A Few Minutes Later

  During Class

  On the School Rooftop

  Téo held Victoria's hand after they finally had one of the most important conversations, following his long-awaited return to the physical world. Téo watched Victoria run and jump with a bright smile toward the rooftop stairs.

  [Victoria – Cheerful & Happy Voice] Don't take too long to go back to class, okay...? -

  Even though she had stayed there for a while, she knew her absence in the classroom would eventually cause problems. In Téo's eyes, Victoria stopped a few meters ahead, smiling joyfully, while the world around them seemed to slow down.

  [Victoria – Cheerful & Happy Voice] ...YOU BIG JERK!! [Playful & Happy Laughter] -

  At the same time, Téo smiled, deeply moved by Victoria's affection toward him. He noticed something unusual above one of the rooftop antennas: a young boy, sitting calmly, wearing the same school uniform he and Victoria had on at that moment.

  [(Téo – Incredulous Whisper, Slightly Confused)] Brother?]

  The boy watched the scene with a cheerful expression, in complete silence, visible only to Téo and not from Victoria's point of view—since she was facing away from him and lower on the stairs.

  After saying goodbye, Victoria turned around and finally entered the stairwell, asking Téo to head to class after dealing with whatever he needed to resolve on the rooftop.

  [(Téo – Incredulous Whisper, Slightly Confused)] What are you doing in this area...?]

  A few seconds later, that smiling boy, seated atop the antenna, calmly leaned forward, letting himself fall. He dropped in free fall, spinning leisurely in the air.

  Within seconds, his descent seemed to slow slightly, landing gently above the ground. After floating a few centimeters from the floor for a brief moment, he finally touched down a few meters from the door Victoria had just entered and closed.

  [Boy – Ironic & Serene Voice] I thought you were busy killing a few renegade Oculi, little brother... [Soft, Sarcastic & Ironic Sigh] -

  The boy's black hair swayed softly in the breeze sweeping across the entire rooftop. As Téo observed him, he noticed an invisible force radiating from his older brother's body—creating faint ripples in the air, making his clothes sway as if submerged underwater.

  [Boy – Ironic & Serene Voice] According to my intel, in the region next to this one, you put on quite the horror show. Many lives were taken by your hands, weren't they, Téo? [Soft, Sarcastic & Ironic Sigh] -

  Téo visibly shifted his expression—from the happy smile he wore beside Victoria just moments earlier—to one consumed by disdain and boredom. Now he stood before his older brother, Kalik, who was eleven years old, compared to Téo's ten.

  [Kalik – Ironic & Serene Voice] Your little human "friend" must really like you, to forgive what you did to her. [Soft, Sarcastic & Ironic Sigh] -

  [Kalik – Ironic & Serene Voice] Especially after you vanished for those long three years. [Soft, Sarcastic & Ironic Sigh] -

  [Kalik – Ironic & Serene Voice] Honestly, you're the worst best friend that could possibly exist in the entire universe. [Soft, Sarcastic & Ironic Sigh] -

  Téo's gaze changed completely at those words, revealing total emptiness and emotional detachment in contrast to Kalik's ironic expression, smiling a few meters away.

  [Téo – Serious & Hollow Voice] I don't have time to waste on your psychological games and pathetic jokes, Kalik... [Deep Breath] -

  Upon hearing this, Kalik's lips curved into an even brighter smile. He stepped lightly toward Téo, stopping just a few centimeters from his ear.

  [Kalik – Ironic & Serene Voice] I really can't wait to see the future—to witness the moment she discovers that, for you to regain your sanity after returning to the physical world a few weeks ago... [Soft, Sarcastic Chuckle] -

  Even in the midst of that surreal movement—cutting through the air and sending a gentle breeze in every direction for several meters—Téo clearly heard the words drenched in mockery, irony, and sarcasm, all spoken in a calm, merciless tone.

  [Kalik – Ironic & Serene Voice] ...many Oculi lives had to perish by your blood-stained hands. [Playfully Ironic Chuckle] -

  [Kalik – Ironic & Serene Voice] That human "friend" of yours, Victoria, will most certainly feel disgusted holding your filthy hand, little brother. [Playfully Ironic Chuckle] -

  After hearing those words, with his chest ignited by a single burning emotion, Téo closed his eyes and drew a deep breath.

  [Téo – Slightly Echoing & Hollow Voice] ...Who gave you permission to speak her name with that filthy mouth of yours, my dear "big brother"? [Subtle Laugh Consumed by Hatred] -

  The result was immediate: Kalik felt his body tremble unconsciously, his senses numbed by the pressure filling the environment. Téo had made it clear he was using his Oculi abilities—without even raising a single finger.

  [(Kalik – Breathless & Stunned Voice)] What kind of surreal control over the "void" is this...? (Broken Breath)]

  Immediately, Kalik—who had initially intended to provoke Téo with his psychological games—found himself taken aback when he received a single punch straight to the middle of his stomach, being violently thrown against one of the walls.

