Finally, Hyran took a step forward.
His voice rumbled deep from his massive chest, his expression lost in shadow.
"So you know, Yulia…"
A pause.
"Well, since you know… you've found a solution, haven't you?"
Yulia's slender shoulders slumped with a long, trembling sigh. She looked up at Hyran.
"That's just like you," she said quietly. "Always jumping straight to the result."
Hyran watched her — the hair falling across her forehead, the hesitation in her eyes. Her hand lifted slightly, wavering.
Then she reached out and placed her cold palm on his huge, fur-covered forearm.
"This burden is too heavy for you both to carry alone," she whispered. "Thank you."
Hyran jerked his arm away as if burned.
"Great... now I have two fucking Zariuses."
Hiding his face, he dragged the wooden chair back, the shrill scrape tearing across the stone floor, then threw his massive body onto it, turning his back to them — a solid wall of fury.
Yulia turned, her expression hardening.
"Okay... With that," she said calmly, "half the problem is already solved."
Zarius's voice came out faint, broken. His eyes stayed locked on his trembling hands.
"So… what do we do, Yulia? Have you thought about—"
She lunged forward.
Her hands clamped onto his cheeks, forcing his head up. Their breaths collided, her green eyes blazing inches from his.
"What is wrong with you, Zarius?" she hissed. "That face makes me sick."
Her grip tightened.
"You look like one of Valdar's cheap whores. Since when did you start waiting for me to make decisions for you?"
She felt his body shake beneath her fingers.
"Are you afraid I'll blame you?" she went on, voice sharp. "After you used your trip to Arcadia to run off?"
Hyran's golden eyes widened, his massive frame frozen.
For a long moment, Zarius didn't move. However, his gaze stayed cold.
Slowly, he exhaled.
Just as slowly, he raised his hands and closed them over hers. His touch was gentle as he guided her hands away from his face, holding them suspended between them.
He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a harsh whisper.
"Running away?... you said."
A brief pause.
"Well... that's right, I guess."
His jaw tightened.
"But... I just couldn't stay."
His head fell, his grip tightened slightly with a broken smile.
"Who in the hell would stay to enjoy watching such a fucked up show?"
His face twitched and tightened, voice trembling.
"I hoped Arcadia would give us a chance. Anything… other than standing there and watching you fade."
He released her hands.
Yulia stumbled back half a step.
Silence stretched between them.
Zarius straightened, brushing imaginary dust from his clothes. He turned toward Hyran, who still stared at him in shock.
"And now," Zarius said, his voice cold, practical, "since we're all sharing the same hell — what do you want us to do, Yulia?"
Her hands hung in the air for a moment before dropping to her sides. She studied his face and found nothing there but exhaustion.
"I didn't ask you for a favor," she said flatly. "You both went to Arcadia for Moriana's sake. Don't forget that."
Her gaze flicked to Hyran's rigid back, then returned.
"So for me, nothing changes. I'll keep living as if nothing has been said."
She turned toward the alley.
"To die at eighteen…" she murmured. "How cruel."
Then she looked back, and for the first time, a small smile reached her eyes.
"Zarius… I'm glad to see you're still the same person. Still searching for a way, no matter how ugly."
"Shut up, you little zombie," Zarius muttered, turning away.
Yulia shifted her attention to Hyran.
"Hyran."
The massive figure didn't move. Only his ears twitched.
"Trust him," she said calmly. "Let's trust Zarius."
Hyran lifted his head, staring out at the empty horizon. A long, weary sigh escaped him with no words came out.
Zarius stared down at his empty hands.
"Spare me," he whispered hoarsely.
"Do you really think I'm ready to get this on my back?"
Yulia stepped closer until she stood right in front of him.
"Can you do anything besides whining like a little bitch?"
Her voice cracked like a whip.
"I doubt this will be a burden for you, Zarius Kallistar… former advisor to the King of Thranduil."
She leaned in, eyes widening.
"No, no… The shadow who rules Arcadia."
Her voice dropped to a sharp whisper only he could hear.
"I can't hear you, half-breed."
A beat.
"What's your decision?"