Aetherbound

Tenko sat hunched on the edge of his bed, his body tense, shoulders rising and falling with each shallow breath. His stomach churned with a gnawing hunger that refused to subside, no matter how much he ate. Empty wrappers littered the floor—mocking evidence of his failed attempts to fill the void. His right eye, hidden beneath the worn eyepatch, pulsed faintly, a constant and unnerving reminder of the unnatural changes he couldn't begin to understand.

The silence in the room pressed down on him, broken only by the hum of the refrigerator and the occasional distant rumble of a passing vehicle. Tenko's hands gripped the edge of his bed as he tried to ground himself, but it wasn't working. His thoughts were scattered, disjointed, circling back to the one inescapable truth: something was wrong with him.

Then it hit him—a scent. It cut through his haze like a sharp knife, warm and rich, filling his senses with an overwhelming pull. His stomach lurched violently, and he inhaled deeply, desperate for more. It was maddeningly familiar, igniting something deep and primal that he couldn't fully comprehend.

"What… what is that?" he muttered, his voice hoarse. His mind flickered to memories of D.W.'s cooking, her spices and sauces that filled the air at home. But this was different. Stronger. Irresistible. It wasn't just a scent—it was a call.

Tenko stumbled to his feet, unsteady and trembling. His hunger roared louder now, each pang feeling like it might tear him apart from the inside. He grabbed his jacket from the chair and pulled it on haphazardly. His hand hovered over the doorknob, a small voice in his mind whispering for him to stop. But the hunger drowned it out.

Opening the door, he stepped into the hallway, his body moving as though controlled by something else. Each step felt heavy yet purposeful, driven by a force he didn't understand. The dimly lit corridors of his building blurred as he descended the stairs, his focus narrowing on the intoxicating scent that seemed to grow stronger with each passing moment.

By the time he reached the street, the world around him had faded into irrelevance. He no longer registered the chill of the night air or the hum of distant voices. All that mattered was the scent, pulling him forward like a beacon. His movements became more erratic as his hunger surged, and his vision blurred at the edges.

Somewhere deep down, a part of him whispered in fear: This isn't normal. This isn't human. But Tenko couldn't stop. The hunger wouldn't let him. Tenko sat hunched on the edge of his bed, his fingers digging into his thighs as if the pressure might distract him from the gnawing hunger that clawed at his insides. Empty food wrappers were scattered across the floor, their meager contents doing nothing to sate the insatiable void inside him.

The city at night was desolate, its usual life drained away, leaving only the faint hum of streetlights and the occasional distant rumble of a car. The stillness pressed against Tenko, amplifying the sound of his footsteps as they shuffled unevenly along the cracked pavement. His vision wavered, flickering between clarity and a hazy blur, while his body moved forward as though guided by invisible strings.

He turned a corner, his hand brushing against the rough brick of a building for balance, and nearly tripped over a discarded garbage bag. His muttered curses were lost to the void of the empty street. Flickering neon signs reflected faintly on puddles left behind by an earlier rain, their fractured light adding to the surreal quality of his trek.

Ahead of him, a Zamboni drone floated lazily down the road, its sensors scanning for any signs of rogue anomalies. Its soft mechanical hum sent a shiver down Tenko's spine. He ducked his head instinctively, even though he knew it wasn't looking for him. Not yet.

The scent returned, stronger now. His stomach clenched painfully, and he staggered to the side, leaning heavily against the wall. The hunger clawed at him, sharper than before, and his thoughts spiraled. His gaze darted down the street to an alley where a faint glow seemed to beckon him forward.

"I could... I could take it from someone," he muttered, his voice barely audible, but the words echoed in his mind, each syllable dripping with shame. The thought was monstrous, alien, and yet his hunger latched onto it like a lifeline. His fingers twitched, curling against the rough wall.

"No," he rasped, shaking his head violently. "No... I can't. I won't."

He stumbled forward, the words still ringing in his ears. The faint glow grew brighter as he approached the alley. A broken street light flickered above him, casting erratic shadows that danced along the brick walls. The scent swirled around him now, intoxicating and inescapable, dragging him closer to its source.

