The night air was heavy with silence. The dim glow of the streetlights barely reached the narrow alley where Lucien stood, his sharp gaze locked onto the silhouette before him. The figure leaned casually against the brick wall, arms crossed, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
"You haven't changed, Falkner," the man said, his voice laced with amusement.
Lucien remained still, his muscles coiled, ready to strike. He didn't need to ask who this was—the way the man carried himself, the way he spoke, it all pointed to something… familiar.
"And you still talk too much," Lucien replied, his tone devoid of emotion.
The man chuckled, pushing himself off the wall and taking a slow step forward. The alley was narrow, offering no easy escape routes, but Lucien wasn't thinking of running. If this person was who he suspected, then the only way out was through him.
Lucien's hand twitched slightly, barely noticeable, but the other man caught it.
"You gonna test me, Falkner?" The smirk grew wider. "Go ahead. I wanna see if you've gotten rusty."
Lucien didn't hesitate.
He lunged forward, his movements precise and controlled, throwing a sharp jab toward the man's head. The figure sidestepped effortlessly, his own counterattack swift—a low kick aimed at Lucien's ribs.
Lucien twisted his body just in time, feeling the air shift as the kick barely missed him. He retaliated with a quick elbow strike, but once again, the man evaded, moving with an ease that made Lucien's instincts flare.
This wasn't just any opponent.
Their attacks became faster, more intricate—each blow deflected with calculated efficiency. It was like a deadly dance, one that neither of them wanted to end too soon. But as Lucien pressed forward, something clicked in his mind.
The movements. The timing. The way his opponent dodged before he even finished a strike.
Lucien suddenly stopped, stepping back.
The man smirked, dusting off his jacket. "So, you do remember."
Lucien's jaw clenched. "You were one of us."
A slow nod. "Correction—I was one of them. Like you used to be."
Lucien remained on guard, waiting for the next attack. But instead, the man took a step back, raising his hands slightly in a show of peace.
"Relax, Falkner. If I wanted you dead, you wouldn't be standing."
Lucien didn't lower his defenses. He had heard those words before—many times.
"Then why are you here?"
The man's smirk faded, replaced by something colder. "Because you're being watched. And not just by me."
Lucien's eyes narrowed. He had already suspected as much. But hearing it confirmed by someone like this made it more real.
"You think I don't know that?" Lucien said flatly.
"Oh, I know you know." The man tilted his head slightly. "But what you don't know… is who's really behind it."
The alley was still. Only the distant hum of the city filled the void between them.
"I can tell you what's coming," the man continued. "But you have to decide if you want to hear it."
Lucien's fists tightened. There was no doubt in his mind—this person wasn't lying. He knew something valuable. But Lucien also knew that trusting someone from his past came with its own risks.
"I'll find my own answers," Lucien said, his voice firm.
The man let out a soft chuckle, as if he had expected that answer. "Suit yourself." He turned slightly, preparing to leave, but paused. "Just remember… some chains can't be broken, Falkner."
With that, he disappeared into the night, leaving Lucien standing alone in the alley, the weight of old memories pressing down on him.
The next day at school, Evelyn couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Lucien had been acting strange for a while now, but today… there was something different.
She noticed the faint bruise near his jawline.
A fight?
She wasn't the only one who noticed. Ryan had been eyeing Lucien since the morning, his expression a mix of curiosity and concern.
Lena, as usual, was the only one who seemed unbothered.
"You sure you don't have a crush on him?" Lena teased, nudging Evelyn playfully.
Evelyn didn't respond immediately. Normally, she would have brushed off the comment with ease. But today…
She wasn't sure what to say.
Hidden Danger - They Have Arrived
Far from the school, in an undisclosed location, a group of individuals gathered in the shadows. Their presence was suffocating, their intentions clear.
"He's still alive," one of them said, his voice laced with irritation. "But not for long."
A gloved hand rested on the table. Another reached for a weapon.
They were not from Vermilion Oath.
And they were coming for Lucien.
---
End of Chapter 19.