Nox dashed along the outskirts of the main road in Echo, his hair whipping wildly behind him
"Hah... hah... damn it, where did he go?" Nox wheezed, his lungs burning.
He pushed his pace even harder, sweat slicking his brow.
He skidded to a halt near a pedestrian overpass. Looking up, his eyes locked onto a figure standing at the railing.
It was Lian.
I want to scream at him, but he'll just bolt.
Nox wiped his forehead and rushed to Lian's side.
***
Lian stood in silence, staring out at the cityscape from the bridge.
This place was truly different from Syntax.
"Outer, is Ipsix like this too?"
"No, Ipsix... is very different."
Running footsteps thundered through the stillness.
"Lian!"
The shout was so sudden and loud that Lian turned. He watched as Nox approached, his breathing audible and heavy, his clothes drenched in sweat.
"Lian... why did you run off?"
"Boring."
"Huh? You really are something... come on, let's go back."
"Nope."
Nox's hands balled into fists.
"Rhea is worried about you."
"I don't care."
"Lian!"
Outer began to lose patience, its gaze sharpening as it glared at Nox.
Lian smirked.
"Hey, why are you so angry, Champ?"
"Because you're annoying!"
"Oh." Lian blinked, staring at him in amusement.
He looked over the edge of the bridge to the pavement far below.
"Wonder how many bones I'd snap if I took the plunge?"
Nox's eyes widened, his jaw dropping in shock.
Lian offered a weary smile at the reaction.
Nox heaved three deep breaths. Gritting his teeth, Nox fought to keep his exploding emotions in check.
Stay calm, Nox. Stay calm.
He took a cautious step forward.
"Lian, take it easy."
"Tell me, Champ, would it be better if I jumped or just erased this entire place?"
Nox bit his lip hard.
"Neither."
Lian watched Nox inching closer. He glanced toward Outer.
"Oh, right. I have a little surprise for you."
Nox froze. "What?"
Lian gave a slow, rhythmic shake of his head.
"Why don't we ask Outer?"
Lian reached out and grabbed Outer's hand. In an instant, Outer manifested physically in front of Nox. To Lian's surprise, Nox didn't flinch.
"Oh? You're not shaking in your boots today, are you?"
Outer let out a low, raspy chuckle.
"Hehehe."
Nox tightened his fists until his knuckles turned white.
"It's getting old."
Lian kept his eyes glued to his hands. "Right. This isn't the first time you've seen Outer. I suppose the novelty has worn off."
Outer grinned, amused.
Nox narrowed his eyes. "So?"
"Do you remember when you collapsed at the hospital?"
Nox remained silent, his expression hardening.
"Ah, so you do remember. Tell me, how is it that you can see Outer?"
"Just get to the point!"
"Impatient, aren't you?" Lian teased.
He looked at Outer and nodded. Outer stepped forward, shifting into fog around Nox.
Beads of cold sweat broke out on Nox's brow as his skin crawled.
How can an Outer be so... shapeshifting?
"Outer senses something in Champ similar to Lian."
The world seemed to stop. Nox stood frozen, the words hitting him with the force of a physical blow. His eyes were wide, unblinking.
Nox's knees buckled. He took a shaky step back. Lian and Outer tilted their heads in unison, wearing matching smiles as they watched Nox crumble under the weight of the revelation.
"Liar! You're just playing with my head!"
"If I'm lying, then explain your collapse."
Nox glared at them, his jaw tightening.
"You and Outer did something to me—some trick to make me lose consciousness!"
"Hehehe, Champ doesn't believe Lian."
Lian leaned his head, resting a hand on his cheek.
"Well, believe it or not, reality is often bitter."
Nox stepped toward Lian again, his voice trembling with rage.
"You're doing all of this just to entertain yourself!"
Lian's smile didn't fade.
"Perhaps."
Nox was now only two steps away.
"I'm going to wipe that smug look off your face!"
Lian let go of Outer and leaned in, offering his right cheek.
"Go ahead. If you have the guts, hit me."
Nox lunged.
"I'll finish you!"
"Whoa, Blondie!"
Nox stopped, his fist inches from the bridge of Lian's nose. Instead of striking, he grabbed Lian's collar and pulled him close.
"Lian, do you think I'm a child?"
"Oh."
"Enough. We're going back." Nox released his grip.
He walked three paces away, leaving Lian to straighten his collar.
Nox stood waiting in silence.
Lian looked at Outer. What do you think? he asked through their telepathic link.
"He's furious."
Lian flashed a thin, haunting smile.
"Why so quiet, Champ?"
Nox remained frozen, his gaze fixed and unmoving.
"I see. You still can't bring yourself to accept reality, can you?"
"Shut it."
Lian closed the distance between them, stepping into Nox's personal space. He attempted to touch Nox's shoulder, but Nox caught his hand mid-air by reflex, then dismissed it with a careless release.
Lian sighed.
"Don't be panicked or afraid... you are my bodyguard, remember?"
"We should go home now."
"Your home is gone… and it's because of me."
"Lian!"
Nox bit his lip.
"Quit bringing that up Leuliang Esculenta! Do you even care about yourself?"
Lian turned, his eyes cold and distant, cutting through Nox's outburst with a single, sharp look.
"Don't pretend like you know me."
Nox took a sharp, jagged breath.
"You... if this is about the hospital, if you want payback for how I treated you, then just hit me. Get it over with!"
Without a second of hesitation, Lian swung.
A sickening, heavy crack echoed as Lian's fist slammed into Nox's jaw. The impact threw Nox onto the concrete, his eyes wide as the jarring vibration rattled his teeth and a sharp, copper taste flooded his mouth, leaving his senses reeling in the sudden silence of the blow.
Lian stood over him, looking down with a cold, detached gaze as his shadow swallowed Nox whole.
"You asked for it."
Nox clutched his jaw, wincing. He groaned as blood began to seep from his lip.
"Ugh… You satisfied now?" he spat, the metallic taste of blood filling his mouth.
Lian went still, hands trembling from the blow he dealt Nox.
In the background, Outer just smiled at them.
Nox wiped the smear of red from his lip and forced himself back onto his feet. He shook his head to clear his vision, and despite the pain, he looked Lian in the eye.
"Your fist is more blunt than your mouth."
Lian flinched, taking a wary step back.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
A faint, knowing smile played on Nox's bruised lips.
"Is your hand okay?"
Lian cast his eyes downward. "It doesn't hurt."
The night wind swept across the overpass, cold and restless, filling the silence neither of them knew how to break.
***
The night wind began to howl where Ron was waiting. An ill omen settled in his chest, making his heart race.
"Why did it get so cold all of a sudden?" Ron muttered, rubbing his arms.
Rhea noticed his unease.
"Ron, what's wrong?"
Lena looked on, surprised.
Lady Rhea is calling Sir Ron by his name...
Ron shook his head.
"Nothing, I'm fine."
"Sir Ron, it might be best to call Sir Nox," Lena said, handing him her device.
"Thank you."
Ron dialed immediately. The line rang, but there was no answer.
"Nox isn't picking up," he sighed.
"Ron, we have to go find him—now."
Ron took a deep breath.
"Right."
The three of them set off, with Ron leading the way.
He pressed a hand to his chest.
Why is my heart pounding? Nox… please be safe.
To be continued...