As the festival night deepens, Leon and Atlas find themselves in a quieter part of town, away from the bustling festivities. The sound of distant laughter and music fills the air, yet the isolated street feels almost haunting under the glow of lanterns.
Suddenly, the figures Leon noticed earlier make their move. They emerge from the shadows, blocking their path. Atlas's posture shifts instantly, his instincts kicking in as he steps protectively in front of Leon. The men close in, their expressions cold, exuding a dangerous energy.
"Stay behind me," Atlas murmurs, his voice low but firm. Leon, though scared, obeys, stepping back, but his eyes never leave Atlas's tense form.
One of the attackers sneers, "Hand over the royal brat, and no one has to get hurt."
Atlas's jaw tightens, his voice steady but laced with warning. "You made a mistake coming here."
In a swift, practiced motion, Atlas raises his hand, summoning a brief burst of energy. In a heartbeat, he knocks the closest assailant off balance. The attacker stumbles back, shocked by the display of power. For a brief moment, Atlas's aura flares—a mark of his royal lineage, a glimpse of the hidden strength that Leon had yet to fully witness.
Leon's heart pounds as he watches Atlas fight, feeling torn between awe and fear. As the attackers recover, it becomes clear they're not ordinary assailants. They, too, possess powers, and they regroup, ready to strike again.
But Atlas doesn't back down, moving with deadly precision to intercept each of them. The confrontation becomes a blur of swift movements and flashes of energy as Atlas deflects their strikes, each blow revealing a fragment of his hidden power. Leon's breath catches in his throat as he realizes just how far Atlas is willing to go to protect him.
In the midst of the battle, one of the attackers lunges towards Leon, exploiting a brief opening. Leon freezes, unprepared for the strike. Time seems to slow as he feels a surge of energy within him—a Guide's instinct kicking in, subtly sensing the attacker's intentions. He takes a step back, dodging the attack, just as Atlas intervenes, pulling Leon to safety.
The last of the attackers finally retreats, defeated, disappearing into the night. Atlas, catching his breath, checks over Leon quickly, his eyes scanning for any injuries.
"Are you hurt?" he asks urgently, his hands resting on Leon's shoulders.
Leon shakes his head, though his voice is shaky. "No…but, Atlas…who were they?"
Atlas hesitates, struggling with the decision to reveal the truth. But as he looks into Leon's worried eyes, he knows it's time to be honest. This incident has opened the door to secrets he can't hide anymore.
"I promise I'll explain everything," he says, his voice soft but filled with resolve. "But for now, let's get somewhere safe."
They return home, the questions heavy between them, and Leon's trust in Atlas growing deeper despite the fear of what's to come.