F**k you all!

"Wow. They got a cave in Shadow Forest to hide."

Valac whispered, as they saw a few of the men disappear into the cave. "Looks like Christian not only gave them a mission. But, is also sheltering these rats."

Nico's jaw tightened as he glared at the entrance, fists clenched. "I'll kill Christian Noctis. How dare he touch my sister."

Valac glanced at him, his voice calm but sharp. "Why don't you become my ally, then?"

Nico's eyes flicked to Valac, anger burning in them. "Let's save my sister first. I'll distract the guards, take them away and them off. You get in first."

Valac smiled and nodded, eyes locked on the cave. "You got it."

Thanks, brother.

They moved swiftly, keeping low as they closed the distance to the entrance. Nico gave Valac a quick look before slipping around the side to create a distraction. Valac waited, counting the seconds, his heart beating steadily as he prepared for the right moment.

Nico moved with the quiet precision of a seasoned hunter, slipping through the shadows as he circled around to the left. 

He's as good as Nolan. Damn! I'm missing those bastards.

Valac watched him go, the faintest hint of admiration crossing his mind. 

Despite the rage fueling Nico, he kept his movements calm and steady, a focused predator on a mission. 

He is as good as Nolan at this, Valac thought. But anger like that? It can make you sloppy. Though, it's his only family. I suppose it's reasonable.

Valac crouched low, shifting his weight onto the balls of his feet, eyes fixed on the cave entrance. His pulse was steady, his breathing controlled, each inhale calculated. 

His fingers flexed around the hilt of his sword, the cold metal grounding him.

Seconds ticked by.

Then, a sharp noise-stone scraping against stone, followed by muffled curses. The guards stationed at the entrance looked at each other, confused. 

Screechhhh.

Another noise, this time the sound of heavy footsteps crashing into the underbrush. Nico was drawing them away, giving them something to chase. Two guards muttered something and headed off in the direction of the noise, while the others hesitated.

Valac remained still, waiting for the perfect moment. Patience. He had all the time in the world.

Another noise. This one louder than before. A low whistle echoed from the forest, pulling the rest of the guards from their posts. One by one, they jogged into the woods, their silhouettes swallowed by the trees. 

Valac's gaze stayed locked on the entrance. Once the last figure vanished into the shadows, he made his move.

Now.

Valac slipped out from his hiding spot, gliding across the ground in near silence. 

Every step was deliberate, careful, avoiding any loose stones or branches that could give him away. In less than ten seconds, he was at the entrance, his hand briefly touching the cold stone before he slipped inside.

The cave was darker than he'd anticipated, the only light coming from faint, flickering torches further down. The stale, damp air clung to his skin, but he didn't mind.

I feel like Isis again. This is fun.

The passageway was narrow, barely wide enough for two men to walk side by side. Valac's footsteps were barely audible as he pressed forward, eyes adjusting to the dimness. He kept his sword drawn, but low, the blade nearly grazing the ground. His senses were sharp, trained for any signs of movement or sound.

Voices.

He paused, ears straining. Two men were talking up ahead, their voices low but distinct. They didn't sound like they were expecting trouble.

Perfect.

He edged forward, hugging the rough cave wall as he moved. The voices grew louder, clearer, as he approached. Valac caught a glimpse of them as he rounded the bend-two men, standing lazily at their posts, one leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, the other adjusting the strap on his sword.

"What will you do with the money?"

Fools. You're dead, now.

Valac moved like a shadow. One smooth motion-he was behind the first guard, his blade sliding across the man's throat before he could even gasp. The second guard barely had time to register the movement before Valac lunged, the tip of his sword plunging into his chest, quick and clean. 

The guard's eyes went wide in shock, mouth opening to scream, but no sound escaped before he crumpled to the ground.

Valac stood there for a moment, his sword dripping with fresh blood, the sound of the bodies hitting the stone echoing faintly in the cave. He didn't feel anything-not satisfaction, not guilt. 

Just a cold, familiar numbness.

He wiped the blade on one of the guard's cloaks and stepped over the bodies, continuing deeper into the cave. 

Teran… isn't it how you got me killed? Though, I'm going to save someone and what you did was murder.

His grip on the sword tightened, knuckles whitening. 

The resentment he felt for Teran burned deep, but it wasn't a raging fire. It was ice. Cold, calculating. He could see Teran's face in his mind's eye-his cocky grin, his careless attitude. 

Father. Let's see if you cry when I throw your dead son's body at your feet upon returning.

Illegitimate. Illegitimate. Illegitimate. F**k you all.

Valac felt rage and frustration rise to his throat as he clutched at the sword harder. Tears brimming in the corner of his eyes. That's when his mind replayed familiar words he had heard not too long ago.

"You are my blood. What illegitimate?"

No. I will never beg for the same love that got me killed. F**k you all.

The deeper Valac went into the cave, the quieter it became. 

The air was heavy, thick with the scent of mold and damp stone. The further he traveled, the more his surroundings shifted. The rough walls became smoother, the natural rock formations replaced by something more deliberate, more man-made. 

Valac's heartbeat remained steady, his pace unwavering. 

There were no signs of more guards for now, but Valac knew better than to relax. His instincts that developed when he was Isis were alert, his senses in overdrive.

As he walked further a wooden door greeted him.

BANG!