A Few Weeks Later

  City Central Park

  During Dusk

  After the last school day of the week, Mila and David decided to take their youngest daughter to play at the park.

  Kaida had spent a few days at the medical clinic for observation, due to the results of her semiannual exams regarding the progression of her illness.

  With her improvement bringing great happiness to the family, Mila and David chose a simple celebration: an afternoon and evening at the city's central park.

  There was an event filled with games and food stalls, marking a special occasion for the entire city.

  Harry, the eldest son, preferred to enjoy the event with his friend Max, who had also come with his own parents.

  Harry and Max quickly disappeared into the crowd, enjoying the freedom of being two thirteen-year-old preteens.

  Mila and David headed to the game booths and activity stalls, where their youngest daughter, Kaida, could have fun.

  At only three years old, she already loved playing with shiny and blinking things, giving her parents a moment of pure joy.

  Meanwhile, Victoria, the second youngest child, ten years old, chose to have fun with her best friend, also ten, Téo. They decided to play on the attractions set up for the event.

  Although simple, the rides were immersive and entertaining, complementing the more than one hundred food stalls, activity booths, and toy and accessory stands that illuminated almost the entire park with their vibrant lights.

  Many families there enjoyed the event calmly and carelessly, savoring the end of the afternoon and the beginning of what promised to be a cheerful night in the heart of the city.

  Three years earlier, the city had faced a critical moment after the intense "Alpha Earthquake." Victoria and Téo spent much of that period running hand in hand, playing and smiling among the many other children who were doing the same.

  It was common at events like this, not only for adults and teenagers to have fun, but also for children to enjoy the evening freely.

  The entire central park was being monitored by the police at all entrances, providing a safe place where families could enjoy themselves without insecurity or fear regarding children playing.

  There were as many uniformed guards as undercover ones throughout the event, increasing the visitors' sense of safety.

  And in one of the stalls, eating a sweet alone among the many people, stood none other than Kalik, Téo's older brother.

  Kalik had also come to relax and try to calm his thoughts about everything that had happened in the past few weeks.

  Beyond that, he was conducting a sort of investigation regarding Téo and his growing relationship with Victoria.

  It was also clear that Téo had seen him several times walking around, enjoying the event and smiling whenever their eyes met.

  It was evident that each of them knew of the other's presence, yet they chose not to speak after everything that had occurred.

  They opted instead to ignore one another in that moment, naturally and without angry or negative feelings behind the decision.

  Two Hours Later

  Still at the Park

  Near the Lake

  After enjoying the event with Victoria for quite some time, Téo eventually sat with her on one of the benches near the lake. Many families were gathered nearby, sitting on the grass, enjoying the music and the pleasant atmosphere surrounding that area of the park.

  [(Kalik — Attentive & Serene Voice) ...The two of them grow more connected with each passing day. (Deep sigh)]

  Focusing more closely on Victoria and Téo, it was clear that they were cheerful and smiling, talking in an excited and playful manner about the foods and attractions they had enjoyed the most so far.

  [(Kalik — Attentive & Serene Voice) It seems their hearts synchronize their beats whenever they're close to one another. That's incredible... (Soft, slightly heavy sigh)]

  Téo and Victoria sat side by side on the bench, talking while enjoying some sweets they had bought at the event. Activities continued to take place all around them.

  [(Kalik — Attentive & Serene Voice) Victoria is a human girl, and Téo is an Oculi. (Soft sigh tinged with restrained anger)]

  But the two were so engrossed in each other that it felt as though the world around them had momentarily lost its importance, turning that moment into something even more special for Téo and Victoria.

  [(Kalik — Attentive & Serene Voice) This should not be happening under any circumstance. This is a mistake! (Soft sigh, lightly fueled by anger)]

  A few meters away, leaning against one of the many trees in the park, stood none other than Kalik, Téo's older brother.

  He remained concealed, not wanting to be seen by the two who were chatting a short distance away.

  [(Kalik — Attentive & Serene Voice) Téo's essence has altered its intensity in Victoria's presence not just once, but 45 times in less than 2 hours. (Soft sigh, both irritated and deeply concerned)]

  Kalik felt a wave of anger as he noticed the tender way Téo looked at Victoria while she, animated and smiling, gestured with her hands as she spoke about what she had enjoyed at the event so far.

  Sitting on the bench, Téo watched Victoria, feeling his world slow down in the face of the beauty of her smile — a smile that filled his chest with warmth.

  [(Kalik — Attentive & Worried Voice) The essence within Téo seems to be gradually absorbing more strength from the "void." (Deep sigh)]

  [(Kalik — Attentive & Serene Voice) And this always happens intensely only when Téo is in Victoria's presence. (Deep, slow sigh)]

  Téo's heart beat slightly out of rhythm as Victoria looked at him, as if peering deep into his soul. In that moment, Téo felt a unique sensation — one that only Victoria could awaken in him — the sensation that he was in the best place in the world at that exact moment.

