[Luna & Ria]
Two days had passed since Ravyn walked out of Luna's mansion and into the night.
Luna stopped in front of a dilapidated storefront with a faded sign that read: GRANTHAM KARATE.
Ria followed a step behind, scanning the quiet yard. "Are you sure this is the place?" she asked.
"Yeah." Luna said, her voice soft but sure. "I heard he lives in a dojo far north... and as you can see, this the only one around here."
They walked through the gate and up the narrow stone path that led to the front steps.
Ria hesitated. "It feels… empty."
Luna didn't respond. She lifted her hand and knocked gently. The door creaked open, revealing a small, bright-eyed girl. It was Amira.
"Uhm… hi." Luna said, softening her voice. "Is Ravyn home?"
Amira's cheer instantly faded. "No." she said, her lower lip trembling slightly. "We haven't seen or heard from him for two days now."
Luna's expression faltered. "Oh... Sorry to bother you."
As they turned to leave, Lea poked her head around the doorway. "Did something bad happen to my brother?"
Luna froze for a moment, then she knelt down, forcing a smile. "No." she said softly. "Wherever he is… he's okay. And I promise he'll come back."
The little girls nodded solemnly. "Okay."
Luna stood, exchanging a worried glance with Ria and they walked away from the house.
As they moved down the street, Ria whispered. "So he just... disappeared after that night? What if something really did happen to him?"
Luna looked straight ahead, her eyes distant. "I don't know what to think." she said. "But I just hope he's okay."
They reached the edge of the street, where they heard footsteps approaching. Damien walked ahead and beside him stood his butler.
Damien smirked. "Where's that idiot friend of yours?"
Luna frowned. "Why? What do you want from him?"
Damien walked straight up to her with speed. He seized her face, his hand gripping her jaw with a clear expression of physical dominance.
"He is the reason why I am one team member down." Damien hissed, his breath hot against her ear. "So I want to slaughter him."
Ria's eyes widened. "Let her go!" she shouted, swinging her fist toward him.
But the butler moved faster. His cane met her wrist mid-swing, stopping her blow effortlessly.
Luna felt a surge of rage, overcoming her fear of her brother for the first time. She looked him dead in the eye. "You will never find him."
Damien stared at her, then his lips curved into a slow, chilling smile. He abruptly released her, stepping back as if touching her was beneath him.
"You're brave all of a sudden?" he said coldly. "But it doesn't matter."
He turned away. "Even if I don't get him..." Damien said, glancing back over his shoulder."the Barefooted Devil will."
The butler removed his cane from Ria's arm and stepped back. "Shall we, Master?" he asked calmly.
"Let's go." Damien muttered, already walking away.
Luna stood rigid. "Are you okay, Ria?"
"Yeah." Ria whispered, rubbing her wrist and looking terrified.
Luna looked up at the clouded sky. And whispered to herself.
"Where are you, Ravyn"?