Tenko turned a corner and froze. A rogue anomaly crouched in the shadows of the alley, its form barely lit by the faint glow of a pulsating Aether orb cradled in its trembling hands. The lifeless body of a human lay slumped nearby, their skin pale and still, the glow of drained Aether faintly visible along the edges of their fingertips. The rogue anomaly's body twitched violently, its Aether flickering chaotically around it like an unstable flame ready to burst.

The scent hit Tenko harder now, overwhelming him with its intoxicating pull. His stomach twisted painfully, and he stumbled forward a step before stopping himself, gripping the edge of the wall for balance. His gaze locked onto the orb, its glow casting eerie, shifting shadows that seemed to pulse in time with his own hunger.

The rogue's head snapped up at the sound, its wild, desperate eyes locking onto Tenko. The anomaly's face was gaunt, its skin stretched taut over sharp bones, and its teeth bared in a grimace of pain and survival. For a moment, neither moved, the air between them thick with tension and desperation. The rogue's thin frame shivered as its voice cracked, barely above a whisper.

"You... feel it too, don't you?" the rogue rasped. "The hunger... it never stops. You'll get used to it... here... take it."

With a trembling hand, the rogue extended the glowing orb toward Tenko. The edges of the orb flickered faintly, the light casting long, distorted shapes across the brick walls of the alley. Its faint hum resonated in Tenko's ears, drowning out every rational thought. He recoiled instinctively, pressing his back against the cold brick behind him, but his eyes stayed fixed on the orb.

The hunger inside him roared louder, an unbearable force screaming at him to take it, to consume it, to finally feel whole again. His breathing grew ragged as his hands twitched at his sides, the primal urge clawing at his humanity with every second.

"No..." Tenko whispered, his voice trembling as he shook his head. "I'm not like this. I won't be like them."

The rogue's hand wavered, its strength beginning to fade as its arm dropped slightly. Its eyes softened, as if it saw something familiar in Tenko's face—a reflection of its own torment, its own desperate clinging to an identity long since eroded.

Tenko squeezed his eyes shut, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. He forced himself to turn his head away, trying to drown out the hunger, the scent, the sight of the orb so close yet impossibly out of reach. But the scent surged again, dragging his gaze back to the trembling figure before him. The orb's glow seemed to swell, its light flickering erratically as if responding to his wavering resolve.

The rogue's expression faltered, its eyes clouding with a mix of pity and exhaustion. "You think you're different?" it said softly, a bitter laugh escaping its lips. "That's what I thought, too... in the beginning. Thought I could hold on. Thought I could fight it. But this?" It gestured weakly at the orb. "This is survival. You'll learn that, eventually."

The rogue's voice dropped into a hoarse whisper. "It changes you. The hunger doesn't leave room for anything else. You'll give in, one way or another. You think you're strong enough, but strength doesn't matter. Not here. Not with this."

Before Tenko could act, a sharp movement in the corner of his eye made him turn. King Kisaki emerged from the shadows, his steps deliberate and measured. His Aether flared faintly around him, a controlled, ominous energy that seemed to ripple with each step. The rogue anomaly froze, its eyes widening in sheer panic.

Kisaki didn't hesitate. With practiced precision, he raised a hand, a concentrated burst of Aether forming at his palm. The rogue tried to scramble away, but Kisaki's strike was swift and merciless. Aether crackled through the air, and the rogue let out a strangled cry before collapsing beside the lifeless human. The glow of the rogue's Aether flickered weakly before fading entirely. Kisaki muttered under his breath, glancing briefly at the human body. "Wasting life like that... pathetic," he said, his voice low but cutting.

Turning his attention to the rogue's orb, he crouched and extracted it with careful precision. His fingers curled around it, and with a faint hum, the unstable Aether condensed into a more stable form. He rose and turned toward Tenko, his expression unreadable.