  [(Kalik — Attentive & Serene Voice) She seems to stir his emotions in a simple, trivial conversation... This is making me so anxious, damn it... (Deep, fearful sigh)]

  A Few Minutes Later

  Still Inside the Park

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  Near the Lake

  The event taking place throughout the city's Central Park was so beautiful in its entirety that even those who knew it was a tribute to the many victims of the earthquake three years ago.

  Not only to those who had passed away, but also to those who survived that chaos—felt deep respect for all the victims and their families gathered at the main stage.

  Near the beautiful lake, Téo could be seen looking around while the world seemed slower, the wind's breezes more perceptible against his skin, warming his chest with emotions and feelings unlike anything he had ever known.

  Meanwhile, Victoria was using Téo as a "pillow," having eaten many delicious things and deciding to take a nap with her head resting on his lap after they had talked for a few minutes on the same bench by the lake.

  Knowing this, Téo accepted serving as her pillow as the two remained seated. At that moment, the area of the park near the lake wasn't as crowded as it had been minutes earlier.

  That was because the ceremony at the main stage was happening, gathering most people toward the park's center.

  While Téo watched the lights on the other side of the lake, he could see the spotlights from the main stage, though the trees before him blocked his view of what was happening there.

  Even so, he could hear some people singing a tribute song for all the victims, in a softer, acoustic tone, accompanied by a small orchestra in the background, adding even more beauty to that emotional homage.

  It was noticeable that one of Téo's hands gently stroked Victoria's head while she slept, part of her long hair covering her face.

  With his other hand, Téo carefully adjusted the strands, each motion tender and attentive, offering Victoria a sense of safety as she slept peacefully under his care.

  He found himself contemplating that beautiful scene, immersed in the magnificence of the moment.

  [Téo — Whispering Thoughtfully & Softly Melodic] ...If I hadn't managed to return from the non-physical world, where I spent three long years alone... [soft, deep sigh] —

  Victoria snuggled in even closer, tilting her head further against Téo's thigh, showing that even in sleep she felt she was in the safest place in the world, a faint smile adorning her lips as she dreamed of something happy.

  [Téo — whispering thoughtfully & softly melodic] I feel like you would be there among all those people near the event stage... honoring me, wouldn't you, Victoria? [soft, deep sigh] —

  Victoria couldn't answer Téo's question, but she could do something far more meaningful than words: she smiled even more beautifully, despite being deeply asleep.

  As if she could hear him and was happy simply because he was right there in that quiet, precious moment.

  [Téo — Whispering, Subtly Lovestruck] Even asleep, you still know how to shake my heart... you stubborn girl... [happy & affectionate sigh] —

  [Téo — Whispering, Subtly Lovestruck & Concerned] I have to understand what this feeling they call "love" really is. Because I don't want to hurt you anymore from now on, Victoria. [soft, lovestruck sigh] —

  As he said that, Téo looked slightly toward the city sky— not very starry due to the many lights shining across the vast city surrounding the park. The brightness washed away the perfect view of the stars on such a beautiful night.

  Even so, it didn't erase the subtle light of the stars still shimmering above, bringing not only a unique sense of peace but also reflecting on the lake before him, just a few meters away.

  [Téo — Voice Genuinely Grateful & Affectionate] Three long years surrounded by the darkness of that place I was thrown into after saving you... when we were only seven years old. [deep breath] —

  [Téo — Voice Genuinely Grateful & Affectionate] And I would never have escaped that dark place if it weren't for you, little one. [subtle lovestruck & emotional sigh] —

  Téo remembered, like flashes behind his closed eyes for a moment, memories from a few months earlier— when he rose into the sky within the darkness of the non-physical world like a glowing comet, using his Oculi abilities to their fullest.

  [Téo — Voice Genuinely Grateful & Affectionate] Surrounded by all that darkness for three long years... [deep breath] —

  Until he heard Victoria's voice calling him through the rift that opened in the sky, shining intensely amid all that emptiness where Téo spent ages seven through ten completely alone.

  [Téo — Voice Genuinely Grateful & Affectionate] You were the only light that kept guiding me back toward the physical world. [deep, joyful breath] —

  He finally escaped that cursed place after being trapped in it, fighting thousands of horrendous and violent creatures that lived there and tried day after day to take his life, after he had saved Victoria from ending up there years before.

  [Téo — Voice Genuinely Grateful & Affectionate] And I feel deep in my heart that I... [subtle lovestruck sigh] —

  [Harry — Distant & Serious Voice] ...Don't you dare finish that sentence with "I love you" directed at my little sister, Téo. [heavy, deep breath] —

  Téo was immediately caught off guard by Harry's voice — Victoria's older brother — coming from behind him.

  Téo was unable to stand up and look Harry in the eyes, because Victoria's head was still resting on his thighs as she slept peacefully through all of it.

