"No, no, no. Hell no. It's way too dangerous," Cole said, shaking his head firmly. His expression was unwavering, his stance solid like a mountain. He crossed his arms, his brows furrowed in frustration as he stared at the determined young man before him.
"I want to go too, Mr. Cole!" Xin exclaimed, his voice filled with conviction. His fists clenched at his sides, and his eyes burned with resolve.
Cole narrowed his eyes. "Why do you want to go? It'll be extremely dangerous."
"It's my fault Bel got into this mess, so I'll accompany him," Xin insisted. His voice did not waver, and his stance remained steady, unwavering against Cole's disapproving glare.
Cole sighed heavily, rubbing his temples. The room was silent except for the faint hum of the lantern flickering above them. After a few moments of internal debate, he exhaled sharply, defeated. "Suit yourself," he muttered.
Before anyone could say another word, the sound of heavy, armored footsteps echoed from outside the door.
The rhythm was steady, deliberate. Then, without warning, a brief scuffle erupted, grunts and the sharp clang of metal against metal punctuating the tense air. Just as abruptly, the noise ceased, replaced by an eerie stillness. The door creaked open, and a towering figure clad in black armor stepped into the room.
Cole's expression darkened as his gaze met the newcomer's. A heavy silence settled over the room before all three voices rang out in unison.
"Raven?!"
The figure remained unmoving for a moment before speaking. His voice was calm, steady, carrying the weight of authority. "With your permission, I would also like to escort these two."
Cole scrutinized Raven carefully, He knew all too well what Raven was capable of. As strong as Raven was, these two would be safer with him around. He let out a sigh, finally conceding.
"Alright. For now, you two stay here. I'll go get the train tickets and arrange for your belongings to be gathered. It might take a bit."
Turning back to Xin and Belial, he asked, "You want anything specific?"
Xin walked up to him and whispered his request. Cole listened, nodding occasionally before stepping away. Then, as if recalling something, he turned to Raven. "And Raven, come here for a second."
Without hesitation, Raven followed Cole outside. The door closed behind them, cutting off any sound from their conversation. Inside, Belial and Xin exchanged glances, their unease growing. The weight of past encounters with Raven pressed on their shoulders—the battles, the tension, the uncertainty. Now, here he was, standing as their supposed protector.
Minutes stretched into what felt like an eternity before Raven re-entered the room. He silently took a seat on a nearby chair, his posture relaxed yet unreadable. The atmosphere in the room thickened, an awkward silence settling over them as they waited.
Time crawled forward. Five long hours later, the door finally swung open again.
Cole strode in, looking weary but satisfied. In his hand, he held three sleek black tickets. Thin blue lines glowed along the edges, intricate and pulsating softly as if alive. The elegant script shimmered with enchantment, catching the dim light of the room.
"Here. These are your tickets. Its a one way ticket." Cole said, handing them over. His tone was brisk, but a hint of concern laced his words.
Belial took his ticket, flipping it over in his hands. His eyes then landed on the bundle Cole was carrying. "And these?"
"Cloaks," Cole replied, tossing them over. "They have perceptual blindness as Common skill ingrained."
"Lesser ? How cheap can you get, Cole?" Belial scoffed, running his fingers through the fabric. It was light but sturdy, an enchantment barely perceptible to the untrained eye.
Cole clicked his tongue in irritation. "Be grateful, you damn brat. Just make sure you get on that train. It'll take you to the safe zone. You'll be safer there." His gaze softened ever so slightly. "I'll be keeping an eye on you when I can."
Belial narrowed his eyes at the vague response. "How?" he asked again.
"You'll see," came the cryptic reply, spoken with an air of finality.
Belial, Xin, and Raven donned their cloaks, their perceptual blindness feature shimmering briefly before settling. With the hoods drawn over their heads, they moved swiftly through the planetary train station. It was a vast, bustling structure of gleaming silver, a marvel of technology far beyond humanity's current capabilities.
