Angelic Predator: Am I sane??

The world outside moved as if nothing had happened.

Servants returned to their routines. Birds chirped. The halls smelled like polished wood and fresh ink again.

No one asked me anything.

Not Marcus.

Not Danny.

Not even the shadows.

Because no one knew what Crimsonveil's children went through behind those sealed gates. Not the tests. Not the screams. Not the silence after.

They thought I had returned from "training."

That I had been tested and succeeded.

Only we who experienced it,knew the truth.

---

My bed felt too soft.

I sat where the floor was coldest, eyes on my hand. No tremble. No weakness.

I'd snapped necks with that hand. Held my breath until my ribs nearly cracked.

Now it just rested. Still.

I had learned how to snap necks in silence, how to hold my breath for nine minutes, how to bite through raw bone when food was a reward, not a right.

Ofcourse I always knew how to, but I have become more skilled in it.

Walking making no sound, kill in the dark silently.

A perfect Assassin.

This wasn't survival.

This was the part that followed it.

> You're fine.

You're stronger.

You're alive.

People who died, people who loved. It didn't matter to me.

I am here, not a monster but not humane or maybe I am a little, only to my people that is.And this is what matters.

In my life, I am my first priority and always will be.

Putting myself in danger? Yes

Dying for someone? No

There is a difference. Living for someone is harder than dying for them.

And I am doing neither of them. I will live and die only for myself no one else.

---

I sat still on the ground, and then after some time I heard a knock.

The knock was faint. One beat. Then two.

I said nothing.

The door opened anyway.

Sirus stepped in first. Steady steps, silent. Rior followed behind — louder, impatient, arms crossed, frowning like he couldn't stand the quiet.

Sirus's gaze swept the room. Noticed the untouched bed, the uneaten meal. Me sitting on the floor instead of acting like a person again.

He didn't say anything, not yet. That was just like him.

Instead, Sirus walked to the low table and set something down: a black-lacquered plate, two pale white sweets resting neatly on top.

"Marrow rice dumplings," Sirus said evenly. "The kind you liked before."

Before. Like that was a different lifetime.

But I didn't deny.

Rior leaned against the door frame with a scowl that didn't quite reach his eyes. His foot tapped against the wood. Restless. Always moving.

"You don't have to eat them," Rior muttered. "But... it's stupid if you don't."

Sirus's lips twitched. Almost a smile. That was rare for him.

"Ignore him," Sirus said. "He argued with the kitchen staff until they made them right."

"Not my fault," Rior shot back immediately. "They kept asking dumb things. 'Should it be this sweet, that thick—' Just follow the damn recipe."

Sirus finally turned fully toward me. His expression wasn't cold. It wasn't overly warm either. Balanced. Controlled. Like me, but softer around the edges.

"I don't know what they did to you in there or maybe I did had a clue. But I can't say that I know everything," Sirus said after a pause. "No one tells us anything. But I know how it feels after."

He knelt so we were now, on same level.

"The silence. The... weight. It doesn't go away all at once."

"I don't feel anything," I said flatly.

> ' I really feel nothing, the emotions and all this were too dull, not something worth feeling for.'

But Sirus took it in other way, he didn't look surprised.

"That's normal," he answered quietly. "It's not weakness. It's adjustment."

Rior pushed off the wall finally, crossing the room with quick, sharp steps. His energy always felt like it didn't fit this place. Too bright. Too loud.

He crouched beside me, not as calm as Sirus — his movements weren't controlled, his hand clapped down on my shoulder without asking.

"Listen, little brother," Rior said, voice lower now. "When I got back from my trial, I smashed a mirror my first night. Couldn't look at my own face."

Sirus glanced his way but didn't interrupt.

"Couldn't eat. Couldn't sleep. Couldn't stop thinking maybe I'd snap again." Rior's grip tightened slightly. "But you don't break like that. You... hold on."

"Barely," I murmured.

"Barely is still alive," Rior said, eyes sharp now. "That counts."

" I meant that you barely hanged in, I am better than you," I deadpanned like stating a fact.

Rior smiled brightly and hugged me, I tried to push him but he is not weak or maybe because I didn't used my whole strength.

Sirus picked up one dumpling and placed it in my hand gently. He didn't push, didn't force.

"The taste's the same," he said simply. "If it isn't, we'll have them make better ones."

Rior gave a short laugh, more like a scoff.

"Right. Bossy as hell, even now."

Sirus's lips twitched again. Small signs. Controlled.

The room wasn't silent anymore, but it wasn't loud either. It felt... normal. For us.

One brother calm like winter.

One brother hot like fire.

And me.

In between.

I didn't eat the sweet yet. But I held onto it.

That was enough for now.

Alive. Human. Still here.

----

I didn't knew when we felt asleep.

I woke up, feeling the weight on my body I looked at my sides.

Sirus was asleep on the floor, snoring softly beside me, hugging him softly from side while,

Rior slept on his left side with his left leg on top of Elarion's leg and his left arm holding onto his shoulders, hugging him tightly and snoring loudly.

Elarion's POV:-

I tried to break free from their grips, I thought breaking out off Rior's grip would be harder.

But Sirus hugged gently, protectively but still strongly not in a way to hurt but won't let go.

I sighed.

I didn't like it.

But… maybe it's okay if someone stays anyway.

I let them and again fell asleep, not like I will rest just because of one day rest.

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