"You're hungry, aren't you?" Kisaki said, his voice calm but firm. He stepped closer, extending the orb toward Tenko. "Take it. You seem like a normal anomaly, not a rogue one. It'll keep you from becoming like him." Tenko stared at the orb, his body rigid with fear and temptation. His trembling hands remained at his sides. "I... no," he stammered, shaking his head.

Kisaki narrowed his eyes as he stepped closer. The faint glow of his Aether aura became more apparent, radiating an intensity that made Tenko's heart race. It was then that Tenko noticed the glow of his own eye reflected faintly in the orb. His stomach churned.

Kisaki's gaze sharpened. "Wait... that glow," he murmured, his voice dropping into a tense murmur. He leaned in slightly, scrutinizing Tenko's face. "That's... Maka's Aether. You're supposed to be dead." Tenko stumbled back, his breath quickening as fear overwhelmed him. "I don't know—"

"How did you survive her?" Kisaki interrupted, his tone colder now, his eyes narrowing further. "And why do you have her eye?" Overwhelmed, Tenko shook his head frantically. "I don't know," he muttered before turning abruptly and fleeing into the night, his heart pounding in his chest. Kisaki's gaze followed him, his jaw tightening. He tucked the orb away, muttering to himself, "Just a rude, low-level..."

The morning sunlight streamed through the blinds, casting fractured patterns across Tenko's cluttered room. The faint sound of a phone vibrating echoed through the quiet, breaking the stillness. Tenko ignored it, staring blankly at the ceiling, his body too heavy to move. His mind replayed fragments of the previous night—King's words, the rogue anomaly, and the unbearable hunger gnawing at him. The phone buzzed again, pulling him from his thoughts. With a sigh, he reached for it, but hesitated when he saw D.W.'s name flashing on the screen. He let it go to voicemail and tossed the phone onto his bedside table. Moments later, a notification pinged. He swiped lazily to listen.

"Hey, Tenko! Sorry, I can't make it today. My casting for the show got delayed until tonight, but don't worry, I'll check in on you later. Oh, by the way, I heard one of your favorite artists is doing a meet and greet near your place. I can't remember their name—or was it someone else you liked? Anyway, maybe that'll cheer you up! Love ya!" D.W.'s cheerful tone felt like a distant echo in his bleak reality. Tenko sat up slowly, rubbing his face. He turned to the mirror by his desk and froze. His reflection stared back, hollow-eyed and worn.

"I completely forgot about Elara Hoshimi's meet and greet," he muttered, running a hand through his disheveled hair. A memory of a brighter time flickered in his mind—he and D.W. sitting in their cramped living room, her phone propped up against a stack of books as they streamed one of Elara's live performances. D.W. had teased him relentlessly about how he knew every lyric to her songs and could mimic her intricate dance steps. "You're such a closet fanboy, Tenko," she'd said, poking his shoulder while he feigned indifference, his cheeks burning red.

The memory tugged a faint smile from his lips, though it quickly faded as reality settled back in. "It's been a while... maybe it'd be nice to get out," he whispered, his voice uncertain. The thought of facing the world outside felt daunting, but staying cooped up with his spiraling thoughts felt worse. The city was alive with motion, its streets teeming with people hurrying to and fro. Tenko stepped out of the subway station, his hands shoved into his jacket pockets. The bustling energy around him clashed with his own sluggish movements. The hum of Zamboni drones overhead was constant, their sleek forms gliding silently as they scanned the crowds below. Tenko's eyes flicked to a nearby wall plastered with glowing posters for Elara's meet and greet. The artist's face was serene, her image framed by intricate Aether-infused designs that seemed to shimmer under the sunlight. The vibrant colors and flowing script made the posters impossible to ignore.

The crossing ahead was a sea of movement. Crowds surged with practiced rhythm, their chatter blending into the background noise of the city. Tenko hesitated at the edge, watching the ebb and flow of humanity. He felt disconnected, like a static point in a world constantly in motion. As he approached the venue, the line of fans waiting outside stretched down the block, their excitement palpable. Vibrant chatter filled the air as fans clutched Elara-themed merchandise, some holding glowing posters that pulsed faintly with Aether-infused ink. Two teenage girls chatted animatedly near the entrance, one waving a scarf adorned with Elara's signature Aether patterns. "Do you think she'll perform a song while we wait?" one girl asked, her voice tinged with excitement. "Maybe! She did that once before in Capital City," the other replied, clutching her autograph book tightly.

