The Celestials [Taegyu]

Chapter 10 ; Who Is He?

song ; car's outside (james arthur)

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"Soule?"

Eugene took a step forward, disbelief etched across his face as he locked eyes with the familiar face.

"Soule, what are you doing here?"

Soule turned, his expression softening momentarily before hardening again.

"I didn't come to fight, Eugene. I came to help."

Eugene's jaw tightened, his hands clenching into fists.

"Help? After everything? You really think I'd believe that?"

Lucien glanced between them, his arms tightening around Cassian as if Soule's very presence posed a threat. Cassian stirred weakly, his lips parting in a strained whisper, but he was too far gone to speak. Viken noticed it- the time slipping away for Cassian.

"You don't have a choice," Soule said, his gaze shifting to Lucien.

"He doesn't have much time left. The High Priest didn't just injure him, he poisoned him."

Lucien growled, his voice low and filled with barely contained rage.

"And why should I trust you? You reek of betrayal."

Soule remained still, meeting Lucien's fierce gaze without wavering.

"Because I have the antidote. I know how to save him."

Eugene cut in again, his voice sharp, laced with the pain of old scars.

"And why should we believe you? You vanished, left us stranded. And now you want us to think you're here to help?"

Soule's eyes flickered with something unreadable, but he stood his ground.

"I have my reasons, Eugene. But this isn't about us—it's about saving him," he said, pointing at Cassian's limp form in Lucien's arms.

The tension in the air was thick, suspicion swirling around them. Viken felt guilt gnawing at him, but now wasn't the time to be paralyzed by it.

Soule's sudden return...

"I know trust is hard," Soule said, his voice calm but edged with urgency.

"But the poison in him is ancient, something only the High Priest could have forged. If we don't act fast, he won't survive."

Lucien's hands trembled as they rested on Cassian's frail body, his crimson eyes flashing with fury, but Viken sensed the desperation rising within him.

"I hate to say this," Eugene admitted, bitterness heavy in his voice, "but if Soule's telling the truth... we don't have a choice."

Viken took a deep breath. This was his world, his story, yet it was slipping further from his control. He couldn't let Cassian die because of his mistakes.

"We don't have time to argue," Viken said, stepping forward, surprised by the strength in his own voice.

"If he knows how to save him, we have to trust him."

Lucien's gaze locked onto Viken's, the world around them stilling for a moment. Viken felt the weight of the decision.

"How?" Lucien growled, eyes suspicious as they scrutinized Soule.

"You'll have to trust me," Soule replied, unflinching.

Eugene's eyes darted between them, emotions clashing in his mind. But with each passing second, Cassian's breath grew shallower. Soule produced a small vial, letting a few drops fall onto Cassian's lips.