Rylan's POV:
The old woman stepped closer, her steps slow and uneven, like her body was fighting itself just to move.
Those blue eyes of hers glowed faintly in the dim streetlight, staring straight into me.
I didn't speak first. I waited.
She swallowed hard. Her voice shook.
"Rylan Varkesh… you need to kill him."
My jaw tightened instantly.
She kept going, words tumbling out like she was afraid to say them but even more afraid not to.
"You must kill Kael. Now. Before the others find him. Before the Voidborne Pact uses him. Something disastrous is looming."
I stared at her, dead silent.
She flinched.
"I shouldn't have given him the box," she said, voice cracking.
"I didn't know he was chasing revenge. I didn't know he had that kind of rage in him. I was… following Vrythlok's orders. We were only supposed to watch him. Nothing more."
"I'd have killed him myself, but as you know, Voidbornes can't kill one another."
I took one step forward.
"And now?" I asked. "What? now you want me to clean up your mistake?"
Her hands trembled.
"You don't understand. He's carrying two fragments. That kind of fusion... it changes a person, it breaks them. It turns them into something the clans won't tolerate. The demons fear it. The vampires fear it. Even Dracula himself..."
"...wants him dead,"
I finished for her.
She didn't deny it.
That pissed me off even more.
I rubbed my face, trying not to snap, but hearing Kael's name dragged into this mess again just… lit something in me.
"Do you people ever stop?" I asked.
"Every damn faction, every damn creature I've met since we got mixed up with this fragment shit... everyone wants the same thing."
She stayed silent.
I pointed at her.
"Kill Kael. Kill the 'host.' Kill the 'threat.' I'm sick of it."
The woman's eyes flickered like she wanted to argue, but fear held her tongue.
Not fear of me. Fear of Vrythlok. Fear of whatever he'd do with Kael if she failed to convince me.
"Rylan," she whispered. "if you don't kill him, the demons will. And they don't leave bodies. They erase people. Your friend will disappear like he never existed."
I clenched my jaw until it hurt.
"He's not disappearing," I said.
"Rylan... "
"I said he's not."
The woman shook her head like she couldn't believe what she was hearing.
"You don't understand what you're defying. The demons don't negotiate. The vampires won't protect you. And Dracula..."
"Dracula can shove it." I cut her off.
She froze.
I stepped closer, close enough to see the panic building behind her glowing eyes.
"I've done a lot of shitty work in my life," I said in a dangerous whisper. "I've killed monsters, demons, goblins, lots of off creatures. I've followed orders I hated, contracts I regretted, and I've kept my head down through all of it. But Kael... "
I paused, feeling my chest tighten.
"Kael is the one person who didn't make me feel like a cursed bloodsucker or a damn weapon. He never gives up. He's my friend. Actually… screw that. He's my brother."
The woman's voice dropped.
"If you protect him, you'll be turning against every clan."
"I know."
"You'll be hunted."
"I've been hunted before."
"They will kill your sister..."
That one hit hard. My stomach dropped.
My fangs almost came out.
"Don't you bring Daisy into this," I growled.
She stepped back, raising her hands.
"I'm only telling you what will happen."
I exhaled through my teeth.
"Listen to me, I don't care what Dracula thinks. I don't care what the demons want. And I sure as hell don't care about Vrythlok's orders."
I tapped my chest.
"I'll save Kael. Even if it means turning my back on every vampire in existence. Even if it means pissing off the demons . Even if it means burning every bridge I have left."
The woman stared at me like I'd sentenced myself to death.
"You're throwing your life away," she whispered.
"Maybe, But I'm not throwing his." I said.
Her shoulders sagged. It was like she'd aged a decade in seconds.
"…Then may whatever gods are left have mercy on you."
She turned away.
I didn't stop her.
The street was quiet again, except for the buzzing streetlight above me.
I muttered under my breath.
"Kael… what the hell did you get yourself into?"
Fuck that revenge Kael.
Fuck.
° ° °
Kael's POV:
My vision twisted. The weird half-void blur I kept waking up in whenever this fragment crap wanted to talk to me. I steadied myself, breathing hard.
Someone stood in front of me.
"Oh, it's you." I said when I realized it was the keeper of the red box.
She didn't move or speak, just stared. But something felt… off.
The air around her wasn't cold like before. It was tense.
Heavy.
"Hey, uhhm.. what now?" I said, rubbing the back of my neck.
She stepped closer.
Too close.
The black mask she wore cracked down the middle with a sharp snap. A piece fell, clattering to the floor.
I froze.
The rest of the mask loosened, sliding off her face completely.
