Who Knows?

He woke up to the same white wall. The morning sunlight was bright, casting strong, silencing shadows' maddening whispers. It was a peaceful morning: birds chirped, leaves rustled gently on the ground. A few leaves drifted into Soul's cell. He tried to fashion them into a makeshift house, but quickly realized he had no knack for artsy things.

He made a small cut on his hand and used his blood magic to lift the droplets into the air. The blood floated, forming random shapes. At first, he created simple rings, but then he started to get more creative, making spirals and loops that intertwined. The shapes danced in the sunlight, casting eerie patterns on the cell walls.

He heard footsteps, assuming it was Ruby's. "Hey, Ru…"

"Hello?" The voice belonged to someone else. "Are you Soul?"

"Huh?"

"Hello?"

Through the barred window, he saw the girl he had accidentally hurt by throwing a dagger to her cheek. He couldn't recall her name at first, but then it came to him.

"Liliana, right?"

"It's... Liana," she corrected, crouching to meet his gaze through the bars.

"I'm sorry for – attacking you. Does it still hurt?"

"It's been five days… so, no, it doesn't hurt."

Soul avoided eye contact.

"Ruby hasn't come to visit you since then, right?" she asked, a touch of regret in her voice.

"Yeah..." He replied quietly. "I guess I made her angry. I can't blame her, though. If I were in her shoes, I'd be pissed, too."

"I… well, I forgive you. I caught you at the wrong time. It was my fault."

"Thanks…"

"So… why are you locked there? Can't you lockpick the door?"

"There's no door. No entrance to this building according to Ruby."

"What, this prison just spawned out here?" she gestured to the barred window.

"I don't know…" He shrugged. "I wish I did. But I don't know…"

"Soul, wake up."

"Huh? I'm already up, Liliana. What are you talking about?"

"Soul? Soul? Soul!"

"Soul!"

Soul's eyelids fluttered as consciousness crept back into his mind. The hum of hushed voices mixed with the distant roar of rain against the classroom's windows. His head felt heavy, as if he'd been drifting in a fog for hours. A gentle hand shook him, and he opened his eyes to see Lore, her face pale with worry.

The room was dim, shadows cast by the streaks of rain streaming down the glass. Water pooled in the corners of the windows, blurring the view of the storm raging outside. Thunder rumbled, the sound muted but still ominous.

The other students were huddled at their desks, their wide eyes darting toward the front of the class, where their teacher, Mr. Hughan, stood with a raised hand, trying to calm the chaos. His voice, though steady, seemed strained as he attempted to maintain control.

"Everyone, please stay calm," he repeated, but his words were almost drowned out by a sudden crack of thunder. A few students flinched, some gasping, others gripping their desks tightly.

Lore looked at Soul, her eyes full of questions, her lips parted as if to speak, but no words came out. Instead, she bit her lower lip, her fingers nervously twisting the bracelet on her wrist. The fear in the room was noticeable.

"High-Priestess is dead!" said one of the students. "Hero-God Take's champion is dead!"

"Sireanar, have mercy on us!"

"We are all fucked!"

"High-Priestess died?" Soul asked to Lore. "Are you sure? Is that the reason The Topple's curse lifted?"

"Curses are permenant, even if the caster dies, it wouldn't dissepar." Lore said, trying to calm down. "A ritual was made in the palace – in her bedroom. Her heart was removed… someone made a demonic ritual. And there's only one person who can do that."

"Who?"

"Lilith," Lore replied, her eyes darkening. "Demon Queen Lilith. She was the last pure blood."

"Oh…"

"With the High-Priestess dead and that demonic ritual completed, all the curses have been lifted. She was also our last line of defense – her immense power prevented demons from teleporting from their realm to ours."

"Do you think... a second battle with the demons is at our doorstep?"

"I'm afraid so, Soul. But who could've stolen that artifact from the Hero-God's sarcophagus and freed her? Gods... gods!"

"So The Topple rumors are ture!" said a girl student. "He is here! Without a curse! Gods, please help us!"

