Ren charged after the carriage, weaving through the hail of arrows that hissed through the night air. Each shaft cut past him with a whisper of death, forcing him into a dance of survival. His movements were swift, precise, but frustration bubbled beneath the surface.
"These damn arrows," he muttered, teeth clenched. His daggers glinted in the moonlight—faithful tools, but ill-suited for this chase. He longed for something more, yet he pressed on, dodging and chasing, hoping the thieves would eventually run dry.
Behind him, the fortress doors slammed open. Asher burst forth, his eyes locking onto the chaos. Without hesitation, he surged forward, his speed unnatural, his voice slicing through the night.
"I'm coming, Ren!"
Realizing he couldn't catch up on the same path, Asher veered into a narrow alley, boots pounding against cobblestone. Ren cursed again, narrowly avoiding another arrow, his focus unbroken, his determination unwavering.
From above, Asher leapt from a rooftop, landing squarely on the thief driving the carriage. His blade flashed, slicing into the man's neck. Blood sprayed across the horses, their panicked whinnies echoing down the street. The thief slumped lifelessly, and Asher shoved the body aside, seizing the reins. With practiced strength, he slowed the carriage.
Inside, panic erupted. "Rodeo, why are you slowing down?" a voice shouted. Silence answered. The carriage halted. "Rodeo!" the man called again, fear creeping into his tone.
Before he could react, Asher yanked the archer from the carriage, his blade plunging into the man's stomach. The thief crumpled, lifeless.
The remaining three thieves leapt from the carriage, charging at Ren with ferocious intent. Ren met them head-on, his daggers a blur. He sidestepped their strikes with predator's grace, his blade finding its mark in one thief's neck. Blood sprayed as the man groaned, clutching his throat before collapsing.
Another lunged, but Ren's swift kick sent him tumbling backward. The third tried a sneak attack from behind, but Asher's blade struck first, piercing the man's throat. Ren turned just in time to see the thief collapse. Their eyes met briefly—a silent acknowledgment of teamwork—before Ren lunged at the thief he had kicked.
The man scrambled to his feet, balance regained, but as he turned to flee, he collided with Asher.
Asher's knuckles connected with the thief's head in a brutal punch. The man crumpled, unconscious.
"Wow!" Ren exclaimed, catching his breath. "I've got to admit—your skills have improved a lot." His tone carried rare approval.
Asher remained unimpressed. "It's nothing," he replied flatly, wiping his blade clean before sheathing it. His gaze flicked toward the fortress. "Let's head back. I rarely leave my domain. I'm safer there."
Ren chuckled, tossing him a sideways glance. "You're joking, right?"
Asher didn't answer—just gave him a long, unreadable stare. Ren scoffed, shaking his head. "Oh, so that's how it is," he muttered, moving toward the carriage.
"Are you going to drive?"
"You do it," Asher said.
Without protest, Ren climbed aboard, gripping the reins as the carriage rolled forward. The rhythmic sound of hooves filled the silence, stretching into uneasy moments.
Then Asher broke it. "Out of curiosity—how do you know Nova?"
Ren frowned slightly, considering. "Honestly? I don't know her well. I've only seen her from a distance. Yesterday I had a run-in with her—twice, actually. Most likely because of Cipher." His voice was casual but thoughtful.
"Twice?" Asher pressed.
Ren nodded. "Yeah. First when she came to summon Cipher, then later when—" He hesitated, weighing how much to reveal. "Anyway, it's not important."
Asher scoffed. "You know, I thought I made it clear—it's just curiosity."
Ren smirked, tossing him a glance. "You don't strike me as the type to ask things just out of curiosity. There's a reason. So what is it?"
Asher crossed his arms, leaning back. "She's interesting," he admitted after a pause. "Talks a lot."
Ren laughed. "Oh, tell me about it. I've barely known her a day, and she's already prying into things like she's known me for years."
"Exactly," Asher hummed.
"Doesn't bother you?" Asher asked, quieter now, contemplative.
Ren shrugged. "It's refreshing. She says things people are too afraid to say. And sometimes? That's necessary."
Asher nodded slowly. "Yeah… I see what you mean." Another pause. "I assume she's the reason Cipher came looking for me?"
Ren's expression sobered. "Not entirely. Cipher knew about you long before Nova stepped in. She believed you could help her. That's why we came."
Asher exhaled, watching the road stretch ahead. "Then let's hope she was right."
The streets were eerily quiet, the weight of the late hour pressing down. Nearly two in the morning, and aside from their carriage, the world felt abandoned. Buildings stood in silence, windows dark, doors shut tight against the night.
Asher's fortress lay beyond Derensia Estate. They bypassed the final building before reaching it. Ren kept his eyes on the road, deep in thought, when Asher suddenly broke the silence.
"How do you know the injured lady, Cipher?"
Ren's face softened, a wistful smile creeping onto his lips. He had missed this—the simple act of conversing with Asher like they used to. Regret weighed heavy, but for a moment, he allowed himself to appreciate the familiar rhythm.
"We met yesterday during the battle with the Gul vampires," Ren answered. "She looked lost—like a stray caught between the blood of humans and Gul vampires alike. She was about to be attacked when I stepped in."
Asher gave a slight nod. "I can relate. That sounds familiar."
Ren continued, voice reflective. "After the battle, we spoke briefly before she was summoned to the palace. I told her where to find me, and when she was finished, she came—asking for help to find you."
"So you don't know each other that long?" Asher asked.
Ren exhaled, shaking his head. "No, everything happened so fast. But I feel like we were meant to meet. It's just a feeling."
The carriage rolled to a stop before Asher's fortress. They climbed down, boots crunching softly against the ground as they made their way inside. The atmosphere was warm, but thick with unspoken emotions.
Ren glanced at Asher, sensing the opportunity. "I'm really sorry about what happened," he said suddenly, voice quiet but firm. "I never meant to hurt you. I've lived in regret ever since—for that one mistake. I just… I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me someday."
Asher remained silent as they ascended the stairs toward Nova and Cipher's room. The dimly lit hallway stretched before them, each step heavier than the last.
Finally, Asher spoke. "What you did was wrong," he said, voice cold, measured. "And unforgivable. I can't make promises because I live with the scars—the ones you left behind."
Ren swallowed, but didn't falter. "I understand," he murmured. "I'll wait. Even if it takes a thousand years… I'll wait for the day you call me your brother again." His words carried raw honesty, unyielding loyalty—love fractured but never extinguished.
They stepped into Asher's room.
What they saw made their eyes almost pop out of their sockets.