That night, I couldn't sleep.The dream came back—clearer this time. And yet, the children inside remained blurry.
Sweat beaded on my forehead. I was drenched. I had never felt so filthy. I disgusted myself.
Needing to cool down, I stepped into the shower. The hot water ran over my skin, soothing the unease gnawing at me from within.
Under the stream, the events of the day played over and over in my mind. Arriving in Ravencroft, the state of the city, its people... It was overwhelming.
Why is Father doing nothing?
I clenched my fists so hard that my nails dug into my palms. Frustrated, I struck the wall in front of me. A thin line of blood trickled between my fingers.
The life these people live… it isn't life at all.
I thought of Chrystal and Ester. A fierce determination ignited within me.
I need to understand.
I need to see it with my own eyes.
I need to feel their reality.
With that thought, I finished my shower. This time, I didn't tie my hair back, letting it fall over my shoulders. I put on a black tracksuit and matching sneakers.
Stepping out of my room, I called out,
— Ester!
Not two seconds later, he was by my side, clad in a black armor that fit him perfectly.
— We're going out.
Ester frowned.
— Young master, I strongly advise against going out at night in Ravencroft. This city comes alive after dark.
— First, call me Zikron. That is my name… unless you've forgotten. And second, I don't care. I've made my decision. I want to see and experience how dangerous it truly is—with my own eyes.
My tone was sharp.
Ester stepped in front of me, blocking my way in the dimly lit corridor, bathed only in the moon's pale glow. His hazel eyes, lighter than ever, gleamed with rare intensity. His shoulder-length hair was tied in a ponytail.
In his gaze, I sensed frustration… and concern.
Why are you stopping me, Ester?You are my people. It is my duty to help you.
— Young Master Zikron, you are the most important person in this city. If anything were to happen to you… if a single drop of your blood were spilled… it would be an unforgivable sin. The people of Ravencroft wouldn't survive it. It would be the final blow.
He paused, then added in a voice tinged with strange nostalgia,— The gangs of Ravencroft are ruthless. Whether you're a noble, a king, or the Chosen… they don't care. All they want is their own justice. So please, stay here.
I studied him in silence.
My friend… what have you seen or lived through to speak with such certainty?
But his words had the opposite effect.
I smirked.
— Ester.
He underestimates me.
When I say something, I do it.
— We're going out. I won't repeat myself.
I moved forward, brushing past him.
Ester let out a sigh, as if he already knew I wouldn't listen. He followed in silence.
— Sery, I know you're there.
A shadow emerged from her hiding spot.
Her crimson eyes, matching her fiery red hair, fixed me with hesitation.
Her primordial energy was too wild for me not to notice. Even as an aspirant, she still struggled to control it.
— I thought I was well hidden, young master, she said, scratching the back of her head with a sheepish smile.
— Not well enough.
I walked past her, but she placed a hand on my shoulder to stop me.
I met her gaze.
Try it. Just try to stop me.
She burst out laughing.
— Relax, young dragon. I'd be a fool to challenge you when you're stronger than me.
Before I could reply, she gestured for someone else to step out of the shadows.
Ester shook his head, muttering,
— Just what we needed…
A small girl with round features and raven-black hair stood before us, watching with cautious eyes. Her blue irises shimmered under the moonlight.
— Chrystal? Why are you awake?
I softened my voice as much as I could.
— I couldn't sleep… and I heard big brother arguing with big brother Ester…
Her voice trembled.
A pang in my chest.
I crouched down to meet her eyes, gently ruffling her hair.
— I wasn't arguing, Chrystal. Sorry if we scared you. It won't happen again.
A lie.I hate lying.But what else could I tell her?
My heart pounded faster, but I forced it to calm down and offered her a reassuring smile.
— Sorry for scaring you, Chrystal, Ester added lightly. Big brother Zikron is just stubborn in his own way.
Support, huh…
Chrystal smiled and went back to bed, unaware of what was to come that night.
Sery insisted on coming with us, using her duty as a knight as an excuse. With reasoning like that, I couldn't refuse.
Strangely, we managed to slip out unnoticed.
The city lights still flickered, but the biting cold of the night struck our faces like a warning.
Like an omen.
But we weren't going to turn back.
We made our way toward the impoverished districts of Ravencroft. The ground was still damp from the earlier rain.
In a playful mood, Sery stomped into a puddle, splashing Ester, who was anything but amused.
Meanwhile, she laughed heartily, completely ignoring his irritation.
— Hey, you! Silver-haired guy! Stop right there!
A masculine voice cut through the night.
Turning around, I saw a group of five men approaching, malicious grins stretching across their faces.
— Who are you? I asked, already annoyed.
— No need for you to know, one of them replied.
Ester and Sery immediately stepped in front of me like true knights.
But do I look like someone who avoids trouble?
The group demanded our money.
I told them we had none.
They called us liars
—and attacked.
Sery and Ester took them down in seconds. Four of them lay unconscious. The last one, trembling, stared at Ester with wide eyes before bolting like he had just seen a ghost.
— Poor guy, I muttered, shaking my head.
Something metallic clattered against the ground. An emblem.
A mask with a red eye.
The same emblem Pery had shown us—the symbol of the gangs.
Ester murmured a name, as clear as the sound of crashing waves.
— Castiel Nemir.
Sery frowned.
— Castiel Nemir? Who's that?
Ester held up the emblem.
— That's the name of the man with the iron mask.
Interesting.
Looks like the night is just getting started.