walked between the rows, looking at each one carefully.

She picked up a flower.

Smelled it.

Then put it back.

She moved to another.

She liked the colors.

She liked the soft fragrance.

She picked up a small bouquet and examined it.

“I think I'll get these.”

Ciel glanced at the flowers in her hands.

Then he pointed toward another section.

“Marigolds.”

Lyra followed his gaze.

“Marigolds?”

He nodded.

“My Nana likes those.”

Lyra looked at him.

“Why?”

Ciel simply shrugged.

“I don't know.”

She stared at him for a second.

“Then why did you suggest them?”

Another shrug.

“She likes them.”

Lyra sighed, but eventually put the flowers back.

She reached for a small bunch of marigolds instead.

Ciel watched her.

“You're buying those?”

“Yes.”

“For my Nana?”

Lyra paused.

“Wait.”

She slowly turned toward him.

“I'm going to YOUR mansion, right?”

Ciel nodded.

“The grandmother I've been visiting there…”

She pointed at him.

“That's your grandmother?”

“Yes.”

Lyra stared at him.

Then her lips curved into a teasing smile.

“Well, that's unfortunate for your grandmother.”

Ciel raised an eyebrow.

“Why?”

“She has you as a grandson.”

Lyra laughed.

Ciel gave her a flat look.

“Very funny.”

She smiled.

Then she narrowed her eyes at him.

“Wait. So you've been stalking me?”

Ciel's expression changed instantly.

“What?”

“Stalking me?”

“Me?”

He pointed at himself.

“To you?”

His genuine confusion made Lyra burst out laughing.

“Nope.”

Ciel shook his head.

“Nana asked me to pick you up.”

He glanced at the marigolds.

“She misses you more than she misses her own grandson.”

Lyra covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.

Ciel rolled his eyes.

“That's funny?”

“A little.”

He sighed.

“Anyway. Where's your car?”

“I don't have one.”

Lyra blinked.

“You're walking?”

“Obviously.”

She looked at him suspiciously.

“You don't have a car?”

“No.”

Ciel started walking.

“Only weak people ride those things.”

Lyra stared at his back.

“Did you just call people who ride cars weak?”

He didn't turn around.

“Maybe.”

Lyra laughed again as she followed him.

“You're weird.”

“So I've been told.”

They walked side by side toward the mansion.

For a while, neither of them said anything.

Lyra occasionally glanced at Ciel.

Ciel kept his eyes ahead.

The walk was quiet.

Not peaceful.

Just... awkward.

Especially now that Lyra knew he was the grandson of the woman she had been visiting all this time.

And somehow, walking home together felt much more awkward than it should have.

The Mansion

The walk back to the mansion was awkward.

Neither of them said much.

Lyra carried the flowers carefully.

Ciel walked beside her with his hands in his pockets.

After a while, Lyra glanced at him.

He's annoying.

Still, she continued walking beside him.

When the mansion finally came into view, Lyra felt a familiar warmth in her chest.

She had missed this place.

They passed through the gates together.

The moment they stepped inside, a familiar figure appeared near the entrance.

Lyra's face immediately brightened.

"The Great One!"

The cat lifted its head.

Its eyes went straight to Lyra.

For a moment, it simply stared.

Then its tail lifted.

Lyra smiled.

"There you are!"

She took a step forward.

But when Ciel stepped closer, The Great One suddenly stopped.

Its ears flattened.

Its fur rose slightly.

"Hiss!"

Ciel stopped.

Lyra looked between them.

"What?"

The Great One continued staring at Ciel.

Then it hissed again.

Ciel frowned.

"Your cat doesn't like me."

Lyra looked at him.

"It's not mine."

"You feed it."

"So?"

"You visit it."

"That doesn't make it mine."

The cat's eyes remained fixed on Ciel.

Ciel stared back.

For a moment, neither moved.

Then Ciel gave a quiet scoff.

"Whatever."

He walked ahead and entered the mansion.

Lyra watched him disappear inside.

Then she crouched beside The Great One.

"What was that?"

The cat looked at her innocently.

"You weren't like that before."

She gently stroked its head.

The cat immediately relaxed.

Lyra smiled.

"Did you miss me?"

The cat's tail moved from side to side.

"I missed you too."

She scratched gently behind its ear.

"You used to follow me everywhere."

The cat looked up at her.

"What happened?"

It gave a soft sound.

Lyra laughed quietly.

"I brought you something."

She showed it the small bag of cat food.

The Great One looked at it.

"You really only care about food."

Its tail flicked.

Lyra smiled.

She didn't notice the strange look in its eyes.