The architecture stretched high, merging seamlessly with the artificial sky above, glowing panels mimicking daylight in an endless cycle of regulated time. The air was filled with the hum of machinery, the chatter of travelers, and the occasional chime of an automated announcement.
Knights patrolled the area, their vigilant eyes scanning for anything out of place. Clad in heavy armor augmented with sleek, cybernetic enhancements, they were an imposing force.
But the cloaks worked as intended—the trio passed unnoticed, slipping through the crowd like whispers in the wind.
They reached the platform just as a futuristic train arrived, its reflective surface gleaming under the station's radiant lights. The doors slid open with a seamless hiss, and without hesitation, they boarded. None of them stopped to read the destination sign, their only concern being to get as far from the station as possible.
Inside, luxury surrounded them. The train's interior was opulent, its seats upholstered in fine materials, the lighting warm and ambient. The passengers were a mix of seasoned hunters and wealthy merchants, their expressions those of individuals who had seen much and feared little.
Belial exhaled as he sank into his seat, the plush cushioning a stark contrast to the tension in his muscles. Across from him, Raven sat rigid, his imposing figure making him stand out even while at rest. His helmet obscured his face, but his silence spoke volumes. Xin, beside him, gazed out the window, his eyes following the mesmerizing scenery as the train glided through the endless void.
Belial's moment of relaxation was short-lived. He noticed something that sent a chill through him. The rupture in the sky—the phenomenon that had plagued the outer sectors for months—was in their path. The dark, swirling mass of energy loomed ahead, pulsating with an eerie glow. A tear in reality itself, leading to places unknown, feared by even the bravest.
The train's propulsion system released an ethereal mist, the faint glow of its energy trails leaving streaks in the vacuum of space. Stars and planets blurred past, an endless sea of cosmic wonder, but Belial's mind was elsewhere. His thoughts spun as he tried to piece everything together.
He glanced at Raven, who remained unmoving, his presence a silent pillar of strength. Xin finally turned from the window, his sharp features softened slightly. He still carried the weight of past grievances—old wounds from the Guild Wars that had not yet fully healed—but he was here, and that meant something.
"Thanks for coming with us, Raven," Belial said, breaking the silence. "We'd be much more paranoid if it was just us two."
Raven nodded slightly, the motion subtle but deliberate. "We're guildmates. We look out for each other."
Xin sighed, his voice quieter but carrying the same sentiment. "Yeah… thanks, Raven."
Raven didn't respond, but he didn't need to. His presence was reassuring, even if his silence could be unnerving.
Belial leaned back, staring at the ceiling of the train car. His past had shaped him into someone who could adapt, who could blend into different worlds without losing himself. Unlike many of his comrades, he hadn't been raised in brutality. He wasn't hardened by war from birth, nor had he been forced into the life of a killer. But he had trained to be one. If the need arose, he would not hesitate.
And yet, there was something he had failed to consider until now—something that should have been at the forefront of his mind from the beginning.
What would happen if they found out he was a demon?
Belial's pulse quickened, but his expression remained neutral. He had always been careful, always ensured that his true nature was well-hidden. But secrets had a way of surfacing at the worst possible moments.
His fingers curled into the fabric of his cloak as the thought took root. It wasn't just about exposure—it was about survival. Xin and Raven were strong, experienced fighters. If they discovered the truth, their reaction would determine everything.
Would they turn on him? Would they see him as an enemy?
He exhaled slowly, his mind cold and calculating.
That would depend on how they reacted.
And if they reacted poorly… he might have to kill them.
Belial closed his eyes, pushing the thought aside for now. He had spent months what he was, carefully navigating relationships and alliances. He had somehow survived this long, and he would continue to do so.
But he could never afford to be careless. Not even for a second, not after what just happened.
The train continued its course toward the rupture, carrying them toward an uncertain fate. And Belial, for all his planning and caution, knew that soon, one way or another, the truth would come out.
And when it did, he would be ready.