Hybrid !

Enzo Vandaryn

The room was heavy with the scent of old wood and burning firewood, the kind of aroma that clung to memories of forgotten times. Shadows danced along the stone walls, cast by the flickering glow of the fireplace at the far end. The dim light illuminated the large training hall, where swords of every size and style lined the walls, glinting faintly in the low light. The air was thick, not just with the weight of their training, but with questions that had yet to find answers.

Enzo sat on the edge of a worn, leather couch, his sword propped against his knee. His muscles ached, and his hand throbbed under the cast, but he paid it no mind. Across from him, Donna lay sprawled on a faded rug, her chest rising and falling as she tried to catch her breath. Her sword rested beside her, the blade dulled and chipped from hours of sparring.

"You're done for the day," Enzo said, his voice cutting through the crackle of the fire.

Donna rolled her head to the side, her hair sticking to her damp forehead. "You think?" she muttered, her voice laced with sarcasm but tinged with exhaustion. "I'm starting to think this hybrid thing comes with zero perks when it comes to endurance."

Enzo smirked, tossing her a bottle of water. "You'll get there. Or maybe I'll stop holding back next time to make it more interesting."

Donna snorted weakly, sitting up and twisting the cap off. "You wish. You've been holding back so much you might as well be swinging a stick."

The banter eased the weight in the room, if only slightly. But Enzo couldn't ignore the tightness in his chest, the unanswered questions clawing at the edges of his mind. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, and let the words slip out before he could overthink them.

"Donna," he began, his tone quieter now, almost hesitant.

She glanced up from her water bottle, her brow furrowing. "What?"

Enzo met her gaze, his eyes sharper than before. "That night in the forest. The werewolf... why was it chasing you?"

Her expression hardened, and she set the bottle down slowly. "I've already told everyone, Enzo."

"I know," he said, his voice firmer now. "But I need to hear it again. Why were you out there? What happened before the attack?"

Donna looked away, her hands gripping the hem of her shirt tightly. The firelight played across her face, illuminating the storm of emotions flickering in her eyes. "I don't know," she whispered, her voice cracking.

"You don't know, or you don't want to tell me?" Enzo pressed, leaning forward.

Her head snapped toward him, and her voice rose, shaking with frustration. "I told you! I don't remember! I don't remember anything, okay? I'm sorry, but it's just... blank!"

The words echoed in the room, the silence that followed even heavier. Donna's shoulders trembled, her breath uneven as she fought to hold back tears.

Enzo's jaw tightened, and for a moment, he said nothing. Then, he stood, pacing toward the fireplace. The warmth of the flames did little to thaw the cold pit forming in his stomach.

"I'm not trying to blame you," he said finally, his voice softer now but still tinged with a quiet intensity. "But none of this makes sense. You were in the middle of the forest, alone, at night. The wolf didn't just stumble upon you. It was after you."

Donna hugged her knees to her chest, her voice small. "I know that, Enzo. Do you think I haven't thought about it? Every time I close my eyes, I see its teeth, its eyes. I hear its growl. And I still don't know why. I don't know why I was there, and I hate that I can't remember."

Her words struck something in him, and he turned back to her, the firelight catching the glint of something fierce in his eyes. "You're not useless, Donna," he said, his tone steady but resolute. "You're stronger than you think. Whatever happened, we'll figure it out. But I need you to try."

She looked up at him, her lips trembling. "I have tried, Enzo. I swear. But every time I try to dig deeper, it's like there's a wall in my head, and I can't break through."

Enzo sighed, raking a hand through his hair. He dropped back onto the couch beside her, his shoulders slumping. "Then we'll break it together," he said quietly. "You're not alone in this, Donna. You never were."

For a moment, they sat in silence, the only sound the crackling fire. Donna finally rested her head against her knees, her voice barely audible.

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

Enzo shook his head. "Don't apologize".

Donna gave a faint smile, her tension easing just a little. The fire crackled softly in the background, filling the silence between them. Enzo leaned back on the couch, but his gaze lingered on her, a flicker of curiosity and something deeper in his eyes.

