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Chapter 24

SGuel, amidst the darkening skies and howling winds, listened to Shaddiq's plea on the student notebook. The sprawling mansion, a private enclave of privilege and power, loomed in the background, a stark contrast to the impending storm.

"Shaddiq," Guel sighed, gazing out into the tempest. "I get that you feel for Elan, but you're putting a heavy burden on me. If my father discovers I'm harboring a Peil house member, especially Elan of all people..."

"I just need an hour," Shaddiq asserted confidentially. "Elan needs to hide out until I get in touch with Deacon. I don't know what happened, but if I find Deacon, maybe he can call off Aiden and the rest of his Harmony goons."

Guel scoffed, leaning against the window sill. "Yeah, I don't understand why Aiden is doing this. Sure, he's aggressive, but what happened between him and Elan?"

Silence followed, an unusual stillness from Shaddiq that caught Guel's attention. "I… I don't know," Shaddiq finally admitted, the weariness evident in his voice.

"You don't know?" Guel repeated. "Then, why are you sending him over here?"

"You know why, Guel," Shaddiq responded. "I don't want my father to get any ideas and risk the succession race. However, I believe they already suspect me of aiding Elan."

"What makes you say that?" Guel queried.

Shaddiq chuckled. "The fact that there's a masked individual with a baseball bat hiding near the forest around our home. Security is all wonky. Damn it, do you think they planned this?"

Guel pondered the situation, glancing around at the curious onlookers from Jetturk house. Among them was a short boy, hidden beneath a hoodie with his head bowed and blond hair spilling out.

"You really believe that talking to Deacon is going to fix this?" Guel questioned. "Elan looks white as a ghost."

"Yeah, I can imagine. How would you feel if you were being hunted down by boys with ropes and clubs? I don't know what happened between Elan and Aiden, but I can imagine," Shaddiq replied.

Guel cast a contemplative gaze toward Elan. "Do you want me to ask?"

Guel found himself entangled in Shaddiq's urgent request through the student notebook. As the dark clouds gathered outside, a shroud of apprehension seemed to cloak the conversation.

"No real bother, honestly. The damage is done, and like I keep on saying… wait for me to contact Deacon. I already have my girls out there looking for him. We'll find him, and he'll drag Aiden back to wherever cave he crawled out from," Shaddiq's voice resonated through the device.

Guel sighed in exasperation. "Shaddiq, my father is furious at me for losing the duels… I am still allowed to live and attend here, but I am on real thin ice with my old man."

"Give me an hour, Guel. Can you do that?" Shaddiq pressed, a hint of urgency coloring his words.

"Shaddiq, listen and…" Guel attempted to interject.

"Think about it like this. Elan now owes me and you a favor. You can even tell your dad that a member of Peil house practically owes you a debt for saving his life," Shaddiq's persuasive tone cut through.

Guel reluctantly acquiesced. "Fine. You've got an hour, any more, and he's gonna have to find someplace else for the night."

"Thank you, Guel. You're a good friend," Shaddiq replied, expressing his gratitude.

Guel's response was terse. "I am only doing this to mend ties with my father," he stated before ending the call.

Turning to Elan, Guel sought confirmation. "You heard that, Elan?"

Elan remained silent, his gaze fixed on the floor, a mixture of dejection and alertness in his demeanor.

"Elan?" Guel prodded, but received no response. "It's like I was telling Shaddiq. You've got an hour. If they're still hunting you, I don't know what else to tell you."

Raising his gaze, Elan revealed a bruise on the side of his head, its dark hue unsettling Guel. "Elan, what did they…" Guel's concern trailed off.

"This," Elan pointed to the bruise, "I got lucky cutting through the forest. They really are out to get me."

"Elan, you don't look so good," Guel observed, noticing the discomfort in Elan's expression.

Surprisingly, Elan's lips curled into a hidden smirk. "Really, you don't think so?" he retorted sarcastically.

Guel sighed, feeling the weight of the situation. "So, why were you trying to duel him? I imagine that Peil house is wanting to get involved with the race?"

Elan nodded in agreement. "All I did was try and provoke him. The executives wanted a definite challenge, thinking his anger would knock him down a peg or two. But I can't issue a duel to him right now, and the way Harmony is acting…"

Elan's pause hung in the air, the fear in his widened eyes palpable. Guel winced as he took in the bruise, a stark contrast of black and purple along the side of Elan's head. Concern etched on his face, Guel urged, "Elan, come and get checked out by one of our doctors." He guided him towards the side, a hand resting on his shoulder. "I don't know what happened to you, but that's unacceptable."

