Extra Scene, Act 1, Chapter 9 (Luca’s POV)

Luca observes the small sprout timidly emerging from the patch of earth he just uncovered with his hands. A barely perceptible smile curves his lips as he gazes at that tiny sign of life.

Amid the chaos and destruction that the corruption has sown in the city, that fragile plant stands as a symbol of resilience. Despite the devastation that has engulfed everything around it, nature persists, defying the odds and rising again no matter how many times it’s knocked down.

Luca admires that quality, that silent strength that finds its way even in the darkest places.

“Plants, just like us, don’t give up easily, even in the face of fear. A reminder that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, I suppose.”

Though the words are meant for MC, they resonate in his own mind as if he’s trying to convince himself. For a moment, Luca sees himself reflected in that little sprout. Maybe, after all, there’s still hope for him too, a possibility to bloom again from the ruins of what he once was.

Luca barely registers MC crouching down next to him, nor does he hear when they whisper something. Instead, he carefully reaches out, his fingers searching for the sprout, unaware that MC is doing the same. Before he can touch the plant, Luca’s hand meets his friend’s.

The contact sends a slight pressure through his chest, an unexpected reminder of something he always tries to keep under control. Luca looks up immediately, panic beginning to bubble up inside him.

“How is this possible?” he urgently wonders, feeling the familiar thirst awakening within him. “I took it just before leaving.”

Anxiety grips him, growing with every beat of his heart. MC returns his gaze, their worried expression only intensifying the fear climbing up Luca’s body, wrapping around him in a suffocating embrace.

The air becomes heavy, almost unbreathable, and Luca feels the fear starting to drown him.

“Not again,” he thinks desperately, trying to swallow, but his mouth is completely dry. “Not again!”

Luca sees MC leaning closer, likely noticing his state and wanting to make sure that the darkness of the night isn’t playing tricks on them. But the warrior can’t bear it, can’t allow himself to be seen like this—vulnerable and broken. He can’t stand the judgment in their eyes, the compassion he so despises.

Suddenly, he stands up abruptly, turning his back on MC. He closes his eyes tightly and rubs his temples, trying to suppress the headache that begins to pound in his skull like a drum.

“Are you okay, Luca?” MC’s voice reaches his ears, laden with concern, but Luca isn’t sure if it’s real or just his imagination tricking him again.

He opens her eyes, trying to regain control of his thoughts. He needs to remember where he is, he needs to anchor his mind in reality. Looking at the ground, he confirms that everything is real: he’s in Astian, on the deserted streets of High Zone, and MC is there, beside him.

“Yes, yes, I’m fine,” he finally replies, patting the pocket on his breeches only to realize something terrifying.

He’s left the vial in the room.

His heart begins to pound, almost painfully, as panic seizes him. He needs the vial, he needs to calm the hunger before it completely consumes him.

“We should head back, it’s getting late,” he says as urgently as before, not waiting for MC’s response before starting to walk.

He needs to go back. He needs to go back to his room. He needs to go back to his room and get the vial. He needs to go back to his room, get the vial, and drink it…

“Luca-”

“Now.”

His voice cuts off MC’s sentence, but Luca doesn’t even realize it. His tone is abrupt, almost desperate, but those words weren’t for them.

They were for himself.