An androgynous face, complemented by a petite yet well-endowed figure, with tan skin that glistened in the moonlight. Despite the many enchanting charms this stranger had, only one could capture attention: its eyes. The roseate hue was truly mesmerizing—not exactly red, not quite pink, but resembling the color of a crystal rose quartz. The stranger's hair was as white as snow, immaculate and unstained. His hair was soft and fluffy, cascading down in gentle waves that framed his face, giving it a delicate, almost ethereal look. His features were fine and smooth, with a softness that blurred the lines between boy and girl—his lips slightly parted, as if caught mid-thought. Suddenly the flames began to roar devouring more of the toppled cart.
He sighed, rolling his eyes in frustration before striding toward the burning carriage. Without hesitation, he extended a hand, gripping the woman firmly and pulling her free from beneath the wreckage. Her arms trembled as she clutched the child tightly, but he wasted no time. He grabbed the child, lifting them with surprising ease, and placed the small, terrified figure back into the woman's arms.
"Thank you… thank you so much," she whispered, her voice shaking as tears streamed down her soot-streaked face. She held the child close, her body trembling as she tried to steady her breath. "I-I don't know what I would've done…"
Her wide, fearful eyes met his, desperation still lingering in her gaze. "What's your name?" she asked softly, her voice barely audible over the chaos.
"Yuga," he muttered, his tone flat and detached. His eyes briefly flicked to the child before locking back onto her. "Take your kid and get somewhere safe."
The woman nodded quickly, her arms tightening protectively around the child as she stumbled away, her footsteps unsteady as the heat from the flames licked at her heels.
Yuga barely had time to exhale before the sound of heavy, armored footsteps echoed through the smoke-filled air. Four men emerged from the smog, their gleaming steel armor dulled by soot and splattered with fresh blood. Each of them bore the crest of a lion's head engraved into their shoulder plates, the symbol distorted and warped by the grime of conquest. Their cerulean capes, hung limply behind them, tattered and singed at the edges.
"Well, well…" one of them sneered, his helmet tucked under his arm as he ran a gloved hand through his sweat-matted hair. His lips curled into a cruel smirk. "And what's your deal? Ruining our fun like that?"
Another knight stepped forward, the joints in his armor clinking softly as he moved. His face, partially obscured by the shadows of his helmet, was twisted with sadistic amusement. He cracked his knuckles, the sound echoing unnervingly. "Looks like we've got ourselves a hero," he chuckled, his tone condescending.
The third knight, taller than the rest and built like an ox, stood slightly behind the others. He carried a long, barbed spear that glinted menacingly in the firelight, the tip stained crimson. His grip tightened around the shaft, his knuckles turning white beneath his gauntlet. "Yeah…" he muttered, his voice laced with malice. "Let's teach him what happens when you stick your nose where it doesn't belong."
The fourth knight, silent, lingered at the back. His sword was already drawn, the blade reflecting the flickering flames as he tilted it slightly, the edge eager to taste flesh. He didn't speak, but the smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth spoke volumes.
Yuga sighed, his gaze drifting up to the smoke-filled sky where the stars barely flickered through the haze. His voice was calm, almost detached.
"The weight of taking an innocent life… that's something I'd rather avoid." His eyes lowered, locking onto the knights with a cold, dead stare. "But yours? I don't think I'd lose much sleep."
Then, he was gone.
Before the helmetless knight could blink, Yuga was behind him instantaneously. One hand clamped over the man's mouth, the other twisting his head with brutal force. A sharp, sickening crack echoed as the knight's neck snapped, his body crumpling to the ground like a ragdoll.
The knight with the spear reacted fast—too fast. He thrusted forward, aiming for Yuga's gut, but Yuga caught the spearhead mid-lunge. His elbow slammed down on the shaft, splintering it in two. Without hesitation, he drove the broken end between the gaps in the knight's armor and punched it upward. The jagged tip tore through flesh and muscle, bursting out through the man's neck. Blood sprayed as the body dropped.
The last two knights hesitated—just for a second. It was a second too long.
Yuga moved like a shadow. He darted toward one, his fist slamming into the armpit of the knight, shattering the joint. The man screamed, but Yuga had already ripped the sword from his weakened grip and drove it straight through his chest.
