Haa—haa—phew. I made it just in time."
Jaren slowed only when the wooden sign came into view.
He was now at Xie Chen's bar. The sign hung crooked above the door, lantern light flickering weakly across the street.
His chest rose and fell, heaving hard as he bent forward with his hands on his knees.
Sweat slid down the scar that ran from his temple to his brow. After a moment, he straightened and walked past the bar, turning into the narrow alley behind it.
"—Grace, I gave your message to 'Grandfather'. He should have arrested the wanted m—"
However, the space was empty.
Maybe she was late.
He waited anyway, back against the wall, eyes on the alley entrance. Ten minutes passed. And he was starting to worry.
Grace never missed these meetings.
If she was late, she'd send a word. He rubbed the back of his neck and exhaled slowly. Maybe the brothel had kept her longer than expected. Maybe the worshipers had summoned her again. He didn't like either thought.
He pushed off the wall and left.
'I'd go look for her at the shrine. Oh. She could still be there. Grace wouldn't mind if I go there, right?'
A crowd was already gathered when he reached there. People stood clustered near the entrance, murmuring about something he couldn't catch.
So Jaren got curious.
He suddenly broke into a run, weaving through them until he stepped on something wet.
Blood. Thick and fresh.
He skidded to a stop.
Right before him was a body, its stomach split open, organs half-spilled and dark against the stone.
Jaren's face constricted as he looked past it, through the open gates. Inside the hall, more bodies were scattered across the floor.
A few had missing heads, while others were decapitated and all mangled together in different body parts. The blood splattered over the walls and tables.
A very nauseating sight.
"What the heck happened here?" he whispered, staggering back into the crowd.
Until a voice cut in from the side. "Isn't that Grace?"
Jaren turned sharply.
Again, he looked down at the corpse on the floor.
The blue dress was torn and soaked through. Taking a closer look at it… he spotted the hem of her dress she had torn to deliver the message to grandfather.
"Wh-what?"
His vision blurred as he stepped forward, then stumbled, colliding with someone before wrenching himself free.
Shoving people aside, he called out again, "Grace?" His voice broke. "Grace!"
Plop!
His knees hit the ground hard. Gathering her up clumsily, and pulling her body into his lap. Her head lolled against his arm.
Cradling her face, his hands were already slick with blood as he shook her once, then again, lighter this time.
"No. No no no no NO. Grace. Wake up." His words cracked and folded in on them "W-who did this to you? I-I-I was just waiting for you! It's fine," he croaked, trying to convince himself. "You're fine. Grace. Grace—please."
'Her hands are cold. Why are her hands cold?!' Jaren squeezed her hands tight, rubbing them in-between his.
But she didn't move.
"GRACE. Th-this doesn't feel real—you were with me a few moments a—" He tapped on her face again. "Please—please, my love. Y-you'll be fine. Th-the healers—"
When he expectantly looked back at the crowd, a rage of turmoil seethed through him. "WHY ARE YOU PEOPLE JUST STANDING THERE?! GET A HEALER!!"
However, a deep voice spoke over him. "She's dead, boy. Drop the body, don't you think? It'll be taken for investigation."
A young man stood there in a neat suit, posture straight. He was indifferent to the whole scene. His black hair slicked back, but what stood out on this young man was how heavy his eyebags were.
"G-grandfather Stolas," Jaren called hoarsely. "You're here. I—I thought you were with Grace. I delivered her message to you, about the— but… but—" His grip tightened around her body. "WHY DID YOU LET HER DIE?!!!"
Stolas kicked him away.
"AHH!" Jaren hit the ground and rolled, coughing as bile surged up. He retched onto the stone, shaking.
His hands scraped uselessly at the floor as his stomach emptied.
"Do you want a name?" Stolas asked.
Jaren wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and looked up, eyes red and unfocused.
"Sheng Fei Ming. Wanted for murder," Stolas continued. "A rogue awakener with unique abilities." His gaze flicked to Grace's body. Fine, subtle cracks were beginning to spread along her skin. "A serial killer. Sadly we didn't come on time. We lost him."
He crouched in front of Jaren, bringing himself level. "Do you want revenge?"
Jaren swallowed, chest hitching. Looking at Grace. His hands curled into fists. How could a single man cause this much harm? How could the gods even let this man walk without harm?
'She's gone. Grace left me. Why was my love taken from me?'
All the light faded in his eyes. "Yes."
"Good." Stolas stood. "Then stop crying like a romantic fool. Join Hawks. We'll give you what you need."