Wannia's POV:

"So, how was history class? Did Mr. Smith finally explained why the French Revolution happened?" Kai's voice crackled through the phone, a familiar warmth radiating from the screen.

I stifled a laugh. "Ugh, same old Mr. Smith. Blah blah blah, King Louis, blah blah blah, guillotines." "You wouldn't believe the homework he assigned. I'm drowning in dates and names!"

"Don't worry, you'll survive," I said, my voice light, trying to ignore the nagging feeling of unease that had settled in my stomach. "You're a history whiz, remember?"

Kai grumbled, but his voice softened. "Yeah, but next month, things get really serious. We turn sixteen."

"Sixteen? That's it? We're practically adults!" I teased, trying to sound carefree, but my heart was already starting to race.

"Yeah, well, apparently, it's a big deal for us," Kai said, his voice a little strained.

I didn't understand what he meant. "What do you mean? Why is sixteen so important?"

Kai hesitated, his tone changing. "Grandpa… Grandpa called yesterday. He wants us to… to come back. He said it's time."

I frowned. "Come back? Come back where? And what do you mean, 'it's time'?"

Kai let out a long sigh. "I... I don't know, Wannia. He just said it's time for us to come back. But he didn't say where."

"Back to... back to the mansion?" I asked, my voice tinged with confusion. "But we haven't been back there since we were kids."

"Yeah," Kai said, his voice a little strained. "He didn't say much more. Just that it's time for us to come back."

A sense of unease settled over me. Something about Kai's tone, his hesitation, made me nervous.

"What's wrong, Kai?" I asked, my voice filled with concern. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," he said, his voice a bit forced. "It's just... it's just that I'm starting to feel a bit... restless. Like something's coming."

I wanted to ask him what he meant, to reassure him that everything was alright, but the unsettling feeling inside me wouldn't go away. "Well, maybe it's just because it's almost our birthday," I said, trying to sound upbeat. "Maybe it's just that we're growing up."

"Maybe," Kai said, his voice a little distant. "But I have a bad feeling about this."

I wanted to brush it off, to pretend that everything was fine, but something about our conversation, about Kai's nervousness, made me feel uneasy.

"Well, whatever it is, we'll face it together," I said, trying to sound brave. "Like always."

"Yeah," Kai said, his voice is softer now. "Like always."

And with that, we hung up, the silence after the call amplifying the growing unease within me.

Kai's POV:

“This isn't life, Kai. It's a shield, a protection. But the time has come for you to step into your legacy,” Grandpa’s voice boomed through the phone, the deep baritone echoing through my room.

His words hit me like a punch to the gut. My heart sank. I knew it was coming.

“But Grandpa, I'm happy here,” I protested, my voice barely whispering. “I have friends, a life.”

“This isn't life, Kai. It's a shield, a protection,” he repeated, his voice unwavering. “But the time has come for you to step into your legacy.”

My breath caught in my throat. It was time. Time to return to the Crimson Claw, to take my place in the organization, to become what my family had always been: assassins.

The weight of that legacy pressed down on me. I knew that leaving my life here, in this small town, meant leaving behind the only semblance of normalcy I had ever known. But there was a part of me that knew it was inevitable. The Crimson Claw called to me, its darkness whispering promises of power, danger, and a destiny I couldn’t escape.

When Wannia called later that day, her voice was cheerful and oblivious to the storm clouds gathering on the horizon, I tried to sound carefree. But the knot in my stomach tightened.

"What's wrong, Kai?" she asked, her voice filled with concern. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," I said, forcing a smile. "It's just... it's just that I'm starting to feel a bit... restless. Like something's coming."

"Well, maybe it's just because it's almost our birthday," she said, trying to sound upbeat. "Maybe it's just that we're growing up."

"Maybe," I said, my voice a little distant. "But I have a bad feeling about this."

Wannia, bless her heart, was completely clueless. She had no idea what awaited us back in that shadowy world, the life we were about to be thrust into. And in that moment, I envied her innocence. I wished I could forget the darkness, the whispered threats, the constant danger that loomed over our lives.

"Well, whatever it is, we'll face it together," Wannia said, trying to sound brave. "Like always."

"Yeah," I said with my softer voice, "Like always."

The call ended, and I sank deeper into the plush armchair, my gaze drawn to the framed photo on the mantelpiece. It was a picture of Wannia and me as kids, both of us beaming, our faces flushed with the joy of a childhood summer day. We were so innocent then, unaware of the fate that awaited us. The memory stung.