Nearby, a young man with glowing headphones adjusted his holo-camera, speaking into it for a livestream. "We're here live at the Elara meet and greet! The energy is electric—can you feel it? If you're a fan, this is the place to be!" Inside the venue, Elara herself addressed the waiting fans through a live-feed projection displayed above the entrance. Her voice was calm, yet carried a magnetic charm that captivated the crowd. "Thank you all for coming! It warms my heart to see so many of you here. We'll begin soon, so hang tight and keep the energy flowing!" she said with a radiant smile that lit up the projection. The energy around the venue was infectious, yet overwhelming to Tenko, who slowed his pace, his gaze lingering on the crowd. He hesitated, his hands slipping into his jacket pockets. A faint pang of longing stirred within him as he watched a young girl excitedly show off an autograph book to her friend. "This will have to be a next-time thing," he muttered, his voice barely audible. The thought of immersing himself in such an energetic crowd felt impossible. He turned to leave, but just as he took his first step away, a sudden surge of Aether in the air made him stop in his tracks.

The sensation struck him like a lightning bolt, sending a sharp jolt through his veins and settling deep in his chest. His knees buckled slightly as his mouth went dry. The hunger stirred immediately, sharp and primal, forcing him to clench his fists to steady himself. The scent he had tried so hard to forget surged back, more intense and intoxicating than ever before, dragging his gaze back to the glowing venue. Tenko's knees felt weak as he fought to keep his balance. The Aether energy surrounding the crowd was overwhelming, a concentrated mass of life force that seemed to pulse in rhythm with his own desperate hunger. His gaze darted from one person to the next, their vibrant auras shimmering faintly, tempting him in ways he couldn't ignore.

"Aether... all around me," he thought, swallowing hard. His breathing quickened, and his vision began to distort. The glowing energy around each person grew brighter, their forms blurring into indistinct shapes of light. The hunger clawed at him, drowning out every rational thought. His hand instinctively reached out, stopping just short of brushing against a passing stranger. The thought of taking their Aether flashed through his mind, unbidden and terrifying. Tenko stumbled back, clutching his chest as he tried to suppress the urge. A passerby noticed his erratic movements, their eyes narrowing with suspicion. "That guy... he might be a rogue," they muttered, their voice tinged with fear. They hurried away, casting nervous glances over their shoulders.

Tenko's face burned with shame, and he ducked his head, turning away from the crowd. His heart pounded in his chest, each beat a reminder of the battle raging within him. He stumbled down a side street, desperate to escape the accusing stares and the overpowering scent of Aether. As he turned a corner, a Zamboni drone paused mid-air, its sensors locking onto him. Tenko froze, his breath hitching. The drone hovered for a moment before resuming its patrol, as if deciding he wasn't worth the effort. Relief flooded him, but it was short-lived. From within the venue, Elara glanced toward the commotion. Her gaze lingered on Tenko for a moment, her expression unreadable, a flicker of recognition passing through her eyes. She tilted her head slightly, as though trying to place him. The vibrant energy of the crowd around her seemed distant as she focused entirely on the young man stumbling away from the scene.

Her lips parted as if to speak, but she hesitated, choosing instead to study him quietly. For a fleeting moment, an unusual mix of curiosity and concern shadowed her radiant demeanor. Yet, as the crowd cheered for her attention, she straightened, her professional smile returning. Turning back to her adoring fans, she raised a hand in a graceful wave, her earlier hesitation vanishing like a distant memory.

Tenko stumbled into a quiet park, the chaotic noise of the city fading behind him. The air here was calmer, almost serene, but it offered little solace. He shuffled toward a worn bench near a small fountain, his legs barely supporting him. With a shaky breath, he collapsed onto the bench, leaning forward and clutching his stomach. The hunger clawed at him, relentless and insistent, an ever-present reminder of the changes he couldn't escape.

