His red cloak flickered in the wind, matching the smirk on his face.
"Aww," Steve mocked. "Looks like daddy threw you where you belong, in the trash. Can't say I'm surprised. Always knew you would end up here someday."
Lucan stayed silent with his head hung.
"Not gonna cry?" Steve taunted. "Guess I'll have to give you something to cry about."
Lucan looked up at him.
Steve's jaw clenched.
A sudden blaze lit up his hand, and with a flick of his finger, Steve hurled a fireball.
Lucan instinctively dodged it and got up. The alley behind him flashed orange. Heat licked at his back.
Steve charged. His fist swung straight for Lucan's face.
Lucan caught it.
And then everything stopped.
Steve's grin faltered.
Lucan felt something. A pull. Like a thread unraveling between them. Steve's eyes widened. His smirk died.
"W-what… are you doing?" Steve whispered, his voice cracking.
Lucan looked down. Steve's skin paled. His veins darkened.
And Lucan realized… he was draining him.
"No… stop!" Steve cried, stumbling back, but Lucan didn't let go. Couldn't let go. His hand tightened like a vice.
He tried to let go, but his finger clasped tighter, as if the flame inside him demanded more.
A final gasp escaped Steve's throat before his body went limp and collapsed in a heap.
Lucan staggered back, staring at his hand like it didn't belong to him. His breath was ragged. His mind screamed.
What did I just do?
A rustle.
Lucan snapped his head up.
Elias stood at the alley's entrance, wide-eyed.
"I saw you run in here," Elias said quietly. "I was following Steve. Heard your name come up when he was talking to some punks. Figured something was off."
Lucan said nothing. He just kept staring at the lifeless body on the ground.
Elias stepped forward, scanning the scene, then Lucan. "We need to get you out of here. Now."
They moved through the shadows of Advent Hollow like ghosts, Elias guiding the way with Lucan following close behind. He used his Essence of Foresight, dodging patrols before they turned corners, slipping past villagers like whispers in the night.
Finally, at the city's edge, they stopped. Past the treeline was the unknown. Freedom. Fear.
"You're really doing this?" Elias asked.
Lucan nodded. "I have to. I can't stay. Not after this."
Elias held out a hand. "Then go. But you better survive out there."
Lucan took it. A firm shake. A silent promise.
Lucan turned away and took a few steps forward. Then he turned back one last time.
The wind blew softly. The city he grew up in stood behind him, quiet and dark.
He started tearing up.
He didn't say goodbye.
He just walked.