I could hear the cheerful chatter of people inside the Chen household as I approached the gate. The two guards turned to look at me, their brows furrowing—one of them even looked like he’d seen a ghost. I simply nodded and stepped inside.
The familiar sensation of the barrier brushed against me. I glanced up, noting how sturdy it seemed, but I could tell it wouldn’t last much longer.
*If something bad happens, if there’s an attack from outside… this barrier won’t hold.*
A few people milled about the courtyard, too engrossed in their conversations to notice me. I headed straight for the wedding venue—the main hall.
The red carriage and Hong Clan flag outside confirmed it was the right place. The voices of the bride and groom echoed faintly—they must already be at the altar. The doors were closed, so I couldn’t see inside, but I didn’t enter yet.
*I don’t want to ruin their wedding.*
I just needed to talk to Captain Chen.
But first, there was somewhere else I had to go.
I hurried to the other side of the estate—to Mira’s room. This area was quiet, far from the main festivities, giving me time to move unnoticed.
When I reached the farthest room, memories—no, Mira’s memories—flooded my mind.
The door was locked, but I found a way in (*don’t ask how*). Inside, the room looked exactly as I’d seen in my dreams. My eyes scanned the space until they landed on a photograph.
My chest tightened as I picked it up.
It showed Captain Chen and a woman who looked exactly like me, dressed in wedding attire.
*Mira… his first wife.*
But why was I seeing her memories?
A commotion outside snapped me back to reality.
"The barrier’s fading!" I muttered before sprinting back toward the hall.
When I arrived, the doors were open, and chaos had erupted.
Inside, the Duchess stood with the man who had hugged me earlier—Kaito. She held Captain Chen’s fiancée at knifepoint, a blade pulsing with spiritual energy pressed to her throat. One wrong move, and she’d kill her.
Captain Chen stood frozen in front of them, unable to act—neither could the other captains or guests.
"Captain Chen," the Duchess taunted, smirking. "You have two choices. Let this woman die… or hand over the White House’s treasure."
She pressed the blade deeper, drawing blood. Captain Chen’s aura darkened dangerously.
Just as he tensed to move, Kaito pressed a sword to *his* neck.
My energy stone suddenly glowed.
"Nyssa!" Maxson’s voice crackled through, the sounds of battle raging behind him. "I’m at the White House! Stop them there—I’ll handle things here!"
Before I could respond, the connection cut.
*I trust him.*
I turned back to the scene. The captains were signaling to each other—they had a plan. But then I noticed what Kaito held.
A bomb.
One I recognized from my training in Saido.
It wouldn’t just kill—it would drain spiritual energy, wiping out everyone in its radius. Even the strongest might survive, but countless would die.
I closed my eyes.
*Maxson’s counting on me.*
And I refuse to let anyone die today.
"Duchess Taenlah," I called, stepping forward. "I didn’t expect *you* to be the one causing trouble."
Every head turned. Shock rippled through the crowd—especially among the Hong and Chen Clans, who hadn’t seen me before.
"Mira!" someone from the Hong Clan gasped.
Captain Chen’s fiancée stared at me, wide-eyed. I ignored her, locking eyes with Kaito.
"Now… what was your name again?" I cut him off before he could answer. "Ah. Kaito Irdon."
I took a deep breath, letting Mira’s memories flow through me.
"If your goal is the White House’s artifact—the one the Chen forefathers used to maintain the barrier—then there’s no need to involve all these people, right?"
The Duchess laughed. "So you *do* know about the artifact."
"I do." I held out my hand to Kaito. "In exchange for the knowledge I have, call off this mess."
He hesitated, but the Duchess yanked him back.
That was all the distraction Captain Chen needed.
In a blur, he vanished, reappearing beside his fiancée and teleporting her to safety.
The Duchess snarled, turning on me—but the captains moved in.
Then monsters poured in.
*The barrier’s gone.*
People screamed, fleeing in panic. Someone grabbed me, teleporting us outside the estate.
I looked up—Lieutenant Ren.
"Mi—Nyssa, it’s too dangerous inside. Let me get you out of the Chen territory," he urged, reaching for my arm.
I stepped back.
"This problem’s been going on for twenty years. Lieutenant Ren, let me help."
He shook his head. "This isn’t your fight."
"It is now." I turned away.
"We can’t guarantee your safety! Do you want to die?!" he shouted after me.
I stopped, glancing back.
"I’m already suffering from these memories—these emotions I don’t understand. I need answers, and I won’t die until I get them."
I didn’t wait for a reply.
I called Maxson again, but he didn’t answer. He’d expected me to act inside the hall, but I knew where I needed to go.
The White House.
The answers are there.
But getting there wouldn’t be easy.
A pack of monsters blocked my path—red-eyed, fangs bared, claws ready to tear me apart.
An explosion rocked the ground. The distraction cost me—one monster lunged.
I drew my dagger, slashing through them, but not without taking hits.
My energy stone glowed again.
"Maxson!" I stabbed another monster.
"There are too many! Janzen’s here—I can’t hold out much longer! Get to the artifact!" he panted.
"Don’t die! I’m on my way!"
"Hurry! If he gets it first—" A crash cut him off. "He’s coming for me. If I’m right, you’re—"
The connection died.
Damn these monsters!
"YAHHH!" I roared, cutting down the last of them before sprinting toward the White House.
I was so close—until Kaito stepped into my path.
He exhaled sharply.
"Whoever you are, I won’t let you interfere." His sword gleamed, poised to strike.
I smirked.
"Killing your friend wasn’t enough, was it? How many more have to die for your goal?"
His laughter was cold.
"A few lives are nothing compared to the happiness our plan will bring."
My grip tightened on my dagger.
"All these memories, these emotions… it’s starting to make sense."
They’re real.
I wasn’t just questioning anymore—I was observing. I needed confirmation—from Captain Chen, from the artifact.
I stared past Kaito at the White House doors.
"If you think you’re getting in there, you’ll have to kill me first," he warned.
"Why waste your life on this?"
His gaze darkened. "Don’t underestimate what we’re trying to achieve. This isn’t just for us—it’s for future generations. As long as unfair rules exist, people will suffer. You wouldn’t understand—you’ve never lost anyone important."
My fists clenched.
"Even if your goal is just, your methods aren’t. You want a fair world? Then fight fair. No shortcuts, no sacrifices."
His eyes narrowed. "If you stand in my way—even if you look like Mira—I’ll kill you."
I grinned.
"A fair fight, then." I raised my dagger.
I charged.
"YAHHH!"