Shadows Unleashed

Lady Zina and Archon found respite within the walls of a restaurant in the heart of Kryo. The unsettling events that transpired earlier had left an air of caution around their table, and the patrons dared not disturb them. As they savored their meals, Archon indulged in the simple pleasure of satiating his hunger. It had been days since he had enjoyed a decent meal, far removed from the lavish feasts of his former life at the Blades Mansion. Though not comparable to his previous fare, this sustenance surpassed the scraps he had scavenged to survive.

While Archon relished his meal, Lady Zina watched him intently, a smile gracing her lips. You couldn't help but wonder how different his perspective might be if he could perceive her beauty, but alas, his blindness shrouded him in obliviousness. Envious glances from young men around the restaurant betrayed their longing for the enchanting presence of Lady Zina by their side.

Archon's voracious appetite was both astounding and concerning. Lady Zina had granted him permission to eat as much as he desired, but now she found herself conflicted. How could someone so petite and frail consume such copious amounts? As they concluded their meal, a sense of uncertainty crept over her. The waiter's mention of the bill added an unexpected burden.

"Are you certain you can't reduce the price for this lovely lady?" she remarked wryly, her smile tinged with a subtle allure.

In the end, she managed to negotiate a 50% discount, employing her charm to sway the infatuated waiter. Taking advantage of his naivety, she exploited the poor man who had never experienced the touch of a beautiful woman before.

As the evening wore on, Archon and Lady Zina sought refuge in an inn, their uneventful day of wandering through town coming to a close. Come morning, they would depart from Kryo, but their destination remained a mystery to Archon. He harbored neither trust for Lady Zina nor knowledge of her intentions. Yet, he continued to accompany her, enticed by the prospect of free meals.

Lady Zina, having paid for both their rooms, allowed Archon to luxuriate in a warm bath before retiring to his bed. As he lay there, thoughts of Lady Zina's unwavering support filled his mind. She had provided him with sustenance, shelter, and protection—a kindness he had not experienced in a long while.

"I still cannot fully trust her. There might be ulterior motives at play," he sighed, contemplating their precarious alliance. "I wonder what she truly looks like."

He turned his gaze towards the wall, his once-closed eyes now emanating a faint crimson glow—eyes that perfectly complemented his handsome visage. Peering beyond the physical barrier, Archon's vision extended into the next room. However, unlike a typical person's sight, he perceived only indistinct outlines, peculiar colors, and an ethereal aura. To avoid sensory distractions and conserve energy, he typically kept his eyes shut, reserving this unique ability for when necessity demanded it.

"She's not here," he noted, his senses attuned to the absence of Lady Zina.

But then, an unwelcome presence caught his attention—three men standing before his door. Their identities were no mystery to Archon; they were the very individuals from the town who sought to inflict harm upon him.

With a swift kick, they forcefully entered his room, their intentions unmistakable. "Beat him up," Landon commanded the imposing figure at their helm.

The two men made their move, attempting to seize Archon from the bed. However, with agile precision, he slipped out of their grasp, evading their clutches effortlessly. A calm sigh escaped his lips, for he knew their underestimation would prove to be their downfall.

"I may have hungered before, but do not mistake me for a defenseless weakling," Archon declared, his expression darkening with determination.

Retrieving a small stool from the side, he swiftly hurled it at Landon, the towering man at the back, who staggered under its impact, momentarily disoriented. Seizing the opportunity, Archon closed the distance between himself and the remaining two assailants.

In a display of astonishing agility, he deftly maneuvered to the left, narrowly evading their desperate attempts to seize him. Taking advantage of their momentary vulnerability, Archon seized the head of the closest assailant, employing their own weight to drive his face forcefully into the unforgiving wooden floor. The man crumpled, consciousness fleeting.

The remaining assailant stood dazed, astounded by Archon's seemingly inconceivable feats. He could hardly fathom how this seemingly feeble individual had dispatched his comrade with such ease. Underestimating Archon's resilience and dismissing his years of training and dedication proved to be his undoing.

