Chapter 01 — The Stranger in the Rain

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The rain tapped softly on the window panes, an unending rhythm that mirrored the clinking of cutlery in the small dining room. Cassian swirled the last piece of chicken on his plate.

Across from him, his mother, Irina Cain, wiped her hands with a dishcloth. Her lips twitched with restrained amusement.

"Mom, are you coming to graduation tomorrow?" Cassian asked, his voice tight as he licked his fingers clean. He kept his gaze on the plate before him, the memory of the fiasco with Collin still fresh in his mind.

She is not gonna scold me for that, will she?

Irina paused, her dark eyes narrowing as she tossed the cloth onto the counter. "I will, but don’t think helping me with dinner is going to make me forget, Cassy."

Cassian scoffed, grabbing another piece of chicken.

“Collin is a bully with an ego bigger than the school gym,” he started, his voice laced with innocence.

He stabbed the chicken with his fork and waved it for emphasis. “Not to mention, he kept pestering me—calling me 'bastard.' You know how it is with bullies. They only understand one language."

Irina crossed her arms, cocking an eyebrow. "Oh, really? And what language is that? Throwing punches until you’re sent to detention?"

"It worked, didn’t it?" Cassian said, grinning as he popped the last bite of chicken into his mouth. “Also, what I use is called assertive communication.”

He leaned back, savoring the flavor, but his grin faltered when his mom scoffed.

“Keep ‘assertively communicating’ like that, and you’ll be 'friendless.' Not to mention 'maidenless.'" Her lips curled into a half-smile.

Haaa, here we go again…

Cassian rolled his eyes.

With a mischievous glint in her eye, Irina leaned against the table. “I don’t want my son turning out to be a delinquent and end up in prison, Cassy. I’d much rather see adorable little cuties running around before I’m old and gray."

Cassian choked on his chicken, coughing as he waved a hand. "Mom, seriously?"

Irina threw her head back, laughing.

He wiped his mouth and let out a deep sigh. "When I meet someone—the one—I’ll happily settle down and give you as many grandkids as you want. But until then? No thanks. Relationships are a headache. You know how things turned out with Hailey," Cassian muttered, pushing his chair back to check for leftovers.

Irina’s smile softened, but the mischievous glint in her eye remained. “Fine, fine. Just don’t wait too long, Cassy. I’m not getting any younger.”

Shaking his head, he reached for the serving dish and noticed that his mom had grown quiet. Her gaze was distant. It was fixed on her left arm. Her fingers brushed the skin there absent-mindedly.

"Mom?"

“Mom, doctors have said it's your illusion; you are as healthy as you can be. Please stop talking like this; it's been almost a year since nothing is gonna happen."

She didn’t respond.

She is doing this more and more now… I should get another appointment with Dr. Maya.

"Mom!" he said louder, reaching across the table to touch her hand.

Irina flinched as if waking from a dream. She forced a smile, shaking her head. "It’s nothing, Cassy, I'm just tired. Long day at the café.”

Cassian hesitated, but he nodded, letting it slide. "You've been running yourself ragged. Maybe take a break tomorrow?”

She snapped her fingers, stopping his complaint. “And leave you in charge? The café would burn to the ground.”

"Whaa… no trust in your son," he muttered, standing up to collect the plates.

…

The rain drummed harder against the windows. The warm water ran over their hands as they worked in silence. Irina hummed softly, swaying from side to side as she rinsed a plate.

"Cassy, your grades are good," she said, interrupting the conversation. "You’ve got a real chance of getting into a great university. Imagine it—my son, a doctor!" She laughed while spinning around dramatically. "Oh, Mrs. Dawson’s face when I tell her! I can see it now.”

Cassian chuckled, shaking his head as he dried a plate.

Irina bumped her shoulder against his. "Cheer up, Cassy. So what if you have to move away? I’ll be fine. The café is steady, and I can always visit you."

"I know, Mom." He hesitated, his voice quieter this time. “It’s just...”

