(What I imagined Zephyr to look like enhanced and detailed using photoshop)
ᕙ( •̀ ᗜ •́ )ᕗ
As they leave the patriarchs mansion, Luna's thoughts weighed heavily on her. She could still feel the lingering presence of the shadows within her, whispering promises of untapped power. But with that power came a dangerous temptation—a hunger she wasn't sure she could control. The air felt thick with uncertainty, and even the rising sun did little to warm the cold pit growing in her stomach.
Kai walked beside her, his steps measured, his face etched with concern. He had always been the calm center, the one to think things through. But even now, there was a tension in him she hadn't seen before. He kept his hands close to the daggers on his back, scanning the horizon as if expecting another ambush.
Rose, on the other hand, moved with an almost reckless confidence. She had a grin plastered on her face, the adrenaline of victory still coursing through her veins. "So, Luna," she said, breaking the silence. "How exactly does one go about finding an underground network of spies and assassins? Do we just knock on some shady doors and ask for the Spider?"
Luna smirked slightly, appreciating Rose's attempt to lighten the mood, but she knew it wouldn't be that easy. "The Spider finds you," she replied. "If they want to be found."
"Comforting," Rose muttered with a chuckle.
Kai, ever pragmatic, cut in. "We don't have time to play games. The nobles are probably already mobilizing. We need the Spider's aid before they solidify their plans."
Luna nodded, her face growing serious again. "I'll make contact. I know where their agents frequent. But we have to be careful. The Spider values loyalty above all else, and we're outsiders now. Even with my past connections, they won't trust us easily."
Kai looked at her, his expression unreadable. "You're sure about this? The Spider's loyalty is fickle. You might have been trained by them, but that doesn't guarantee their allegiance."
Luna hesitated. She wasn't sure. "the Spider's network" was built on secrets, and trust was a commodity traded at a steep price. "It's our best chance," she said after a moment. "And we don't have the luxury of time."
The path now leading them toward the capital's outskirts. The city loomed in the distance, its towers and spires catching the first light of day. It was there, in the hidden corners of the sprawling city, that they would find the Spider—or be found.
As they walked, the silence returned, punctuated only by the crunch of gravel underfoot. Luna could feel the weight of the coming confrontation pressing down on her, but something else gnawed at her, too. The shadows. They had obeyed her in the fight against the patriarch, but they had been more aggressive than she had intended. She hadn't just controlled them—she had unleashed them.
Kai seemed to sense her unease. "You alright?" he asked quietly, glancing at her.
Luna hesitated before answering. "The shadows... they're stronger now. More unpredictable. I don't know if I can fully control them."
Kai frowned. "You saved us back there. Without your power, we wouldn't have defeated the patriarch. But I understand the risk. Just... don't lose yourself to it."
Luna nodded but said nothing. The darkness within her was like a double-edged blade, one that could cut both ways.
As the city gates grew closer, Luna slowed her pace. "We split up here," she said, her voice firm. "I'll make contact with the Spider alone. If we go in as a group, it'll look like we're desperate."
Kai opened his mouth to protest, but Luna raised a hand. "I know what I'm doing. Trust me."
He sighed but relented. "Fine. We'll regroup at the tavern on the east side by sundown. Be careful."
Luna gave them both a nod before turning and vanishing into the labyrinth of alleys that surrounded the city's outskirts. She moved like a shadow herself, slipping through the city's underbelly with practiced ease. Her destination wasn't a specific place but rather a presence—a pulse in the air that only those who had trained with the Spider could sense. She followed that instinct, winding through narrow streets and darkened corridors until she found herself at a nondescript door in the heart of a forgotten district.
Taking a deep breath, Luna knocked twice, a rhythm she remembered from her days of training. The door opened slightly, revealing a hooded figure who said nothing but simply stepped aside, allowing her entry.
Inside, the dimly lit room was filled with shadowy figures, their eyes watching her closely. Luna felt the weight of their gaze but held her head high. She had once been one of them for a short time. Now, she was an outsider.... again, but not without value.
A figure stepped forward; their face obscured by the hood. "Luna," a familiar voice said, smooth and calculating. "It's been such a short time how ya been Luna."
Luna's heart skipped a beat. She recognized the voice—it belonged to Zephyr, one of the Spider's most trusted agents and the person who had watched her struggle in the pit alongside the Spider.
"I didn't think I'd see you again," Zephyr continued, circling her slowly. "Especially not after what you and your little band of hooligans just did."
Luna kept her composure. "How did you know about the patriarch being dead? The news shouldn't have been released considering it JUST happened..."
Zephyr smirks and chuckles a bit "Oh Luna did you really think that we "the Spider's network" wouldn't find out about your little stunt?.... please we've been watching you since you left this place.
*His statement sends a chill down Luna's spine, but she doesn't react, she continues*
"The nobles are moving to take control. We need the Spider's help."
Zephyr stopped in front of her, tilting their head slightly. "We? You come to us with a request, but you're no longer one of us, Luna. Why should we involve ourselves in your war?"
Luna met their gaze, her voice steady. "Because this isn't just my war. If the nobles seize power, they'll come for the Spider next. The patriarch kept them in check, but with him gone, they'll want to control everything. Help us, and we can stop them. Together, we can ensure the old power structures fall for good."
