𝖕𝖚𝖑𝖛𝖎𝖘 𝖊𝖙 𝖚𝖒𝖇𝖗𝖆 𝖘𝖚𝖒𝖚𝖘.

•••

Khun Eduan's endless pursuit towards making a name for himself that can incite both fear and respect had always led him to believe that he had all the time in the tower to make it happen.

Death is nothing but a social construct, at least for the son of Khun. A last act of mercy bestowed upon the dishonored and miserable. An escape for the weak. An end to a means. Needless to say, he was never fazed by such a trivial concept. Why would he be? Eventually, they will all perish under the constraints of time.

Some just do so sooner than later.

Yet, as dialogues panned out like an ongoing film with the sequence of events playing at flashforward, with that rustic scent he knew all too well and didn't at the same time, staining the screen crimson red and everything he recalled touching withering, his consciousness was still stuck at that particular spring day, which nobody seems to remember nor forget.

"Eduan."

A voice whispered to Eduan, drained and exhausted, as if the host had borne the weight of the world on its shoulders while its sanity hung over a thin piece of thread. The spearbearer turned towards bejeweled amethyst, crisp as if life was slowly being chipped away with every heaved breath, and the scenery changed again into his latest memory, albeit a twisted rendition.

"V." The bluenet's mouth moved on its own accord, and he was left only to observe, slowly relinquishing control of his own body to what seemed like divine intervention. 'Eduan's' thumb brushed lightly against the scars, however unsightly, that blemished his cherished friend's once untainted skin. "Let's elope."

"Then it'll be just like before, no? Somewhere, where there is only the two of us. Somewhere they cannot harm you." A blithe grin graced 'V's' lips, making spring bloom once more before the latter's eyes glistened with tears- bloody god-forsaken tears, smeared on the spearbearer's hands.

"You are all I have."

'This V smells exactly like him. Why does he always smell like death?'

Anxiety brewed within him and Eduan cannot even begin to understand how the latter seemingly had aged so much in a theoretical span of a few hours. But, before he could even get a moment to process, the earth trembled and the man was pushed deeper unto the corner, making his head lean against the ebony-haired's embrace as a mudflow of debris rained over them.

A sonorous pause then occurred between them before he followed V's line of sight as it wandered below his own stomach, a long metal rod piercing through his diaphragm.

"And, I am sorry that I cannot be yours."

The wavecontroller smiled before his life oozed out in a river of opaque maroon. A blood-curdling scream clawed its way out of the bluenet's throat as the thick, warm fluid soaked his palms stuck like second skin, the metallic and rotten stench suffocating him before darkness engulfed Eduan like how death devoured V.

He doesn't want whatever has become of this. No rational explanation could make him accept the fact that this ugliness had taken over someone as skilled as he. Yes, this must be a dream. A nightmare. How else does it hurt so bad when it is all fake?

'...Hurt?'

Is there any pain that hurts more than untimely death?

「 Run, my jewel. 」

•

29th Floor ;
Khun Eduan ;

Khun Eduan gasped, coughing as he tried to even out his constricted breaths, cobalt blue eyes wide open as if slowly getting a grip on reality. He isn't inside his room- no, he doesn't know where he is. Everything to him was foreign, modern, and scenic, courtesy of the waning light passing through the gaps between the curtains draped covering the windowsill. This wasn't Eduan's room, nor was it the same floor they were last stranded on.

It seemed that while he was unconscious, the others have succeeded and met the conditions, but at what cost?

Still, those are of little importance. Helis body was still in one piece, and the team is undoubtedly alive. Moreover, although he could not recall anything after he fainted, he was certain that V protected both him and Traumerei. His friend whom he had argued with just hours before the catastrophe. He had really gone and fucked things up, hadn't he?

Once Eduan had regained control of his movements and looked presentable enough, he stepped outside of his room and navigated rather decently through the corridors until he had spotted a chartreuse-haired midget eavesdropping behind the wall at the end of the hall, looking as suspicious as ever before with a customized mask now covering the scars he once saw adorning his face's lower half.