My heart stopped.
The face staring at me, the eyes, the shape of her jaw, was familiar. Too familiar.
"…Zephara?" I whispered it without thinking.
She scoffed, almost offended.
"I'm not Zephara, don't insult me." she said, pulling her hair back with one hand like she'd done this a thousand times.
"Huh?"
I blinked, still trying to piece my brain back together.
"Then… who the hell are you?"
Her expression tightened, irritation flickering behind her eyes.
"Zarynth," she said.
"Zephara's twin. Daughter of the almighty Lord Xyphus and also the keeper of the red box. Zephara handles royal affairs. I handle history and void-touched mortals like you." Zarynth replied dryly.
Twin sister?
I stepped back, still staring.
Hold on...
Why the hell am I getting involved with the entire household of Arla?
My mouth opened, then closed.
"So why hide your face?"
"Because meeting me without the mask will only make it awkward since you've already met Zephara."
How did she know I've met her sister?
"Because we demons can read minds and see through memories." She said without staring at me.
"That explains it."
I yelled in my head.
"That explains how Arla, Malakor, Leisa and Zephara knew everything about me without me saying a word."
"Don't be so tensed." She said bluntly.
I swallowed.
Great.
First fragments. Now secret twins and reading of mind bullshit.
My life's slowly turning to a circus.
What's next? She farts rainbows?
"This day just keeps getting better…"
I muttered.
Zarynth crossed her arms.
"Trust me, it's about to get worse."
"So why help me?" I asked. "You already know I'm planning to kill your brother."
Her eyes didn't even twitch. If anything, she looked entertained.
"Exactly why I'm helping you, I was amazed when I first heard about you, which is rare. And as you know, my brother's the king of demons. I want to see if a human can actually pull it off. Pure curiosity."
"And you don't even know the road to Gargaloth. You need someone who does." She shrugged.
I hesitated, then nodded.
She wasn't wrong.
"But," she added, lifting a finger. "I'll take you on one condition. You protect me."
"…What?"
Zarynth rolled her eyes like I was slow.
Mhennnn, she's got attitude.
"I'll have to suppress my demon powers around you. If I don't, the Voidborne power in you will react. That reaction will irritate my demonic instincts… and I'll end up craving to rip you apart on the spot."
She jabbed a thumb at my chest.
"Demons are allergic to Voidborne energy. That's why your blue blade was able to cut Arla. And also why he fought with only ten percent of his power, the rest stayed buried so he didn't kill you with a flick."
I swallowed. Hard.
"I'll protect you," I said and I meant it.
"Idiot." Vyrion's voice echoed in my skull.
""She's your enemy. You should kill her, not guard her. Voidbornes don't side with demons."
"Not my fault I got stuck with both powers." I shot back silently.
Zarynth stretched her arms.
"Good. Then let's move."
"Where?"
"Night Market. Sector 7."
"A… market?"
"It's the road to Gargaloth," she said.
"On foot. Since you can't teleport."
She opened a portal and started walking.
I followed instantly because at this point, turning back wasn't an option.
"Should we go find the third fragment?" I asked, bringing my voice low.
"No need, it's already chosen its host." Zarynth said, eyes flicking to the shadows of the market.
I frowned.
"Who?"
"Laryn. Human once, turned vampire. The most ruthless killer alive. Second only to Arla to leave a scar on Vrythlok."
I froze.
Laryn… that name rings a bell.
"Who's the keeper of the third fragment?" I pressed.
"No one knows,stories of the Black Fragment remain a mystery… even to me." She said, curiosity glinting in her gaze.
The market stretched below, neon and chaos blending into shadows.
I was surprised to see it's night time over there. No wonder it's called the Night Market.
I kept close to Zarynth with my senses on overdrive.
Every corner, every alley seemed alive with people going about their businesses.
She glanced at me, voice low:
"Here. From this spot, the road to Gargaloth begins. On foot. No shortcuts."
° ° °
Rylan's POV
The city of Ashes, Night Market (Section 7)
I was perched upside down on a rusted rooftop, the neon haze of the Night Market flickering below.
The air smelled of spiced meat and ozone, signs of a recent conflict. My silver dagger, Nightwhisper, rested against my thigh, humming faintly as if it sensed something off.
A ragged kid bumped into a stall, spilling a jar of glowing amber liquid.
The vendor cursed, then froze.
I turned my face away. Such things are normal around here.
From a distance, I saw a dim light. I crouched, pulling my coat tighter.
I knew that light.
It's from the gate to the road that leads to Gargaloth.
"Shit," I muttered.
They're already here.
* * * * *