"A baseball bat," Elan spat, his eyes momentarily glossed over, as if on the brink of slipping into sleep. Guel felt Elan's body almost slipping from his grasp.

"Woah!" Guel exclaimed, quickly wrapping an arm around Elan. "That's enough. I am going to get you to our medic at the very least, and when the storm clears up, we're driving you to a hospital."

Elan dryly chuckled, "I am already…" but faltered and directed his gaze forward with a sigh. "Just let me sit down, Guel."

Guel hesitated but gently lowered Elan. "When did you get so kind, Guel?" Elan remarked. "Did all those losses to Winters finally humble you?" he questioned.

Guel sneered. "Enough," he spoke. "I am going to leave you here for a moment. I am going to speak to my brother and see what can be done to get you to the hospital. Damn it, you've obviously got a concussion."

Elan's eyes widened, fear gripping him. "No!" he snapped. "I have to duel Aiden. If I duel Aiden then I… then I…" The words eluded him, and he dropped his gaze.

He released a heavy sigh, his hand going to the bruise, wincing as he touched it. "I never expected them to be like this. I've known about their history and how they were rabid. But, Guel, it wasn't even one of their pilots; it was one of their own mechanics that hit me." He looked at Guel. "When you mess with one of them, you get their whole pack. They're like a pack of wild mangy dogs, but I guess there is a kinship within that."

Guel stared at the bruise, absorbing Elan's revelation. He had heard of the 'Sons of Harmony' and their ferocity. To use a weapon on school grounds was a serious offense; simple fist fights were one thing, but this was...

"Elan, you mentioned before that you did something?" Guel questioned.

Elan sighed. "I broke into Miorine's garage and..."

Guel's eyes shot open. "You broke and entered into Miorine's garage!" he snapped unexpectedly.

Elan stared at him dumbfounded. "You destroyed Miorine's greenhouse," he retorted.

Guel shook his head in disbelief. "I broke flower pots, Elan. And for your information, Miorine's garage is owned by her father. You broke into the CEO's personal property."

Elan stared for a moment, unable to respond. The truth hung in the air, whether or not he was ordered to, he had committed the crime. "I broke in and just went into Suletta's Aerial unit, and then…"

Elan's breath quickened, his eyes widening so much that Guel could see the whites. "Elan, are you…" he began, concern etching his voice.

"Guel…I…I…" Elan stammered, unraveling before Guel's eyes. The once composed boy now trembled. In his mind's eye, a lone red-haired girl in an ancient spacesuit loomed, darkness emanating from her, cosmic horrors swirling around.

"Not yet…Mr. Elan, you are but a test for him. You should take pride in the impact you'll have. He shall be the sword and you his sharpening stone. Thank you, Elan, for his victory shall be my ascension."

Suddenly, his mind's eye faded, leaving Elan exhausted, his body weakening, arms losing feeling, slumping against the wall. Guel attempted to catch him, terror gripping him.

For a moment, Guel wondered if Elan had died. A sigh of relief escaped as he observed Elan's breathing, though his condition was grave. The blow to his head was severe.

Sighing, Guel headed to the front of his family's mansion, finding his house members waiting. Laude, Petra, Kamil, and Felsi looked to him, Laude noticing Elan.

"Brother, what's wrong with him?" Laude inquired.

"It's grim business, Laude. I won't sugarcoat it," Guel admitted, explaining Elan and Shaddiq's situation. Shock and fear rippled across their faces.

"Those savages!" Laude exploded.

Petra rushed to him, holding his arm. "Laude, you can't…"

"Be furious!" he roared, his anger taking over momentarily before he regretted it. "Sorry," he apologized, trying to regain composure. "It's disgusting how Harmony gets away with this."

"Elan confessed to breaking into their garage," Kamil pointed out.

Felsi shot him a glare. "Are you justifying that!" she snapped, gesturing towards Elan. "They beat him with a baseball bat. We aren't savages like them!"

"Even so, for breaking and entering…" Kamil began, turning to Guel.

