Leonardo walked through the glowing streets of Clockspire, the golden towers catching the late sun and throwing long shadows across the cobblestone roads. He looked around, almost amused.
Such a city of gold… rich history, beautiful architecture… yet filled with people who carry sins darker than the devil himself.
As he moved down a narrow street, he noticed a man sitting on the ground, hand out, begging for coins. Leonardo stopped, reached down, and helped the man stand.
"Thank you, young man," the man said.
Leonardo chuckled, a low, private sound.
I never knew I could look so young. All it took was some modern clothes and a fake name.
"No problem," he replied.
His phone buzzed. He answered.
Paige's voice came through, sharp and familiar."I think we found who burned your house."
Leonardo's eyes narrowed. "Hmm…"
"I'll fill you in once you're back in town. Take care of yourself, Kai," Paige said before hanging up.
Leonardo slipped his phone away and continued walking toward a quiet house near the shoreline, waves crashing softly in the distance.
Before he could knock, a voice called out behind him.
"Hey, stranger."
Leonardo turned and saw Klaus — hands in pockets, that arrogant smile on his face.
Leonardo sighed in disappointment.
"Don't look so disappointed," Klaus said. "After all, I am Clockspire's finest."
"Not the first time I've heard that," Leonardo replied dryly.
Klaus squinted. "You look familiar… but anyway. Where do you want me to take you?"
"Nowhere."
"Then I'll just follow you around," Klaus said, shrugging as if it were the most normal thing in the world.
They walked together until they reached a wooden cabin near the lake. Two men — a middle-aged man and his brother — were fishing at the edge of the dock.
Leonardo stepped forward."How's your luck today?"
"Not that bad," the first man replied casually.
"Where are my manners," Leonardo said with a warm smile. "My name is Leonardo De Luca."
The man nodded. "I'm Elis, and this is my brother Elias."
"Oh, I know all about you and your brother," Leonardo said.
Elis laughed. "Really? Didn't know we were popular."
In a heartbeat, Leonardo closed the distance, grabbing Elis by the throat.
"Nobody ever said you were," he said, smiling.
Elias jolted awake from his chair, pushing his sunglasses up. His face drained of color.
"I… I knew I recognized that smile… Is that you— H-Hansel Kai?"
"At least you have the ability to jog your memory," Leonardo said calmly.
His hand slipped into Elis's chest like slicing through warm water. He pulled out his heart, letting the lifeless body collapse next to the bucket of fish.
Leonardo tossed the heart aside and said, almost cheerfully:
"Karma is a bitch."
Elias panicked, pulling out a gun and firing wildly. Leonardo dodged every bullet with inhuman ease — but one stray bullet struck Klaus.
Elias kept firing until his hand froze. His eyes went blank as Leonardo's voice echoed inside his mind, bending his will.
"Shoot yourself."
And he did. Again and again until he collapsed.
Leonardo glanced at Klaus, who was clutching his wounded side.
"I'd get that checked," Leonardo said casually as he walked away, "before you die in the hands of a pathetic loser."