Black tranquility loomed over the horizon. The sun has already completed its tour for the day hours ago, giving access for a new scenery to appear. Tiny bright dots showed their glory in the inky sky and the pale crescent moon shone like a silvery claw in the sea of black. Night has finally came with its usual calming atmosphere.

It was a cool and windy night; trees rustling and swaying along with the passing breeze. A dim light was casted upon the land as the luminous golden city lights were aglow in the distance. Leaving the forest its usual bedimmed setting yet peaceful atmosphere.

But who knew that the forest that night wasn't as serene as they thought it was?

A soldier groaned when the enemy used his face as a foothold to leap to the branch above them. The foe chuckled as the ends of his tailcoat flap with his movements. He stood straight and proper with one arm behind his back. An insulting smile formed on his lips. He tilted his head as he look down at them with mocking and squinching eyes. "Pathetic fools."

"Don't trust Levine Cross."

That was the statement his majesty said directly at their faces after they graduated four years ago. They were confused by the words that escaped from the king's lips, words that wasn't accompanied by his usual sarcasm. The seniors didn't tell them anything regarding the king's words and that only made them even more conscious. Now, they've been enlightened. How naive can they be for not noticing the black spot that's been roaming around their academy?

The soldiers clenched their fist and teeth then immediately took action on pursuing him. He just left a chuckle before he disappeared from his place and is now jumping from one branch to another, being followed by knights in their white and blue uniform.

A devilish smirk played on his lips as his violet eyes look back at all the familiar faces that he has seen for many years. He turned his body to face them as he continue jumping. He chuckled as he watch the angered and desperate look of all alumni. "What's with those looks, my adorable scouts?" he laxly tilted his head to the side when one woman shot a bullet to his direction. He maliciously smiled as he speak with a friendly tone that he always used for the past years, "Oh c'mon now. Weren't you always smiling at me before? You were all so cute, greeting me by the hallway and such."

His sharp eyes glanced sideways when a girl came from his side with a blade in hand that's ready to swing. The girl yelled out her frustration as she swing her sword downwards. He swiftly avoided it by leaning back a little. The girl's eyes are squinching up as she prevent her tears from completely falling.

His mischievous grin got wider as he aggressively grip a handful of her mid-length hair. The girl's eyes widen and she yelped when he pulled her head back up. Without delay, he suddenly slammed her face into a tree's trunk. The wood splintered with the huge force as her face dig into the solid wood.

A snicker escaped from his lips and went back on running straightaway. The soldiers clenched their teeth tighter as they pass by the immobile girl. They gripped their weapons tighter and the frustration that this mission brings worsen. They shoved the respect they have and they yelled their resentment out with rough and aggressive tone, "HEADMASTER!!"

Levine chuckled as he travel from one branch to the other. He slightly lifted his top hat and playfully laughed. "That word would surely give me nostalgia!" his eyes then darken as his smile becomes eerie frightening, "Playing house with y'all was very much entertaining, you brainless brats."

"Sire!" Ezio didn't pay attention on the panicking soldier that suddenly opened the door. Nanatili ang kaniyang tingin sa labas ng bintana kung saan kaniyang nakikita ang papalayong higanteng ibon. The woman who's riding on the back of it even smirked at him earlier before she got away. The soldier continued, "The Mortalia has been stolen, Sire! Confidential files are also missing!"

Ezio puffed on his cigarette before he stood up from his throne. He tucked his hands inside his pockets and he walked down the elevated floor. "Hmm? So Levine was just a decoy huh.." nagtaka ang kawal dahil sa tono nito. He didn't seem surprised at all. Not even worried about the situation. Ezio boredly scratched the back of his head, "Well.. they're probably nearing the capital's borders so what's the point of going after them?"

Nilagpasan nito ang lalaki at ang nagpa-panic na kawal ay pinagmasdan ang kaniyang likod, "Then what should we do, your highness? We can't let them get away with a sacred book!" lalo lamang itong nataranta noong makitang hindi man lang nababahala ang hari, "Your highness!"

