The Showrunner

Two figures walked through the grand hallway of a mansion, their golden eyes roaming the paintings that adorned its walls.

The ornate chandeliers cast a warm glow over the marble floors, while the oil paintings on the walls told stories of a bygone era. The plush carpets underfoot scrunched softly under their steps, their pace slow and unhurried as their gaze twinkled, speaking of thoughts unknown.

The sound of their footsteps echoed softly around the cream walls of the hallway, the delicate stained glass window illuminated by the sunlight, the light shining on their beautiful faces.

Their walk of silence continued, the sound of a chirping bird breaking the silence.

"Thank you for coming to my humble abode, Jirai. It's been a while since I had some...company."

The man laughed softly, his soft baritone filling the room with melody.

"I would not exactly call this humble, with the people that have to clean this place all the time."

The woman chuckled, her rosy lips widening in a smile, her slight tan more apparent as the sun blessed her skin with radiance.

His eyes crinkled in a smile. "It's been a long time since we talked about the war," he said, his voice deep and resonant. "It feels like a lifetime ago."

The woman rolled her eyes, her gaze wandering to the golden chandeliers overhead, seeming to look past them to a time forgotten.

"Let the dead lie in peace, Jirai."

The woman turned to look at Jirai, his chocolate skin glistening on the sunlight, "It's been nearly 200 years since then."

Jirai turned away, suddenly speeding up to a painting on the wall at the near end of the hallway, his head cocked.

"I'm surprised you have such an accurate painting of Zaniber."

The woman looked at the painting from afar, recognition painting her expression.

"Ah, yes. I never told you about that, did I?" She appeared by his side, her eyes swirling with emotion.

"Rikil gave it to me."

"You still speak with Rikil?" Jirai turned to look at her, slight surprise on his features.

"Rikil Hargreaves?"

"What other Rikil would I be speaking with?" She questioned, her amber eyes glowing slightly as she continued to stare at the painting, her jaw clenched.

"I am surprised. You always manage to shock me, Reilani." Jirai chuckled, his eyes crinkling as he turned to look at her, her skin glowing as her long black hair covered her eyes.

He leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead, Reilani following his lips as he turned, walking towards nowhere in particular.

"I am very fond of you, Reilani. But I do not know if I can continue like this, if that man is the one you just so happen to be…" He went silent, his eyes exploring the walls of the hallway.

"Is this jealously I'm hearing, or is this something else?" Reilani spoke up, her soft voice stopping Jirai in his tracks.

"This is not jealously, karethin." He turned back to her, his face blank as he stared into the woman's eyes, the sound of birds chirping cutting through the tension.

"You and I know what Rikil and those bastards did." He paused, before his face contorted in disgust.

"They made a prison and bred gold-bloods like animals." Jirai sneered, his voice dripping with venom.

His voice reverbed around the hallway, the surroundings suddenly quiet as he spoke lowly, his eyes glowing, "I cannot even begin to explain how that makes my blood scream in disgust."

Reilani snarled back at him, her eyes glowing amber as she said lowly, "You know why it had to be done, Jirai. Why don't you go meet those silver-eyed bastards yourself and tell them what you think, huh?"

Jirai stared at her, her feet moving slowly towards her as his eyes glowed brightly, his voice barely a whisper, "This is the same thing that happened with the red-bloods, Reilani. Don't you see?"

"I see more than you ever will, Jirai. Those stupid red bloods- they had it coming. You really think they would allow embodiments of destruction to walk around unfettered?"

She continued, her eyes glowing brightly as she spoke, "We are gold-bloods, Jirai. We answer to nobody. We do what we want."

Jirai continued to stare at her, his eyes glowing dangerously as he said with gritted teeth, "So Imari's death was for nothing?"

"Do you really think that slimy little thing would have died? Besides he only lived that long because he stuck around Leila all the time."

Jirai said nothing, his eyes still shining brightly as ever.

"You are all as despicable as the humans."

"Oh, I know that, darling." Reilani muttered, her eyes misty as she walked towards him, her head resting on his chest.

She wrapped her arms around him, Jirai standing completely still as she stuck herself around him.

"I know."

Reilani and Jirai suddenly whipped their head towards the end of the hallway, their keen gazes landing on a young woman who came into view.

She bowed her head, her white cloak rustling as she spoke, "Herú, I was asked to pass a message to you."

Reilani loosened her arms, but held on to his body as she muttered, "Speak."

"The facility in Virginia is under attack." The woman's sapphire eyes shined in the sunlight, her expression blank.

Reilani looked at her, her eyes twinkling with interest.

"Do they know who it is?"

Jirai looked at Reilani, his eyes dimming down while his expression remained unreadable.

"Yes, Herú. They believe it is the Order of Hitner."