X waited outside the burial hall, his expression grim as he stared at his communication device. The report from Xenah had been bleak—no signs of movent within the allotted ti. Tension coiled in his muscles as he stored energy, his senses razor-sharp.
When the tir hit five minutes, coordinates flashed across his wristwatch. Without hesitation, X launched himself forward, crossing an entire courtyard in a single leap. Like a blazing cot, he streaked through the sky and landed precisely on target, his arrival heralded by an explosion of flas.
The assassin leader, caught off guard, combusted instantly under the force of X's strike.
"Are you alright?" X asked, his voice steady but laced with concern as he approached Nioh.
Nioh, still on the ground, pushed him away. "Don't touch . You're too hot."
X's eyes scanned the scene, taking in the destruction. "What happened?"
"You just killed the last witness," Nioh said, rolling his eyes.
X's eye widened incredulously as he looked at the carnage unleashed by Nioh. Ten bodies, badly mangled, there was no sign of hesitation. He looked again at Nioh who showed no major wounds, and his mind spun again. "Just who are you?" he asked again.
"Stop wasting ti and help up. You should investigate who has access to this bunker and who betrayed your group" Nioh replied.
--
Back in his room, Nioh sank into the bathtub, letting the warm water soothe his exhausted body. The day had been grueling but pivotal. In one decisive move, he had introduced himself to the powerful figures of the fiefdom and cented his position as the monarch's son. Although he had offended a few people in the process, he knew that many would now be scrambling to adjust their plans in light of his arrival.
X had vanished after the condolence ceremony, likely tying up loose ends. Nioh was certain his origins and story would be under heavy scrutiny in the coming days as well as the news of his kidnapping.
The next step in his plan was clear: seize the heir position. But this proved to be far trickier than he had anticipated. The power dynamics within the fiefdom were too finely balanced, leaving him at odds with the system. Among the younger generation, none posed a significant challenge—save for one nad Pax, whom he had yet to et.
However, the older generation, the wardens, had spent years amassing influence and resources. If Nioh wanted to build his own power base, he would have to start from scratch.
"Since I can't do it from within, I'll do it from the outside," he thought as he stepped out of the tub and tied his robe.
His expression darkened montarily before softening again as he toweled off his hair. Suddenly, the door burst open, and a maid rushed in without knocking.
Nioh's frown deepened. "What is it?" he demanded.
"The princes have disappeared! I ca to check your room!" she blurted out.
Without hesitation, he kicked her out of the room. "The next ti you enter without permission, you will die," he said coldly, his voice cutting through her panicked protests.
With a sigh, he rubbed his temples. Turning to the seemingly empty room, he said firmly, "Are you going to co out, or do I have to drag you out?"
After a mont of silence, the shadows under the bed shifted and stretched. Two small figures erged, holding each other's hands—a boy and a girl, twins, looking like mischievous children caught in the act. Their innocent faces softened Nioh's stern gaze.
"How old are you?" he asked.
"Ten," the boy replied, stepping slightly in front of the girl protectively.
"At your age, don't you know it's wrong to run away?" Nioh said, his voice firm but not unkind.
The twins lowered their heads, guilt evident in their silence.
Nioh walked closer and motioned for them to sit on the bed. "Why did you run away?" he asked.
Still silent, the twins exchanged glances. He pointed at the girl. "Speak," he commanded.
Her voice was small and trembling. "We ca to see the man who is supposed to replace our dead father."
Nioh's expression softened further. "Do you know what that ans?"
"Yes," she whispered. "Our mother died too. It ans we won't see him again."
"I'm not here to replace your daddy," Nioh said gently. "I am your little uncle."
The girl tilted her head. "What is a little uncle?"
"I'm your Father's younger brother," Nioh explained.
The boy asked hesitantly, "What's your na?"
"I'm Nioh. And you?"
"I'm Sol," the girl said. "And he's Kol."
"How did you get in here?"
"That's my ability—shadow," Kol answered, his voice quiet but steady.
"And mine is light," Sol added quickly.
Nioh nodded approvingly. "And you?" Sol asked again.
"My ability is sound."
"Are you really not going to replace our father?" Sol asked, her eyes wide and searching.
"Even though your father is gone, Your grandfather would not let replace him" Nioh reassured her.
"What's that on your ears?" Sol asked, pointing to the hearing aids.
Nioh touched the device with a small smile. "These are my hearing aids. I'm deaf."
Their faces showed shock, and Nioh chuckled softly. "Let tell you the story of how I beca deaf. It involves a giant Feral biocore and chas."
Excitent lit up their eyes as they leaned closer, hanging on his every word. They stayed up long past their bedti, listening to his tales, until they eventually fell asleep, curled up together in the bed. Nioh watched them for a mont, a rare warmth spreading through him. For now, he let the peace of this mont linger.
-
Outside, the Empress and her entourage were teetering on the edge of panic as they searched desperately for the twins.
"Calm down!" the Monarch commanded, though his own composure was fraying. He turned to the servants responsible for the twins' daily care. "Where in the palace have you not looked?"
The head servant hesitated before answering, "The quarters of Prince Nioh."
"Let's check there!" the Empress declared without hesitation, leading the charge toward Nioh's door.
She knocked repeatedly, but no response ca from within. Frustrated and concerned, she pushed the door open—and stopped short, her breath catching at the sight.
There, on the bed, all three children lay asleep in a tangle of limbs, their positions skewed and awkward, but their faces peaceful.
The Empress's stern expression softened into a smile, and a giggle escaped her lips. "It's been so long since the twins have looked this calm," she said warmly. Then, with a twinkle in her eye, she added, "Go get the cara. We have to capture this mont."
As the servants scurried to fulfill her request, the Monarch stepped closer, his tension lting away as he gazed at the serene scene before him. For the first ti in what felt like ages, a sense of peace settled over the royal chambers.
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