Neo tipped the empty soda can against his lips one last time before setting it down with a faint clink. The cool fizz had helped ease the burning in his chest more than he cared to admit.
"...If you're going to try persuading me to go back" Neo muttered flatly, eyes still on the floor, "Don't bother. I'm not in the mood."
Adrian leaned back, watching him for a moment. Then he chuckled, low and quiet, like he had expected that exact line.
"Well, as much as I'd like to see how long you'll stay moping," Adrian said with a shrug, "as your older brother, it's kind of my job to make sure you don't fall into depression."
Neo didn't even blink although his lips twitched slightly. He just lifted the can again, sipping from air deliberately, his expression perfectly blank.
Adrian sighed exasperated, as if dealing with a stubborn child—which is actually pretty accurate in this situation.
"Cold treatment, huh? Seriously?."
Thwack!
"Gah—!" Neo winced as a sharp pain bloomed on the top of his head. He clutched at his hair and shot his brother an annoyed glare. "What the hell was that for?!"
Adrian's grin split wide. "What? Just thought I'd flick some sense into you. Now that's better. You look a thousand times more human with that face."
Neo's eyes narrowed. "...You're enjoying this way too much."
"Damn right I am." Adrian leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees as his tone softened. "Listen, Neo. Pain is better than rage. Pain makes you human. Rage just makes you stupid."
Neo blinked, his glare faltering slightly. That was surprisingly...wise?
Adrian went on, voice lighter, as if stating obvious facts. "You need to stop being such a wuss and accept the truth. Father wasn't here, yeah, but it wasn't because he didn't care. He had… other things to do."
Neo's lips pressed into a thin line.
"Yeah right. What's more important than your own family?" he said coldly.
Inwardly, he was surprised at his own behavior. As a reincarnator it wasn't even necessary or even expected to consider the Castreed as his true family, just a means to an end. Just as a source of resources to grow stronger. So why? Why was he acting up like this? Maybe it was the fact that in his first life he didn't have a father figure so as he reincarnated he had just the slightest hope, the slightest chance of having a full family.
'Pathetic. Some hero i am.'
"Do you even know why?" Adrian asked. He didn't wait for an answer.
"All these years he's been searching for a cure for mom's poison. And while he was at it, he was stationed on the frontlines against the Noiris clan. He couldn't come home even if he wanted to, because those Noiris bastards were waiting for him to slip up. He had to hold back from coming—had to fight all this time—just to keep them off our backs. A morning murder attempt isn't exactly the best welcome."
Neo's fingers tightened slightly against the soda can. The chill grounding him despite his inner turmoil.
Adrian's gaze softened. "You know, when I was four, I got a letter from the front lines. Said he was moping about not being able to come home for my birthday. And when you were born?" He laughed softly, shaking his head as though reliving the memory. "I heard he was unbearable. Everyone on the front said he couldn't shut up about wanting to see his youngest son."
Neo felt something twist in his chest. He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, eyes sliding away. "…Tch. I get it. I do. He was trying. I get that."
For a moment, silence hung between them. Then Neo exhaled slowly. "…It's just… seeing him sitting there like nothing happened—it pissed me off. I wasn't thinking."
Adrian smiled softly. "Yeah. I figured." He clapped Neo's shoulder. "So promise me you'll at least hear him out, yeah?"
Neo gave a reluctant grunt. "…Fine."
"Good." Adrian leaned back with a smug grin. "See? Once again, your awesome older brother has lifted your spirits. You're welcome."
Neo rolled his eyes so hard it almost hurt. "…Sure. Whatever you say."
But inside, he couldn't help but chuckle. Ironic, isn't it? I'm supposed to be older than him, mentally… and yet here I am, being scolded like a brat. Some reincarnator I am.
Adrian cracked open another soda, taking a slow sip with an exaggerated sigh of satisfaction. He watched his younger brother's calmer expression, a faint warmth in his chest. Heh. I remember when you were just a newborn. You were so small. So damn cute.
Neo's brow twitched. He turned his head sharply. "…You're thinking something weird, aren't you."
Adrian froze mid-sip, a bead of sweat sliding down his temple. Then, slowly, his lips curled into a devious grin.
"...Maybe."
Neo narrowed his eyes. "…"
Then Adrian leaned closer, his grin widening. "Say, you know you could get something out of this, you know."
Neo blinked. "…What."
Adrian's tone turned mock-sage, like he was giving ancient wisdom. "Guilt trip him into letting you take something from the armory. As… 'compensation.'"
Neo's jaw dropped slightly. "You're seriously suggesting we swindle our own father?"
Adrian tilted his head innocently. "Not swindling per say but yeah why not?"
"You're an asshole."
"Runs in the family."
For a beat, Neo stared at him in mock shock.
Then—
An identical mischievous grin spread across his face.
"I hear they have treasures up to the supreme grade there." Adrian further urged Neo.
The two brothers clasped hands firmly like conspirators sealing a pact.
Together, they left the chamber, walking side by side with matching devious grins.
As they neared the entrance of the mansion Neo abruptly turned his head as his gaze abruptly snapped towards a distant peak on the horizon.
His eyes flickered with a hint of purple before returning to their usual crimson.
(What is it?) Celeste questioned curiously from within his Soulscape.
'Nothing. Just a bad feeling.' He said quietly to her using mental transmission but his gaze was suddenly cold.
He and Adrian then entered through the wide doors of the Castreed mansion.
————
High above a tall mountain a distance from the Castreed mansion a certain entity appeared in the clouds and looked curiously towards Neo as he entered the mansion.
"Interesting. To be able to pierce my cloaking and at such a young age. And handsome on the top..." It said in a sultry female voice. If one saw the entity, they would mistake it for just an breathtakingly beautiful woman except for a few details. She had two small obsidian horns that curled forwards on the sides of her head and two dark draconic wings that rose from her back. Her pupils were two violet slits that seemed to pierce through the soul framed by a soft face that could easily have been mistaken for kind. Her dark purple hair fell to her waist in a gentle cadence. Her form was clad in a shifting black two piece gown that seemed to drift in the wind.
She exuded a sharp demonic aura that seemed to warp the clouds around her as if the sky refused to touch her. Her dark veil only barely hid the look of fascination and hunger in her violet eyes as her blood red lips curled into a slight smirk.
"Don't tell me you've found another plaything already." A voice echoed beside her. This one most probably belonged to a male.
This demon was clad in a crimson three piece suit the color of blood. His hair was equally crimson as were his eyes. He sighed in exasperation at his sister's indulgence in too many humans.
"I want him." She said, her eyes never leaving the mansion.
His gaze mildly swept over the mansion briefly. Either taking it all in or dismissing it entirely. He sighed again, shaking his head. Lilura had a habit of going after unlucky souls she deemed 'interesting'.
"Lilura,"his tone more firm now "we aren't supposed to interfere with the Castreed Clan yet."
Lilura finally tore her gaze away from the mansion. She had a teasing smile on her face which masked a lethal intent.
"Don't be so stiff Draev. I just want a quick look." Her voice was deceptively playful.
"You... In fact, whatever. I know there's no convincing you otherwise. Just get back before it's time to leave."
"Sure."
She suddenly blurred into a streak of violet light as she sped towards the Castreed mansion.
Draevion stood amidst the drifting clouds looking at his partners figure.
"Your hunger would consume you eventually."