Chapter 5: A Kiss of Blades and Lies

The back alleys of Astradel weren't quiet anymore.

Lucien and Selene ducked beneath a crumbling archway, breathing hard. Every corner of the capital now buzzed with knights, divine sensors, and floating patrol spheres. The Radiant Church had mobilized fast.

Too fast.

Lucien leaned against the cold wall, eyes narrowed. "They were prepared. That wasn't a random sweep."

Selene nodded, brushing dust from her robe. "We tripped a divine tether when I opened the book, but… they moved like they knew you'd be there."

Lucien's jaw tightened. "He knew. Cedric."

Selene hesitated. "What are you going to do?"

"Not die this time."

He said it flat, not with that cheesy 'determined protagonist' tone. It wasn't a promise to the world. It was just a decision.

A fact.

> Daily Quest: Survive the Hunt (Incomplete)

Objective: Evade capture for 24 hours. Penalty: -1 Level.

"Seriously?" Lucien muttered, glancing at the system. "Not even time to breathe?"

Selene looked at him, confused. "Huh?"

"Nothing," he lied.

He didn't want to explain the system yet. He didn't even understand half of it himself.

Selene peeked through a crack in the wall. "We need shelter."

"There's a safehouse. Old Thieves' Guild base near the slums. It was mine. Before everything."

She looked surprised. "You were a thief?"

Lucien gave a lopsided grin. "Villain, remember?"

---

The slums of Astradel were worse than Lucien remembered. Rotting wood, broken lanterns, starving kids with hollow eyes. The Hero's reign brought peace to the nobles… but left places like this forgotten.

They slipped into a half-collapsed tavern. Lucien pulled a hidden lever behind the bar. A section of the floor creaked open, revealing a tunnel below.

"Romantic," Selene whispered sarcastically as they descended into the dim shelter.

"Cozy," Lucien replied. "Home sweet home."

The room below was small, lined with crates and faded maps. Old weapons and mana crystals lay forgotten in the corners. Dust swirled in the lanternlight.

Selene lit a candle, then slumped onto a crate, finally letting out a breath. "I've never done anything like this before. Sneaking, running, lying…"

Lucien sat across from her. "Welcome to the dark side."

She laughed softly. "You're not what I expected."

He raised a brow. "What did you expect?"

"A bitter, brooding monster."

Lucien smirked. "I'm working on it."

---

Silence settled between them for a moment.

Then Selene spoke again, quieter.

"Do you remember… dying?"

Lucien looked away. "Yeah. Every second."

He remembered the cold steel in his back. The false smiles of the crowd. Cedric's glowing blade. The cheers.

And worst of all…

Selene saw his face darken and reached out.

"You're not alone anymore."

He stared at her hand for a moment.

Then took it.

Warm. Real.

---

> Affinity Increased: Selene - 15%

Bond Perk Unlocked: Mana Sync (Lv.1). When casting spells together, cooldowns reduce by 10%.

Lucien blinked. "Did… something just happen?"

Selene tilted her head. "What?"

"…Nothing."

He let go of her hand and stood. "I'll take first watch."

But before he could turn, Selene suddenly stood and leaned in.

Their faces inches apart.

"I meant what I said," she whispered. "You're not alone."

And then… she kissed him.

Quick. Soft. But not hesitant.

Lucien's eyes widened.

She pulled back with a slight blush and turned away quickly. "I… I should sleep."

Lucien stood frozen for a moment, then chuckled under his breath.

> New Title Gained: First Kiss of the Reclaimed.

Selene has accepted your path. Fate bends in your favor.

"System, you're weird," he muttered.

---

Meanwhile, in the palace's inner sanctum…

Cedric stood before a glowing orb, surrounded by High Priests and church generals. The walls were lined with runes—divine surveillance magic.

The orb displayed static at first.

Then an image.

Lucien. In the slums. With Selene.

Cedric's knuckles cracked. "She's betrayed the light."

"She is the Threadbearer," said one priest nervously. "Maybe fate intended—"

"Fate answers to me now," Cedric snapped.

He turned to Lady Iria. "Send a covert squad. Don't engage yet. I want them watched. I want their allies uncovered."

"And if they escape again?" Iria asked.

"Then let them."

His eyes gleamed.

"I want Lucien to believe he's winning… before I tear everything from him again."