The journey through the Temporal Rift lasted no more than the blink of an eye. One moment earlier, Shirei, Ada, and Havel were surrounded by the abandoned hospital, with the Blendbreeds of the Daffodils Academy waiting. The next instant, the three of them were hurled into a silent, empty room. They were still in the hospital, that much was certain, but something was off.
The place where they had reappeared was bare and austere, with faded white walls that seemed to absorb light rather than reflect it. A single wrought-iron bed, stripped of sheets, stood in a corner, while a worn-out wardrobe loomed against the opposite wall. A tall, narrow window let in a dusty beam of sunlight, illuminating the particles suspended in the motionless air. The smell of disinfectant and medicine permeated the room, mixing with a subtle trace of mold.
Shirei was the first to move, his bright violet eyes scanning the room carefully, searching for possible threats. His black hair swayed as he turned to check on his companions. Ada had already taken a defensive stance, her hands ready to draw the twin blades from her belt.Havel ran a hand along the scar tracing his cheekbone, a gesture that had become habitual in recent years.
"Are you alright?" the boy asked, his voice low and calm as always.
Ada nodded, relaxing her posture. "Yes, it looks like everything went fine. You, Havel?"
The blond Blendbreed rolled his shoulders, testing his movements. "All good—definitely less turbulent than the journey through the Interworld."
Shirei approached the window, cautiously observing the outside. The view showed a hospital courtyard from the early 1900s, with bare trees and a peaceful atmosphere.
"We're in the rift, no doubt about it," he murmured.
Ada joined him, her sharp gaze analyzing the details of the landscape. This is the past—it must be the day the rift was created.
Havel, as impatient as ever, walked over to the wardrobe and opened it with a creak. "Alright, now that we know where we are, we need to come up with a plan. Purple, we're in your hands."
Shirei turned toward his companions.
"Our goal hasn't changed. Reno explained that to destroy the rift, we need to find the magical object anchoring this place. Once we identify it, we'll take it away and collapse the rift in on itself."
Ada crossed her arms, her mind already working to devise strategies. "The idea sounds simple, but how do we get out of here?"
"Not to mention we have no idea what we're looking for," Havel added.
Shirei closed his eyes for a moment, focusing. He could feel Reno's presence. His Tenebrae was sending him the necessary information.
"The anchor could be anything," he said at last, "an object or even a living being. We need to explore this hospital and gather as much information as possible to find it."
Ada nodded. "We'll have to blend in. We can't walk around dressed like this—we'd draw too much attention."
After a few seconds, the son of Cragar added: "Reno says the entrance to the rift should be somewhere in this room."
Havel grinned, pointing at the open wardrobe. "Well, looks like Fate's on our side today. Check out what I found."
Inside, neatly hung, were several patient gowns. Ada and Shirei stepped closer, and then the daughter of Rutia pushed the garments aside, revealing a soft blue light. It was the portal leading to the other side of the rift, in the Mortal World. The daughter of Rutia swallowed."Looks like we've found our own Narnia."
The three Blendbreeds exchanged a knowing look.
Shirei brushed his pale hands over the hanging gowns. With a tilt of his head, he gestured for his companions to approach.
"These should do. You can hide your weapons underneath," he whispered, his voice barely audible.
Ada picked one of the garments, examining it. The fabric was rough and worn, but it seemed clean. "It's not exactly high fashion," she remarked with a slight smile.
Havel grabbed his, grimacing. "I just hope this didn't belong to some wrinkly old man."
Shirei shot a warning glance at his companion.
"What?"
The blond Blendbreed rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, I know. You all think I'm gonna screw things up, right?"
"Can you blame us?" Ada asked.
"I won't jeopardize the mission, relax."
Shirei didn't seem entirely convinced, but he didn't push the matter further. As the two boys began to change, Ada paused, realizing the situation.
The son of Cragar turned to her. "Hurry up. Better not risk being discovered."
"Purple, she's a girl. She needs a little privacy."
Ada shot him a glare. "Don't you dare look in my direction."
Shirei immediately turned toward the wall. The leader of the Equinox Flowers, however, hesitated for a moment, his brown eyes lingering on the daughter of Rutia. Only when he caught the girl's sharp stare did he quickly turn around, a faint flush on his cheeks.
Ada sighed, beginning to remove her light armor. The metal clinked softly as she carefully placed it inside the wardrobe. "Just for the record, I was talking to you, Havel," she warned in a threatening tone.
Shirei remained motionless, respecting his companion, even if he didn't fully understand the problem. The other boy, however, couldn't resist the temptation. With an almost imperceptible motion, he turned his head slightly, trying to sneak a glimpse of his companion.