"You do know that eavesdropping could get you killed, right?" the bluenet spoke with full intent of startling the kid. However, the greenhead glanced at him with a restless expression, simultaneously going back and fort between him and the context of his worries. "You heard something didn't you, Traumerei?"

"Mister..."

"I am starting to become quite displeased with your behavior lately, V."

The young Khun stiffened as the voice became lucid, then began to understand why Traumerei was reluctant to move even an inch of his muscle. He was a newcomer who was yet to accomplish anything that can prove himself. Something conditional- impermanent. The moment the child gets discovered and a word leaks out, Eduan rescuing him from that Tent Village might become a mere afterthought.

"Running out and about to god-knows-where, I can still condone. However, did you have to go out of your way to injure yourself for the sake of those strangers?"

Though, he cannot refute the sentiment because even he was astounded as well. It was an established fact among the group that Arlene and V had a complicated relationship that is bound by an incomprehensible bond, and they all took it in stride because it never interfered with their dynamic over the past years. However, as far as the bluenet knew, nobody witnessed their personal disputes either, because Jahad or the women occupied a majority of Arlene's time, and V's presence never lingered long enough. Overall, he's pinning the fault on them for having this confrontation where all the pathways intersect.

"Remember V, you took an oath. Were they important enough to bend that? Were their lives a higher priority to risk that oath being broken?" Arlene's voice raised a pitch higher, golden eyes glowering with vitriol. "Is there something going on between you and Khun Eduan?"

"No," the other replied weakly.

"Then you can abandon him, along with the rest, when the time comes, right?"

The aforesaid and Traumerei looked at each other, then to the man who remained silent, their keen sight never missing the slight quiver of his hands before he clenched it into a fist. "I cannot do that, Lady Arlene."

Not a minute too soon, both on-lookers were surprised when the ravenette slapped the wavecontroller's cheek with the back of her palm, V's head hung low and passively, as if he was accepting his fate like it was an inevitable occurrence.

"Your kindness is a weakness I do not want to deal with, V. We shall have this conversation again once you have a better answer in store for me."

"As you wish, Lady Arlene."

The latter clicked her tongue in annoyance before strutting away, heels clicking resonantly against the marble floor before it faded away with the growing distance.

As the tension ceased, the Khun blocked Traumerei's way as he was about to approach V gesturing to let the bluenet handle things first before anything else. Hesitant, the child agreed after making the former promise that he would ask V to visit him soon after they were done. Eduan heaved out a sigh of exasperation, then walked towards the man with a plethora of emotions running through his aching, barely fully-awoken head.

"Oh, it seems that Khun-ssi happened to have heard everything." No shit, Sherlock.

"Look at me, you fool," the spearbearer snapped, making the wavecontroller redirect his stare towards him in pure puzzlement. The former held his chin, tilting his head to the side to examine the swelling area better. "Does she do this to you often, or only on days where your actions 'displease' her?"

"It's not that-!" V hissed as Eduan pressed his sleeve on a small cut near his eye. "I think I incurred her wrath with that stunt I pulled on the 28th Floor, and whenever she is angered, she sometimes does impulsive things. But, Lady Arlene doesn't hit. Usually."

"In other words, it's either somebody else has been doing the hitting in her stead, or she resorts to a different method of punishment." The former flinched which spoke volumes of how Eduan was spot on with his theory. "How could you let her do that to you? You know better than to tolerate that kind of fucked up shit, V."

'What is he, a masochist?'

"Oh, how I wish it was just shit, Khun-ssi. But, I still do not see how any of this is your business. Can't we just pretend that you did not see anything and act like nothing happened?" Perhaps, things would be easier in that sense. But, after he leaves things be, what was next?

"It is my business, especially if you are being burned for saving my life twice. So, listen closely because this is the compromise I am willing to meet." Could Eduan really leave V at that vile woman's command without exposing him to the taste of freedom? "Since V is not willing to tell me anything, from now on, we shall be doing every mission possible together. That way, we can keep an eye on each other's stupidity, and Arlene wouldn't even think of laying a hand on you anymore. Surely, that can be arranged, no?"

