Namkhai wandered through the market - the very same place where 1991 had been walking the day before. In the evening, it looked completely different. Lantern light shimmered across the surface of a large fountain, while open-air cafés buzzed with conversation. Vendors called out their offers, and the air was thick with the smell of grilled meat and vegetables. Outsiders sold strange, exotic goods, and nearby, workers unloaded crates from a truck, hauling them toward the stalls.
He stopped near the center, by the fountain, scanning the area.
"Where do I even begin." he thought." Delilah's not here. Without her ability, finding him will be much harder… maybe I should start with some kebab?"
What he didn't notice was that two dark figures stood several meters behind him.
They didn't move.
They simply watched.
_____
Phobos slowly shifted his katana into a reverse grip, his eyes fixed on the two figures standing atop a heap of garbage. Jeremiel and Abaddiel stood calmly, without moving.
He sensed something familiar about them, but couldn't quite put his finger on it He sensed something familiar about them, but couldn't quite put his finger on it
"Maybe they're some of the wanted criminals… the ones the leader recruits as guards," the thought flashed through his mind.
"So?" Abaddiel spoke again. "Where's your fourth?"
Delilah and Phobos exchanged a glance, both frowning slightly.
"Fourth?" Phobos narrowed his eyes. "So that annoying brat is already dead?"
"What did you expect?" Abaddiel smirked. "He was impossible to miss. Yelling across the whole street, even asking about our leader."
Phobos clenched his jaw.
"What an idiot. Wasn't it enough just to keep a low profile? Now he's ruined my whole operation."
Abaddiel suddenly burst into laughter - loud, almost hysterical. Both Phobos and Delilah turned toward him. Jeremiel tilted his head slightly in his direction.
"What's so funny, brother?"
Still grinning, Abaddiel wiped a tear from his eye.
"It's just…" he pointed at Phobos. "That loser thinks we found them thanks to that idiot! Ha-ha!"
Phobos tensed.
"Listen carefully," Abaddiel continued. "Did you really think we'd just let anyone walk into our village? You think your fake government documents mean anything?"
Delilah stiffened.
"We knew who you were from the very moment you stepped inside. And we knew why you came." He paused briefly. "You're not the first and definitely not the last government dogs sent here to eliminate our leader. Dozens came before you. Every single one died within the first few days."
"We handled them personally," Jeremiel added calmly. "And unfortunately, we'll do the same to you."
"Honestly? Your case is pathetic. You weren't even properly covered. Just thrown away like trash, expendable. We figured you out far too easily."
Phobos stood still, but anger flickered in his eyes.
"Damn Andok." he muttered. "How were we supposed to complete this mission with cover like that."
He tightened his grip on the katana.
"Alright, enough talking. Let's fight already! Brother, don't interfere!" Abaddiel shouted, then leapt down from the top of the garbage pile, landing between Delilah and Phobos. Despite the weight of his sword, he landed almost silently.
Both of them immediately focused on him.
"Fine," Jeremiel replied calmly, raising his hand. The trident embedded in the ground tore itself free and flew back into his grasp.
Abaddiel didn't hesitate. He lunged forward and brought his blade down on Phobos. The killer barely managed to parry the blow with his katana, but the force of the strike sent him flying backward.
He hadn't expected that kind of strength.
Delilah had already removed her gloves. She moved silently behind Abaddiel, reaching out, but he was ready. Angel dodged instantly, then swung his wing, sending a powerful of air that hurled her aside.
She rolled across the ground and pushed herself back up.
"I won't let you touch me," Abaddiel smirked. "We know all your abilities. You showed them the moment you entered the village."
Phobos let out a quiet chuckle.
He stepped forward and behind him, a dark rift opened. Thick black liquid began to pour out, stretching into long, living appendages, writhing like tentacles.
They lashed forward.
Abaddiel reacted instantly, slipping past the first strike, then the second. His movements were precise, effortless. He swung his sword to cut through one of the tendrils.
The blade went in, but didn't cut through it.The sword stuck.
The substance began to coat the blade. It wasn't solid, but rather offered resistance, clinging to the blade and refusing to be cut through.
Abaddiel frowned slightly.
"That nasty junk doesn't cut it…"
Phobos didn't wait. The moment Abaddiel's weapon got caught, he dashed forward, gaining speed, then leapt, bringing his katana down.
But the angel suddenly beat his wing. A violent gust of air exploded outward. Phobos was thrown back, but he managed to recover midair and land on his feet, sliding slightly.
At the same time, Delilah tried to circle behind him again. He tore his blade free and, in one smooth motion, grabbed her by the throat.
He was wearing gloves, and his body was almost completely covered. Only his face was exposed.
Angel lifted her into the air.
"You're lucky," he said calmly, looking down at her. "My brother doesn't like killing women."
Delilah shot him a cold look and spat.
Abaddiel was taken aback for a split second. It suddenly dawned on him that her spit likely carried the same power as her touch.
Before it could reach him, a trident cut through the air with a dull whistle and slammed into the ground between them.
Jeremiel had intervened.
"Careful, brother," he said calmly, recalling the weapon to his hand. "If her body alone has such an effect, her saliva is surely worse."
Abaddiel snorted and, without hesitation, hurled Delilah aside with all his might. She crashed down onto a pile of rubbish, which shifted under the impact.
"Yeah… figured that out a bit late. Thanks for the save. Anyway, it won't be easy to catch her with that kind of strength."
Phobos was already beside her, pulling her free from the debris. She was battered and bleeding, her movements stiff as she tried to force herself back into a fighting stance.
"Can you still fight?" he asked.
Delilah nodded.
Phobos leaned closer.
"Then listen, I have a plan."
He spoke quickly, almost in a whisper. As he explained, her eyes widened slightly.
Abaddiel watched them with a smirk.
"Whisper all you want. No amount of planning bridges the gap between trash like you and someone like me. I'm only just warming up."
Phobos steadied his blade, and Delilah, despite her injuries, took her stance with a unwavering focus
"So be it," Abaddiel growled.
_____
Meanwhile, Namkhai stood at a stall, finishing a veal kebab with clear satisfaction, in no hurry to continue his search.
"Alright… he's not near the kebab place," he thought, taking another bite. "And no one saw him there, so he's probably at that juice and cocktail cafe. Definitely the kind of place he'd wander into."
He was about to move on when a voice called out behind him:
"Sir Namkhai, may I speak with you urgently?"
"Huh?"
Namkhai turned.
Standing before him was Finn - the same knight who was supposed to accompany him to meet the village leader the next day.