That was a mistake.
The girl's punch hit him like a hammer, slamming him against the wall with a dull thud. The sound echoed through the empty room, making Shirei flinch.
"I warned you," Ada hissed, her gray eyes flashing with anger as she hurried to put on the gown.
Havel rubbed his jaw and smiled. "So you can look at me, but I can't look at you? I thought we were equals here."
The Blendbreed closed her eyes. "We're not. Don't you ever try something like that again."
Shirei turned around, trying to re-center the group. "We'd better not draw attention," he said quietly. "We need to be more cautious."
Havel stepped closer. "You really think this hospital is crawling with monsters?"
The daughter of Rutia, now fully dressed, nodded. "You're right, Shirei."
The leader of the Equinox Flowers adjusted his gown with a smile. "I apologize too."
"You're lying."
The boy didn't respond, but his expression confirmed Ada was right. The girl, however, didn't know why the son of Sidal had acted that way. The anger of the moment was distracting her from any deeper concern she might have felt about the place they were in.
Havel gave her a glance. "And then you tell me I'm not a good leader."
Shirei observed his companions, assessing the situation. Despite the incident, they seemed ready for the mission.
Ada approached the door and leaned in to listen for sounds from the hallway. "Alright. Now that we're all… presentable, we can go gather information."
Havel joined her. "We should split up. Ada, I'll come with you. Shirei, search the ground floor. Watch, listen, but don't draw attention."
The son of Cragar nodded. "I'll send a message through my Tenebrae if anything happens."
The three Blendbreeds exchanged a look, then the leader concluded: "We'll meet back here once the sun has set."
With a deep breath, Ada opened the door. They stepped into the semi-unknown and potentially dangerous territory of the psychiatric hospital, unaware of the dark secret that was being kept within its walls.
They split up as soon as they crossed the threshold, each taking a different direction through the hospital corridors. Havel moved beside Ada, who kept her hands hidden to conceal their trembling. The air was thick with unpleasant smells—a mixture of disinfectant, stench, and ointment that seemed to cling to the walls.
Shirei moved silently, like a ghost among mortals. His violet eyes scanned every corner, every crack in the yellowed walls. He observed the staff rushing about, noting their evasive glances and tense expressions. There was something unspoken, something hidden, that crept beneath the surface of that apparent normalcy. The son of Cragar did as he was told, descending to the ground floor. In a secluded hallway, he noticed a group of nurses whispering among themselves, casting glances around to make sure they weren't overheard. He approached, pretending to be interested in a painting hanging on the wall.
The workers looked at him, but eventually seemed to ignore him.
"Tonight. In the basement," one of them whispered, his voice laced with nervousness.
"Shh! Not here!" the other hushed him, casting a paranoid look at the Blendbreed.
Shirei memorized their faces, deciding to follow them later.
There's something in the basement, then.
── ⋆⋅❂⋅⋆ ──
Meanwhile, Ada and Havel had headed toward the more populated part of the hospital. The daughter of Rutia moved among patients and staff, listening to fragments of conversation and observing their interactions. As soon as they'd stepped through the door of that room, her demeanor had shifted completely. Her pace slowed, her gaze lost in memory. She noticed how some patients seemed docile, almost in a trance, while others showed signs of growing agitation. It took her back in time.
Havel looked at his companion, who wore a blank expression on her face, as if she weren't really there. He didn't want to put too much pressure on her, but he was deeply worried.
In a corner, the Blendbreed saw a young nurse consoling a crying patient. She didn't have the courage to approach and kept walking, as if lost.
Time to act, Havel. Your friend needs you.
The son of Sidal approached, pretending to be looking for something.
"It's all right, Mr. Tomasini," the nurse murmured. "It'll be your turn for the new therapy soon. You'll see, you'll feel much better afterward."
The patient sobbed. "No, please. I don't want to. I know what it's like there. It's dark, it's cold, and those… those voices…"
The nurse gently hushed him, casting a worried glance at Havel, who pretended he hadn't heard anything.
The son of Sidal returned to Ada and slipped an arm around her waist.
"It's no use staying here," he whispered in her ear. "You're not in the right state to—"
He didn't finish the sentence. His friend had already gripped his arm tightly.
"N-no, I have to help."
"Ada," his gaze softened.
He freed his hand from her grasp and guided her out of the hallway, trying to smile at her.Seeing her like that tied a knot in his throat, and suddenly they were five years back in time.She, a girl scared of the world. He, a Blendbreed on his first official mission.
"It's all right. You just need to stay calm. You're not alone."
