Ki followed Kenji silently through the dim streets, senses alert. They headed toward the familiar bar. As the door opened, a hush fell over the room. All eyes seemed to track them, the air thick with suspicion. Hannah sat at the counter, her expression serene, masking the tension beneath. Kenji slid into a seat beside her, and Ki took the one next to him.
The bartender's eyes narrowed at Ki. "What is this boy doing here?"
Kenji waved it off, accepting a beer. "Caught him snooping on the king's business. He'll be part of an addition to our plan."
Ki tensed. "What plan? And you… spying on the king? I thought you were one of his people."
Kenji took a slow sip from his mug before replying, "Not everything you see is as it seems."
The bartender leaned closer. "So, this addition… what is it?"
Kenji set down his mug. "We're enlisting his help."
Ki bristled. "Help with what?"
Kenji's eyes met his. "The three of you are dangerous—if the king ever gets control, he'll turn you into tools, Cerberus soldiers. For now, we leave you alive. But you need guidance, or you'll be destroyed."
The bartender and Hannah exchanged curious glances at the word Cerberus.
Ki clenched his fists. "You're planning to manipulate us?"
Kenji's tone remained calm. "It's the way this world works. Sabotage is survival. Victory depends on it."
Ki rose, stepping back. "Victory… against the king?"
A rugged man in the corner laughed, scratching his beard. "Kid, don't be naïve. Kenji and Hannah aren't his followers. Think of them as… spies. That's all."
Ki's eyes remained steady. The man's irritation grew. He drew a small knife. Hannah moved to intervene, but Kenji stopped her.
The man pressed the blade to Ki's throat. "Don't disrespect me, boy."
In an instant, Ki's vision flipped. He was midair, crashing to the ground headfirst. He steadied himself, voice low and firm: "Don't test me. I've studied Kenji's training."
Ki vanished and reappeared behind Kenji, whispering into his ear, "I can learn just by watching."
The room froze. Ki stepped back and walked out, leaving everyone questioning what they had just witnessed. Kenji sipped his beer, a small smile on his lips. "Good," he murmured.
Outside, Ki moved down the dark street, alert. Kenji appeared beside him again. "You want to save your friends, right? You want to leave this place?"
Ki's eyes narrowed. "What if I don't?"
Kenji's tone turned quiet, almost playful. "Then we'll have a problem. We can't allow you to be eliminated, or it would raise suspicion."
"And what about my friends?" Ki asked.
Kenji studied him. "Nothing will happen to them. We want only one thing—your cooperation."
Meanwhile, Zephyr was tucking a sleeping Septh into a blanket at the table. Her exhaustion was evident; her confident eyes now dulled with dark spots.
A knock on the balcony startled him. Ki appeared, leaning casually on the railing.
"Stop acting like a stalker," Kenji's voice called from behind.
"How's Septh?" Ki asked.
"She's asleep. She broke down before resting," Zephyr replied.
Ki's gaze was sharp. "What did she tell you?"
"Just… fragments. 'We have to leave,' over and over," Zephyr admitted.
Ki exhaled, voice calm but serious. "Let her rest. Tell her to act normal, as if nothing is happening. No one can know what you've discovered. I'm informing you as well."
Zephyr, overwhelmed, nodded slowly. He glanced at Septh, noticing her messy curls and weary eyes. "Something is wrong… everyone is acting strange," he muttered, worry etched across his face.