"Mr. Guel, I understand your pity for Elan, but your feud with House Harmony…"

The tension hung heavy as Kamil and the others weighed their choices. Guel raised a hand to halt Kamil's words. "This isn't about me and Aiden. Aiden's spiraling, and Elan's actions are meant for the academy to handle."

Kamil sighed, his irritation softening. "But what about your father? When he finds out you're harboring Elan Ceres from Peil House?"

Guel felt the weight of those words. Laude interjected with optimism. "My brother has a plan. Protect Elan till his duel with Aiden, and they'll owe us. Father will be pleased."

Kamil wrapped his arms around himself. "It's honorable to trust your brother, Laude, but your father's absence might complicate things."

"And what's the right choice, then?" Felsi's anger seethed. "Kick him to the wolves after what they did?"

"They beat him with a bat! That's so wrong," she screamed, her outrage palpable. "I don't want to send Elan out there to get ganged up on and killed in the rain, like a dog!"

Her passionate plea hung heavy in the room. Guel realized their fate was sealed when Elan entered their house. To abandon him now would mean feeding him to the wolves.

Kamil taunted Felsi, referencing an uncomfortable encounter. Felsi's cheeks flushed, her anger flaring. Before the situation escalated, a loud crash interrupted them.

The rain and hail outside mixed with the wind. A brick hurled through their window heralded the arrival of the Sons of Harmony, brimming with fury and intent.

Shocked yelps and tightened grips hinted at the impending battle. Connor struggled to force open House Jetturk's doors, rain-soaked and determined.

The malicious laughter echoed through the shattered entrance, reverberating in the stunned silence of House Jetturk. The Sons of Harmony, Aiden and Jack, had breached the mansion like a force of nature.

"Welp," came the chuckle, a sound laden with battle lust. Fear crawled up the spines of those within earshot. "Looks like you guys were right. Kick it open." The command sent them backpedaling, already anticipating the destructive outcome.

Laude's desperate plea sliced through the tension. "Wait, stop! What you're going to break is worth hundreds of thousands, millions in damages!"

The plea fell on deaf ears as Aiden and Jack, fueled by determination, launched themselves at the doors. With a running start, they crashed into the wooden barriers, sending them flying off their hinges. Priceless doors, shattered and splintered, spilled into the mansion, leaving House Jetturk in stunned silence.

"Damn it!" Jack groaned, nursing his side. "That hurt more than I thought."

Aiden, seemingly unscathed, laughed off the pain. "Hah. Pain is a gift, Jack. Now, get up. This moment is something you won't want to miss."

The shock and surprise held House Jetturk in its grip. Laude, wide-eyed and scrambling for words, screamed, "What have you done?" Petra joined in, adding, "Do you not realize just what you did?"

Aiden, with a sarcastic smirk, threw a nonchalant glance at Petra. "Two strikes."

Guel, still gripped by shock, spoke impulsively. "Two strikes?" he echoed.

Jack, cracking his neck, reminded them, "Remember the first duel? We get to mess with you guys twice. Connor breaking your window and Aiden battering ramming your door. Looks like we've fulfilled the terms of our side of the deal, Guel. Guess your family won't have to wake up afraid that Oscar is going to draw a bunch of penises on you."

Laude erupted in fury. "Are you out of your damn mind!"

Aiden's gaze swept around. "Are you?" he retorted.

Guel, now recovering from the shock, realized the severity of the situation. His family's home lay in ruins, and the invaders acted as if they were justified.

"Petra," Guel commanded, realizing she still clung tightly to Laude. "Take Felsi and get out of here. Contact the Academy's police, and..."

"Where is Elan, Guel?" Aiden cut in, his tone plain and demanding.

Guel raised his gaze to meet Aiden's, but the usual openness in Aiden Winters was nowhere to be seen. It was disconcerting. Aiden's stare was laced with contempt, as if they were a nuisance daring to obstruct his path after he'd forcefully breached their sanctuary.

"I won't ask again," Aiden declared, stepping forward. Felsi instinctively recoiled. "Why protect him, Guel? Why get involved at all?"

Laude intervened sharply. "Don't question my brother. Elan isn't here."

Jack raised an eyebrow. "Really, Laude? Our trackers traced him here," he glanced at Aiden. "We're not here for Guel. Let's get Elan and leave."

Jack's proclamation resonated through Jetturk House. "We're not here for you, but Elan crossed a line. Now he faces the consequences."

