"I just can't wait to finish this last mission so I won't have to come back here again," I sighed, idly playing with the scorched rice on my plate. The smell was unappetizing, but it was food nonetheless.
Across from me, Yosuke sheepishly scratched the back of his head, his guilt almost tangible. The others were already gathered, their barely contained laughter hanging in the air like a storm about to break.
Carter sat directly in front of me, enjoying his meal, which I strongly suspected Yosuke had attempted—and failed—to prepare.
"Do you guys want some?" I asked, trying to sound casual but fully aware of the silent warnings being exchanged.
"Ahh... I already had breakfast, milady." Ryuu was the first to decline, way too quickly.
"I'm on a diet, milady," Scott added, feigning seriousness.
"Me too, milady," Kevin chimed in.
The rest simply shook their heads, their expressions bordering on fear. Chad wasted no time in dragging Yosuke away, but their conversation was still within earshot.
"You could have just called me for help," Chad lectured.
"Or Lee and Heie," Greg added. "Everyone knows you can't cook."
"I'm sorry, okay?!" Yosuke groaned. "You know how much I tried to learn! When Tabitha comes back, I want to be able to take care of her."
"Our job is to protect her, that's it!" Tyler hissed.
"Maybe for all of you, but it's not just a job for me," Yosuke shot back. His voice held something deeper—something dangerous.
"You clearly know the consequence—"
"That's enough," Kurama cut in, his tone sharp. "Yosuke, get dressed. We’re heading out shortly."
I looked up just in time to see Carter watching the exchange, his gaze flickering between Yosuke and me.
"That man's life is really in danger, you know," he muttered, just loud enough for me to hear. My lips thinned.
I knew.
I knew Yosuke cared for me beyond the relationship of a master and a tamer. And that was the real threat to his life. Descendants weren't supposed to fall in love with tamers. We lacked the fated "red string" that bound them to their true partners. Their hearts were fragile, like the mermaids of old—if they loved someone who could never love them back, their heart would freeze. And they would die.
Carter placed a hand on my shoulder, shaking me gently. "We should get moving if we want an early start."
I nodded, shaking off the weight of those thoughts, and left to get ready.
Inside my room, I took a quick bath before dressing in my usual gear—a black tailcoat with a hood, a red vest armor underneath, black skinny jeans, and combat boots. The familiarity of my outfit grounded me.
Bending down, I strapped my knife holster securely around my right thigh. This thing had always been my lucky charm, a silent witness to every battle I had fought and won.
I reached for my sword, but as I lifted it from my bed, something tumbled onto the floor with a soft clink.
I bent down, picking up the small ball of ice Yuki had given me. A faint smile tugged at my lips as I tucked it into my pocket.
By the time we arrived at the Center, Aiden and Adonis were already waiting in the garden’s vacant space. The others, including Carter, came with me.
I eyed Aiden and Adonis from head to toe, feeling an odd sense of déjà vu. Years had passed since I left, yet they hadn't aged a day. The only change was the color of their robes, though the design remained eerily similar to the attire of Greek gods from ancient depictions.
Adonis, for some reason, looked a lot like Carter—the same piercing eyes, the same hair color, even their mannerisms were strangely alike.
Aiden, on the other hand, was my favorite. He was soft-spoken, rarely talking unless absolutely necessary.
"Are you ready?" Adonis asked.
I nodded.
Aiden sighed, lifting a hand. A black miasma formed above his palm, swirling and expanding into a massive black door—Abaddon’s Gate.
A wave of heat burst forth as the gates creaked open, blowing against my face. Inside, only darkness awaited, save for a single burning torch hanging on one side of the wall.
"You may enter alone now," Aiden announced.
"What do you mean alone?!" Carter barked, his anger rising instantly.
"Relax," I reassured him. "I can summon them anytime." My gaze flickered to Kurama and the rest. "Now, wish me luck."
Carter hesitated before forcing a smile. He reached out, ruffling my hair. "Kick his ass and get out of there, alright?"
"Hmph." I snorted before turning to Yosuke.
"Y-Yes?" he stammered, eyes wide in shock.
I pulled the small ball of ice from my pocket and placed it in his hands. He took it hesitantly, as if it might shatter at the slightest touch.
"I might break it inside," I admitted. "So, I’m giving you the responsibility to protect it. Be careful—it's fragile."
Before he could respond, I turned my back on them, inhaled deeply, and stepped inside the gates.
"Why can’t we enter with her?" I barely caught Kurama asking.
"This gate is protected by a seal," Aiden explained. "Only tamers can pass through."
As if on cue, Lelith materialized beside Aiden, her eyes misted with tears.
I opened my mouth to ask why, but the gates slammed shut behind me.
"Tabithaaa––!"
Yosuke's desperate cry echoed from the other side, but the thick doors muffled everything else.
I stood frozen, realization crashing down on me like a tidal wave.
Slapping a hand to my forehead, I let out a bitter laugh.
Of course.
I wasn’t here to tame the last descendant.
I was the one they needed to seal away.
And I had walked straight into their trap.
"Hah... What the hell was I expecting?" I chuckled darkly, pressing a fist against the cold surface of the gate.
"CURSE ALL OF YOU!!!"
My voice cracked, my energy draining faster than I could comprehend. My knees buckled, and I collapsed to the floor, breath ragged.
How am I supposed to take care of you now, Mom?
A sound—soft, yet unmistakably close—sent a chill down my spine.
"Are you the one who’s supposed to tame me?"
I gasped.
The voice was near, yet I saw nothing.
Despite the weakness gripping my limbs, I forced myself to stand, grabbed the torch from the wall, and pushed forward into the suffocating darkness.
Each step was heavier than the last, my knees shaking under the weight of exhaustion.
How could I have been so blind?
This wasn’t Abaddon.
I had been there before—Abaddon was a nightmare incarnate, a place with no light, no warmth.
But here, there was a single flame. And that meant something was waiting for me.