Ezio ignored him and just continued walking in the dark hallway. He's being illuminated by the dim light that's coming from the full moon. A smirk appeared on his lips as his cig remains in between them. "Shall we begin?" he stopped in front of a huge window and he tilted his head to look at the glorious moon. His excited grin got wider, "The next and last phase.." a chuckle escaped from his lifted lips. His sharpened eyes glistening with excitement as he remove the cig from his lips, "Let's start the end point."

--

The sky's condition is far from its usual bedazzling display. There were no chirping birds, only the pattering of the rain on the bricked roads of the empty streets, thunder rumbling in the distance and the howling storm that covered every alley, lane, and properties.

Citizens are closing their windows and stores, concerned about the heavy rainfall that the sky suddenly gave. The leaves are rustling aggressively in the vigorous wind.

It was indeed a stormy day and there are no people strolling down the streets and highways. No one wants to walk under the poor weather condition of the day.

But it's different for some people who has to do their job regardless of the atmospheric state they're in. They have a mission to bring into completion.

The bush swished when a figure ran pass it. It didn't take long for another to pass by, in pursuit of the first runner. The one who's being chased is a creature with long arms and long legs.

It's sprinting on the grassy land of the forest. The rain showering on its bloody shoulders down to its wounded back and chest. Its arms are swinging asynchronously as its feet feel the pain of exhaustion and laceration. It continued running despite the severe injuries on its body for as it'd die if its pursuer catch up.

It snagged a huge rock by the side and it twisted its waist as it motions its arm to throw the boulder to the man tailing behind. The man gracefully dodged it by jumping and flipping its body before continuing on pursuing with a sword in hand. His sharp red eyes only focusing on the target that's running in desperation.

A cliff came into view and the creature didn't hesitate on pushing its two-toed feet off the edge and leap into the air. It turned its head to look over its shoulder and its dry eyes widen when the pursuer also didn't think twice on jumping. His black and soaked kimono continued flapping in the swooshing wind as he prepare his arm to swing his blade.

The creature screeched in terror for its nearing death. The man spun his body midair and let the sharpness of his blade dig into the side of the creature's neck, slicing its flesh until the head finally had no connection to its body.

Some people stopped on the edge of the cliff and looked down with concerned eyes, "Captain!"

They saw the decapitated target falling on the rocky surface of the cliff, hitting into some protruded pointy rocks before completely falling into the bushy leaves of trees. They sighed in relief when they saw their captain holding onto one rock as he stare down to the ground. The rain is slowly settling down but if he won't lift himself up quickly, there's a chance that his hand might slip.

A young student immediately fetched some vines from a nearby tree but before he could throw the one end, a senior blocked him with his arm.

The senior slightly shook his head, "Hindi na kailangan."

The moment he said those words, their captain appeared from below and his feet landed in front of them. He slowly opened his momentarily closed eyes, revealing his red orbs. His clothes and long locks of black hair are soaked. Droplets of water are falling from the tips of his collected hair strands. He's wearing a clothing that has many layers underneath and yet he's showing no discomfort for its heaviness.

One girl clasped her hands together and when she slowly separated them, a towel is forming out of interlacing silk fibers coming from the tip of her fingers. She walked to him and wiped his long hair. The man's eyes sharpened and the bridge of his nose wrinkled in irritation.

The girl was surprised when the man suddenly swat her hand away. The white towel dropped on the wet ground but her shocked eyes remained on the man's dark expression. He clenched his teeth, "I didn't give you permission to touch me," his sharp red eyes sent a chilly sensation to the girl, "Keep your hands where they should be."

The nervous girl nodded and lowered her head, "M-My apologies.." it was scary but somewhat endurable, for as she has seen that expression many times back in the dormitory.

She breathed out and shook it off. She's aware that the King's captain doesn't like being touched, she has expected it and now she must remove it from her thoughts. She wasn't here to please him. This is a test- that he hasn't declared finish yet.