Mr. Hughan took a deep breath, his calm voice rising above the anxious murmurs of the students. The candlelit classroom was dim, shadows flickering on the stone walls as the storm outside raged with loud crashes of thunder. He stepped forward, lifting his hands, and began to chant softly. The words were rhythmic, each syllable deliberate, filled with an ancient power.

As he chanted, green vines sprouted from the floor and the walls, curling and spreading throughout the classroom. They wove around the desks, growing rapidly, their lush leaves unfolding with a gentle rustling sound. A soothing fragrance, like lavender and chamomile, wafted through the air, filling the room with calm.

The students, who had been on the edge of panic, began to relax. The scent softened their anxiety, and the gentle rustling of the vines was a welcome sight to the storm's relentless fury.

"I…" Lore sat beside Soul, seemingly calmer. "I'm scared."

"Me too." He said, tone flat. "This is – this is something."

"You think the one who stole the artefect from Take's sarcophagus was a demon? Because no human would that! Even The Topple!"

'So I'm even lower than a rapist now…'

"I don't know. It's possible, though."

"Calm down, students." Mr.Hughan said. "Everything is under control. The class is dismissed for today, you may go to your dormitories and gather your thoughts. Don't forget, if you see anyone suspicious, report them immediately."

As Soul and Lore stepped into the hallway with the rest of the students, the chaos of the storm outside seemed mild compared to the pandemonium within the school. The usual lively chatter was replaced by frantic whispers and shouts. Students gathered in tight groups, their faces pale with worry. Teachers and staff moved through the corridors, attempting to maintain order, but their efforts were largely in vain

On their way toward the exit, Hyun-Ki spotted Soul and Lore and hurried to join them. Despite the chaos in the corridors, he seemed calmer than most of the other students.

"Did you guys hear about the High-Priestess?" he asked, catching his breath. "She's dead. A demonic ritual was performed, all the curses have been lifted!"

"Yes!" Lore replied. She seemed glad to find someone as anxious as she was, given Soul's stoic demeanor. "It's insane!"

"Hey," a girl called out to a teacher, her voice strained with worry. "Have you seen my father – Professor Yuu?"

The teacher turned, his eyes scanning the crowd. "Are you... Yuki or Tamiko? Yes, I've seen your father. He was in the library. You can find him upstairs, second door from the left."

The girl nodded quickly, relief flickering across her face. "Tamiko-nee!" she shouted over the noise, "Father's in the library!"

"Got it," a voice answered from within the panicked throng. A girl, slightly taller than Yuki and pushing through the crowd, called back, "I'm coming!"

Tamiko and Soul made eye contact for a brief moment. She acted as though she didn't know him, but he could tell that she recognized him. Soul was sure he had never met the girl, as he never forgot a face once he'd seen it.

"Let's just get out of here," Hyun-Ki suggested. "Nia'll come with us, too. Is that okay?"

"Of course," Lore replied with a reassuring nod. "She can come. Where should we go?"

"We could sit in the garden, maybe?" Hyun-Ki offered, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Okay, sure," Lore agreed.

"Umm... you and Nia go ahead," Hyun-Ki said, lowering his voice as he looked at Soul. "I gotta... I gotta talk to Soul in private."

"Oh... yeah, sure," Lore said, her eyebrows lifting in curiosity before she turned to leave. "Where's Nia?"

"First floor. She's waiting at the entrance, you can't miss it," Hyun-Ki answered, waving her off with a weak smile.

Soul watched Lore walk away, her footsteps fading into the distance. He turned back to Hyun-Ki. "What is it?" he asked, crossing his arms.

Hyun-Ki took a deep breath, his eyes scanning around as if he were afraid someone might overhear. He leaned in closer to Soul, lowering his voice to a whisper. "Soul... I have to tell you something important."

"Hmm?" Soul leaned in as well, his expression unchanging.

"I'm... Soul – I'm a virgin."

Soul blinked, his expression flat.

"I'm going to a brothel – Golden Pussies. Please, come with me. I don't want to die a virgin. Who knows if I'll survive the next Family Match or The fucking Topple?"

'Huh…'