Glorious was the sun’s awakening, and mesmerising the rays it brought. As the fragile light stroked the world’s surface, Holdan began to change. Soon a cold breeze followed, carrying the sounds of awakening life.

Birds pecked feathers, sang in sweet voice in the approaching light. The hooves of cart-pulling horses formed the heart beat of the streets, further awakening the sleeping. It did not take long, until the first men left their home's doors. Windows opened as well to breathe freshened air, and as the sky brightened, the light from street lamps was seen no longer.

Thousands of white petals floated in the atmosphere too, riding the morning winds. Many petals reached the top of some architecture, bestowing their graceful forms.

One of those petals landed on Elena’s finger. She then blew it off, releasing it, to continue its journey. The petal collided with more of its kind, and disappeared from sight in a twist. Hundreds of them followed the wind’s invisible paths.

“Hey, El,” a voice called for her.

She turned around.

“Sarah-she wants to talk to you,” Daniel continued, approaching her.

Elena, recognising it was only he, turned back around to face the city. The two were somewhere on the roof of the Golden Hound pub.

“You’re welcome to share this view with me,” she lifted her hand and blew petals towards him, as a sign of motivation.

The dance of flowers pushed through space elegantly, forming an arm to reach out for Daniel. But the further they travelled, the more they fell apart. Only one reached the man, before he caught it.

“I suppose. How long was it since we came here?” he said.

“Can’t even remember, to be honest,” Elena’s voice possessed a significant calmness.

She watched more petals fall, gently lingering, before they took flight once again. The horizon’s eye finally opened too, casting warmth upon the rooftop.

Daniel looked at the petal he was still holding, “Sorrow-bell, huh? The flower of tears,” he said.

“Every year, this time,” Elena blew off a petal from her hand, “The city mourns,”

She then faced her brother, “Do you know, why?”

Daniel just stared into the golden horizon. It was so stunning to watch, he almost abandoned all his thoughts. Brief moments passed before he answered.

“The Gloria Palace Incident. The greatest tragedy to date, in this city,”

“It’s more than just that. It’s also to remember the past,” Elena continued, “Yet I have forgotten it. And look what happened,”

Daniel could sense her feelings. It was a privilege that very few could have, to witness Elena's brief, but real fragility. And those feelings to sense, were full of guilt.

“That past had to be forgotten. Father died, because he realised that too late,” said Daniel.

Elena just kept on staring in to the distance. Children appeared beneath them now, all dressed in uniforms. They all held sorrow-bells.

“So you don’t think I’m to blame?”

“Of course not, “ he answered quickly, “And you shouldn’t think either,”

A tiny smile appeared on Elena’s face, “I see,” she said, but little relief was reflected. Something else dwelled in her mind.

More light rays emerged, as did the sun, igniting air with pink and orange hues. The flowery sky burned in such colours, and all of its orbiting fragments shined. Yet barely any light touched Elena's face cover. The cold metal just ignored it, refusing nature's presence. A bitter mark amongst its opposite, as it came to Daniel's realisation.

“This is all for you then. This rain of flowers,” Daniel spoke up, suddenly.

“What are you talking about?”

“The most tragic death was yours, wasn’t it? You’re the only Great Descendant that died. And it was your mother, who came up with this tradition, too,”

Elena didn’t say anything.

“The rest of the public followed the habit, as others too have lost family. Thus if you have not…you know, that day, than this would never be a thing,”

Elena took a pondering look at him.

“I suppose. It never came to my head,” she paused, “I tried my best to move on,”

“I understand. If only they knew you’re watching this,”

“One day, I hope to let them know,”

Another break of silence followed.

“I’ve been thinking about things here, Daniel. I have come to a conclusion,” Elena broke the silence this time.

Daniel was surprised, from the sudden change in her tone. It was rather in charge of importance, from the relaxed pace it emerged from.

“All ears,”

“I know you don’t think I should be blamed for it, however…” she looked deep into his eyes, “It doesn't really matter. I don’t wish to have another incident,”

“There will be no incident. We kill whoever did this,”

“Right," she sighted, "Let me roll it from a new perspective. Father tapped into secrets that were buried deep, about something that is dangerous to know. By now, they might assume that I'm still alive,"

"You can't know that,"

"I don't have to. If one tries to expose, whoever caused the incident, that person will make sure to keep all lips and eyes shut. For good,"

Daniel’s mouth was already open to counter her point, but on a second thought, he realised she made sense.

“That being said," Elena continued, "If they weren’t afraid to blow up an entire palace, full of important and powerful people, I’m sure a shitty pub with criminals will be just as easy,”

“You’re right, El. But I’m not going to leave,”

“What a fool you are. People die around me. It won’t stop until I spill enough blood,”

Daniel stood up with tight-closed fists. Determination burned in his eyes, as harsh as the heralding horizon, on his cheekbone, “I am not afraid to die. And those bastards will pay for their insult,”

“Of that, I'm convinced, brother," Elena grabbed Daniel's hand. She felt rage and insult, birthing its own form in the man's fist. Much like her, the tragedy sat locked away in the darkest vault of his heart. And that vault, must stay closed, for a while.

