Silence hung over the line as Aren lowered his phone. For a second, he just stood there, thumb still hovering over the edge as he considered what to say—whether to take it back or not.

"Send me the address," he said finally. "I’ll be there."

A white lie, but one he had to make.

Stella’s voice came from the other side, confirming. "Okay, come quick. Things are about to get really ugly."

"Alright."

With that being said, the line had gone silent and the weight of it settled within his chest. Aren exhaled through his nose before sliding the phone back into his pocket.

Aren glanced over at Eveline, surmising from her face that she probably got the exact same news as him.

Without a word to each other, Eveline dispelled her Domain, bringing back the same abandoned building they were just at. However, this time, loud sirens could be heard from below where there were none before.

Aren quickly stepped forward and leaned over the balcony, eyes widening as he saw the sight.

The perimeter was already sealed off with a few dozen cop cars. But it wasn’t the police that drew his attention, it was the formation behind them.

Figures equipped in military armor and weapons stepped out from inside a black van, loading their rifles and checking their holsters. Then, two figures stepped out from the front passenger seat, wearing the exact same clothes he’d seen them prior.

Ghoul Division – Darius Kade and Alysa Evon.

Shit, he’s here? The Ghouls might be finished...

Aren’s eyes moved again, sweeping across the formation before he noticed Stella standing off to the side. Only she seemed a little hesitant, unsure of whether such a big operation was necessary.

Behind him, Eve didn’t wait for him to say anything. The moment she saw what was happening, she turned and ran.

Aren clicked his tongue quietly before pushing himself off the railing. "Let’s follow her."

Miu nodded before following along, her earlier unease still lingering as she moved forward regardless.

They chased after Eve through the dim corridors, the building feeling entirely different now. What had once seemed like a quiet hideout now felt like a cornered space, tight and suffocating, even if he wasn’t the target.

Eve took turns without thinking, never slowing down as she descended deeper into the structure. They could faintly hear the sounds of distant movement beginning to echo through the walls, a sign that the operation had commenced.

She pushed through a set of reinforced doors, metal slamming open against the wall—

And the smell was the thing that hit them first. The thick and metallic scent of blood that had been mixed with the decay of a rotting corpse was one of the smells that had long since carved itself into his memory.

His eyes widened as he saw the scene. The room was filled with basic furniture along with crude versions of most of the living amenities one would need.

But instead of being for people...it was for Ghouls.

They were unmasked, some sat against the walls while others crouched down low, their bodies animalistic in a way that made even Aren shudder slightly.

But that’s when he saw it, the sight twisting his stomach so violently that he nearly lost his footing. Aren’d seen countless things: murder, poison, death...yet none of it could’ve prepared him for this.

One of the ghouls was crouched down low next to the corpse of someone whose face wasn’t even recognizable. All the skin had been peeled off and flesh torn apart...Yet the man—no, the Ghoul— kept on gnawing at the bones, like it was trying to extract the very last scraps.

Aren stepped forward, mostly moved by instinct rather than by his own volition, ether condensing into his hands.

The Ghouls must’ve sensed his presence via the ether...no, it was his unconscious bloodlust that made them flinch.

Even if they’re victims... This—this is too much. What the hell is this situation?!

Beside him, Miu gasped softly, both hands flying up to cover her mouth as she took a step back. But before Aren could even say anything, Eveline had placed a hand over his chest to stop him.

"...They were already dying. They were terminal patients with no chance of recovery."

"Even so—!"

"Please..."

"This is the only way left," she continued quietly. "The only way we have to retain our humanity..."

That was when another group of Ghouls appeared from another entrance. One of them approached, slightly cautious, but it didn’t look like he had time for that.

"They’ve sealed the perimeter," he said to Eveline. "The police are outside and the Ghoul Division is right behind them. Entry teams are already moving through the upper floors."

Those sitting on the floor straightened, those crouched low tensed. The restless energy had hit everyone once they’d heard the news.

"How long do we have, Adam?" she asked.

"Minutes."

"They’re not rushing," the man named Adam continued. "They’re clearing section by section, intention clear—"

"They want to eradicate us all."

Eve scanned the area once more before making the decision. "We need to leave through the secret exit."

"We can’t move everyone at once," Adam shook his head. "By the time we even get there, the whole building would already be swarmed."

And as far as Aren knew, he was right. Now that he could see it clearly, there weren’t just adults—there were the elderly and kids, too. They all looked malnourished, skin clinging to their bones and cheeks hollowed out.

"Then what should we—"

"You go on ahead," Adam said finally. "Take the women. The elderly. The kids."

"You’re asking me to leave you behind?!"

"I’m asking you to get them out," he replied. "While we still can."

A few of the Ghouls shifted, some glancing at each other, others tightening their grip on whatever crude weapons they had managed to scavenge.

"We’re not throwing our lives away," one of them spoke up, voice rough but steady. "They were going to hunt us down anyway."

Another let out a dry laugh. "Yeah... might as well stick it to them now that they’re all here!"

But Aren knew the words contained no heroism. It was the words of a fallen, words of acceptance from those who knew their end was near.

Eve’s hands clenched at her sides. For a moment, it looked like she might refuse before she got into action. She started helping the weaker ones, helping them up and supporting those who couldn’t stand on their own.

While Adam rallied a group of mostly men, gathering whatever crude weapons they found.

Aren watched it all unfold, unable to decide.

Should I help them? Should I not? They’re dangerous but that doesn’t mean they’ve lost all humanity!

...Damn it!

Without knowing what overcame him, he turned to Miu. "Go with them. With your skillset, they should be able to make it out."

Her eyes widened slightly. "...You’re not coming?"

His gaze shifted past her, toward Adam, toward the Ghouls who had already begun taking positions near the entrances, and barricading the front doors.

"...I’ll stay," he said finally.

"..."

"...Okay," she nodded, moving quickly to join Eve and the others as they began funneling toward the hidden exit.

The room gradually emptied, the weaker ones disappearing into the passage as the ones left behind shifted into place.

"Aqua Veil."

Aren reached from the side, hand swiping through the air, the motion akin to pulling a curtain over himself as the water hid him from prying eyes.

THUD!

Something slammed into the barricaded doors in front of them.

THUD!

A few boards came loose, before finally—

CRASH!

Wood splintered inward as force tore through it, fragments scattering across the floor as figures stepped through the debris without hesitation.

For a moment, both sides looked at each other.

Adam and the remnants of Heaven stood with their weapons in hand.

The black-clad individuals along with the two agents of the Ghoul Division entered. Darius lifted a hand to his earpiece, nodding once before lowering it.

"The Director has given the order. Commence Operation Alpha—"

"Eradicate all the Ghouls."