The Silence Between Them
Lanuk didn't ignore Arlene.
He erased her.
Every time she stepped closer—
He created distance.
Every time she spoke—
He cut the moment short.
"Lanuk… just listen—"
"I don't have time."
Cold.
Sharp.
Final.
"Then make time."
"I won't."
That wasn't anger.
That was rejection.
And it hit harder.
Arlene stood there.
Fists clenched.
Eyes burning.
Three years…
…and he still looked at her like she didn't exist.
Her comm device buzzed.
"Did you talk to him?"
She laughed quietly.
A broken laugh.
"No."
"He still acts like I'm a stranger."
A pause.
"I don't even know what I did wrong."
The voice replied softly—
"You came here for him… didn't you?"
Silence.
That was the answer.
Brotherhood — Unspoken but Unbreakable
Lanuk walked into Alaric's chamber.
No hesitation.
No formality.
Only tension.
"I need something."
Alaric didn't even look up.
"Let me guess."
A smirk.
"It's about Arlene."
Lanuk's eyes darkened.
"…Don't say her name."
Alaric leaned back.
"Then stop reacting like it still matters."
Silence.
Dangerous.
Lanuk spoke slowly—
"Remove her from my team."
Alaric's expression changed.
"I tried."
Lanuk froze.
"What do you mean… you tried?"
"I mean exactly that."
Alaric stood up.
"The moment I saw her name in your squad…"
"…I tried to erase it."
A pause.
"But someone above me stopped it."
That hit harder than anything.
Because there were very few people above Alaric.
And none of them played small games.
Lanuk looked away.
"…So I'm stuck with her."
"For now."
Alaric stepped closer.
Placed a hand on his shoulder.
Firm.
Grounding.
"You're not stuck."
"You're alive."
"That's enough for now."
Lanuk scoffed lightly.
"After this mission… we drink."
Alaric smirked.
"Until you pass out."
Lanuk replied—
"Until YOU pass out."
They laughed.
But both of them knew—
This wasn't just a mission.
This was a line.
And once crossed—
Nothing would be the same again.
Jealousy — The Quiet Fire
At the gate—
Everyone had someone.
Someone to look back at.
Someone to return to.
Magnus stood with Emma.
His sister.
Strong.
Sharp.
But her eyes—
Kept drifting toward Lanuk.
Again.
And again.
Arlene noticed.
Of course she did.
And something inside her tightened.
Captain Li Wai leaned slightly toward her.
"You still have time."
"To win… or to lose."
Arlene didn't respond.
But her gaze—
Stayed locked on Lanuk.
And Lanuk?
He didn't even look.
That hurt more than rejection.
The Moment That Matters
"Five minutes to departure."
The announcement echoed.
Time started collapsing.
Lanuk looked up.
Searching.
Waiting.
Then—
BOOM.
Jet thrusters.
A figure landed.
Alaric.
For the first time—
Lanuk moved without thinking.
He walked fast.
Then faster.
Then—
He hugged him.
Tight.
Alaric exhaled.
"…In public, I'm your superior."
Lanuk stepped back.
"…Sorry, sir."
A light hit on his head.
"Idiot."
But his voice softened—
"Come back alive."
Lanuk replied—
"I always do."
That was confidence.
But underneath—
There was something else.
Something neither of them said.
The Gate Opens
The gate moved.
Slow.
Heavy.
Final.
Beyond it—
Silence.
Death.
Unknown.
Lanuk stepped forward.
No hesitation.
Arlene followed.
Eyes still on him.
And behind them—
Alaric stood still.
Watching.
Not as a soldier.
Not as a hero.
As a brother—
Who couldn't follow.
Drumyard — Where Humanity Ends
Aramis entered silently.
But the moment he saw it—
He stopped.
Bodies.
Everywhere.
Children.
Women.
People who had nothing.
Not killed.
Destroyed.
The ground wasn't dirt anymore.
It was blood.
His breathing stopped.
His vision blurred.
Then—
Movement.
A woman.
Barely alive.
He dropped to his knees beside her.
"…No… no… no…"
His voice broke.
Her hand trembled.
She reached his face.
Wiped his tears.
"You survived…"
A weak smile.
"…good…"
His voice cracked—
"Who did this?"
Her lips barely moved—
"…Run…"
That was her last word.
And something inside him…
Died.
Rage — When Pain Becomes Power
Aramis stood up.
Slowly.
Silently.
Then—
Everything exploded.
He moved—
And a soldier's body split in half.
Another tried to fire—
Too late.
His head was gone.
Steel bent.
Bones shattered.
Blood sprayed like rain.
This wasn't combat.
This was punishment.
One soldier screamed—
"Monster!"
Aramis stopped.
Looked at him.
And said—
"You created this."
Then crushed his skull.
Truth vs Lie
He stormed into the General's chamber.
Energy still burning.
"I will end you."
The General didn't move.
Didn't react.
"You're angry at the wrong man."
A screen turned on.
A voice echoed—
"Bring me Aramis.
Kill every rebel if needed."
His father.
Silence.
Aramis' fists trembled.
"…No…"
The General leaned back.
"This… was your family's decision."
And just like that—
His world shifted.
Blood of Blood
He returned home.
Eyes empty.
Heart gone.
His family stood before him.
Talking.
Explaining.
Lying.
He didn't listen.
One strike.
Another.
Another.
Blood.
Silence.
His father collapsed.
But before dying—
He whispered—
"…It was never us…"
"…it was him…"
Pointing toward the screen.
Too late.
The Fight — Hero vs Monster
Aramis returned.
Faster.
Deadlier.
"I WILL KILL YOU!"
He attacked.
But—
He never reached.
Because someone stood in his way.
Alaric.
The clash—
Exploded.
Aramis moved first—
A full-force strike—
Air shattered—
Ground cracked—
Alaric didn't move.
Blocked.
Effortless.
Aramis attacked again—
Faster—
Stronger—
Relentless—
Nothing landed.
Not one hit.
Breathing heavily—
Aramis shouted—
"You're called a hero!"
"So why are you protecting monsters?!"
"My people died because of this system!"
Alaric finally spoke—
Quiet.
Controlled.
"I know."
And that silence—
Hit harder than any punch.
The Hidden Truth
Alaric grabbed him.
Flew.
They landed underground.
Dark.
Silent.
Aramis looked around—
And froze.
His people.
Alive.
Hidden.
Saved.
"…What is this?"
Alaric turned away.
"I don't follow orders."
"I choose who lives."
Aramis' voice lowered—
"…I was wrong about you."
Alaric replied—
"Good."
"Now leave."
The Perfect Lie Continues
Back in the chamber—
The General poured wine.
Calm.
Relaxed.
Alaric entered.
Unshaken.
"It's done."
"He's dead."
"Disposed of the body."
The General smiled.
Satisfied.
But he didn't realize—
The most dangerous thing had already happened—
The hero had stopped following him.
Final Line
"A soldier follows orders.
A hero chooses who deserves to live."