Claysen said no more words and just walked pass them. He sheathed his sword and walked into the woods to the academy. "Next time, don't get distracted like some fools," he looked over his shoulder with a warning, "If you wish to remain under my roof."

They all nodded and answered with a firm 'Yes, Sir'.

They went back to the academy with low chatters. They're aware that their captain doesn't mind their continuous blabbing, mapamahina man ito o malakas. Pero minabuti na lamang nila na mag-usap ng mahina. Simula noong maganap ang hindi inaasahang pangyayari tungkol sa dating headmaster ay naging madalang ang pananalita nito. He always speak less but these days, he won't even lift the side of his lips if unnecessary.

After a few minutes of walk on the drenched road, they've finally reached the academy's gate at mabilis nilang napansin ang mga estudyanteng nagsisipasukan sa malaking tarangkahan.

"Oh, right. We've been so busy on training for the end-of-summer assessment that we forgot about the first-years' incoming."

"I wonder if some good ones will join us again this year."

Pagkatapak ng mga ito sa lobby ay tumigil sila sa paglalakad noong hinarap sila ng kanilang kapitan. He spoke with his usual cold voice, "I'll report to the headmaster's office. Dry yourselves up and head to the conference hall just as scheduled," he tilted his body, announcing that he's about to take his leave. "I remembered that there're still some leftover soup in the kitchen. Eat it before you leave. It'll be a waste if it'll only spoil."

They all nodded and that was the cue for him to walk away. The vice captain scratched the back of his head, "He say that but we didn't have soup last night," they lightly chuckled and began to walk to the dormitory. "Such a shy captain he is."

"He's still scary though."

Claysen was approaching the headmaster's office. He didn't stop walking in his usual pace when he saw a familiar silver-haired man walk out from it with a girl that he deemed as his vice captain. Yumuko ang mga ito sa taong nasa loob ng silid bago isinarado ang pinto.

They started to chat before they headed to his direction. When the silver-eyed man raised his gaze in the mid of his light chuckle, his lifted lips slowly formed a straight line as they look at each other with formal gazes.

They both stopped when there was a two-meter distance between them. Naging tahimik ang pasilyo na kinalalagyan nilang tatlo. The girl beside Rui can feel the cold and dry tension surrounding them. Thus, making sure that she won't make any unnecessary actions.

Slowly, a tight smile formed on Rui's face, even making his eyes smile as well. "How is your dorm, Clay?" his voice was humble and gentle, the natural trait he always had. But the girl somewhat noticed how unreal he is speaking to the man in front of them.

Claysen replied with an unchanging expression and tone, "My dorm is fine just like always," his red eyes become even more colder as he gaze directly at Rui's smiling eyes, "Drop that annoying fake smile of yours already. You are aware that my patience with you is as thin as your thread."

Contrary to his words, Rui even tilted his head in a slight manner. Ignoring his last statement. "It's good to know that your dorm is doing good," his silver eyes stared back at his red orbs, "Despite having you as their captain."

The tension got even heavier. Mabilis itong napansin ng dalaga. She pursed her lips before she intervened, "Captain Rui, the others are waiting for your arrival, Sir. Kailangan na po nating umalis," she then faced Claysen and slightly bowed her head with an awkward smile, "We'll excuse ourselves, Captain Claysen--"

"Oi Hevrions," the girl was startled with the voice coming from their back. Lumingon siya rito at mas lalo lamang nadagdagan ang tensyon noong makita ang matalim na tingin ng headmaster mula sa likod ng kaniyang mga salamin. His green eyes showed annoyance, "Don't cause a scene in front of my office."

Rui and Claysen glared at each other first before they turned their gazes to the headmaster. Bahagyang yumuko ang mga ito, "We apologize for the inconvenience, Mr. Riece."

The headmaster tapped the doorframe before he walked inside, "Just hurry up and leave."

Rui answered, "Yes, as you wish." tumayo na ito ng maayos at muling kumalma ang ekspresyon. He apologetically smiled at the girl beside him, "I'm sorry, Miss Aki. We've put you in an awkward situation."

