Zephyrion hid in the pitch darkness, observing a pair of sanguines conversing below. Through the air, he could tell how many people were around.

’Two at the front, nineteen more inside.’

The number was fewer than his estimate. Still, this cave held the largest gathering of sanguines he’d seen since entering the cavern, and also the brightest light. Using the darkness here would be next to impossible.

Zephyrion would very much like to avoid this cave, but unfortunately, he could also feel several bound figures within it. Cadets.

Given every cadet they’d met so far, as well as the sanguines’ numbers, Zephyrion imagined this was where the elites were held. Kaelion, the city lords’ descendants, and the other promising cadets. It was also most likely the last cave.

’After this, it’s over.’

He hated every bit of time spent with the cadets and did not at all look forward to leading them in the future. They were youths barely exposed to the world, inefficient in every sense. Unlike Kaiden and Fiona, who at least showed promise, most were basically useless.

Zephyrion let out a quiet sigh and glanced back. Through the darkness, he could still sense Lumi’s eyes on him.

She, along with the other cadets, waited silently at the end of the passage. She’d always been able to find him, even in deep stealth. He wondered if it was his scent that always gave him away or if she had some method he was unaware of. He gave her a small nod, faintly surprised when she returned it.

Weird.

He turned back to the sanguines. Unfortunately, they would be at a great disadvantage should they fight in the brightly lit cave. They had to lure them out here, where the darkness could become their weapon.

A moment later, Zephyrion exhaled, steadying his breathing, then dropped. His landing was so silent not a sound echoed. Yet the sanguines’ eyes widened.

They felt his blood.

Zephyrion allowed a moment to pass.

"Wha—"

Then he spun. A streak of silver sliced through the darkness, followed by the splatter of something wet. Four distinct thuds echoed.

He vanished back into the darkness, watching as the sounds did their work.

"Huh? What the fuck was that!?"

"Noir! Finn! Where the fuck did you idiots disappear to?!"

Shouts rippled from within the cave. No answer. A deafening silence followed.

"Hey... you think something happened?"

"What the hell could’ve happened? We’ve only got a bunch of pussy-ass kids in here!"

"Then go check."

"...What?"

A moment of oppressive silence followed before the sanguine clicked his tongue.

"Tch, fine then! I’ll prove you dumbasses are just scaring yourselves!"

Zephyrion frowned as the sanguine approached. Merely one. It was not enough.

Still, he’d foreseen this happening. He gestured for Lumi and the others to hold, then moved to give them a little more motivation.

The sanguine stepped out of the cave, then barked a laugh.

"See! I told you there’s nothi—"

He suddenly fell silent, nose twitching.

"...Wait. I smell blo—"

Zephyrion dropped like a shadow, his dagger driving into the sanguine’s throat. The man choked as blood burst from his neck. He caught only a glimpse of Zephyrion’s cold purple eyes before the latter melted back into the darkness.

"Gurled... gulf... gulf..."

"What!?"

"He’s bleeding!"

"We’re under attack! Get the fuck out there!"

A flurry of footsteps and shouts followed as the sanguines came surging out. Zephyrion almost cursed as he saw many of them carrying torches, their flames pushing back the darkness. He turned and met Lumi’s eyes through the fading shadows, giving a single nod.

’Now.’

Lumi nodded and gave the signal to the other cadets.

"Attack!" Horus shouted.

"Attack!"

With a unified roar, the cadets surged toward the sanguines, shaking the pathway.

’Six seconds.’

Zephyrion counted the sanguines that emerged. About ten. They stared at the charging cadets with wide eyes.

"What the fuck!?"

"How the hell did they get out!?"

"Those useless bastards! They couldn’t even keep a bunch of kids tied up!"

Their attention was swallowed entirely by the approaching cadets, completely oblivious to Zephyrion concealed within the small patch of darkness above.

’Four seconds.’

"Doesn’t matter! Round them up, now!"

"These little fuckers picked the wrong people to mess with!"

"Yeah! We’re gonna beat the living shit out of every one of you!"

Zephyrion allowed a few more moments to pass. Blood pooled around the sanguines’ arms, forming large blunt clubs. It spread over their bodies, forming dense blood armor while leaving their heads exposed. They stepped forward with wide grins and cold eyes, their attention fixed entirely on the cadets.

’Two seconds.’

Then Zephyrion dropped, landing silently in their midst.

It took them a moment.

One where the sanguines’ eyes cycled through multiple emotions. First came confusion, then recognition, then disbelief. By the time it became caution, Zephyrion was already a blur.

A dagger in each hand, a spinning slash through two necks, blood spluttering. He buried his daggers into another’s eyes before the sanguines could fully turn toward him.

Three dead. Sixteen more to go.

Zephyrion yanked the body of the sanguine before him just as a barrage of attacks slammed into it.

"Fucking bastard! Die! Die!"

Several more blows battered the body, driving him into the wall and blocking any chance of escape. A pool of blood gradually spread beneath him. Still, Zephyrion’s eyes remained cold.

’Zero.’

The head of a sanguine flew before the roar of the cadets reached them.

Lumi landed in the middle of the sanguines, head and body falling in her wake. The coldness in her eyes made several sanguines flinch.

Zephyrion kicked the battered corpse aside, meeting Lumi’s eyes. In that brief moment, countless words seemed to pass between them.

They shot toward each other, arms whipping out. Their daggers found two sanguines charging straight at them, silencing them.

They spun in unison as several blood projectiles whizzed past. Their daggers carved silver streaks through the air, finding two throats. They moved so close together, yet so perfectly in sync they never touched.

Like a dance of death.

Two more fell in rapid succession.