The Invitation
Ko'oni dropped to her knees, gasping for air.
Her fingers clutched at her temples, as if trying to rip the very thought out of her skull.
"What... what are you doing..." she rasped.
"Shut up... SHUT UuuuUP!"
The masked figure took a step forward.
The voice was calm. Ominous.
"The Great Lord Osh…"
"What did you do to her?!" Cain snarled, stepping forward.
His sword trembled in his hand.
Ko'oni screamed.
It felt like someone was pounding inside her skull.
Like fists slamming against the walls of her mind, trying to break out.
"Shut uuup!" She clamped her hands over her ears—
but the sound didn't stop.
It was inside her.
It knew her.
"The Great Lord—"
Cain struck. No warning.
His blade sliced through the night, nearly catching the enemy—
But the mask moved.
One swift motion—he seized Ko'oni.
The next instant, they were already on the rooftop.
High above. Out of reach.
The masked figure raised a hand.
Touched a finger to her forehead.
A soft green glow flared at his fingertips.
Ko'oni twitched… and went limp.
He turned to Cain from above.
As if looking down from a throne.
"The Great Lord Osher, ruler of this city, wishes to see you both."
Cain stood below, gripping his sword.
His teeth clenched. His shoulders shook.
He didn't scream—not yet.
The mask stared down at him like a spider eyeing a fly.
And then—he dropped her.
Cain surged forward.
His heart hammered like a war drum.
He leapt, reached out, tried—
But shadows closed in.
They were everywhere.
Hands.
Bodies.
Cold, silent force.
They pinned him to the ground.
One stomped on his sword hand, holding it down.
Another gripped his head—forcing him to watch.
To see her.
The girl.
Falling like a ragdoll.
"KO'OOOONI!!!" The scream tore out of him, raw and broken.
He fought. He thrashed.
It was useless.
She should have died.
But she didn't.
In the last possible moment, the one who threw her—was suddenly below.
As if he'd carved out a moment in time.
He caught her by the leg.
Inches above the ground.
And stared at Cain.
Through the mask.
Through the slits—like gashes in hell.
Insane. Sadistic. Alive.
He didn't look away.
Not even as he tossed her back up like a lifeless doll.
Another masked figure caught Ko'oni body on the rooftop—coldly. Mechanically.
The one below stepped forward.
Slowly.
Step by step.
He came closer to Cain.
Cain panted.
His whole body shook with fury.
He was almost howling.
"The Great Lord Osher, ruler of this city, wishes to see you both."
Cain said nothing.
He could break free.
Try. Die.
And she—would die too.
The sword in his hand was pinned beneath the enemy's boot.
He looked at them.
At her.
At himself.
He hated them.
He hated that she was here.
But even more—he hated himself.
For not being able to stop this.
For letting that girl…
Get in the way.
Put herself in danger.
Make him weak.
Cain shut his eyes.
Then, with a sharp breath—he let go of the sword...
His jaw loosened.
He surrendered.