The trembling grew stronger.
Kyrai clung tightly to Jay, her fingers gripping his clothes as her tears soaked into his arms.
Then—
Creak…
The sound of the door above opening echoed faintly.
Luis, still holding his wife, lifted his head, tension and fear written all over his face.
Suddenly—
The shaking reached its peak.
Dust and loose soil poured down from the ceiling like a collapsing wave.
"J-Jay… it's going to fall!" Kyrai cried in panic.
Jay tightened his hold on her.
"Look at me," he said, his voice steady despite everything."…It won't collapse."
She hesitated—then nodded.
Moments later, the trembling stopped.
But the sounds outside didn't.
The battle was still raging.
Mary moved toward the basement door, but Luis quickly stopped her.
"Why can't I open it?" she whispered.
Luis's expression hardened.
"…Intruders."
The brief sense of relief vanished instantly.
Mary stepped back into the corner, her hands trembling.
Jay gently let go of Kyrai and walked toward Luis, while Kyrai ran back to her mother.
Standing beside him, Jay lowered his voice.
"Why did she move away?"
Luis didn't hesitate.
"Because there are enemies inside this house."
Jay froze.
"…What?"
"If we want to leave this place alive… we'll have to fight."
Jay swallowed hard, his fingers tightening into a fist.
Before he could respond—
A voice came from above.
"Search the house. Find the residents."
Several voices answered at once.
"Yes, captain!"
Six… maybe seven of them.
Luis stepped away from the door and quickly searched the room.
When he returned, he only had a single weapon.
An old knife.
He handed it to Jay.
"Listen carefully," Luis said in a low voice."When one of them opens the door, I'll strike first… then you finish it."
Mary stood up immediately.
"I can do it!"
Her voice trembled.
Luis shook his head.
"No. You can't."
"But—"
"No."
His tone didn't change.
"It has to be me… and him."
Mary looked at Jay, disbelief in her eyes.
"He's just a child! He's your friend's son!"
Luis looked away.
"I know… but I can't risk my wife and my daughter."
His voice dropped.
"I can't."
Silence filled the room.
Jay stepped forward.
"I'll do it."
Mary looked at him, her eyes full of pity.
Kyrai wanted to speak—but no words came out.
Luis returned to his position.
Jay did the same.
Time slowed.
Footsteps approached.
Then—
Click.
The door opened.
Luis moved instantly.
His strike landed.
The soldier collapsed halfway into the room.
Jay didn't hesitate.
He stepped forward—
And drove the knife down.
The soldier's eyes widened in shock.
Then everything went still.
Jay froze.
Warm drops touched his skin.
A voice echoed inside his mind—
"Monster… how could you do this?"
His grip tightened.
But he said nothing.
Luis quickly searched the body, taking whatever he could use.
When he turned back, his eyes briefly lingered on Jay.
Something in the boy had changed.
"…Let's go," Luis said.
One by one, they dealt with the remaining intruders.
Not all of them fell by Jay's hand—
But with each one, his expression grew heavier.
Darker.
When it was over, the family stepped outside.
The city…
Was in ruins.
Broken houses.
Dust in the air.
The sharp smell of smoke and earth.
Jay didn't stop.
He ran.
Straight toward the barracks.
If anyone knew where his father was… it would be there.
Then—
He saw him.
Poul.
Lying there.
Broken.
Still.
Jay slowed down.
A quiet, disbelieving laugh escaped his lips.
Step by step, his chest tightened.
"No…"
He reached him—
And fell to his knees.
Wrapping his arms around his father's body.