Vas and Aleara had once been inseparable. They were twins, after all, bound by a connection that seemed unbreakable. But after Vas's first attempt at the Unveiling, everything had changed. His apparent lack of interest in succeeding in the ritual had driven a wedge between them, one that had grown wider with each passing year. They had truly grown apart, their once-strong bond now a distant memory.

Last weekend, when they had gone out together, Aleara felt an unexpected and unsettling sense of nostalgia. It was strange, almost surreal, to be with Vas again, and she couldn't shake the feeling that something vital had been lost between them. She found herself that night hoping—hoping that maybe, just maybe, there was a way to repair their fractured relationship. She had even approached him with the intention of starting that process, but when the moment came, she found herself at a loss, unsure of what to say or do. The words had caught in her throat.

As she pondered these thoughts, her mind swirling with regret and uncertainty, her bracelet buzzed, signaling a new message. The sender was unknown.

"Hello Miss Aleara Hek, we would like to ask if you would be interested in trying one of our products?" the message read.

Aleara frowned, a flicker of confusion crossing her face. She had no idea who had sent the message, and the offer seemed oddly out of place. She dismissed it, deciding to ignore the unsolicited contact. But then, a second message arrived almost immediately.

"I apologize for the abruptness. I realize you may not know who I am. Allow me to introduce myself—I'm a representative of Sigdra, a company that works closely with Mr. Luther. That's why we're reaching out to you."

Aleara's eyes narrowed as she read the message. The mention of Luther, a name closely tied to her family, piqued her curiosity, but also set off a subtle alarm in her mind. Who were these people, and what exactly did they want from her? The connection to Luther suggested something deeper, something potentially dangerous or manipulative. Aleara felt a shiver run down her spine as she considered the implications, the once comforting solitude of her room now tinged with unease.

As she stared at the message, her thoughts drifted back to Vas, and the sense of loss she had felt when they drifted apart. The sudden intrusion of this mysterious contact felt like another reminder of how much had changed, and how precarious their lives had become.

Aleara decided to ignore the message, but it left a lingering unease she couldn't shake. She quickly sent a text to her aunt, asking if she could find out anything about the mysterious contact. With that out of the way, she resolved to take a bath and let the warmth of the water wash away her tension. This was, after all, the last week of classes before they had to make decisions about their futures.

She knew Beck was set on following in their father's footsteps, aiming to become an important researcher. Vas, on the other hand, was a mystery. Despite his usual discipline and focus, Aleara had no idea what path he wanted to take. Ironically, she thought Vas might be the one best suited to continue their father's work, given his temperament and dedication. As for herself, she was adrift, uncertain of what direction to take next.

Everyone around her seemed to have their opinions—most urging her to join the Church and further her progress through the Unveiling. The Church of the Twelve, humanity's main religion, worshipped all the gods and played a pivotal role in society. Like the military, the Church had a division dedicated to researching Anima and Amrita, focusing on furthering the Unveiling. However, unlike the military, which primarily concentrated on the combat applications of these powers, the Church was devoted to helping people and, on rare occasions, dealing with dangerous sects.

Aleara was considered a prodigy in Anima and Amrita. She was on the cusp of completing the third step of the Unveiling—a feat that had drawn considerable attention from her mother's side of the family. When they found out about her abilities, they began pressuring her to join the Church and enter the special division focused on Anima research. Apparently, both her grandmother and uncle were influential members of this organization.

When Aleara had asked her mother about it, Clara had refused to even entertain the idea, her response unusually vehement. She had gone on to explain why she had joined the military against her family's wishes, revealing that it had a lot to do with her relatives being "a bunch of stuck-up assholes." That candid confession was enough to make Aleara wary of the Church, reluctant to even consider following that path.

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For now, though, she tried to push those thoughts aside. The uncertainty of her future could wait. What occupied her mind more than anything was the fragile state of her relationship with Vas. Despite her reluctance to admit it, rebuilding that bond had become her quiet obsession, a thread of hope she wasn't ready to let go of.

As she sank into the warm bath, the tension in her muscles began to melt away, but her thoughts remained tangled, swirling around her brother and the distance that had grown between them. She didn't have all the answers yet, but one thing was clear: she wasn't ready to give up on Vas just yet.

