The rooftop was quiet, save for the hum of the city below. Neon lights bathed the concrete in hues of violet and gold. Elias stood at the edge, his eyes fixed on the skyline, but his attention was locked on the woman behind him.
Seraphina.
"Still addicted to heights, I see," she said, walking up with a ghost of a smile.
"You always knew where to find me," Elias replied, not turning around. His voice was calm, but there was an edge underneath.
"Don't flatter yourself," she said coldly. "You're just where the Order wants you to be."
He finally turned. "Is that what you're still doing? Taking orders?"
"Are you still pretending to be a savior?" she shot back.
There was silence. Just the wind. Just two people who once trusted each other with their lives now standing on opposite sides of something far deeper than war.
"You didn't come here to talk," Elias said, adjusting the glove on his hand.
"No," Seraphina whispered. "I came to end what I should have ended the first time."
Steel clashed.
Their bodies moved like shadows, fluid and fast. Seraphina's twin daggers danced in the air, striking sparks against Elias' blade. He countered with practiced grace—no longer the rich playboy. Not anymore.
Blow for blow. Memory for memory.
"You were always faster," Elias grunted, dodging a slash.
"You were always too emotional," she sneered, aiming for his side.
He blocked, twisted her arm, and kicked her back across the rooftop.
Their breath steamed in the cold air. Blood smeared their clothes. Every strike told a story. Every dodge recalled a lesson from years ago.
Then—Seraphina broke form. She darted toward the rooftop's edge.
Elias followed—but stopped.
She wasn't running.
She was reaching for something—someone.
His eyes widened.
Lying crumpled behind a rooftop air duct was Selene, unconscious, bruised, lips parted as if whispering a name.
"No…" Elias whispered, taking a step forward.
But Seraphina blocked him with a cruel smile.
"You like saving damsels now? That's new."
Elias clenched his jaw. "She has nothing to do with this."
"Oh, but she has everything to do with you," Seraphina replied, eyes dark with meaning.
And then—
A sudden gust of wind. A deep, guttural hum.
The rooftop door blew open with a metallic slam.
Footsteps. Heavy. Intentional.
Varek emerged from the shadows—black coat billowing like a storm cloud, his eyes cold as death. In his arms, he casually cradled Selene's limp body like a prize.
He stepped forward slowly, boots echoing.
Seraphina smirked and stepped aside, almost bowing in amusement.
Varek dropped Selene gently by a nearby ledge and turned to Elias.
"You've gotten soft, Elias.""Thought I'd remind you what pain feels like."
The world fell silent.