The park seemed frozen in time, a world removed from the bustling city just beyond its borders. Leaves rustled gently in the breeze, and the faint chirping of birds echoed through the stillness. Nearby, children played on a faded swing set, their laughter ringing out like a distant melody. Their carefree energy struck a nerve deep within Tenko, a sharp pang of longing for a simpler time. He turned his gaze away, unable to bear the contrast between their joy and his unraveling reality.

His hands trembled as he raised them to eye level, his vision blurring slightly. Tiny flickers of Aether danced along his fingertips, glowing faintly before disappearing. He froze, staring in disbelief. The sight sent a chill through his body, a visceral reminder that he was no longer the Aetherless boy he once was. His hands—once steady and ordinary—now felt foreign, as though they belonged to someone else.

"I'm not... normal anymore," he whispered, his voice cracking under the weight of his fear. The words felt hollow, as though saying them aloud made them more real. He turned his gaze to the fountain nearby, the water's surface shimmering in the sunlight. Moving closer, he knelt by the edge, staring down at his reflection. The faint glow of his right eye pierced through the shadow of his eyepatch, its intensity undeniable.

For a moment, he couldn't look away. His reflection stared back at him, a distorted image of the person he used to be. His stomach churned as the reality of his situation hit him like a tidal wave. He slammed his fist into the water, shattering the reflection into ripples. The cool spray against his skin jolted him from his thoughts, but it couldn't wash away the truth.

A surge of panic rose in his chest, threatening to choke him. Tenko clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging into his palms as his breaths came quicker, shallower. "What's happening to me?" he muttered, his voice trembling. He gripped the edge of the bench tightly, as if anchoring himself to reality. He glanced down at the grass beneath his feet, hoping for some grounding, but the faint glow of his eye reflected in the water behind him shattered the illusion.

The laughter of the children in the distance grew louder, echoing in his ears like a cruel taunt. Memories of his own childhood surfaced unbidden—running through fields, chasing fireflies with D.W., the innocent joy of a time when life hadn't been so complicated. The memory only deepened the ache in his chest.

Tenko bit down on the instinct to cry out, to scream at the unfairness of it all. His heart pounded violently against his ribs, his body trembling as he fought to contain the maelstrom of emotions. "I'm not... normal anymore," he murmured again, softer this time, his voice tinged with despair. The words felt heavier now, each syllable sinking deeper into his soul.

A gentle breeze rustled through the park, carrying the faint scent of flowers and earth. It should have been calming, but to Tenko, it felt like a cruel juxtaposition to the chaos inside him. He stared at the fountain again, watching the ripples fade into stillness. For the first time, the full weight of his transformation settled onto his shoulders—an unshakable burden that threatened to crush him.

As he sat there, lost in his thoughts, a shadow fell across him. Tenko looked up, startled, his hand instinctively moving to his eyepatch. A stranger stood nearby, their face obscured by the sunlight behind them. They hesitated for a moment before speaking, their voice low and kind.

"You look like you're carrying the world on your shoulders," they said, their tone calm but laced with curiosity. Tenko didn't respond immediately, his mind too scattered to form words. The stranger took a step closer, kneeling slightly to meet his gaze. "Sometimes it helps to talk about it," they added, their presence strangely grounding. Tenko swallowed hard, his mouth dry. He shook his head and turned away, his voice barely audible. "I don't even know where to start... it's like everything's slipping away."

He paused, his hands trembling slightly as he tried to find the words. "I used to think I had control, you know? Like, even if everything wasn't perfect, it was mine. But now..." Tenko's gaze dropped to the ground, his voice trailing off into a strained whisper. "Now, it feels like I'm not even myself anymore. Every day, I wake up and... there's something different. Something's wrong. And I can't stop it." His fingers clenched into fists on his lap as he let out a shaky breath. "I keep thinking about what I've lost, but it's like I don't even know how to measure it anymore. It's just... gone."

