Chapter 459: Trial (2)

Ruka POV

"I'm surprised that no one is recognizing us." Leilah said, "I thought people would try to swarm us."

"Well thanks to not recognizing us, their eyes are giving us a different message...especially the drunk ones."

I'm surprised that Leilah can hide her presence so well, but then again...she learned it from Lilith and Maple to hide them. Lilith occasionally disguises as a mortal and blends in, so she's a bit of an expert while Maple sometimes attends Funerals as a mortal as well, so the skill of hiding their presence is required.

Fortunately, though, Leilah can hide herself here, her presence used to scare animals a lot out of their minds, they didn't like her at all, and humans and demons were the same...but without it now, we're just some random visitors.

It was a strange irony, being both conspicuous figures in certain circles and completely anonymous in others. Amidst the chaos of the night market-like camp, our anonymity became our cloak, allowing us to move through the crowd more easily.

"Well, that's unfortunate for them, I'm already taken." Leilah responded and flashed me her stupid ring

"Focus on the mission."

"I am, already sensed him close by."

"Really?"

"Yeah, he's good, but I'm surprised that Alban couldn't find him here or anywhere else, he's better than me at this."

"Well, they've been working with each other for years now, Tanner probably learned how to hide from Alban, unlike us, since we've been gone for centuries, he'd probably forgotten what we look like by now."

"Even so, he should still recognize our presence nearby, let's go." Leilah insisted.

*****

In the heart of the camp, amidst the swirl of activity and the vivid chaos of the night market, I finally laid eyes on my brother. He stood tall and resolute, his presence commanding a sense of quiet strength that contrasted with chaotic surroundings.

He looks to be in his early 30s, is 190 cm tall, and has light orange hair and orange-colored eyes. He wore a long, weathered coat with intricate detailing, beneath the coat, he donned a simple yet well-fitted shirt and he wore just simple trousers.

In the midst of the rebel camp's vibrant chaos, my brother found solace in a corner, surrounded by a mix of paints and canvases. A half-finished painting, a masterpiece in the making, captured his focused attention.

|That last sentence was suggested by Grammarly...it's a bit too formal, but I hate seeing the stupid blue underline.|

He sat cross-legged on a worn rug, his makeshift easel standing proudly before him. With a serene intensity, he meticulously applied strokes of vivid orange against a backdrop of deep blues and fiery reds. His brush danced across the canvas with purpose, each movement deliberate and infused with emotion.

One thing about him though...He possessed the rare gift of painting magic, a versatile and extraordinary ability that transcended the boundaries of traditional sorcery.

What set his magic apart was its versatility. He could weave protective enchantments into his paintings, creating shields that shimmered like a mirage or crafting enchanted objects that manifested from the canvas into tangible reality. His art wasn't just a representation, it was a gateway to a new spell where imagination and magic intertwined and combined into one.

My brother's magic is like a painter's palette, but instead of colors, he wields the elements themselves. With a mere painting in the air, he can summon fire, manipulate water, stir up the wind, and even shape the earth. It's as if he's a walking embodiment of all the elements, a true master of nature's forces.

He was Dad's favorite when we were younger as he possessed Dad's creative outlet and talent for creation, he just used it for art instead. What's even more astonishing is his ability to bring his creations to life. Using his magic, he can create golems and other life forms. 

"Did Dad put you guys up to this?" he asked

"How are your clothes still clean? Didn't you have a philosophy of artists being messy?"

"I've learned to keep the chaos on the canvas, not on my clothes."

"The author has been using too much of 'chaos' lately."

"I've developed a few tricks to keep my attire intact while I work my magic. After all, a clean canvas allows for a clearer mind... and cleaner clothes"

"Please," Leilah pleaded, "You need to break away from this. The rebellion, it's too dangerous. It's only a matter of time before it leads to... to your end."

"Sis, I know you worry," he replied with a gentle yet resolute tone, "But I can't turn away. This cause, these people, they're fighting for something they believe in, something I believe in. I can't abandon them."

"Your life is more precious than any position or cause you seek within this rebellion. You don't have to put yourself in harm's way. So what if your lover isn't the demon lord? I understand your dedication, your passion, but your safety, your well-being, they matter more to me than any position or mission."

"I appreciate your concern, sister. But this fight, this rebellion, it's something I believe in. I have to see it through."

If pleading isn't working, if he won't willingly step away from this fight, perhaps we need to resort to more drastic measures. I may not care for him much since we are no longer as close...but he's still my brother...it was the same with Isfrid, I may hate his ideals and brooding...but I still cried when he died...

Of course, Tanner won't die...but losing a lot of his memories...that isn't ideal. The idea of kidnapping him away from the conflict seemed extreme, even desperate. Yet, in the face of the potential danger that loomed over him, it felt like the only option left.

After all, Dad just said to pull him away from this, him and his lover.

I shook my head, trying to banish the absurd mental images. Kidnapping? Seriously? I'm not Perseus.

Maybe I needed to come up with a less extreme, more convincing plan to get him out of this mess. But in that moment of exasperation, the idea of an over-the-top rescue mission felt strangely tempting. After all, who said family interventions couldn't involve a touch of absurdity?

"Where is your lover?"

But first, I need the location of his lover for this to work.