The One in Control

Celia's Perspective:

As I lifted my head and finally got a proper look at the person standing in front of me… I was speechless.

What in the world am I even looking at?

This guy—who I had foolishly mistaken for Kai—was some weirdly dressed man wrapped in bandages, wearing an overcoat and a silly white shirt. Or, at least, I think it was a shirt. Half his face and even one of his eyes were covered in bandages, and with his messy black hair and black eyes, he looked like he'd either walked out of some tragic war… or a really bad fashion disaster.

So much for expecting Kai. Instead, I get this random person who looks absolutely nothing like him.

The man was walking along the dirt path, heading toward Levinton with his finger on his chin, like he was lost in thought. He seemed like one of those guys who'd narrate something overly deep for no reason. "The path ahead is unknown… but alas, I walk." That kind of person.

Then, as if realizing my presence, he glanced at me. And stared.

I stared back.

He kept staring.

Okay… weird. Who even is this random bandage-wrapped wanderer, and why is he staring at me like I'm a rare collectible? I mean, sure, I'm adorable, but that's beside the point.

Before I could call him out, he suddenly spoke.

"Excuse me, this is the path towards Levinton, correct?"

I blinked. Wait, hold on. He talked to me? That was new. Usually, people avoided me like I carried the plague. I am the 'cursed' girl, after all—the one people whisper about in fear. But this guy? He just asked me for directions like I was some normal person.

For a second, I didn't even know how to react. But, recovering quickly, I nodded and pointed toward the path.

"Yep, that way," I said.

"Ah, got it." He nodded in thanks, but just as I thought he'd move along, he gave me another look and added, "You know, little girls like you shouldn't be alone near the forest."

…

Little girl?

LITTLE GIRL?

DO I LOOK LIKE A LITTLE GIRL?!

Excuse me, but who does this wrapped-up stranger think he is?! I am not a little girl! I mean, sure, maybe I'm a bit smaller than average. Maybe I have a cute face. Maybe I—wait, that's not the point!

I clenched my fist and puffed out my cheeks, feeling personally attacked. "I'm not a little girl!" I huffed.

The man raised his hands in surrender, acting as if I was about to throw hands. (Which, let's be honest, was tempting.) "My bad," he said, "Sorry, you must be a lost child, then."

…

Oh, oh, it's war now.

"Lost child?! Do I look lost to you?!" I snapped, throwing my arms up.

"Well, yeah. You're standing in the middle of nowhere, looking confused."

"I was thinking! That doesn't mean I'm lost!"

"Thinking? Huh. Must've been tough."

I gasped. Did he just—

"I'll have you know, my thoughts are very deep and important!"

"Oh? Like what?" He crossed his arms, giving me a smug look.

"Like how annoying people wrapped in bandages should just mind their own business."

"Ouch. I felt that." He placed a hand over his chest like I'd wounded him. "But it's okay, I forgive you. Kids say mean things sometimes."

Oh. Ohhh.

I squinted at him. "Okay, listen here, mummy-man—"

"Wow, mummy-man? That's original."

"Look, I don't know who you are, but I am not a child!"

He gave me a once-over, then raised an eyebrow. "Uh-huh. Sure. And I'm the king of Levinton, they call me Emperor around here.."

"Oh wow, then why don't you walk into town and claim your throne, Your Highness?"

"Can't. I'm too busy being a mysterious traveler with a tragic backstory."

I rolled my eyes. "Oh please, you look less like a tragic hero and more like someone who lost a fight with a roll of bandages."

He let out a laugh at that, and to my complete surprise, I found myself smiling. He was annoying—really annoying—but... kind of fun to talk to? Like an older friend who pokes fun at you just to see you get mad.

Still, I couldn't let him win.

I crossed my arms, giving him a smug smirk. "So, mummy-man, got a name?"

He hummed, acting like he was thinking about it. "I might."

"And?"

"Not telling you."

I narrowed my eyes. "Then I'm just going to keep calling you mummy-man."

He shrugged. "Fine by me, lost child."

I let out a dramatic sigh. "Why do I always meet the weird ones?"

He chuckled. "Fate, probably."

I stuck my tongue out at him.

And for some reason… I found myself laughing.

As he waved, a smirk tugging at his lips, he said, "Anyways, lost child, take care and be safe."

I scoffed, puffing out my cheeks in protest. "I told you, I'm not a lost child! But whatever, mummy-man, don't go tripping over your own bandages on the way." I crossed my arms, shooting him a playful glare.

He chuckled, shaking his head as he turned away, walking down the path toward Levinton.

I let out a small huff before dropping onto the grass, letting the cool earth press against my back. The sky above stretched endlessly, soft clouds lazily drifting by. A breeze ran through my hair, and for once, I felt… light.

Then—his voice carried through the air, smooth and amused.

"The name's Aldric. Just that for you."

I blinked, turning my head slightly, watching as he walked further away, his bandaged figure blending into the road ahead.

A name.

He told me his name.

A small, faint smile crept onto my lips.

It was… nice. Talking to someone. Actually having a conversation where I wasn't met with fear, disgust, or people just flat-out ignoring my existence. It wasn't much, but it was something. A rare little moment where, even for just a few minutes, I felt like a normal girl.

And honestly? That was kind of a big deal.

Maybe today wasn't so bad after all.

"Hmph." I puffed up my cheeks, crossing my arms as I lay flat on the grass, staring at the sky like it had all the answers to my problems. "I really thought it was Kai… but nope, just some bandaged weirdo. What kind of scam is this?"

I kicked my legs up slightly, then let them flop back down, dramatically sighing. "One second I was excited, thinking, 'Oh wow! Kai's here to see me!' and the next? Boom. Some half-mummy, half-sarcastic disaster with an overcoat." I rolled onto my stomach, burying my face into the grass. "I need a refund on my expectations."

I dramatically threw my arms out, lying spread-eagle on the grass. "First, I mistook a bandaged cryptid for my Kai. Next thing you know, I'll be calling trees 'handsome' and falling in love with a particularly well-dressed rocks."

I squinted at a nearby rock. "...No. No, we are not starting that."

I groaned into the grass again, voice muffled. "I need a reboot… and a cookie. Definitely a cookie."

