「Impatience.」
Levi sat at his desk, the rhythmic tapping of his pen against the polished mahogany echoing through the otherwise silent room. The orderliness of the office surrounded him—documents filed neatly, books perfectly aligned on the towering shelves. A large painting hung on the wall behind him, depicting a much younger Levi in his squire armor. Seated stiffly, his stern expression contrasted with the man standing behind him—Darrow, his former master, grinning with a cocky ease, his hands resting confidently on Levi's shoulders.
Under the painting, a glass case displayed badges and medals from Levi's years of service. Each one was a mark of his skill and dedication, a reminder of his high rank within the knighthood. Yet, despite the accolades, Levi's brow was furrowed in frustration, his grip on the pen tight.
Why do I need a guide for this investigation? His eyes narrowed as he stared at the desk. I can handle this on my own. And why him, of all people?
His grip on the pen tightened further, his knuckles white with irritation. The frustration buzzed through him, building until a low groan escaped from the desk beneath his clenched fingers. The tremor was enough to make the squires outside pause, casting uneasy glances toward the door.
The creak of the door interrupted his thoughts, and Levi didn't need to look up to know who it was. That voice, casual and infuriatingly teasing, was unmistakable.
"I brought some wine and freshly baked garlic bread," Darrow announced, his steps slow and deliberate as he entered the room. "Thought it might cheer you up."
Levi clenched his jaw, his stomach betraying him with a low growl at the scent of the bread. But he wouldn't give Darrow the satisfaction.
"Oh, how thoughtful of you," Levi muttered through gritted teeth. "You really do know how to brighten my day."
Darrow ignored the sarcasm, setting the basket down with a grin. The golden crust of the bread shimmered, still warm and buttery, the garlic scent filling the room. A bottle of red wine rested beside it, cool to the touch.
Levi's eyes flicked to the loaf despite himself, his nostrils flaring at the temptation. His fingers hovered just above the basket.
It's just bread. Nothing to do with Darrow's crap. Maybe I can just...
But before he could reach it, Darrow's hand became a blur, moving with the literal speed of lightning. His elemental power crackled, and in an instant, the bread was in his grasp, edges singed from the heat.
Levi's hand closed around empty air. Darrow took a loud bite, his grin widening as he chewed, savoring the bread in an exaggerated fashion.
Levi slammed his fist on the desk, making the glass case on the wall tremble. "You used your Soul Tapestry for that? Just to steal bread?"
"Not all of us can be 'mister perfect,' using our Tapestries for noble reasons," Darrow quipped, leaning against the window, eyes half-lidded with amusement. "Some of us have to get creative."
Outside, Saturn City stretched beneath them, a sprawling metropolis. The headquarters of the knights stood atop a hill, a pentagon-shaped fortress towering over the streets. From this vantage, the city appeared peaceful, but Levi's mind was far from at ease.
"Well," Darrow continued, eyes gleaming, "looks like fate's thrown us back together again. Just like old times, right?"
Levi stood abruptly, his chair scraping loudly against the floor. The idea of working with Darrow again made his blood boil. It had been years since they last cooperated, and the thought made him sick.
I'd strangle him if I could get away with it.
Without another word, Levi stormed out of the office, his black cloak billowing behind him. Darrow followed leisurely, shoving the rest of the bread into his mouth as he sauntered down the hallway.
The grand hallway of the headquarters gleamed with opulence. Marble floors reflected the golden light from the chandeliers, and portraits of past knights lined the walls. Massive windows overlooked the city below, offering a panoramic view of Saturn's districts.
Such a beautiful place, Darrow mused, glancing at Levi's rigid back. Shame it's filled with so many uptight fools.
The two walked in silence, passing through the hall and into the garden at the rear of the building. It was a tranquil space, enclosed by high white stone walls that shut out the noise of the city. Vibrant flowers bloomed, including the rare Valieum roses, their petals glowing in shades of gold, purple, and an ethereal blue.
At the center of the garden stood Ariel.
Her presence was nothing short of angelic. Short, curly blue hair framed her face, and a long, flowing white dress clung to her slender figure. She knelt gracefully before one of the rose bushes, her movements deliberate, like she was weaving through air itself. Overhead, a golden hawk circled, its feathers gleaming in the sunlight before it swooped down to rest lightly on her shoulder.
Despite her serene appearance, there was something disquieting about Ariel. The air around her felt heavy, as though she were holding back immense power beneath that calm surface.
Sensing their arrival, Ariel stood, turning to face them with a serene, almost divine smile.
"Ah, the carrot duo returns." Her voice was soft, teasing, though her eyes sparkled with amusement.
Both Darrow and Levi flinched at the nickname, a sharp reminder from their days as master and squire. Back then, their clashing hair colors—Levi's green and Darrow's fiery orange—had made them the subject of endless jokes.
Levi scowled. "He's not my master anymore, Ariel. Let's leave that name in the past."
Ariel's smile widened slightly, a hint of mischief in her blue eyes. She stepped forward, her movements as graceful as ever, though there was a sharpness beneath the surface that made even the most seasoned knights uneasy.
"I know you two have your differences," she began, her tone soft but laced with authority, "but we need to set that aside. The demi-humans are restless, and their grudge against the Aetherian Sovereignty is growing. If we don't handle this carefully, we could face war."
The weight of her words settled heavily between them, the tension palpable. Levi exchanged a glance with Darrow, and though they rarely agreed, they both knew the gravity of the situation.
As they turned to leave, Darrow threw a dramatic shiver, his voice low with mock fear. "She's unsettling, isn't she? Like you, but way more composed."
Levi grunted, too irritated to argue.
Once Darrow and Levi had left, Ariel's expression softened slightly. The hawk on her shoulder let out a low cry, and she turned to stare at the door.
"I wish them luck," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "They'll need it against those savages."
Her gaze lingered on the garden for a moment longer before she turned her attention back to the roses, her fingers brushing lightly against their delicate petals.
The path ahead was fraught with tension. Though Levi and Darrow had worked together in the past, the years had driven a wedge between them, and this investigation would test the limits of their strained partnership.
The rogue army that had nearly wiped out the demi-humans was a dark stain on the Aetherian Sovereignty's history, and now, decades later, the scars still hadn't healed. The Sovereignty was investigating, hoping to ease the rising tensions between their nation and the demi-humans, but Levi knew this wouldn't be easy. Old wounds never closed fully.
As they walked back through the marble halls, Darrow nudged Levi with his elbow, that familiar grin plastered across his face. "Hey, think of it this way—at least we're back together. Just like old times, huh?"
Levi shot him a sidelong glare. "You mean back when I had to clean up your messes?"
Darrow shrugged, completely unfazed. "I prefer to think of it as 'teamwork.'"
Levi rolled his eyes, his patience wearing thin. This is going to be a long mission.