"This war needs planning, every move forward, must be considerate. If this becomes about revenge, and revenge only, we give room for casualties,” Elena carried on, and felt a slight change in her sibling's physique. The muscles were torn of burning pressure, but it began to ease, falling into oblivion under her icy palm.

“Well then, you especially need me. I’m more familiar of Holdan’s society, than you,” he said.

“Oh please,” Elena’s doubt was certain, as was Daniel’s sudden annoyance, following it.

“I’m not talking about the underworld. The actual city, where simple people live, and the ones with great influence,”

“Hmm..” Elena was not convinced still, but somewhat more open.

“It’s been five years. You think I wasted time to studies alone? I learned my father’s tricks. And so I have my own connections,”

“So I stay in the dark, and you in the light, among the public?”

“Precisely, “

“I don’t know. It’s not that I doubt your abilities, for I know you’re clever enough. It’s that I don’t want the past to repeat, ever again,”

“And it won’t,” Daniel laid a hand on Elena’s shoulder. A gentle grasp, gentle but solid, resonated into the girl's body.

Elena felt greatly comforted. A spark of faith ignited her on the inside, sensations, pledging that Daniel will support her well.

'Maybe it will work out,' she thought.

“Besides,” Daniel continued, ”you can’t let your personal views affect this mission. Father warned us, and he left this mission to all of us,”

Elena only nodded. All the points by Daniel were right. They knew little about the enemy, or its intent, so all eyes are needed before the conflict.

A sudden sharpness of a creaking sound hit their ears.

Elena sheathed a dagger.

Another creak followed.

“Hold on, I think I-“ Daniel spoke, but it was too late. Three tiny blades were sent flying towards the trapdoor, all penetrating it completely. No metallic sound rang from beyond the wood. Whatever lurked down there, was not missed.

Sarah rose form the trapdoor, touching one of her ears. Her bleeding arm covered her face, with a knife sticking out. Blood reddened her ear lobes, and her suit, from underneath.

“Excellent aims," said Sarah, midst perfect calmness. She did not seem disturbed, or intimidated. Not to measurable degrees.

Elena and Daniel rushed to her quick, seeing the wounds.

“Why were you spying on us?” Elena asked, unclear wether she's annoyed or surprised.

“Daniel promised to find you. He hasn’t turned up, so I followed him here,”

“I see," said Elena, after casting a funny look at Daniel, "The injuries...I didn’t expect you to be there,”

“Don’t worry. Knowing the recent events, you must feel defensive,”

“There must be some bandages downstairs. I’ll get some in a second,” Daniel's sense of remorse was clearly defined, contrary his sister.

“No, Lord Daniel,” Sarah raised a hand, and pulled the dagger out of her wetted arm. The cut seemed worst with all the blood, but no major artery was hit, nor was the wound deep in flesh, “My injuries are slightly above normal levels. I do not require immediate treatment,”

“Nevertheless, we made a mistake. If it wasn’t for me, you wouldn’t be damaged right now,”

“The intention is appreciated, your sense of guilt is understood. But the execution is unnecessary. My presence here comes with an important purpose,” Sarah held up the blades by their edge, towards Elena.

“What purpose?” Elena asked and she took her knifes back.

“I have information, passed down by Lord Gregory himself. However, it is assigned to you, only,” she looked at Daniel.

“Say no more,” Daniel began walking away, ”I’ll let my sister know about this accident. She will be seeing you, once you’re done here,”

“Appreciated, Lord Daniel,” she slightly bowed, and turned back towards Elena,”

“Miss Blackhart, I’m here to give you this key. It is to open a chest, which contains your father’s research,”

Elena took the key. The handle was a cat’s silhouette, casted out of copper. It felt heavier than it looked, and it was as large as her palm.

“Do you know what this research is about?”

Sarah wiped off the petals gathering on her shoulder. Some fell delicately, but a few just dropped heavy, blood anchoring them to ground.

“I have no knowledge, regarding that. Lord Gregory only meant it for you, and you alone. My duty ends here,” said Sarah.

“I see. Well then thank you for looking after it. And I apologise for your wounds,”

“It’s quiet alright. I'm lucky that you missed. Now, I may leave, Miss Blackhart,"

"There's not a lot of luck around here," Elena whispered. Something about the key captivated her attention.

She looked to see Sarah again, but the she was gone. Only the girl's blood, remained before Elena' boots.

'I never miss,' thought Elena, staring at the flower pieces. Lifeless, they descended into a lake of redness.