CHAPTER 5:ICOSI PANTHEON
The streets of Euka buzzed with the rhythm of life—street vendors calling out their wares, children darting between stalls.
In the midst of this vibrant city, Siah was being dragged forward by the hand, his mother's grip tight and unrelenting.
Stetto trailed behind them, unusually quiet, trying not to attract attention.
Siah dug his heels into the stone path, pulling his hand back with a sigh.
"Mother... where are we going?" he asked, voice low and defeated. "There's no point. My fate's sealed. I hate doing pointless things."
Sally didn't slow down. Her tone, sharp as flint:
"You still have something to say after all the mess you created? You don't have a choice anymore. I won't let you throw your future away."
He gritted his teeth.
"What can we possibly do?"
"Your father's former Crew mate. He grew up as a servant in one of the Major Noble houses. He can help make this go away."
The tension in Siah's face softened just a little. Still, his steps dragged. Stetto, normally loud, stayed quiet, watching the drama unfold with wary eyes.
Eventually, they stopped in front of an towering glass restuarant with neon-lit lounges. The boys' torn clothes and beaten faces turned every head inside the moment they stepped in. Conversation dimmed. Eyes lingered. But Sally didn't flinch. She marched forward to the bar, giving a tight smile to the startled waitress.
"Excuse me. Does Fiche Kartz still work here?"
The waitress blinked, hesitant. She looked like she was about to dismiss them outright, but something in Sally's exhausted face stopped her.
"I'm sorry, ma'am. Fiche Kartz never worked here. He owned the place. Sold it off years ago."
Sally's voice grew urgent.
"Do you know where he went? Anything?"
The waitress shook her head, offering a hint of sympathy.
"I've heard rumors he works as a chef for one of the Major Noble Houses, but… Noble business isn't for people like us. Their affairs are private. You'd have better luck visiting all the Major Noble houses throughout the Empire than asking around here."
Siah and Stetto exchanged glances. The weight of hopelessness hung heavy over them. But Sally turned on her heel and said firmly,
"Let's go."
Siah, lagging behind, muttered,
"Mother… stop. You've done enough. I made this mess—I deserve to deal with it."
Without replying, Sally waved the waitress back.
"We'll eat before we go."
Siah stared at her.
"Where did you get the Equi for this?"
Her glare cut like a blade.
"I loaned it the moment I heard you were arrested."
He froze.
"You already owe so much… because of Dad. And now this? You're going to bury yourself in more debt for me?"
Stetto sat quietly in the corner of the booth, head low, trying not to breathe too loudly. The argument felt like a storm cracking through the silence of the restaurant.
Sally's voice softened but remained stern.
"I'm your mother. If I have to loan every last Equi in this Empire to clear your name… I will."
The words pierced through Siah like a spear. His fists clenched against the table. The pressure in his chest broke loose as he slammed the table, standing up with a roar.
"ENOUGH!"
The restaurant jumped at the outburst. Plates rattled. Heads turned. He stormed out, running blindly through the streets, tears falling as fast as his steps.
Stetto sat frozen beside Sally, caught in the thick silence that remained.
---
The luxurious vehissel hissed as it touched down before the towering gates of the Emperial Estate.
A perfectly straight line of uniformed servants stood ready—silent, poised, heads slightly bowed beneath the soft amber glow of the estate's welcome lanterns.
The scent of exotic blossoms wafted from the manicured gardens stretching behind them, and beyond it all, the otherworldly silhouette of the estate loomed, kissed by the descending sun.
The door of the vehissel slid open with a graceful whisper. Out stepped the Captain of the Blood Covenants.
Cael Ardour's face was a portrait of elegant severity—framing it all was a cascade of silver-white hair, falling in layered waves to his shoulders, always immaculate, each strand gleaming like moonlight drawn to shape.
He moved with practiced dignity, taking a precise step forward and offering his hand.
Hailey Bates accepted it with regal poise, her silken gown flowing behind her like wind-caught flame.
She stepped down, the sunlight catching the glint of determination in her eyes as she drank in the magnificent splendor of the estate's gardens.
