Welcome to the Innocent World

The cage felt colder now, the rusted bars biting into my hands as I leaned against them, facing the massive demon-like figure looming just outside. His red eyes glowed like burning coals under the flickering red and pink neon lights, his jagged teeth bared in a snarl. The big throne-like chair behind him sat heavy in the shadows, making him look even more like some twisted king lording over us. My black aura was still gone, leaving me hollow, but I kept my smirk on, staring him down like I wasn't fazed.

A soft groan broke the tension.

"Ahm…" Lyra stirred in the corner of the cage, her red dress crumpled around her legs as she sat up slow, rubbing her head. "Where am I?" she mumbled, her voice groggy, wincing as she pressed her fingers to her temple. "My head hurts…"

Her eyes blinked open, catching mine, and a flicker of relief crossed her face. "Austin!" she said, her voice brightening a little despite the pain. She scooted closer, her hands brushing the cold metal floor. "Good to see you again."

"Yeah, me too, Lyra," I said, giving her a quick nod, trying to keep things light even though we were locked in a damn cage with a monster staring us down.

She glanced around, her blonde hair falling messy over her shoulders as she took in the bars, the neon glow, the whole creepy setup.

"Where are we?" she asked, her voice shaky now. "Why are we in a cage, and why's it so bright here—" Her words cut off sharp as her eyes landed on the demon by the throne.

Her face froze, her mouth dropping open, fear flashing wide in her eyes. "What the *fuck* is that?" she whispered, her voice barely holding together as she pointed a trembling finger at him.

I forced a laugh, trying to keep her calm. "Yeah… just some random-ass demon holding us here," I said, shrugging like it was no big deal. "He's all bark, don't worry."

"Grrrrrrrrr…" The demon growled low, his red eyes snapping to Lyra, his lips curling back to show more of those sharp teeth. The sound rumbled through the cage, deep and menacing, shaking the air.

Lyra yelped, scrambling to her feet and darting behind me, her hands grabbing my jacket as she ducked close.

"Oiii, I'm scared of him!" she said, her voice high and panicky, her face half-buried in my back. "He looks so scary, Austin!"

"Hehe, it's okay," I said, reaching up to pat her head, her blonde hair soft and smooth under my hand, even tangled from the mess we were in. "I'm here for you, don't worry." I kept my tone easy, but my eyes stayed locked on the demon, watching his every move.

Without my powers, I was talking big to keep her steady, but I wasn't sure how long I could back it up.

The cage felt like it was closing in, the rusted bars cold under my hands as I stood there, the red and pink neon lights flickering wild around us. The demon loomed outside, his red eyes burning like fire, his massive frame casting a shadow that swallowed half the cage. Lyra clung to my back, her hands fisting my jacket, her breath shaky from fear and whatever had knocked her out earlier.

"And what—you're not telling me you're the legendary hero Zero, huh, Austin!?" Lyra snapped, her voice sharp as she smacked my back, tugging at my hair with a quick yank. "Ow, ow!" I winced, turning to face her, her blonde hair messy under the neon glow.

"I'm sorry, alright? I had to keep it quiet—it's a big secret," I said, grabbing her hands gentle to calm her down, my voice low to keep it between us.

She glared at me, her eyes narrowing behind her missing mask, her lips pursed tight. "We've been sleeping together for days, Austin—sharing all kinds of personal stuff—and you're just now telling me this?" she said, her voice a mix of hurt and frustration as she crossed her arms, leaning back against the bars. "That's messed up."

"Sorry, sorry," I said, flashing a sheepish grin, trying to smooth it over. "Look, I brought you here with me, right? I wanted to show you the real deal—let you see it for yourself." I reached out, brushing a strand of her hair back, my fingers lingering on her cheek. "Kinda cool, huh?"

She pouted, her lips jutting out as she looked away for a sec.

"Still…" she muttered, but then she softened, stepping close and wrapping her arms around me in a tight hug, her head resting against my chest. "You're such a jerk sometimes."

"Shhh, there, there," I said, hugging her back, my hands rubbing her shoulders as I leaned in close, my voice dropping soft. "Don't be sad, alright? I'll get us out of this cage, and then we can have all the time you want—promise." I tilted her chin up, my face inches from hers, her breath warm and teasing.

"Yeah… okay," she said, her pout turning into a small smile as she leaned up, her lips brushing close to mine, almost kissing me before—

"Grrrr… pathetic," the demon's voice cut through, sharp and mocking, stopping us cold. We both snapped our heads toward him, my arms still around Lyra.

He dropped into his massive throne-like chair with a heavy *thud*, the wood creaking under his weight. His gray, muscular frame sprawled out, his open black shirt flapping loose, his clawed hands gripping the armrests as he growled low, his jagged teeth glinting in the neon light.

Lyra tensed against me, her fingers digging into my jacket. "He's so creepy," she whispered, her eyes locked on him, fear creeping back into her voice.

I squeezed her shoulder, keeping her steady, then turned to face him.

"Zero…" he said, his voice like gravel, his red eyes boring straight into me, glowing brighter now, like they were about to catch fire.

"What?" I shot back, stepping forward, my hands flexing even though my aura was still gone, leaving me empty. I kept my chin up, acting like I wasn't rattled.

He leaned forward, steam hissing from his mouth, hot and thick, curling into the air like a dragon's breath.

"My name is Alaric," he growled, his voice shaking the cage floor. "And I'm going to kill you—right here, right now." His eyes flared even hotter, the air around him getting heavy, his aura pressing down like a storm rolling in, making my skin prickle and my chest tight.