"Think we'll find him?" Evelyne's voice was soft but sharp.
"A witness. And don't forget, we still have a mission," Raito replied calmly, gripping the door handle.
The night was cold, stars scattered across the dark sky. The convoy rumbled through empty streets until they reached their destination.
The Market.
The truck doors flung open. Obsidian soldiers spilled out.
"I'll go first," Evelyne announced, stepping down as Raito followed.
CLANG! POP! BANG!
Chaos erupted inside the Market.
Two Obsidian soldiers rampaged through the stalls, smashing everything in sight.
"STOP!" a man shouted, his voice rough but commanding. The soldiers froze, turning toward him.
"We're just trying to keep out of your way," the man said, eyes narrowing. "We don't want trouble. Just leave."
"Yeah! Leave!" voices echoed from the crowd.
"We don't want you here!"
"We hate Obsidian!"
Survivors rallied together, their anger swelling.
Evelyne silenced them with a single question: "Where's the old, fat, dirty man?"
The crowd went quiet.
"And our soldier we stationed here?" she pressed, stepping closer. Her metallic boots clanged against the burning rubble of shattered shops. "Oh, suddenly silent, are we?" She stood firm, hands behind her back.
An old man, bent but unyielding, stepped forward from the crowd and faced Evelyne.
"We know you're not here for your useless guard," he growled, standing toe-to-toe with her. "I know who you really came for."
"Let him through," Evelyne barked at the soldiers beside her.
"Care to answer my question?" she demanded, voice cold.
The old man's eyes flicked behind her. "Where is your lover? Sent you to do his dirty work like a dog?"
Evelyne rolled her eyes, frustration flashing across her face.
"You're lucky I respect my elders," she sighed.
"As you should!" the old man snapped back.
"Nah!" A deep voice cut through the tension, followed by the harsh scraping of metal on stone.
"Old or young, respect is earned!" Raito's voice boomed as he strode forward.
The crowd trembled, whispers swirling like a cold wind.
"The God of Fire has arrived."
"Can't you smell it, my beloved Eve?" Raito teased, stepping beside Evelyne.
The old man shuddered but planted his feet firmly.
"He was here... and right now—" Raito stopped, raising his arm and pointing.
"Therma is here."
Across the street, Alice, Mika, Jax, Leo, and Rhea stood frozen by the sight of Raito. Alice shook off the shock and pushed everyone into a military truck.
Raito moved to charge, but Evelyne grabbed his arm.
"They're here for a reason. Probably looking for someone too," she warned.
Turning back to the old man, her voice sharpened, "Who are they after?"
The man stumbled, fear cracking his tough exterior.
"I... I'm not afraid of you... especially you, Raito... I know everything about Obsidian."
Suddenly, SWING! BANG!
Raito's axe slammed into the ground beside the old man.
"Missed, huh? Haruka—where is he?" Raito growled.
"I—I won—"
SWING!
The old man's head fell clean from his shoulders.
The crowd recoiled as soldiers swarmed.
"Ma'am! We found the place!" one yelled.
Raito picked up his axe, eyes icy. "Some of you won't see the sunrise."
He followed the soldiers, Evelyne at his side, her plasma scythe retracting slowly, crimson droplets tracing the blade.
The ruined building loomed before them.
Raito crouched, touching the wet threshold.
He slid a finger through the moisture, then licked it.
"Brother," he whispered.
"Therma. If those guys know anything, they're probably heading there now," Evelyne said.
"Let's follow."
"We can't. He wants us back before sunrise. We know they're headed toward the Horde," she said.
Raito groaned. "Fine."
He strode out as gunfire erupted behind him.
"Kill half of them!" he ordered coldly.
On the ride back, Raito sat silent, eyes fixed on the road.
"We're close. If we go back home, we can send spies to tail them—hit two birds with one stone," Evelyne said.
Raito said nothing, but his hand trembled beside him.