I lay there, face smushed into the grass, fully ready to let the earth reclaim me. "This is nice. Maybe I'll just stay here forever. Become one with nature. Let the wind take me. A leaf girl. A forest spirit."

Then it hit me.

Like a brutal slap of reality straight to the face.

My routine.

My stamina training.

My fifteen-kilometer run.

"...Oh no."

I slowly lifted my head, dread washing over me. "I still have to run. And then practice combat." My voice was hollow, like I had just remembered my own execution date.

I sighed, flopping back onto the grass in defeat. "Why did I make my routine so strict? Why couldn't I have picked something easier, like... I don't know, napping? Competitive snacking?"

I kicked my legs a little, internally screaming. "No, Celia. You promised yourself you'd get stronger. You vowed to be more like Kai. No excuses."

I inhaled deeply, filling my lungs with the crisp air, then exhaled with a long, dramatic groan.

"Alright, fine, FINE. I'll do it. But if I collapse midway through my run, I'm blaming Aldric. For existing. And for not being Kai."

With that, I dragged myself off the ground, pouting the entire time.

It was time to run once again.

While Celia was running and pushing herself to improve, Zain had no luxury of rest. The grotesque situation was only worsening, and now he had another concern—Xander.

Zain's Perspective:

I crossed my arms, staring down at the mess of a human sprawled across my bed. Xander had somehow managed to take up the entire thing—arms spread, one leg dangling off the side, and the blanket barely covering him. His sword, carelessly tossed on the floor, was dangerously close to my foot. The guy was a Sword Saint, yet here he was, looking like he had fought the battle of the century just to turn over in his sleep.

"Xander," I said, my tone firm. "Get up."

His response? A lazy groan followed by a half-hearted attempt to roll over—except he didn't roll. He just flopped onto his side like a dead fish.

"Ten more minutes…" he mumbled, burying his face deeper into the pillow.

I exhaled sharply. "No. We have a guild meeting. Get up."

"Mm. That sounds… really exhausting." His voice was muffled, barely audible. "Just tell the members I died in my sleep or something… They'll understand."

I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Xander."

"Ugh, fine." He lifted a hand, waving it dismissively. "Go on, start the meeting without me. Spiritually, I'll be there."

I grabbed his arm and started pulling. Nothing. It was like trying to move a boulder.

"Why are you so heavy?" I grumbled, yanking harder.

"Muscle density," he replied lazily. "Comes with being a Sword Saint. Can't help it."

"Then move your 'dense' ass off my bed."

"Nah."

I let go of his arm, only to grab his leg and try pulling him that way. His response? He stretched his arms above his head, yawned, and sank even deeper into the mattress.

"You're doing this on purpose," I accused.

"Maybe," he said, smirking slightly.

This guy…

Fine. If force wouldn't work, I'd have to change tactics. I released his leg and stood straight, pretending to consider something. Then, in my most casual tone, I said, "Alright, I'll just eat that limited edition celestial peach tart I brought in yesterday. Thought maybe you'd want a slice, but—"

Xander sat up so fast I almost stepped back. His half-lidded, uninterested eyes were now sharp with suspicion. "…You're lying."

I raised an eyebrow. "Am I?"

He stared at me, trying to read my expression. A second passed. Then another.

"…Tch." He swung his legs off the bed, rubbing his eyes like a child who had been forced to wake up before noon. "If I find out you were bluffing, I'm sleeping on your bed for the next three days."

"You already did that," I muttered.

Xander stretched, cracking his neck. "Yeah, but I'll make it worse. I'll sleep diagonally."

I clenched my fists. "You're a menace."

"And you just bribed me with food," he shot back, finally standing. "Who's the real villain here?"

I sighed. "Just get dressed, Xander."

"Yeah, yeah…" He grabbed his sword off the floor, yawning again. "But seriously, I better see that peach tart when we get there. Otherwise, I'm taking your bed permanently."

I had made a deal with the laziest devil.

I sighed as I pulled open my wardrobe, staring at the neatly folded clothes inside. My room—hell, my whole house—used to be a place of order, discipline, and, most importantly, peace. But the past two days? Chaos. Absolute, unbearable chaos.

And it was all thanks to him.

I cast a quick glance at my bed, where Xander was still sitting, rubbing his eyes like he had just experienced the most exhausting event of his life—waking up. He stretched, yawned, and scratched his head lazily before flopping back onto the mattress.

This man… is supposed to be a Sword Saint? How?

I shook my head and grabbed a dark shirt from the wardrobe, slipping it on. As I adjusted the fabric, my fingers brushed against a scar on my chest—an old wound from a time when my life actually had structure. A time before I had a roommate who thought 'our home' was an acceptable term when referring to my house.

Two days ago, Levi had left for Sylvaris, which was fine. He was the guild leader; he had things to take care of. But before leaving, he had written a letter to Xander, summoning him to help with the grotesques situation. That was a great idea. Really, it was. Except… instead of going to the guild like a normal person, Xander found me and decided my home was the better option.

As a responsible representative of Celestial Apex, I figured I'd be courteous. That was my first mistake.

Because within a single day, Xander had—

- Rearranged my entire furniture setup just to "find the best angle for napping."

- Claimed my favorite chair as his throne and refused to move from it unless bribed with food.

- Somehow managed to eat an entire week's worth of rations, all while complaining about how much effort eating required.

- Started calling my house our house, as if this was some sort of joint living arrangement.

That last one really got to me.

"This is not 'our home,'" I had told him yesterday.

"You sure?" he had replied, tilting his head. "Because, like… I live here now. Feels like it."

"You do not live here."

"Well, I sleep here. Eat here. Breathe here." He had smirked. "That's kinda like living, don't you think?"

I had never felt such a strong urge to throw someone out a window in my life.

Sighing, I grabbed my coat and slid it over my shoulders, straightening it before adjusting the cuffs. I shot another glance at my bed. Xander had finally stood up, though his posture was as relaxed as ever.

He was wearing a loose, wrinkled tunic—half-buttoned, because of course it was—and a pair of pants that looked like he barely put in the effort to tie them properly. His hair? A complete mess. His sword? Hanging from his belt at an awkward angle, like he hadn't even tried to fasten it right.

I rubbed my temples. "You look like you just lost a battle against basic hygiene."

Xander blinked. "Nah, I just didn't feel like winning."