The final knight stumbled back, eyes wide with panic. Yuga didn't give him the chance to beg. He grabbed the man by the collar, slammed him to the ground, and plunged the blade into his throat. Blood poured out, the body twitching once before going still.
Yuga paused for a moment, sniffing the air as if something was bothering his nose. He grimaced slightly, flicking his hands in a futile attempt to rid them of the thick blood that still clung to his skin. It was everywhere—on his fingers, his arms, dripping down his side—and the stench was overpowering. But he didn't care. He was used to it by now. He could feel the weight of the battle behind him, the aftermath of his work, but the noise ahead of him caught his attention.
The sounds of loud, raucous cheering reached his ears, echoing through the smoke-choked air. It was strange—a noise so out of place in the midst of destruction, but unmistakably real. He narrowed his eyes, sensing the source. It came from the direction of the bank.
Without a word, reaching down to one of the fallen knights, Yuga grabbed the helmet from the dead man's head and casually placed it atop his own. The cold metal rested heavy against his skull, a temporary disguise that hid his features. He moved through the wreckage, The sound of the cheering grew louder as he drew closer. A contrast to the cries of panic that filled the streets. Amidst the chaos, these men were celebrating, enjoying themselves?
As Yuga approached the entrance to the bank, he stopped in his tracks. Two guards stood lazily by the door, seemingly oblivious to the mayhem around them. They exchanged words, their voices raised above the sounds of the city.
"What the hell are you doing here?" one of the guards called out, eyeing Yuga. "Wasn't your post at the east gate? You're supposed to meet up at the castle! We aren't ready yet, not even close! We need at least an hour, and Darwin won't be pleased if he finds out you abandoned your post."
Yuga didn't answer right away. He didn't need to.
The first guard confused couldn't understand Yuga's intentions and because of that he had no idea what was to ensue.
Yuga seized his wrist slowly sensually, with an iron grip, crushing the gauntlets like paper. The guard's eyes widened in disbelief as his hand shattered under the force. His screams were silenced the instant Yuga kneed him square in the jaw, sending him crashing to the ground, unconscious.
The second guard, realizing what had just happened, pulled his sword from its sheath and rushed in, anger flashing in his eyes. But his attack was a reflex—too slow, too predictable.
Shifting his weight onto one foot, Yuga twisted around the knight in a fluid motion, his hand snapping out to seize the tattered, smoke-stained cape hanging from the man's shoulders. With a sharp yank, he wrenched the knight off balance, dragging him forward before driving a brutal kick into his knee. A sickening crack followed. The bone splintered, jutting grotesquely through the gaps in his metal greaves.
The knight's scream tore through the air, as he instinctively clutched at his mangled leg. Yuga gave him no time to process the pain. His fingers clamped around the knight's throat, lifting him with ease, the man's armor groaning under the strain. Without hesitation, Yuga slammed him against the heavy door of the bank—once, twice, three times—until blood smeared across the wood.
Then, with a final kick, the door gave way, crashing inward as Yuga let the knight's limp body drop at his feet.
Yuga reached up, fingers slipping beneath the edge of the helmet. He pulled it off slowly, letting it drop to the floor with a dull clang. Blood stained his jaw, streaked across his cheek in dark, dried smears, but it was his eyes—those pink slits burning beneath the torchlight—that made the room feel colder than it should have.
The bank, once filled with the sounds of drunken laughter and clinking mugs, fell into an unnatural silence. The knights sat stiff in their seats, hands hovering near their weapons, their faces still twisted in amusement that hadn't quite faded. The glow of candlelight danced in their wide eyes, and Yuga could see it—that creeping hesitation, that slow, sinking realization.
That he wasn't one of them.
A sharp inhale. A chair leg scraped against the wooden floor. Someone shifted, fingers brushing the hilt of a sword. Yuga deeply inhaled before clearing his throat.
"O-Okay, now… I know this looks bad, but let me explain," yuga stammered, raising his hands defensively. "I-I'm a nobleman! I've come to bargain for my safety. I was hoping your leader, Darwin, was free to speak… perhaps?"
One of the knights narrowed his eyes, gripping the hilt of his sword as he stepped forward. "You know Darwin?"
