«Welcome. Right on time — as expected, Rex.»
At the start of the forest path leading to the Okuike hillside area, Leon is waiting for him.
Again, he is disguised from head to toe under a long cloak, but the mask he is wearing this time looks even more ridiculous than the previous one — that of a famous American comic-book superhero.
«Come on, Leon… seriously?»
«It was buy three, pay for one on carnival masks — no way I was missing a deal like that!»
Ren lets out an exasperated sigh.
«Alright, lead the way. And hurry it up. The sooner I get there, the sooner I'll finish this for good.»
«Of course — that's what I'm here for!»
Without wasting any more time, Leon starts walking along the path leading to the top of the highest hill. Ren follows close behind, scanning the surroundings with a vigilant gaze.
For all he knows, this could very well be an ambush. At any moment, dozens of enemies could jump out at him, and he has no intention of being caught off guard.
«Raelor Valraen was the one who killed your parents, right?»
«Did Jace tell you that too?»
«No. Just logic. You told me your parents are dead, but you never told me how. You also told me Raelor is the being you hate most in the world. Well… it doesn't take a genius to put two and two together.»
«I didn't think you were that perceptive.»
«And I didn't think you were that unpleasant!»
Leon then grows unusually somber and melancholy.
«You know, Rex… my parents were slaughtered right in front of my eyes too. And the worst part is, it was my own older brother who killed them.»
Ren instinctively holds his breath at those words. He knows all too well the pain of watching your parents die. But seeing them die at the hands of your own blood must be unimaginable even to him.
«I was only ten when it happened…» Leon continues. «Malik, the one I considered my brother back then, was already one of Mildelar's elite soldiers at twenty — the vampire kingdom on Elyndra. Yet he was never satisfied and trained nonstop, day and night, to become even stronger. But things fell apart when his progress slowed more and more, until it stopped completely. He'd hit his ceiling. No one ever understood what exactly broke in him. I'd like to believe it was just a fit of madness from sheer frustration, but I doubt it. My brother wasn't crazy, nor impulsive. And in the end, he handed me over to the thugs of the man I now work for. And that's why… one day, I'll become strong enough to kill him.»
Then he gives Ren a faint, bitter smile.
«You might not believe it, but I train a lot in secret, out of my superiors' sight. I doubt you'll be able to kill Jace, but if you do manage to and free me from that watchdog who's always watching me… promise me you'll become my training partner.»
Leon suddenly stops and turns toward Ren. Even through the mask, he can sense the pain in his friend's eyes.
«We both have someone we want dead — more than anything else in the world. We'll become stronger together and make them pay for what they did to the ones we loved most.»
Leon holds out his hand… and Ren grips it firmly without hesitation.
«That's as far as I go. Jace is waiting for you up ahead. Now go and kick his ass, buddy.»
«I will.»
Ren continues alone for the final stretch. The path ends in a wide clearing at the top of the hill.
At the center, Iris.
She is bound in a tangle of red vines that leave only her shoulders and head exposed.
Ren is at her side instantly.
Her breathing is weak, her skin deathly pale, and there is a deep wound on her shoulder. But she is still alive, though she's in critical condition.
«R-Ren…» she murmurs in a faint voice. «P-Please forgive me… I… I just wanted to help you…»
As she forces the words out, tears spill down her cheeks.
«Don't strain yourself, Iris. I'll get you out of here.»
Ren grabs one of the vines and yanks as hard as he can. But it barely moves. He pulls again, with the same result.
«You have your precious sister right in front of you, and you still can't free her. Pathetic.»
Jace's malicious voice echoes behind him.
«I did what you said… now let her go immediately, you bastard!»
«For someone like you, it's impossible to break the blood cage holding her with your bare hands. With your powerful magic, you might be able to destroy it… but you'd drag your sister into it too. And in her current state, I doubt she'd survive. There is another way, though: killing the one who created it. But too bad for you, that someone is me.»
Ren turns toward Jace. His body crackles with lightning, and the greatsword of energy forms in his fist. His demonic wings beat so violently that the surrounding tree trunks tremble.
In Jace's hand, a massive axe of solid blood takes shape.
«Jace Lance… hurting my sister just to get to me was despicable… and it'll be the last thing you ever do! I'll make you suffer so much that you'll beg me to kill you!»
Jace takes a fighting stance and grins wickedly.
«Enough talk — come at me, Ren Toya!»