  Before the world around him could settle, he realized that even the air itself had been sliced apart in those few instants, as Kalik's body flew at high speed, sending a new gust of wind rushing in every direction. Moments later, his back struck the wall with such force that it sank slightly under the impact.

  [Kalik – Whispering, Incredulous & Slightly Amused] Téo... [Light, Dry Cough] —

  Before he could fall to the ground, he expelled a black liquid from his mouth—evidence of the internal injuries he had suffered due to Téo's attack, executed faster than Kalik's reflexes could react.

  [Kalik – Incredulous & Quite Amused Voice] ...Your spoiled little "evil" brother! [Light Dry Cough & Cheerful Laughter] —

  With a simple snap of his fingers—one hand directed toward Kalik—Téo once again caught him off guard. The subtle gesture forced Kalik to remain suspended in the air, as if floating, his back pressed against the wall behind him under an intense force that slowly crushed him.

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  [Téo – Cheerfully Hollow Voice] Yes, brother. I am the worst best friend Victoria could ever have in her entire life, and... I truly had to do things I regret bitterly every single day. [Deep Breath] —

  As Téo spoke, the astonishing sight of Kalik being enveloped by an invisible force that tightened around him little by little was revealed to be more than just physical pressure.

  It was also a grip on his very existence and essence. Such effects were invisible to human eyes, yet perceptible to the Oculi Albi or Oculi Nigri—seen only when contrasted with Human reality, not from within the Oculi reality, which was their true origin.

  This invisible force, which seemed to distort the environment just a few centimeters around Kalik's body, was controlled by Téo with remarkable ease. It was in this moment that Kalik found himself staring into Téo's eyes.

  [Téo – Cheerfully Hollow Voice] It was three long years in that damned place, where I had to lose so much of myself just to survive the endless darkness surrounding me, but... [Deep Breath] —

  [Téo – Cheerfully Hollow Voice] ...After everything I've done these past few days, not once did I feel pleasure or happiness in any of my desperate actions. [Deep Breath] —

  Meanwhile, Kalik gazed back at Téo with a delightfully twisted, completely sadistic expression—his lips forming a deeply disturbing smile of joy, despite the sharp pain he still felt from being attacked and hurled against the wall in such a surreal manner.

  [Téo – Cheerfully Hollow Voice] That is what separates us, Kalik. You feel good about yourself, following the "ideals" of the Inanis Faction and your two idiot leaders, the Begeneri. [Deep Breath] —

  Téo kept his expression empty and serious, but with one remarkable difference. His eyes no longer had pupils or irises; they were completely white, without reflection or any trace of shine.

  [Téo – Cheerfully Hollow Voice] I regret what I did every single day. And I will pay for my actions and crimes committed in life, once I meet my end and go forth to the "void." [Deep & Confident Breath] -

  As Téo said this, his brother Kalik simultaneously revealed himself—smiling even wider, laughing in a completely mocking way, despite still being suspended against the wall against his will.

  [Kalik – Ironic & Playfully Amused Voice] This human may be your best friend, but at some point she will find out that you... [Playful & Sarcastic Laughter] -

  [Kalik – Ironic & Playfully Amused Voice] ...In the last few weeks, felt pleasure eating human flesh for the first time. [Playful & Sarcastic Laughter] -

  [Kalik – Ironic & Playfully Amused Voice] Right before you finally managed to fully regain your sanity. [Playful & Sarcastic Laughter] -

  After uttering those words, with a single, delicate blink of his eyes, his pupils and irises vanished as well. But instead of turning completely white like Téo's, Kalik's eyes were now pitch black, without reflection or any trace of shine on their surface.

  [Kalik – Ironic & Playfully Amused Voice] And when she hears that story from your own lips, Téo... you will lose her forever. [Playful & Sarcastic Laughter] -

  [Kalik – Ironic & Playfully Amused Voice] Because deep down, you are just like me—your hands are also stained with the blood of those who dared to stand in your way on your path toward your greatest desire in life. [Playful & Sarcastic Laughter] -

  Hearing those words coming from his brother's mouth—delivered in such an amused, ironic tone—Téo instinctively snapped his fingers again, without even realizing it, dissolving the invisible force that held Kalik in place.

  And in that exact moment, after the invisible force dissipated, Kalik immediately collapsed to the floor, still resting his back against the wall behind him.

  [Téo – Serene & Hollow Voice] My only goal now, after managing to keep myself mentally "stable" upon returning to the physical world after these three long years, is... [Deep Sigh] -

  [Téo – Serene & Hollow Voice] ...Only to fulfill the promise I made to Victoria — to stay by her side for as long as she still wishes to be my best friend. [Deep Sigh] -

  Kalik was coughing violently, expelling more of that black liquid from his mouth, the internal injuries seeming to hurt even more than before. Keeping an amused, ironic smile on his lips, he looked at Téo, who was contemplating the sky with a completely empty gaze.

