Lex slowly blinked awake, his head throbbing. Shadows played along rough wooden walls, fractured sunlight spilling from above.
"Where... am I?" he muttered, wincing as he sat up. His muscles felt heavy, sore, like he'd survived a landslide. Memories muddled together: chaos, a prince, fists flying, darkness pressing in from all sides.
Outside, voices drifted through the still morning air.
"Luo? Lon?" Lex called, pulling himself to his feet, legs trembling beneath him.
He slid open the creaking wooden door. A soft breeze cooled his sweaty brow.
On a small terrace, Lon and Luo sat at a makeshift table, both wrapped in bandages. Luo's cheek and eyebrow were swathed in clean cloth, while Lon's chest showed streaks of fresh gauze.
Lex stepped closer.
"Ah, Lex!" Luo called, breaking into a weary smile. "You're awake."
"Y-Yeah..." Lex rubbed at his messy hair. "Where are we? Last thing I remember—chaos, the prince—and... why are you two all bandaged?"
Lon stared, eyes narrowed. "Huh? You really don't remember? You were the one who hit us. Totally lost control."
Lex froze. "What...? No... I would never..."
Suddenly, flashes pierced his mind—fist on flesh, Lon staggering, Luo's bloody lip, screaming. He remembered fighting, but not why. Memories of being lost in a pitch-black place... his body moving on its own.
Lex recoiled, hands trembling. "N-No way... I didn't... I couldn't... I was somewhere dark the whole time..."
"You remember it now?" Luo asked softly. "That darkness—it wasn't the first time."
Lex and Lon spoke together:
"Again?"
Luo nodded, voice calm but somber. "When we were younger, bullies hit you hard and knocked you out. You blacked out and then... snapped. Took them all down. Cold. It scared us."
Lex sat down abruptly, eyes distant. "I... did that?"
Lon leaned back on his hands. "Do you remember what happened right before it happened again?"
Lex blinked. "I was looking for both of you—then a building collapsed on me. After that, it's just blank."
Lon nodded. "Guess getting knocked out did it again."
"Sounds like it," Luo said gently.
Lex clenched his fists, swallowing hard. "Why are you acting like this is nothing? I attacked you... I—I could've—"
Lon raised an eyebrow. "You think this is your fault?"
Lex's voice cracked. "But it was me. I don't want to—ever—hurt you guys!"
Luo teased him, smiling even with her bruises. "What do you think, punk? You think you're strong enough to actually take us out with a slap?"
Lex's lips trembled, a single tear slipping down his chin.
"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry…"
Lon let out a short laugh. "Idiot. Stop crying. It's not your fault."
Luo snorted, stifling a giggle. "Seriously, you're like a soft kid inside all that muscle."
Lex wiped his face and managed a weak grin, sinking beside them.
He glanced across the table at an older man with kind eyes and rough hands.
"...Who's this?" Lex asked.
Luo pointed with her chin. "The guy who helped us—you were unconscious."
Lex bowed awkwardly. "Oh—thank you, old man—"
The man raised a placid hand. "Call me Venges. No 'old man,' please."
Lex scratched his scalp. "Uh... sorry, old man."
"....."
Luo shrugged. "Yeah... sorry, old man."
"....."
Lon smirked. "My bad, old man."
"....."
Venges let out the longest sigh. "You know what, forget it. I'm too old to argue."
The three friends shared a tired laugh.
Then Lex grew serious. "Why are you helping us?"
Venges smiled, his face lined. "Not everything needs a reason. Accept kindness when it comes."
Lex was surprised, but didn't argue.
Luo broke the moment. "This country isn't what the rumors say."
Venges arched a brow. "What rumors?"
"People say it's peaceful," Luo explained. "A wise king, loyal people. All harmony. But…"
Venges smiled, bittersweet. "One part's true—the people are beautiful."
He looked into the sky, then lowered his voice.
"But the royalty? Crushed us for decades. Most haven't looked a noble in the eye their whole lives… until you three did."
He laughed, a sound mixed with grief and pride. "Never thought I'd live to see someone challenge the prince and walk away."
Lex said nothing, clouded by guilt.
Luo asked, "Why hasn't anyone left? Couldn't you just escape?"
Venges's eyes shadowed.
"You think we choose FOR's poison air? The forests are deadly. Beasts everywhere. Anyone who tries to leave dies or disappears."
Lon nodded. "Makes sense now…"
Venges cracked his back, moving toward the door. "You three rest. I'll make something warm."
Lex started to stand. "You really don't have to—"
Venges waved him off. "You're guests. Shush."
Lex sighed, finally relaxing. "We'll rest, then."
Lon and Luo nodded, both grateful for the chance to recover.
—
Scene Shift – Elsewhere
A dark chamber. Torchlight flickered on velvet curtains. Prince Arion sat on a raised throne, surrounded by five robed figures. Their faces were hidden—only voices echoed in the gloom.
Five voices, as one:
"Understood."
—
Scene Shift – Treehouse
Night fell, wind rustling in the treetops. Lex sat by the window, staring out at moonlight filtering through heavy leaves.
"What about the people in the plaza?" he whispered.
Luo wrapped her arms around herself, voice small. "I managed to save a few. But… I don't know about the rest."
The door creaked—Venges entered, arms laden with steaming bowls.
"Don't worry," he reassured them. "The Royal Guard helped evacuate most safely."
Lon squinted. "Wait—the Royal Guard? Why they help normal people?"
Venges set down their food. "Because of the Captain. People here see him as a living god."
Lex stirred his soup, thoughtful. "Didn't expect that…"
Venges nodded, eyes shining. "Without him, FOR would have fallen years ago."
Suddenly—knock, knock.
Lex tensed, Lon reached for his katana, Luo stood back.
The door eased open.
A figure stepped inside—cloaked in black, features hidden in shadow.
No one moved. The night, for a moment, held its breath.