"Actually," Enzo started, his tone shifting, "I think you awakened your power that night."

Donna's head snapped up, confusion flashing across her face. "What?"

Enzo shrugged, though his expression remained serious. "Think about it. The werewolf attacked, you survived, and after that... I've seen you fight, Donna. How can you land blows that powerful? How can you spar with me without flinching, even when I'm going all out? Lifting heavy swords, moving like you do—it's not normal."

Donna frowned, her brows knitting together as she processed his words. "I... I didn't think about that," she admitted. "But maybe you're right. I have felt... different. Stronger."

Enzo nodded, leaning forward, his elbows on his knees. "Exactly. And if that's true, it's a good thing. But it still doesn't explain why you ran." His voice lowered, probing again. "Why were you in the forest, Donna? What made you go there?"

Her gaze dropped to the floor, and she bit her lip. "I don't know," she said softly. "I really don't. But… if I did awaken, maybe it wasn't just by accident. Maybe something triggered it."

Enzo exhaled, his mind racing with possibilities, but he pushed those thoughts aside for now. "Alright," he said, sitting back again. "Let's focus on what we do know. If you awakened, then the strength you've been showing makes sense."

Donna tilted her head, curiosity sparking in her eyes. "Is that why you've been able to fight so easily too? Because you've already awakened?"

"Yeah," Enzo admitted, cracking a small smile. "And trust me, it only gets more intense from here."

Donna raised an eyebrow. "How do you know all this?"

Enzo grinned, tapping the side of his head. "Books. I've been reading everything I can about hybrids, especially about awakening. Physical strength is the first thing you notice after awakening—it comes almost immediately. Then, magic starts to show itself, bit by bit. After that, it's summoning your weapon."

"Summoning a weapon?" Donna asked, leaning forward slightly.

"Yeah," Enzo confirmed. "Each stage is different for every hybrid. Some progress quickly; others take their time. It all depends on the circumstances. But every stage has its own hurdles, and it's not the same for everyone."

Donna considered this, her fingers tracing patterns on the fabric of her leggings. "So, you're saying... I might be moving through these stages right now?"

"Exactly," Enzo said. "And the good news? You've already cleared the hardest part—awakening. The rest? We'll figure it out together. That's what family does."

Donna smiled, a flicker of hope lighting her face. "Thanks, Enzo. For not giving up on me."

He reached out, ruffling her hair with a grin. "Don't get all sappy on me now. You'll need all that strength to keep up tomorrow."

Donna swatted his hand away, laughing softly. "Oh, don't worry. I'll be the one leaving you in the dust."

Enzo chuckled, but his mind lingered on her words. Deep down, he couldn't shake the feeling that whatever had triggered Donna's awakening wasn't random.

Attius Vandaryn

The hum of machinery and the faint buzz of fluorescent lights filled the air as Attius wandered deeper into the labyrinthine halls of the organization. The place was a maze of sterile corridors, polished to a near mirror shine, with doors that seemed to hold secrets he wasn't sure he wanted to know.

He glanced around, noting the hurried pace of the scientists and operatives. Everyone seemed to have a purpose—everyone but him. He wasn't even sure why he was here, other than the growing itch of curiosity that pulled him forward.

Turning a corner, Attius almost bumped into a man juggling a precarious stack of folders.

"Hey, need a hand?" Attius offered instinctively, steadying the folders before they tumbled.

The man exhaled sharply. "Yeah, thanks," he muttered, passing half the stack to Attius.

As they walked, Attius glanced at the labels on the folders: Subject VAM Termination, Stage 3 Failure Logs, Experimental Protocol 17A. The words gnawed at his curiosity.

The man abruptly stopped, fishing one folder out of the stack and thrusting it into Attius's hands. "Take this to the fifth floor," he said hurriedly. "I'm swamped, and this needs to get there now."

Attius froze, frowning. "Fifth floor? I thought this place only had three floors."

