Episode 4 – The Weight

Ten minutes earlier.

A few floors above the chaos, just after Ja’s first brutal attack, the man carrying Ronin stumbled toward the rooftop door.

What the fuck was that? he thought, chest heaving, heart pounding in his throat.

But something was wrong. Each step felt heavier than the last.

He shifted Ronin’s limp body, trying to steady himself—then froze. The weight wasn’t normal. It was heavier. Much heavier.

His stomach dropped.

Before he could react—

WHAM!

Ronin’s legs snapped out, kicking hard against his chest. The man flew backward, slammed into the far wall. His eyes bulged in panic.

He’s awake?!

Ronin’s head lifted slowly. The mask still clung to his face, but behind the fabric two bright red eyes glowed through.

Moonlight spilled across his back from the window behind him, silver outlining his pale frame.

“Where’s my brother?” Ronin asked, voice calm, steady.

The man’s knees buckled. He collapsed to the ground, clutching his head.

“No… no, no, not yet!” he cried desperately.

Then—silence.

When he lifted his face again, his eyes had changed. The panic was gone.

“This pathetic man I share a body with… annoys me,” he said flatly, his tone deep, demanding.

“Now listen, little boy. Don’t make me do anything I don’t plan on doing.”

Ronin’s arms shifted. Effortless.

Snap.

The cuffs split apart, falling to the ground.

His hand pulled the mask free, white hair spilling into the light, pale skin glowing under the moon. He rolled his neck with a sharp crack, then rubbed it lazily as though waking from a long nap.

“It seems you didn’t hear what I asked,” he said calmly. “So I’ll ask again. Where is my brother?”

The man smiled.

“I remember when you were captured,” he said. “As I sat inside this man’s body, he didn’t know… but I knew. I could tell by your scent. And when Vladimir sent us to get you, my curiosity grew. Why a boy like you?”

A blade slid free from his side. Its steel pulsed faint red, like it was breathing.

“I could care less about this vessel,” he said with disdain. “I can always find a new host. But looking at you, boy…”

The blade glowed brighter.

“I think I’ve found it.”

Ronin exhaled once, steady.

“A little weird you want a boy’s body,” he said flatly, opening his palm.

FLAP. FLAP.

A bat screeched, diving through the window. It landed in his hand—its form twisting, reshaping. Flesh became steel, wings stretched into a flawless edge.

In moments, a perfect katana gleamed in his grip.

Ronin’s eyes glowed brighter.

“Can I have the name,” he asked calmly, “of the man I’m going to kill?”

Their eyes locked, the tension sharp as a blade.

⸻

Back to Ja.

The ice wielder leapt down, frost crawling across his arms, blade shimmering in his grip.

Ja’s chest rose, yellow eyes widening—not in fear, but in joy.

Don’t worry, Ronin… he thought, lips curling into a grin.

I’ll be there soon.

Diag, the brolic man, and the ice wielder stood at the doorway, their silhouettes sharp against the light.

Ja stood alone, fists clenched, ready to tear through anyone in his way.