Tenebris Renasci: A World of Magic and Gunpowder

Ben and Tanya exchanged wordless glances, both of them marinating in the bone-chilling phase the suspect uttered.

Just then, the sound of footsteps could be heard descending down the stairs, the steps creaking under the weight of worn boots.

Ben turned towards the steps, his expression uneasy as his grip tightened around his revolver.

"Did you get him to talk?" 

Ben lowered his guard as a familiar voice rang in his ears, it was Antoinette.

"Yeah." Ben replied as he walked towards the steps to greet Antoinette, "But…"

Antoinette raised her hand as she stepped down the stairs, "Good now untie him, the MP are here to take him in for further questioning."

Ben raised an eyebrow as Tanya was already moving to untie the suspect. "The military police?" He asked, "I thought this was a private investigation?"

Antoinette sighed, "It is, the MPs are just middlemen, taking the suspect back to the ship."

"Hands behind your back, no sudden movements," Tanya said coldly, "or it'll be my gun on your forehead… and I don't miss."

The suspect, now standing from his seat and messaging his previously bounded wrists, had an expression of acceptance.

A strange calmness that seemed unfitting for his situation.

"It's not like anything would change." The suspect said as he obeyed Tanya's orders, "I'm dead either way."

Tanya rolled her eyes as she secured his wrist, "whatever," she replied, before turning her attention towards Antoinette, "are they outside now?"

Antoinette nodded as she crossed her arms, 

"Mhmm, the wagon is outside." 

Tanya nodded, pushing the suspect towards the stairs, "got it."

While Tanya began walking the suspect up the stairs, Antoinette and Ben stood next to each other in silence, watching as the suspect and Tanya disappeared upstairs.

Once they were gone, Antoinette and Ben sighed simultaneously. 

"I'm sorry." They both said, turning to look at each other, their expressions similarly exhausted and remorseful.

They both paused for a moment, awkwardly staring at each other. 

They then both moved to speak.

 Ben nodded, "Y-yeah I…" 

Antoinette gave a hesitant breath, "I-I…"

Ben took a step back as he raised his hands, "Sorry I…"

Antoinette gave Ben a faint smile as she shook her head, "No, go ahead."

Ben gulped audibly as lowered his hands, his eyes flickering with uncertainty. "I was out of line, truly…" Ben began, his voice soft and quiet. "Back there, when I grabbed you, I let my frustrations overwhelm me." He paused, taking a deep sigh, "I'm helpless, and this investigation has only shown me that, time and time again."

Ben's head dropped as his face fell onto the floor. "I'm sorry Antoinette, I'm terrible…"

Antoinette watched Ben closely, her usually calm and stern demeanor softening. 

"Ben…" Antoinette said softly, taking a step closer as she placed a hand on Ben's cheek, "You're not terrible, you're just passionate, a reckless, passionate fool…" 

Ben remained silent.

"…and that's not a bad thing, in fact, that's something I like about you." Antoinette said, while gently rubbing her thumb against his cheek, "But this, this is something we are in together, the last thing I need is you going off like that, this is a very serious matter that requires extensive care."

Ben nodded, raising his hand to wrap it around hers, "I know, it won't happen again, I just.."

Ben raised his head to look Antoinette in her eyes, "I just… I want to find Alexander, it feels like time is running out, and Alexander is getting further and further–"

"We'll find him." Antoinette replied, cutting Ben off, "I promise you that, we'll find him."

Ben's eyes widened, a flicker of hope flashing across his face.

The turmoil that swirled within him, calmed.

The duo stared at each other briefly in silence, before Antoinette began to close her eyes and move closer.

Ben felt his heart start to race as time seemed to slow. 

Was Antoinette… about to kiss him?

Ben brought his gaze down towards Antoinette's soft and plump lips. 

He watched in awe as they grew closer and closer.

Realizing what was about to happen, Ben hesitantly closed his eyes and moved his lips closer toward Antoinette's eventual meeting with them in the middle. 

As their lips touched, the heavy weight of tension that had built between them was lifted, replaced by a renewed sense of relief and hope. 

But the intimate moment was short-lived, because almost immediately as their lips touched, the sound of a gunshot rang loudly, echoing through the wooden roof of the basement.

Antoinette ripped her lips from Ben's as she hesitantly pulled her pistol and turned around.

Ben blinked in disbelief and shock at the sudden change in atmosphere, his mind racing, barely processing what had just happened.

He looked toward Antoinette, who was already sprinting up the stairs with her pistol in hand. Her boots thudded heavily on the wooden steps.

Meanwhile, outside of the safe house, Tanya stood holding the headless corpse of the suspect, while the two members of the military police stood looking up at the rooftops with bewildered expressions.

Panic ran in the streets as civilians and animals alike ran for cover and from the scene, the screams filling the chaotic air.

Antoinette burst outside on the scene, pistol in hand. "What happened?!" She shouted, running towards Tanya's side. "Tanya?!?"

Tanya slowly turned to look at Antoinette, her expression blank. "What?" She said softly, her voice barely audible over the screaming public.

She couldn't hear a thing, her ears ringing so loudly she felt as if her brain had become jelly.

— — — 

"My home… is dangerous," Zara said to Alexander while standing atop a hill and looking out to the vast area of hills before them. "Which is why we fight, to fend off the danger…"

Alexander nodded, standing beside Zara as he tightened his grip on the handle of his spear. "Right."

Zara turned to look at Alexander, her expression warm. "Fighting takes many forms, and works differently for all souls, even… pale conquerors."

Alexander nodded, "I understand."

Zara giggled as her tell swayed, tightening her grip around her spear, she took a step to the left, away from Alexander. "So let us spar, to see how that fight emerges from… you."