Wannia's POV (continued):

"Well, whatever it is, we'll face it together," I said, trying to sound brave. "Like always."

"Yeah," Kai said, his voice is softer now. "Like always."

And with that, we hung up, the silence after the call amplifying the growing unease within me. I couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong, something was about to change.

Wannia's POV

Later that day, as I was walking home from school, a sleek black car pulled up beside me. My heart lurched as a familiar figure stepped out.

“Wannia,” Grandpa’s voice was as deep and commanding as ever, yet his eyes held a warmth I hadn’t seen in years. “We need to talk.”

"Talk? Is this about Kai’s call" I said to myself, the impending responsibilities, and the need for our return. But I didn’t quite understand.

"Return? Return where? Grandpa, we haven't been back to the mansion since we were kids. What's going on?"

He looked at me, his expression a mix of sadness and determination. "Wannia, it's time for you to step into your legacy. You and Kai are turning sixteen. The time has come for you to return to the Crimson Claw."

I felt a wave of confusion and fear washed over me. "The Crimson Claw? Grandpa, I don't even know what that means. I thought we were just... normal kids."

He sighed, his gaze softening. "We were once, my dear. But you have a destiny, a legacy that you can't ignore. The Crimson Claw is in your blood, in your very soul. It's time for you to embrace it, to learn what you were born to be."

His words hit me like a punch to the gut. I couldn't comprehend what he was saying, the gravity of his words. I felt like a child again, thrown into a world I didn't understand.

My head was swimming, my heart pounding. This was so unexpected, so overwhelming.

"But... I'm happy here," I stammered. "I have friends, a life."

"You two are really twins, even the answer is the same, however It's not real life, Wannia," he said, his voice firm but gentle. "It's a protection, a shield. The time has come for you to embrace your destiny, to return to where you belong."

"But..." I tried to protest, but my words died in my throat.

"I know it's difficult," Grandpa said, his voice smooth but lacking the understanding I craved. "But you're not alone. You have Kai. You have me. Together, we'll face this new chapter."

His words were hollow. My heart hammered, fear a cold knot in my stomach, but anger burned hotter. I didn't want this new chapter. I didn't want this Crimson Claw.

"Then why?" I spat, the question laced with venom. "Why do you have to do this then? Why did you need to give me and Kai away to different foster parents if we can face any challenges together? Why did you need to separate me and my twin?"

Grandpa's expression didn't waver. "It was for protection," he said flatly.

My anger exploded. "Protection? You have a guard assigned to surround your mansion, but you can't afford to get a guard for your grandchildren? Didn't you even think that we were more protected if we'd been staying with you? You'd rather give us to random families, then take us back when you need us? You're dragging innocent families into your so-called protection. Cut this bullsh*t!"

I yanked the door open, storming out of the car and into the middle of the busy highway.

The highway roared around me. Cars honked, tires screeched, and the smell of exhaust fumes filled my nostrils.

Regret slammed into me harder than any car could have. Shit, shit, shit, I thought, regretting my decision. Why did I do that? Why did I get out of the car? A string of curses – FQCk – escaped my lips.

I was stranded. How am I going to get home? I thought, realizing with dawning horror that I was stuck in the middle of a busy highway.

A bitter laugh escaped me. This is what you get for disrespecting elder Wannia, I muttered to myself, the self-reproach laced with irony.

I had let my anger get the best of me, and now I was paying the price, alone and vulnerable.

Suddenly a car pulled over to the side, I felt relieved after seeing who's in the passenger seat. I practically threw myself into the passenger seat.

"Oh my god, Brother, you're my savior!" I exclaimed. "Can you give me a ride home?"

"Sure, why not," he said, still looking shaken.

After he said that I practically threw myself into the backseat.

"Hey, what happened to you?" he asked, concern etched across his face.

"Well, Grandpa was supposed to drive me home, but I… I got mad at him and got out of his car," I blurted, my words a rush of chaotic energy.

"Wait, you met with Grandpa?" he asked, surprised.

"Yeah, but it didn't go well," I said, my voice still tight with residual anger.

"Why?" he pressed gently.

"It's a long story," I mumbled, avoiding his gaze. The memory of my outburst is still stung.

"Okay, if you don't want to share it now, it's fine," he said. "But get ready, because I'll be asking you about it later. And if you're not going to tell me what happened, I'll ask Grandpa myself."

"Fine," I sighed, "I'll tell you later."