The front door opened.

"Lyra?"

She looked up.

Her grandmother stood there.

"Grandma."

Lyra quickly stood and approached her.

The old woman smiled warmly.

"You finally came."

"Sorry, it's been a while."

"I know."

They hugged.

Lyra smiled.

"How have you been?"

"I'm fine. How about you?"

"I'm okay."

The old woman looked at the flowers in Lyra's hands.

"What's that?"

"I bought marigolds."

"For me?"

Lyra nodded.

"He said you liked them."

Her grandmother smiled.

"Who?"

"Your grandson"

"I see you met him already, I ordered him to visit you since you haven’t visited anymore"

"I’m sorry, been busy with all the studying for the coming exam."

"It’s okay, as long as your safe. Come, let’s go inside."

They went inside.

For a while, they simply talked.

Lyra told her about school.

About her exams.

About the things that had happened recently.

The old woman asked about her classes, her teachers, and whether she was eating properly.

Lyra answered each question with a small smile.

Lyra glanced at the marigolds in her hands.

“Why do you like marigolds?”

The old woman smiled softly.

“They remind me of the divine. In many traditions, marigolds are symbols of devotion, sacredness, and being close to the spiritual world.”

She gently touched one of the golden petals.

“And their golden color reminds me of divine light.”

Lyra looked at the flowers quietly.

“I see.”

The old woman smiled.

“That’s why I’ve always loved them.”

Then the old woman glanced toward the cat laying down on one of the sofa.

"How is the cat?"

Lyra followed her gaze.

"The Great One?"

"He's okay."

The old woman sighed.

"He hasn't been coming out much."

Lyra looked concerned.

"Why?"

"He hasn't been feeling well."

"What happened?"

"He became weak a few days ago."

The old woman lowered her voice.

"He mostly stays in this room now."

"He sleeps almost all day."

"And sometimes he barely eats."

Lyra's eyebrows pulled together.

"Is he sick?"

"We're not sure."

Lyra looked toward the hallway.

"Did you take him to a veterinarian?"

The old woman hesitated.

Then she shook her head.

"He doesn't like going."

Lyra looked toward the cat again.

The Great One sat quietly nearby.

"You really are difficult, aren't you?"

The cat's tail flicked.

The old woman smiled.

"Some things never change."

They continued talking for a while.

Eventually, the old woman leaned back.

"I think I need to rest."

"Are you tired?"

"A little."

Lyra immediately stood.

"Then you should rest."

The old woman smiled.

"You stay here for a while."

"Okay."

She started walking toward her room.

Then she stopped.

She glanced back at Lyra.

"And don't worry about the cat."

Lyra nodded.

"Okay."

The old woman smiled faintly.

Then she looked toward the hallway.

"Ciel is here too, isn't he?"

Lyra froze.

"...Yes."

The old woman smiled.

"Good."

Lyra blinked.

"What?"

"You two can keep each other company."

"I'll rest for a while."

"But—"

The bedroom door closed.

Lyra stood there in silence.

Slowly, she turned around.

Ciel was standing near the hallway.

Their eyes met.

Neither spoke.

Lyra looked away.

Ciel looked away too.

The silence became painfully awkward.

Lyra glanced toward the cat.

The Great One was staring directly at Ciel.

Its ears twitched.

Ciel noticed.

The cat's eyes narrowed.

Ciel narrowed his eyes back.

Lyra sighed.

"This is going to be a long afternoon."

Neither of them knew that the quiet mansion was already holding secrets far deeper than either of them could imagine.

Ciel had been sitting quietly for a while.

Long enough that Lyra started to wonder if he had fallen asleep.

Then he scratched the back of his head, straightened his posture, and finally turned toward her.

“Do you know why you’re here?”

Lyra looked at him.

“To visit your grandmother?”

Ciel stared at her for a second.

Then he gave a small nod.

“Yeah. That too.”

Lyra frowned.

“What does that mean?”

Ciel didn't answer immediately.

Instead, he looked toward the cat sitting nearby.

“Do you believe in fate?”

Lyra raised an eyebrow.

“Fate?”

“Or myths. Supernatural stuff. Things people usually don't believe in.”

Lyra shrugged.

“I like reading about them.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Why?”

Ciel leaned back.

“Then maybe you won't think I'm completely insane.”

Lyra gave him a doubtful look.

“That's not exactly reassuring.”

Ciel almost smiled.

“I'm serious.”

He paused.

“Have you ever wondered why you're here?”

Lyra frowned.

“I told you. Your grandmother invited me.”

“No.”

His voice was quieter now.

“I mean... why you?”

