The subway tunnel was silent.
No trains.
No lights.
Just darkness.
Aria leaned against the wall.
"I can't run anymore."
Kael stood close to her.
"They'll slow down underground."
Jonas dropped onto a bench.
"Next time I help you, remind me not to."
Mira watched the tunnel entrance.
"They're still coming."
Aria looked at Kael.
"…you really watched me for a hundred days?"
"Yes."
"Why didn't you talk to me sooner?"
Kael hesitated.
"Because if I changed anything…"
"…the day might break."
Aria smiled faintly.
"Well."
"That happened anyway."
Kael almost smiled.
The darkness around them felt quieter.
Closer.
Aria stepped toward him again.
"You didn't expect the kiss earlier."
"No."
"Did you hate it?"
Kael looked at her.
His voice softer now.
"No."
Aria moved closer.
Very close.
Her hand touched his coat.
"Then stop acting like it was a mistake."
Kael whispered,
"…Aria."
She didn't let him finish.
She pulled him down slightly
and kissed him again.
Longer.
Warmer.
This time
Kael kissed her back.
For a moment
the world felt still.
No Keepers.
No time.
Just them.
Then Jonas coughed loudly.
"Well."
"That's romantic."
Mira whispered suddenly,
"…guys."
Aria pulled away.
"What?"
Mira pointed into the darkness.
Footsteps echoed through the tunnel.
Slow.
Heavy.
Not Keepers.
Something else.
A deep voice spoke from the shadows.
"Kael."
Kael froze.
His face went pale.
"…impossible."
A tall man stepped into the dim light.
White coat.
Cold eyes.
Elias walked behind him
in chains.
Aria whispered,
"Who is that?"
Kael answered quietly.
"…the one who created the Keepers."