**Season 2, Episode 8 – Bloodlines and Betrayal**
Eden stood frozen in front of the smoking Gate, its swirling energy finally settling after the brutal trial. The sky above them shifted from crimson to a heavy gray, like the world was holding its breath. His arm throbbed with the second Crest—etched into his skin like a living fire.
**Aiko:**
"Another Crest… Eden, this isn't normal. You should've passed out from just one. How are you still standing?"
**Kairo:** *(wide-eyed)*
"Because Eden isn't like us anymore. Maybe he never was."
Eden didn't answer. He stared at his arm, watching the Crest pulse like a heartbeat, each pulse a memory flashing in his head. Screams. Fire. A woman's soft voice whispering ancient words.
Then—Jin stepped forward. Silent, as if weighing every word before speaking.
**Jin:**
"There's something you deserve to know. Something I hoped you'd never need to hear."
Eden looked up.
**Eden:**
"About what?"
**Jin:** *(low voice)*
"Your family. The truth behind the village massacre."
Everyone around them grew silent.
Even the wind stopped moving.
**Eden:**
"My family died in the Gate collapse. What truth?"
**Jin:**
"No, Eden. The Gate didn't collapse. It was opened. Deliberately. And the person who opened