The streets of Herocity were drowned in silence when a staggering figure crossed the main avenue.The sound of bottles clinking against each other echoed like funeral bells.
It was Ron Stormbreak.
The man stumbled, unshaven, his eyes red from endless tears. The memory of his brother crushed him more than any enemy ever had.
— I… didn't even get to say goodbye… — he muttered, taking another swig from the bottle he carried. — Damn it, brother…
He turned into an alley, tripped, and fell to his knees, sobbing.Suddenly, a huge shadow covered him. The smell of iron and ashes filled the air.
A cold, familiar voice echoed:
— Well, look what I found… the surviving Stormbreak.
Ron lifted his blurry eyes.Before him stood Hant, now one of Kairon's Heralds, staring with a wicked smile.
Before Ron could react, a black chain burst from the ground, locking his arms. He fought, but his drunken body had no strength.
Hant pulled out a crystal, activating a recording. The camera glowed.
— Heroes of Herocity, listen well — Hant said, slamming Ron against the wall. The sound of bones cracking echoed. — I have the Stormbreak. And there's only one condition to return him alive: hand over Ryan Valeborn.
He pushed the camera close to Ron's bloodied face. The man, between tears and sobs, could barely speak.
— You… can't… trust…
The video ended with Hant laughing, his voice rumbling like thunder.
The Guild of a Thousand Lights
At the Guild's headquarters, the video hit like a bomb.Lorien Valtier slammed his fists on the table.
— Damn it… they want to break Ryan! — he growled.
Dante narrowed his eyes. — It's not just about the boy. They want open war.
But Hant and Kai already had their next target in mind.Their gazes crossed in the shadows.
— We'll break Valeborn's heart… before we break his body — whispered Kai, with a cold smile. — The next one is… Annie.
The Valeborn Mansion
On the other side of the city, Ryan took a deep breath in front of the mirror.He had invited Annie to his house for the first time. Just thinking about it made his heart pound like drums.
— Calm down, Ryan, calm down… it's just… your girlfriend coming over… — he muttered to himself, fixing his shirt. — Not a Rank-S mission, not a Rank-S mission…
When the doorbell rang, he nearly jumped out of his chair.He opened the door and saw Annie standing there, blushing, her fingers nervously intertwined.
— H-Hi, Yan… — she said.
— A-Ah, hi… come in, come in! — Ryan stepped aside, his face burning.
But before Annie could take more than two steps, a feminine voice came from the stairs.
— Ryan, who's this cutie?
It was Emily Valeborn, Ryan's mother, dressed elegantly.
— Sh-she's… my gi… girlfriend… — Ryan mumbled, nearly choking.
Emily smiled warmly. — Finally! It's about time you introduced her. Welcome, Annie.
— You look so young… and beautiful… — Annie said, blushing even harder.
— Thank you, dear. — Emily smiled, then glanced at the clock. — Kids, I have to go.
Ryan blinked. — Go? With who?
— With Darius, your sensei.
The juice Ryan was drinking shot straight through his nose. He coughed, choking.
— W-W-WITH WHO?!
— Darius. — Emily shrugged. — I'm late, don't do anything… dangerous. — She winked at her son and left through the door.
Ryan and Annie stood frozen in silence.Then Ryan punched the couch.
— This… this is a Rank-S mission now!
— Rank-S mission? — Annie raised a brow, giggling. — Are you jealous, Yan?
— Me? J-jealous? N-no way! — he said, looking away.
— Sure, sure… — Annie chuckled softly. — But listen, your mom deserves to be happy.
Ryan sighed, but wouldn't let it go. — The problem isn't her… it's Darius! He's… a womanizer!
Annie rolled her eyes. — Oh, Yan…
Even so, minutes later the two of them were in ridiculous disguises, tailing Emily and Darius through the streets.
At the Bar
The couple entered a classy bar, sitting in a well-lit corner.Ryan and Annie peeked from behind a newspaper, looking completely obvious.
Suddenly, a deep voice came from behind them:
— Did you really think I wouldn't notice?
Ryan and Annie swallowed hard.Darius stood behind them, arms crossed.
— Nice try, Annie, hiding your Aura. And Ryan, ever since your Reversum fully awakened, your blue eyes shine from afar. — Darius sighed. — Pathetic disguises.
Ryan pulled off his fake glasses, blushing. — W-we were just… looking out for my mom!
Emily sighed, but smiled gently. — Son, you don't have to worry. Darius has been a gentleman. And if one day there's more… you'll be the first to know.
— Promise? — Ryan asked, almost childlike.
— Promise. — Emily kissed his forehead. — But you're grounded.
Annie chuckled softly as Ryan sighed in defeat.
The Talk with Darius
Later, while Emily and Annie were chatting happily, Darius pulled Ryan outside.
— Kid… — said Darius, looking firmly into the boy's eyes. — Take care of Annie. No matter what it costs.
Ryan swallowed hard. — Of course I will…
— You don't understand. Villains are cowards. If they can't take you down head-on, they'll target the ones you love most. — Darius patted his shoulder. — Protect her, even if it destroys you.
The words echoed deep in Ryan's mind, like a dark omen.
The Night of Fate
After saying their goodbyes, Ryan offered to walk Annie home.She smiled and gently declined.
— Don't worry, Yan. I'll be fine.
He hesitated, but eventually gave in.
Annie crossed the streets, still smiling to herself. But as she stepped into a dark alley, the air shifted.A rift opened before her.
Kai Hayashi and Hant emerged from the shadows.
— Good evening, Valeborn's little girlfriend. — Hant licked his lips. — Let's have some fun.
Annie's eyes widened, but she raised her hand, her Aura flaring. — Don't you dare touch me!
The alley erupted with waves of energy. Annie fought bravely, dodging strikes, landing precise blows. But the two were prepared.Cursed chains clamped onto her wrists, draining her power.
— No…! — Annie screamed, struggling to resist.
Kai grabbed her chin, staring into her eyes. — Let's see how long Ryan lasts without you.
She was dragged into a portal.
The Captivity
When she opened her eyes, Annie was in a dark hideout, shackled by chains that nullified her Aura.Pain burned through her wrists.
— Where… where am I? — she murmured.
A weak voice echoed from the corner.
— You… got caught too…
Annie turned her face, and her heart froze.There, chained, bloodied, and almost unrecognizable, was Ron Stormbreak.
— Ron… my God…
He lifted his heavy eyes to her.
— Annie… be careful… they'll use you against him…
Tears began streaming down her face.She shut her eyes, whispering between sobs:
— Yan… please…
The silence of the prison was all that remained, as darkness swallowed her hope.