CHAPTER 8: CHAPTER 8 - VELDERA CITY.

An hour later, Veldera City.

"Oi, look at that outfit—bet it costs more than my shop," a fish vendor muttered, jabbing the butcher with his elbow.

The butcher, a big man with arms like slabs of meat, squinted at the figure walking through the gates. "And that hair. Blacker than your blind grandfather’s vision. What is he, some noble’s brat?"

"Could be. Or a noble himself."

"Doesn’t look like any lord I’ve ever seen. Too quiet. Too... sharp."

"Sharp?"

"Like a blade waitin’ to be drawn."

The city was always noisy, always alive, but wherever he walked, the sound thinned out. Not silence, not really. More like when prey freezes because something bigger just stepped into the den.

Kael walked through the gates like they were his own. His black hair moved in the breeze, his coat trailing, boots clicking against the stones. His face didn’t show much—half-lidded eyes, bored, posture loose—but the space around him buzzed like it wanted to break.

People noticed him before they even looked at him.

Beside him, Lyra tugged her hood low, steps small and quiet.

She’d pulled the hood from a hiding place outside the walls, but even with it she felt exposed. Almost everyone here knew her face. The lord’s reward for her capture had spread like rot through the city. A walking bounty.

She felt every stare, every murmur, every guard stiffening when they passed.

Two young women sweeping outside an herbalist’s shop paused mid-stroke, staring.

"Who’s that?" One whispered.

"Gods, look at his face. He’s like one of those temple statues."

"He looked at me—I think I’m pregnant."

"No, he looked at me!"

Lyra didn’t need to look to know Kael was hearing every word. She could feel his mood rising beside her.

"Don’t encourage them," she muttered.

"I didn’t do anything," he said, almost innocent. "I was just walking."

"You were walking like a storm about to destroy the city."

Kael tilted his head. "Hm. Should I tone it down?"

"No, just—don’t smile at anyone again."

"I was considering it."

"No."

He smirked. "You’re no fun."

Truth was, he was enjoying himself. Every stare, every hush of conversation, it made him feel alive. Curious. Hungry for more.

They passed a fruit stall where an old man crossed himself and whispered, "Demon... or angel. Can’t tell the difference these days."

Kael chuckled low. "That one’s wiser than most."

"Please stop scaring people," Lyra groaned.

"I’m not scaring anyone."

"Then why is that child hiding behind a barrel?"

A boy peeked out, clutching a wooden sword, eyes wide. Kael lifted a hand in a small wave.

The boy shrieked and disappeared.

"...Okay," Kael admitted. "That one might be scared."

They were cutting through the market when a sharp voice barked, "Halt!"

Kael’s eyes slid toward it, no tilt of his head, no movement. Just the eyes.

A guard marched over, squat, stubbly, face set in a permanent scowl. His armor looked like it hadn’t been scrubbed in weeks, and the halberd in his grip was more prop than weapon.

His gaze went to Kael, then Lyra, then back to Kael. His lip curled, but he stopped himself from sneering outright.

"You two. Names and business in Veldera."

Kael blinked slowly, voice cool. "We’re walking."

"Don’t get smart with me, pretty boy. Names."

Kael tilted his head. "You think I’m pretty?"

"I said—"

"I’m flattered."

The guard’s face reddened. Whether from anger or embarrassment, no one could say.

"I’ll warn you once," he growled. "You look like trouble. No guild tags, no crest, no escort. What noble walks around like that, huh?"

It wasn’t wrong. The citizens might have been fooled, but guards saw the cracks.

Kael’s expression soured. He didn’t like that look. Weak men shouldn’t look at him that way.

His eyes sharpened—barely—but the guard stumbled back anyway, sweat breaking on his forehead. That look wasn’t human. It was the look of something old and hungry.

The guard’s anger curdled into nerves. Maybe Kael was some noble in disguise. Better not risk it.

"...What’s your name?" he asked again, softer this time.

Kael’s fingers twitched.

Lyra saw it, her stomach dropping. ’He’s going to kill him.’

She stepped in front of him, pressing a hand to his chest. "Please," she said softly, steady. "There’s no need."

Kael didn’t answer.

"He doesn’t know," she added carefully. "He doesn’t understand. Let it go."

A pause. The air was taut, one step away from snapping.

Then Kael’s hand lowered. "Fine."

The tension broke.

The guard tried to look firm, but his shirt was clinging to his back with sweat. "Tch. Don’t cause trouble."

Lyra bowed her head. "We won’t."

The guard turned, trying to walk away with some dignity. His knees had other plans.

Step. Wobble.

SPLAT.

He hit the stone face-first, helmet clanging off and rolling into a barrel. His body skidded half a meter, ass sticking up in the air like a banner of shame.

Silence.

"...At least his ass is bouncy," someone muttered.

"Pff—" Lyra slapped her lips shut, fighting back laughter.

Kael didn’t bother. He laughed quietly. "Graceful."

The guard scrambled up, face blazing red, helmet dangling in one hand. He spun, glaring—

—And froze. The memory of that suffocating presence slammed into him. His glare melted into a shaky smile.

Without a word, he scuttled away, boots tripping twice before he broke into a near-run. His fellow guards, watching from a distance, all turned their heads as one. Didn’t see a thing.

But as he disappeared, his eyes burned. His lips moved, whispering words no one else could hear.

"I won’t let this slide."

No one heard. Except Kael.

He even saw the man duck behind a shop, thinking himself hidden.

’Hm,’ Kael hummed. ’That could be interesting.’

He turned to Lyra. "You stopped me."

"I did."

"...Why?"

"I can’t let you kill every idiot who insults you."

"You can’t always stop me."

"I’ll try."

"It’ll take you a long time."

"I have time."

Kael stared at her, eyes narrowing. Something stirred, strange, unfamiliar. Even his instincts were quiet.

So he walked on.

Lyra let out a shaky breath and followed, closer than before.

Kael glanced toward the shop, where the guard was still lurking. ’Now’s the right time.’

His finger twitched, as he used his magic, and the next second, wind surged.

Whoosh—

The air stilled.

Lyra gasped. Her hood had blown back.

"Shit!" She yanked it down again, heart pounding, as every head turned. As if pulling it back up could erase what they’d seen.

Kael grinned because—

"CAPTURE THEM!!"

The ugly guard was already charging with his friends at his back.