"Hah...hah..."

Arthur and the other Dominic crouch inside the abandoned building, gasping for air, their chests heaving from the frantic run. Dominic looks especially pale, his sweat-soaked face a testament to the fear and exhaustion gripping him.

I glance around, taking in our surroundings. The house is dark, its windows barricaded with wooden beams, giving it a claustrophobic feel. Dust clings to the air, disturbed only by our sudden entrance. The furniture lies strewn about, a reminder of the life once lived here, now abandoned to the chaos outside. It isn’t much, but it’s shelter—a brief reprieve from the madness of the streets.

“I’m going to contact someone for help,” Arthur says, quickly pulling out his Commlink and scrolling through it.

Curiosity tugs at me, and though I can’t interact with the world around me, I peer over his shoulder as close as possible. He’s trying to call someone named "Uther." The name strikes a chord, pulling at a distant memory.

"Is that his father?" I wonder aloud, though no one can hear me.

Arthur and Uther... it’s almost too perfect. I can't help but let my mind wander to the legends of Camelot. Where would Lancelot, Gawain, and the others be if Uther existed here? And would Arthur have a child named Mordred someday? The thought almost makes me chuckle despite the weight of the situation.

"Tch!" Arthur’s frustration pulls me back to the present.

“Damn it! The Mana from the Stargate is interfering with the signal. I can’t get through,” he mutters, sliding down the wall in exhaustion, his hands gripping the Commlink uselessly.

Dominic sits beside him, knees drawn up to his chest, his body trembling slightly. The fear in his eyes is unmistakable, and I feel sympathy for him. He looks so vulnerable, so small. It’s like looking into the mind of a younger version of myself—someone who felt helpless and alone in a world too big and terrifying to face.

"A-Arthur, now what do we do?" Dominic asks, his voice barely a whisper, full of anxiety.

Arthur stares up at the ceiling, gathering his thoughts. “We wait. Once I recover enough Mana, I’ll take you to the evacuation center.”

"O-okay," Dominic replies, his voice shaky as he wraps his arms around his knees.

The room feels heavy with the shared silence, and the tension thickens as they both catch their breath.

Watching them now, I can see more of the dynamic between them. The original Dominic is so timid, so afraid of being a burden, and Arthur, always the protector, has taken that role without question.

No wonder Arthur was so shocked when he saw me stand up to Renard with confidence and strength. He isn’t used to this version of Dominic—the one I have become. It’s like seeing the pieces fall into place and understanding more about their bond.

—Creak!

The noise shatters the fragile silence in the room, and Arthur and Dominic snap to attention. Their heads turn toward the sound, and their eyes widen with tension.

I also gaze toward the source of the sound, instinctively searching for the threat. The house is eerily still, save for the shadows flickering from the low light Arthur has conjured.

Arthur rises to his feet, conjuring a glowing orb of light above his hand. “Doms, stay here. I’ll check it out,” he whispers.

Dominic nods, shrinking further into himself, his fear palpable.

Arthur moves cautiously, the glowing orb casting long shadows that dance across the walls as he creeps through the small room. His body is tense, prepared for anything. The air feels thick with anticipation like something could strike at any moment.

—Creak!

The sound echoes again, louder and more distinct this time. Arthur freezes, his eyes narrowing as he zeroes in on the source.

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I follow his gaze, hovering nearby, and what I see almost makes me laugh out loud. There, just out of reach, a small cat is licking its paws, oblivious to the tension it has caused. Its tail flicks lazily behind it, utterly unconcerned by the chaos outside.

"Meow!"

Arthur jumps, spins around, and aims his light orb at the cat with a look of wide-eyed shock. The fear in his eyes quickly melts into embarrassment as he realizes what has startled him.

"Eek! A cat!" he mutters, trying to recover his composure, but I can see the flicker of embarrassment on his face.

I can’t help myself. I laugh, the sound echoing in my head, but I am lost in the world. Arthur was caught off guard by a harmless cat. If only I could prank him with a cat when this happens. The image of him jumping at the sight of it replays in my mind, bringing a strange lightheartedness to an otherwise grim situation.

"A-Arthur, help!" Dominic’s trembling voice shatters the moment of levity.

