Lucien wasn't himself.
For days, those words haunted him. "You're just as strong as him... Genetics don't lie."
At first, he dismissed them as mere taunts, but the way the Red Fang operative had said it—it wasn't just an insult. It was a statement of fact.
And then there was her. A woman from his past, a blurred memory of kindness in a childhood he barely remembered. The more he tried to recall, the more his mind resisted, like something buried deep within him was locked away.
Was it possible? Had he once lived a normal life? Had he once had parents who cared for him before Vermilion Oath took him?
Lucien clenched his fists. He needed answers.
---
One evening, Evelyn was in her study, reading through some notes, when she heard a knock on her door. It was unusual—Lucien never came to her house unannounced.
When she opened it, she found him standing there, his usual sharp gaze replaced by something unfamiliar. Doubt.
"Lucien?" Evelyn frowned. "What's wrong?"
He didn't answer immediately. His posture was rigid, his hands tucked into his jacket pockets as if grounding himself.
"Can I come in?" he asked.
Evelyn stepped aside without hesitation, closing the door behind him. She led him to the living room, where he sat on the couch, elbows resting on his knees. His head was slightly lowered, his jaw clenched.
"I've seen you fight against impossible odds without breaking a sweat," Evelyn said, sitting beside him. "But right now… you look like you're fighting something worse."
Lucien exhaled slowly. "I need to know who I am."
Evelyn's expression softened. "You don't remember your past?"
He shook his head. "Not all of it. I remember training. I remember missions. I remember fighting." His fingers curled into fists. "But before that? It's like my mind refuses to go there."
Evelyn reached out, placing a gentle hand on his arm. "Then let's find out. Together."
Lucien finally looked at her. There was something about Evelyn—her unwavering determination, her quiet strength—that made him believe she meant it.
"You'd help me?" he asked, voice quieter than usual.
Evelyn smiled slightly. "Of course. You've protected me more times than I can count. It's about time I return the favor."
For the first time in days, Lucien felt like he wasn't completely alone in this.
---
The next morning, Evelyn made a call to someone she knew could help—her father, Richard Mercer, a retired police chief with deep connections to old case files.
"Dad, I need a favor," Evelyn said as she sat in her study, phone pressed to her ear.
"You're asking nicely, so this must be serious," Richard replied, his voice carrying the weight of years in law enforcement. "What do you need?"
"There was a war… a battle in a city, twelve years ago. I need all the files on it. And more importantly—" she hesitated, glancing at Lucien, who stood near the window, arms crossed. "I need to know if the name Lucien Falkner appears anywhere in those records."
There was silence on the other end.
"Evelyn, this isn't a simple request," Richard said finally. "That event wasn't just a war—it was a massacre. Classified by multiple governments."
Evelyn's grip tightened around the phone. "Please, Dad. I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important."
Richard sighed. "Alright. Give me some time."
After the call ended, Evelyn turned to Lucien. "We'll get the files. Once we know the location, we go there."
Lucien nodded. "We?"
Evelyn crossed her arms. "Did you really think I'd let you go alone?"
Lucien exhaled sharply, almost a quiet chuckle. "Guess not."
And just like that, the path to his past was set.
---
A few days later, Richard sent the location—an abandoned city once caught in the middle of a war, now left in ruins.
Without hesitation, Lucien and Evelyn packed their things and left. No backup. No plan beyond getting there and uncovering the truth.
As the train sped through the night, Evelyn glanced at Lucien. His usual unreadable mask was up, but she knew this wasn't just another mission to him.
This was personal.
And for the first time, Lucien Falkner was walking into something without knowing if he was ready for the answers waiting for him.
---
[End of Chapter 52]