After a moment, Ada stopped resisting and let him guide her back to the room where they had arrived. She sat down on the bed, curling into a trembling embrace.
"P-please. Don't… don't do this to me."
The son of Sidal crouched and clasped her cold hands with a smile. "I know. I know what's happening to you, and I know it's because of this place. I don't want you to suffer, so try to rest while me and that other guy," he grimaced, "yeah, we've got it."
He stood up, but the girl didn't let go.
"I don't want to be weak."
"You? Weak?" Havel burst out laughing. "May Emion strike me down if I've ever considered you weak. You're the strongest woman I know."
The reaction seemed to distract the Blendbreed, who let out a stifled laugh. "Thanks."
"You're welcome. Now get some rest, I'm off to dig up more info."
Ada nodded and waved to him as he closed the door.
Weak? If she glares at me the wrong way, I'll end up in the infirmary.
Havel shook his head and decided to head toward the hospital cafeteria. His approach was less subtle than his companions', but his extroverted nature made it easy for him to blend in with the other patients. Not everyone considered that a good thing.
"Hey, friend," he said to a man with a dazed look, seated at a table. "How's the food here?"
The human looked at him with vacant eyes. "Food? Oh, yes. It's… it's modest. They say the delicacies are for those who undergo the treatments."
"Treatments? What kind of treatments?"
The man glanced around nervously. "We're not authorized to know. But if you're lucky—or unlucky—you'll find out soon. You better hope you're taken to the basement."
Before he could ask more, a nurse approached, casting a suspicious look at the Blendbreed.
"Everything alright here? It's time for your dose, Mr. Barronio."
The man nodded, standing to follow the nurse. Havel watched the scene, noting how several patients were being taken away in the same manner.
── ⋆⋅❂⋅⋆ ──
As the day drew to a close, the two Blendbreeds continued their explorations. Shirei, growing increasingly suspicious, decided to tail the nurses he had noticed earlier. He followed them through less-traveled hallways, until they reached a heavy door he suspected led to the basement.
For something secret, they're not exactly subtle, he thought.
A group of nurses with cold expressions dragged several patients toward the basement door. The victims, terrified, struggled and screamed, their voices muffled by calloused hands or improvised gags.
"No, please! I don't want to go!" pleaded an elderly woman, her wrinkled hands desperately grabbing for anything.
"Silence!" hissed one of the nurses, eyes devoid of compassion. "It's for your… own good."
Shirei had to summon all his self-control not to intervene. The mission was more important—he couldn't jeopardize it.
It makes no sense. They were swallowed by the rift. They live this in a loop. My help wouldn't change anything, he tried to convince himself, with little success.
With a sinister creak, the door opened, swallowing the group into a darkness that felt almost tangible. The screams of the patients gradually faded, leaving behind a silence heavy with dread.
But I can't stay here, he realized.
He was in the middle of the hallway—they would surely see him. He began checking the doors of the rooms near the entrance, just as the sound of footsteps grew louder.
The first—occupied by a man.
The second—a woman.
The third—two women.
The sound drew closer. They were about to see him.
He reached the fourth room. It was empty. He threw himself inside at once. The nurses passed by with more patients, but didn't see him.
That was close…
Shirei remained perfectly still, counting the minutes. A full hour passed before the door opened again. The nurses emerged—alone. There was no trace of the patients.
He was increasingly convinced the anchor was somehow tied to those mysterious basement levels. He waited until the staff had left, then stepped out of the room and attempted to use his Spectral Travel to phase through the door. To his surprise and concern, the attempt failed. He shook his head and looked at his hands, confused. He wondered if something was interfering with his powers and tried calling out to Reno for safety.
The Tenebrae did not respond.
If the anchor is in the basement… could it be interfering with my powers?
That represented a serious problem the Blendbreed could not ignore. Access to the Interworld was vital—without it, he was practically disarmed.
And I can't materialize my Tenebrae.
Night fell swiftly, so he made his way to the rendezvous point. He knew the information he had gathered could be crucial to their mission, but he also feared what it might mean for the poor patients trapped in the basement.
When he arrived at the room where they had materialized that morning, he found Ada and Havel already talking. The former still seemed deeply shaken.
As he entered, the son of Sidal quickly moved to shut the door behind him. His amber eyes scanned his companion's face, trying to read the emotions always so carefully hidden behind his calm mask. The girl lay on the only available bed. Tension was visible in the stiffness of her shoulders.
"Finally," said the leader, sitting down. "I was starting to worry."
The son of Cragar looked at him, confused—he could barely believe it.
Havel huffed. "Yeah, Purple. You're my teammate, and I don't want you getting caught or killed."