Tenko's thoughts swirled, pulling him deeper into his despair. But as his mind raced, a single, unsettling thought surfaced: he needed answers. Answers about what was happening to him, about how to stop it—if it could even be stopped. His gaze shifted back to his trembling hands, the faint traces of Aether flickering across his fingertips again. The sight made him sick, but it also sparked a sliver of determination. Someone had to know what this meant.

King.

The name came to him unbidden, but it felt right. King Kisaki had seen him at his worst, confronted him with brutal honesty, and even hinted at knowing more about anomalies than he let on. If anyone could give him answers, it was King. "I need to find him," Tenko muttered to himself, his voice barely above a whisper. The idea of facing King again filled him with dread, but it was overshadowed by his desperation for clarity. He stood slowly, his legs trembling beneath him, and turned toward the city once more.

As Tenko disappeared into the distance, the stranger watched him go, a thoughtful expression crossing their face. They lingered near the bench for a moment, their gaze shifting to the faint ripples in the fountain's water. "Poor kid," they muttered softly, almost to themselves. "Carrying a burden like that... it's a wonder he's still standing."

The stranger turned toward the path Tenko had taken, their fingers brushing lightly against the edge of the bench. With a faint sigh, they straightened and walked in the opposite direction, their steps deliberate, as if they too had a destination—and a purpose—in mind. Tenko stumbled through the academy halls, his footsteps dragging across the polished floor. The ambient noise of chattering students and echoing footsteps washed over him, barely registering in his frazzled mind. The fluorescent lights overhead buzzed faintly, casting a harsh light on the bustling corridor. Every sound felt distant, as if he were moving through a haze. His chest felt tight, his breath shallow as the events of the morning replayed in endless loops. The hunger, the rogue, the confrontation with himself in the park—it was all too much, and he felt like a shadow of his former self.

Students moved in clusters, their laughter and conversations forming a stark contrast to the turmoil within Tenko. He caught snippets of their chatter—complaints about exams, jokes about professors, plans for the weekend. It all seemed so ordinary, so unattainable. He clenched his fists, his fingers trembling as he steeled himself. He needed answers—someone who could help him understand what was happening to his body, his mind. There was only one person who came to mind: King Kisaki.

Spotting King leaning casually against a wall at the far end of the corridor, Tenko's heart sank. King was surrounded by his usual group of friends, their voices a blend of smugness and camaraderie. One of them threw their head back in laughter, the sound grating against Tenko's nerves. King exuded confidence, his posture relaxed but his presence commanding. Tenko hesitated, his courage wavering as he took a step forward.

The distance between them felt insurmountable. Tenko's pulse quickened as he approached, each step heavier than the last. Memories of King's sharp words and mocking sneers flashed through his mind, but he forced himself to move closer. When he finally stood within speaking distance, his voice came out low, almost drowned out by the surrounding noise.

"King... I need to talk to you," Tenko said, his tone urgent but trembling. He could feel the weight of every pair of eyes in the group turning toward him. King glanced at him, his expression indifferent at first. Then, a smirk spread across his face. He leaned toward one of his friends and muttered something under his breath, loud enough for Tenko to hear. "Who is this guy? Another low-level nobody?"

Laughter erupted from the group, their mockery slicing through Tenko like a blade. One of King's friends added, "Must be desperate to bother you, huh?" King stepped forward, brushing past Tenko without sparing him another glance.

The sting of rejection left Tenko rooted to the spot, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. Shame and frustration burned in his chest as the group's laughter faded down the hall. He turned away, his shoulders slumping as he trudged toward his classroom. The weight of isolation pressed down on him like a lead blanket, heavier with every step.

When he reached his classroom, the familiar setting did little to soothe his turmoil. Students were already seated, some chatting idly while others buried themselves in their notes. Tenko hesitated by the door, his thoughts swirling. As he slid into his usual spot near the back, he found himself unable to focus. The instructor's words blurred together, each syllable dissolving into static as his mind wandered back to King's dismissive smirk and the mocking laughter of his friends.