My eye twitched. Why am I dealing with this?

Oh, right. Levi.

That bastard had gone missing for two days now, not even bothering to reply to my messages. He was the reason I was stuck handling this disaster of a human being.

I sighed again, buttoning my coat as my thoughts drifted back to when I first met Xander.

It had been near the edges of Levinton. A grotesque had been lurking around, ready to tear apart whatever unfortunate soul crossed its path. I had barely drawn my sword before Xander moved—swift, effortless, almost lazy in his motions.

But his blade work? Masterful. No wasted energy, no hesitation. He cut down the grotesque in minutes, his expression barely shifting, as if he had just swatted away an annoying fly.

I had been shocked, to say the least. Someone with that level of skill… and this level of laziness?

It still didn't make sense.

Does he even exist? Like, actually?

Before I could lose more brain cells thinking about it, Xander stretched again, letting out another long, exaggerated yawn. "Alright, alright. Let's get this over with," he said, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "The faster we go, the faster I can get back to my nap."

I stared at him. "That's not how this works."

"Sure it is." He strolled toward the door, waving lazily over his shoulder. "Come on, roomie, let's get moving."

I clenched my jaw. "For the last time. This is not our home."

"Yeah, yeah, let's discuss it later. You still owe me that peach tart, by the way."

I took a deep breath. This was going to be a long day.

As we stepped out of the house, I took a deep breath of the fresh morning air, hoping it would cleanse my soul of the absolute nonsense I had been dealing with for the past two days.

Xander, on the other hand, stretched his arms over his head, letting out a yawn so dramatic I thought he might just fall back asleep mid-step.

"You know," he mumbled, rubbing his neck, "waking up before noon should be illegal."

I side-eyed him. "You woke up at eleven-thirty."

"And? That's still too early."

I sighed, already regretting this walk.

Levinton was alive as usual, the streets bustling with merchants setting up their stalls, adventurers boasting about their latest hunts, and kids running around with wooden swords, dreaming of becoming the next great adventurer. The scent of fresh-baked bread from the bakeries mixed with the not-so-pleasant aroma of a nearby stable, creating a unique morning experience.

Xander lazily took in the sights, hands still stuffed in his pockets. "Man… I forgot how much effort walking is. Can't we just take a carriage?"

I scoffed. "You've been living in my house for two days. You haven't spent a single coin. You paying for the carriage?"

He let out a thoughtful hum. "I mean… you're the responsible one. Doesn't that mean you should pay?"

I stopped in my tracks, turning to stare at him. "I should pay?"

Xander shrugged. "Think of it as compensation. I've been suffering under your strict household rules, after all."

"Strict?" My eye twitched. "The only rule I gave you was to clean up after yourself."

"And I did. Eventually."

I pinched the bridge of my nose. "No, you shoved all the mess under my bed and called it 'storage.'"

He smirked. "Worked, didn't it?"

I exhaled through gritted teeth and kept walking. He followed at his own lazy pace, eyes scanning the town like he was sightseeing.

"Levinton hasn't changed much," he mused. "Still got that charming, rustic look. Cozy, in a might-get-stabbed-in-an-alley kind of way."

I sighed. "It's not that bad."

"Uh-huh. Tell that to the guy over there selling mystery meat at half price. Why is it glowing?"

I followed his gaze and immediately decided I didn't need to know.

We passed by a few adventurers clad in mismatched armor, arguing over a quest poster pinned to the town board.

"Slay five grotesques near the southern forest—reward: twenty silver?" Xander read aloud. "Huh. That's a ripoff. One grotesque should be worth at least fifty."

"Not everyone gets to be a Sword Saint, Xander."

"Yeah, yeah. Tragic." He yawned. "Speaking of grotesques, how bad is it? Levi called me here for them, but I never actually asked for details."

I frowned. "We've been getting more reports of grotesque sightings near the town's outskirts. It's not just strays anymore—it's like something is pushing them closer."

"Huh." He blinked. "Sounds bad."

"It is bad."

"…Still doesn't explain why you needed me here, though."

I shot him a glare. "Because you're a Sword Saint, Xander."

"Yeah, but did Levi really think I'd jump out of bed for this?"

I gritted my teeth. "You didn't jump out of bed. I had to drag you out."

"Semantics," he waved off, as if I was the one being unreasonable.

By the time we reached the guildhall, I was already exhausted—and not because of the walk. I was used to Xander's nonsense, but dealing with it was another thing entirely.

Then, I noticed the group of guild members standing outside, their faces pale with panic.

"That," Xander muttered, tilting his head, "doesn't look promising."

I straightened my coat, already bracing myself for whatever mess was waiting for us. "Fantastic."

The moment we stepped up to the guildhall, a small group of guild members turned to face me, their expressions tense. I could already tell something was wrong before any of them spoke.

"Leader Zain," one of them started, giving me a quick salute before flicking his gaze towards Xander, hesitating slightly. "We've been hearing strange fighting noises near the forest. It's been happening for the past few evenings, always around this time. It's loud—like a battle is going on, but no one's ever seen anything when we check. We thought it was just animals at first, but now… it's too consistent."

I frowned, arms crossing. "And no one's been able to find the source?"

The guild member shook his head. "Every time we head out, it's already stopped by the time we get close. But it's been getting louder. We think something's out there."

I turned to glance at Xander, who, despite being a Sword Saint, looked more like a man who had just been told he had to walk a whole mile for food. His shoulders slumped slightly, hands still lazily stuffed in his pockets.

"Sounds like a you problem," he muttered.

Before I could even respond, another guild member jogged out from the guild building, stopping just before me, slightly out of breath.

"Zain! There's someone inside waiting for you—says they have information on the grotesques."

I rubbed my temple. Great. Two issues at the same time.

I had a choice here. The fighting noises near the forest could be important—if something was drawing grotesques closer, or worse, fighting them before disappearing, I needed to know why. But this visitor… grotesque-related intel wasn't something I could ignore either. The fact that they came here instead of reporting it through normal channels meant it was either urgent, sensitive, or both.

If I left the noises unchecked, we might lose the chance to find out what's causing them. But if I ignored the visitor, I'd risk missing valuable information that could help us prepare.

I clicked my tongue. Either way, I needed to split the workload.

