I quickly recognized the aura of Mitsuhide. But the atmosphere felt eerie, and there was someone else with him.

"I thank you for graciously accepting my sudden visit. It seems you are just the man my lord took you for." An unrecognizable voice spoke. "Not at all. My apologies for not speaking with you in more welcoming conditions. I'm sure you see the need for privacy." Mitsuhide apologized, then continued. "However, I couldn't turn your lord down after reading that most intriguing letter."

"..Together, let us put an end to the reign of the Devil King of the Sixth Heaven." ..What.. What did I just.. hear?

Malachi's POV

"Excellent. If you are so resolved, then I would invite you to join my lord quickly." The man replied, his excitement at the prospect of killing Nobunaga Oda evident in his tone. "I can bring you to him now if you wish." "I will come when the time is right." Mitsuhide replied. "..I think your lord may find me more useful to his cause if I remain at Nobunaga's side." "That is true."

My entire body froze up upon hearing this conversation. The letters suddenly slipped from my grasp as my hands fell weak, the sound of them hitting the ground echoing audibly. Mitsuhide instantly turned his gaze in my direction. Panic flared in my entire body as I scrambled to try and pick up the letters, but it was too late. I'd already been spotted. "Who is there?!" I heard the mysterious man shout. Without any words leaving my lips, I ran as fast as I could out of there.

Third POV

A sigh left Mitsuhide's lips as he watched Malachi flee. "This is most unfortunate." Mitsuhide frowned. "Is it more than unfortunate! If that woman reports us, this could all be for naught. You can't let her escape!" The messenger shouted, anger and panic blazing in his eyes. "That girl is something of a special case. If you would please leave things to me." Mitsuhide replied, his tone calm, the complete opposite of the other man's.

Malachi's POV

I ran through alleyways and whatever twisting passageways I could come across. Anything to get away. Anything to avoid being caught by Mitsuhide. But, I came to a halt when the strap of my sandal snapped. I fell forward, not even having enough time to catch myself before the painful smack against the hard ground.

I stood up quickly, pressing against a nearby wall and covering my mouth and nose with a hand. I listened and spread out my senses as far as I could, but all I could hear was my rough breathing and the harsh beating of my heart. I couldn't even sense anything nearby, my panic was so all over the place. I needed to keep going, but where would I even go? Mitsuhide's sure to find me eventually. Do I tell someone? What do I even say?!

All I knew about the current situation is that Mitsuhide and whoever that other man was wanted to 'End the reign of the Devil King of the Sixth Heaven.' That doesn't sound good for Nobunaga but at the same time, I don't care. But who the hell was this other man? Who is his lord that he kept referring to? And.. Mitsuhide.. I'd been so blind. I didn't want to believe he was a traitor. But history itself labeled him one for a good reason, and now here it was, the evidence shining brightly in my face. I.. I don't even know what to think anymore.

"Malachi, wait." I felt my blood run cold and my breathing come to a swift halt as I recognized that voice. I wanted to scream, but I knew that would only draw him closer. Yet my fear was only for the one who now stood before me. His once familiar form lined in silver moonlight, almost like a lunar eclipse. I hesitantly glanced at his face, hoping to see something familiar. But all I saw was shadow, dark shadow. "Mi.. Mitsu.. Mitsuhide.." I muttered out, my voice quiet and weak. Almost inaudible.

Mitsuhide slowly approached me, my heart rate rising as his figure cast a long shadow over me. "You must listen carefully." He spoke, his voice cold. No longer the once teasing but often stern voice I'd grown accustomed to. I slowly backed up, but I only found myself backed against a wall. I felt a deep and penetrating chill run along my entire body, despite the warm air, freezing me in place. I knew I couldn't run from him. He'd only catch up again.

Mitsuhide leaned closer to me, placing his hand beside my head and whispering in a low, low voice. "You heard and saw nothing." He spoke, his voice angry. Any sort of coherent response I could've come up with, never came. "You will be a good girl and forget everything that happened tonight." My gaze dropped down, my voice cracking as I spoke, "You.. You expect me to.. pretend?" Mitsuhide placed his other hand under my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. It was intense, his once pale golden eyes I'd regarded as beautiful, were now hot and intense with harsh emotion. "No, you are to keep silent. That is, if you value your life."

Not a single ounce of our once warm bickering or the stern care of this man who'd been my instructor could be heard in that cold voice. And the worst part was.. I didn't doubt him. I knew he could do it. I knew he would. "I.." "Yes?" Mitsuhide prompted. I took a deep breath and glared at him, "I don't recall ever agreeing to do as you say after our little agreement ended. And I do believe it is over. So, I respectfully refuse." Mitsuhide's eyes widened, "You what?" I had no idea what price I'd have to pay for my words, but I said it anyway. I dug up what little false confidence I had, and spoke, trembling. "I wanted to trust you.. I really did.."

"Malachi.." Mitsuhide spoke, his tone almost.. solemn. Long, smooth fingers moved throughout the still night air to caress my cheek, as they had done so many times before. But I slapped his hand away. Kicking off the torn sandals, I ran as fast as I could.

"..Is he..?" I looked over my shoulder hesitantly. Mitsuhide wasn't following me. But that hadn't meant he'd given up. Suddenly, I felt a drop of something touch my neck. And in my panicked fight or flight, I grabbed it in self-defense. All I'd caught was a tear. My own.. I hadn't even noticed I'd been crying.. Had I been when Mitsuhide reached for me? Using my sleeve, I gently brushed my eyes clean. More than fear, I felt a strange and awful sense of betrayal. Almost.. heart-crushing sadness. Even if Mitsuhide was a tease, and much, much worse.. I didn't want him to be a traitor. I didn't want to believe this whole month was part of some scheme. I wanted to thoroughly trust the man who helped me. ..I wanted him to be the foundation that helped me survive this unstable world. Yet I had gaslit myself into believing that wasn't the case.

I slowed down my running, almost to a complete stop. The ground beneath me felt as if it was shaking too hard to properly walk on.

Third POV

"Little one, you trouble me so." Mitsuhide muttered, picking up Malachi's broken sandals and taking them with him as he walked. He frowned, "I had grown quite fond of playing the kind instructor to you.. Now I must find something else." Mitsuhide brushed at his fingertip as it stung with heat, heat that had probably come from feeling Malachi's tears. But, alas, he held nothing in his hands.