Why did I even try? he thought bitterly, his fingers tightening around the edges of his desk. He stared at the faint glow of the Aether board at the front of the room, its swirling diagrams meant to represent advanced techniques. Normally, he'd take notes meticulously, desperate to compensate for his lack of Aether with knowledge. But now, every line seemed to mock him, a reminder of everything he'd never truly belong to.

His gaze drifted to the other students. Their casual ease, their bright auras—it all felt impossibly distant. A fleeting memory of his younger self surfaced, sitting in the same classroom, clinging to the hope that sheer determination could bridge the gap between him and the world of Aether users. That hope now felt like a cruel joke.

As the class dragged on, Tenko's thoughts grew darker. His trembling hands, the faint glow of his right eye, King's disdain—they all swirled together in a storm of doubt and fear. By the time the instructor dismissed them, Tenko was already out the door, his head pounding and his stomach knotted with unease.

After class, Tenko stepped out into the cool evening air, his breath forming faint clouds in the fading light. The academy grounds were eerily quiet, the usual chatter of students replaced by the rustling of leaves and the distant hum of Zamboni drones overhead. The sky was streaked with hues of orange and purple, the last remnants of daylight slowly giving way to the encroaching night.

His head hung low as he walked, his thoughts spiraling into darker places. The rejection he'd faced earlier replayed in his mind, each mocking laugh amplifying his sense of worthlessness. He shoved his hands into his jacket pockets, his fingers brushing against the worn fabric lining. A group of students passed by him, laughing and chatting, their camaraderie like a dagger twisting in his chest. The stillness around him matched the heaviness in his heart, a quiet void that seemed to swallow everything whole.

D.W.'s voice echoed in his mind, unbidden but vivid. He remembered her encouragement from just the day before: "You've always figured things out, Tenko. You'll get through this too." Her optimism felt so out of reach now, like a distant star he could barely see, let alone grasp. Yet, the memory of her unwavering support stirred something faint within him—a flicker of warmth against the cold emptiness.

She had always been his anchor, the one constant in his life when everything else seemed to crumble. He thought back to the countless nights she'd stayed up talking with him, her sharp wit and unshakable confidence pulling him out of his darker moments. What would she say if she saw me like this? he wondered, the question tightening his chest.

Tenko shook his head, forcing the thought away. Dwelling on D.W. only deepened the ache. He didn't want to burden her with the mess he'd become. Yet, even as he tried to push her out of his thoughts, her words lingered, their quiet strength urging him forward.

Unbeknownst to him, King Kisaki was trailing silently behind. His footsteps were light, calculated, as he kept his distance. His sharp eyes watched Tenko with an intensity that bordered on predatory. There was no amusement now, only a quiet focus that made his movements deliberate and unnerving.

As Tenko neared a secluded alleyway, the silence was broken by the sudden rush of movement. A sharp force struck him square in the back, sending him sprawling forward. He landed hard on the rough pavement, the impact scraping his palms and knocking the breath from his lungs. Gasping, he struggled to push himself up, his mind racing to make sense of what had happened.

Before he could fully regain his bearings, a shadow loomed over him. King Kisaki stepped into the dim light of the alley, his expression unreadable but his eyes gleaming with a sharp, dangerous edge. The faint hum of residual Aether energy clung to the air around him, giving his presence an almost suffocating weight.

"Why would someone like you think you could talk to me at school?" King snarled, his voice cutting through the stillness of the alley like a blade. His words dripped with disdain, but his eyes carried something deeper, a flicker of fear that he quickly masked. "Do you have any idea who I am?"

Tenko remained frozen, his breath hitching as he met King's piercing glare. Every instinct screamed at him to run, but his body wouldn't obey. King stepped closer, his boots scraping against the pavement, and jabbed a finger toward Tenko's chest.

"You know I'm a rogue," King hissed, his voice low and dangerous, each word laced with venom. "You're alive when you shouldn't be. It's bad enough you survived Maka, but now you're dragging attention to me? You're lucky I haven't dealt with you already. You think you're special or something?" His eyes flared with intensity, the glow of his Aether briefly flickering as if fueled by his growing rage. "One mistake, one slip, and people like us? We're erased. That's the world we live in. And you—an idiot like you—could ruin everything for me."

