The fireplace in the living room crackled and spat small bursts of flames that flew in the air like mini fireworks, lighting up the room with its vibrant yellowed lights and warming up the unfamiliar silence that filled the room. Alyse slumped into the couch, running on nothing but caffeine as she glossed over some overly detailed documents that were bound in such a way that it was almost as thick as a bible. Despite the amount of information that the Council had in hand, there was somehow still not enough to frame the tyrant for his crimes against the Realms - nor the Higher Authority, for that matter.

Although she’d spent years in the underground and black markets searching for the smallest clues and hints leading up to their association, they had become smarter in hiding their tracks as of recent times, frustrating her beyond comprehension. Whatever the Higher Authority had planned for Renatus, she truly hoped that it wouldn’t undermine and expose the many years of work covering her own tracks. The boys had gone through enough as is, and the tyrant wasn’t going to stop at simply destroying the source of the impurity from how things were progressing.

She raised her head upon feeling a familiar presence nearby, placing the notes aside onto the dark oak side table. Thick black mist dissipated into the humble home, revealing Rhys’ physical body behind it, making himself comfortable by the kitchen counter once more.

“He got through the Gate safely,” Rhys reported, shifting the sunglasses higher onto his nose ridge. “No backstabbing or such.”

“Be extremely cautious when you’re up there later. The angels have anti-daemon magic imbued in their weapons, even in their Gate - so make sure to not let your skin graze it,” Alyse warned him, handing him some notes on file.

“Geez, it’s that bad, huh,” he commented, his eyes gleaming gold as he skimmed through the contents. “Couldn't hurt for them to talk it out, if they weren't so stubborn.”

The angels had always hated daemons for being filthy and unsightly creatures in their eyes, and mostly looked down on them in disdain as inferior beings that failed to make it into their untouchable Realm. It’d been this way for the longest time, especially during the recent years after Godrick’s desperate search for the Death Dealer had gone sour, gradually turning him insane in the process. To hear that they’ve started to imbue anti-daemon magic was a first for him, and definitely a new low for them, making Kauferni residents seem significantly more tolerable and tamer despite their rowdiness.

“And make sure to not be caught by any of the angels, especially the Higher beings. Some are known to be Godric’s personal hench-men that are armed with weapons that are likely a lethal threat for the likes of you. We don’t know much about their new technology right now, but if you find anything do pass it on to us,” she added. 

“Thanks for the heads up. Will do,” Rhys replied. 

Truthfully, he wasn’t as worried about his well-being more so than Renatus’. He could always slip within the slightest of shadows, whereas Renatus would have to deal with everything head on, especially the abusive tyrant that ruled the Realm. How would he react to seeing him? Would he falter, or remain collected? Knowing that he couldn’t be by his side directly for the inevitable encounter, his chest sunk deeply. 

How is he doing now? Is he faring well? Is he hurt? The thoughts of concern plagued his mind the longer Renatus lingered in his head. He’d always been able to check up on his whereabouts and well-being, though he’d admit that the habit was a bit obsessive sometimes. Renatus was generally quite capable with his strength alone, but sometimes his excitement led to him losing focus and resulting in some minor injuries. For Rhys, it was like watching a cat trying to swat a fly, then watching it leap backwards off a couch after overestimating itself.

Suddenly, a sharp pain violently struck his mind with sheer force, unbearably throbbing and pulsing against it as he tried to resist it. He found himself becoming nauseous from the sensation, the turbulence in his mind swirling as violently as a tempestuous storm at sea. 

“Guh..!” 

“Rhys! Are you alright?” Alyse exclaimed, reaching to ease his pain until she was momentarily stunned from a light sting that struck her mind shortly after. It wasn’t exactly painful for her, rather it was a sudden pang of intuition that reached her. “A disturbance…what was that...?” 

“So you felt it too,” he stammered, rubbing his forehead.  

It surely wasn’t a natural incident as it was extraordinary enough to be felt across the Realms, the strong ghastly sensation rather grimly familiar to him, gripping onto him with aggressively persistent tugs. Ren. Whatever was going up there involved an unnatural death, and he prayed that it didn’t directly involve him, otherwise...  

“I hope he’s alright up there. Hopefully out of trouble and nowhere near that freak of an angel for now,” Alyse muttered, rubbing her temples. “Will you still be alright to go tonight?”

“I’ll be fine,” Rhys groaned. 

The headaches wouldn’t stop until the unnatural deaths did, and he couldn’t stand the thought of remaining in hiding considering how vulnerable Renatus would be in Ylipeste, given his history there - especially not with Vaina’s malicious intentions that they had yet to figure out. After all, he himself had much to atone, the guilt of his past creeping into his mind.

“As you know, we’re still in the process of investigating the girl. As we know, Ylipeste suspects that the impure soul is amongst them as a resident Ylipesten as they expected the Death Dealer to reemerge and take care of that matter for them quickly,” Alyse briefed him, already well aware of what was on his mind without needing to use her powers. “However, the issue continues to persist after Godric turned it into a huge scandal during the last Council meeting. This leads us to suspect that this ‘evil’ is still there, and that Vaina is the root of all of this. There’s no reason for Godric to care so much otherwise, especially given his desperation in his search for the Death Dealer back then.”   