My eyes naturally drifted to Xander.

He yawned, scratching the back of his head. "So… what's the move?"

I already knew what he'd say if I asked him to go check the noises. Some half-asleep excuse, a complaint about how troublesome it was.

So I went with the only thing that had worked so far.

"Xander," I said, keeping my voice level, "if you go with the guild members to check it out, I'll make sure you get the best steak Levinton has to offer. Extra portions."

For the first time since waking up, his eyes actually showed a flicker of life. "…You're serious?"

"As serious as I was when I had to drag you out of bed."

Xander exhaled through his nose, stretching his arms. "Man… you really know my weaknesses, huh?"

"It's not that hard," I deadpanned. "You only care about sleep and food."

"Hey, that's not true," he defended lazily. "I also care about… uh… wait, don't rush me—"

I gave him a flat stare.

"…Alright, fine. But if this turns out to be nothing, I'm making you pay for dessert too."

"Deal," I said instantly, wanting to lock it in before he could change his mind.

Xander sighed and turned toward the waiting guild members, who all looked slightly hesitant. It was clear they were nervous. After all, Xander wasn't just any swordsman—he was the Sword Saint of Mastery. People talked about him like he was a mythical being, a prodigy among prodigies. Standing in his presence, even while he was acting like a lazy bum, made them visibly unsure of how to treat him.

"Uh… we appreciate your help, Sir Xander," one of them said cautiously.

Xander waved them off. "Yeah, yeah. Just lead the way before I change my mind."

They nodded quickly, still a little awkward. Then, they turned toward the forest, leading him off.

I exhaled, shaking my head before stepping into the guildhall to meet this so-called visitor.

Levi, you owe me for this.

Xander's Perspective:

I should've just stayed in bed. Seriously, I've been living my life fine, just chilling, and then Zain had to go and make things difficult.

Ugh, Zain, you know I hate moving for nothing. What's the point? I'm not going to be the hero here, and last I checked, nothing's on fire or exploding. If it's really that important, someone else can take care of it.

But then... the extra steak.

That was it. He knew exactly how to bribe me—just one extra portion of steak and I'm suddenly the one walking to the woods like I'm on some noble quest. As if I'm going to pass up a full meal just because it's inconvenient.

I bet it's some random monster or animal making noise. Honestly, if I could just sleep through the whole thing and let someone else handle it, I would. But... steak.

I stretch out a bit, not really feeling the need to rush. The guild members trailing behind me seem uneasy, which honestly doesn't surprise me. I can practically feel their nerves crawling in the air. It's like they're expecting me to do something big, something heroic. But all I'm here for is the steak, and maybe a good nap after.

One of the members, a younger guy with his eyes darting around, tries to speak up but stumbles over his words. "Uh... X-Xander, about the noise… you heard it, right?" His voice cracks, and he swallows nervously. He's probably more nervous being around a Sword Saint than the noise itself.

I sigh and give him a half-hearted look. "Yeah, I heard it. What's the big deal? I'm here now. So… tell me. What's with all the racket?"

Another guild member, a girl with glasses, steps forward a bit. "Well... we've been hearing loud crashing sounds, like... things smashing against each other. Not just a one-time thing, though. It happens almost every evening around the same time. It's... it's like someone's fighting. Hard."

"Hmm..." I raise an eyebrow, squinting into the distance as if the noise was still hanging in the air, waiting to be picked apart. "Every evening, huh? Sounds like someone's got a routine. What kind of fighting are we talking about here? Like… someone doing a little practice sparring with a tree or something?"

The girl with the glasses hesitates but answers anyway, "No, it's... much louder. Crashing, smashing. You can almost feel the force in the ground. It's definitely more than just some normal practice."

"Sounds like someone's making a mess," I mutter, already losing interest. But then, a thought crosses my mind. "Any idea who's doing it?"

The younger guy looks even more uncomfortable. "Well... we didn't get close enough to check, but we thought maybe it was a monster. It seemed... violent, like the sounds of a battle, you know?"

I let out a dismissive noise. "Monsters... please. Monsters don't have that kind of rhythm. This sounds like a person. Or a bunch of idiots. But I'll go check it out. Don't want you all thinking some random monster is wrecking the place. Then you'll all get paranoid, and I'm not in the mood for that."

The members exchange glances, and one of them, a taller guy with a nervous fidget, asks, "You'll be alright on your own, right, Xander? It's kind of... strange, and who knows what it could be..."

I roll my eyes and wave them off. "I've got it under control. Don't worry about me. Now, let's go. I need to get this over with."

As we walked further from Levinton, I couldn't help but glance back at the town. It wasn't much to look at, honestly. Small, cramped, with buildings that were sturdy but lacked character. It had that cold, utilitarian vibe to it—practical, but not exactly inspiring. People went about their business, stuck in the grind, never stopping to ask if they were actually happy. That's the kind of place Levinton was.

We reach the spot where the noise seems to have been coming from, and I stop dead in my tracks.

What I see is... unexpected. There, in the clearing, a girl with white hair and red eyes is cutting through the trees like they're nothing more than paper. But it's not just the trees she's cutting. It's the way she's doing it. She's using cursed magic, chains—or maybe thorns? I can't really tell what they are—flailing out from her hands, slicing through the trunks with precision. She's alone, utterly focused, moving with the kind of grace you only see in someone who's practiced something to perfection.

The guild members behind me whisper among themselves. "That's Celia," one of them says, his voice quieter now. "She's the cursed girl Levi let stay with him at his house."

I squint, not really caring about the details. I'm more interested in the fighting style she's showing off. Huh. So this is how she trains? Interesting.

I lean back against a nearby tree, crossing my arms. "Efficient, I guess," I mutter. "But it looks like a lot of stamina's involved. All that flailing around... It's not the most elegant way of doing things. Then again, it works. But who needs that much effort? Seems like a lot of wasted energy to me." I yawn, pushing myself off the tree and walking a few paces closer, still observing.

I let out a lazy breath, letting the tension in my body drop completely. "Guess she's got her own style... but I don't know. Doesn't seem like the kind of thing I'd bother with. Too much effort for something that could be done in half the time, with half the movement." I glance at the others behind me, catching their wide-eyed expressions. "You know, I'd probably just cut everything down in one swing. Too bad that would be too boring."

