Nyx closed the distance toward the blonde man leaning motionless against the wall, lost in deep slumber.
Ron's jaw clenched tight. "What do you think you're doing?"
"You know this guy?" Nyx paused, casting a backward glance at Ron. "What's his name?"
"Why on earth should I tell you?"
A subtle smile tugged at Nyx's lips. "I see..." His garnet eyes flared with an ethereal glow as he resumed his step toward Nox.
"Don't you dare lay a finger on my brother!"
"Oh? My, how drastically your attitude changes."
Ron immediately cut across the room, stepping directly into the path of the garnet-eyed intruder. "Stay away from him!"
"Even if he's—"
In a flash, Ron grabbed Nyx by the collar. "Keep your mouth shut."
Ron's furious reflection glinted within Nyx's dark red pupils. "And if I refuse?"
"I'll beat you to a pulp!"
"Very well, Ron Eosvile. Unhand me."
With a harsh scoff, Ron released his grip from the collar.
"Do you happen to know who your uncle is yet?"
"I'm in no mood to discuss this right now."
Nyx brushed past Ron effortlessly. "Care for a hint?"
"Save it."
"Ah, well. Your great-grandfather will be arriving shortly anyway."
Ron's eyes widened. "My great-grandfather has been dead for ages."
"You're intimately familiar with Aishira, aren't you?"
Ron whirled around, both hands lunging to seize Nyx's collar once more. "Nyx Charon! What is it that you actually want?!"
"Nothing at all."
"Stop acting like you're above this!"
The vivid garnet hue in Nyx's eyes slowly dimmed. "Stop limiting yourself to only seeing and hearing what you wish to."
"And stop pretending to be some all-knowing sage!"
Gradually, Ron's hands lost their strength, slipping away from the collar. "What... what did you just do?!"
"I've exercised patience with your temper," Nyx stated, "yet you continue to push your luck."
"You're no better—using your abilities purely to indulge your own whims!"
Suddenly, an invisible pressure forced Ron's knees up against the ceiling. "Damn it... my body..."
"Consider this a stark reminder to show proper respect to your elders."
Now, Ron's elbows were pinned parallel to his knees. Damn, straining with everything he had just to tilt his chin upward. "You're nothing but a coward who preys on the weak."
"What did you do to Esculenta? Are you and I not cut from the exact same cloth, Ron Eosvile?"
Ron froze, his pupils dilating.
"Hit a nerve, didn't I?"
Ron bit his lower lip. How could this man possibly know that?
"Cat got your tongue?"
"I..."
"Oh, and one last thing. Never forget that the truth is often a bitter pill to swallow, Ron Eosvile."
Nyx turned his back and walked away.
"Wait! Don't you leave!"
The garnet-eyed man didn't even bother to look back. Behind him, the unconscious twins resting against the wall floated into mid-air.
"What are you doing to Ashil and Vashil?!"
Nyx halted his steps. "Weren't these the two who picked a fight with you at Rhea's place?"
Ron clicked his tongue. "That was..."
"You even lost to them, if memory serves."
"Damn it all."
Nyx let out a low sigh. "Stay put. Your great-grandfather will be here soon."
Ron tried to raise his head, but could only manage to lift his chin a fraction of an inch. "I..."
Without another word, Nyx departed, dragging the hovering twins along with him.
Ron's muscles strained until they trembled, desperately trying to move, but his fingers remained uselessly frozen against the hard surface. "Why am I so weak...?"
Rhax's eyelids fluttered open. "What in the...? Where am I?"
He scrambled to his feet, his breath catching in his throat. The surface beneath his boots was undeniably the ceiling, while the actual floor hung inverted above him. "What kind of twisted place is this?"
He glanced to his left, spotting two young women and two men still fast asleep. They're still out...
His gaze then landed on a blonde man struggling in a crawling position right ahead. "That's... Ron Eosvile..."
Rhax rushed over. "What on earth happened to you?"
Ron remained utterly motionless.
"Where are we?"
Ron kept his lips tightly sealed.
"Was it that garnet-eyed freak who did this to you, or the other guy?"
Ron's chest heaved with heavy breaths. "How did you even end up at Rhea's house?"
"Honest Peaceraft."
"That damn guy."
"You know him, Ron?"
"Just as well as you do."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"We only crossed paths once after the earthquake."
Rhax let out a long exhale. "Need a hand?"
"No."
Rhax crouched down beside him. "Turns out we really are two peas in a pod, huh?"
Not a single word escaped Ron's mouth.
Rhax extended his right hand toward him.
"Save it. My elbows and knees are completely locked."
"Ah. That explains it."
Carefully, Rhax hauled Ron up, supporting the man's weight over his shoulder.
"Why are you helping me, Rhax?"
"Gut instinct."
"Instinct?" Ron repeated, eyebrows furrowing.
"Something wrong with that?"
"Well... when we first met, you were extremely—"
"Abrasive?" Rhax cut in.
"Your words, not mine."
"You're an annoying piece of work."
A faint, subtle smile touched Ron's lips.
Rhax helped Ron lean against the wall. "So, where actually are we?"
"It seems to be Nyx Charon's place."
"The garnet-eyed guy?"
Ron nodded.
A silence settled between them before Rhax rubbed the back of his neck. "Is your brother really a world champion?"