“You think Ren is involved in any of this?” he asked. Considering the timing of the Higher Authority’s desperate plea to him to deal with the matter, it wouldn’t surprise him if there was more going on that they were unaware of, especially since they had concealed the truth about Vaina’s status until now.

“Considering his persistence in finding her and the frequency of his night tremors, I don’t think it’s a coincidence that he’s linked to her in any of this. We don’t have any strong links so far, but do report to us upon confirming our current suspicions,” Alyse replied, not lifting her head as she returned to skimming through the notes. “Also, be cautious that you may be possibly lured out - whether it be by Vaina herself, or by one of Godric’s henchmen. I know how much you care for Ren, but we can’t lose both of you.”

“I understand,” Rhys muttered.

He grew irked at the mere thought of Vaina being in close proximity to Renatus, sensing her sinister intentions from afar. Whatever she was to him, she was truly nothing but trouble for him. The quicker he could leave to find him and finish the job, the better.

“I really do hope she’s also the link to finding the Shattered Corner. I’ve had no leads until now, despite all my efforts,” Alyse told herself, very aware that her brother was lost in his own thoughts. A familiar, yet distant figure that she thought she had reluctantly forgotten materialised in her mind, their reassuring voice that eased her worries and their shared intimate understanding that she had pined for so long ago made her heart ache. 

What would I say once I’ve finally found you? 

The creaking of the door had them turn their heads to the young blacksmith quietly entering the home. His wispy white hair touched with black gradient tips had been neatly tied back into a ponytail as his right eye was covered by the length of his side bangs, his work uniform slightly covered in charcoal as it gave off a slight smoky scent. 

“I knocked, but didn’t get a response, though I heard your voices inside. You guys talking about the Death Dealer?” Az asked, gently smiling as he greeted the siblings, cold air rushing through the room until the door shut behind him. “Strange. I heard that death is lurking amongst the angels without them. That’s concerning.”

“You’re right. The blight has them tearing out each other’s throat, and somehow killing them in the process,” Alyse confirmed, lifting herself from her seat to provide the unexpected guest with refreshments. “Death in a deathless Realm is not something to be taken lightly right now, with the current state of things.”

“Do you think the Higher Authority will find someone to substitute the Death Dealer role until then? It’s been relatively peaceful up until now,” Az mentioned, stroking the ends of his hair after making himself comfortable on the couch. “A bit too peaceful, considering how much of a ruckus they made some time ago about it. I hope they’re planning something sinister.”

“Hm… It wouldn’t be possible unless they found someone born with Death’s markings, since we know that Death Dealers can’t be created artificially. Otherwise, we’d know about it for sure,” Alyse answered, setting down a cup of coffee before him. “Since the only thing we know about the Death Dealer’s powers is that one must bear the markings to use them.”

Az shrugged, taking a sip of his coffee. “I still think that they’re indeed a mythical legend that the Higher Authority fabricated to distract us from the bigger picture. After all, they’re just a lazier, weaker version of the Council and want a lovely scapegoat for all their work.” His hazel eye widened as he pulled out a stuffed tote bag, shuffling its contents. “Say, where did Renatus go? I just finished sewing and tinkering his new turtlenecks as you requested. It’d be good if he could try them on for sizing, since the material I used is a bit more slim-fitted this time.”

“He’s gone to Ylipeste,” she answered, with a hint of bitterness in her usually calm and collected voice that startled Rhys, almost making him slip off the counter that he was leaning on. “He accepted their job.” 

“Wait, you’re kidding,” Az stuttered, then groaned in exhaustion. “He always leaves so suddenly without saying anything… Ahh, we even had plans to have some cold noodles tomorrow.”

Cold noodles? Are you out of your mind? Rhys thought to himself, his eyebrows furrowing as he watched Az blissfully mention their date to them, his ice-cold glare reaching his irritatingly cheerful face. Renatus loathed the cold - even he knew something so simple about him. The thought of him going out with someone as conceited as Az had his heart sharply pang against his chest.

“At least it seems he took the new sheaths with him. Those old ones were falling apart after ages of wear,” Az muttered. He turned to Rhys with a bright expression, handing over the tote bag to him. “Rhys, hand them over to him whenever he returns, won’t you? I need to return to the Forge. Otherwise, Hiram won’t let me hear the end of it.”

His annoyingly lively smile made Rhys’ blood boil beyond the temperature of a regular star’s searing flames, settling to a low simmer as soon as he shut the door behind him. Seeing him be overly friendly and flirty with Renatus whenever they were at The Forge irked him, and not solely out of jealousy. He sensed a distinctly sharp, cold energy from him that felt dangerously ominous and out of this world. He couldn’t explain the sensation, but he felt almost more threatening than Vaina herself from what he’d seen in Renatus’ dreams. 

Alyse patted him on the back, breaking his miserable chain of thoughts. “Rhys, don’t be bothered by him. He’s just a friend to Ren.”

“Honestly, I'm sure Az thinks otherwise,” he snarled. 

She held back a chuckle for his sake, cleaning up after the guest. “If you’re done sulking, get your suit and leave already. We’ve got a lot of work to do tonight.”