And just like that, the weekend arrived—a weekend that carried significant weight for many. It was a pivotal moment for both Tessa and Lynn, as they were set to undergo the second step of the Unveiling. For Jacob, the stakes were equally high; he was scheduled to face another agent from Kadmon in a critical match that would determine his qualifications.

Gerald and Abigail had meticulously arranged everything so that these important events could take place at the Hek mansion, including Jacob's test. The mansion was bustling with activity, more lively than it had been in months. Clara, Celine, and Kira were present, along with several other agents of Kadmon. Among them was a striking woman whose presence commanded attention. She was tall and exuded strength, with smooth, deep brown skin that seemed to glow in the sunlight. Her long hair was impeccably arranged in a tight bun, highlighting her sharp, angular features. Her dark lipstick contrasted beautifully with her complexion, drawing attention to her full lips. A small, elegant mole beneath her left eye added a touch of distinctive charm, while her piercing gaze suggested she was not someone to be underestimated.

In addition to the Kadmon entourage, Vas and Aleara's father was there, alongside Luther. Of course, Gerald and Abigail were overseeing the proceedings. Beck and Aleara had also invited their friends, so Amy, Carmilla, Victor, Zola, Kairo, and Lily were all gathered, adding to the crowd.

Vas was with Jacob, offering support in his own way.

"Are you nervous, big bro?" Vas asked, noticing the tension in Jacob's posture.

"Yeah, quite a lot," Jacob admitted, his gaze fixed on the ground.

"I wouldn't worry too much about it," Vas replied, his voice steady. "They asked you to go all out in this fight, and with your abilities, you should be more than capable of proving your worth."

"Not all of my abilities are like Chthonic Confinement," Jacob said, his voice tinged with concern. "Plus, that one takes time to work, and I don't want to kill the other agent."

"I know, but you've got more up your sleeve than that," Vas reassured him. "And don't forget all the martial training we've gone through. Use that to your advantage and stop overthinking it."

"You were always better than the rest of us at that," Jacob remarked, a hint of admiration in his voice.

"Well, of course," Vas said with a grin. "I put the most effort into it. If I wasn't going to bond with a god, I figured I'd better excel at something else."

"You did more than excel," Jacob said, a smile finally breaking through his anxiety. "I've seen you train—you're like a machine. Who are you training to beat? A god?"

"Maybe," Vas replied with a wide smile. "But seriously, I believe in you, big bro. Trust yourself a bit more."

Vas stood up, ready to leave Jacob to his thoughts, but before walking away, he turned back and gave his brother a nod and a smile. To Vas, there was no doubt in his mind—Jacob would succeed.

Everyone had gathered in the garden of the Hek mansion, a mix of casual and formal attire reflecting the diversity of those present. The members of Kadmon stood out in their distinctive uniforms, a subtle but unmistakable sign of their elite status. Their uniforms were designed to blend in and stand out at the same time—muted, dark colors with intricate, barely noticeable patterns woven into the fabric. The patterns resembled ancient runes, symbols of protection and power that whispered of a forgotten age. The material was unlike anything seen in standard military gear, with a matte finish that absorbed light rather than reflecting it, making the wearer seem to disappear into the shadows.

The cut of the uniforms was sharp and precise, tailored to perfection, allowing for ease of movement while maintaining a formidable presence. Each uniform bore the insignia of Kadmon: a silver, stylized eye enclosed within a circle, symbolizing their role as the unseen watchers and guardians. The eye was both a symbol of their vigilance and a reminder of their secretive nature; they were the ones who operated in the shadows, handling the tasks too dangerous or sensitive for the regular military.

The person Jacob was supposed to fight was already at the center of the garden, standing within a circle of ethereal runes that radiated a soft white glow. This was their battlefield, crafted by Gerald himself. Few knew the full extent of Gerald's expertise, but those who did understood that when it came to runes, Gerald was among the most knowledgeable alive. The circle he had created was not just a boundary but a testament to his mastery—a space that would be difficult, if not impossible, to break.

The air was thick with anticipation as the moment of truth approached, the garden becoming a stage where the fates of many would be decided.

Vas sat alone on a bench, waiting for his brother to arrive. It didn't take long before Jacob appeared, wearing white pants that seemed a bit too large and a snug black long-sleeved shirt. His expression was a curious blend of tension and calm, as if he were steeling himself for what was to come, yet already accepting the outcome. Seeing this, Vas knew Jacob would be okay. As he mulled over his thoughts, the familiar footsteps of his grandfather approached.