Before the invasion
Azure trudged through the streets of Ironhelm at Mellissa's side, letting out a long sigh. The eyepatch-wearing maid tilted her head toward him. "What's wrong? Are you tired already?"
"How could I not be?" Azure groaned, throwing his hands up. "It's 'go here and deliver this message,' 'go there and give this thing,' circle the entire city, and now—get groceries!" His voice cracked with frustration before he slumped in defeat. He had been running errands for nearly two hours straight, and his body showed it. He glanced at Mellissa with an accusatory point of his finger. "How are you not tired?"
Mellissa only shrugged, smirking faintly. "Because I have more stamina than a newborn bird with two broken legs?"
Azure clutched at his chest dramatically, wounded by the comparison. "Even after I get my—" he began loudly before lowering his voice to a whisper, "powers," and then raising it again, "—I don't get any respect!"
Mellissa chuckled at his outburst. "Well, you being fun is better than you being respectful. Take pride in that," she teased, patting his head.
Azure endured the pats for a few seconds before leaning out of reach, scowling. "Whatever. Let's just get the groceries and head back."
They stepped into the market, where the midday bustle was at its height. People wove through narrow lanes, voices clashing as vendors shouted prices, while automatons both walked and buzzed overhead carrying goods. Around a dozen Ironguard stood scattered throughout the square, watchful but relaxed.
Yet all of their presence felt pointless the moment Azure and Mellissa's eyes fell on a single figure. At the very shop they were heading toward, purchasing a small bundle of vegetables, stood Aeron.
He turned at their approach, his dead, lightless raven-black eyes fixing on them. "Hello. I remember you," he said in his flat, unchanging tone, directed at Azure.
Azure froze, caught off guard that Aeron actually remembered him. Beside him, Mellissa dipped into a small bow. "Hello, Master Aeron. Thank you for all the work you do for our city."
Aeron raised his right metal arm, palm open. "You don't have to bow."
Mellissa straightened with ease and leaned toward Azure, nudging him with her elbow and wearing a mischievous grin. "Go on, aren't you two supposed to be best friends or something?"
Azure's eyes widened like saucers. Aeron's expression didn't change, but confusion lingered faintly in the emptiness of his gaze. "Best friend?" he repeated, his tone as flat as ever, yet undeniably questioning.
*Why did she have to bring that lie up now!?* Azure's mind panicked. He threw his hands up, words spilling out too quickly. "Uh—it's nothing, just a joke! A joke I made after you saved me, that's all." He laughed awkwardly, the sound brittle in the air.
"No, no—you were pretty serious about it. You even boasted a lot about it," Mellissa cut in, her tone sharp with mischief, clearly savoring Azure's panic. Her grin turned devilish. "Don't tell me... it's entirely one-sided?"
Azure looked like he might burst into tears on the spot, his mouth opening and closing without words. Then, finally, something seemed to click for Aeron. His face did not change, but his voice carried the weight of realization. "Oh. I think I understand."
He followed it with a laugh—flat, hollow, and utterly wrong. "Ha. Ha. Ha. That is funny."
The sound sent a ripple of discomfort through the air. Azure stiffened, Mellissa's grin faltered, and even the poor shopkeep, who had been politely enduring their antics, shivered at the sound.
"Master Aeron," Mellissa said bluntly, without a shred of hesitation, "might I request that you never laugh again?"
"Yeah, I second that," Azure jumped in, seizing the chance to deflect the conversation away from himself.
The shopkeep cleared his throat, clearly desperate to move things along. "Um... are you two going to buy anything?" he asked carefully, eyes flicking between the three of them.
Aeron's gaze lingered on the group for a moment before he gave the faintest shrug. "I will not take up any more of your time. Please, go about your day."
He turned to leave, but as he did, his right arm flared with light, the glow spilling faintly from the seams of the metal. His steps slowed, his head tilting slightly as he looked down at it, then raised his eyes skyward.
The clear afternoon dimmed as dark clouds gathered overhead, swallowing the sun. From them fell rain—not water, but crimson drops, each one vanishing on contact, staining nothing, making no sound.
Gasps rose from the market as people froze, staring upward in horror. Panic stirred. Children cried. Vendors abandoned their stalls.
Azure clutched at his face, blinking furiously. His eyes itched and burned, the sensation making his voice tremble. "Wh-what is happening!?" he stammered, fear cracking his words.
Mellissa seized his arm firmly, her touch steady against his spiraling nerves. "I don't know," she said, her voice low but firm, "but it can't be anything good."
Aeron turned, placed his bundle of vegetables into Mellissa's free hand, and spoke with his usual calm. "Please hold this. And make your way to safety."
Without another word, he strode off, each step purposeful, moving through the chaos as he sought out the other Ironguard to rally them to defend Ironhelm.