"What consequences?" Petra snapped. "What did Elan do to deserve being hunted like an animal? What slight did he commit?"

Laude cautioned, "Don't engage with them. They're dangerous and—"

"Dangerous?" Connor interrupted with a hearty laugh, surprising Jetturk House with his presence. Pointing a finger at them, he mocked, "That's rich, blondie. What story did Elan spin to seek refuge with you?"

Guel retorted, "Elan told us everything, Aiden."

"Really?" Aiden shot back. "He told you everything? Did he confess to breaking into Miorine's garage?"

Guel affirmed, and Jack turned to Aiden. "And you defend that?"

Connor sneered. "Is that all they know?"

Guel widened his eyes. "All we know?"

Aiden hesitated, his hand at his head. "Guel, Elan... he tried to kill Suletta."

The shock rippled through them. "What?" they chorused.

Laude reacted sharply. "Liar!"

"Liars!" Jack snapped, glaring at them. "You think we'd fabricate something like this?"

Laude scoffed. "Coming from the ones who just invaded our home. I don't believe a word from you Sons of Harmony, warmongers with your twisted history."

Connor sneered. "You were spot on, Aiden. These folks don't comprehend reason."

"Reason?" echoed Kamil. "I'm not sure about this mess, but if Elan truly pulled off something this insane, why not involve campus police?"

Aiden retorted, "Do you really think the corps would let their future CEO end up in jail? Suletta's just a girl from some backwater world. They'd sweep it under the rug. I won't let Elan attempt this again. Why shield him?" He glanced at everyone in the room. "So, are Peil and Jetturk in cahoots?"

Guel denied, "Winters, this isn't what you think."

Aiden dryly chuckled. "Well, it damn well looks like you're protecting Elan. Listen, Guel. We haven't talked in ages, and honestly, I don't like you or your brother. If you want to keep the peace, hand over Elan. We have concrete evidence he tried to murder Suletta. A bomb was rigged beneath the seat of her mech."

"Really?" Felsi interjected, directing her gaze at Guel. "Maybe we should hear them out."

"Felsi," Laude snapped, "Are you willing to entertain Harmony's lies and veiled truths?"

Connor chuckled and took a few menacing steps forward. "Speak of Harmony like that again, and you'll regret it."

Felsi shot Laude a glance. "I don't know Mr. Elan," she honestly stated, "but this situation is too strange. We should consult Mr. Jetturk and—"

"No," Laude interrupted, shaking his head with contempt for the boys from House Harmony. "Felsi, trust a word from these Harmony dogs, and you'll hear only lies. Remember their past; they once served the Benrett Group but developed ideals of independence and forgot whom they pledged to serve."

Jack stared at Laude with growing hostility. "Be very careful of your words, pretty boy," he warned, as malice and rage began to simmer within him.

"Laude," Kamil interjected with a disapproving glance, which Laude acknowledged but continued.

"I don't know who's sponsoring you. My father has exhausted day and night searching but can't uncover who pulls your strings. Do you believe you're shielded from punishment?" He spat out the words.

Aiden sneered. "Well, you're shielding Elan from our righteous vengeance for nearly killing our friend!" His last words were spat out. "Release him to us, and we won't need to get violent!"

"Violence—you Sons of Harmony are familiar with violence," Laude spat back.

Guel stared, shifting his gaze from Laude to the Harmony boys, and then to Elan. Could it be true that Elan Ceres had attempted to murder Suletta Mercury? Elan, quiet and a member of Peil house. There might be a reason or explanation, but they didn't know. Yet, giving Elan to them—what would become of him?

"Violence," Connor echoed with a chuckle. "I'll show you violence, pretty boy." He spoke and shifted his gaze towards Petra. "How's the little whore at your arm? I'd take her, but she's a bit too skinny for me. I prefer my woman to be a bit more plump." He regarded with a sly smile, gesturing to the chest area.

The room fell into stunned, shocked silence. Aiden and Jack stared, equally taken aback. Yet, Aiden delivered the final cutting words. His fist struck hard against Connor's head, who saw stars for a moment. "What the hell is wrong with you?" Aiden exploded at Connor, catching him before he fell. "Apologize to her, and..."

But Laude was already speaking. "You bastard!" He screamed. "You disgusting lot. I've heard of you, and not just from before. I've heard of you." Laude's words carried a grim weight, and the air shifted, becoming charged.

