Kallen didn't slow her pace.
Boots crunching over the splintered remains of the doorway, she crossed the rubble like it wasn't even there, her long coat swaying behind her in a controlled ripple.
She stopped only when she stood between Chris and the wounded kidnappers… no, she didn't even look at him at first. Her gaze was entirely on the men on the ground, and her voice was light but firm.
"Too rough," she chided, crouching to offer a hand to one of them. "You're lucky they're still breathing."
Chris's massive frame shifted, the weight of his warhammer still in his palm. "They resisted. This is how it always goes. I keep the peace, and it works."
"It works," she repeated, her lips curling into a faint smile — but it wasn't amusement, not really. "But maybe it's time to change how it works."
The kidnapper she'd helped up was trembling, muttering thanks under his breath. Another limped forward, supported by her arm like she'd done this a hundred times before. The air in the room seemed warmer around her, like her presence alone made people breathe easier.
Chris's brows furrowed, eyes narrowing just slightly. "Mercy can be dangerous, Kallen. You know that better than anyone. Let your guard down and the next time, they won't hesitate to put a blade in your back."
Kallen straightened, meeting his gaze now — bright blue against cold steel-grey.
"That's the thing, Chris," she said, her tone soft but the edge unmistakable. "I don't live in fear of the next time. If they try, I'll deal with it then. Until that day comes, I will not treat every soul like they've already been condemned."
A muscle twitched in his jaw. "Your kindness will be tested. Sooner or later, you'll see I was right."
Her laugh was short, almost melodic, but it didn't dissolve the tension — it wrapped around it. "And sooner or later, you'll see that a little trust can hold a city together just as well as your iron grip."
The room had gone quiet, except for the faint groans of the injured and the far-off sound of boots on cobblestone outside.
Kiana stood frozen a few steps back, sword still in hand, looking between them like she was watching two opposing storms collide — and somehow not destroy each other.
Kallen finally turned to her.
Her blue eyes softened, her stance no longer that of a warrior ready to strike, but of someone reaching out. She glanced briefly at Chris before saying, loud enough for all to hear:
"See? Not all who fight are wicked. Some stand for others, even when it isn't their fight." She stepped forward, extending a hand toward Kiana. "Like you."
Kiana blinked at it, warmth rising to her cheeks before she quickly grasped it — probably a bit too firmly.
" …She's like Victor… but really kind… and less murder-y.
…No wait, they're not the same at all. She's… who is she like? She's…
familiar somehow—ugh, I know that face. Did I see her in a book? No. A painting? Nooo… Oh! Maybe—"
Her train of thought derailed completely when she realized Kallen was still looking at her.
"I asked if you were alright," Kallen repeated gently.
"Oh! Uh—yeah! Totally fine! Been through worse! Way worse!" Kiana said, practically bouncing.
Kallen's lips curved slightly, amused. "And your name?"
"Kiana! Kiana Kaslana!" she declared proudly.
That made Kallen raise an eyebrow. "…Kaslana?"
Kiana nodded so fast it was almost a blur.
A small smile tugged at Kallen's mouth. "I am one as well."
Kiana's eyes went wide, then sparkled with unfiltered excitement. "Oooooh! That makes us family, right!?"
The corner of Kallen's mouth twitched in that calm, patient way of hers. "Something like that."
The two fell into a strange little rhythm as they talked — Kallen steady and composed, Kiana yapping along like an overexcited puppy.
Behind them, Chris exhaled a long breath. His warhammer shimmered out of existence, dissolving into the air.
"What's your plan now, then?" he asked, voice even.
Before Kallen could answer, a smooth voice cut through the quiet.
"I'll take care of that," Otto said as he entered, boots silent on the rubble, posture immaculate. His smile was as refined as polished silver — but his eyes were locked solely on Kallen.
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A short chapter, but a necessary one nonetheless! I'll post two chapters tomorrow as apologies! fun reading everyone!
HundredMasks-chan out!