Lyra didn't answer.

Ciel looked at her for a moment before continuing.

“I heard about what happened to you.”

Lyra's expression changed.

“The attack?”

He nodded.

“You were stabbed.”

“Yes.”

“And you survived.”

Lyra stared at him.

“Obviously.”

“No.”

Ciel shook his head.

“Not just survived.”

He leaned forward slightly.

“You healed.”

Lyra's brows furrowed.

“I was treated at a hospital.”

“I know.”

“You weren't there.”

“No.”

“But I heard about it.”

Ciel's eyes stayed on her.

“Do you know how long it normally takes for a wound like that to heal?”

Lyra looked away.

“I don't know.”

“Longer than it took you.”

She didn't answer.

Ciel continued.

“Have you noticed anything strange since then?”

Lyra's eyes slowly moved toward the cat.

Ciel noticed.

“That.”

The cat was watching them from across the room.

Lyra remembered.

The cat appearing near her.

The strange way it would stare at her.

How it always seemed to be there whenever something felt wrong.

Ciel spoke again.

“It's been following you, hasn't it?”

Lyra swallowed.

“I thought it was just Nana's cat.”

“It is.”

He paused.

“But that's not all it is.”

Lyra looked at him.

“What are you trying to tell me?”

Ciel took a breath.

“There's something wrong with this town.”

Lyra frowned.

“Wrong how?”

“There have been more incidents lately.”

“Violence. Attacks. People acting strangely.”

He watched her carefully.

“You haven't noticed?”

“I don't watch the news that much.”

“I figured.”

He gave a small shrug.

“But I've been paying attention.”

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.

“And it's not just random.”

Lyra remained quiet.

Ciel continued.

“Something is happening here.”

She looked increasingly confused.

“What does that have to do with me?”

Ciel didn't answer immediately.

Instead, he looked at her hand.

Lyra instinctively looked down.

“I’m serious.”

Ciel reached into his pocket and pulled out a small pocketknife.

Lyra's eyes widened.

“What are you doing?”

Ciel flipped the knife open.

“Why don't you try cutting your hand?”

Lyra stared at him in disbelief.

“You’re really crazy.”

“I can do it for you.”

Lyra immediately stood.

“Don't you dare.”

Ciel suddenly stepped toward her.

Before Lyra could move away, he quickly caught her hand.

“Ciel!”

The blade lightly cut across her palm.

Lyra gasped and instinctively pulled her hand back.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?”

At once, the cat jumped to its feet and rushed between them, its fur standing on end.

Ciel didn't react to the cat.

Instead, he pointed toward Lyra's hand.

“Look.”

Lyra glared at him, still angry.

Then she looked down.

Blood slowly ran across her palm.

But beneath it, something strange was happening.

The cut was closing.

Lyra froze.

The skin slowly pulled itself back together until there was no wound left.

Only the blood remained.

Her eyes widened.

“What...?”

Ciel calmly looked at her.

“That.”

Lyra stared at her perfectly healed hand.

“I was just cut.”

“I know.”

“How did it...?”

Ciel closed the knife and put it back into his pocket.

“That’s what I've been trying to tell you.”

Lyra slowly looked up at him.

For the first time, she didn't have a sarcastic answer.

“You saw it.”

“I did.”

“You saw how quickly it healed.”

Lyra nodded slowly.

Ciel's voice softened.

“And that's why I need you to believe me.”

“About what?”

He looked directly at her.

“The thing that's been following you.”

Lyra's expression tightened.

“What thing?”

Ciel paused.

“It chose you.”

Lyra stared at him.

“Chose me?”

“For what?”

“I don't know.”

“Then how do you know it chose me?”

“Because the signs are already there.”

Lyra shook her head.

“You really sound crazy right now.”

“I probably do.”

Ciel gave a small, humorless laugh.

“But I'm serious.”

Lyra looked up at him.

“How?”

Ciel glanced at the cat.

“Because of that.”

Lyra turned toward the animal.

“The cat?”

“It's a guardian.”

Lyra let out a confused laugh.

“A guardian?”

“Yes.”

He looked around the mansion.

“My family has been guarding this place for generations.”

“Guarding it from what?”

Ciel's expression became serious.

“Something underneath this town.”

Lyra's smile disappeared.

“Something?”

“Something that's been here for a very long time.”

He paused.

“It doesn't just hurt people.”

“It feeds on them.”

Lyra's brows knitted together.

“Feeds on what?”

“The worst parts of them.”

Ciel's voice lowered.

“Greed. Hatred. Anger. Cruelty. Whatever negativity people carry.”