Yuga didn't hesitate. He scoffed, tilting his head as if insulted by the question. "Of course I do. I wouldn't be here otherwise." He exhaled sharply, shaking his head as though frustrated. "Listen, I know a way into the castle. A quiet one. Something your lot might find useful. But if you'd rather waste time questioning me instead of taking advantage of the opportunity, then be my guest."
The knights exchanged uncertain glances before one of them grunted, waving him forward. "Fine. If you're telling the truth, Darwin will want to hear it himself."
They motioned for him to follow, leading him toward the back of the bank. The scent of burning wood and spilled ale filled the air as they passed through the dimly lit corridors, the sound of their boots echoing against the stone.
Then, just as they approached a heavy iron door, one of the knights suddenly spoke up.
"Wait a second." He turned to Yuga, suspicion creeping into his voice. "What noble house are you from? I mean, every noble has a last name… an estate, right?"
Yuga's steps didn't falter, but inside, he clicked his tongue. The question had been inevitable, though he had hoped to avoid it.
He let out a dry chuckle, shaking his head. "Oh, so now you want to verify my lineage? A little late for that, don't you think?" He clicked his tongue and shrugged. "But if it'll make you feel better—House Vaschel. Estate's in the west. Now, are we done playing twenty questions?"
The knight seemed to weigh his response before grunting and pushing open the door. The moment they stepped through, Yuga took in the sight before him.
A courtyard.
The air was thick with the stench of sweat and coin. More men loitered around, some sharpening blades, others stacking crates filled with stolen goods. At the center of it all sat a man with a jagged scar running along his left eye, his dark hair falling just past his shoulders. Unlike the others, he wore no armor, just a loose shirt and dark trousers. His boots rested atop a pile of paintings and bags stuffed with gold and silver, as if the wealth beneath him was nothing more than a common bench.
The men escorting Yuga halted, awaiting instruction. The scarred man lifted a lazy hand and waved them off.
"Leave us."
The knights hesitated, but a single glare sent them retreating without argument.
Now alone, the man leaned forward, his deep-set eyes scrutinizing Yuga.
"I heard you wanted safety from our… extracurriculars," he mused, his tone deep and measured. He rested an elbow on his knee, fingers tapping idly against his leg. "But tell me, why should we help a noble—if that's what you are?"
The scarred man let out a low chuckle, shaking his head as he leaned back on his makeshift throne of stolen riches.
"You must think I'm a damned fool," he muttered, his voice filled with amusement. "A noble, covered in blood, walking into a den of usurpers, claiming he knows a secret way into the castle?" His scarred brow lifted, his gaze unrelenting. "That's a load of horseshit if I've ever heard one."
Darwin scoffed, shaking his head. "You're a terrible liar, you know that?" He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "No noble would be caught dead in that state, and even if they were, they'd at least have the dignity to lie better."
Yuga let out a dramatic sigh, throwing his hands up. "Wow, you got me," he said, voice filled with sarcasm. "You really cracked the case, detective. Guess I'll just go ahead and admit I'm some peasant who tripped and fell into a war zone for fun."
Darwin narrowed his eyes. "Cute. But you still haven't told me what noble house you're from."
Yuga clicked his tongue, crossing his arms. "Does it really matter? I mean, I could say I'm from House... uh… von Steel jaw or some fancy bullshit like that, and what would you do? Send a letter? Call my nonexistent servants? Please." He smirked. "Let's be honest, you just don't like the fact that I got in here without kissing your ass first."
The men in the courtyard chuckled under their breath, watching the exchange like it was a street performance.
Darwin exhaled sharply, rubbing his temples. "Gods above, you're annoying."
"And yet, here I am," Yuga shot back, shrugging. "Which means either I'm really lucky, or you're really bad at keeping out uninvited guests."
Darwin's fingers twitched at his side, his patience visibly thinning. "You sure do talk a lot for someone standing in a den full of killers."
Yuga grinned. "And yet, none of them have killed me yet. Maybe they like me."
Darwin stood up, cracking his neck. The air shifted, tension thickening like a noose tightening around the space between them. The humor drained from the moment.