Arthur’s head whips around, his face immediately growing serious. "D-Doms!" He sprints back toward him; concern etched deeply into his features.

I follow quickly, my heart racing with worry as I wonder what new danger awaits.

—Creak!

The cat remains behind, blissfully unaware of the chaos it has nearly caused, leaving us all to face whatever new challenge lies ahead.

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Upon reentering the living room, the atmosphere shifts, the air thickening with an ominous presence. A hooded figure stands before Dominic, their golden spear aimed unerringly at him. The sight freezes me in place, my breath catching in my throat.

It’s Théodore—my mind races. We had left Célestin to face him alone. I hope—no, I pray—that Célestin is holding his own, but I can’t shake the dread tightening in my chest. I’ll check on him after this—dream if I can.

Dominic stands paralyzed, his eyes wide with terror, his body trembling beneath the spear's weight that seems to hold his fate. The fear is palpable, not just in him but in the room itself.

Arthur and I stop dead in our tracks. The sheer tension in the air is suffocating.

"L-Luminous Gauntlets..." Arthur’s voice comes out in a strained whisper, tinged with desperation.

His fists ignite with radiant light, casting shadows that flicker against the walls. Even though his hands tremble—whether from fear or the strain of using his depleted Mana reserves—I can feel his resolve harden. His entire being screams his commitment to protect Dominic, no matter the cost. His eyes, filled with fire, lock onto the threat before him.

“Y-You, who are you?!” Arthur demands, his voice cracking slightly under the moment's weight, but his body is tense, poised to act.

The hooded figure turns slowly, deliberately. Their spear is still trained on Dominic but is now aimed at Arthur. The tip of the golden spear gleams ominously in the dim light, its presence like the embodiment of death itself.

“I’m merely following orders from Malignor,” the figure says, their voice calm, devoid of emotion.

Malignor. The name sends a jolt through me.

“And that order is?” Arthur’s voice trembles but stays steady, his fists glowing brighter in defiance.

The figure’s next words are cold, cutting through the room like ice: “To eliminate the Manaless, Dominic Eñeforte.”

The silence that follows is deafening. My heart pounds in my ears as the full weight of the situation hits me. I can’t believe what I’m hearing. Malignor, the leader of Umbrascourge, wants Dominic dead.

This can’t be real. Dominic, the boy I’m inhabiting, the extra in a story where he didn’t even play a part, is somehow important enough to draw the ire of one of the most dangerous and powerful beings.

My mind races, trying to process the implications. Why Dominic? He’s a Manaless, insignificant by the standards of this world. What threat could he pose to someone like Malignor? None of this makes sense. I had never read about Dominic being a key player, yet here we are, and suddenly, his life is at the center of it all.

I feel a wave of overwhelming confusion and dread wash over me. This is so far beyond anything I had ever expected. First, Umbrascourge wants me—no, wants Dominic—and now Théodore is threatening to kill him by Malignor’s command. Nothing about this feels like a dream anymore. The weight of it, the suffocating reality of it all, is too much.

"Why?" Arthur’s voice cuts through my spiraling thoughts, his question as sharp as the spear pointed at him.

"That information is classified," the figure replies coldly, their spear unwavering.

Classified? My mind can’t let go of the question. Why does Malignor want Dominic dead? What is he hiding? What am I missing?

I watch Arthur closely, his resolve hardening even further. He may not have the answers, but it doesn’t matter. He isn’t about to let anyone hurt Dominic. His fists glow brighter, his body practically radiating protective fury.

“Whatever your reasons, you won’t touch him,” Arthur declares, his voice echoing with fierce determination.

He plants his feet firmly on the ground, ready to fight. This isn’t just about saving Dominic anymore. This is a battle for answers, survival, and understanding our role in the larger web of danger and darkness closing in around us.

As I stand there, watching the tension rise, feeling the cold dread in my bones, I realize just how much is at stake. This is no longer just about protecting an innocent boy or surviving a Stargate invasion. It’s about unraveling the mystery that surrounds us all—about why Dominic is being targeted and what that means for the future.

I am a ghost in this world, unable to act, but every fiber of my being is tethered to what is happening at this moment. The confrontation is only beginning, and the truths hidden beneath the surface are terrifying to imagine.