Sons of a devil-Chapter 82: Threads of memories

"We will," Eren muttered. "We always find what we're hunting."

Just then, their mother stirred.

A soft gasp escaped her lips, and her eyes fluttered open—golden, like liquid sunlight. Power thrummed through the air as she sat up slowly, her aura washing over them in waves of warmth and dread.

"...You found him, didn't you?" she asked, her voice hoarse. "Your father."

"No," Cain said. "But he found Eira. He's using her."

Their mother's face crumpled. "He's trying to divide you. Turn you against one another."

"He's doing more than that," Selene whispered. "He's using her pain. Her love for you. Her loyalty. Twisting it."

"I can feel her," their mother murmured, pressing her hand to her chest. "Like a song I used to know... broken now. Warped."

Leo leaned in. "Can you trace her?"

She closed her eyes. The forest pulsed. For a moment, there was only stillness—then her eyes flew open. "Yes. But not for long. He's cloaking her. We need to move."

Cain nodded, his jaw set. "Then we prepare. This ends soon."

But that night, as the brothers sat near the fire in an abandoned chapel miles from the battlefield, the weight of the day pulled them into a rare moment of peace.

Eren tossed a pine cone into the flames. "You remember when Eira tried to dye Cain's hair pink and told him it was a 'fireproof potion'?"

Cain scowled. "It took two weeks to wash out. She said it was for stealth. Stealth!"

Leo laughed under his breath. "You actually tried to threaten the potion bottle. Like it would listen."

Selene smiled faintly. The memories were so alive, so warm, it hurt. The Eira they had lost was still there, tucked in each of their hearts. That's what made the betrayal so sharp. She was family.

But family didn't give up.

Later that night, Selene slipped out to the lake nearby. The moonlight shimmered across the water, cool and silver. She knelt by the edge, staring at her reflection.

"I know you can hear me," she whispered to the wind. "If you're still in there, Eira... if you remember anything about me, about us—fight him. I don't care how deep you've fallen. I'll reach you. I swear it."

Behind her, Cain stepped silently onto the grass.

"You okay?" he asked.

"No," she said, without turning. "But I have to be."

Cain stood beside her, his hand brushing against hers. "We'll get her back. Together."

Selene finally looked at him. "And if we can't?"

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Cain's jaw clenched. "Then we'll make sure she doesn't suffer anymore."

Selene nodded slowly, blinking back the sting in her eyes. "Then tomorrow... we hunt."