Ron closed his eyes briefly. "He was."
Rhax stretched his legs out, settling down on the floor next to Ron. "And now?"
"He retired."
"Why?"
"Work-related. What about you, Rhax?"
"Me? I'm still active on the pro scene."
"Why are you so bitter toward Zigh?"
Rhax averted his gaze, scoffing. "Because he's an arrogant, rich man."
"Even though he beat you fair and square?"
"That was in the past," Rhax gritted out, his hands curling into tight fists.
"Aren't you the one who refused to fight against him in the ring again?"
Rhax clicked his tongue. "He didn't even bother continuing his pro career either."
Ron drew in a deep breath and let it out sl. "Deep down, you know he had his reasons, right?"
"He's a traitor."
"Pardon?"
Rhax went rigid, his eyes widening. Why the hell am I opening up to Ron like this?
"Not going to finish that thought?"
"Just forget I said anything."
"Fine. Has it ever crossed your mind that we might actually be blood-related, Rhax?"
"The thought crossed my mind once or twice."
"Since when?"
"Ever since you showed up with that Amateur Champion."
"Zigh?"
"Yeah, who else?"
"Just say his name."
Rhax snorted.
Silence enveloped them once more as Rhax stared at the inverted floor above their heads.
"Rhax... what about Lady Leyra?"
Rhax lowered his gaze, looking at his own palms. "I... I failed to protect her."
"None of us possess the power to stand against the people of Ipsix."
Rhax rested the back of his head against the wall, tilting his chin upward. "Ipsix, huh... Is this strange place part of Ipsix as well?"
"Most likely."
"I see... Is Lady Leyra currently in Ipsix then...?" Rhax muttered under his breath.
"It's entirely possible," Ron replied.
Rhax turned his head to lock eyes with Ron. "What kind of connection do you think we share?"
"If I told you that you might be my uncle, would you believe me?"
Rhax bolted upright. "WHAT?!"
"Figures you'd react like that."
"How can you be so calm about this?!"
"Nyx Charon..." Ron let out a tired sigh. "Let's just wait."
"Wait for what?"
"My great-grandfather is coming here."
"Are you saying... you're a descendant of Ipsix?"
"If what Nyx Charon said holds any truth."
"Ron, why on earth would you claim I'm your uncle? We're practically the same age!"
"Who knows? Nyx Charon—"
"Seriously! You keep mentioning this Charon guy over and over! Do you have any other sources?!"
"What choice do I have? He's the only source of information I currently possess."
"Listen to me, Ron. You and I have never met prior to this, right?"
"That's a given."
"Then how in the world could I possibly be your uncle?"
"There's a striking resemblance between us. And honestly, I see my father in you."
"You... see your father in me?"
"That's just how it looks to me."
Rhax stretched his arms. "Whatever. Let's just wait. But what about the ones who are sleeping over there?"
"Leave them be. They need the rest."
"Yeah, fair point."
Just as Rhax finished stretching, the grand doors of the Manor swung wide open. A man possessing striking ruby eyes and dark hair stepped inside, flanked by Pakis and a man with glittering opal eyes.
Tears welled up and spilled down the ruby-eyed man's cheeks the moment his gaze fell upon the two blue-eyed, blonde youths. "It's them..."
Beside him, Pakis focused his attention on Zigh and Rhea's servant.. Those two... His eyes darted elsewhere. Ashil, Vashil... Could Master Charon… I must meet Master Charon.
Bowing, Pakis spoke up. "Master Haze, I humbly request permission to take my leave."
"Very well. Thank you, Dandelion."
Without delay, Pakis vanished into the shadows.
Haze approached Ron, accompanied by his attendant.
Rhax stepped forward, blocking their path. "Who are you?"
"I am Haze Kazerin," the man revealed. "I am your great-grandfather."
Rhax took a step back. "Our... what?"
"You mean... the both of us? Rhax and I?" Ron sought confirmation.
"Indeed. You are both the precious grandchildren of my daughter, Aishira."
Rhax's hands trembled as he turned to stare at Ron. "That's impossible..."
Ron's eyes widened, his mouth agape. "Rhax... Grandmother Aishira's grandchild...?"
"How is it possible that both of you carry the blood of Aishira and myself...?"
"Liars!" Rhax roared.
Ron hung his head, lost in silence.
"This is the undeniable truth," Haze stated.
Rhax glared at the elder. "You never even bothered to check on me once!"
"I... it was because... I simply couldn't—"
"Excuses!"
The thunderous shout stunned both Rhax and Haze.
"Why now?!" Ron yelled, tears finally streaming down his face. "Where were all of you when Vellion was reduced to ashes?!"
"Ron..." Rhax murmured.
Haze reached out, grasping Ron's arm. "Calm down... Please, let me explain."
"I don't need a single word of your explanations!" Ron sobbed. "I... my father... my mother..."
Haze flinched and pulled his hand back immediately.
"Young Master... I beg of you, please listen to Master Haze," Haze's attendant pleaded.
"Shut up! All of you! Where were you when Lian…"
The voice echoed through the vast hall. No one dared to utter a sound.
Rhax stepped forward, thrusting a trembling finger directly at Haze. "Mark my words—the only family I acknowledge is my father, Sugar Brown."
To be continued...