Night fell over Central in a muted haze.

Lanterns flared to life one by one, their light much softer than the braziers used during the day.

The mist thickened along the cliffs, but oddly enough, visibility wasn't as hindered as Ryn had hoped.

Still, it would be enough.

Hero Candidate and Captain watched from a shadowed rooftop, Ryn logging patrol routes and timing in silence while Fritz adjusted his equipment beside him.

There were fewer patrols at night, which made the plan feasible.

"This is it," Fritz murmured.

The statue loomed at the city's heart, visible even through the haze. An enormous Bloodmane ancestor was carved in stone, his posture proud with a hint of arrogance. Though, he looked more 'beast' than 'man', a reminder of their heritage, not unity.

Fritz shifted his weight. "Once we start this… there's no walking it back."

"I know."

Ryn's eyes never left the statue.

"Once it goes down," he said quietly, "they'll respond fast. Don't let your guard down. Be ready for captains—maybe even Kharvos."

Fritz frowned. "You really think he'd come?"

Ryn didn't answer.

Fritz took that as confirmation and nodded once.

Another pause.

"After that," Fritz said, quieter, "we split?"

"No," Ryn replied. "We move together until the noise peaks. Then we peel off."

He adjusted his grip on his weapon.

"From there," he continued, "Mira runs."

Fritz clenched his jaw. "And us?"

Ryn turned back toward the statue.

"We survive long enough for her to leave," he continued.

"Then, we do the same."

The opening finally revealed itself as mist shifted once more. For the first time since they'd arrived in Central, the space around the statue was unguarded.

Ryn dropped from the rooftop, landing softly at the statue's base.

Fritz followed without a sound.

He reached into his ring and pulled out the explosives they'd stolen earlier from the barracks.

"Alright," he said quietly. "Ready?"

Fritz unsheathed his sword and nodded.

Ryn pulled his hood up.

He stepped back, measured the angle, and flicked his wrist.

The first explosive sailed in a shallow arc, sticking onto the statue's raised arm. A second, then a third followed, each one placed with intent.

"Two seconds," Fritz murmured.

Ryn nodded.

They didn't retreat.

They waited.

Footsteps echoed from the edge of the plaza. A Bloodmane guard rounded the corner, lantern raised—confusion settling in across his face as he took in the sight.

Two suspicious figures at the statue's base.

Explosives embedded in their sacred stone.

His eyes widened.

"HEY—!"

CRACKK!

The detonation hit, sending a concussive shockwave that fractured outward, tearing the statue's arm clean out. The force rolled across the plaza, rattling nearby lanterns and shattering glass. Dust and debris exploded into the air as the massive figure began to tilt.

The guard screamed, stumbling backward as the statue collapsed, noise echoing through Central.

Ryn was already moving.

"Now," he said.

They peeled off in opposite directions, boots striking stone as alarms began to howl across the city.

Behind them, the statue hit the ground.

And Central woke up.

Ryn sprinted.

Stone blurred beneath his boots as he cut through side streets and service corridors, keeping to the edges where he could barely be seen.

The first guard rounded a corner too fast.

Ryn stepped in and slammed his shoulder into the man's chest, redirecting the momentum into the wall.

His body met stone with a dull crack, a shocked cry came out before he went unconscious.

Ryn didn't stop.

A second pair spotted him from across a narrow bridge. One raised his spear; the other fumbled for a horn.

Drawing Snow from its sheath, Ryn threw it.

The blade streaked through the air, cutting all wind as it tore the horn right off the guard's hand.

He closed the distance before the spear finished its thrust, catching the shaft before twisting and driving a knee into the guard's ribs.

Using that same momentum, he pivoted his lower body—landing a kick right on the remaining guard's chin.

Both went down hard.

Standing up, Ryn took a breath and dusted off his pants before vaulting off the nearby railing to the lower tier, rolling once and coming up already moving.

It was where they were supposed to meet Mira.

With [Enhanced Senses], he scanned the perimeter, finally allowing himself to catch his breath once it was cleared.

He waited.

A minute passed.

Then another.

Shit, she's not coming. Something's wrong.

Ryn moved, cutting across a bridge and slipping into a narrow service stair that angled upward into a residential area.

This was supposed to be Fritz's route.

Yet, nothing had been disturbed.

Which meant…he didn't make it here.

Ryn emerged onto the edge of the square and stopped.

Fritz was in the middle of a situation.

Around two dozen guards had pressed on him, weapons raised cautiously. Fritz stood with his blade out, breathing hard but controlled.

Ryn watched for half a second longer than necessary.

Fritz fought like a knight.

He met attacks head-on, forcing space through sheer presence.

It had completely slipped Ryn's mind that this man was supposed to be the Hero in his past life, so fighting fair was his one modus operandi.

Ryn vaulted upward instead.

He hit the rooftop hard, boots skidding against wet stone as he slid to a stop.

Placing a palm on the rooftop, he marked it with Essence.

Ryn didn't hesitate.

He reached into his pocket and flicked a coin downward.

"Fritz—catch!"

Fritz barely had time to react. The coin struck his chestplate and clattered against his gauntlet—

[Star's Path]

Ryn vanished.

The world folded.

He reappeared beside Fritz mid-step, fingers already locking around his shoulder.

"What—"

Ryn triggered Star's Path again.

Space lurched.

They were back on the roof in an instant.

Fritz dropped to his knees, retching violently as his vision spun. His hand clawed at his stomach, his breathing turned shallow, face drained of color.

"Sorry, first time using that to bring someone along."

"Don't—" Fritz gagged, swallowing hard. "Don't ever—do that again—"

Ryn crouched beside him, steadying him before he tipped over.

"Noted," he said.

Below them, guards skidded to a halt, confusion rippling through their formation as they stared at the now-empty alley.

They moved for a bit, rooftops passing beneath them as Fritz got his bearings back. His steps were uneven at first, then steadier.

"…So," Fritz said hoarsely, swallowing once. "So you were the thief."

Ryn didn't slow.

"Doesn't matter now," he replied.

Fritz opened his mouth, then closed it again.

Ryn stopped at the edge of the roof, eyes already tracking the streets below.

"The plan's off," he said. "Mira didn't show up at the spot."

Fritz frowned. "Mira?"

"No signal," Ryn said. "Which means something's wrong."

He turned, already moving again.

"We're checking on her. Now."

Fritz nodded, the question still sitting between them, but he had to set his priorities straight.

They disappeared into the mist, Central's noise swallowing the moment whole.

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