The man's face went pale, his nervous energy suddenly palpable. "No—uh, you must have misheard me," he stammered, forcing a chuckle that sounded anything but convincing. "I said third floor. Just drop it there, okay?"

Attius raised an eyebrow, the folder feeling heavier in his hands than it should. "Pretty sure you said fifth floor. Weird slip of the tongue, don't you think?"

The man shifted uncomfortably, avoiding his gaze. "Look, just... don't overthink it, alright? Third floor. That's it. And don't ask questions."

"Right," Attius said slowly, his tone laced with suspicion. He held up the folder, tapping it lightly. "But what's this about 'Subject VAM not being a success'? Sounds like something worth asking questions about."

The man flinched as though Attius had struck him. "It's nothing," he said hastily. "Just internal terminology. Forget I even said it."

Before Attius could press further, a familiar voice cut through the air.

"Attius," Scarlett's voice was calm but carried an edge that made both men stiffen.

Attius turned to see her approaching, her sharp eyes scanning the scene. Dressed in her usual black coat, she exuded an air of authority that silenced the bustling hallway around them.

"Is everything fine here?" she asked, her tone measured but probing.

Attius shrugged, slipping his hands into his pockets. "Yeah, just helping this guy out. How's everything with you?"

"Busy," Scarlett replied. Her gaze flicked to the folder in Attius's hand. "How's training going?"

"Fine," Attius replied, his voice casual, though he felt her scrutinizing him.

Scarlett nodded, her lips curving into a faint smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "I'm heading to the third floor. I'll take that with me."

The man in the lab coat looked visibly relieved, nodding quickly. "Yes, perfect. Thanks, Scarlett."

Attius hesitated for a moment, his fingers gripping the folder. Something about her offer didn't sit right, but he couldn't pinpoint why. Finally, he extended the folder toward her. "Sure. Here you go."

Scarlett reached out, her movements smooth and deliberate. She grasped the folder, her hand brushing his for the briefest moment, and pulled it from his grip with an air of finality.

"Thanks," she said, her voice cool. Without another word, she turned on her heel and began walking toward the lift at the end of the corridor.

Attius watched her, his unease growing with every step she took. Her stride was confident, purposeful, but there was something about the way she clutched the folder, holding it close to her side, that gnawed at him.

The hallway seemed to stretch in silence as she reached the lift, pressed the button, and stepped inside. Before the doors slid shut, Scarlett glanced back briefly, her eyes locking with his. It wasn't a warning or a threat—just a look that seemed to say, Don't dig too deep.

Aegon Vandaryn

The quiet hum of the break room was a welcome reprieve from the sterile intensity of the organization's halls. Aegon stood at the counter, lazily watching the kettle as steam began to rise. The break room itself was unremarkable—scuffed wooden tables, a few mismatched chairs, and a counter cluttered with old mugs and half-empty sugar packets. Still, the calm here felt like a small slice of sanity.

The door creaked open behind him, and the soft tap of shoes against the tile made him turn his head. Tory stepped in, her presence lighting up the otherwise dull space.

She was hard to miss—not just because she was one of the few women here, but because she stood out like a bright splash of color in a grayscale world. Her hair was a warm shade of auburn that always seemed slightly messy, as if she'd just run a hand through it while working on something intricate. But what really caught him every time were her eyes—one green, one white. Aegon had never asked her about it, but the contrast was striking, making her look like she belonged in some supernatural painting rather than a lab.

"Well, well," she teased, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. "Look who's embracing the art of tea-making."

Aegon grinned, leaning back against the counter. "Someone's gotta class this place up. Can't let all you science types think I'm just a pretty face."

Tory rolled her eyes, but there was a faint blush dusting her cheeks. She stepped closer, crossing her arms. "Oh, don't worry, Aegon. Nobody's mistaking you for just a pretty face. You've got plenty of charm too—enough to drive everyone here crazy."

"Crazy in a good way, I hope," Aegon replied, letting his voice drop into a teasing lilt.