A few minutes later, we pulled up to my house.

The car stopped in front of my cozy cottage.

"And we're here," Kai said, his voice gentle.

"Thank you so much," I replied, my voice thick with emotion. "You're my life saver."

"Okay, bye bye," he said, a hint of concern in his tone.

"Bye bye, be careful," I said, waving, my gratitude overflowing. Even though the relief of being home was immense, the weight of the conversation we had yet to have pressed heavily on my chest.

Wannia's POV

He then turned and got back in the car, the sleek vehicle disappearing into the twilight, leaving me standing there, a strange mix of fear and determination swirling within me.

As I stepped inside the cottage, a warm smile greeted me. Aunt Amelia and Uncle Thomas, my foster parents, the couple who couldn’t have children of their own, but who had embraced me as their own.

"Honey, you're home!" Aunt Amelia exclaimed, her eyes bright with happiness. She pulled me into a warm embrace, her scent of lavender and freshly baked cookies a comforting hug.

"How was school, dear?" Uncle Thomas asked, "Not only tired, uncle, very tired" I said.

"Then let's head to the table for dinner" aunt Amelia said while preparing the table."Yah, you're right, so that Wannia can have a good rest afterward" uncle Thomas added.

The warmth of their love was a welcome respite from the storm of emotions swirling inside me. They were the family I’d craved, the people I truly loved and trusted.

"How was school, dear?" Aunt Amelia asked, ushering me towards the dinner table. A steaming pot of chicken and dumplings sat in the center, its aroma filling the air with a comforting warmth.

I sat down, my gaze darting around the room, my mind still replaying the events of the past few hours. I wanted to tell them, to share the burden of this secret, but the words stuck in my throat.

“I’m fine, Aunt Amelia,” I said, my voice a bit strained. “It was a normal day at school.”

"By the way, have you met your grandpa today?" Uncle Thomas said, His voice filled with a hint of concern."He called me early in the morning to say that his going to meet you today"

The question hit me like a wave, the reality of the situation crashing down on me. I felt a surge of guilt, a sense of betrayal. I didn't know how to tell them about my return to the Blackwood Mansion, about the Crimson Claw, about the destiny that awaited me.

"G.. grandpa?, No, I didn't meet him today" I felt a surge of guilt after lying to them, but know that it is not the right time to tell them about grandpa's words.

Aunt Amelia, who always seemed to read my thoughts, gave me a knowing look. Her eyes filled with tears.

"Wannia, you don't have to lie to us," she said, her voice barely whispering. "We know."

I froze, my heart sinking. They knew. They knew about Grandpa’s call, about the Crimson Claw. They knew my destiny.

“I’m sorry,” I said, my voice choked with emotion. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know how to tell you.”

“It’s okay, honey,” she said, her voice breaking. “We understand. We’ve always known.”

Tears streamed down her face, her embrace suffocating me with a mixture of love and sadness. Uncle Thomas reached out, his eyes filled with a sadness that reflected the turmoil within me.

And at that moment, surrounded by the warmth of my foster family, I understood. I wasn’t alone. They had always known. They had always loved me.

KAI

The aroma of bacon and pancakes wafted through the house, rousing me from my slumber. My foster mom, Mrs. Lopez, was a whiz in the kitchen. Her cooking was the one thing that always made me feel at home, even though I knew I couldn't stay forever.

"Good morning, sleepyhead," Mrs. Lopez said, a warm smile lighting up her face as she set a plate of pancakes in front of me. "I made your favorite, with extra blueberries."

"Thanks, Mom," I mumbled, taking a bite of the fluffy pancake. My foster parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lopez, had become my family, a refuge from the shadows that loomed over my life. They had a son, Gio, who was a year older than me and had become my best friend. We were practically brothers.

Gio walked into the kitchen, his face a mixture of sleepiness and annoyance.

"Hey, Kai," he said, grabbing a pancake. "Are you getting that new video game? The one with the dragons?"

I nodded, trying to push the thoughts of my conversation with Grandpa to the back of my mind.

"Dude, what's going on with you? You've been acting weird all week," Gio asked, his voice laced with concern.

Suddenly, Gio’s eyes narrowed. “Wait a minute,” he said, his voice sharp. “Did your grandpa call again? About coming back to that… that mansion?”

My blood ran cold. Gio had overheard my conversation with Grandpa. I froze, my hand shaking as I reached for my glass of orange juice. Mrs. Lopez dropped her plate with a clatter, her eyes wide with shock.

