The Encounter

“Did you hear that?” Matthew hissed, immediately coming to his feet, “Something's coming.”

Footsteps echoed down the narrow staircase and into the chamber. They were relaxed, confident. That's what scared Matthew the most.

Matthew's heart pounded furiously in his chest as he shoved another round into his gun. Seraph sat near his leg, staring up at him with wide eyes. Matthew wanted to kneel down and embrace him, but he knew he had to stay on guard.

A stocky figure came into view, arms behind his back. Matthew's heart skipped a beat when he recognized him.

It was Asher.

Seraph let out a sob, burying himself into Aunora’s chest. Gritting her teeth, Aunora held the child tightly.

“What's he doing here?” Aunora whispered, directing her gaze at Matthew.

“So I guessed correctly, huh? You were the lunatics in the sacrifice chamber,” Asher said with a grin.

Aunora, Matthew, and Esper stayed silent, the only discernible noise the sound of Seraph’s fearful sniffles.

“What, no friendly hello? I'm kinda offended,” Asher murmured, admiring his blood-covered fingers, “Whatever,” his voice dropped into a snarl, “You shouldn't be creeping around here, in my guild.”

Matthew raised his gun. “Listen, you rat. We can go wherever we please. I'm reporting all of this to my supervisor.”

Asher held up his hands, chucking, “Wow, wow. I wouldn't be so feisty, Matthew Mortis.” He turned his head, where Matthew could see several men waiting on the staircase. One of them bore a dark object over his shoulder.

“Come on, Stephen,” Asher called behind, “How about we reunite this cute family?”

The man’s hands went to his shoulder, and he grabbed the object, tossing it into the light. A body rolled across the concrete, and Matthew's stomach did a somersault.

“Umbra?!” Matthew screamed, dropping his gun out of pure shock.

Umbra stretched lifelessly across the ground, head lolled back limply. He was missing his shirt, and countless gashes and bruises covered his torso. Most gruesome of all was the injury to his right eye, which was completely destroyed.

Matthew fell to his knees, cradling Umbra in his arms. Hands trembling, he brought his lips to Umbra's forehead, softly kissing him as tears fell down his face.

“Umbry, Umbry, please, look at me,” Matthew sobbed, cupping his blood-soaked face.

“Don't worry,” Asher cackled, “He's alive. But he won't be for long.”

Where's Victor? Matthew thought, nausea forcing its way higher up his throat, Is he dead? With that grim thought, Matthew began to cry harder, hugging Umbra.

Behind Matthew, Aunora watched with wide eyes. “Umbra…” was the only word her tongue could manage. Her knees wobbled, tears filling her eyes. She painfully blinked, focusing on Matthew, who was completely lost in his sorrow.

She couldn't believe Umbra had been defeated. The state of his body was unfathomable. After hearing him state that he was invincible time after time, Aunora had almost started to believe him.

Aunora ran her fingers through Seraph’s hair, keeping his head against her chest. He didn't need to see this.

“You will leave,” Asher growled, “And you will never return. If you say anything about what you saw here, you will die. What I did to Umbra will be nothing compared to what will happen if you tell that coward Infinity about this place.”

Asher’s eyes narrowed. “Matthew is the only one with a phone, right? Give it to me, now.”

Matthew didn't respond, still clutching Umbra and heaving for breath. Slowly, Aunora knelt down, tugging his phone out of his pant’s pocket. She slid it across the ground at Asher’s feet.

Asher crushed it in his palm with ease, throwing the debris at Silver Moon. “Now scram. Let the hole in Umbra's face serve as a reminder that no one intrudes upon The Circle of Life.”

Breaking from her paralysis, Aunora shook Matthew roughly by the shoulder. Matthew weakly raised his head, breath coming out in short, quick pants.

“Matthew, we've got to go,” Aunora urged.

“Umbra, he, he-” Matthew rasped, eyes hidden behind his glasses.

Shaking her head, Aunora grabbed Umbra's body, tossing him over her shoulder. She dragged Matthew to his feet.

“Esper!” Aunora barked as the nature spirit drew to her side, “Start treating Umbra. He's gonna need all the help he can get.” Aunora hoped he didn't hear the tremor in her voice.

Esper immediately went to work, his healing magic flowing into Umbra's many wounds. Seraph shuffled to Matthew, wrapping his arms around him.

As Aunora shoved her frantic team up the staircase, she threw one last look at Asher. He was smiling coolly, satifused at the utter chaos he had caused.

Author's Note- ik this is dark but the next arc is gonna be cute & funny so hold out for me kk

also: yes, matthew kissed umbra. no, theyre not dating. family kisses are a thing lol