Behind her, Theal tumbled out with less grace—his formal tunic slightly untucked, his boots unevenly strapped. He let out a loud yawn, scratching the back of his head.
Hailey's posture stiffened. Her eye twitched. Her teeth clenched tight enough to grind stone.
"You're embarrassing," she hissed through a forced smile, fury leaking through her composure.
Theal merely shrugged, unfazed.
"Where are the rest of the Blood Covenants?"
he asked with a dissatisfied tone, clearly unimpressed with the grand welcome.
"They're currently in the Western Hemisphere," he Cael Ardour answered coolly, halting before Theal.
"Assisting your father and elder brother at the Antilla Islands. The Shurur Empire has launched an invasion. That's why this marriage arrangement came to be."
Theal blinked.
"What? Why are they attacking us?"
Cael shot an impatient glance.
"It's the Shurur Empire. Is there really any need to say more?"
Theal's mouth opened, then closed. His brows furrowed. The weight of the words anchored his mood instantly.
As they were ushered into the crystalline gates of the Emperial Estate, an impossible structure of spiraling towers and shifting glass-like walls, Hailey tried—and barely succeeded—to mask her inner thrill.
Every surface shimmered. Each hallway was an opulent dream. But she kept her back straight, her steps measured, her excitement trapped behind years of etiquette.
Cael turned to them, offering a slight bow.
"This will be your home for the time being. I will serve as your personal guard. Should you require anything, I'll be in the backyard."
Hailey blinked.
"It's just you?"
Cael's lips curved into a gentle, arrogant smile.
"Of course, young lady. If you doubt my skill, ask your brother if I'm up to the task."
His gaze flicked sharply to Theal.
Theal muttered under his breath,
"Cocky bastard."
Straightening, he asked,
"Where's the First Acme? Santis Grelon."
Cael's eyes widened dramatically. Then—he burst into laughter. The sound echoed, bold and unrestrained, bouncing off the crystal walls like a roaring instrument.
"Do you think anyone can just meet an Acme?"
he said between chuckles.
"Even I don't have that privilege. The last time I saw him, I was just a boy."
Theal was visibly taken aback, the blood draining slightly from his face. His fists clenched, not in anger, but in frustration. Before he could speak, Cael cut in:
"It makes sense,"
he said, voice now calm but dripping with condescension.
"Such affairs are far beyond you. Did you actually believe your sister was to marry the Acme? There have been many women presumed to have done so. None of them have met him. They live in different wings of the Emperial Estate—well housed."
Hailey's face paled. The shimmer in her eyes dulled. Her jaw slackened as the illusion crumbled, leaving behind only cold disbelief. The dream she had rehearsed shattered in a heartbeat.
Theal's eyes darted to her, fury building as he saw her expression fall into hollowed despair.
He clenched his fists, stepping forward—but Cael raised a hand, casually stopping him.
"Easy, boy. Emotions are useless here. Not even your father would dare do what you're thinking."
Theal took a deep breath, fists trembling.
"You think I'd let my sister live such a miserable life?"
he growled, voice cracking under strain.
"My father got a letter. A letter from Santis himself. He expressed impatience to wed her—now you expect us to sit here like fools in this—this gilded trash can?!"
Cael's smile vanished. His jaw tightened. For a heartbeat, the air thickened with tension.
Cael's voice razor-sharp, "the Acme doesn't even know who your sister is? That letter was written by the Noble House's."
His voice softened slightly, but his tone still carried the weight of disdain.
"Transcending to Acme is nearly impossible… even for the most gifted of us. Those who reach such heights have no interest in wordly affairs."
The silence after his words was deafening.
"…So,"
he said, brushing back a strand of white hair,
"can we now all go on about our day? Everything you need is in the Estate."
Theal stood frozen. Hailey collapsed forward, tears streaming down her face as the pressure overwhelmed her.
She fell into her brother's arms, trembling as he caught her, holding her tight.
Her tears stained his coat.
Theal looked over her shoulder, meeting Cael's eyes.