"You're either the dumbest bastard I've ever met," Darwin muttered, rolling his shoulders, "or the most insufferable." His gaze locked onto Yuga like a wolf sizing up prey. "Either way, I think I'd like to beat the shit out of you."
Yuga stretched his arms, tilting his head side to side. "See, now we're speaking the same language."
Suddenly, the two men marched forward, stopping just an inch apart, their eyes locking with matching smug grins. Darwin's grip tightened around the hilt of his sword, while Yuga remained completely relaxed—picking his nose without a care in the world.
Darwin's smile faltered. His eye twitched as fury overtook him. With a wild swing, he brought his sword across in a horizontal slash, the sheer force of it cutting through the air with a sharp gust.
Yuga, unfazed, suddenly raised his right leg and stomped down onto the massive blade, halting its momentum instantly. The impact sent a shockwave through the ground, forming a small crater beneath their feet. Darwin gritted his teeth, veins bulging at his temple.
With an angry snarl, he barked, "What's your deal?! Am I not enough of a challenge?!"
Yuga merely tilted his head, walking up the length of the sword, his weight keeping the blade pinned to the ground. As he reached Darwin, he casually removed his finger from his nose, inspecting his findings with mild interest before flicking the booger straight onto the center of Darwin's forehead.
For a moment, there was silence.
Then—
"YOU LITTLE—!!"
Darwin let out a furious scream, his entire body seizing up with unfiltered rage. His sword trembled beneath Yuga's feet as he launched into a wild, erratic tantrum, swinging the blade in a frenzy.
Yuga, laughing, kicked off into the air, effortlessly dodging Darwin's chaotic swings, his body twisting midair like a feather caught in a storm. "Man, you're really taking this personally, huh?" he teased, landing gracefully a few feet away.
Darwin, face flushed red, wiped the booger off with the back of his hand, his breaths ragged. "I'm going to skin you alive."
Yuga smirked. "You could try."
Darwin lunged again, his sword carving through the air in a wild arc, but Yuga barely moved—just a slight shift of his weight, letting the blade pass harmlessly by. He yawned, rubbing his eye with one hand while lazily dodging the next few swings, each one sending gusts of wind whipping through the courtyard.
"Swingin' like a madman isn't gonna do much," Yuga taunted, stuffing his hands back into his pockets. "At this rate, you'll tire yourself out before I even have to try."
Darwin's nostrils flared. His swings grew faster, more precise, but Yuga danced around them like a man strolling through a summer breeze. He twisted, ducked, sidestepped—never once taking his hands out of his pockets, never once losing that infuriating smirk.
Then, suddenly, Darwin changed his approach. He feinted a downward slash, then shifted his grip at the last second, turning the blade in a tight arc toward Yuga's ribs.
For the first time in the fight—Yuga's expression flickered.
A thin line of red bloomed against his side.
Darwin's lips curled into a triumphant grin. "Got y—"
Yuga vanished.
Before Darwin could even blink, something slammed into his back. His body lurched forward, his vision tilting as he was launched off his feet. He hit the ground, hard, dirt filling his mouth as a heavy weight pressed down onto him.
Yuga was sitting on his back.
One leg crossed over the other, arms stretched behind his head, looking as relaxed as if he were lounging on a couch.
Darwin twitched. "You—"
Yuga chuckled gleefully. "Man, you really had me there for a sec." He tapped his fingers against Darwin's head like a drum. "But you know what they say—one hit's all you get."
With that, he pushed off Darwin's back with his heel, flipping lazily through the air before landing a few feet away.
Darwin scrambled to his feet, face burning with humiliation. He lunged again, but this time, Yuga met him head-on.
He ducked beneath the swing, closing the distance in a flash. Before Darwin could react, a palm struck his chin, snapping his head back.
Then a fist buried itself into his gut, knocking the air from his lungs.
Then—CRACK—a spinning heel smashed against his temple, sending him careening to the side.
Darwin barely kept his footing, his vision swimming. He grit his teeth, forcing himself to stand straight. "Y-You damn—"
Yuga was already in front of him.
With a grin, he flicked Darwin on the forehead.
That was the last straw.
Darwin roared, gripping his sword with both hands as he raised it high, preparing to bring it down with every ounce of strength he had left.
But Yuga… he just sighed.
