CH3-EP2:

Some time had passed. Spring was in full bloom, painting the world in soft colours and new life.
Lucio and the man — now known as Victor — spent most of their days together by the riverbank.

In the quiet moments between lessons, Victor taught him not only how to read and reason, but also how to defend himself — simple techniques, but effective. Victor wasn’t just knowledgeable; he moved with a confidence that hinted at something more, something shaped by experience.

Sometimes, Lucio would catch him drifting off into the distance, his expression… almost sorrowful. Lucio never asked why, but deep down, he sensed the man carried a pain of his own.

One afternoon, after a short training session, Victor walked Lucio back to the orphanage.
“This is where you live?” Victor asked, his tone curious as he studied the worn-down building.
“Yes… unfortunately,” Lucio replied, his voice heavy with resignation.

Suddenly, the front door slammed open. An elderly, sharp-eyed man stormed out — Headmaster Blackthorn.
“You’re late again, Lucio!” he barked. “And who is this? I’ve made it very clear — no strangers near the premises!”

Victor raised a calming hand, stepping in before Lucio could speak.
“My sincerest apologies, sir,” he said smoothly. “This is entirely my fault. I got turned around and lost track of the time. Lucio kindly offered to guide me back, and he mentioned you might be able to point me in the right direction.”

Victor shot Lucio a quick wink.
Lucio blinked, catching on — Victor was covering for him.

The headmaster muttered under his breath, “Yes… yes, fine. If you take the main road and turn right at the first intersection, you’ll find your way back to the city.”
Victor gave a polite nod. “Much appreciated.” He turned and gave Lucio a casual wave before walking off.

Mr. Blackthorn immediately spun around, his expression twisted with disdain. “Inside. Now, you little runt! Double cleaning duty for you!”

Lucio clenched his fists but obeyed. He had hoped to spend more time with Victor — the only person who made him feel seen. But life here didn’t allow for such luxuries.

For the first time, Lucio was beginning to understand what joy felt like. What it meant to have someone in his corner.
To him, Victor was more than a mentor. He was like the older brother he never had. A father figure he never knew. Someone he could trust.
And that bond — it was only growing stronger.

Later that night.

Victor felt it — someone was watching. Too close.
A shadow trailed him, careful… but not invisible.

He muttered under his breath, barely audible,
“They’re faster than I thought… I still need time.”

Without hesitation, he turned sharply down a narrow path.
From his coat, he drew a worn silver pocket watch, engraved with gold — a serpent devouring its own tail. The glass was cracked, its hands frozen… until now.

Click.

In an instant, he vanished.
The air shimmered.
By the time the pursuer reached the alley… nothing. No trace.

“W-where the hell did he go?!”

Suddenly — a hand.
It clamped over his cloak, yanking him backward, dragging him into another plane of existence.

The world around him… stilled.
No wind. No sound. The air was thick, weightless.
Here, time did not pass. It simply existed — frozen.

A voice echoed through the stillness — stretched thin, but cold and commanding:
“Why are you following me? Who sent you?”

The cloaked pursuer hesitated. Sweat beaded along his brow.
“Aww… so our intel was right on the money. You must be Victor — the one who holds the relic our master desires.”

Victor narrowed his eyes. “So… he sent you.”

The pursuer suddenly broke into laughter, interrupting.
“You’re only delaying the inevitable. One of our targets is already gone — you’ll be next!”

But before he could blink —
Victor appeared in front of him.
His eyes burned with fury beyond reason.

A single, devastating kick —

The pursuer was sent flying, skimming through the air like a stone across water.
Coughing blood, the man laughed through the pain.

“You can run, but you can’t hide… eventually, the relic will end up in his hands...”

Victor stared down at him — cold, silent.
The mysterious pursuer never made it out alive.

That night, Lucio lay awake in his bed, staring at the cracked ceiling above him.
The distant creaks of the orphanage faded into a blur. All he could think about was the riverbank, the echo of Victor’s laugh, and the feeling of safety — something he’d never known before.

But safety never lasts long in places like these.
And deep down, Lucio knew — one day, everything would change.
He just didn’t know how much it would cost.