As the festival continues into the evening, the crowd thickens, and the colorful lanterns that hang overhead glow softly, casting a warm, almost dreamlike light on everything. Leon, still a bit unsettled by Atlas's protectiveness earlier, lets himself get swept up in the crowd's festive spirit, hoping to set aside his worries. He and Atlas share a few lighthearted moments, exchanging smiles and laughter as they continue exploring the festival.
Atlas, however, is constantly on alert. The earlier figure he'd noticed hasn't reappeared, but he's uneasy. He feels a strange, pressing instinct that something is amiss, and he can't afford to let his guard down—not tonight, not with Leon beside him.
At a quieter stall, Leon picks up a delicate glass pendant, admiring its craftsmanship. "Look at this, Atlas," he says, smiling. "It reminds me of…" But his words are cut short when he senses Atlas tensing beside him. Leon follows Atlas's gaze, noticing how he's scanning their surroundings again, eyes sharp and calculating.
"Atlas… you're scaring me a bit," Leon says softly, his brow furrowed. "Is everything okay?"
Atlas hesitates, caught between the desire to protect Leon and the fear of revealing too much. He reaches out, placing a reassuring hand on Leon's shoulder. "It's just… sometimes these crowded places can attract the wrong kind of people."
Leon's expression softens, a gentle look in his eyes as he nods. "If something happens, I trust you," he says quietly. "Just… don't keep me in the dark, okay?"
Before Atlas can respond, there's a sudden commotion nearby. The crowd parts as several cloaked figures appear, their movements coordinated and precise. Atlas immediately steps in front of Leon, every muscle in his body taut with tension. The leader of the cloaked figures steps forward, a menacing aura surrounding him as he regards them with cold, calculating eyes.
"Atlas De Luna," the figure addresses him, his voice calm yet filled with contempt. "Did you think you could hide forever?"
Leon looks between Atlas and the stranger, confusion and fear flickering across his face. Atlas's grip on Leon's arm tightens, his expression hardening.
"I don't know who you are," Atlas says coolly, "but you've made a mistake coming here."
The leader chuckles, gesturing to his companions, who close in on them. "Your time of hiding is over, heir of De Luna. Your choices have consequences."
Atlas positions himself to protect Leon, his hand subtly reaching for the concealed weapon at his side. Leon, sensing the gravity of the situation, stands close, his mind racing. This isn't just about a confrontation—it's about the secrets Atlas has kept hidden, the truths that have been carefully buried.
With a final, tense glance at Leon, Atlas whispers, "Stay close to me, no matter what happens."
And with that, the fight begins.