---
Inikhadan collapses to the ground.
Duke Balin: (Gives a cold, keen glare) That done. Ah— (presses fingers to his temple) I just remembered. (Points lazily at Inikhadan). He wasn't the one who killed your father.
Elva: (Steps forward, breath sharp).
Duke Balin: Hss… let me recall properly—Ah.
He slowly points at himself.
Duke Balin: I killed him. (Gives a careless shrug). Not entirely my fault. I was a hina then. It was only the second time my destructive ability came alive.
As he speaks, the scene fades into a flashback.
---
Elva's father, Skyer, limped through the Stony Jungle, dragging an injured knight across rough terrain. His own leg bled, but he pushed forward.
A Totutūk lunged from the shadows—Skyer bent backward fluidly and destroyed it with a swift strike.
But when he turned forward again, his body froze.
Twelve-year-old Balin approached—slow steps, vacant expression, as if walking in a trance. His eyes swirled with an eerie indigo spiral.
Skyer: (Gentle but alarmed) Prince Gulzien, what are you doing he—?
He stopped, staring into those twisting eyes.
Present Balin: It was the second time I used my power… But I wasn't in control.
Totutūks circled young Balin like shadows given life.
Present Balin: Your foolish father… could have abandoned his comrade and escaped. But instead, he tried to save me as well. (Soft laughter, then flat) So I did it.
Twelve-year-old Balin lifted his hand at Skyer and they ELIMINATED the knights.
> NOTE: Totutūk — a creature born of Bias Energy and Miasma that drains the life of the living.
---
End Flashback.
---
Elva: 💢 Why would you?! He was innocent!
She lunges, but Raina intercepts her.
Duke Balin: Why would I? (Erratic laughter) Cousin—did you hear her? The villain kills and she asks why. Isn't that adorable?
Alf's gaze remained lowered.
Duke Balin: But, me Lēofa Drin… yours is a different course.
Alf's calm eyes lift—quiet, but burning in curiosity.
Duke Balin: I do miss Fædera. I still remember his face 😊 The heartbreak… the disappointment… and the pretended care.
Alf: (Softly feigning innocence) So… you were there...?
Duke Balin: There? (Scoffs) I murdered him. Me! With these hands.
Everyone stills. Silence hits like steel.
Alf: No… You're not evil…
Duke Balin: Oh, come now, Iel Drin.
Don't wear naïveté like a veil. It does not suit the Yin Successor.
Alf's fingers tremble into fists, as his head lowered.
Princess Raina: This still isn't you…
Duke Balin: I am not clueless of what I did!! Neither am I regretful! This is simply the path of fulfillment.
Princess Raina: 💔 Balin…?
Alf: (Voice trembling with rage) How… How— AAAH!!
He flicks a sword from a knight's scabbard—telekinetically—and lunges at Balin. Though Balin turns to dodge, but the blade still grazes his right nostril.
Blood marks his cheek. He wipes it away, slow. Calm.
Duke Balin: Ge'lūm xafõk bnæ Iel Drin?
NOTE: FõLa = English
> Iel Drin = Little Cousin
> Ge'lūm xafõk bnæ Iel Drin? = You rebel against me, Little Cousin?
> Me Lēofa Drin = My dear cousin.
Alf: Did you think before you rebelled against my father?! The one who risked everything for you?! You will pay for that betrayal.
Duke Balin: Haa—Je. (Bias energy forms in his palm) Then let us settle the score.
NOTE: Je (/gi/) = Good.
He fires.
Alf backflips from the blast. Balin prepares another strike— but his eyes narrow. Raina's whip snaps toward him. He bends backward, somersaults, avoiding both strikes.
Raina stands in front of Alf—unshaken, weapon leveled.
Princess Raina: Even if I care for you… His Flourish is my priority.
Duke Balin: Mistress Fūb'bõkus Iri-Raina, fight with me. Together, with the Bias Gem, we—
Princess Raina: Save the stench of your breath. Your persuasion means nothing.
Balin pauses. A dark, knowing smile forms. He gestures lightly to something behind him.
Duke Balin: Then what about him?
Hans appears—hesitant, eyes downcast with shame. Raina's breath shatters.
Duke Balin: He should be able to convince you.
Princess Raina: P— (Hans meets her gaze). 💔💢 Betrayer.
Hans tries to speak— but the guilt shuts his voice.
---
EXTRA
Narrator: Elva… you were very quiet during that last scene. What happened?
Elva: It was between nobles.
What did you expect me to do—sing a song? 😑
---