The Hunt

"We need to find them now before they leave the city" Eric's lips curved up into a smug smile.

"I already have. One of my subordinates followed them, and he reported that they're holed up in an old burned-out warehouse on the edge of the city." " Edward spoke, his voice dripping with satisfaction.

"You mean you already know where they are?"Eric's eyes widened in surprise.

"Of course. Did you really think I'd let that stranger get away with embarrassing our family like that?"

"No, of course not. So what are we waiting for? Let's go pay them a visit."Eric gritted his teeth.

"Gladly, I've been looking forward to this."Edward's grin widened.

As they made their way toward the burned-out warehouse, Eric's mind raced with thoughts of revenge. He remembered the humiliation he had suffered at the hands of that commoner, the way he had parried his attacks with ease and made him look like a fool in front of everyone. He knew that he had to make that stranger pay, no matter what.

As they reached the store, Eric could feel the tension in the air. He knew that the commoner and Evangeline were inside, and he was eager to face them both. With a quick nod to Edward, he kicked open the door and charged inside.

"DIE!" Eric unsheathed his sword and rushed towards the bulky blanket seated on one of the pillars. He smiled manically as he noticed his sword piercing through the blanket, but his face changed when he realized that something was off.

"Not good," Edward shouted, but it was too late.

From behind the pillar, a hooded figure emerged. With lightning speed, Sid's blade sliced through Eric's neck, silencing his cries for mercy.

The shock of the attack shook Edward to his core, but he quickly regained his composure, ready to avenge his fallen cousin.

"How dare you!" Edward roared as he swung his sword at the hooded figure. Sid met the attack head-on, the sound of their blades clashing echoing through the store. They circled each other, swords moving in a deadly dance.

"You killed my cousin!" Edward shouted, his voice shaking with fury.

"I acted in self-defense," Sid replied, his eyes never leaving Edward's.

As they fought, Edward began to realize that Sid was stronger than him, despite them both using Ignite. He could feel the force behind Sid's blows, each one striking with deadly accuracy.

It was clear that he was fighting a person with a powerful foundation, someone who had trained for years to increase his raw power.

But despite Sid's strength, Edward was still more skilled and experienced. He was able to keep the pressure on, driving Sid back with each strike.

The battle raged on, each sword blow striking with deadly precision. Sparks flew as their blades clashed, and the sound of metal on metal filled the air.

"Your strength is impressive, but even the strongest warrior will run out of air eventually. And when you do, I will take my time to kill you."

Sid's heart pounded, his breaths coming out in gasps as he realized his disadvantage. His foundation wasn't strong enough to match Edward's experience and skill.

"Not good," he muttered under his breath, feeling his heart hurting from over-exertion.

They clashed again, their swords meeting in a shower of sparks. But this time, Sid was losing ground, and Edward saw an opening.

"Ha!" he shouted, moving in for the kill.

"Not good," Sid exclaimed, trying to dodge, but it was too late. Edward's sword sliced into Sid's stomach, sending him stumbling to the ground in agony. The wound gaped, and blood flowed freely, staining the earth with its crimson hue.

Edward laughed triumphantly as he advanced on his wounded foe.

"I won't let you win," Sid gritted his teeth and forced himself to stand up.

"You really think you have a chance against me?" Edward shook his head in mockery.

"You don't even know what true power is," he sneered, and then he finally showed his true strength. A brilliant blue light started emanating from his body, showcasing his skill as a Two-Star Knight.

"It can't be," Sid was taken aback. He recognized the light immediately, having already seen his master, Vincent, use it.

"Integration?" Sid gasped.

That's right, idiot! I can't believe you wasted your life trying to save a whore," Edward spoke with contempt, his voice laced with anger.

"She's not a whore!" Sid replied, fear and confusion evident in his voice. "Eric was the one who made her life a hell"

"Eric?... Don't tell me you got mesmerized by her beauty. That's why you helped her? You fool, you don't even know her background," Edward sneered.

"Did you know that woman was already engaged to my cousin when she cheated and made love with another man?" Edward shouted, his voice rising with each word. "She's a liar and a cheat!"

"No...you're lying," Sid's voice faltered, the shock of Edward's words hitting him like a punch to the gut.

"Haha! So you really don't know? She lied to you to get your sympathy," Edward laughed, enjoying Sid's confusion.

Sid's mind raced as he tried to process everything he had just heard. Could it be true? Was Evangeline really a liar?

"You killed my cousin who was betrayed by his fiancée. That's the truth," Edward's words cut through Sid like a knife.

"No, it's not true " Sid's knees buckled, and he fell to the ground, his face ashen. The weight of the revelation was too much to bear. The woman he had risked everything for, the woman he thought he had come to know, might have been lying to him all along.

"I was such a fool," Sid muttered to himself, his eyes filled with regret and sadness.

"It's time to pay for your crimes," Edward declared, his sword raised and poised to strike.

Sid looked up at his attacker, a sense of resignation settling over him.

"I... I never wanted any of this," he said weakly, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Blame yourself for being an idiot," Edward sneered, pointing his sword into Sid's heart.

'It's all my fault for being too naive ' Sid closed his eyes, a tear escaping down his cheek, as he accepted his fate.