“What happened? Won't you even greet your father?” The man’s voice was eerie and cold, each word oozing a bitterness that clung to the stillness around them.

Shin clenched his fists, gritting his teeth as a surge of anger boiled within him. “You were never my father,” he spat, his voice filled with contempt and barely suppressed rage. “I know this is just another one of your tricks. Stop pretending.” His tone was laced with defiance, yet he felt the old wounds reopen as the familiar voice clawed at his heart.

The voice chuckled, a hollow sound reverberating in the dark space around them. “Ke ke ke ke… does it even matter? I’m part of him, after all. Just as much as I am a part of you, Shin.”

“Shut up!” Shin growled, trying to step forward, yet his body betrayed him. A sudden paralysis overtook him; his muscles locked, his movements halted as though frozen in place by invisible chains. He could feel his heart race, could feel the scream trapped in his throat, but all that emerged was a low, animalistic growl of frustration.

“Oh right, we need to talk. Let me help you with that,” the voice taunted, and with a sinister flick of its fingers, Shin felt the invisible hold on his mouth release.

“What are you trying to do?” Shin demanded, his voice laced with caution and irritation.

“I just want to talk,” the voice answered almost cheerfully, a mocking undertone seeping through. “All these years, you’ve ignored me, pretending I don’t exist. But now, with your mind so fractured, so ripe with turmoil, I’ve finally managed to reach you through your dreams. So let’s talk, Shin.”

Shin narrowed his eyes, struggling to hide his bewilderment. “What are you, anyway?” he asked, suspicion saturating each word. “I always thought I was just… mentally ill. First, tell me who you really are.”

The voice let out a dark, malicious laugh, and suddenly, its form began to shift. A thick, red smoke rose from the shadow, swirling into an ominous shape that slowly took on Shin’s own likeness. Shin’s eyes widened in horror as he watched the figure solidify—a blood-red version of himself, an apparition that seemed to pulsate with malice and ancient fury.

“This is me, Shin. Your soul,” the voice replied, a twisted grin spreading across its face.

“No… no, that can’t be. Stop playing tricks!” Shin’s voice wavered, disbelief etched across his face as he struggled to comprehend the figure’s words. His mind raced, clawing for any logical explanation, but only dread filled the void.

The figure took a step forward, its gaze piercing through Shin. “We exist together in this body, yet you keep denying me. But it’s nothing new, Shin. Everyone has a balance within them—yin and yang. I am the Yin, and you… you are the Yang.”

Shin felt a strange resonance in those words, an uncomfortable familiarity. He had spent years battling the darkness inside him, yet hearing it spoken aloud stirred something deep within him, a fear he had always suppressed. “After all these years of using me, now you want to talk about coexistence?” he scoffed, masking his anxiety with a sneer.

“There are two ways to live with evil, Shin,” the voice replied with unsettling calmness. “Either you control it, or it controls you. Remember when you went on those… delightful killing sprees? It wasn’t because I forced you. It was because you were too weak to resist.”

“Bullshit!” Shin shouted, his anger surging. “You just wanted to see me miserable. Now you’re blaming it on me?”

The figure’s grin widened, dark amusement gleaming in its eyes. “Of course I did. Evil doesn’t discriminate. But let’s be honest—you enjoyed it, didn’t you? The power, the fear in their eyes…”

Shin grimaced, clenching his fists tighter. He didn’t want to admit it, but there had been moments when he’d felt an exhilarating rush, moments he tried desperately to forget. “What is with you anyway?” he muttered, his voice laced with disgust. “I thought you only spoke to mock me.”

“Yes… but you know I wasn’t always like that. Not when you were at the peak of your power.”

“Yeah,” Shin muttered, eyes narrowing. “Back then you were manipulative… and smarter.”

The figure nodded, its expression momentarily softened by what seemed like nostalgia. “Exactly. Demonic energy is like life force for us. The more you have, the stronger we become. But when you sealed your powers, you weakened us both. I became a shadow, taunting you with mere whispers.”

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“So you want to use me again,” Shin said, his tone dripping with sarcasm, masking his unease.

“It’s not about using, Shin. I told you—it’s either you use me, or I use you.”

Shin’s hostility flared. “And what’s your plan?”

The figure’s gaze turned intense, almost predatory. “There’s a final seal on you, the one your father placed as he lay dying. I can break it.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” Shin’s voice rose, panic seeping into his defiance. “I don’t want that power!”

The figure leaned closer, its smile widening. “Think carefully, Shin. Without it, you can’t face high-grade demons, especially a Duke. You were lucky to defeat your father once. You won’t be so fortunate again.”

Shin looked away, his heart pounding. “I don’t need you,” he muttered. “I have allies—people who can help me fight.”

