They arrived at the Barony not long after.
From above, Cromwell looked busier than ever. Streets were more developed. New buildings had risen. Beasts moved alongside humans. The signature mix of chaos and stability that defined the place remained.
But as Nox’s dragon descended and they landed in the central courtyard, he imdiately noticed sothing was off.
The atmosphere was tense. Too tense.
Soldiers moved in hurried groups. Beast Tars stood on alert. Injured beasts were being tended to at the side. The usual warm welco he received whenever he visited was absent.
Nathan was already striding toward them with his cane.
"Nox," he said, face grim. "You ca just in ti."
Nox jumped down from the dragon’s back, Jack dropping beside him.
"What happened?" he asked without any pleasantries.
Nathan’s expression darkened.
"Two individuals showed up not long ago," he said. "I believe Skully has already inford you."
Nox’s jaw tightened, already having an idea who these people were.
Jack looked around, his fist clenched. He felt a surge of emotion at the sight before him.
"This is all my fault," he muttered under his breath. His gaze scanned the courtyard where worker ants were carrying away injured beasts, Beast Tars, and even civilians.
Just by seeing the brutal scene, he already knew exactly what had taken place. Only his siblings were insane enough to do sothing like this.
At the side, Nox continued listening to the reports from Nathan, and with each passing second his expression grew darker.
When he finally heard what happened to his mother, the thin restraint he had over his emotions shattered completely.
His face beca unreadable.
Inside, though, sothing cold and violent simred.
He could let many things slide.
Attacks.
Insults.
Threats.
He had dealt with plenty.
But the mont soone dragged his family into it... his patience snapped.
"Where are they now?" he asked calmly.
"We just received word from the scouts," Nathan said. "They are moving through the main district. They are attacking and killing Beast Tar beasts in the streets. Soldiers were sent to stop them, but none have been able to slow them down."
Jack’s teeth ground together.
’Of course she is,’ he thought bitterly. ’That is exactly sothing Serene would do.’
"Where is Master Eve?" Nox asked.
"According to Skully, she left to take care of so business."
"Master," Skully said, "I have confird their current position. They are in the eastern market street, approximately five minutes from here if you fly directly."
Nox did not waste a second.
"Show ."
He jumped back onto the dragon. Jack was right behind him.
"Skully, guide us from below," Nox ordered. "Keep the ants spread. I want their movents tracked."
FWOOOSH.
The dragon launched into the air, wings beating hard as it darted toward the eastern district.
The city blurred past.
Screams drifted faintly from the distance.
As they got closer, the sounds grew louder.
Beasts roared in pain, people shouted in panic and buildings were being destroyed.
Nox’s eyes narrowed.
"There," Jack said, pointing.
Down in one of the broader streets, chaos reigned.
Stalls were smashed apart. Shops were blown open. Beast Tars struggled to pull their companions back. Blood stained the cobblestones.
Cromwell soldiers tried to contain the attackers, but it was hopeless. They were far too strong.
Even familiar figures like Serena, Nyx, and Akira were struggling to make any difference.
At the center of it all stood the two figures causing the destruction.
A young man in neat clothes, hands tucked in his pockets, expression bored as if everything around him was beneath his notice.
Beside him, a young woman with wild eyes and a crazed smile, two short swords spinning around her fingers. Her clothes were splattered with beast blood, and she looked delighted by it.
Nox saw them and instantly noticed the resemblance to Jack.
Still, he could not tell if this was bravery or stupidity. To openly attack citizens of a foreign kingdom in their own capital was not only foolish but a deep insult to the Cromwell Kingdom as a whole.
Down below, Serene swung her blade downward toward the neck of a trembling wolf-like beast that stood protectively in front of its panicked tar.
Her grin widened.
"Do not worry," she said cheerfully. "I will only kill it once."
The young tar’s eyes widened. He raised his hand helplessly.
"No...!"
Shing.
Her blade cut through the air but abruptly stopped.
CLANG.
A heavy impact rang out as her sword slamd into sothing solid.
Serene blinked, confusion spreading across her features.
"What...?"
A boot. A boot had intercepted her strike.
The next mont, a fierce kick exploded outward.
BANG.
The force sent her flying like a cannonball. She crashed through an empty stall, rolled across the ground, and flipped back to her feet with a snarl.
The wolf-beast flinched and scrambled back toward its sobbing tar.
Jack landed in front of them, lightning odachi in hand.
He glanced back.
"Take your beast and get out of here," he said, voice unusually cold.
The young tar did not hesitate.
"Yes." He grabbed the wolf and ran, tears still in his eyes.
Serene stood and brushed splinters off her shoulder. Then she finally saw the one who had kicked her.
The familiar face. The lazy eyes. The relaxed posture.
Her grin vanished for a second.
Then it returned even wider.
"Oh," she breathed. "Ohhh."
Up above, Nox and the dragon descended. The beast landed at the far end of the ruined street, shaking the ground on impact. Dust rippled outward.
The calm young man finally turned his head to look at the arrival. His eyes moved from the dragon to the figure stepping off its back.
Nox’s gaze was cold. Very cold.
Beast Tars instinctively moved aside, giving space. So recognized Nox and relaxed. Others simply felt the pressure and backed away.
Serene twirled her swords, her eyes brightening.
"You seem like the one in charge," she said. "Not bad. Not bad at all."
Jack ignored her.
His eyes were locked onto the calm young man.
And that man was watching him just as intently.
For several seconds, the street fell silent.
Then the man raised a hand and brushed an imaginary speck of dust off his sleeve.
"Well, well," he said softly. "Look who we have here."
Reviews
All reviews (0)