  [Téo – Serene & Hollow Voice] Since my current objective is quite different from your real objective, Kalik... [Deep Sigh] -

  [Téo – Serene & Hollow Voice] Which is, at any cost, to find that damned "human" who took our mother's life almost four years ago. [Deep Sigh] -

  At the same time, it became visible that his eyes were no longer normal. They were completely white, without irises or pupils, and with no reflection or shine. His white hair drifted softly with the breeze that swept across the school rooftop.

  [Téo – Serene & Hollow Voice] And even knowing the history of those idiots, you still allied yourself with the Inanis Faction to find that human at any cost, all because you want vengeance. [Deep Sigh] -

  [Téo – Serene & Hollow Voice] After a few months of the two of us being adopted by her, after feeling so happy and loved, especially after everything we had suffered before she appeared in our lives... [Deep Sigh] -

  Upon hearing his brother's words, Kalik smiled brightly—though his body trembled slightly with fear at the surreal murderous aura radiating from Téo's confident, merciless stance as he stared at him, his face now completely serious.

  [Téo – Serene & Hollow Voice] I hope you listen to this very carefully, brother... [Deep Sigh] -

  [Téo – Serene & Hollow Voice] If from this moment on I find out that someone dared to even think about harming Victoria or any member of her family... [Confident, Deep Breath] -

  [Téo – Serene & Hollow Voice] ...you can be absolutely sure that I will personally crush every part of their existence in the most painful way possible. [Confident, Deep Breath] -

  Slowly, Téo's eyes—previously lifted toward the sky, where clouds were blocking the sunlight—lowered calmly until they met Kalik's still completely black eyes, while Téo's remained fully white.

  [Téo – Serene & Hollow Voice] Whether that person belongs to the Inanis faction, the Reginae faction, or that human group... even if that person happens to be you, my "dear" big brother. [Confident, Deep Breath] -

  [(Kalik – Whispering, Disbelieving & Shocked)] Little brother... (Trembling, Frightened Sigh)]

  With Téo's words carrying a willpower mixed with burning hatred—dense enough to make the air itself feel heavier—Kalik realized that Téo was not joking at all. The merciless tone of his voice left no room for doubt.

  Even though Kalik was still in a relatively stable condition considering his physical body—after returning to the physical world following three long years—his existence remained fragile, still gradually recovering day by day.

  [(Kalik – Whispering, Disbelieving & Uncertain)] You would really do all that, Téo... for a pathetic human girl who's completely broken inside? (Emotionless Sigh)]

  Téo, in that moment, was truly willing to risk himself again if Victoria were in danger, just as it happened during the "Alpha Earthquake," a name it received for being the strongest in twenty years according to measurements.

  It took place three years ago throughout the entire city and its surrounding regions, killing many people as establishments, buildings, and homes collapsed.

  It was this event that caused Téo to disappear after managing to save Victoria from being buried alive, vanishing as the cost of that heroic act, in a way. Kalik, then, notices Téo's return.

  Téo was still staring ahead as a stronger breeze swept across the rooftop. It became visible when the sun emerged again after a cloud that had briefly concealed it drifted away.

  [(Kalik – Whispering, Incredulous & Disbelieving) You must have gotten even more stupid to say something like that after returning to the physical world, little brother... (Sighing emotionlessly)]

  There was nothing less than the sense that the environment around Téo felt malleable, as if an intense invisible force were being emitted from his body, subtly distorting the space surrounding him. Despite that, he remained calm, displaying on his lips a serene yet hollow smile.

  The perspective then shifts, as Téo takes a gentle but swift step forward, crossing several meters of the rooftop in mere instants. It reveals him heading toward the door leading to the stairs, planning to return to the classroom where Victoria is waiting for him alongside their classmates.

  Meanwhile, his brother Kalik remains seated on the floor, his back resting against the wall beside the door. Téo opens the door and steps inside in complete silence, heading toward the stairs where he will descend, without giving so much as a single glance at Kalik, his older brother.

  Calmly, Téo closes the door as he leaves the rooftop, descending the stairs in absolute silence. Within the blink of an eye, his completely white eyes shift back to normal.

  Simultaneously, Kalik remains frozen, recalling in a sudden flash the image of that empty stare Téo had given him just seconds earlier, looking straight into the depths of his eyes.

  [(Kalik – Soft Whisper, Fearful & Thoughtful) Little brother, even though I'm your older brother, it feels like you're heading toward a place where... (Deep sigh)]

  After Téo closed the door, Kalik gradually lowered his head and wrapped his arms around his legs, staring at the ground with a visibly angry expression — not directed at his younger brother, but at the world that had led them down such distant and confusing paths from one another.

  [(Kalik – Soft Whisper, Worried & Thoughtful) ...I can't reach him, because I can't feel my little brother's presence anymore — his essence has become so strange and unrecognizable to me now. (Deep sigh)]