The moment Alaric turned ,The Left Hand was already in front of him.
BOOM
A sudden strike to his face.
Blood burst from Alaric's mouth as he was thrown back, sliding ten steps across the ground.
"It seems you never learned… to respect those above you."
A pause.
"You act on your own… without permission."
Alaric wiped the blood from his mouth and straightened.
"I didn't disobey the Leader's orders."
His eyes sharpened.
"I only went against what *you* wanted."
A faint silence.
"That's why you want to kill me now, isn't it?" Alaric continued coldly.
"You've always hated me."
A step forward.
"Is it because I was better than you?"
Another step.
"Or because I gave up the position of Left Hand… to you?"
A faint, dangerous smile.
"Did that hurt your pride?"
"Silence."
The word dropped like a blade.
"I will kill you today. Here."
A pause.
"You… and this boy."
Alaric let out a quiet laugh.
"I'd like to see you try."
His aura began to rise.
"I've been holding back… but you already know who I am."
In that instant , A gray aura erupted around Alaric ,He lunged forward Nova dodged.
Effortless.
BOOM
A counterpunch.
Fast.
Brutal.
Alaric slammed into the ground.
"This… is your true strength?" Nova said coldly.
Alaric laughed.
Low.
Unshaken.
"You're incredibly strong…"
A pause.
"But you're incredibly stupid."
Silence.
"You rely on your speed… more than your power."
For a split second Something changed.
Nova coughed ,Blood spilled from his mouth ,His eyes widened ,A wound Had opened in his abdomen.
"…How?"
Alaric stood slowly.
"When you dodged my attack…"
A step forward.
"You dropped your guard for just a moment."
He raised his hand slightly.
"And that was enough."
(A dagger—Alaric's dagger—is not physical ,It manifests from his will. ,He can merge it with his aura… to make it real.)
Nova's body weakened , He fell to his knees Then to the ground.
Alaric turned briefly Checking on Jacob , Still unconscious.
Good.
He walked back.
Slowly.
Calmly.
Then He drove the dagger straight into Nova's heart.
No hesitation.
Nova's eyes stared upward As the light in them… faded.
Silence.
Alaric sat beside the body Lost in thought.
For a moment…Everything was quiet.
Then A breath ,Jacob.
He stirred.
Slowly opening his eyes.
"What… happened?"
Alaric looked at him.
His expression… softer now.
"I think… it didn't work."
A small pause.
"But that's okay."
He leaned slightly closer.
"I'm here."
"I'll protect you… from anyone who tries to hurt you."
"Don't be afraid."
Those words Hit deeper than anything else , Jacob's eyes filled with tears.
His heart pounded violently in his chest.
Because…He had never felt something like this before.