"Even if I disagree, I do not think I really had a choice to begin with."

Eduan have always known there was a sinister side hidden beneath the sweet and affectionate Arlene. But, he never expected it to be at an extent where she could toss them aside as if they had not gone through enough life threatening situations together, nor did he expect that she would hold it against V, who acted and accommodated with her best interests in mind.

"Nope!" The bluenet smirked, wrapping the ice he procured from shinsu with his shawl and gently placing pressure on the affected cheek. "Now, be a dear and follow me, because your best friend will be healing your marred skin back to perfection."

It was not unthinkable, but it was the furthest thing to the image Jahad had been disgustingly waxing poetic about. Somehow, whatever it is, makes him want to destroy the illusion that is Arlene Grace even more.

"Khun-ssi."

The bluenet frowned childishly. "Eduan."

"Khun-ssi." V deadpanned, which was a standard reaction in the bluenet's opinion, before beaming. Mellifluous and genuine as it was, it was only then that Eduan noticed none of the smiles he got to see ever really reached the man's eyes. "I'll tell you all about it- Lady Arlene and I. But, it's not going to be anytime soon."

For now though, Khun Eduan's undivided attention belongs to his best friend.

ー • ー

"Maybe, it would have been better if you are not bound to know how cruel your parents can truly become."

Arlene without V, and V towards himself for the sake of Arlene. The equation only consisted of them two to begin with, and everything else became the variables that led to their demise.

The patriarch discarded his thoughts and supported Bam's head, lifting him onto a comfortable position from his numbing lap where he fell into slumber from a spell Eduan cast. His gaze turned bleak for a moment before his attention averted to the entrance of his quarters where two of his children drenched in blood and a sprinkle of spring rain stood- one of them having enough audacity to cast a family head a malicious glare.

"You took longer than expected."

"My apologies. Though, it is not my fault that someone was unable to discipline their own people, leaving them running around the estate serving different masters. However," Aguero Agnis stated with dripping sarcasm, mimicking a mocking bow. "I have arrived, Master Eduan."

This kid has some nerve, but he was not entirely mistaken either. The son of Agnis was probably as irritated as he was with all the double-crossing blatantly going on, but keeping them clustered together has proven to be easier than replacing servants every fortnight with even higher chances of vulnerability. Besides, the Khun Family Head was employing them because they were competent enough to not cross his boundaries and as long as their actions do not interfere with his, it does not really matter.

"A.A, is this really allowed?" the younger Khun beside the former whispered with vivid panic, nudging Aguero with a light pinch. "You do remember I still have both dreams and a sense of self-preservation, right?"

Eduan let out a low chuckle out of sheer amusement. "It's fine. He often has that attitude on reflex whenever Jue Viole Grace is involved. You must be Ran, Maschenny's child."

"Yes, sire." Ran directed a glare towards Aguero, warning a subtle, 'I better not be hearing some smack talk about me.'

"You have made quite a fine playmate for little Bam." The elder Khun tamed the chestnut brown fringes curtaining his forehead tenderly, earning a dubiously raised brow from his biological sons. "Don't you think so as well, Aguero?"

The latter's left eye twitched ever so slightly, yet managed to compose himself back to his initial demeanor. "Ran, can you go and watch over Bam until I get back? I believe the master and I are ought to have a few words to exchange in private."

"But, A.A-!"

"I agree." Eduan gestured, urging Ran to advance with ease. "I suggest you rummage through those shelves while you're at it. If ever you find a tome of your liking, you can have it."

Without any time to spare, the patriarch transported Aguero and himself to the Grand Hall, figuring the last thing they would want the brunet to witness the soonest moment he would wake up is them throwing barbs at each other. On cue, the palace's servants automatically presented themselves and lined up to cater to the family head's usual weekly routine of centuries-aged wine from the cellar- something he'd usually consume whenever he meets with the elders.