"No buts!" Irina declared, cupping his face with wet hands.

“Ahh! Mom, your hands are wet!”

“Big baby,” she teased, brushing his cheek. “It wasn’t long ago you were bragging about being grown-up enough to live alone.”

“Mom, I was joking—”

“And so am I.” Her tone softened, and she dropped her hands to the pendant hanging around his neck. “But listen, Cassy. If you ever feel lost or scared, hold this.” She guided his hand to the pendant. “A part of me is always with you.”

Cassian smiled, his earlier tension fading. “Love you, Mom.”

"Stupid Cassy," Irina murmured, pressing a quick kiss to his forehead. "I love you too."

The doorbell rang, interrupting the warmth of the moment. Cassian frowned, glancing at the clock. “At this hour? … In the rain?”

Irina shrugged, already drying her hands. "It's probably Mrs. Dawson. Finish up here. I’ll go check."

"Yup."

Hmm?… It's been more than 5 minutes; Mom isn’t back yet…

Confused, he dried his hands and started toward the living room. As he neared, an uneasy stillness crept over him. His footsteps slowed, a prickling sensation crawling up his neck. She was standing stiffly by the couch, her back rigid, her hands clenched at her sides. Across from her stood a man Cassian didn’t recognize.

The stranger’s appearance was striking. He wore a long white fur trench coat that draped elegantly over his shoulders. His hair was stark white, cascading to his back, and his eyes... blood-red.

What the hell...? Who is that…

Irina’s voice broke the silence. “Cassy, come here.” She extended a trembling hand, pulling him behind her protectively.

The stranger smiled. “My, my, Cassian. You’ve grown.” His voice was smooth, almost too calm, but something was unsettling beneath it.

"Uh… do I know you?" Cassian asked, his voice barely above a whisper. He glanced at his mother, his tone shifting. "Mom, who is that?"

His chest tightened as he studied the man. He looked unreal, like a villain from an anime. Who wears these clothes and has red contact lenses?

“You are not welcome here, Arwyn," Irina snapped, her tone colder than Cassian had ever heard. “We had a deal. You’re bound by it. So why are you here?”

“You didn’t expect that to hold forever, did you? …It is time, Irina, Do not make this difficult for me” the stranger, Arwyn, said. His voice was smooth and warm, like he was sharing good news. A gentle smile spread across his pale face. But the kindness in it felt wrong. It was like a painted mask that didn't match the eyes behind it. “My Lord’s grace took care of the deal.”

Cassian glanced at his mom. Her hand tightened around his, the tremble now more like a quake. “Arwyn...” she whispered, her voice breaking. "Please. Leave him alone."

Cassian looked between them. His mom's trembling hand and Arwyn's calmness made his stomach churn. "What deal?"

Cassian stared at her in shock. He had never seen her like this—her composure frayed, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. It was as though she were unraveling before him. The sight terrified him more than the pale man in their living room.

Her voice came out hoarse, barely above a whisper. “Is this what you have become, Arwyn?”

The man—Arwyn—tilted his head slightly, as though he were bemused by the question. “It is the will of the Voice Beyond the Altar. And the will of the Voice must be obeyed.”

Cassian watched as his mom’s knuckles turned white from how tightly she gripped his hand. He could feel her pulse racing, her fear vibrating through her touch.

“Wake up, Arwyn!” she snapped, her voice breaking through the eerie stillness. “How far will you go for those fuckers? How much of yourself will you let them take before you see them for what they are?”

For the first time, Arwyn’s serene mask cracked, and a sharp, biting edge entered his expression. The air in the room grew heavier and colder as if the very walls were holding their breath.

“You will not smear the Lord’s name with your profanities,” he said, his voice ringing with a sudden force that made Cassian’s knees buckle. It wasn’t a shout—it was more like a command, a declaration that demanded obedience. “Be glad, Irina. Rejoice, for you have been chosen.”

Irina staggered, gasping as though the weight of his words physically pressed down on her. “Then... leave Cassian alone...” she wheezed. “Please.”