Shirei nodded, his gaze shifting between the two. "Thank you."
Ada leaned back against the wall, arms crossed tightly over her chest. "Well? What did you find out?"
For the next several minutes, the violet-eyed Blendbreed detailed what he had seen and heard during his exploration. He spoke of the patients dragged to the basement, of the muffled screams, and didn't fail to mention the strange interference that blocked his access to the Interworld.
Havel listened, his anger growing with every word. His fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white. "Bastards," he hissed through his teeth. "How dare they treat helpless people like that?"
"What did you two find out?"
The son of Sidal touched his scar. "More or less the same. They spoke of a mysterious 'treatment.' I think it's the same thing."
"The treatment is being done in the basement… where, most likely, the creatures fought by the Blendbreeds from the Academy are locked up…" Ada focused on the strategic side. "So you're sure the anchor is there?"
"It's the only place that's inaccessible. Whatever's happening down there, it's the only source of mana I can think of."
"We need to figure out how to get in," the blond muttered, frustration clear in his voice.
"Maybe one of us can pretend to be insane and force the nurses to take them down."
"Too risky. We don't know exactly what happens to those patients. If Shirei can't use his powers, there's no way in or out without drawing attention."
Reno materialized in the room. "You could try stealing the keys."
Silence fell as the Equinox Flowers considered the option. The idea wasn't bad, but the Blendbreeds had no clue where the keys might be kept. They would have to find the nurse Shirei had seen, follow him without being noticed, and then distract him long enough to avoid raising any general alarm.
The son of Cragar turned toward the dark creature. "If I can find him, can you steal them for us?"
"Interesting question…" the Tenebrae grinned. "I believe I can."
There was another issue the Equinox Flowers had overlooked: it was nighttime. A bloodcurdling scream echoed through the corridors, making them jump. It was a sound full of agony, as if it had risen from the very depths of the building.
A second, sharper cry pierced the silence, followed by the shatter of glass. The three exchanged a glance before rushing toward the door.
Shirei glanced at Ada, but Havel reassured him. "Don't look at her like she's some kid, idiot. She's the vice-captain of the Equinox Flowers!"
Shirei nodded, and the three stepped outside. They turned the corner—just in time to find themselves face-to-face with a nightmare.
Grotesque creatures, never before studied, swarmed through the hospital's corridors. They were misshapen beings with leathery, sickly purple skin, glowing yellow eyes, and razor-sharp claws. They looked like a distorted, monstrous version of primitive cavemen.
"By all the gods…" Ada whispered, her grey eyes wide in horror.
Havel cursed under his breath, his muscles tensing, ready for combat. It was then that he realized—everything he had learned outside the Temporal Rift returned to him with crystal clarity. "It's them. The creatures Samara spoke of."
Shirei stayed silent, but his violet eyes burned with focused intensity as he assessed the situation. The creatures were wildly assaulting the doors, intent on ripping apart anyone in their path—terrified patients, panicked nurses, doctors trying in vain to calm the chaos.
Weren't monsters supposed to only attack Blendbreeds?
"We don't have time to think about that. W-we need to do something," said Ada. Her hands searched for her twin blades, but they trembled—she doubted she could even hold them.
Havel nodded, a fierce grin on his face. "Let's go crack some skulls!"
There was no time for further speculation. One of the creatures noticed them and charged with a feral roar. The Equinox Flowers shifted into battle stance, but Ada struggled to stay composed. The leader was the first to react, throwing himself at the monster with a battle cry. He drew the two axes he had just retrieved from the wardrobe and slammed them into the beast with superhuman strength, sending it staggering back.
Meanwhile, Shirei closed his eyes briefly, drawing mana to himself. When he opened them again, he summoned his loyal Tenebrae. The dark creatures emerged from the Interworld—harpies and orcs ready to obey their master.
Reno materialized at the boy's side, awaiting orders.
"You…" he considered having him join the charge, until his gaze met Ada's.
The girl wasn't well. He didn't know why, but he was sure of it. He couldn't ignore it—not again. That's what the last rift had taught him. He wasn't alone; he fought as part of a group.
"You stay here. Watch over Ada, and make sure you sing for me and Havel."
"Got it, boss."
The Tenebrae dispersed. Their black wings sliced through the air, pushing back the monstrous creatures with razor-sharp claws, but the son of Cragar was well aware they wouldn't last long.
The hospital's corridors had turned into a chaotic battlefield, echoing with screams, roars, and the sinister sound of flesh being torn apart. Havel fought like a berserker, his axes shattering bones and striking with the intent to rip apart the tough skin of the monsters. Ada could barely defend herself now—she was just a shadow of the deadly dancer Shirei had once known. She faltered at the slightest movement of the creatures, retreating further and further.