Zephyr was silent for a moment, their eyes studying her intently. Then, slowly, they nodded. "Perhaps. But the Spider doesn't act on charity. What are you willing to offer in return?"
Luna braced herself, knowing the true terms were about to be revealed. "What do you want?"
Zephyr's smile widened, cold and sharp as a blade. "When this is all over, when the nobles are defeated, and the kingdom lies in chaos... the Spider will claim its rightful place in the shadows. You, Luna, will ensure your little friend Kai becomes the new patriarch of this city, and when he does you will ensure that "the Spider network" thrives.
Luna's breath caught in her throat. Zephyr's demand was more than she had anticipated—forcing Kai into a role he never wanted, aligning her and her friends with the Spider's web of control. She had expected a price, but not this. The thought of manipulating Kai, of turning him into the patriarch to serve the Spider's interests, left a bitter taste in her mouth.
She fought to keep her expression neutral, though her mind raced. Kai had always wanted freedom, not power. He'd never agree to become a pawn in the Spider's game, especially knowing what the role of the patriarch entailed. But without the Spider's aid, their mission would likely fail, and the nobles would tighten their grip on the city.
Luna hesitated before responding, careful to measure her words. "That's... a tall order, Zephyr. Kai isn't someone who seeks power. He'd never willingly become patriarch. Forcing that upon him—it could fracture our alliance."
Zephyr's eyes glinted with cold amusement. "You misunderstand, Luna. I don't care whether he wants the power. I only care that he takes it. He's the perfect candidate. Strong, trusted by the people, with just enough reluctance to appear noble. The Spider needs a face in the city—someone we can control. And you..." He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "You will ensure he falls in line."
The shadows within Luna stirred, sensing her rising turmoil. Her fists clenched, but she kept her voice steady. "Kai won't be controlled. Not by you, not by me. He fights for something greater than all this."
Zephyr shrugged, his smile never faltering. "Everyone has their price. If Kai resists, well... perhaps there are other ways to convince him. You'd be surprised what one can do with the right leverage." His gaze flickered with a subtle threat.
Luna felt her heart tighten. "Don't touch him," she said, her voice low but firm. The shadows within her whispered in response, eager to act, but she suppressed them. "I'll talk to him. But if you try to manipulate Kai, you'll lose me as well."
Zephyr ignored Luna's claims and spoke, "You like this boy Kai don't you," he pauses for a moment and begins to laugh.
Luna's face began to blush, but she stays silent
"I knew it you always had a weakness for your friends," Zephyr continued, stepping closer. "It's admirable, in a way. But it's also your downfall. Emotions like that... they cloud judgment."
Luna kept her expression neutral, but inside, her emotions churned. Zephyr's words struck too close to the truth, and the tension in the air between them thickened. The shadows within her stirred, sensing her turmoil and feeding off her rising anger. She forced herself to remain calm, knowing Zephyr would seize on any sign of weakness.
"You may think you know me, Zephyr, but you're wrong," Luna said, her voice cold and measured. "I'm here to make a deal, not play your mind games."
Zephyr smirked, unfazed by her defiance. "Oh, Luna, I'm not the one playing games here. You are. You're juggling loyalty to your friends, your own power, and the needs of this city. But the sooner you realize you can't protect everyone, the better off you'll be."
Luna's eyes narrowed. "I don't need to protect everyone. Just the ones who matter."
"And what happens when the shadows decide who matters more?" Zephyr's voice dropped, becoming almost a whisper, his words cutting deep. "Can you even trust yourself anymore?"
Luna felt the pull of the darkness within her, the temptation to lash out and show Zephyr exactly what kind of power she now held. But she knew that was what he wanted—for her to lose control, to show her hand too early.
Instead, she inhaled slowly, focusing on her center, grounding herself. "I came here because the Spider needs allies as much as we do. You can either help us and claim your piece of the future, or you can stay in the shadows while the nobles destroy everything."
Zephyr studied her for a long moment, then finally gave a slow nod. "You've always been persistent. Fine. I'll bring your proposal to the Spider, but understand this, Luna—the moment you or your friends step out of line, we'll take what's ours. No more warnings."
The threat hung in the air, but Luna refused to let it intimidate her. She had expected this from the start. "I'll hold up my end of the deal," she said firmly, though the weight of the bargain already pressed heavily on her chest.
Zephyr motioned toward the door. "Go, then. "the Spider's network" will only be able to stall the nobles for only about a month or two give or take you'll need to have a strong enough army by then, and good luck you're going to need it"
Without another word, Luna turned and left the darkened room, her thoughts spinning as she retraced her steps through the winding alleys. The city was beginning to stir, the first signs of morning activity creeping through the streets, but Luna barely noticed.
Kai. How was she supposed to tell him about Zephyr's demand? The thought of dragging him into a role he'd never want—to become a puppet for the Spider—made her stomach churn. She knew Kai's values. He fought for freedom, not control. And if he ever found out what price she'd promised for the Spider's help...
Would he ever forgive me?
(Zephyr final edit and colored)
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