I shake my head and call out to her, my voice slow, almost as if I couldn't be bothered.

"Celia," I say, watching her stop mid-motion and turn her head toward me.

Zain's perspective:

I slowly made my way to my office, my boots tapping softly against the stone floor. The echoes of the guild halls seemed to fade into the background as I neared my door. My guild members had mentioned a visitor, someone with information on the grotesques. There was an unsettling chill in the air, a faint sense of unease I couldn't quite shake.

I pushed open the door, and my eyes landed on the man sitting in the chair. His figure was obscured by bandages, his presence unsettling but not in the typical way. It wasn't the kind of disquiet that comes from a monster or an enemy, but rather the calm discomfort of someone who knew too much and wielded that knowledge like a weapon. I paused, sizing him up.

He didn't look like anyone I knew, but there was a certain weight to his presence that demanded attention. He didn't speak immediately, merely sat there, eyes hidden behind those layers of bandages. I didn't know if it was arrogance or calculation, but I wasn't going to let it slide.

"You're the one," I said, keeping my tone steady, though my words were sharp. "The one with information about the grotesques?"

The man stood up slowly, as if on his own terms, like he was never in a rush to be anywhere. His movements were deliberate, measured. He didn't give off the vibe of someone trying to prove anything. If anything, he seemed to be more interested in testing me, in seeing how I would respond.

"That's correct," his voice was smooth, almost too smooth. There was a playfulness to it, like he knew exactly what he was doing, and he liked it.

He paused, letting the silence stretch just enough to keep me on edge, then added, "The name's Aldric," his words almost sliding off his tongue, as if the name itself carried weight. He didn't elaborate, didn't offer more than that, as if I should already understand the significance behind it—or perhaps, the lack thereof. The bandages covering his face only made his presence more unnerving, like an enigma wrapped in mystery, daring me to dig deeper.

I didn't offer a handshake. Instead, I nodded once. "Zain Kaelith," I said, keeping my voice steady. "Second Leader of Celestial Apex. Now, what exactly is it you think you know about the grotesques?"

Aldric's lips curled into a half-smile, though his face was nearly fully obscured by the bandages. He took a step forward, his presence shifting in a way that felt like a test.

"I know everything, Zain," he said, his voice low but piercing. "More than you ever will. That's why I'm here." He leaned in slightly, his tone lowering, as if he were about to reveal a secret. "You're facing something far beyond your understanding. The grotesques? They're not just beasts. They're a method. A tool. A piece in a much larger game."

I crossed my arms, staring at him. "Spare me the riddles. What do you want?"

Aldric's eyes glinted beneath the bandages, as if he was savoring this moment. He took a deliberate step closer. "What do I want? Hmm... I want you to listen, Zain. Really listen. Because what I'm offering could save your guild, your people, and quite possibly, your life."

I narrowed my eyes at him, trying to remain unaffected. "And why would I listen to someone like you?"

He laughed softly, the sound like a knowing chuckle. "Oh, I think you will. You will because you know you need to. Because you're in a position where every decision weighs heavier than the last. You know the grotesques aren't just beasts to slay. You know that the war you're fighting is a losing one, unless you take the right steps." He paused, letting the words settle between us, before continuing, his tone now almost condescending. "But you don't need to take my word for it. Do you, Zain? You know how to make your own decisions. I just... help you see things clearly."

I stood there, unmoving, letting his words wash over me. I wasn't foolish enough to let my guard down, but I wasn't going to dismiss him either. There was something in his words—something unsettling, yet strangely compelling.

"You think I'm desperate, don't you?" I asked, voice flat. "You think that I'll take anything that promises a way to stop the grotesques."

Aldric's smile widened. "I think you know when to strike, Zain. And right now, you know this is a strike you can't afford to miss. It's not desperation. It's awareness. You're a leader. You understand the weight of every decision. So... think of me as someone who's simply offering you the tools to make the right one."

I paused. He was good—too good. He wasn't trying to convince me with fancy words or promises of power. He was playing on my awareness, my responsibility. It wasn't something I could ignore, and the worst part? It was working.

I sighed, stepping back and pulling a chair out from behind my desk. "What do you want in return?"

Aldric took a slow step toward me, his tone still light, but there was something dangerous lurking underneath it. "Nothing. For now. But I will need you to remember this moment, Zain. The moment you chose to listen." He gestured to the table beside my desk, where a thick document lay, waiting. "Everything you need to know is in that report. The grotesques' weaknesses. How they think. How to fight them. It's all there."

I stared at the document for a moment, before reaching for it. I didn't trust this man—not by a long shot. But the information was too crucial to dismiss, and deep down, I knew I'd be a fool not to take it.

I grabbed the document, feeling the weight of it in my hand. "We'll see," I said, my voice steady, though I couldn't quite shake the feeling that this was only the beginning of something much more complicated.

Aldric gave me a small, knowing smile, as if he'd won the first round. "Oh, Zain, we already have, haven't we?"

I skimmed through the first few pages of the document, my eyes widening with every paragraph. This wasn't just some quick rundown; this was a detailed, fourteen-page report on the grotesques. Every weakness, every behavior, every tactic—they were all laid out with meticulous precision. There was no way this was fabricated. This was life-changing information.

But as I turned the pages, a thought struck me, and I paused. I looked up at Aldric, who was standing in that relaxed, almost mocking posture.

"Where did you get this?" I asked, voice sharp. "This—this is insane. It's too detailed. Too accurate."

Aldric leaned back, crossing his arms, that smirk still playing on his face. "Oh, this?" he said nonchalantly. "I wrote it myself, obviously. Not every day you get the time to write up a little handbook on how to obliterate monsters." He shrugged, his eyes gleaming. "What can I say? I have a lot of free time."

I narrowed my eyes, not fully buying it, but I couldn't afford to dig too deep just yet. I turned back to the document, now fully engrossed in it, every piece of information pressing me forward.

"You're kidding," I muttered under my breath as I read more. "This… this could actually give us the edge we need."

I continued flipping through the pages, but it was hard to shake the feeling that Aldric was watching me like a hawk, enjoying the effect this had on me. Finally, I closed the document and sat back in my chair, still in shock. "This… this could change everything. With this, we could actually win. This might be the thing that turns the tide against the grotesques."

