On the pedestrian overpass, Nox walked three paces ahead of Lian.
Lian trailed behind, his eyes fixed on Nox's back, his steps heavy and slow.
Outer's presence stirred, teeth gnashing in a low, guttural snarl as it whispered in Lian's ear, "Lian! Something is coming from above!"
Lian froze. He craned his neck toward the heavens. "What is that light?" he whispered, the words barely escaping his lips.
Sensing the sudden halt, Nox turned around, a frown deepening on his face. Why is he staring at the sky like that? he wondered.
Then, he followed Lian's gaze. His eyes widened.
"What the—? A falling star? Why is it heading straight for Lian?"
Without a second thought, Nox closed the few steps between them and lunged. He tackled Lian to the ground just as the air began to hum with static.
"What do you think you're doing, Champ?" Lian gasped as they hit the pavement.
Nox was pinned over him, his expression grim. "Shut up..."
A pillar of light erupted before them. It arrived in eerie silence, a searing column of brilliance that carved through the night. When the glow faded, two figures—Ashil and Vashil—stood upon the bridge, their landing on Echo flawless and cold.
They scanned the area, their gazes locking onto the two men on the ground.
Lian pushed Nox off with a grunt. "You're heavy."
Nox clicked his tongue and climbed to his feet, his posture shifting into a defensive stance. He glared at the newcomers.
"What are you?"
Nox took a step forward, his fists white-knuckled.
"Haa... and who are you supposed to be?" Vashil sighed, his tone dripping with boredom.
Outer hissed against Lian's ear.
"Lian, get away from them!"
Lian instinctively retreated three steps.
Ashil, however, completely ignored Nox. His eyes settled on Lian, and his pupils dilated in shock. "Impossible! Why is Master Lian here?"
"Ashil? What's wrong?" Vashil asked, following his twin's gaze.
Nox's voice echoed on the overpass. "Hey! I asked you a question!"
They didn't even blink. It was as if he didn't exist.
Damn it, they're looking right through me, Nox thought, his blood boiling. He shifted into a polished boxing stance.
Lian, his expression turning flat and unreadable, began to walk toward the twins.
Nox's eyes widened. "Lian, stay back!"
Lian glanced back over his shoulder. "Shh..."
He stopped right in front of Ashil and Vashil. To Nox's utter confusion, the two strangers offered a deep, formal bow in unison.
Ashil lowered his gaze.
"Master Leuliang, please forgive our insolence."
"Who are you?"
The twins exchanged glances.
"I am Ashil Eosvile."
"And I am Vashil, his twin."
Nox's shoulders slumped, leaving him wide open.
Eosvile? Why is there another Eosvile here?
Lian traced every flicker of their expressions.
"What do you want?"
"We seek Rhea," Ashil replied.
Lian turned his head toward Nox.
"Oh... Champ, you're former Military Police, aren't you? Help them."
Nox marched forward, his steps rigid.
"What do you want with Rhea?"
"Back off," Vashil snapped.
A vein throbbed in Nox's temple. "What did you just say!?"
Ashil placed a steadying hand on Vashil's shoulder.
"Enough, Vashil. Remember our mission."
Vashil turned his face away with a huff.
"Fine."
Ashil looked at Nox.
"Champ, do you know Rhea?"
Nox's jaw tightened.
"I am Nox Eosvile."
Eosvile? Vashil thought, his eyes narrowing.
Ashil sighed, weary.
"Nox, do you know where she is? Can you take us to her?"
Lian offered a faint, knowing smile. "As a good person, you really should help them, Champ."
Nox's neck muscles strained, suppressing a sound on the verge of exploding.
Lian, you're unbelievable.
The pedestrian overpass's dimming glow seemed to fade further as the twins descended with their pillars of light.
***
Moments earlier, when the pillar of light pierced the sky, the world seemed to stop. Ron, Rhea, and Lena saw it clearly—as did everyone within the district.
Rhea skidded to a halt, her hand flying to her mouth.
"Oh, no. Why? That's Master Haze's ability," she whispered, her face draining of color.
Lena stopped beside her.
"Lady Rhea?"
"That pillar of light..." Rhea breathed.
"What about it?" Ron asked, his voice laced with concern.
"Ron, Lena—we have to get there. Now!"
She bolted toward the light, the two of them hot on her heels.
"Lady Rhea, what is that thing?"
"Master Haze..."
A frown creased Ron's brow. "Who is he?"
"The Law of World."
"Yeah? What about it, Rhea?"
"I'll explain later! We just have to move!"
Great, what now? Ron thought, teeth gritted as they sprinted, their hair whipping wildly in the wind.
***
"Nox!"
The shout was almost a scream. Ron, Rhea, and Lena burst onto the bridge. Ashil and Vashil turned instantly.
Ashil's lips curled into a smile. "Rhea... you came on your own."
Vashil moved like a bolt of lightning. In a blur of speed, he appeared behind Rhea.
"Don't move, Rhea, unless you want to get hurt."
Rhea froze, offering no resistance.
Nox, Ron, and Lena could only watch in stunned silence as Vashil snapped a pair of mana-cuffs onto her wrists.
"You always were good at reading the room," Vashil remarked.
Suddenly, the lights on the bridge flickered and died. The very air grew heavy, thick with an oppressive, unnatural pressure. Nox and the others collapsed to their knees, their bodies failing them. Only Lian remained standing, his eyes vacant and hollow.
Nox looked up at him, gasping for air.
"Ha... ha... Lian... what are you doing?"
Lian didn't move.
Lena clutched her chest. "Why... why am I so weak?"
Ron stared at Lian, his face turning white.
"Lian..."
Rhea's chest heaved as a harsh, ragged cough tore through her.
"The cuffs... they're gone... Master Lian..."
Ashil tried to stand, but his legs refused to obey.
"Master Leuliang..."
"Ashil... do something..." Vashil groaned.
The moonlight and distant city lights pierced the absolute darkness engulfing the overpass. Lian drifted toward the railing.
"Vash, why did you cuff Rhea?"
Vashil's eyes went wide. "I... I was only following orders..."
Lian tapped his finger rhythmically against the metal railing. Tap. Tap. Tap.
"From whom?"
Vashil choked out a cough. "Young Master... Honest..."
In an instant, half of the bridge's structure disintegrated into nothingness. Lian spun around, clutching his head.
Damn it, that name... it's driving me insane.
Outer's voice turned pathetic and pleading. "Is Lian hurt?"
Lian shook his head. He stumbled toward Ashil with staggering steps.
"Ash... who is Honest?"
Ashil looked up, his vision swimming.
"Young Master... is..."
Ashil's hand trembled.
Why can't I say it? Has Master Honest sealed my tongue?
Outer growled, baring sharp, white teeth.
Lian massaged his temples, his voice a low hiss.
"What?"
Ashil coughed one last time.
"I..."
His eyes rolled back, and he slumped into unconsciousness.
Lian's vision began to blur as he watched the others fall one by one.
"Honest... annoying... I have to leave..."
Outer reached out Lian.
"Lian..."
Lian's face was white as marble. "Don't worry."
He walked with a drunken, swaying gait, putting distance between himself and the fallen bodies before his own strength finally gave out.
Damn it... stay awake...
The wail of sirens grew louder in the distance, cutting through the night. Yet, Lian's eyelids were too heavy to resist the darkness any longer.
Outer's solid white eyes ignited as the octagon symbol on Lian's hand began to glow.
To be continued...