  [Téo — Voice Slightly Startled And Incredulous] Harry! Since when have you been here beside us? [Subtly trembling, embarrassed breath] —

  Only a few meters away from Téo and Victoria on the bench, now near the tree, Harry revealed himself — leaning against the trunk with his back, never once looking in Téo's direction, staring straight ahead with a serious yet deeply enraged expression.

  [Harry — Serious, Fearful Voice] That's not important, Téo. [Slightly heavy, sincere breath] —

  It was clear he was trying his hardest not to let his most burning emotions about the situation between Téo and Victoria become obvious in his voice.

  [Harry — Serious, Fearful Voice] We need to talk, and I don't want you lying to me in the next few minutes. [Slightly heavy breath] —

  [Harry — Serious, Fearful Voice] Because one of the most important people in my life has her head resting on your thigh, while she sleeps at this very moment. [Deep, sincerely heavy breath] —

  Hearing those words, Téo chose not to look at Harry anymore and instead returned his gaze to the horizon and the lake before him.

  [Téo — Sincere & Confident Voice] I understand how much you hate me for being an Oculi, Harry. And for being by the side of your "most precious treasure" in your life — your little sister, Victoria. [Genuinely understanding sigh] —

  [Téo — Sincere & Confident Voice] But I can admit to you, placing my own life on the line if necessary for you to believe me. [Genuinely understanding sigh] —

  The lights rising into the sky from the main stage were no longer visible in their full intensity, and the sounds around the two were gradually becoming more muffled and distant.

  [Téo — Sincere & Confident Voice] From the moment I met her, when she and I were only seven years old, at that playground near our school... [Genuinely understanding sigh] —

  It was noticeable, even in such a decisive moment, that Victoria's lips — as she slept deeply — held nothing less than a happy, unconscious little smile.

  [Téo — Sincere & Confident Voice] I could never forget what that gentle smile and those beautiful eyes did to me while I was there, lost and crying inside the tallest play structure. [Deep, slightly painful sigh] —

  At the same time, there was a sincere and genuinely happy smile on Téo's lips, because he had finally reached the moment he and Harry would have the definitive conversation.

  After everything that had happened in the past few weeks, involving the three of them directly at school and indirectly outside of it.

  [Téo — Sincere & Confident Voice] Victoria was the most incredible and kind person because she didn't look at me as some damned Oculi child, but as a possible first best friend. [Genuinely emotional & happy sigh] —

  Harry, upon hearing the echo of Téo's words, perceived the total sincerity behind them. He felt his anger intensify as the memories resurfaced of that Oculi who had threatened him in the hospital almost four years earlier.

  Memories that had once given him reasons to consider handing Victoria over to the Oculi in an attempt to save his family in the future.

  [Téo — sincere & confident voice] I don't know exactly why you hate the Oculi so much in general, but... I can promise you that I genuinely enjoy being by Victoria's side. [Subtle lovestruck sigh] —

  Deep down, Harry knew that all that rage and fear mixed so intensely had a plausible cause, stretching from the past into the present.

  Téo was an Oculi whose way of speaking and caring for Victoria was unmistakable—someone who would offer his own life for her safety without the slightest hesitation.

  [Téo — Sincere, Confident & Slightly Emotional Voice] And I don't just want to make her happy above all else... I want her to feel safe amid everything happening around us. [Deep breath] —

  When Harry heard the conclusion of those words—words carrying a latent love that went beyond friendship into something deeper and more complex.

  Flowing from Téo toward Victoria—he felt all his anger dissipate. And with it, the true burning feeling within his chest toward both the Oculi Nigri and the Albi became exposed.

  [Téo — Sincere, Confident & Slightly Emotional Voice] ...Everything that's happening among the shadows around us, and I know you understand at least the basics of the general situation between the Oculi and humans... [deep, heavy, contemplative breath] —

  That feeling consuming Harry was the latent fear that someone he loved or deeply cared for might once again have their life threatened.

  Just as it had happened almost four years earlier during the worst and most horrifying moment of his life.

  When Harry had been hospitalized after catching a strong flu, during one of the final days before he was released to go home at ten years old.

  He had his first encounter with a true Oculi—more specifically, a frightening Oculi man whose manner of speaking was sadistic and unsettling.

  Harry experienced the slowing of the temporal flow, and he could neither scream for help nor move to escape from that man who made him a terrifying proposal.

  This proposal was to offer his sister Victoria, in the future, to the Oculi as a disgusting form of barter.

  Harry refused to give his sister—who was only seven years old at the time—to the Oculi, who saw something special enough in her, though still "premature" in their view.

  This refusal forced them to wait a bit longer before attempting once again to approach Victoria and take her to what Harry understood to be something far worse than the hell described in books, and far more agonizing than purgatory.

  This understanding was shaped by the grotesque way that man spoke, taking pleasure and sadistic delight in describing what they would do to Victoria's biological body.

  And also to her essence, the part beyond her organic form that only the Oculi could perceive and manipulate at will, though with great difficulty.