Tenko raised his hands defensively, his voice trembling as he tried to explain. "I didn't say anything to anyone," he stammered. But before he could stop himself, the words spilled out in a panicked rush. "I... I don't know what's happening to me. Nothing feels the same anymore!"

King's eyes narrowed, his expression shifting to a mixture of anger and something unreadable. "You're pathetic," he snapped, but his voice wavered slightly. "Why are you telling me this? You think I care?"

Tenko's gaze dropped to the ground, his shoulders slumping as his voice cracked. "You're the only one who knows I'm... different now. You're the only one who might understand. Please... I don't know what to do."

For a moment, King said nothing, his fists clenched as if debating whether to strike Tenko again or walk away. King's expression twisted, a flash of irritation crossing his face. "You know, I tried to help you yesterday," he snapped, his tone cold but sharp. "I saw you struggling, thought maybe you deserved a shot at figuring this out. But what did you do? You ran away."

Tenko's head snapped up, his fists clenching. "I ran because I don't want to eat Aether Orbs!" he shouted, his voice shaking with both anger and fear. "If I eat one, I'll be like those rogue anomalies!"

King's eyes flared with rage, his expression hardening. "Like them?" he hissed. "You already are one of us, idiot!" Without warning, King's fist shot forward, striking Tenko square in the jaw and sending him sprawling back onto the pavement. "You think you're different? That you're better?" he growled, stepping forward and delivering a sharp kick to Tenko's ribs.

Tenko gasped, curling up as pain radiated through his body. King leaned down, grabbing him by the collar and dragging him upright. "You're already like me," he spat, his face inches from Tenko's. "You feel the hunger, don't you? The urge to consume. That's what makes you one of us."

He shoved Tenko back against the wall, his grip tightening. "Stop pretending you're some righteous exception. You can't run from what you are. Look at yourself!" he snapped, stepping back slightly and pointing at the scrapes and cuts on Tenko's arms and face.

Tenko glanced down, confusion flashing in his eyes. The wounds that had stung moments ago were now fading, the skin knitting itself back together with unnatural speed. "What... what's happening?" he whispered, his voice shaky.

King's lips curled into a sneer. "Healing, idiot. Just like me. That's your precious humanity slipping away," he said, his tone dripping with disdain. "You don't even realize how far you've already fallen." He turned sharply but stopped a few steps away, his voice laced with anger and scorn. "You think running from me yesterday changes anything? You think refusing the Aether Orb makes you better than the rest of us?"

His tone dropped, bitter and cutting. "You were just some Aetherless nobody, weren't you? Must've been nice, living without any fear in the world. No Shoteo, no Zambonis, no rogue anomalies to haunt your every move. And now look at you. You're clueless and terrified."

But as King sneered at him, Tenko's frustration boiled over. He straightened slightly, his voice rising in anger. "You don't know what it's like!" he yelled. "I wasn't born like this! I was marked by Zambonis as a normal human, a nobody! They didn't even look twice at me before, but now? After the surgery? They don't bat an eye anymore! What does that make me, huh? Do you think I wanted this? To be ignored, hated, and then thrown into your world without a choice?" His hands clenched into fists, trembling at his sides. "Don't you dare call me clueless when I'm the one trying to figure this out while everything keeps falling apart around me!"

His eyes narrowed, disbelief flickering across his face. "Marked by Zambonis as human? And now they don't even look twice at you?" For a moment, his tone shifted, almost appalled. "That's... not supposed to happen. They don't just ignore anomalies." But the flicker of surprise quickly hardened into disdain. "So what? You think that makes you special? That it means something?" King sneered, stepping closer, his voice laced with bitterness. "You're still just another freak, just like me. Stop acting like you're better than this. Stop acting like you're better than me." With that, King strode away but stopped abruptly, turning back with a sneer. "Or maybe you should just end it now," he said coldly. "Save yourself the humiliation."