The group of mages had been on their horses for hours. They made it to a small town to stay for the night. The town stood at the edge of civilization, tucked between jagged cliffs and thick, whispering forests. It carried the eerie weight of history—stone paths worn smooth by centuries of wandering feet, buildings hunched against the wind as if bracing for unseen forces. Lanterns flickered with dim, unnatural light, their glow barely pushing back the creeping mist that rolled through the streets like restless spirits.

Overlooking it all was the Revenant, its presence a silent guardian, watching from the shadows, never seen but always felt. No crime thrived here—not out of fear of punishment, but because something older and far less forgiving made sure chaos never lasted long. The town’s people lived in cautious harmony, never daring to speak of the force that lingered just beyond their sight.

The group found a nice inn to stay in. While Mahou paid for their rooms, the rest cared for their horses. 

Meanwhile, in the stables of the inn, Indigo, Sakura, Rose, and Oscar busied themselves with their gear, unloading their bags from the horses. The scent of hay and damp earth clung to the air, mixing with the faint warmth of the animals. Indigo adjusted the straps on his pack with practiced ease, his thoughts focused on the task at hand.

Oscar hefted his bag over one shoulder, stretching briefly. “Feels good to finally stop for the night.”

Rose tightened the strap on her pack, nodding. “We’ve been riding for hours. This place is a welcome change.”

Indigo ran his fingers through his hair and breathed a sigh of relief. “I'm glad we were able to get into this inn.”

“That’s for sure. So uh- how are we going to do the rooms?” Sakura’s pale skin glistened in the sunlight as she tilted her head.

Indigo looked at Rose and Oscar, then stared at Sakura, a mischievous grin tugging at his lips. 

Sakura cleared her throat, “So, Indigo and I will share a room!”

“What!?” Rose’s face turned red as she stared at the two of them in irritation. “Can’t we just do boys and girls? Then dad gets his room??”

Indigo snickered, “Sorry, Rose, you spoke too late.” he smiled innocently.

“You guys are terrible.” She huffed and went into the inn, finding Mahou and taking a key to one of the rooms. Oscar followed after her like a lost puppy.

Indigo and Sakura laughed until Mahou hit Indigo in the head. “You two should let her be.”

“Ow! It's only teasing, Dad. Besides, they could be soulmates.” Indigo rubbed his head.

“That's not for us to find out. Leave her alone.”

They both nodded, “Sorry, Dad.”

Mahou handed Sakura one of the keys, “Take this to the rooms. Indigo is going into town with me,” he pointed to all of their luggage.

Sakura nodded, taking the key and then carrying the rest of their bags inside.

Indigo and Mahou made their way into the town. They walked for a while since the inn was further from the center of the town.

The town buzzed with life—the calls of merchants hawking their wares, the rhythmic clatter of hooves against stone, and the scent of freshly baked bread mingling with the damp earth left behind by last night’s rain.

Mahou and Indigo moved through the crowded streets, their presence effortless yet distinct. They blended in, but never truly belonged. There was an edge to them—something unspoken yet undeniable, something that made passing strangers glance once before quickly looking away.

Indigo let out a low groan as he stretched, “These clothes are so unappealing.”

Mahou nodded, “Yeah, but we have to blend in.”

“This sucks.” Indigo looked around, scanning the crowd for anyone familiar. “Hey, Dad, I’m gonna look around. Do we need anything in particular?”

“If you could find some animal blood, that’d be helpful. As a gift for Eustace.” 

Indigo nodded before slipping away into the crowd.

As he slid through the crowd, he caught a familiar scent. One that both drew him close and pushed him away. It was revolting, like a rotting corpse or molded food. But at the same time, fresh and calming like lavender. 

He followed the scent to an alleyway. He smirked and continued walking towards it.

“You've got some nerve showing up here.”

He stopped in his tracks. For a split second, he was the target for a hooded figure. Only for a split second.

As the figure lashed out at him, he dodged at lightning speed. Without hesitation, he phased behind the figure and pinned him to the wall. “Still insecure under there? Hiding under a hood?”

“You wish.” With a swift movement, the hooded figure lifted his arm and hit Indigo in the stomach, pushing him off.

“Six years later, and you don’t know how to properly greet me? Pity.” 

A smirk tugged across Indigo’s lips. “Then take the hood off. So I can talk to the real you.”

“Demanding now, are we? If you insist,” the figure lifted his hands and pulled the hood off. He had medium-length muted purple hair and golden eyes. 

Indigo’s red eyes peered into the opposing man. “I’m shocked you don’t look dead, Amethyst.”

Amethyst smirked, “I may be dead, but I’ll always look better than you.”

“Hilarious. Now what the hell are you doing here? Your dad lives in Floria!”

“It’s none of your business. You daft dimbo!” he smacked Indigo’s hand away and crossed his arms.

“Oh my! I'm sooo sorry I offended you, Princess.” A smirk tugged at Indigo’s lips as he stared at Amethyst.

Amethyst’s eyes gleamed in the dim light of the alleyway. Quickly, he lifted his hand and grabbed Indigo by the hair, shoving his face into the wall and snarling. “You piece of shit.”

Indigo smirked and stared back at him, “Harder~”

Amethyst let go of him instantly. “Unbelievable. Do you have any dignity?”

Indigo turned around, his back pressing against the wall, arms crossed as he let out a slow breath. Control. He needed control.

"I have plenty of dignity," he murmured, voice steady despite the fire rising in his chest. "But it doesn’t matter when I’m with you. I mean—do YOU have dignity? You left the one person who cared for you. Now he is alone."

Amethyst let out a sharp grunt, pinching the bridge of his nose. Indigo’s words were an irritation—nothing more, nothing less. But instead of brushing them aside, he stepped forward, his golden eyes flashing with something colder, crueler.

"I don't care. At least I’m not the son of a whore."

Indigo stiffened.

The world around him dulled for a moment, drowned beneath the sheer weight of those words—the name he had never wanted to hear, the wound that had never fully healed.

His fingers curled into fists at his sides.

"Watch your mouth." His voice was lower now, edged with something far less restrained.

But Amethyst didn’t stop.

"I’m just saying—if I had a mother like yours, I’d be questioning why I was even born at all."

The fire in Indigo ignited fully.

A harsh scoff broke past his lips as he pushed off the wall, stepping toward Amethyst with lethal precision. Not reckless, but deliberate.

"You have five seconds to shut up before I make you."

Amethyst smirked. "Go ahead. Let’s see if you’ve got your father’s temper, too."

The line had been crossed.

Indigo wasn’t sure whether it was anger, grief, or raw instinct that drove him forward—but in that moment, hesitation did not exist.

Something inside him burned, twisted—a fury unlike any other, laced with something far more complicated. His hands clenched at his sides, not just from rage, but from frustration, from bitter understanding, from the way Amethyst’s words struck deeper than they should have.

He hated him—hated his arrogance, his cruelty, his smirk that was too confident for someone Indigo should despise. But the truth gnawed at him as his heart hammered in his chest, as the heat of his fury tangled with something he refused to name.

It wasn't just anger.

It wasn't just pain.

It was Amethyst.

And that was almost worse.