“It feeds on those things and grows stronger.”

Lyra looked uneasy.

“So the people committing crimes...”

“Some of them are being influenced.”

“Influenced?”

Ciel nodded.

“Before it can fully emerge, it releases small portions of its power.”

“That power attaches itself to people who already carry enough negativity.”

Lyra immediately remembered the man who had attacked her.

“The man who stabbed you?”

“He was one example.”

Lyra went quiet.

“He may have already been capable of violence,” Ciel continued. “But something made it worse.”

“So you're saying some kind of... spirit possessed him?”

“Not exactly.”

Ciel shook his head.

“It's more complicated than that.”

Lyra looked frustrated.

“You're not making this any easier to understand.”

“I know.”

He sighed.

“I'm trying.”

That made Lyra pause.

For the first time, Ciel didn't sound mysterious.

He sounded genuinely worried.

He continued.

“And that's why you're important.”

Lyra looked at him.

“Why me?”

Ciel glanced at the cat again.

“Because you inherited its abilities.”

“The cat?”

“Not everything.”

He counted them quietly.

“Your senses are sharper.”

“You can detect things other people can't.”

“Your reflexes are slightly faster.”

“And your body can recover from injuries unusually quickly.”

Lyra looked at her hand again.

“And there's one more.”

Ciel's eyes met hers.

“You can cleanse them.”

“Cleanse what?”

“The negative element.”

“The thing attached to those people.”

Lyra shook her head.

“I don't know how to do that.”

“You don't have to know yet.”

He gestured toward the cat.

“That's what the guardian is for.”

“The cat can sense what's wrong.”

“It can detect things humans can't.”

“And somehow, it can cleanse certain negative energies.”

Lyra remembered something.

“That's what your grandmother said.”

Ciel nodded.

“She believes cats can sense bad spirits.”

“She says the cat has been doing it for generations.”

Lyra looked at the animal.

“So your family has been doing this the entire time?”

“For a long time.”

Ciel leaned back.

“We've lived in this town for generations.”

“Our family was tasked with protecting this place until the one destined to inherit the mansion appeared.”

Lyra slowly looked around the room.

“And you think that's me.”

Ciel nodded.

Lyra laughed once in disbelief.

“You're telling me this mansion is mine?”

“Yes.”

Her eyes widened.

“What about your family?”

“We'll still be here.”

Ciel shrugged.

“We're not being kicked out.”

Despite herself, Lyra almost smiled.

“We'll guide you. Teach you what you need to know.”

“And protect you until you can protect yourself.”

He looked at her seriously.

“But eventually, you'll have to do it on your own.”

Lyra was silent.

Then she asked quietly,

“What happens to you?”

Ciel looked at her.

“To me?”

“To your family.”

“We stay.”

He gave a small shrug.

“This is still our home.”

“My parents stopped believing in all of this a long time ago.”

“They thought the stories were fake.”

“But Nana never did.”

“She says the cat was already with her when she was young.”

“She knew there was something different about it even back then.”

“She kept waiting for the person the guardian was supposed to find.”

“And now...”

His eyes returned to Lyra.

“It found you.”

Lyra stared at him.

She didn't know what to say.

Ciel stood.

“It's late.”

Lyra looked up at him.

“Think about everything I told you.”

He paused by the doorway.

“You don't have to believe me tonight.”

“But you'll start noticing things.”

“Your senses. Your body.”

“You'll feel the difference eventually.”

Lyra looked down at her hand.

For a second, flashes ran through her mind.

The attack.

The blood.

The cat.

The impossible healing.

The strange feeling she'd had since coming to the mansion.

She looked up again.

Ciel was already walking away.

“Good night, Lyra.”

“Good night.”

He disappeared down the hallway.

Lyra remained where she was.

The cat quietly approached her.

She looked down at it.

“You knew all along, didn't you?”

The cat blinked.

Lyra sighed.

“Of course you did.”

Beneath the Town

Far beneath the mansion, beneath the streets and foundations of the town, something enormous lay dormant.

Its body was curled inside a dark, cocoon-like mass.

Black smoke seeped downward from above.

The creature slowly inhaled.

The darkness disappeared into its body.

For several seconds, nothing happened.

Then the cocoon twitched.

Its mouth slowly opened.

A thick stream of red smoke spilled from within.

Above ground, an old man stumbled through a dark street, drunk and barely aware of his surroundings.

The red smoke drifted toward him.

He inhaled.

His body suddenly stiffened.

He dropped to his knees.

His hands clawed at the ground as his body convulsed.

Then everything stopped.

A moment later, his eyes slowly opened.

They glowed red.