“They were lucky, Erlin. Looks like their wings gave out at the last moment. Seconds earlier, they would have fallen to their deaths.”

Erlin was glad to hear the news, but not glad to see that Ash had been put in his bed, as Artemis didn’t want them in hers. He supposed that it didn’t matter in the long run, because, after all, he had saved someone’s life… but he still needed a place to sleep.

“Yeah, yeah. Don’t remind me.”

“At least he wasn’t flying intoxicated, Erlin.” Rilon adjusted the blanket over Ash and glared at Erlin. “With the defect in their wings, it could have been much worse.”

Erlin recalled the uneven wing but waved it off. “Yeah, sure.”

Rilon crossed his arms and moved away from the bed. In what seemed like a temporary nervous fit, he adjusted his glasses and shut his eyes tightly, “Your behavior isn’t going to get you anywhere, Erlin, especially when you’re the President.”

“Bold of you to assume that I want to be President,” Erlin muttered.

The second glare that Erlin received from his grandfather was ice-cold. “Nearly three decades…” Was all the man uttered.

“I’m glad I didn’t see your coronation then.”

When Rilon froze, Erlin knew that he had the man cornered.

“Fine…” Rilon said, rubbing his temples. “Fine, fine, fine. Be that way. You watch them for a change and see what happens.”

A grimace crossed his face; he waved Erlin away when the younger man attempted to help him.

“I’m fine,” Rilon nearly growled as he fixed his hair. Upon closer inspection, Erlin could see that the man’s hands were trembling. Still, he said nothing in the way of it, and waved him off.

“Go get some rest if you really need it… if I really… exhaust you that much.”

“Fine…” Rilon shoved past Erlin, taking off his glasses. Several seconds later, the door slammed, causing Erlin to jump.

He waved it off mentall and went to sit on the bed beside Ash.

The newcomer hardly reacted, only groaning in pain to show their acknowledgment of Erlin’s presence.

Ash… Ash Shida. The messenger.

“Messenger.” He sighed softly and stared at his hands, which had been folded into his lap. “They’re a messenger.”

“Warn him… Warn him of what?”

Erlin raised an eyebrow and shifted to stare at the newcomer.

They suddenly shot up in bed, grabbing Erlin by his collar. Erlin was yanked close enough to smell their breath.

“He’s dangerous! You have to leave!”

Erlin shoved Ash back, thoroughly startled. He caught himself before he could fall off the bed.

Ash fell back on the bed. Their eyes didn’t close. The stare that they fixed Erlin with was enough to make even the toughest of people shudder.

“Dangerous?” Erlin murmured. “Who’s dangerous?”

“You have to leave.” Ash’s breath grew heavy. Their eyes closed and they visibly relaxed. “He’s coming.”

“Who is coming? What are you keeping from me?”

Slowly, Ash opened their eyes again, fixing Erlin with another stare. “Hyde. Hyde is coming.”