“Kai?” Gio demanded. “Is it true? You’re going back to that place?"

I didn’t answer. I couldn’t. I was afraid of the truth, afraid of the hurt I would inflict on Gio and my foster parents.

Gio slammed his fist on the table, anger flashing in his eyes. “Don’t ignore me, Kai! Just fvcking answer me!”

Mr. Lopez stepped between us, his voice calming. “Gio, calm down. Kai will answer you when he’s ready.” He turned to me, his eyes filled with a mixture of concern and understanding. "Gio, son, I'm sorry for not telling you this sooner, but Kai's situation is too complicated."

My head spun. I was shocked. All this time, my foster parents had known about the Crimson Claw, about my destiny.

"You knew?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

Mr. Lopez nodded, a deep sadness in his eyes. "We always knew, son. We just hoped you'd have a chance to live a normal life before…"

Just then, the doorbell rang. I opened the door to find Grandpa standing there, his expression unreadable. He nodded towards the kitchen, where Mr. and Mrs. Lopez was now facing each other, both looking devastated.

“I need to speak with them,” Grandpa said, his voice quiet but firm.

I watched as Grandpa walked into the kitchen, his shadow falling over them like a shroud. I felt a wave of sympathy for my foster parents. They had always treated me with love and kindness, and now they were having to bear the weight of this terrible secret.

I stood at the window, my eyes fixed on the kitchen. I could hear Mrs. Lopez’s muffled sobs. I wanted to go to them, to offer comfort, but I knew it was better to stay away. This was a conversation between Grandpa and my foster parents, a conversation about my future, my destiny.

Curiosity gnawed at me. I wanted to know what Grandpa had said to my foster parents. What had they agreed to? What did the future hold for me?

I crept closer to the kitchen, trying to catch a glimpse of what was happening inside. I could see Mr. and Mrs. Lopez sitting at the table, their faces filled with grief.

“I understand this is a difficult time for you,” Grandpa’s deep voice resonated from the kitchen. “But I assure you, Kai’s safety is my top priority. He’s safe with us.”

“But he’s happy here,” Mr. Lopez’s voice trembled. “He has a family here.”

“The Crimson Claw is his family,” Grandpa said, his voice steady. “It’s in his blood. He can’t ignore it.”

I felt a chill run down my spine. Grandpa was right. I couldn’t ignore my destiny. But I couldn’t bear the thought of leaving this family, the only real family I had ever known.

“You’ve done a wonderful job raising him,” Grandpa continued, his voice softening slightly. “I thank you for that. But his path is set. He has a responsibility.”

Mrs. Lopez’s sobs grew louder. I could see the pain etched on her face. They loved me, nurtured me, and treated me like their own son. How could I leave them?

“I’ll make sure he gets a chance to visit,” Grandpa said, his voice a soothing balm. “I’ll make sure he sees you again. But his place is with us now.”

The conversation went on, a painful dance of grief and acceptance. I listened, my heart heavy, my mind racing. I knew I had to make a choice, a choice that would change my life forever.

I had a choice to make. I could stay here, with the family I loved, and try to create a life for myself, but I knew that it wouldn’t last. The Crimson Claw, the shadow of my heritage, was calling.

I watched as Grandpa walked out of the kitchen, his expression unchanged. His gaze met mine for a moment, and he simply nodded.

Kai, finally ready to return to the manor, approached Grandpa. "Grandpa," he began, a hint of nervousness in his voice, "I'm ready to go back but,...."

Grandpa stopped, turning to face Kai with a knowing look. "What is it, Kai?"

"Can I ask you a favor? Please let us finish our studies only this school year ."

A soft smile touched Grandpa's lips. "Of course, Kai. Consider it done."

Kai breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Grandpa."

He then turned and walked away, his silhouette disappearing into the twilight.

I stayed there, watching the back of the sleek black car as it disappeared down the street. The night had fallen, the air heavy with unspoken emotions.

I looked back at the kitchen, at the figure of my foster mom, her sobs muffled by the darkness. My heart ached for them. They had given me, so much love and support, but it wasn’t enough.

I was torn between two worlds, two destinies. The familiar warmth of my foster home and the unknown darkness that awaited me in the Crimson Claw. My heart was heavy, but my mind was resolute.

I would face this challenge, this destiny, head-on. I would be strong, I would be brave. And I would never forget the love that my foster parents had given me, the love that had given me the strength to face the darkness.