The rain hadn't stopped. It followed them through the twisting streets like an unshakable shadow, soaking through their clothes, chilling their skin.
By the time Hikari pushed open the rusted door of an abandoned warehouse, Riku could barely feel his fingers.
"Inside," she urged, scanning the street one last time before shutting the door.
The sudden quiet was deafening compared to the chaos outside.
The place smelled of dust and oil. Shafts of moonlight leaked through cracks in the roof, painting silver patterns on the concrete floor. Hikari dropped her soaked coat, revealing a deep cut along her arm.
"Hey " Riku stepped forward, but she waved him off.
"It's nothing. I've had worse."
"Yeah, well, forgive me if I'm not used to hanging out with dagger-wielding princesses who fight hired killers in back alleys," he muttered, grabbing an old first-aid kit from a shelf.
She watched silently as he cleaned the wound, wincing only once.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The storm outside was their only witness.
Finally, Riku nodded toward the pendant she had given him earlier.
"You said this was the key to everything. Mind telling me what 'everything' means?"
Hikari hesitated. Her eyes softened, but her voice was steady.
"That pendant belonged to my father. It contains a code coordinates to the Imperial Vault. If I can reach it, I can prove who I am… and reclaim the throne."
"And I'm guessing the Black Lotus wants it for themselves."
"They want more than that," she said quietly. "They want control over Sairen. And they'll kill anyone in their way including you."
He almost laughed. "Great. I've always wanted to be on a crime syndicate's hit list."
Her lips curved into the faintest smile. "You don't have to stay. I can disappear, and you'll be safe."
But Riku didn't move. He just tightened his grip on the pendant.
"Too late. You dragged me into this mess, remember? Kidnapper's rules you're stuck with me."
Her eyes met his, and for the first time, the guarded wall around her seemed to crack.
"Thank you," she whispered.
Before Riku could answer, a faint click echoed through the warehouse.
They froze.
The door they had come through was now ajar.
A shadow slipped inside.
In the moonlight, the figure was clear tall, dressed in black, a masked face turning slowly toward them.
The intruder spoke in a low, distorted voice.
"Hand over the princess… and maybe you walk out of here alive."
Hikari reached for her dagger.
Riku's heart hammered, but he stepped in front of her anyway.
"No deal," he said.
The figure tilted their head.
"Then you die first."