"Isn't it about time that you stop doing these types of nonsense?" The young Agnis interrogated with his arms crossed, fearlessly so.

"Whatever do you mean?" The patriarch blinked rapidly as he drank, obviously feigning innocence but it seems to him that Aguero was having none of it.

"Oh, we both know exactly what I mean," the latter glowered, standing on the stairway across him, yet Eduan refused to meet his eye and proceeded on fiddling with the wine, the aftertaste in his tongue turning stale with every passing minute. "Those coincidences you called meetings, and you bringing him to a place that is both the most secure and targeted- those meant something, and it's not as simple as getting yourself drunk and reminiscing the past. Stop breadcrumbing my person, sire."

"It is not as complicated as you make it out to be, son of Agnis." He swirled the liquor around, as if admiring its deep vermillion color. "What was so wrong with providing the child information about his parents?"

"What was so wrong? Ha!" Aguero bitterly scoffed, and if looks could kill, the throne room would might as well serve as Khun Eduan's wake. "You are giving him information about a family he never once had and had neither chance of knowing! Have you ever thought that you giving him false hopes about a nonexistent present would only inconvenience his growth?!"

"What are you trying to imply?"

"You are patronizing the idea that they could have been happy together, and you, of all people, do not get to do that! Not one loving parent could bear a child and not even have the decency to try and stay!"

"V would have." Silence, a long stretch of it, enveloped the hall that could echo a pin drop. He figured by the expression of denial that Aguero would have wanted him to take his words back, but the patriarch couldn't do anything that would soil the deceased's image on his own son's best friend. So, he settled for a vague but firm statement. "He loved his child more than anything."

V had always been the type to love people more than himself. More than his companions. Perhaps, more than Arlene Grace. But, that was a tale he prefers to not have the obligation to tell.

"How am I supposed to believe you when you were the one who betrayed V?"

Eduan's clench around the glass tightened at his words, forcing him to face his son who bore the eyes of someone who knew things that nobody in his time could possibly uncover. "Khun Eduan, what can you not understand? Arlene Grace and V- they never saw having a child as a part of their future. To them, Bam was a collateral damage. Something that could hold them back, and something they could lose."

"Khun Aguero Agnis!"

"Father!" the wine glass shattered, blood cascading down the older Khun's fingertips, but he paid it no mind. And if he had felt tingling pain from the shards piercing his flesh, Aguero would have no way of knowing because here he was, placing Eduan on chokehold as he pinned his father's back on his throne with every ounce of strength his body could muster. "Whatever feelings that linger, whatever regrets you may have, stop projecting it onto my best friend! Jue Viole Grace is not the man you loved! Bam is not his father!"

"I know that." The smaller bluenet was taken-aback as the family head replied in a strained voice, as if any minute now, the renowned great warrior would break down. "Did you really think I was that deranged?"

"Then why go so far as to do this?! You could have left him alone! We were surviving!"

"Because, he is V's son." His sighs sounded hollow, void of reparation. "I wanted to see what was so special for V to adore him so much that he allowed himself to die."

To repent, because he allowed V to die.

"Don't treat Bam as if this was his only worth." Aguero replied, pounding his fists on his father's chest in disdain. "If you cared for V that much, you wouldn't have betrayed them to serve the King. If V adored him so damn much, he wouldn't have committed suicide."

'What do you know about the past?' But Aguero was not wrong nor right. V's death was a gray area Eduan was not willing to revisit with his long life.

"At the end of the day, you Great Family Heads are all the same." The latter covered the young Agnis' eyes with his palm, forcing him to collapse unconscious over him, missing his father's bittersweet grin.

'We really are, aren't we?'

"You are no better than Arlene Grace. Get over yourself, you coward."

Aguero mumbled before he completely fainted. Inaudible, yet to Eduan, the eleven-year-old's words gave an impact that surpassed the white noise after an impending doom.

"How can you speak of him like you loved him when you could not even fight for him?"