Cassian’s head was spinning. His mom, usually so strong, was pleading. Pleading. He wanted to shove the man out of their house. But the air felt thick, pressing against his chest, refusing to let him move.

Arwyn’s smile returned, softer this time, but no less unsettling. “He is also chosen for greatness. All will be done as per the Lord’s wishes, dear Irina. It is time.”

"Mom!" he shouted, attempting to rush to her side, but he couldn’t move. An unseen force held him in place, his muscles locked no matter how hard he struggled.

What…. why can’t I move… What is happening…

Arwyn turned his crimson gaze to Cassian, and the room seemed to shrink around them. Cassian shuddered involuntarily as those glowing eyes bore into his. They felt ancient, unyielding as if they saw far more of him than he wanted to show.

“You may not understand now,” Arwyn said softly, his tone almost pitying. “But you will realize all I have done is for the greater good”

Cassian’s vision blurred with rage. "Leave her alone!" he growled through clenched teeth.

Irina suddenly gasped a wet, ragged sound that sent ice shooting through his veins. He turned to see her clutching her chest. Blood trickled from her nose, her ears, and the corners of her eyes.

“Mom?” His voice cracked, panic clawing at his throat.

Her knees buckled, and for a split second, Cassian thought he saw the world blur around her. He reached out, his heart hammering in his chest, but his body refused to obey. His breath caught in his throat as she crumpled, too fast, too silent, slipping into a motionless heap.

“Mom!” he screamed, his voice echoing in the room.

Irina fell to the floor, her blood pooling beneath her.

“No... no, no, no!” Cassian’s voice broke as he struggled against whatever held him back, his rage and fear boiling over. He tore free of the invisible restraint, his body trembling as he dropped to his knees beside her.

“Mom! What’s happening? Please—talk to me!” He cradled her in his arms, his tears falling freely onto her blood-streaked face. “Mom, don’t do this. Don’t leave me!”

Arwyn knelt beside them, his movements slow and deliberate, as though he had all the time in the world. His face was calm again, his serene expression infuriatingly intact.

Arwyn smiled faintly, tilting his head as though Cassian’s plea was a curious thing to hear. “Such love,” he murmured. “It is admirable. But this was always meant to be, Irina. You knew that and I gave you more than enough time” He glanced down at her, his tone softening in a way that made Cassian’s blood boil.

“What the fuck are you talking about?” Cassian spat, his voice raw and desperate. “Why? Why are you doing this to her? To us? Please... take me instead! Just—spare her!”

“Worry not. I will guide your souls to a better place.”

The moment Arwyn reached for him, a brilliant flash of light erupted from the pendant around his mom’s neck. It surged outward with blinding intensity, freezing Arwyn in place mid-sentence as if time itself had halted his movement.

Cassian stared in shock, his breath hitching as he watched his mom’s bloodied hand tremble, rising toward him. Before he could react, he felt the warm, unsteady touch against his cheek.

“Mom!”

Her lips parted, her voice a strained whisper. “Cassy... run.”

“No! I’m not leaving you!”

Irina’s fingers weakly closed around the pendant, guiding it into his hand. “I’m sorry,” she choked out. “For not spending more time with you. But... you are my everything, Cassy. I love you.”

“Mom...”

“Now go, and when you wake up again… live your life” she rasped, her voice barely audible. “My little star.”

Her hand went limp; her body still in his arms.

“Mom?” His voice wavered, disbelief washing over him in waves. “Mom, wake up. Please. Wake up!”

Arwyn’s voice shattered the moment, cutting through Cassian’s grief. “Troublesome woman,” he said, his tone oddly calm as he shook off whatever had frozen him. “But clever she was, though it won’t matter. The Lord’s grace prevails.”

Cassian’s head snapped up, his tear-streaked face contorting with fury. His blood boiled as he met those crimson eyes.

“You...” His voice shook with rage, his fingers curling into fists. “I’ll kill you.”

...