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ical screech slicing through the sterile quiet. Heavy combat boots
ow twisted in pure disgust as he stopped right beside the medical pod. Rais
g.
red, his voice muffled by the partition. "Do you really think faki
intruder-Gage Norton, the arrogant eldest son of the Norton family-the way a s
reality that was entirely alien. In a higher-dimensional parallel world, his original life had come to a definitive end. His s
nt within his spirit flickered various heavenly flames, crowned by the ethereal "Starlight Holy Lotus." He was an entity who could pierce through the very laws of
ugh an IV tube into his bruised hand, foreign memorie
h and ultimately discarded by the Norton family. The original Kieran of this world had been incredibly weak and cowardly. Mocked by his peers
at a version of 'me' in any universe could be this pathetically weak, allowing himself to be trampled a
dator occupied t
dark gold irises, Gage slapped the eme
it swung upward. The sharp stench of industria
er Rivers, the cherished adopted son who had taken Kieran's rightful place in the Norton fa
d, his voice trembling with practiced vulnerability. "I'm sure Kieran l
dead boy's memory, that exact face had worn a triumphant, mocking smirk a split sec
dets gathered around the open d
from the hall. "He's just jealous of Cristof
leaned down, his gloved hand darting forward to sei
ied rhythm, Kieran tilted hi
older brother froze, his eyes widening in shoc
is pale fingers closed around the plastic wing of the IV catheter
sheet. Kieran tossed the bloody needle into the steel traying back half a step as a raw, predat
hem on the freezing floor. His frame was thin and br
raw from the academy," Gage snarled, trying to regain the up
ntirely relaxed smile spread across his face,
ood, and patted Gage's rigid cheek in a slow, affectionat
ght that made the hairs on Gage's neck stand up. "Though I must admit, it's genuinely fascinating watching you play the fierc
son's practiced vulnerability shattered inst
airs, do put a little back into it. Just a bruised shoulder? Really? If you're going to frame me, ask for my help next tim
as an instinctual, primal terror gripped his chest. Kieran spoke with absolute, terrifying s
using his bloody fingers to casually strai
a friendly, dead-eyed smile. "I'm officially resigning from my role as the Nort
ft, conversational purr. "...and in return, I promise to
his vocal cords paralyzed by the sheer, inhuman
er against Gage's arm. The casual impact sent the supposedlynto the corridor. The watching crowd parted like water before a
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