The Corrupted Syndicate

Zenos extended his arm, poised to grasp the girl's shoulder, but paused, granting her the space to finish her song. Even after her final note lingered in the air, he found himself reluctant to disturb Mavislin's tranquil demeanor.

"You're not exactly as stealthy as you think, Zenos. What is it?" chimed the dragoness, a single snake forming on her hair.

The little serpent then turned to hiss questioningly at the Viceroy, its tongue lightly poking on his finger. The Viceroy relaxed his shoulders as he sat on the bed, behind the dragoness, facing the opposite way from her.

"Your rabbit has enlightened me as to why you lashed out earlier," started the blonde, closing his eyes.

"Ah... So it seems... Now wonder why you didn't jump on the chance to take off my head even though I was so vulnerable sitting here. Hell, I don't even know why I would come back to your room when you were the source of my anger."

"While I can appreciate the difficulty of grappling with emotions long suppressed, understand this—such defiance, if displayed before my troops, or worse, my father, could bring you far more than mere frustration. It could cost you dearly."

"I'm aware. My apologies for acting out... And I do believe I owe you an answer to your question-"

"The Fading Dreams of the Snow Sakura," said Zenos, suddenly, cutting off whatever train of thought that Mavislin had.

The dragoness' eyes widened as she made the connection, instantly wanting to turn her head. But she thought twice and breathed in deeply to calm herself.

"That was the song's name, was it not? Or am I mistaken?" quizzed the blonde.

"It was. I vaguely remember where I've heard it from yet I found myself singing that song when I feel my emotions going haywire. Where have you heard it from?"

"I had glanced over the song's words before, but it is your voice that breathed life into them, truly for the first time. A hauntingly beautiful ballad, and your performance... masterfully captured both its sorrow and elegance," praised Zenos, turning around.

The small snake let out a startled yelp before retreating into Mavislin's hair as the Viceroy wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close until her back pressed against his firm chest.

Initially taken aback, the dragoness soon found herself melting into his warm embrace, the tension gradually slipping away. He lowered his chin to rest in the crook of her neck, his breath soft against her skin as he inhaled her scent, a quiet intimacy settling between them.

"Since when were you one to praise others so easily? I thought I would earn those sweet words when you see me standing in the middle of the battlefield, coated with my enemy's blood..."

"Not when I am upset and singing," joked Mavislin as she rested her hands on his clasped ones.

"It would serve us well to guard this secret closely. I have no desire for others to suggest that I've grown soft for the Shadow of the Syndicate," murmured Zenos, giving a peck on the girl's cheek.

"That shall be up for debate."

As the two shared a fleeting moment of comfort, Mattheos busied himself mending his gear for the approaching battle. But as he stitched the final patch, a wave of unease washed over him, his fur bristling as if sensing a hostile presence lurking behind him.

Without hesitation, Matt sprang to his feet, drawing his blade in one swift motion. He shifted into a battle stance, ready to confront whatever—or whoever—was preparing to strike from the shadows.

A shimmer of pale blue light suddenly flared before him, blinding the rabbit for a brief moment.

As his vision adjusted, he found himself face-to-face with an extraordinary sight: an ethereal creature hovered in the air, a colossal falcon crafted from intricate wire mesh, its blue wires glistening like strands of the night sky, and its heart pulsing with an emerald glow.

Before he could fully comprehend the spectacle, Matt sprang into action, instinct overriding his awe. With a determined shout, he swung his blade at the formidable creature, intent on defending himself.

The falcon let out a piercing screech, its voice echoing through the air as it deftly swerved away from him. With a powerful flap of its wings, it launched a barrage of wire mesh feathers, each one tipped with a sharp point, hurtling straight toward the rabbit.

Matt instinctively raised his sword to defend himself, but as the feathers struck, they unraveled in a flash of green light, transforming into glowing wires that coiled around his blade like serpents.

Startled, he realized that these wires were still connected to the falcon's wings. With a sudden, forceful motion, the bird flew backward, yanking his sword from his grasp and sending it spinning into the air.