Injection

After an hour of back-and-forths, chatting about miscellaneous topics, Cypher finally set down his wine glass.

His fingers lingered against the smooth surface, tracing the rim absentmindedly, as if reluctant to part with it. Eventually, he relented, the glass settling onto wood with a soft clink.

They had spoken about many things, but the one topic that stood out was the the moon's sunset. A strange phrase, yet a real and natural phenomenon in this world.

Every three months, the lunar body followed an unusual trajectory, dipping below the horizon in an imitation of the sun's descent, only to halt and reverse course at the last moment. It was as if the moon itself were playing a trick, teasing those who watched before returning to its proper place in the sky in a bizarre celestial sleight of hand.

The firelight flickered across Cypher's face as he wiped a few strands of unruly hair from his eyes and turned toward Luther.

"Are you ready? You're not afraid of needles, are you?" His voice carried a faint note of amusement as he reached behind his waist.

Luther let out a dejected sigh, his shoulders sagging. The candlelight cast elongated shadows across his features, making his weariness all the more apparent.

"I only wish I could have enjoyed myself a little longer." He exhaled slowly, then gave a small, resigned nod. "I'm not sure… but do what must be done."

Cypher didn't start immediately. Instead, he glanced at Drake, who met his gaze and gave a silent nod of confirmation,"Okay, let's begin."

The metal needle glinted under the chandelier before piercing Luther's skin. He inhaled sharply as a thin line of blood welled up from the puncture. Cypher was impeccablely precise, pressing down on the injector with care, releasing a minute amount of cowpox-infected pus into his bloodstream.

Though he did not use too much. The goal was a controlled infection, not an outbreak. This wasn't like the modern world where risks could be take. There, medical advancements made vaccines safe.

Here, their was no safety net if Luther faced a full infection his immune system could not handle.

The faint scent of soap mixed with the lingering aroma of wine and candle wax. Luther clenched his jaw but made no complaints as Cypher withdrew the needle, dabbing the wound clean before wrapping a bandage over it.

"There, all done." Cypher straightened and gave Luther's shoulder a firm pat, his touch deliberately light, "Go and get some rest. The coming days will be painful, but in the end, you'll be a hero."

"He's right." Drake leaned forward slightly, swirling the remaining wine in his glass before setting it down. A small, genuine smile tugged at his lips. "Thank you for having confidence in us."

Luther returned the smile,"Please, it's not me who should be thanked, but both of you."

He pushed himself up, the chair scraping softly against the floor. "I'll be off now. It was a pleasure meeting you, Deacon. May Endo watch over you always."

With that, he turned and strode toward the upper floors, his footsteps fading as he disappeared beyond the hallway.

Cypher watched him go, expression unreadable. Then, he made a final remark, voice almost sarcastic, "And may He watch over you."

His words lingered in the air for a moment before he turned to Drake. A knowing smirk played on his lips, "Congratulations, Baron. Today is the beginning of history."

Drake scoffed, shaking his head as he reached for his cane. "Oh, please. This is barely a footnote in the empire's history. I doubt we'll receive any recognition for it."

Outside, the wind howled in melancholy, slipping through the cracks in the window frames with a ghostly whistle. Small droplets of rain pattered against the glass, light and playful, like a thousand tiny fingers tapping for attention.

Cypher let out a satisfied yawn, rubbing his temple as exhaustion crept into his bones. "I think I should head to bed too. Wouldn't want to lose sleep at a time like this."

"Yes, you're absolutely right." Drake stretched his legs, rolling his shoulders. "All this wine has made me sluggish. I suppose I can't be drinking like I used to."

Cypher chuckled as he straightened his posture, preparing to retire for the night, "Well then, I'll see you tomorrow, Baron."

Just as he was about to step away, Drake spoke one last time.

"And… thank you."

The words were simple, but something in Drake's tone made Cypher pause. The Baron's fingers tightened slightly around the head of his cane, his grip trembling just enough to be noticed.

"Luther may have already said what needed to be said, but I want you to hear it from me. I'm grateful, from the bottom of my heart." He exhaled, his voice laced with something something far heavier than mere gratitude, "This world is scarce of people who see the plight of others. Sometimes, all I see are demons wearing human faces… but I think you've shown me not all hope is lost."

His gaze was steady amd unwavering,"Truly, Cypher Ren. You have my respect."

For a moment there was a small silence between them.

However, Cypher did not look back. He simply resumed walking, his footsteps quiet against the floorboards.

"Goodnight, Drake." And with that, he was gone.

The hallway stretched before him, dimly illuminated by the flickering glow of candle sconces. Shadows wavered along the wooden walls, shifting and elongating with every step he took. The scent of aged wood and wax filled the air, mingling with the faint traces of tobacco and wine that still clung to his coat.

Stepping through a creaking wooden door, Cypher entered his quarters. The room was modest to the point of being almost barren. A single drawer stood against the wall, its five compartments empty, a quiet testament to how little he owned. The ebony wood bore faint scratches or signs of past occupants who had stayed in this very room before him.

At the center of the room, a double bed awaited him, its thick red quilt slightly rumpled from where a housekeeper had prepared it. The fabric caught the faint glow of candlelight, deepening its crimson hue. Across from it, mounted above the wall, hung a single bird mask with lenses that shone in the low light, reflecting the room with eerie clarity.

Cypher exhaled slowly, shrugging off his coat and draping it over the doorknob. His boots came next, hitting the floor with a dull thud as he stretched his limbs with an exaggerated yawn.

A small sound whispered from the window, a delicate click, followed by the soft rustle of feathers. The latch shifted, and through the narrow gap, a small avian figure slipped inside.

Rain flapped its damp wings, shaking off the lingering droplets of water before settling beside him on the bed. Its feathers, dark and glossy, still carried the scent of the outside world. Without hesitation, it nestled against his side, pressing close like a child seeking warmth.

Cypher didn't move away. He barely even noticed the dampness seeping into the quilt.

"I think tomorrow, we shouldn't visit the Undercity..." His voice was low and casual, almost lazy as he turned on his side, facing the bird. "What do you say? Want to cause some more trouble while we're there? That ability of yours is always entertaining."

Rain chattered its beak in response, a series of sharp clicks filling the quiet room.

"I knew you would."

Smirking, Cypher waved his hand, snuffing out the candlelight with a burst of air. The room fell into darkness, the last flame died out soon after.

For a few moments, only the sound of Rain's soft breathing and the distant patter of liquid against the window remained. The storm outside continued, but Cypher let himself sink into his own mind as exhaustion finally pulling him under.

Not long later, he drifted into the Dreamworld.