Home Sweet Home (and Secret)

The sun rose over Altheria, painting the world in hues of gold and amber. It was a rare, tranquil morning—a contrast to the secrets and shadows that Kain now walked among. The streets of the city bustled with life, but Kain chose a quieter path, one less traveled and far less savory.

He meandered through the winding alleys of the slums, the faint scent of damp earth and stale air clinging to his surroundings. In his hand, he toyed with a simple yet elegant ring, its smooth surface gleaming faintly under the light. This was no ordinary trinket—it was the token given to him by the assassins, a symbol of their secretive world and the dealings with viscount.

As he reached a rundown corner of the slums, a brothel house came into view. The building, though aged and worn, exuded an air of secrecy. Its windows were veiled with heavy curtains, and the occasional flicker of movement hinted at the lives within.

Kain paused at the entrance and slipped on his mask. As he willed it into place, the sleek material shifted and solidified into the visage of a wolf, a symbol that both concealed his identity and warned of his predatory nature. With his face hidden, he stepped inside.

The interior was dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of cheap perfume and muted voices. Without uttering a single word, Kain approached the counter, where a man with a grizzled beard sat flipping through a ledger. The man's eyes darted up as Kain approached, narrowing slightly at the wolf mask.

Kain placed the ring on the counter, sliding it toward the man. The grizzled figure inspected the token closely, his fingers deftly turning it over as though verifying its authenticity. After a moment, he gave a curt nod and reached under the counter, producing a nondescript suitcase.

The suitcase was slid toward Kain, and without hesitation, he accepted it. He didn't bother to open it, trusting the arrangement and understanding the dangers of questioning such transactions. In a smooth motion, he used his storage artifact—a sleek bracelet around his wrist. With a faint shimmer, the suitcase vanished into the spatial storage, safely tucked away for later.

Without another word, Kain turned and exited the brothel house, his figure blending seamlessly into the labyrinth of alleyways. The mask remained on his face until he was certain no prying eyes lingered.

.....

Kain returned home, his steps lighter now that his task was complete. The sun had climbed higher in the sky, casting soft rays through the large windows of the house. As he stepped through the main door, the familiar warmth of home greeted him, accompanied by the lively voice of his sister, Elara.

She stood in the living room, her black hair cascading over her shoulders, her blue eyes—so similar to Kain's—sparkling with an unusual cheer. "Kain, you're just in time!" she exclaimed with a wide smile.

"For what, exactly?" Kain asked, his brow furrowing slightly in confusion.

Elara's smile didn't falter as she explained, "You see, I'm heading out with some friends to watch a movie. Lily's still asleep, but when she wakes up, could you bring her to me in the afternoon? By then, the movie will be over, and I'll be at my workshop."

Kain blinked, taken aback for a moment by the casual request. "Alright, I will," he replied with a faint nod, accustomed to such tasks.

"Great! Thanks, little brother." Elara grabbed her bag and made her way to the door, waving goodbye as she stepped out. "I'll be leaving now. Bye!"

Kain stood in the quiet house, watching the door close behind her. His thoughts drifted for a moment, and a small smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. 'A Sovereign Ascender casually going to the movies and working as a fashion designer. If I told anyone else about this, they'd laugh at me and think I was ignorant.'

Elara's duality always amazed him. She carried the title and power of a Sovereign Ascender, a force feared and respected throughout Altheria, yet she lived her life so mundanely, blending into society as though her strength were no more than a footnote.

With a quiet sigh, Kain made his way to the kitchen, deciding to grab a quick bite before the day's next responsibilities. His niece, Lily, would soon awaken, and until then, he had a rare moment of peace in a life.

The house was quiet, save for the faint ticking of the clock. Kain sat at the dining table, sipping tea, when a soft shuffling sound reached his ears. He glanced toward the hallway, and sure enough, a small, groggy figure appeared at the end of it.

Lily, his niece, stood there, her black hair a messy halo of chestnut curls framing her chubby, sleepy face. She rubbed her blue eyes with tiny fists, clutching a stuffed bunny in her other hand. Her pink pajamas, adorned with little stars, were slightly crumpled from sleep.

"Uncle Kain..." she mumbled, her voice a high-pitched melody that never failed to tug at his heart. "Good morning..."

"Good morning, sleepyhead," Kain replied, his tone softer than usual. He stood and crouched down, opening his arms. Lily waddled over and hugged him tightly, the bunny squished between them.

"I'm hungry," she said, looking up at him with big, doe-like eyes.

Kain chuckled. "Alright, let's fix that, shall we?" He picked her up effortlessly, resting her on his hip as he headed to the kitchen.

Seated on the counter, Lily swung her little legs back and forth as she watched Kain prepare breakfast. He cracked eggs, whisked batter, and poured milk, all under her curious gaze. "Uncle Kain, why are you so good at cooking?"

"Well," Kain said, flipping a pancake with practiced ease, "someone has to make sure you're well-fed, right?"

Lily giggled. "You're the best uncle!"

He smiled at her enthusiasm, setting a stack of fluffy pancakes on the table. "Alright, princess. Breakfast is served."

Lily clapped her hands excitedly and dug in, her cheeks puffing up as she stuffed her mouth with syrup-drenched bites. Kain watched her with amusement, occasionally wiping her face with a napkin when the syrup smudged her cheeks.

Lily was now playing with her stuffed bunny on the couch. Kain raised an eyebrow as he noticed something odd.

"Lily," he said, crossing his arms, "did you brush your teeth this morning?"

Lily froze, her wide eyes betraying her guilt. She slowly shook her head, clutching the bunny tighter. "I forgot..." she mumbled, looking down at her feet.

Kain sighed, crouching to meet her eye level. "Lily, you know you need to brush your teeth every morning, right?"

"I know... but I was really hungry," she said, pouting adorably.

Unable to resist her cuteness, Kain gently ruffled her hair. "Alright, let's make sure you don't forget tomorrow. Deal?"

Lily nodded vigorously, her earlier guilt replaced with a bright smile.