She laughed, the sound soft and a little nervous. "I wouldn't get ahead of yourself."

The kettle let out a shrill whistle, and Aegon turned to pour the hot water into two mismatched mugs. "Tea?" he offered, holding one out to her.

Tory raised an eyebrow, her smile widening. "Trying to win me over with tea now?"

"Is it working?" he asked, his tone playful as he held the mug just out of reach.

Tory stepped closer, her fingers brushing against his as she took the mug. "Maybe," she said, her voice quieter now, her mismatched eyes studying him for a moment. "But you'll have to try harder than tea."

Aegon leaned slightly closer, his grin widening. "You know, I think I might like a challenge."

Tory bit her lip, her blush deepening. "You're impossible," she muttered, though the smile on her face betrayed her words.

"Impossible? Or irresistibly charming?" Aegon quipped, taking a sip of his own tea as he leaned casually against the counter.

She laughed again, shaking her head. "Both, probably. But I'll give you this—you make a decent cup of tea."

"I'll take that as a victory," Aegon said, his grin turning softer.

They stood there for a moment, the air between them light but charged with something neither of them addressed. Tory finally broke the silence, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Thanks for this," she said, gesturing to the mug. "It's nice to... take a break."

"Anytime," Aegon replied, his voice lower now, almost sincere. "Though, if I'm being honest, I think I just enjoy the company."

Tory's cheeks flushed again, and she quickly glanced away, pretending to focus on her tea. "You really are something, Aegon."

"Something good, I hope," he added, a mischievous glint in his eye.

She didn't answer, but the faint smile that lingered on her lips told him enough.

The break room was starting to feel smaller as Aegon stood by the counter, his tea cooling in his hands. Tory leaned against the opposite counter, her mismatched eyes locked on him as if she were studying every little move he made. Her presence had a way of making the air feel lighter, even if the organization around them carried the weight of a thousand secrets.

"You know," Tory said, tilting her head slightly, "for someone who claims not to care about what goes on here, you sure do wander around a lot."

Aegon smirked, raising an eyebrow. "I'm just making sure everyone's doing their job. Someone has to keep this place running smoothly."

She laughed softly, shaking her head. "Yeah, because you're such a model employee."

Their banter was interrupted when Aegon's attention shifted toward the hallway beyond the open door. He caught a glimpse of Scarlett walking briskly, a folder clutched tightly in her hand. She disappeared into a room, the door closing behind her but not fully shutting. It hung slightly ajar, a sliver of light spilling into the hallway.

Aegon's brows furrowed. There was something about Scarlett's posture—tense, almost hurried—that piqued his curiosity. But before he could make a move, Tory's voice pulled him back.

"Aegon," she said, her tone softer now. "Wait."

He turned back to her, his brow raising. "What is it?"

She hesitated for a moment, then pushed off the counter, stepping closer. "Can I ask you something? Before you go running off to Scarlett with whatever it is you're about to do?"

Aegon tilted his head, a sly grin forming. "Running off to Scarlett? Come on, Tory. You know I don't—"

"Don't flirt with her?" Tory interrupted, crossing her arms. "Sure. You keep telling yourself that. She's not your type, right?"

He leaned against the counter, sipping his tea casually. "Exactly. She's not my type, and you know it."

"Yeah, yeah," Tory said, rolling her eyes but smiling faintly. "Fine. If you're so free, how about tomorrow? Let's grab a drink after all this madness."

Aegon's grin widened. "I was going to suggest it myself, but you beat me to it. Tomorrow it is."

"Good," Tory said, turning back to her mug, though the faint pink on her cheeks betrayed her usual calm demeanor.

Aegon gave her a quick nod and headed for the door, their conversation leaving him in a slightly better mood. But as he approached the partially closed door where Scarlett had disappeared, his steps slowed.

Aegon paused just outside the door, the faint sound of voices filtering through the gap. He hesitated, not wanting to eavesdrop—well, not planning to, but curiosity got the better of him.

