Raven gently released her hand, letting it fall from his grip. Soah lost her balance and dropped back onto the grass, staring up at him in disbelief.
"Hey," she said, forcing out a breathless laugh as she struggled to sit up. "Can't you at least pretend to be nice?"
She pushed herself to her feet, dusting her clothes. Her eyes followed his face, then narrowed slightly.
"W–what happened to your hand?" He asked suddenly. "That wound…"
Soah lifted her hand, examined it briefly, then looked back at Raven.
"Oh, this?" she said casually. "It happened last year. Why are you asking?"
Raven inhaled deeply, his chest rising as if he were trying to steady something inside him.
Oh,"Last year?" he repeated.
Soah nodded, clearly confused by his reaction. "Yes. What's wrong with you?"
"Nothing," Raven replied, turning his face away. "I'm sorry for what I did. It's just… I've been searching for my sister, and—"
"Oh," Soah interrupted gently. "You have a sister?" Her tone softened. "I'm sorry about that."
Before Raven could respond, footsteps approached from behind. Minho stepped forward, his eyes first settling on Soah, then shifting slowly to Raven.
"Oh," Minho said, lips curling into a slow smile. "I see. A reunion?" He tilted his head. "Family reunion,…?"
Soah turned to him immediately. "Family reunion?" she echoed. "Hey, this is my friend, Raven."
Raven's expression darkened as he turned toward Minho.
Minho blinked, surprised, then laughed softly. "Hold on," he said, pointing lightly. "You mean he's your… friend?"
Soah nodded. "Yes. Is there something wrong with that?"
Minho turned back to Raven, amusement dancing in his eyes. "And she's your friend as well?"
Raven said nothing. His silence was heavier than any answer.
"Oh," Minho continued, clapping his hands lightly. "I see. Wonderful." He laughed again, shaking his head. "Even the great master is losing his composure."
He stepped closer to Raven, lowering his voice just slightly. "I heard you're desperately looking for your sister. Any good news yet?" he asked, smiling as though the question amused him.
Raven moved closer to Minho, his eyes burning.
"Do not make mockery of this," Raven said coldly. "Not because you heard I am searching for my sister."
Minho raised his hands slightly in mock surrender. "Oh," he said, stepping back. "Now I understand."
He turned to Soah, then back to Raven, and burst into laughter.
"You know," Minho said between laughs, "sometimes it's good to taste blood. It clears the mind and make one think well."
Soah stiffened instantly, her expression changing.
"Oh, don't be scared," Minho said lightly, glancing at her. "But if this master here tastes blood, he might see things more clearly."
He turned fully to Soah. "So your friend here is searching for his lost sister. Are you helping him with that?" he asked, mockery thick in his voice.
Soah looked away, saying nothing.
Minho squinted at her face, then suddenly laughed even louder. "Wow," he said. "I really should make a movie out of this."
He stepped closer to her. "You came here for a mission, right?"
Soah startled, nearly losing her balance.
"Oh, don't worry," Minho continued smoothly. "I'll help you achieve it. I'm always helpful in these kinds of things."
Soah stared at him sharply. "Who are you?" she asked. "And how do you talk like you know everything about everyone?"
Minho smiled. "I know you more than you know yourself."
He turned away slightly. "Anyway, I'll be going inside. As I said, try to meet me tonight at the—"
He stopped and looked back at Raven, who was still staring at him.
"Don't worry," Minho said calmly. "I'll let you know where to meet me."
Then he looked back at Soah. "That mission on your mind? I had it long before you did. And I'm willing to help you achieve it smoothly." His smile sharpened. "Maybe… to please the mother."
Soah staggered back again, shock written across her face.
"Meet me later," Minho added. "I know far more than you think."
With that, he walked away, leaving the field heavy with silence.
Raven turned to Soah abruptly and grabbed her by the neck, his grip tightening instantly. Soah gasped, coughing as she clawed at his wrist.
"What was he talking about?" Raven demanded. "What mission are you on?"
"M–my neck," Soah choked.
Raven released her slightly but did not step back. "Start talking," he warned. "Or I end this here."
Soah laughed softly, rubbing her throat. She lifted her eyes to him, calm despite the pain.
"You think you can?" she asked.
Raven stepped closer. "You want to try me?"
In a sudden burst of speed, Soah leapt backward, light flashing in her palm. She struck, releasing a force that tore through the air.
Raven vanished in a blur and reappeared beside her before she could react. His counterstrike hit like a wave, throwing her across the field.
Soah rolled and sprang to her feet, fire igniting in her hands. She raised her arms, and an eagle formed from flame and wind, circling Raven violently.
Raven lifted his hands, fire answering fire. The blazing form shattered and burned away.
"Oh," Soah muttered. "I see."
She attacked again, flames crashing like waves. Raven was pushed back, slammed into the ground—but he rose instantly, power surging as fire and sand rose together beneath him.
The shockwave knocked Soah off her feet. She hit the ground hard, blood spilling from her nose as she coughed out blood, staring up at Raven through blurred vision.
Raven walked slowly toward her.
"I can kill you now," he said quietly. "You know that. So tell me—what mission brought you here?"
Soah laughed, blood staining her teeth and lips. Even as Raven's hand closed tightly around her neck again, she smiled.
"I never lied to you," she said hoarsely. "When I said I wanted to kill you… that is my mission."
Raven's grip tightened.
"Who sent you?" he demanded.
Soah laughed again, fixing her gaze on his eyes.