Shadow pushed open the heavy door and stepped into the strategy room, the weight of the cooking ingredients in his hands grounding him. The dim light from a lantern flickered across the walls, making the shadows dance. He sighed and set the vegetables on the table, calling out into the silence.
"Nova? You here?"
No answer came. The room was eerily still. Usually, Nova would pop up with a sly grin or some smart comment, but now there was nothing. The silence wasn't peaceful—it pressed down on Shadow like a warning. His instincts screamed at him to stay sharp.
Before he could react, movement flickered at the edge of his vision. A glint of steel sliced through the air as an attacker leapt from the shadows. Shadow's body moved on its own. His hand shot up, grabbing the assailant's wrist mid-swing. With a grunt, he shoved them back, pinning them against the table.
A familiar laugh broke the tension.
"Haha! Still too slow, little brother," Shadow teased, smirking down at the struggling figure.
Nova's face came into view, his expression twisted in frustration. "One day," he growled, pushing against Shadow's grip, "I'm going to beat you. And then we'll see who's laughing."
"Big words," Shadow said with a chuckle, releasing his grip. "We'll see if that day ever comes."
Nova scowled but couldn't hide the grin tugging at his lips. Shadow ruffled his hair, earning a swat at his hand. "So, did you bring what I asked for?" Shadow asked, stepping back.
Nova gestured to the pile of vegetables on the table. "Of course. Only the best, as always. Looks like we're eating well tonight."
Shadow grinned, his earlier tension fading. "A feast it is," he said, his voice lighter. But as they started unpacking the goods, the mood shifted again. Shadow noticed Nova's movements grow slower, his expression turning serious.
"What's wrong?" Shadow asked, leaning against the table.
Nova hesitated, then nodded towards the book with the golden crest Shadow had retrieved earlier. "Did you get it?"
Shadow followed his brother's gaze to the book and felt a small flicker of pride. He grabbed it and handed it over. "See for yourself."
Nova took the book carefully, as if it might shatter in his hands. His fingers traced the embossed crest on the cover before he opened it. As he flipped through the pages, his eyes widened. It wasn't just a book—it was a piece of history.
The book told the story of Emperor Vixor, a name whispered in both awe and fear. He had been a man of legend, someone who had united the warring human kingdoms when no one else could. Back then, the lands were chaos, torn apart by endless battles and petty rivalries. But Vixor was different. He didn't just fight; he planned, manipulated, and conquered with precision.
The pages described how he built his empire. First, he forged alliances, playing rival leaders against each other. Then, when the time was right, he unleashed his armies, cutting down anyone who stood in his way. It was bloody work, but it worked.
Vixor wasn't just a warrior; he was a mage. His magical power terrified his enemies. The stories said he could command entire battlefields with a single spell. Even his name struck fear into those who opposed him.
Nova's fingers lingered on a page describing one of Vixor's greatest battles, and for a moment, he was lost in the story.
"How much do you think we can sell that for?" Shadow's voice snapped him out of his thoughts.
Nova looked up, frowning. "Sell it? Are you serious?"
Shadow shrugged, his eyes calm and calculating. "Everything has a price, little brother. Even history."
Nova shook his head, disbelief written all over his face. "But this isn't just some old book. It's… it's priceless."
"Exactly," Shadow said with a smirk. "Which means someone will pay a lot for it."
For a moment, Nova hesitated, torn between his respect for the past and the reality of their world. Finally, he sighed, closing the book and handing it back. "Fine. But promise me—find someone who understands what it's worth."
Shadow took the book and gave his brother a reassuring nod. "Don't worry. I always do."
Far from the safety of their hideout, in the cold depths of an underground chamber, something darker was happening.
A figure stood over another, their faces hidden by shadows. Blood pooled beneath them, staining the stone floor. The one pinned below coughed, their voice shaking with anger and fear.
"How dare you! Do you even know who I am?" they spat, their defiance clear even as they trembled.
The standing figure didn't answer. Instead, they raised a boot and brought it down hard. A sickening crunch echoed through the chamber as the victim's struggles ceased. Blood splattered against the stone walls.
Golden eyes gleamed in the dim light as the figure stepped back, surveying the carnage with cold amusement. "You talk too much," they muttered, brushing off their coat. As they turned to leave, their gaze drifted to their bloodstained shoes.
"Great. Now I need new boots," they said with a soft chuckle.
But just as they reached the exit, they paused. A sly smile spread across their face as they looked back, their golden eyes glowing brighter.
"Hmm," they said, their voice low and full of curiosity. "Someone interesting has the book. Let's see how far you'll go, little shadow. I'll be watching."