Archon, fueled by a surge of adrenaline, dashed toward his bewildered adversary. With a powerful left punch, he aimed for impact, yet the assailant managed to intercept his blow, seizing his hand in a vice-like grip. Confusion etched across his face as he grappled to comprehend the source of Archon's formidable strength, his underestimation proving costly. In a split-second reaction, Archon utilized his right hand to withdraw a small dagger from his side, swiftly plunging it into the man's shoulder. The assailant recoiled instinctively, releasing Archon from his clutches, his focus consumed by the searing pain that coursed through his body. Attempting to extract the embedded dagger, he found himself vulnerable to Archon's relentless onslaught. With a calculated spin, Archon utilized his legs to incapacitate his opponent, rendering him unconscious.

The leader of the group, Landon, stood dumbfounded, his initial target nowhere to be seen. How had this blind man achieved such astonishing prowess? He had momentarily forgotten that Archon, though physically unremarkable, possessed a lifetime of training and discipline. Landon's pride suffered a crushing blow—he refused to be humiliated by a mere Blades outcast.

Archon retrieved his dagger from the incapacitated man's shoulder, shifting his gaze toward Landon. "It would be wise to tend to his wounds before he bleeds out," he suggested, his voice devoid of emotion.

The leader recoiled, his apprehension palpable as he stared into Archon's crimson-tinged eyes, bereft of any discernible sentiment. "Why am I afraid of him?" he pondered, his pride waning under the weight of his misjudgment.

In the aftermath of his companions' defeat and the tarnishing of his own dignity, Landon's resolve faltered. Overwhelmed by a surge of fear, he instinctively unsheathed his sword and lunged at Archon, hoping to strike back. However, his ill-fated attempt was abruptly halted as Lady Zina, seemingly materializing out of thin air, swiftly delivered a powerful blow to his stomach. In a swift motion, she disarmed him, severing his wrist with a single clean cut.

In a voice barely above a whisper, she uttered the piercing words, "Do you have death wish?"

The weight of her words was such that Landon, consumed by terror, fled from the room, his anguished cries reverberating through the corridors. In his desperate retreat, any notion of rescuing his fallen comrades was abandoned, lost to the depths of his fear.

Shortly thereafter, a maid rushed into the room, her eyes widening at the sight of the fallen assailants and the spattered blood on the floor. She turned her gaze hesitantly toward Lady Zina, who wore a disconcertingly jubilant smile.

"Please arrange for the immediate cleaning of this room," Lady Zina instructed with an air of authority.

The maid trembled, overwhelmed by the scene that unfolded before her.

Archon, feeling a sense of disappointment wash over him, interjected, breaking the uneasy silence.

"She meant no harm," Archon stated, his voice tinged with a touch of guilt. "She was simply defending me."

Lady Zina's, expression softening, regarded Archon with a mix of understanding and admiration. "You possess a remarkable sense of mercy, Archon," she remarked, her voice laced with a hint of respect. "We are leaving right away."

Archon nodded, accepting her words with a resigned understanding. His supposed night of respite had been shattered, and he felt the weight of disappointment settle upon him. Nonetheless, he gathered his belongings, ready to follow Lady Zina out.

Together, they left the room, leaving behind the aftermath of their unexpected encounter. As they made their way through the inn, the corridors whispered tales, spreading through the establishment like a shadowy rumor.

On the way Archon couldn't help but ponder the nature of his alliance with Lady Zina. Trust remained elusive, and he questioned the motives that drove her actions. But for now, he chose to set his reservations aside, recognizing the necessity of their companionship for now.

Archon silently resolved to remain vigilant. He knew that the shadows of the world concealed both danger and opportunity, and he would need to harness every ounce of his strength, skill, and intuition to navigate the treacherous road that lay ahead.