Kael opened his eyes again.A cold shiver ran down his neck.An electric sensation.Not painful.More like... a mild mental shock.An intruder in his mind.
Before him, a black interface appeared.Simple.Stable.Almost clinical.Too clean, to be honest.Like a high-end software, not some hacked-up interface.
Update available.Current interface: Voice in archaic mist (obsolete).Proposed update: THANA-HUD.EXE
A list of perks blinked.– Stabilized mental interface (goodbye emotional bugs).– Optimal visibility (even through the worst emotional fog).– Enhanced communication: sarcasm, jabs, and divine interventions included (yes, Thana).– New dark theme "necro-aesthetic" (more readable than just "black").– Reduced emotional interference (to avoid useless existential crises).
Kael frowned.Intrigued.Skeptical.An interface like that...This was serious.But who really likes forced updates?
Below the [ACCEPT] and [CONFIRM] buttons,a third one fidgeted, almost nervously:[HELP]
Kael clicked.Without much conviction.The screen vibrated gently.Like an entity tired of explaining everything again.
Then, a message.Unfiltered.Almost mocking:
Perks revisited, with a hint of humor:– Stabilized mental interface (clearer, classier — impress whoever you want).– Optimal visibility (even in a full brain coma).– Enhanced communication (teasing included — you'll thank me later).– Dark theme "necro-aesthetic" (goodbye your old retro style).– Reduced interference (for my mental survival against your questionable decisions).
And finally, the conditions:Acceptance mandatory under article 1 of the "You don't have a choice" contract.But, in my great kindness, you may choose the option that seems... the least bad to you.
Two buttons.Identical.Blinking.[CONFIRM] — [ACCEPT]
Kael grunted.The buttons didn't move.He shot a dark look at the interface.A mix of fascination... and irritation.
— Seriously?You're kidding me?
Me? Never.You clicked "Help", I'm helping. Literal.
The voice in his head was almost sarcastic.Like a teasing friend.The kind who knows exactly where to press to hurt the most.
Kael raised his hand.Clicked on [CONFIRM].His finger passed right through the button.
— No no no...You're not telling me I can't even click?
A crystalline burst of laughter rang to his left.He turned his head.A tiny Thana floated in the air.No bigger than a hand.Bent over laughing.Legs in the air.Her shadowy wings pulsing softly.
— You really thought you'd click with your finger?Seriously, Kael... this isn't a touchscreen tablet.
She twirled around him.Then dashed straight for his forehead.A flick.
— Hey!That hurts!—Interface activated.There, that's how it's done.Welcome to the connected club.
Kael rubbed his temple.Both amused... and exasperated.
— You're gonna drive me crazy, you know that?
—Patience.It's already underway.—
A new window appeared.At the bottom right of his vision.Simple.Elegant.
THANA-HUD.EXE ONLINEStatus: installed, sassy, ready to unleash sarcasm.
Kael smiled despite himself.The start of a funny adventure had just begun.
He gently closed the door.Arms loaded with plastic bags.They felt heavier than their contents.
The familiar sounds of the house echoed.But in his ears...They sounded wrong.
The day had been long.Heavy.And his mistakes weighed on him.
He thought of Lyana.Of her tears.Of her broken voice.Of those silences that spoke louder than any words.
Kael wasn't good at saying what he felt.But he knew how to act.
So he kept it simple:Groceries.Not much.Just... proof.That he was there.That he thought of her.That he wanted to protect her.Even if everything seemed against them.
In the living room, he set the bags on the table.Trying to avoid making a sound.
Lyana was there.Curled up on the couch.Clutching her old stuffed rabbit.The one he had given her a few days earlier.
The contrast between her fragility and silent dignity...…broke his heart.
— Hey...
A whisper.
He placed a packet of biscuits.A box of fruit.
— I got these...I know you like them.
Lyana lifted her eyes.A shy smile touched her tired face.She nodded.But her gaze was elsewhere.Lost.
Kael sat beside her.Watching the plush toy.As if it held their entire story.
— You know...I'm sorry.For everything.For scaring you.For the secrets.For this strange life we lead.
I'd like to promise you that everything will be fine.But I'd be lying.
Lyana placed the plush between them.Her gaze fixed on Kael's.Honest.Straightforward.
— You're not a liar.
Her voice was soft.
— You do what you can.And I know it's a lot.
Kael looked at her.Surprised.Touched.
— Sometimes, I wonder how you stay so strong...I'm the one who wavers.
Lyana shrugged.
— Maybe I waver too.But we don't have to fall at the same time, right?
They exchanged a smile.Short.Sincere.A fragment of peace...…in a silent war.
— You talk big, huh.I'm ready to kick your ass.
She stood up.Determined.Eyes shining.
— Wait, little cheater.No way I'm losing.
Thana, quietly settled in a corner, watched the scene.A sly smile on her lips.
For the first time in a long while, she saw Kael smile...…really.
And she couldn't help thinking:That's good to see.
Kael turned his eyes toward her.A silent look.Grateful.
— Thanks, Thana.
A simple "mmm..."Almost hummed.
But Kael understood.Even those fleeting moments mattered.A balm for invisible scars.Bubbles of air between two drownings.
Lyana let out a battle cry.A fierce challenge.
Kael, meanwhile, felt a new resolve awaken:to protect this fragile peace.At all costs.
The sun was setting slowly.Behind the buildings.An orange and purple halo enveloped the city.
As if time, too...…had decided to slow down.
Their return was silent.Fatigue in their movements.Silence in their thoughts.
An invisible blanket weighed on them.Thick.Familial.
In the car,an old radio played a vague melody.Melancholic.But the music seemed... absent.
Lyana looked at the road.Or what was behind it.Heavy eyelids.Thoughts elsewhere.
Kael stared at the white line.Jaw clenched.Fists gripping the wheel.
He relived every moment.Every danger.Every promise.
— Want me to help with the bags?she asked, in a hollow voice.
— No, leave it.I got it.
He avoided her gaze.
The apartment greeted them with warm light.Too soft for the chilly evening.
Lyana put down her things.Then collapsed on the couch.Drained.Silent.
Kael disappeared into the kitchen.Mechanical gestures.A herbal tea he wouldn't drink.A routine without conviction.
In an unseen corner,Thana's voice rose.Soft.Calm.Firmly grounded.
— You should rest, Kael.Sleep is a weapon.Not a weakness.
He turned around.A tired smile clung to his lips.
— Easy to say...Closing your eyes when everything is at stake,that's the real fight.
— But necessary.If you want to hold on,you have to take care of yourself.
He brought the cup.Set it on the table.Looked at it for a long moment.Then sat down.
He reached out.Laid his hand gently on Lyana's forehead.Burning.
His gaze...mixed worryand tenderness.
— I promise you...I'll do everything to protect you.No one and nothing will hurt you.
Lyana turned her head.Their eyes met.A lone tear slid from the corner of her eye.
— I know...I love you, Kael.
Silence.But not empty.Heavy.Suspended.
As if the world had stopped breathing.
Lyana rested her head on his shoulder.Her arms wrapped around him.Instinctively.
Kael closed his eyes.The heaviness returned.But different.Like a weight accepted.
He fought again.Against the future.Against the anxiety.But found,for a fleeting moment,a bit of peace.In that shared moment.