In the dimly lit hospital parking lot, the only sound was the hum of a car engine shutting off and the distant echo of footsteps. Rayzen and Kael stood several feet apart, their postures stiff, a clear tension between them. Despite their rivalry, this moment forced them to speak.
Kael, typically calm, broke the silence with a heavy tone. "Rayzen," he started, his voice betraying a hint of concern. "What exactly happened to Alea?"
Rayzen let out a long breath, his eyes burning with anger. "Selia," he answered shortly, his gaze locked on Kael with intensity. "It was Selia who hurt Alea. That's what happened."
Kael's confusion was evident. "Selia? Varek's sister?"
Rayzen nodded, his expression growing darker. "Yeah. Selia is Varek's sister, the same Varek who used to be Levan's greatest enemy. Varek... the one who almost killed Levan. Selia knows exactly how to use violence, and she won't hesitate to do whatever it takes to get what she wants. Even if it means hurting innocent people."
Kael fell silent for a moment, processing Rayzen's words. "So... Alea got caught in the middle of all this? In your war?"
Rayzen nodded again, his eyes filled with frustration. "Alea was just a victim in all this chaos. Selia doesn't care if she hurts people who have nothing to do with our world. But I'm not going to just sit back. I don't care how it goes down, I'm making sure Selia and Varek pay for what they've done to Alea."
Kael sighed, looking away for a moment, perhaps trying to calm himself. "You know, Rayzen, we're enemies... but when it comes to Alea, I can't just stand by. I hate seeing innocent people caught up in this mess. Selia needs to pay for what she did."
Rayzen watched Kael for a beat, their eyes locking for a moment. The tension was palpable, but there was also a growing understanding between them, awkward though it was.
"Alea didn't deserve any of this," Rayzen said finally, his voice low but resolute. "I won't let Selia or anyone else hurt her again."
Kael nodded, and although their words were more subdued now, the underlying tension remained. They both knew that, while they might be on the same side for now, their rivalry was far from over.