Aldric's smile faded into something darker. Slowly, he began walking over to me, his footsteps silent but heavy. When he reached my desk, he didn't stop. He continued moving until he was standing directly in front of me, his gaze sharp, his presence overwhelming.

"So now, Zain," he said in a low, almost predatory tone, "let's speak about my demands for this information."

I raised an eyebrow, leaning back in my chair. "You've already given me the information. It's in my hands. Technically, I don't have to give you anything."

Aldric's lips parted into a wide grin, though his eyes never lost their intensity. The smile was mocking, almost cruel, and it shifted the atmosphere in the room completely.

"Well, Zain, you see," he drawled, his tone shifting back to that playful sarcasm, "in return for all this wonderful knowledge, I need you to do something for me. It's a simple thing, really. Just obey one little order of mine."

I wasn't about to let him push me around. "The document's already in my hand. I don't see how you have any leverage left."

Aldric's laughter rang out, but there was no humor in it. It was hollow, dark, and his eyes grew colder as he took a step forward, his body leaning in, almost as if he were savoring this moment.

"You see, Zain," he said, his voice suddenly lower and more sinister, "the thing is, not everything in that little document is real."

My breath caught in my chest. "What?" I snapped, my pulse quickening.

Aldric's grin widened, his eyes glittering with amusement. "Out of the fourteen pages, eight of them are complete fabrications. Misinformation." He paused, letting the weight of his words settle in. "If you were to follow that report blindly, you'd be setting your members up for failure. And I'm sure you can imagine the kind of destruction that could cause. The grotesques would grow stronger. Their attacks would become more vicious. Your guild would be obliterated."

I froze, my fingers tightening around the document in my hand.

Aldric's expression grew serious. "But if you obey me, if you do exactly as I say, I'll tell you which parts are lies and which parts are the truth. I'll give you the real weaknesses, the true path to victory."

His aura shifted, darkening in a way that made the room feel colder. His eyes bore into me, unblinking, his power radiating with a weight that threatened to crush me under its intensity.

I could feel the manipulation, the pressure mounting. He wasn't just trying to get me to follow his orders—he was bending me to his will, pushing me into a corner where I had no choice but to yield.

I couldn't help but admire the brilliance of his tactic. He was using the most basic human fear against me: the fear of loss. The fear of making the wrong choice. The fear of letting my people down. And with it, he was making me doubt myself, doubt the very information I had in my hands. The moment I considered the possibility that the information might be false, it was as though I had no choice but to follow him. To trust him. To obey.

Aldric had made it clear—without him, I would be walking into a disaster. He knew exactly how to exploit my responsibility, my desire to protect those I cared for, and he was using it to force my hand. He wasn't just manipulating me with threats—he was manipulating me with my own doubts.

This was the kind of psychological warfare that could bring even the most steadfast to their knees. And Aldric knew it.

In that moment, I understood just how dangerous he was. His mind was sharp, calculating. He wasn't just a man with power—he was a master at making others dance to his tune.

And I had just become another puppet on his string.

Aldric's breath was warm against my ear as he whispered, his voice dripping with that same, unsettling calm. "C'mon, Zain. Time's running out."

I could feel the pressure rising in my chest, a knot of reluctance and frustration tightening. Part of me still believed I could crack the code of the documents myself, or better yet, with the help of my guild members. We were intelligent, resourceful—there had to be a way to figure out the truth without becoming a pawn in Aldric's game.

I had access to their minds, their expertise. Together, we could analyze the information. Maybe there was a way to decipher the truth in those pages, find the hidden inconsistencies, and bring the victory to our side without bowing to his demands. After all, this was bigger than me.

But then, I thought about Aldric's presence. He wasn't just some low-level manipulator. The way he'd already infiltrated my thoughts, how easily he'd twisted the situation in his favor—it was like he knew exactly what strings to pull. He wasn't someone you could push around, not like the others I had dealt with before. His mind was sharp, a predator who could read every one of my moves, and he wasn't scared of anyone. He was a deadly player, and I could sense it, taste it.

Could I afford to risk it? Could I really go against someone who was this dangerous?

But... the document was in my hands, and I couldn't just let him use me like this. I couldn't. It wasn't just my pride; it was the principle of it all. I wasn't going to kneel to this man's whims.

I took a slow breath, feeling the weight of his gaze on me. Then, something inside me hardened.

No. I couldn't do it. I wasn't going to let him win.

"Fine," I said, my voice cold, matching the resolve that was growing within me. "I won't accept your demands. I don't need your help. You've given me the information, and I'll handle the rest."

Aldric's expression didn't falter at first, but I could see the flicker of something darker behind his eyes. He took a step closer, his posture relaxing into a threatening calmness.

His voice, when it came, was coated in something cruel, something deeper. "Are you sure, Zain? Because you'll find out, sooner or later, that information like this comes with a price." His tone darkened, dripping with malice, and his smile twisted back into something sinister.

I couldn't help the satisfaction that rose in my chest as he stepped back. I thought I had won. No strings. No deals.

But Aldric wasn't done. His eyes were colder now, the mockery gone, replaced with something far worse. Something dangerous.

"Oh, Zain," he said, his voice lowering to a dangerous whisper, "then perhaps I'll have to make my own move." His words were slow, deliberate, as if savoring the dread they created.

I narrowed my eyes. "What do you mean?"

Aldric's smile turned darker, twisted. "I'll just have to make sure Levinton is wiped off the Celestine map, then."

Confusion crept into my mind. "What are you saying?"

Aldric took another step forward, leaning in close again. His breath was cool against my ear as he whispered, "Let's just say I know everything about how your guild does things, Zain."

A cold shiver ran down my spine. His words were laced with an icy certainty, and suddenly, I felt like I was no longer in control of this conversation. I wanted to pull away, but something kept me rooted to my spot, locked in his gaze.

Then, his voice shifted again, this time colder, more murderous than I could have imagined.

"Hidden arena," he whispered, as if each word was a weapon. "Deep inside the guild's stronghold. A place where… weaker members are forced to fight each other. Survival battles. The winners… they get higher rankings, privileges. Things like that."

I froze. My chest tightened, my blood running cold. How—how could he know that? The arena was supposed to be a secret. The one thing even most of the guild didn't know about. It wasn't just a tradition—it was a necessity for those in our ranks who wanted power. But it wasn't supposed to be known. Not by him.

