Morning in Veylon felt no different from night the shadows never left. The city wore silence like armor, its people hiding their true faces behind half-smiles and whispered words.
Ren, Aria, and Kael limped through the streets after the rooftop battle. Eyes followed them. Too many eyes. The Black Celestial pulsed beneath Ren's skin like it was feeding on the city itself.
"Everyone's watching," Aria muttered, keeping her hood low.
Kael snorted. "That's what happens when you kill half the Blades in one night."
Ren said nothing. His arm still burned from the leader's betrayal another scar etched deep.
They didn't get far before they were approached.
A woman in a silver mask stepped from an alley, flanked by cloaked guards. Her voice was smooth, sharp. "You survived. Impressive. Lord Varcel is… unsettled."
Ren tensed. "Who are you?"
She inclined her head. "Lady Selith. Head of the Crimson Veil. I serve those who oppose Varcel. And we could use someone like you."
Kael stepped forward, hand on his sword. "And what's in it for us?"
Selith's masked gaze lingered on Ren. "Protection. Resources. A place in Veylon where knives will not find your back. For now."
Aria whispered, "She's lying."
Ren's Black Celestial pulsed violently a storm of betrayal emanating from the woman's words. He felt it carve into his flesh, feeding his curse.
Still, Selith extended her hand. "Join us, Ren Nakamura. Or stay with Varcel, and drown in his paranoia. The choice is yours."
That night, in their room, the three argued.
"She's a liar," Aria said firmly. "The Veil is no better than Varcel. They'd use us until we're dry."
Kael paced. "And Varcel's any better? He already wants Ren's curse ripped from him. If we don't choose a side, both will kill us."
Ren sat silent, staring at the Black Celestial's scars across his arm. His chest ached with each pulse.
Betrayal either way. So why does it feel like this curse wants me to choose the worse path?
Finally, he stood. "We'll meet her again. But we don't trust her. Not yet."
Aria nodded slowly. "Then we walk the knife's edge."
The next night, the choice came for them.
Assassins again but these ones bore Selith's mark. They ambushed Ren in the square, blades flashing. "If you won't join us willingly," one hissed, "we'll carve the Black Celestial from your corpse."
Ren's blade clashed, black fire erupting. Kael charged at his side, cutting down two at once. Aria unleashed chains of fire that wrapped the others.
But in the chaos, Ren locked eyes with Selith, watching from the shadows. Her silver mask gleamed. She hadn't joined the attack she only watched.
Ren drove his blade through the assassin before him, black fire devouring the man. The others fled into the night.
Selith smiled beneath her mask and vanished.
Later, bloodied and exhausted, Kael slammed his fist on the table. "She's testing us. Playing us against Varcel."
Aria whispered, "That woman… she doesn't want to kill us. She wants to see if Ren's curse will kill himself first."
Ren looked at the scars on his arm, the black lines spreading like cracks. He clenched his fist.
"Then we'll give her an answer," he said quietly. "Not in words. In blood."