As the grandeur of Hugo's fashion show unfolded before him, Vas found himself absorbed by the spectacle. The venue was nothing short of opulent: towering glass walls adorned with holographic displays reflected the intricate patterns of light from the stage. The models, draped in Hugo's avant-garde designs, floated down the runway with a grace that seemed almost otherworldly. The sheer scale of the event was overwhelming, and Vas marveled at how his grandfather's people could possibly monitor every attendee amidst such a sea of faces.

Vas couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Among the crowd, a figure caught his eye—someone who looked vaguely familiar but whose presence he couldn't quite place. A nagging sense of unease lingered, even as he tried to focus on the dazzling array of fashion.

"So, what do you think?" Kairo's voice pulled Vas from his thoughts. Kairo had approached him with a casual demeanor, his eyes scanning the runway with genuine appreciation.

"It's pretty impressive," Vas replied, his gaze still occasionally drifting towards the enigmatic figure in the crowd.

"Yeah, Dad usually goes all out on these things," Kairo agreed. "So, why does it seem like the rest of them don't quite… How do I put it… value your presence?"

"Amy and Zola do," Vas said, keeping his eyes on the show. "Carmilla is… Situational."

"Well, what about the rest?" Kairo pressed, his curiosity evident.

"Do you really want to know, or are you just trying to gauge what kind of person I am based on my interactions with Zola?" Vas's tone was calm, but his eyes remained fixed on the runway.

"Both, to be honest," Kairo admitted.

"Beck simply doesn't like me," Vas explained. "Aleara is probably conflicted, following our dad's example. Victor doesn't care much; he's more interested in things he finds stimulating or challenging. Amy is indifferent to these dynamics. Carmilla is too entrenched in her own ways to think much about it. As for Zola, she's just met me. Who knows how that will develop?"

"I see," Kairo said, nodding thoughtfully. "Mind telling me a bit about your father?"

"Why?" Vas countered. "Your face hasn't changed; I think you already know the answer."

Kairo looked slightly taken aback. It was clear that Vas had been observing him closely, despite seemingly being engrossed in the show. Kairo couldn't tell if Vas had caught his reactions out of the corner of his eye or if his observation skills were simply that sharp.

"Don't worry too much about it," Vas said with a faint smile. "I grew up with my grandfather. I've become quite adept at reading people."

As the show continued, Zola, clad in an outfit that seamlessly blended futuristic flair with classic elegance, tried to steal glances at Vas, her interest evident. She had hoped to find a moment to engage him in conversation about Gerald. However, Beck, seated beside her, was making a concerted effort to keep her attention focused on him. He kept asking her questions about the fashion show, complimenting her attire, and attempting to draw her into a more personal discussion.

Despite Beck's persistent efforts, Zola's thoughts were preoccupied with Vas and the enigmatic Gerald. The allure of the fashion show paled in comparison to the mystery surrounding Vas's grandfather, and she was determined to uncover more about him, especially from someone as close to Gerald as Vas.

Zola watched her brother and Vas engrossed in conversation, feeling a strong urge to join them but lacking a suitable excuse. Just as she was pondering her next move, an unexpected opportunity arose.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

"Zola, would you mind showing me to the bathroom?" Lily asked, her voice soft yet clear amidst the ambient noise.

Zola's eyes lit up with relief and gratitude. "Of course, no problem, Lily," she replied enthusiastically, eager to escape Beck's persistent attention. She quickly followed Lily, her steps light with anticipation.

Once they were far enough from the others, Zola turned to Lily, her voice hushed but filled with sincerity. "Thank you so much for that."

Lily smiled, a knowing glint in her eyes. "Don't mention it. I could see you wanted to leave for a while." As they navigated through the bustling crowd, Lily added with a hint of curiosity, "So, you're interested in Vas?"

Zola blushed slightly, her composure momentarily slipping. "Well, he's kind of enigmatic, and that makes him intriguing. Plus, there's something about his quiet, solitary nature that draws people in. But I can't figure out why Victor and Beck, especially, seem so distant from him."

"It's complicated," Lily said, her tone carrying an air of caution. "Really complicated."

"How do you know?" Zola asked, her curiosity deepening.

"I can't really say… at least, not right now," Lily responded, her eyes briefly flickering with something unspoken.

As they approached Vas and Kairo, the venue was suddenly plunged into darkness. The lights went out, casting an eerie silence over the crowd. A murmur of confusion spread through the hall as people struggled to comprehend what had just happened. The silence was thick, oppressive, as if the air itself had frozen in anticipation.

Then, without warning, a massive shockwave ripped through the venue. The ground beneath them trembled violently, sending people staggering and falling. Zola and Lily felt a sudden, powerful push, as if an invisible force had yanked them back from the edge of disaster. Before they could even register what had happened, a deafening explosion shattered the air, a thunderous roar that seemed to come from all directions at once.

The blast was followed by a blinding flash of light, and then the floor beneath them gave way with a sickening crunch. The sound of collapsing steel and concrete echoed in their ears as the ground where they had stood moments before crumbled into a dark abyss. Screams erupted, a chorus of terror that reverberated through the now-chaotic hall.

Zola's heart pounded in her chest as she and Lily were thrown to the ground, the force of the blast leaving them disoriented and dazed. The acrid smell of smoke and dust filled the air, stinging their eyes and lungs. Panic gripped the crowd as people scrambled to escape the collapsing floor, their cries of fear and confusion blending into a cacophony of chaos.

Kairo's voice cut through the noise, urgent and filled with concern. "Z, Lily, are you two okay?"

Zola, her voice trembling, managed to respond, "Kai, what just happened?"

"I don't know," Kairo replied, his voice strained as he helped them up. "I was talking with Vas when he suddenly bolted and pushed you two out of the way. Then the explosion happened, and… he disappeared."

"He should be fine," Lily said, though the tremor in her voice betrayed her uncertainty. "But I'm sure he's going to be pissed that something always happens whenever he goes out with us."

As they stood, trying to regain their bearings, the air around them seemed to thicken with a palpable tension. The once-luxurious venue was now a scene of devastation, with debris scattered everywhere and frightened people pushing and shoving in their desperate attempts to flee. The dim emergency lights cast eerie shadows that danced across the shattered remains of the hall, heightening the sense of unease.

Kairo took a step forward, his focus shifting from the destruction around them to the safety of the others. "Let's find the rest and figure out what to do next," he said, his voice firm with resolve.

Just as they were about to move, Kairo felt a hand clamp down on his shoulder. The grip was strong, almost unnaturally so, sending a jolt of cold fear down his spine. He turned slowly, dread pooling in his gut as he came face to face with a figure that seemed to materialize out of the shadows.

The figure was draped in a long, black cloak that flowed like liquid darkness, blending seamlessly with the surrounding gloom. The upper half of their face was obscured by a strange, ornate mask, its design a labyrinth of intricate patterns that seemed to shift and change as the dim light caught it. The lower half of the figure's face was shrouded in shadow, an impenetrable darkness that made it impossible to discern any features. The only thing visible was a faint, unnatural glow where the figure's eyes should have been—cold, calculating, and devoid of any warmth.

"Who are you?" Zola demanded, her voice wavering slightly as she took a step back, instinctively placing herself between Lily and the mysterious figure.

The figure remained silent, their presence exuding an aura of unearthly calm amidst the chaos. They didn't answer, didn't move—only lifted a hand to gesture for them to follow. The motion was slow, deliberate, and strangely compelling. Despite the terror of the situation, Zola, Kairo, and Lily found themselves unable to resist. It was as if the figure's very being radiated an authority that overrode their instincts.