Aldric's voice lowered further, becoming even more chilling, the final death sentence. "But the ones who lose… they're discarded. Or worse. Used for training exercises by the stronger members. They just… they vanish. Some of them never come back. Where do they go, Zain?"

I couldn't answer. I couldn't even think. My mind was swirling, trying to reconcile the impossible with the terrible truth he was laying out. How did he know?

Aldric leaned closer, his smile still devilish. "Anyone who tries to leave the guild… they're hunted down. Killed. Or worse. Some are taken for experiments. By you, Zain. And I know that much."

The words crashed through my defenses like a tidal wave. His voice became a taunting melody that echoed in my skull, over and over again. There was no way he could know this. There was no way he could have uncovered our darkest secrets.

But he had.

He knew everything.

My heart raced as I looked at him, unable to speak, unable to think clearly.

"Don't pretend like you're the only one in control here," Aldric said, his voice cold and sharp. "I know exactly how you keep your little secrets. And if you refuse my deal, I'll make sure they all come to light. Your guild won't even know what hit it."

I felt the sweat trickling down the back of my neck, my hands suddenly clammy. How—how had he found this out? The arena was hidden, kept under wraps for a reason.

Aldric's voice grew even more unnerving, each word wrapped in a cruel cadence that seemed designed to rattle my very core.

"You know," he said, his tone light, almost conversational, "I've seen Levi at Sylvaris. I've seen him go to Requiem, asking for their help. A simple request, really. But have you ever wondered what would happen if I told Requiem everything? About how your guild operates? The little 'secrets' you so desperately try to hide?"

I felt my pulse quicken, a sinking sensation building in my stomach. I didn't like where this was going.

"What will happen?" I asked, trying to mask the unease creeping into my voice.

Aldric leaned in slightly, his eyes narrowing, his smile curling into something colder, sharper. "Oh, nothing really," he said. "But once I tell Requiem these little facts… I don't think Sylvia or Alina would be willing to help a so-called 'guild' like yours anymore." His gaze was deathly, the kind of look that could freeze the air around it. "You see, Zain, you've got a lot more to lose than you think."

I swallowed, trying to keep my voice steady. "What do you mean?"

He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he stared at me with that same, sickening intensity. "As for Xander," he continued, his words deliberate and measured, "he's already very lazy, don't you think? I don't think he'd lift a finger to help a guild where such things happen. He's already too comfortable."

His words pierced deeper, like knives being twisted. Every mention of those close to me—the ones I relied on—felt like a betrayal in itself.

"You see, Zain," Aldric said with a dark smile, "once I reveal all of this to them, it guarantees that they'll walk away from your side. You'll be left with nothing. Not the guild, not the alliances, and certainly not the strength to fight the grotesques."

His eyes glinted with malicious satisfaction. The weight of his words was like chains clamping down on my chest. I could feel my will crumbling beneath the gravity of his threats. I had no way out. I couldn't deny it.

It was over.

I took a deep breath, trying to maintain some semblance of control, but the reality was undeniable. My options had been reduced to dust. I couldn't refuse him—not anymore.

Aldric's eyes gleamed with the triumph of a hunter who'd caught his prey. "Good boy," he purred, as if I had just done exactly what he wanted. He walked up to me, his hand brushing lightly over my shoulder in a strangely intimate gesture. It was like he was mocking me, demeaning me with a touch that made my blood run cold.

I barely reacted. My mind was clouded, a mix of anger, frustration, and the deep sting of betrayal.

"What do you want from me?" I managed to ask, my voice strained, but controlled.

Aldric's smile widened, his eyes gleaming with dark amusement. He leaned in close, his voice lowering to a dangerous whisper. "Simple," he said coldly. "I want all of your guild members guarding the town to return to the stronghold. Leave it empty for a week. Just a week, Zain."

I felt the ground shift beneath me, the impossible nature of his request crashing over me like a tidal wave. I stepped back instinctively, the words sticking in my throat as I tried to process what he was asking.

"That's impossible," I said, my voice tense with disbelief. "A grotesque attack could happen at any moment. We need every single member out there for defense."

Aldric's smile didn't waver, but his eyes turned into something colder, something more lethal. "Impossible?" he echoed, his tone dripping with malice. "What's impossible, Zain, is thinking you have any control left. You're going to let me do this, or you'll watch everything you've worked for crumble to dust. I'm giving you a choice, but make no mistake—you'll pay the price either way."

His words felt like the slow, agonizing press of a vice on my chest, each syllable squeezing the air out of my lungs.

"You think this town matters, Zain?" Aldric asked, his voice now venomously calm. "You think it'll still matter when your guild is scattered, when those closest to you turn their backs, when Requiem knows the truth? You'll be left with nothing. So ask yourself, what's more important? Your pride or your guild's survival?"

I could feel the blood draining from my face as his words wrapped themselves around my mind. He wasn't just threatening me anymore. He was threatening everything. Everyone. My guild, my people, the very foundation of what I had spent years building.

It was blackmail, manipulation... and the worst part was, I could feel myself slowly giving in. The fear was creeping into my bones.

"You think you have a choice, Zain?" His voice dropped to a low, mocking whisper. "You think you can protect this town, this guild, with your pride intact? You think you can stand tall and defy me without watching it all come crashing down around you? How delusional."

He took a step forward, and my body stiffened instinctively, my pulse racing.

"Your guild, Zain," he continued, every word dripping with disdain, "will fall apart faster than you can rebuild it. I know exactly what will destroy your reputation—what will make everyone you've fought so hard for turn against you. The towns people will rebel, the alliances will shatter, and your precious Celestial Apex will be nothing more than a forgotten name in history. A dog's tail wagging for scraps."

I felt my heart clench. He was no longer threatening just me; he was threatening the very foundation of everything I'd built. Every person who believed in me, every ally who trusted me.

Aldric's eyes narrowed, a gleam of sadistic pleasure flashing in them as he spoke next, almost as though savoring the moment. "You're just a dog, Zain. A dog that thinks it has the luxury of barking at the chain it's shackled to. But if you bite the hand that feeds you, it will break you. And when that happens, I'll be there, watching as everything you've worked for crumbles to dust."