"What are you talking about, Laude?" Guel questioned.

Laude sneered, not looking at his brother, but fixing his eyes on the Harmony boys. "After the third duel, I scoured everything I could find within our records on The Sons of Harmony. I hardly found anything, but they did speak of certain things... of a prophet within a warband, led by Marko. Of a black-haired wizard who has terrorized and raided worlds. Then I knew, Aiden Winters. I wonder about the number of innocents who felt the bite of your titan's sword, the number of women who were raped as you turned a blind eye to your comrades, and all this suffering... for a dead world. Now, speak to me, Aiden Winters... Champion of The Legion, Titan-Raptor, and the scourge of the IMC. Speak to me and confess your crimes."

Aiden was silent for a moment, and Jack threw a fearful glance toward him. All the words and the shadows of their past were unveiled. "They know, Aiden," Jack spoke, fear evident in his voice. Aiden laughed, an uncharacteristic bellow from his chest as he stared at Laude.

"Sure, Laude," he spoke, narrowing his eyes and glaring at the brothers. "I am a monster, but don't fool yourself. I've heard tales of what your father has done, and I bet his sins outweigh my own by leagues."

Now, it was Guel who sneered. "Don't kid yourself, Aiden. Our father has..."

"Your father is a dirty fucking corpo," Jack snapped, anger igniting in his features as he approached Aiden. "He's one of the reasons we've lost our home, I bet. All you dogs are the same, IMC trash, and corpo Benrett trash. Screw you." He finished.

Laude rushed to speak, to delve deeper, but Aiden was quicker. "Enough of this, Laude," he said, clicking his lips and flashing a grin. "You've always been much for words, and I can still remember that Shaddiq had to rein you in. However, Shaddiq isn't here anymore..." Aiden approached, his steps echoing in the lobby room, each more foreboding than the last as his malice grew. "You're right, we are all monsters. I've killed a lot of people, Laude, but I am going to give you one last chance. Give me Elan, and I won't break every bone in your body."

Connor turned towards Petra, flashing her a sick smile. It made her feel unnaturally uncomfortable, like he was trying to peel the clothes off her back with his own eyes. Felsi saw it too, sensing the unnerving discomfort.

Guel took a step forward with rolled fists, glancing at his brother and Kamil, who both nodded in silent agreement. "No," Guel plainly stated.

Aiden sneered. "Before, I was content with beating the utter crap out of Elan and throwing him to Prospera for the final choice. Now, I am going to punch him until one of his eyes stops working."

"Amazing!" Connor exclaimed with both hands outstretched. "Good, I like a good fight... It's been a while since I've been in a melee."

Kamil threw a gaze towards Felsi and Petra. "Call the academy police, now!" The three boys of House Jetturk rolled their fists and ran to engage the boys of House Harmony. Guel and Aiden were the first to slam into each other, both boys of similar athletic build, but Aiden significantly taller. They collided, and Guel realized that Aiden would not hold back, especially when Aiden's bionic hand swung, forcing Guel to dodge.

Kamil and Jack collided. Kamil, heavier in weight, utilized his propulsion like a battering ram, slamming hard into Jack, who felt the air knocked out of him.

Laude and Connor ran towards each other. As Laude pivoted and threw a punch at Connor, the latter dodged underneath the blow. Laude cursed himself, expecting a powerful uppercut as a reward for his missed blow. Instead, Connor dodged and ran past him.

For a moment, they were all stunned into silence. Especially when...

With frightened eyes, Felsi and Petra kept running, throwing a gaze backward. Both girls' eyes widened as Felsi let out a horrified scream at the implications. Connor wasn't going after Laude; he was coming after them.

"What the..." Laude's words escaped his lips as he realized what was happening. "Petra!" He screamed out.

Just before he was about to pass Guel, Guel stuck out his leg, causing Connor to scramble to a halt as he tripped over Guel. Falling onto his chest, Laude quickly threw himself upon Connor's back, wrapping his arms around his neck. Felsi and Petra were frozen as they stared. "Run!" Laude screamed as Connor desperately fought within his grip, struggling to turn himself around as Laude rained punch after punch against him.

