Chapter 144: _Don’t Like Being In The Dark Kyren’s POV
"Any new suspicious activities from Arcadia?" He asked Farrell as he and Elian went on a little walk out of the palace and through the capital city. Noctreth city had hundreds of obsidian fortresses that reached into the skies, as well as smaller buildings around them. The roads were lively with people from different occupations and walks of life, many of them bowing when they saw Kyren. And as expected, none dared look weirdly at Elian. "Nothing yet, sir," Farrell responded in the communication device set inside Kyren’s right ear. "Sir, do you think it’s a good idea for you to be out there right now? It’s—" "Don’t tell me you’re about to talk about it not being safe, Farrell." Kyren chuckled, finally stopping at a food stall at the entrance of the city’s main market. "Keep me posted on anything suspicious from the borders. And also for the Dark Hand." With that, he cut the call, letting out a small sigh. His eyes flicked to Elian who stood beside him all this while, not even sneezing despite the sweet and spicy aroma of the seasoned beef on the stall. "Your highness." The stall owner, a woman in her late fifties, beamed from behind it, looking between him and Elian. "What can I get you both?" Kyren glanced at Elian one last time before flashing the stall owner a charming smile.
"Any new suspicious activities from Arcadia?" He asked Farrell as he and Elian went on a little walk out of the palace and through the capital city. Noctreth city had hundreds of obsidian fortresses that reached into the skies, as well as smaller buildings around them. The roads were lively with people from different occupations and walks of life, many of them bowing when they saw Kyren. And as expected, none dared look weirdly at Elian. "Nothing yet, sir," Farrell responded in the communication device set inside Kyren’s right ear. "Sir, do you think it’s a good idea for you to be out there right now? It’s—" "Don’t tell me you’re about to talk about it not being safe, Farrell." Kyren chuckled, finally stopping at a food stall at the entrance of the city’s main market. "Keep me posted on anything suspicious from the borders. And also for the Dark Hand." With that, he cut the call, letting out a small sigh. His eyes flicked to Elian who stood beside him all this while, not even sneezing despite the sweet and spicy aroma of the seasoned beef on the stall. "Your highness." The stall owner, a woman in her late fifties, beamed from behind it, looking between him and Elian. "What can I get you both?" Kyren glanced at Elian one last time before flashing the stall owner a charming smile.
But then—
"Is that beef?" Elian spoke up much to his surprise, pointing at the freshly steamed meat kebab and sighing with glee. "Goddess, it smells delicious."
Kyren squinted, even more so when the woman chuckled. "Well, young man. I can assure you it tastes as delicious as it smells."
Elian brushed his right hand through his blonde white hair with a wide grin. "I’d expect nothing less, ma’am."
The woman laughed softly again, bringing her eyes to Kyren. "Should I make those two, sir?"
Kyren only hesitated for a little bit before shrugging. "Very well. How much?"
"Two moon tickets."
Kyren transferred the digital currency and grabbed two beef kebabs, handing one to Elian as they continued walking down the road.
"Uhm..." Elian’s face flushed red as he pointed at the kebab in Kyren’s grip. "I’ll... I’ll like that one. It has more onions."
Kyren arched an eyebrow, catching himself smirking.
This was the first time someone managed to make him smile that way without them going through so much pain or mental gymnastics for his amusement.
"You’re an enigma, little flame." Kyren switched the kebabs, shaking his head.
But Elian’s tone was sly. "Really? I remember a certain someone saying something about being able to read me like an open book."
Kyren stared at him just then, watching as he took slow bites from his kebab while keeping his violet eyes lingering for way too long.
Elian’s lips locked on a piece of meat and onion before he slowly sucked both into his mouth, chewing on them in an aggravatingly tempting way.
Kyren got so lost in staring that he almost forgot what Elian said merely seconds ago.
"Right..." he cleared his throat, tearing his gaze away from him. "Well, yes. I can read you just like anyone else. But when it comes to you..."
He paused, remembering something.
Back in Lunaria he felt something odd. Like someone was channelling just a little of his magic.
And there’s still the fact that he didn’t understand how Elian could travel to him with his consciousness.
The term "enigma" was appropriate for his little flame.