The words hit harder than any blade ever could. My heart raced, every nerve in my body screaming to find a way out, to fight back. But there was no way out. No fight left in me. Not when he had taken everything I valued and turned it against me.

His voice turned smooth, like oil on water, cutting through my fear and hesitation. "So, you're going to listen, aren't you? You're going to do exactly what I say."

My breath caught in my chest. I hated him. I hated this feeling, the feeling of being reduced to nothing but a pawn. I wanted to resist. I wanted to scream, to tear this man apart with my own hands. But the weight of his threats—the very real destruction he was promising—left me powerless.

"Fine," I said, my voice strained but steady. "I'll do it."

Aldric's smile returned, dark and triumphant. He walked up to me, brushing a hand through his messy hair, like he was caressing something precious. "Good boy," he whispered, his words as cold as ice.

I wanted to lash out, to slap the condescending smile off his face, but I held myself back. The last thing I needed was to show weakness in front of this monster.

He stepped back, and with a flourish, handed me a new set of papers. "Now," he said, his tone almost casual, "the documents I gave you? From one to eight? Throw those out. Fake. Misinformation. All of it. But the rest—those are the real deal. Focus on those."

I blinked, my mind racing. What was he playing at now? He went from holding me at gunpoint to playing a sick game of troll.

"Wait… so the whole time… those were…" I couldn't finish my sentence. My brain was still catching up to the absurdity of it all.

Aldric saw the confusion in my face, and his lips curled into a smirk. "Oh, don't look so surprised, Zain. It's funny to watch you scramble for control when I've already got you on a leash."

The nerve of him. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. From blackmail to mockery in a single breath.

As I stood there, staring at the pile of documents in my hands, I couldn't help but question everything. Who the hell was this guy?

He'd just been holding me hostage with threats, shattering everything I'd worked for, and now he was acting like some deranged prankster, twisting my mind into knots. Was this his game? A sick, twisted dance where the stakes were life and death—and yet he treated it all like it was some grand joke?

"You know, Zain," he said, his voice light and playful, "I always thought you'd be more… intimidating. But here you are, just standing there looking like a confused puppy. It's almost cute."

I frowned, clenching my jaw. "Cute? Is that really what you're going for right now?"

He chuckled, the sound light and mocking. "Oh, come on, it's just a little friendly teasing. You should learn to take a joke, Zain. Don't worry, I'm sure you'll grow into the whole 'tough guy' thing. Maybe by the time you're in your next life, huh?"

I rolled my eyes. "What's with the sudden shift in mood? One minute, you're threatening to ruin everything I've built, and now you're cracking jokes like we're old pals?"

Aldric tilted his head, his grin never fading. "Oh, you know. It's important to keep things interesting. Otherwise, it gets so dreadfully boring. And who needs that, right?" He winked, as if everything was a game to him.

"Besides," he continued with a playful smirk, "I've already twisted your world into a pretzel. Now it's time for the fun part—watching you try to untangle yourself. You'd be amazed how much fun I have with these little games."

I couldn't help but be irritated by his playful demeanor. "You're twisted, you know that?"

He shrugged, his smile widening. "Takes one to know one, right?"

I scowled, still unsure how to even process everything he had just done. "So, what now? You've got what you wanted, you've made your demands, and now you're what—just going to waltz out of here and pretend everything's fine?"

Aldric let out a short laugh, and for the first time, there was a hint of amusement in his voice. "Oh, you sweet summer child. I'm done here, Zain. My work is finished. But don't think for one second that you've escaped. No, no, no." He stood up and stretched, like he was just getting started with a long, grueling day. "I've set the stage, and now it was my turn to change fate."

I stared at Aldric, his words hanging in the air like a heavy fog. "I've set the stage, and now it was my turn to change fate." What the hell did that mean?

Was he implying that everything up until now was just a prelude to something far worse? Something he was orchestrating behind the scenes? My mind raced as I tried to piece it together. What was his real game? Change fate—those words echoed in my thoughts, a chilling whisper of something far more sinister.

Before I could dive deeper into my thoughts, the door to my office burst open with a force that made me jump. A guild member rushed in, breathless and wide-eyed.

"Zain, it's about Xander…" the man panted, his voice filled with panic.

I narrowed my eyes, already feeling a knot of tension in my stomach. "Why the hell are you screaming?"

The guild member didn't seem to notice my irritation. His expression was too frantic, too terrified to care about anything other than the urgency of his message.

"It's about Xander, Zain!" he repeated, his voice quivering. "He's fighting with Celia… near the forest. It's getting serious. The noise—it's—it's..."

I cut him off, my frustration growing. "What happened between those two?"

The guild member gulped, looking even more terrified as he struggled to find the right words. "I—I don't know exactly, but Celia was causing a ruckus, yelling and—arguing. And then, it escalated. They're really going at it, Zain. A fight broke out... I'm afraid one of them might get seriously hurt."

My mind immediately went into overdrive, the situation more critical than I realized. Xander was no joke, and neither was Celia when she was angry. If those two were clashing like this, something had gone horribly wrong.

My thoughts were interrupted when I glanced at Aldric, the sense of unease in the pit of my stomach growing.

I opened my mouth to tell the guild member I needed to leave. But before I could say a word, I noticed the sudden shift in Aldric.

His eyes, those deep, black voids, were now radiating a dangerous blue aura. It wasn't just a flicker of magic—it was a storm of power, raw and unfathomable. His entire demeanor had changed, his earlier playful tone now gone. He was as cold as steel, every inch of him radiating murderous intent.

Aldric's lips curled into a cruel smile. "I'm coming as well."

"Aldric, you can't—"

His voice was low, almost a growl. "It's a demand, not a request. I'm coming with you."

I wanted to argue, to tell him to stay out of this—this wasn't his problem, after all—but the words stuck in my throat. I couldn't. That look in his eyes, that aura—it left no room for refusal.

I clenched my fists, knowing full well I didn't have a choice in the matter. "Fine. Let's go."

Without another word, Aldric and I were already moving, running out of the guild building, heading towards the forest where Xander and Celia were in the middle of their fight. Every step felt heavier as the weight of the situation sank in. Whatever Aldric was planning, I had no idea, but something told me this was about to get much, much worse.