Steel gates.
Several squads of guards already surrounded the entrance.
Andrew was waiting outside.
The assassin still hung over his shoulder like a sack of grain.
He spotted the two approaching.
"There ya are."
Taai crossed his arms.
"You caught the assassin."
Andrew grinned proudly.
"Told ya I would."
Kai looked at the unconscious figure.
"...That all happened in one night?"
Andrew laughed.
"Nah."
"Made me work for it."
He adjusted the assassin on his shoulder.
"This bitch is strong."
"Real strong."
He smirked.
"..."
"...But I'm stronger."
Taai snorted.
"Your ego's bigger than your muscles."
Andrew pointed a thumb at himself.
"And that's sayin' something."
Kai couldn't argue with that.
Andrew continued,
"Don't worry."
"I tied this bitch up myself."
He patted the layers of rope.
"Ain't escaping."
"Trust me, bro."
Taai gave a single nod.
"I'll hold you to that."
Andrew chuckled.
"You won't have to."
The guards opened the heavy prison doors.
Andrew carried the assassin inside.
The prison was quiet.
Only the distant clanking of chains echoed through the halls.
They reached the reinforced holding cells reserved for dangerous prisoners.
Andrew lowered the assassin onto the floor.
Several guards immediately secured additional chains around the restraints.
Andrew folded his arms proudly.
"There."
"Now this bitch is definitely not going anywhere."
Taai stepped closer.
His eyes remained fixed on the unconscious assassin.
Something...
Felt strange.
The height.
The build.
Even through the ropes...
Something looked...
Familiar.
He slowly reached down.
His fingers hesitated.
Then—
He pulled the burlap sack away.
Long silver hair spilled onto the floor.
The room became silent.
Taai's eyes widened.
His breathing stopped.
His voice barely escaped his lips.
"...A-"
His hand trembled.
"...Akari...?"
The silence that followed felt heavier than stone.