"I feel like you have secrets for some reason." Kyren brought his eyes to Elian again, watching as his breath hitched.
The latter almost choked on the kebab but eventually caught his breath with an awkward smile.
"Careful," Kyren remarked, watching him closely.
Elian nodded. "Y–Yeah. I was just stunned. Why would you think I have any secrets to keep from you?"
Kyren shrugged, finally biting into his beef kebab, his eyes trailing to the elevated roads with a steady traffic of hover crafts.
"I don’t know but your reaction just now was suspicious." Kyren continued, chewing calmly. "But then again... I could forcefully pry into your mind and uncover whatever you’re keeping from me."
Elian swallowed hard.
Yet another suspicious reaction from him.
"That’s an Invasion of privacy, Kyren." Elian’s voice was serious now, although it was shaky at the edges. "I... I can’t—"
"Of course, I know that." Kyren finally stopped walking, placing his right hand on Elian’s shoulder.
People walking past them gave curious glances but didn’t loiter, minding their business and continuing on their day.
"But I also know keeping secrets from your partner in a relationship... Isn’t the best idea." Kyren lowered his head until his face was inches away from Elian’s. "And most importantly... I don’t like being in the dark."
Elian’s eyes were glued to his but they wavered with the briefest hint of uncertainty.
Kyren thought about slipping into his mind and digging into his thoughts for a second but eventually withdrew his hand, straightening his spine.
"But it’s alright. Whatever it is... I know you’ll tell me." He patted Elian’s shoulder, about to continue walking when the communication device in his ear beeped.
Kyren’s brows creased before he picked up the call. "Farrell? That was quick. Do you have news about Arcadia?"
"Not about Arcadia, sir," Farrell’s voice came through, sounding tense. "Still nothing unusual from their end. But... there are whispers of Dark Hand activity. In Noctreth itself."
Kyren’s steps stilled.
. The kebab in his hand lowered just slightly as his jaw tightened. "Right here in the capital?"
"Yes, sir. Reports are scattered, and nothing concrete yet. But there have been sightings. Agents with the black claw symbol are moving in the open, possibly testing the waters. A few informants claim they’ve been seen near the central districts."
Kyren hummed low, the sound vibrating in his chest as he resumed walking. His crimson eyes darkened, flicking to the crowds that filled the street.
The audacity.
Elian tilted his head, chewing slowly on the last bite of his kebab. "Kyren? What’s wrong? What’s Farrell saying?"
Kyren glanced at him but didn’t answer right away, his thoughts spiralling instead.
If his father—Garrick’s—wretched hand had truly crept into Noctreth, it meant something bigger was being set into motion.
Something dangerous.
"Keep me updated, Farrell," he muttered. "And if you catch even a whiff of their presence near the palace, I expect their heads to be delivered to me by nightfall."
"Yes, sir."
The line cut off with a soft click.
Kyren’s gaze lingered on the passing faces—vendors shouting their wares, children tugging at their mothers’ sleeves, guards patrolling with practised vigilance.
All ordinary and all peaceful. For now.
"Is it about the Dark Hand?" Elian asked again, softer this time.
Kyren finally turned to him, his expression unreadable. "Indeed. They seem to be a pest that doesn’t know when to stay buried. Don’t worry about it, little flame. I’ll handle them."
But Elian’s brows furrowed anyway, as though he could sense there was more to the story than Kyren let slip.
Kyren was about to redirect the conversation entirely, when a sharp sound split the air.
A scream.
"Ahhhhh!"
His head whipped around, his senses flaring instantly. The market crowd was parting in chaotic ripples, people backing away as shouts of panic rose.
There, in the middle of the street, a man had collapsed. His body convulsed violently, his face twisted in agony. Black veins crawled up his neck and jaw like living ink, spreading faster than wildfire under his skin.
The air was filled with cries of horror.
"Gods! What’s happening to him?!"
"Stay back!"
Kyren’s kebab dropped to the ground in that moment, while his magic surged, wrapping around him like a second skin as he stepped forward.
"They’re really here..." He muttered under his breath, locking his eyes on the victim while keeping himself in front of Elian to shield him. "Everyone, stay back!"