Then, for the first time—he removed his hands from his pockets.
Darwin's arms trembled as he raised his sword high, the muscles in his shoulders straining with fury. Yuga, now standing with his hands free, rolled his neck, his grin widening.
"Alright, alright—you've had your fun," Yuga mused, flexing his fingers. "Guess I should start trying now."
Darwin brought the blade down in a brutal overhead slash. The sheer force behind it split the air, kicking up dust and debris. But before the strike could land—
Yuga stepped in.
Not back. Not to the side.
Forward.
His footwork was impossibly smooth, his movement almost lazy, yet somehow, he was inside Darwin's guard before the knight even realized it.
Then—
A sharp jab to the wrist.
The sword wrenched out of Darwin's grip, spinning uselessly through the air before clattering to the ground.
Darwin's eyes widened. "What—"
A fist drove into his stomach.
The breath left his lungs in a violent gasp.
Before he could double over
The force sent the knight staggering, his vision blurred by flashing lights. But Yuga wasn't done.
He surged forward, driving his knee into Darwin's ribs. A sickening crack echoed through the courtyard as pain exploded in Darwin's side.
"Damn, man," Yuga whistled, stepping back as Darwin barely kept himself standing. "Didn't think you'd actually drop your sword. Bit embarrassing, don't you think?"
Darwin growled through clenched teeth, wiping the blood trickling from his mouth. "I… don't need a sword… to beat you."
Yuga raised an eyebrow. "Yeah?"
Darwin lunged.
This time, it was different.
There was no clumsy rage, no wild flailing—just raw aggression. His fist shot toward Yuga's jaw, but Yuga swayed effortlessly to the side, feeling the heat of the strike as it missed by a hair.
However, the fight was already over.
Mid-dodge, Yuga's fingers curled into a fist, slow and deliberate, like the final tick of a clock counting down to an inevitable end. For the first time, a true expression crossed his face—not one of arrogance, nor victory, but something quieter. Something understanding.
A smile.
It wasn't smug. It wasn't cruel. It was the kind of smile worn by men who understood the weight of what came next. A ghost of sorrow flickered in his neon-pink eyes, as if, in some distant part of him, he already mourned what was about to happen.
But mercy was a luxury he couldn't afford.
In a single breath, his stance shifted. His body, once fluid and playful, stilled with a chilling finality.
Then, with flawless precision—
He struck.
The air cracked like thunder.
Yuga's fist slammed into Darwin's jaw with inhuman force, a sickening crunch echoing through the courtyard. The impact was so devastating, so absolute, that Darwin's lower jaw didn't just break—it was torn clean from his face. Bone and flesh ripped apart in an explosion of blood, teeth scattering like shattered porcelain across the ground.
Darwin staggered back, his eyes wide, his hands trembling as they clawed at the gaping ruin where his mouth had been. A wet, guttural gurgle escaped his throat—a sound of disbelief, of agony, of death already creeping in.
Then he collapsed.
His body convulsed on the cold stone, his chest rising and falling in frantic, shallow gasps. Blood gushed from his mangled face, pooling beneath him in thick, dark rivers. His limbs twitched, grasping at nothing, drowning in silence.
Yuga exhaled slowly, his knuckles stained crimson. His hand remained clenched, trembling just slightly, as if something could still be found there.
But it was done.
Yuga then thought to himself.
We all have a reason Darwin and I'm sure you believed yours to be righteous, but my reason my dream was fargreater.
There was no longer a need for bloodshed. Yuga stepped back slowly exhaling in relief before dropping to his knees. Raising his shaky hands covered in blood he began to write on the bricks beneath him. He transcribed strange symbols in a massive circle around Darwin's body and with each one complete they slowly began to glow each one a bright magenta. Suddenly the ground began to shake and crack open as if it were a wretched maw of some strange creature starved and hopeless. The air slowly began to vibrate and small particles emitted a strange color. As the ground swallowed Darwin's corpse a viscous liquid began to swirl into a typhoon before yuga. He then stood up before slowly whispering.
"With this offering, I seek passage beyond the veil. As one of your chosen, I ask for no reward—only the way forward, so that I may walk with my path illuminated before me."
Then with one step forward he fell into the ground disappearing from the world as if he never existed.