The world was cruel and unfair.
Someone who was on top yesterday, lit up with fortune from birth, today could stand in front of a crowd waiting to be executed for a mistake they didn't even make.
Anissa turned around, breathing heavily. "Mr. Oldric, this... this is just a misunderstanding! As soon as we find out what happened, we'll fix it!"
"Too late," his calm tone was worse than any curse.
He made his decision, and no one could stop him.
At a wave of his hand, a shadow jumped down from above. Two long blades loomed over their heads.
Old Eye looked at them with disdain.
"Pray that this turns out to be your fault and not your father's. Otherwise, your fate will befall the entire Fraun Family. No one dares deceive me or the people of the Hollow Patch!"
Then, in a slight nod, Oldric gave the order. The blades came into motion.
"Wait."
A young but harsh voice stumped everyone, causing Old Eye to turn around.
"Who are you, young man?"
Kain stepped forward, shoving his hand into his pocket.
Rushing through the crowd, two figures appeared to his left and right, their blades at his neck - one wrong step and he would die.
However, no fear showed in Kain's eyes. He had to play this scene flawlessly.
Slowly, he pulled out the black cube, holding the corners with two fingers.
"I assume these two were supposed to bring you this, weren't they?" Kain stated, glimpsing Anissa and Roy.
By the look in their eyes that returned the light, he knew he wasn't wrong.
'It was a risk, but simple common sense helped me,' he reflected. 'That cube, it just screams that it's fucking important. Old Eye, Anissa, and Roy, hah if I was wrong I wouldn't believe it.'
"Young Tainted..." Old Eye lifted his chin. "Apparently, you know this thing belongs to me. How did you get it?
"I hope you realize that not two lives but three now depend on your answer."
Kain nodded. "Sure. I came to the Hollow Patch with the hunter, and so we went through the woods instead of on the main road. We saw the raven crash and ran up to the spot, but by then, it was over. The knights and the Rusty Hook members were dead.
"Deciding not to waste any time, we turned around, and that's when I noticed this cube lying amongst the grass. I didn't and don't know what it was, but when I saw those two and your anger, a picture of what was happening formed in my mind."
Old Eye scratched his beard thoughtfully. "Hmm... There's not even anything to pick on. Alright, I'm grateful for your find. What do you want as a reward? For me to spare those two idiots?"
Yet, Kain frowned heavily.
'Strange... No further questions? He agreed too quickly. Is he naive, or is he doing this on purpose?'
He had to play along.
"No, their lives do not interest me. I'm not even familiar with them. However, I would like to speak to you personally after the feast. Not a request, just a little story."
"Hahaha!" Old Eye laughed as he gave a gesture. "It's nice to know that such hopeful young men are coming to our town!"
A figure snatched the black cube from his hands, returning it to its rightful owner.
"Come here," Old Eye beckoned him before pulling out an unusual coin. It had an owl's eye on one side and a wing on the other.
He glared at Anissa and Roy.
"Which do you choose? The eye or the wing?"
Roy gulped. "What's going on?"
Unlike him, Anissa understood.
"No! Please! Take my life! My brother... Roy didn't even know about our deal!"
In response to her plea, she received only a cold stare,
"Take your side."
Anissa lowered her head, her lips trembling. "Eye..."
Wing for Roy, then.
Old Eye tossed a coin to Kain. "Here, I hope you don't need me to explain how to flip a coin."
"I can handle this task. Anything involving luck is my thing, you know?"
Click.
The coin flew upward, making quick spins under the enthusiastic stares of the crowd before disappearing under Kain's palm.
"Show me," Old Eye smirked in anticipation.
Kain removed his hand - the eye side looked up.
With a thud, Roy's head crumbled to the ground, pouring in bright, youthful hot blood.
Anissa bit her lip, holding back from screaming with a horrible crying grimace.
'Fuck... He's a monster...' Kain muttered inwardly. 'So I'll have to become one to survive in this fucking world? Tsk. My heart is not so callous, yet.'
With a wide grin, Old Eye patted Kain on the shoulder.
'Good. You didn't even blink an eye. Either you're cold-blooded from birth, or your life path has forged your veins that way. Hah, you'll be brought to me in an hour. I have news for you - Kain Linch."
'What...? How does he know my name? My full name?'
Shocked, Kain stood still for a while while the crowd came to its senses.
Then, one of Old Eye's men approached him and led him further outside the banquet hall - to a private balcony so that special guests could enjoy the best view of the entire Hollow Patch.
Old Eye stood at the edge alone.
"Come, don't be afraid," he held a black cube in his hand. "Hah, now all your fear belongs to someone else, right?"
Kain was wary. "What are you talking about?"
"Valkyra, the Shadow Blade."
Old Eye grinned widely.
"Right now, right this second, she's in town."
Kain's face turned as pale as a sheet of paper.
"She's probably looking at us right now. She asked one of the informants where you are, and she found you. Fortunately, my men managed to convince her to wait until morning."
After that, Old Eye turned around, looking at Kain with an eager smirk.
"Now let's start that story you wanted and think about the reward. Heh, you've done a great favor for me."
"Hmm...?" Kain gave him a puzzled expression.
Old Eye raised the black cube.
"Only because of you that I can both get this thing and ruin my relationship with the Fraun Family.
"Just a best-case scenario."