Infernal Moon ⋮ ᴏɴɢᴏɪɴɢ ⋮

〝⋟›∔‹⋞〞𝔐 𝙾 𝙾 𝙽 𝚅 𝙸 𝙸

"You-do you really believe I'm afraid of you? Go ahead! End my life, and she'll follow right after!" Thomas shouted loudly with a facade of bravado. While those farther away may have missed it, Kanha could sense the fear lurking beneath his outward display.

The seemingly friendly figure continued to watch Kanha closely. He caught sight of her tightly clenched fist trembling slightly and the fierce glare she directed at his friend. He interpreted her expression as fear as if she were silently pleading for assistance through that piercing look. Still, he was aware that his friend wouldn't cross the line.

Taking on the role of the gallant hero, he advanced with the intent to confront Thomas and save Kanha. As he cracked his knuckles, his friend-whose steely gaze was fixed on Kanha-raised his right hand to stop him.

"This is not your concern, Raizen. Do not interfere," he issued a firm command, his voice raised just enough for his friends to catch the words. But Kanha, with her keen ability to read lips, felt her disdain for him resurface once again.

She didn't recognize Thomas, Juno, Leighn, Aquila or even this group of men. They left no mark on her memory, save for the enigma cloaked in the chill of the inferno-a man whose presence crackled with a haunting energy that resonated like the echoes of AOZORA, and chillingly akin to the oppressive weight of Kllians and Bakunawa. If only she could unveil the banner they rallied under, Kanha would undoubtedly hold the key to their true identities.

"You," he gestured toward her, speaking to Kanha in a manner that clearly conveyed his indifference to her.

She simply raised an eyebrow at him. She had no obligation to those others either. They were the ones who jumped in front of her earlier when she was just about to find a spot to relax and take a break.

"If you're this weak, just stay in Kaho and save yourself the trouble of dying here. This is no sanctuary for a fragile little bambi like you," he chastised Kanha in a detached manner as though addressing a defiant child.

Kanha's eyes widened in shock and a dry laugh escaped her lips as she reflected on her boiling anger towards him. Without asking a single question, he hastily assumed Kanha hailed from Kaho, the notorious breeding ground of the feeblest and most cowardly assassins on the Darkside.

His expression was a loud proclamation that he saw her as a fragile fawn rather than a fierce jaguar. While she believed that nothing grated on her nerves more than disrespect, he seemed determined to show her otherwise.

"Get rid of her," he turned his gaze from Kanha and focused on Thomas, "That way, taking you down will be a piece of cake."

He began to stride toward them. And the hand that was tightening around Kanha's throat trembled increasingly with every step, his icy gaze locked onto him. She had believed that those from Airo City were devoid of mercy and unfazed by fear. But it was clear that Thomas felt a deep fear toward this man. Did he also hail from Airo City? That thought caused Kanha to regard him with even greater coldness.

He wore a playful smirk even as his words cut with ice, "I dare you to step up. This will be a battle, will you be the first to meet your end at my hands, or will you take her down before I get to you?"

"There he goes again. Guess you've got your hands full with not one but two bodies, Aidrielle," Kanha caught a glimpse of his friend's lips moving behind him-the very same person who had mercilessly kicked Thomas in the gut just moments before.