Alex stormed out of her house, feeling both sadness and anger wash over her. The air outside was crisp, but it did little to cool her anger. Her father's cold words echoed painfully in her mind, leaving her feeling completely torn apart. She hugged her arms around herself, wandering aimlessly into the night.
As she neared the edge of the property, a figure came into view. Standing beneath the faint glow of a streetlamp, Daman's familiar silhouette softened her emotions a little. His eyes met hers, filled with genuine concern.
"I saw you leaving the house..." he said quietly. "I wanted to make sure you were okay."
Alex managed a small, weary smile. "I don't know if I am okay… but thank you for being here."
Daman offered his hand, and without hesitation, she took it, feeling comfort in his warmth. "Let's go somewhere quiet." He suggested gently. "We can talk, maybe it will clear your head a little."
They walked together in silence, eventually arriving at an old children's park nearby. The place was empty and quiet, making it a perfect place to regain composure. The swings creaked softly as the night breeze blew. They sat down on a worn wooden bench beneath the shadow of a slide.
After a moment, Alex broke the silence, her voice heavy. "My father… he's so distant. I feel like we're just growing further and further apart. Today's my birthday, and he didn't even remember… He just wanted to lecture me, discipline me like I was some stranger, not his daughter."
Daman looked at her. "If he's like that, why do you keep going along with what he wants? Can't you just… leave?" He asked.
She shook her head, her gaze falling to the ground. "I can't… because he's my only family. I love him.. And, in a way, I owe him. I have… a debt."
"A debt? With your own father?" Daman's brows knitted in confusion.
Alex's lips tightened slightly. "I can't explain everything right now. I hope you can forgive me."
He squeezed her hand gently, offering her a reassuring smile. "It's okay. You can tell me when you feel like doing it."
Hearing this made Alex smile, but, before she could respond, a chilling presence swept over the park, prickling her senses. Alexandra's eyes widened as she turned toward the line of trees, her instincts flaring up. Shadows shifted among the branches, and she could feel the air grow heavy with malice.
"Daman..." she whispered, her voice tense. "We need to leave..."
But then, from the shadows emerged a tall, imposing figure, masked and ominous. His voice, smooth yet threatening, echoed through the empty park. "My Lady… do you remember me?"
A shiver ran down her spine as she recognized the voice. It was someone from her past, someone who once served her family. Old memories she'd tried to bury came rising up.
"You…!" she gasped, her voice wavering with a mixture of shock and anger. "How are you still...?"
"Oh, my Lady, it pains me to think about that day...." He feigned sadness. "After our goodbye, how could I not seek you out again? I heard you lost some memories. Pity… if only you could remember what happened that day."
His tone was dripping with menace, and even through the mask, she could sense his cruel smile.
"You still know how to spout nonsense." She spat, forcing herself to stay calm. "I don't remember what happened that day. And I don't care."
"Then perhaps I should help shake up your memory." He motioned to the shadows, and in an instant, assassins stepped forward, readying themselves to strike.
To Alex's surprise, it was Daman who took action first. His hand moved to his side, muttering a quiet incantation, and with a flash, a sword appeared in his hand. It was no ordinary blade. Alex immediately realised which blade it was.
"Astrael…!" Her eyes widened in disbelief. But there was no time to dwell on it.
Without hesitation, Daman leaped forward, Astrael glinting under the dim light. He moved with swift precision, cutting through the assassins with deadly grace. Alexandra could only watch, stunned by his speed and skill, her heart racing as she saw him defend her so fiercely.
But the masked leader, had his sights set on Alexandra. He waited for Daman to become occupied with the others before advancing on her.
"Alex! Look out!" Daman's shout cut through the night.
She turned just as the leader lunged at her. Instinctively, Alexandra sidestepped, grabbing his wrist and twisting it sharply. He grunted in pain, and she followed with a powerful knee to his stomach, knocking him back.
The leader recovered quickly, with amusement in his eyes. "Impressive. You've been training."
He lunged at her again, faster this time, but Alexandra met him head-on, dodging his attacks and countering with a series of rapid punches. Each blow was precise, fueled by her simmering fury. The leader staggered, clearly underestimating her strength.
Across the park, Daman fought off the remaining assassins, glancing back at Alexandra with a mixture of pride and concern. But just as he dispatched the last of them, the leader put distance between them, his eyes glinting behind his mask.
"I've seen enough." He then looked at Daman, before turning away. "We will meet again."
Before either of them could react, he threw a small sphere to the ground, releasing a thick cloud of smoke that swallowed the park in a hazy darkness.
"Daman!" Alexandra called, her voice cutting through the murky air. But by the time the smoke cleared, the assassins had vanished, leaving her and Daman alone in the eerie silence.
"That f*cking...!" Alexandra shrieked, her voice laced with disbelief and anger.
Daman blinked, momentarily shocked to hear her curse. Then he shook it off, hurrying over to her, Astrael still in hand. "Are you alright?"
"Yes, yes, I'm fine. Are you hurt anywhere?" Her voice softened with worry as she looked him over.
He smiled, brushing it off. "I'm fine." But his smile faded when he noticed her gaze locked on his hand—on the sword he still held.
"Don't you have something to tell me?" she asked, a hint of suspicion in her voice.
Daman raised a brow, giving her an equally pointed look. "Don't you have something to explain too? Like why a group of assassins is after you?"
Alex sighed. "I guess there's no hiding it anymore… Let's go back to your place. We can talk when we are there."
Daman's mouth fell open, caught off guard. "You're staying… at my house?"
"Is that a problem?" she asked, feigning innocence, her eyes glinting with amusement.
"No… no, not at all." He quickly composed himself, trying to play it cool, but his nervous smile betrayed him.
"Good." she said, flashing him a small smile as she started walking. "Then let's go."