Reno gritted the teeth he didn't have. "Your friend's got some serious issues."
The boy ignored the comment. Keeping control over the Tenebrae in such a confined space was straining his concentration. The harpies were too weak to face the barbaric creatures of the rift.
As if to confirm his words, one of the monsters managed to grab a spectral creature. With a triumphant roar, the beast tore through the Tenebrae's wings, which dissolved into a cloud of black smoke.
Shirei staggered, clutching his chest. The pain from the loss of energy hit him directly as he felt the particles being torn away from his Divine Core.
"Purple!" Havel fought his way toward his companion, crushing a barbarian's skull along the way. "Hang in there!"
The situation had become more than tragic. The creatures occupied the corridor, preventing them from reaching the stairs. The ghosts of the Forbidden Heir, though fighting, fell prey to the monsters one by one, overwhelmed by the enemies' sheer strength.
Ada found herself with a barbarian towering over her. Reno acted as a human shield, absorbing the blow, but a sharp claw grazed her face, leaving a streak of blood on her cheek.
The daughter of Rutia watched as the Tenebrae disintegrated before her eyes and fell to the ground.
"N-no… not again!" she screamed, her voice barely audible.
Havel took a deep breath and swung his right arm backward. He bent over, closing his eyes for a moment, forgetting everything around him.
A crimson light burst from his left hand, traveling up his arm, to his shoulder, and then to his opposite arm.
Father…
The son of Sidal flew like a meteor and struck the chest of the barbarian towering over Ada with a punch. His hand passed through the creature, immobilizing it instantly. He withdrew his hand as the monster's body stiffened.
Shirei was still on his knees. His chest pulsed with pain, and his Tenebrae had surrounded him, continuing to protect him. The dark creatures had been reduced to a handful of flickering shadows—five orcs in total.
The situation seemed hopeless. The three Stirpemista, despite all their powers and combat abilities, were on the verge of being overwhelmed. The monsters surrounded them, their yellow eyes glowing with insatiable hunger. Havel dragged Ada to the other side of the corridor, trying to move her away from danger. Reno reformed just in time to start healing the berserker's bleeding wounds.
"What are you doing?" the girl asked.
Havel didn't respond. His eyes shone as he looked at her; he wouldn't let her die.
"Shirei!" the leader shouted to get his attention.
The son of Cragar disappeared into the Interworld, just in time to avoid the combined assault of two monsters. He reappeared beside the Equinox Flowers with renewed energy, the Discord Blade sparkling in his hand.
"Did you recharge?" Havel asked.
The creatures were struggling to pass through the corridor due to the corpses scattered everywhere. Shirei nodded.
"Take Ada out of the Temporal Rift and return with reinforcements, I'll hold them off!"
The Blendbreed held onto the leader of the Equinox Flowers. "No!"
"Yes, you will! You can't die here!"
The monsters were closing in, but Shirei stood firm and determined. "I'll fight them. You go."
"No! You can't face them all alone!"
"Neither can you."
Ada held the son of Sidal close. "You can't stay here. No! We all need to leave!"
He pushed her away. "Someone needs to stay behind to slow them down, or they'll all get outside! Viola! Go!"
The Forbidden Heir hesitated.
"Go!"
"I can—"
"No!" he interrupted. "I said no!"
"I can do it. I know I can make it, I can kill them all."
A creature appeared behind them, catching them completely by surprise. The Blendbreeds had no way to escape now.
Havel shoved his two companions away and fell to the opposite side of the corridor, just in time to avoid a direct blow that shattered the floor. The son of Sidal instantly charged a crimson punch, throwing it with his left arm. The monstrous barbarian took the hit and flew into one of the corridor windows, shattering it with his weight and plummeting toward the courtyard outside.
Havel shouted with all the air in his lungs. "Go!"
It was then that they heard the tolling of a bell in the distance. The sound echoed through the devastated hospital.
The three Blendbreeds exchanged a worried glance.
It was midnight.
The world around them seemed to dissolve, like an image reflected in a mirror that shatters. The Equinox Flowers clung to each other, trying to hold on while everything around them crumbled.
And then, in the blink of an eye, they were still.
Shirei opened his eyes.
He found himself lying on a bed, the same one his companion had rested on. They were in the room they had taken refuge in upon their arrival, every sign of the battle they had just fought seemingly gone. Ada and Havel were there, unscathed and just as confused.
He approached the window, watching as the hospital courtyard came to life with the start of a new day. Everything seemed so normal, so ordinary.
"It's morning…"