Sons of a devil-Chapter 61: Echoes and Ashes

Cain raised a brow. "That someone was you."

"Semantics."

The laughter faded slowly, and silence settled again. A silence only brothers could share without it being uncomfortable.

"I miss her," Cain said finally. "Eira."

Leo's eyes dropped. "Yeah...me too."

"She didn't deserve that ending."

"No," Leo agreed. "But she died on her terms. Protecting us. If I ever have to go out, I want it to be with that kind of spine."

Cain nodded slowly. "We owe her peace. And we owe ourselves something more."

Behind them, Eren emerged from the camp looking like chaos personified—shirt inside-out, hair wild, mismatched boots.

"Did a demon attack you in your sleep?" Leo blinked.

"I think the ground was the demon," Eren grumbled, rubbing his back. "We need actual beds. Or at least a mattress made of something other than failure and dirt."

Selene walked behind him, half-smiling, handing him a cup of tea. "Good morning to you too, sunshine."

Eren took the cup and drank. "Cain's the sunshine. I'm the apocalypse."

She rolled her eyes but stayed by Cain's side. "You're both dramatic."

"I've earned it," Cain said, wrapping his arm around her waist.

The group gathered around the cold firepit, each with their own quiet thoughts. But they didn't stay quiet for long.

A sudden sharp cry broke the morning stillness.

All three brothers reacted instantly. Cain's arm reached protectively across Selene, Leo was on his feet with a blade drawn, and Eren's eyes lit with flame.

From the shadows of the trees, a wounded creature limped into view—something unnatural. Its skin flickered between forms, unable to hold shape, like reality itself rejected its existence.

"What the hell is that?" Leo whispered.

Selene's eyes widened. "It's not from this realm."

Cain stepped forward, power pulsing beneath his skin. "It's not an enemy. Not yet."

The creature collapsed before reaching them, whimpering. Eren knelt beside it, cautious but curious.

"It's...infected," he said. "With something dark. Magic we haven't seen before."

Selene knelt too, her healer's instinct kicking in. She placed a hand on the creature's chest, and her aura glowed soft green.

Cain turned to his brothers. "We need answers. We're not done."

Leo nodded. "There's always something, huh?"

"We'll figure it out," Eren said. "Like always."

But as they carried the creature back to camp, something flickered in the sky—a sigil, burning faintly above the clouds. A message not meant for mortals.

Their father was watching.

Waiting.

And whatever came next...would not wait long.