Nero entered the house, the empty hallways echoing with each of his steps.
He walked toward his room, his mind still preoccupied with the day's events.
Then, a soft, familiar voice filtered from behind the door: it was Rose. His heart skipped a beat, and for a moment he hesitated, unsure whether to enter.
With a sigh, he decided to open the door. The light from the room illuminated his tired face as he sank down onto the bed, propping himself up on his elbows and letting the accumulated tension drain from his body. Rose was there, watching him silently, and for a moment, the outside world vanished.
"What's wrong?" Nero asked, genuinely concerned for his sister.
Rose approached Nero.
"I... I'm... a burden, Nero," Rose's voice cracked slightly.
"No, You are not."
"Shut up, and let me speak..."
Nero gritted his teeth.
"I'm weak, you... you always do everything for me. You think I don't see it, Nero... you don't want to be a criminal."
Rose's words fell, a truth that even Nero couldn't accept.
"You only do it because it's the only way to keep me fed and educated."
"I don't do anything for you... I'm just a... burden."
Rose's tears streamed down her face, soaking it.
"I'm weak because I can't do anything for you."
Nero felt angered by Rose's words.
"I hate myself, I hate myself, I ha-"
Whack!
Nero slapped Rose hard across the face, the red mark clearly visible. Rose put her hand to the mark and looked at Nero in disbelief.
"You're not weak, I'm weak," Nero said, raising his voice slightly.
"I'm a useless person, whose only way to live is by being a monster."
"Killing people for money, destroying families. All of that kills my conscience."
"But I do it so you can be happy. So you can get an education and succeed..."
Nero hugged Rose's body, burying his face in her chest.
Nero held Rose against his chest, feeling her sobs mingle with the beating of his own heart.
For a moment, time seemed to stand still.
The room, once silent, was now filled with their ragged breaths and the faint echo of tears on the blanket.
"No... don't say that, Rose," Nero whispered, his voice trembling. "You're not a burden. You never have been."
Rose hid her face against his shoulder, trying to regain control, but every word Nero spoke pierced her.
"But... I just..." she managed between sobs, "I don't want to be a bother... I don't want to cause you any trouble..."
"You never would!" Nero interrupted, tightening his arms around her. "Everything I do, everything I've done... I do it for you, because I love you. Because you're important to me, and I would never let you feel alone or unprotected."
Rose closed her eyes, feeling something inside her begin to ease. The guilt was still there, but now it was mixed with something else: relief, security... and a strange warmth she hadn't felt in a long time.
"Promise me..." Rose said, barely audible, "promise me you won't leave me alone... ever."
Nero leaned in slightly and pressed his forehead against hers.
"I promise. Never."
Nero pulled back slightly from Rose, still holding her for a few seconds before straightening up. With a deep sigh, he got out of bed and headed for the door.
As he opened it, he stopped dead in his tracks. Behind him, leaning against the frame, stood Axel, watching the scene with a serious expression, but with a melancholic glint in his eyes.
"An older brother does everything for his younger brother," Axel said in a low, sad, melancholic voice, almost a whisper heavy with resignation, "he always does."
Nero looked at him, surprised, unsure whether to feel relief at not being alone or discomfort at having been seen in such an intimate moment. Axel didn't seem to judge him; rather, he seemed to understand a pain that Nero himself was only just beginning to confront.
"I know…" Nero replied, his voice deep and heavy with emotion, "and I will continue to do so. Because it's my duty… and because I can't… I don't want to fail him."
Axel nodded slightly, as if he understood everything without needing another word.
"Just remember… that carrying everything doesn't always make you stronger. Sometimes, sharing the burden… is also strength."
After about an hour, Axel gathered Kōri, Lux, Sunday, and Nero.
"We have to go to a meeting," he said in a firm but calm voice.
Sunday and Nero walked side by side, feigning composure, though beneath the surface their minds were still processing recent events.
The four left the house and walked through the streets of Vickmolt.
They strolled for quite a while until they saw something breathtaking and beautiful.
The city was illuminated by lanterns, and a festive atmosphere filled the air: it was the Wind Carnival, an annual event that filled the streets with color, music, and joy. The costumes, flags, and bustle contrasted sharply with the group's seriousness, but none of them let themselves be too distracted.
The Church of the Wind does this to obtain Zephyr's blessing.
They continued walking until they reached a warehouse, discreet and secluded. Axel stopped in front of the back door and, without saying a word, Noise. He opened the door to let them in.
The warehouse was dimly lit, with boxes and objects piled up along the walls. The smell of wood and old oil permeated the air. There, away from the prying eyes of the carnival and the bustle of the city, they could calmly prepare and plan.
Inside, there were about 30 people with worried expressions.
One of them ran straight to Axel.
"Oh, hi Westen," Axel said, trying to shake his hand.
"The Smilers... They declared war on us..."