A scoff. “You think those holy clowns will save you? Even if they do, do you really think it will end so simply?”

Shin’s fists clenched as he grappled with the dread gnawing at him. “It doesn’t matter.”

The figure’s voice grew cold. “Do you really think you can protect her with your current strength?”

Shin’s resolve wavered, his face hardening. “No… but I’ll still try. Better that than becoming your bitch again.”

The voice laughed, a dark, hollow sound. “You’re playing hard to get. Don’t worry, Shin. Just as I need you, you’ll come to need me, too. Consider this a gift.” The figure raised a hand, pressing it against Shin’s face. A searing pain burst behind his eyes, making him gasp.

“You can use your eyes for once, with all its abilities… but only for ten minutes. Use it wisely,” the voice said with a smirk.

“Fuck off, I will never use it again.” Shin muttered defiantly.

“We’ll see.” The figure began to fade, leaving behind a chilling laugh. **Once he tastes his power again, he’ll come back for more,** the voice echoed faintly before Shin awoke, drenched in cold sweat.

“Hah… hah…” Shin panted, trying to steady his breathing.

“What’s its deal…?” He was still catching his breath.

“Damn it! All these things, and now I have to deal with more. I won’t let it win,” Shin muttered, though he knew he was only trying to convince himself. Deep down, he realized he needed his full power now more than ever.

“Do I really have to work with it again? No, I can’t… But maybe, if I can control it…” He wrestled with his thoughts, torn between his need for power and the fear of becoming a pawn.

He got up and stepped out onto the balcony. The night was calm, the crescent moon casting a soft glow, stars scattered like jewels across the sky. Shin looked up.

**The brightest star… that’s your mom,** he remembered telling Talia.

“Are you there, Evelyn?” he whispered into the night.

He stood there, gazing at the sky, waiting for an answer he knew would never come.

“I’m sorry,” he murmured. “I always thought we shouldn’t get close… but every time you smiled, that thought just… vanished.” A small smile touched his lips.

“I won’t let you down. I don’t know what that devil’s planning, but I won’t let it use me again. This time, I’ll be the one in control. I’ll protect our daughter.” Determination flared in his chest.

Above, the brightest star shone a little stronger, casting a hopeful light that seemed visible even to those far away.

Somewhere, Talia was looking up at the same star, her eyes filled with a quiet hope. **Mom, I’m really scared. I don’t know where Dad is. These people… they seem kind, but I don’t trust them. They even locked Shawn in a room. Please, help Dad find me. I want to be with him again.** She prayed silently, staring at the star.

A soft knock sounded at her door.

“Young miss?” a gentle voice called.

Talia stayed silent.

“Young miss, are you there? Please answer me.”

“Yes, come in,” she said softly.

A woman in her early twenties entered, dressed in a white robe and a black mask covering her face. Her movements were graceful as she walked into the luxurious room. Talia’s room was large and beautifully furnished, with a plush bed, a shelf lined with books, and a TV. But to her, it felt like a beautiful prison—there was no phone or any device to contact anyone outside.

“Yes, Miss Ellen?” Talia asked.

“The leader wishes to see you,” Ellen replied.

“I’ll be there in a few minutes.” Talia turned back to the sky.

“As you wish, young miss.” Ellen exited the room quietly.

**Mother, Dad always said the brightest star was you. I hope you heard me.** Talia looked back up, her eyes filled with longing.

She opened the door and began her walk to the spacious living room where the cult leader waited.

**Please, Dad. Come for me. I have a bad feeling about these people, no matter how kind they seem. But whatever it takes, I’ll wait until you come to save me.** Her resolve strengthened, Talia continued down the hallway.

When she reached the living room, she saw Ellen and the cult leader in the middle of a conversation. They paused as Talia entered, and Ellen quietly left the room.

The cult leader smiled, waving cheerfully at her. He looked about her father’s age, with warm brown hair and striking blue eyes. He had an almost unsettlingly friendly face.

“How’s our little Talia doing today?” he asked, his tone pleasant.

“Who are you, mister? What do you want?” she pleaded. “Please, I just want to go back to my father.”

The man laughed. “Ha, don’t worry. Your father will be here soon enough.”

“Really?” Talia’s eyes sparkled with hope.

“I promise,” he said, his smile unwavering.

“But… who are you?” she asked, her voice cautious. “Aren’t you the one who kidnapped me? And what about Shawn?”

“Don’t worry about him. He’s just receiving a little… punishment. As for kidnapping, I wouldn’t put it like that. Your father wouldn’t have let me meet you otherwise.”

“Why wouldn’t he let us meet?” Talia asked, frowning.

The man stepped closer, patting her head gently.

“Because I am your grandfather’s friend.”