She has finally breathed out and slightly shook her head, "Its fine, Sir," she then faced the direction where they were supposed to head to, "Let's proceed to the conference hall now, shall we?"

Ngumiti dito pabalik si Rui at tumango. They walked pass Claysen's figure without uttering another word. Claysen continued on his track towards the door but he still said a few words as they proceed on walking to different directions, "The others are asking about you. It's getting irritating," hinawakan nito ang seradura ng pinto and he glanced sideways to Rui's back who didn't stop on his track. "If you really have no plans on meeting even one of them, just say it directly. You're causing some annoying troubles for me, you dipshit." he vulgarly said before opening the door.

Hindi ito pinansin ni Rui at nanatili lamang ang kaniyang tingin sa harap. Aki remained silent.

All students know that the captains of the Knights' and Kings' dormitory doesn't have a decent connection with each other despite being brothers in papers. Their fights doesn't seem brotherly at all. Parehas na malapit ang dalawa sa heneral na nagpalaki sa kanila pero pagdating sa isa't isa ay tila ba imposibleng may masabi sila na maganda. But they don't cause too much of a big scene as well.

Mild arguments can occur whenever they're both alone with only a few people but they've never seen them brawl in the school grounds. They lived up to their respectable reputations as captains, being responsible and logical in every situation. Teachers concluded that it must've been because of the responsible and proper general who raised them on his own. He must've raised them splendidly.

Aki cleared her throat before she decided to ask a question, "Should I make some arrangements concerning Captain Claysen's advice, Sir?" diretso lamang ang kaniyang tingin, "Or a written letter would be more preferable to you?"

Rui gently smiled and softly shook his head, "There's no need to do such things. I'll probably get to meet one of them considering my position," he awkwardly chuckled, "Captains really have it rough. Attending political gatherings and such."

Lumingon dito ang dalaga, bahagyang interesado sa kaniyang mga sinabi. "Are these people part of the government, Captain? Perhaps they are some commissioned officers?" she amusedly smiled and her tone became even more active, "Just as you'd expect. You really have great connection and acquaintances, Sir. Did they took part in the previous war as well? Then they're surely amazing people, aren't they?"

But she wondered when a sarcastic smile appeared on Rui's lips. "If you'd look at them from eight years ago, you'd be in awe for how prodigious their figures are. I've spent months watching their dignified statures from the back and they all looked so majestic in my youngish eyes but now.." a pathetic chuckle escaped the man's lips as he shake his head in disappointment, "You'd laugh at how much they've fallen."

Aki pursed her lips as she watch Rui's expression gradually fades back into his formal one as he lift his sharp gaze forward. His expression slightly darkening. He stated, "They've lost their grace."

***

This third book contains matured contents that are inappropriate for young readers. It might include sexual contents, strong languages, bold/vulgar use of words, and violence. Some of the characters' behaviors, beliefs, and words should not be applied to your everyday lives.

***
Hello! Thank you for waiting for a very long time. I truly appreciate your patience and I would also like to apologize for the long wait.

I would also like to ask for your opinions from today onwards, if it's okay. Criticisms are also welcome but please consider your choice of words. I'm not strong emotionally but I am also not a tolerative person. There's a certain level of rudeness that everyone cannot tolerate.

Thank you so much for reading and I hope my story could grant satisfaction to your imaginations! (I hope)

Enjoy and have a great day ahead!

***
⛔THE ART ON THE BOOK COVER IS NOT MINE⛔

The credits all goes to the artist ZEEN CHIN. If you want to see more of the artist's works, here are the links:

ArtStation:
https://www.artstation.com/zeen

Twitter:
https://www.twitter.com/zeen_chin

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Zeen.Chin

***

Claysen Hevrion
(Wei Wuxian from Mo Dao Zu Shi)
Credits to Gearous
https://www.twitter.com/GEAROUS

Rui Hevrion
(Vlad from Ikemen Vampire; an app game)

Levine Cross
Credits to 🦄いさお🦄 (Twitter)
https://www.twitter.com/M0ono0M