"My Lord, should I ask Serphine to bring dinner?"
Xavier stared at Valac's back whose eyes were staring up at the starlit sky.
"No. I'm not hungry. I'll be resting before going tomorrow. Make sure no one comes in before the first ray of dawn."
"Yes, My Lord. Good night."
Valac stood in the middle of the room, his eyes still fixated on the stars twinkling faintly in the dark sky.
Valac's mind wandered, contemplating the events of the night that awaited him. The air in the room was still, save for the faint chirps of a snoring Lav, now curled up on the bed, fast asleep.
Valac let out a long sigh, feeling the weight of responsibility pressing down on his shoulders.
I need to hurry up and finish quests. My revenge cannot die. Teran must pay.
Valera…
Just as Valac began to relax as he turned in the direction of his bed, a soft shuffle broke the silence.
Valac's instincts kicked in, and without turning, he muttered, "You really need to work on being quieter, Nico."
From the window, Nico's figure emerged, his golden eyes glowing faintly under the moonlight. He slid in with ease, his movements swift and calculated. He smirked at Valac's back. "You're too sharp for a drunkard."
Valac turned, meeting Nico's gaze. "You are on time."
Nico waved his hand dismissively as he landed softly on the floor. "The bandits are meeting in an alleyway on the west side. My contact gave me the time and place. Let's go. It's now or never."
Valac nodded. "You better take care of me." He grabbed his sword, securing it in its sheath, and moved to the window.
"Sure. Though, I thought you were meditating a lot."
"Just do as much as you're told, Nico. I don't like to talk much," Valac said, his tone leaving no room for debate.
Valac stepped up to the window, glancing back one last time at Lav before swinging his legs over the ledge.
Please don't let me down, Aetherion Exarch Body.
A last murmur left Valac's lips as he jumped and it didn't. He landed perfectly as mana enveloped Valac's body, letting him down gently.
Nico followed silently, and together, they slipped into the shadows, navigating the dim streets of the town with practiced ease.
The air was cold and crisp, carrying the faint scent of smoke from distant chimneys. The cobblestone streets were damp under their boots, reflecting the pale moonlight.
They didn't speak much as they made their way west, both focused on the task ahead. The further they went, the more the town's lively atmosphere faded, replaced by eerie silence and darker corners.
Valac could sense Nico's tension, the stiffness in his movements betraying his worry for his sister.
After what felt like an eternity, they reached a narrow alleyway. Valac signaled for Nico to stop, and they crouched behind a stack of wooden crates, eyes scanning the surroundings.
"I can hear them," Nico whispered, his voice barely audible. "They're just ahead."
Valac nodded, straining his ears. He could make out low voices, hushed but urgent. Peeking around the crates, he saw three figures huddled near the end of the alley, exchanging quiet words under the cover of night.
"...payment is more than enough. Duke Noctis' son will handle the rest," one of the bandits said, his voice gruff.
Valac's eyes narrowed.
Duke Noctis's son… Christian?
Another voice, calmer but with a sinister edge, responded. "The Phoenix Blood Jade is worth 100 thousand gold coins. We must get it from Moonlit Cavern along with Elves Blood to please Duke Noctis's son."
Nico's fists clenched beside Valac. He was about to rise, but Valac grabbed his arm, pulling him back down.
"Not yet," Valac whispered firmly. "Let them talk."
The third figure, the largest of the three, leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "I still don't trust the Duke's brat. He's got too many interests in this deal, though."
"Doesn't matter," the gruff one replied. "As long as the money comes in, we do our job. It's not our problem what plans he has for that blood jade."
Nico's breath came out in a harsh exhale. "Phoenix Blood Jade? What the hell does that have to do with my sister?"
Valac shook his head, his mind racing.
The Phoenix Blood Jade was rare, a powerful artifact in the hands of anyone who knew its true value. Actually, it wasn't a jade but a phoenix egg.
Looks like that's what Christian offered as sacrifice to summon the demon.
The bandits continued speaking in low voices, oblivious to their observers.
"I don't care what the Duke's kid wants with it," the calm one said, "just make sure it's in the right hands. No slip-ups. We hand. We get money."
Valac turned to Nico, his voice barely above a whisper. "Hah. F**k!"
Who… Who gave Christian information about The Phoenix Blood Jade!?
Nico's eyes blazed with anger, but he kept his voice low. "I want my sister, Noctis."
Valac nodded, his mind still turning over the information.
One of the bandits suddenly straightened up. "Alright, let's wrap this up. We've got a long night ahead. Let's get the hostage."
Valac signaled to Nico, and together they slipped back into the shadows, retreating a few paces. Once they were far enough away,
Valac spoke in a hushed tone. "We'll wait until they start moving, then we'll follow."
Nico's frustration simmered just beneath the surface, but he nodded in agreement. "Fine. But if we don't find her soon—"
"We will," Valac cut him off. "Are you dumb? Obviously, your sister is the hostage they are talking about."
"The boss must be having fun with that hostage."
"Damn, do you think he'll let me have a turn before she dies?"
Valac's eyes darkened, the tension in his body palpable as he forced himself to stay calm. Nico, however, was on the verge of losing it. His fists clenched so tightly that Valac could hear the leather of his gloves creaking.
"They're dead," Nico growled, his voice low but brimming with fury. "Every single one of them."
"Calm down," Valac hissed, his hand still firmly gripping Nico's arm.
"They are moving. Let's follow."