Scarlett's voice cut through the muffled hum of the hallway, sharp and laced with anger. "How could you do this? Are you an idiot?"

A deeper voice responded, defensive but nervous. "I thought he was part of it! He's kind of the owner of this—or at least connected to it. I figured he already knew!"

Aegon leaned closer, his fingers brushing the doorframe. The weight of the conversation hung heavily in the air.

Scarlett's voice rose again, frustration boiling over. "No! You idiot. He doesn't know everything, and this isn't something you just hand over casually!"

"Look," the man said, his voice growing steadier. "I studied their history.—others like them—they've always been involved in this kind of stuff. I figured you told him already."

Scarlett let out an audible sigh, one filled with irritation. "You thought wrong. This could ruin everything if it gets out. And don't even think about mentioning the fifth floor to anyone else."

The mention of the fifth floor made Aegon's stomach tighten. He pressed himself closer to the door, his mind racing. Fifth floor?

Inside, Scarlett continued, her tone icy. "Next time, follow the chain of command. No exceptions. You're lucky this didn't blow up in your face."

The man muttered something in response, too low for Aegon to catch.

Aegon lingered outside the door, his mind churning with the fragments of conversation he'd overheard. He strained his ears, but the voices inside had fallen silent, replaced by an oppressive stillness. Frowning, he knocked lightly on the door.

A moment passed, and still no response. The silence pressed against him, making him hesitate. Then, deciding it was better to address things directly, he raised his voice slightly.

"Scarlett?" he called, keeping his tone casual. "Are you in there? I think I just saw you go in."

Another pause, and then her voice came, calm but edged with something he couldn't place. "Come in."

Pushing the door open, Aegon stepped into the room. It was stark and clinical, with a large table at the center covered in papers and devices he couldn't begin to understand. The faint smell of disinfectant hung in the air, sharp and sterile. Scarlett stood at the far side of the room, her back to him, the folder from earlier now closed and resting on the table.

She turned to face him, her expression cool and unreadable. "What is it, Aegon? Is there trouble?"

He hesitated for a moment, then shook his head. "No trouble. Not yet, anyway." He stepped closer, trying to gauge her reaction. "It's about Donna. Enzo says she awakened her power."

Scarlett raised an eyebrow, her lips pressing into a thin line. "Awakened her power?"

"Yeah," Aegon continued, crossing his arms. "He thinks it happened during the werewolf attack. Makes sense when you think about it. She's stronger now, faster. But there's more to this, isn't there? If she's awakened her physical strength, then it's only a matter of time before her magic starts to manifest."

Scarlett's gaze sharpened, but she said nothing, letting his words hang in the air. Aegon took that as his cue to keep going.

"And if that's the case," he added, his tone firm, "I think it's time for her to start training in magic. Properly. She's not going to figure it out on her own."

Scarlett finally spoke, her voice measured. "Magic isn't something to be rushed, Aegon. You know that better than anyone."

"Exactly," Aegon countered. "Which is why she needs guidance now. Before she gets herself into something she can't handle."

Scarlett's expression softened slightly, though the tension in her posture remained. "You're not wrong," she admitted, her voice quieter now. "But it's not as simple as you think. Awakening magic isn't like flipping a switch. It takes time, control, and... the right circumstances."

"Then we make the right circumstances," Aegon said, his voice firm.

Scarlett studied him for a moment, then nodded slowly. "I'll think about it," she said finally. "For now, let's see how far she's come on her own. If she's truly ready, we'll take the next step."

Aegon nodded, though a part of him felt like she was still holding something back. "Fair enough. Just don't wait too long. The world isn't going to wait for her to catch up."

Scarlett's lips twitched into a faint, almost imperceptible smile. "You sound like someone who actually cares, Aegon."

He smirked, turning to leave. "Don't let it go to your head."

As the door clicked shut behind him, Aegon couldn't shake the feeling that Scarlett's mind was elsewhere. The conversation wasn't over—not really. Not yet.