Raizen sat slumped in the dirt of the training ground, legs bent under him, staring at the pile of ash that used to be Horden. A soft breeze tugged at it, scattering gray flakes slow across the cracked earth, like it was teasing him—here one second, gone the next. His side throbbed where Horden's dagger had sliced in, blood soaking his shirt dark, sticking to his skin. Didn't bother fixing it—didn't have the energy. His hands rested limp on his knees, trembling just a bit, like thyey still remembered that slick, tar-like fuel even though it'd faded. What the hell was that?
That voice—low, cold, calling him a monster. Why him? Why now?
He dragged a hand through his hair, ashen strands flopping back over his eyes—used to be silver, now dull like old smoke.
"Shouldn't've come out here," he mumbled, voice so quiet it barely hit the air. Regret gnawed at him, heavy and sour. Should've stayed in his room, let Tabitha smirk her smug little smirk, skipped this whole damn mess. Horden's screams echoed in his head—raw, choking off as the fire ate him inside out. The way he'd crumbled, slow and wrong, into nothing. Raizen's stomach twisted, but he didn't puke—just sat there, replaying it, stuck on it like a bad dream he couldn't shake.
He kicked at the dirt, a little puff rising up. "What even was that voice?" he said, louder this time, but still to nobody. Cold, sharp, slithering in his skull—"You're weak. Let me take over." Made his skin crawl just thinking it. He'd heard it clear as day, right before… before whatever took him over turned Horden to ash. Was it him? Some part of him? Some curse he didn't know about? He pressed his palms to his eyes, hard, like he could push it all out. Didn't work. Just saw fire, red eyes, Horden's face melting away—those last seconds where he had begged, all wide-eyed and scared.
Footsteps crunched behind him—soft, careful. "Rai?" Ryan's voice, small and worried. Kid was all freckles and big eyes, one of the few around here who didn't look at Raizen like he was dirt. Raizen didn't turn—just hunched more, shoulders tight, dirt grinding under his boots.
"Go away." he muttered, rough, barely audible. Ryan didn't move—kept coming, boots scuffing slow. Raizen felt him stop too close, and something snapped loose. He shoved up, hands slamming Ryan's chest. "I said go!" Ryan stumbled, tripped backward, knee smacking a jagged stone sticking out of the ground. He hissed, grabbing it—blood seeped through his fingers, bright against the dust.
"Shit Rai— it's fine,I'm— " Ryan started, fumbling to stand, but then a figure stormed over, fast. Teriel—Ryan's mom—skirts kicking up dirt, face twisted mad. She'd been watching from the edge of the grounds, probably hovering like always. Saw her boy hit the ground, saw Raizen standing there, bloodied and blank.
Her hand cracked across Raizen's face—sharp, loud, left his cheek stinging hot. "You little wretch!" she shouted, voice shaking with fury. "What is wrong with you!?Showing my Rayn like some animal?" She yanked Ryan up by his arm, fussing over his knee, brushing dirt off like he was fragile. "Look at this—what have you done!? Because of you! Always trouble, always!"
Raizen didn't move—just stood there, head down, blood dripping from his side, ash still swirling in his mind. Didn't feel the slap, didn't feel much—just empty.
Ryan tugged at her sleeve, voice wobbly. "Ma, stop— It's on me, I got too close,he didn't mean it—" Teriel wasn't listening—already dragging him off toward the house, muttering loud about "that cursed boy" and "always trouble." Her eyes shot back once, pure venom, before they disappeared around the corner.
Word got around fast—servants loved a good story. By dusk, Raizen was hauled up to the Marquess's study. Viridian sat behind his desk, scribbling on some parchment, barely glancing up.
The Marchioness paced, arms crossed, lips a thin line. Teriel stood by the door, Ryan next to her, knee wrapped up now, looking guilty as hell. "Grounded," the Marchioness said, voice cutting like a blade. "Your room,one week.No training,no sneaking out.Be grateful it's not worse after what you did."
"It was me," Ryan said, stepping forward, hands fidgeting. I messes up,not Rai—he's not to blame,I swear—"
"Enough," Viridian snapped, flat, not lifting his eyes. "Ryan, out.Raizen, room.Move." Cold, final—no room to argue. Raizen didn't try. Didn't care. Just shuffled off, boots dragging, leaving a faint trail of blood and dirt on the polished floor.
Servants whispered as he passed—Tabitha leaned against a wall, smirking like she'd won something. He ignored her, kept going, the weight of it all sinking deeper.