Guel had saved Petra and Felsi, but within this, he was distracted. He didn't realize that Aiden's mechanical fist had come raining down on him. Aiden purposefully hadn't utilized his bionics in the fight in the greenhouse. He had lost that hesitation when he realized that Elan had tried to murder Suletta, or so it seemed.

Guel didn't even realize he was hit. He felt blood pooling from his mouth, his head spinning. He felt his head shake, a tooth popping from his gums, and he swayed and motioned just like how Elan did. Again, Aiden rained down another punch, this time with his physical hand.

Guel crumpled to the floor, hearing the sounds of Kamil and Laude, while Aiden positioned himself over him, delivering blow after punishing blow. "I warned you!" Aiden screamed. "Give me Elan, give me Elan, and none of this would've happened. Don't you ever learn? Why can't you just leave me alone! You're a fucking idiot!" His words echoed in the dim room as Guel, helpless, curled into a ball to fend off the relentless assault.

Kamil had Jack on the ground, landing a barrage of hits. Jack, however, adeptly defended, seeking an opening. Each strike rained down, but Jack skillfully dodged and countered. As Kamil attempted to leverage his weight and propulsion, Jack deftly blocked, smirking through bloodied lips, relishing the audible exhaustion from the intense battle.

Connor lay stomach-down on the floor, feeling the throbbing pain in his head as Laude pummeled him. The butcher's nails ground and filled him with annoyance and rage. With a swift counter, Laude threw his head back, causing pain and a string of curses as his bleeding nose took the impact. Rolling onto his back, Connor retaliated, using both legs to send Laude sprawling.

"Laude!" Kamil cried out, but seizing the opportunity, Jack kicked out at the distracted Kamil. Dazed and reeling, Kamil nearly collided with the floor. Rising, Jack wiped blood from his nose and lips, delivering a fluid punch to Kamil's face. The older boy collapsed, folding like a bag of potatoes.

"The bigger they are, the harder they fall," Jack declared, glancing at Guel being handled by Aiden and Laude by Connor. Scanning the chaos for the girls, he spotted Elan Ceres casually observing the brawl. His saviors were receiving a beatdown, and he lounged, untouched.

Wheezing, Jack clutched his side, feeling the impact of Kamil's powerful hits. He needed a moment to catch his breath.

Laude sprawled on the floor, and Connor sneered down at him as he rose. "That girl around your arm, I don't know why, but I kind of like her now," he spoke with a sly, sick grin. "She's got something about her. If you're too weak to take her, I'll take her for myself. Jack's got Cecila, and Aiden's got his Suletta. Maybe I should get my Suletta. You think she'd be a good Suletta?" He taunted with vile delight.

"I won't let you touch her!" Laude screamed, grabbing a loose brick and charging forward.

Striking with the brick, Laude aimed for Connor, who blocked but winced as the weapon dug into his skin, pain flooding his body. In that moment, Connor's mind flashed back to the militia, the beatings, the wounds, and the wars. They defined him. As they distanced themselves, Laude dropped the brick, silently cursing. Yet, for Connor, this fight had evolved beyond a mere brawl; he was an animal, driven by the thirst for blood.

Connor delved into his pocket, revealing a data knife with ominous intent. Grasping Laude with a malevolent grip, he slammed him against the wall. Dazed and reeling, Laude took a moment to register the agonizing sensation as Connor forcefully thrust the knife deep into his stomach.

"Connor, what have you done!" Jack's scream reverberated through the turmoil, racing towards them in a frantic rush. Guel, second to comprehend the horror unfolding, echoed the cry. "Laude!" he screamed out, a desperate plea in the chaos.

"Night night, fucker," Aiden's call, oblivious to the grisly act, resounded. Still intoxicated by adrenaline, his bionic foot delivered a kick, snapping Guel's head to the side, rendering him unconscious.

In Guel's final moments of consciousness, he witnessed Jack and Aiden, now aware of the tragedy, sprinting towards Connor and Laude. Blood spilled from Laude's lips – black blood, an ominous portent. Connor, with a sick smirk and his right arm stained in crimson, continued his assault, stabbing Laude repeatedly. Despite Aiden and Jack's efforts to pull him away, Connor resisted, a relentless force even as the distant wails of the academy police sirens seeped into the room.

Guel's mind wandered to the first time his father introduced him to his brother, and the haunting realization of his failure to protect Laude. "All his fault..." echoed in his thoughts as the encroaching darkness enveloped both sons of Jetturk.