The horns blared, their mournful wails echoing through the trembling summit. Xin's hands moved swiftly, securing his thin gauntlet, the cold metal biting into his skin as he tightened the straps. The dome above shuddered under the weight of beasts massing beyond its shimmering barrier. Each horn's cry sliced into his mind, a relentless reminder that time was slipping away, that every second brought the enemy closer. His chest ached, not from exertion but from the weight of dread coiling tighter with every sound.
Shun sat hunched on a stone bench, sweat glistening on his brow, his amber eyes burning with defiance despite the pain etched into his face. Bandages wrapped his ribs, stained faintly red where blood had seeped through. He leaned forward, clutching his side, his trembling arms straining against the bench as he pushed himself upright. "I'm going out there," he muttered, his voice rough, determined. "I can still fight."
Xin turned, his own exhaustion carved deep in the dark circles beneath his eyes. His throat was raw from shouting commands since dawn, his body heavy with sleepless nights. "You're not ready, Shun," he said, his voice sharp with strain. "You can barely stand."
Shun's jaw clenched, his eyes narrowing. "I don't care, Xin. Our people are out there. They're dying. If I don't go, I'm abandoning them."
"You'll collapse before you land a single blow," Xin snapped, his words cutting deeper than he meant. His hands curled into fists, then loosened as guilt flickered through him. He exhaled, placing a hand on Shun's shoulder, his voice softening but firm. "You fought in the second act. You bled for us. No one doubts your will, Shun. But your body can't keep up. If you go now, you'll only be another weight for me to carry back."
The words struck Shun like a blow. His mouth opened, but no sound came. The fire in his eyes dimmed, replaced by a reluctant silence that weighed heavier than his anger. His shoulders slumped, and he stared at the stone floor, his thoughts churning. "You're right," he whispered, the admission bitter. "I hate it, but you're right."
Xin nodded, his own heart twisting at the sight of Shun's defeat. "Rest," he said, his voice dropping to a tired command. "That's an order."
Shun's fists tightened, knuckles whitening as he fought the urge to argue. After a long pause, he growled, "Fine." Then, softer, almost pleading, "But don't go alone, Xin. Take someone with you."
His gaze shifted to Rose, who leaned against the stone wall, her visor tilted low to mask her expression. Her posture was casual, almost bored, but her fingers twitched slightly, betraying the alertness beneath her facade.
"Go with him," Shun said, pointing weakly, his voice heavy with exhaustion.
Rose's brows arched, her head tilting slightly. "Me?" she asked, her tone laced with mock surprise.
Shun nodded, resolute despite the pain that made his breath hitch. "You're quick. You're sharp. He needs you out there."
Xin was already moving toward the archway, his steps heavy with purpose. He paused when he realized Rose hadn't followed. Turning, he fixed her with a look of impatience, his mind screaming at the delay. "Rose, let's go."
She stood with her arms crossed, lips pursed as if weighing an invisible bargain. Then a sly smile curved her mouth, and she tilted her head, her voice light but edged with calculation. "What's it worth to you, Xin? You want me to risk my life out there, fighting by your side. That's a big ask. What's the price?"
Xin froze, his mind stuttering under the weight of her words. "Are you serious?" he asked, his voice tight with disbelief. "You're haggling now?"
She tapped her chin, her smile unwavering. "I'm always serious about business. You want me to face those monsters? I need a reason. Something worth my while."
His frustration boiled over, his thoughts spiraling into a jagged mess. The horns, the screams, the weight of lives slipping away pressed against his skull, threatening to crack it open. "This isn't a game, Rose," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "People are dying. Our people. You want to talk price while the summit burns?"
"And I'll be burning out there too if I don't have a reason to care," she replied, her tone smooth, almost playful, but her eyes sharp as blades. "So, what's it worth? Name your price, Xin."
His head throbbed, a dull ache spreading behind his eyes. He pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to hold back the flood of exhaustion and anger. "Fine," he said, his voice clipped. "We'll talk price later. Move. Now."
Her grin widened, her eyes glittering with mischief. She leaned in close, her breath warm against his cheek. "That's more like it. I can't wait to see how we work together, darling."
With a sharp flick of her wrist, two sleek pistols materialized in her hands, their grips etched with glowing sigils. Xin's eyes widened, his thoughts stumbling over the impossibility of it. "Two?" he asked, unable to hide his surprise.
She twirled them effortlessly, holstering one only to draw it again in a blur of motion. "Surprised?" she teased, her voice dripping with amusement. "One's easy to smuggle. Two? That's talent."
Xin shook his head, his mind reeling. Questions burned in his throat—how, why, when—but the horns blared again, their sound undercut by a distant, gut-churning roar that shook the ground. There was no time. "Let's move," he said, turning toward the exit.
They sprinted through the stone corridors, ether lights casting flickering shadows on the walls as the summit quaked with each distant impact. Xin's mind was a storm, memories of past battles and fallen comrades clawing at him, threatening to drag him under. The weight of leadership, the fear of failure, pressed against his chest, making every breath a struggle.
By the time they reached the outer gates, chaos had consumed the summit. Armored soldiers clashed with a tide of horrors battering the shimmering dome. Some beasts had pierced through, their warped forms seeping into the ranks like living shadows, their claws tearing through flesh and metal alike.
Xin's gaze snapped to the right, and his stomach twisted. Beyond the dome, Raven stood, a black-clad phantom carving through abominations with nothing but his hands and armor. He battled a towering Prime Hollow, its twisted body surrounded by dozens of Dusked Hollows, their forms flickering with corrupted ether. Sparks flew as Raven's blows struck the Prime's distorted flesh, each hit a desperate act of defiance.
The brothers fought nearby, their blades hacking through the horde with reckless ferocity, but the enemy kept coming, an endless wave of death. Xin's mind screamed, his thoughts fracturing under the weight of it all. He couldn't lose them. Not Raven. Not the brothers. Not anyone else.
He grabbed the arm of a passing soldier, his voice sharp. "Bow!"
The soldier hesitated, then slung the weapon off his back and thrust it into Xin's hands. Xin spun, firing ether-infused arrows into the horde, each shot piercing a Hollow through its core. Between volleys, he dropped to his knees beside the wounded, his hands glowing as he channeled what little energy he had left into sealing torn flesh, stabilizing fading pulses. His mind was a haze of pain and focus, every incantation a battle against his own exhaustion.
Rose leaned against the wall, her posture casual as she fired precise shots into the enemy ranks. Each pistol crack echoed like thunder, dropping Hollows with flawless accuracy. "Not bad," she called, her voice teasing as she watched Xin's hands glow. "But tell me, what's that regalia worth? Those gauntlets of yours look pricey."
Xin froze mid-incantation, his thoughts splintering. He turned, his glare cutting through her. "It's not for sale," he said, his voice cold, barely containing the rage bubbling beneath.
Her smile didn't falter. She tilted her head, her visor glinting. "Everything has a price, Xin. You'll learn that."
Before he could respond, she raised her pistol, pointed it at him, and pulled the trigger. The crack split the world, deafening in its closeness. Xin flinched, twisting aside as the shot rang past his ear. His heart slammed against his ribs, his mind screaming betrayal. For a moment, he thought he was hit, but no pain came.
"Your you crazy?!"
His eyes snapped to Rose, disbelief and fury warring in his chest. She blew across the barrel of her pistol, her eyes dancing with an unreadable gleam. "Relax," she said, her voice light, mocking. "If I wanted you dead, you wouldn't be standing."