The Dark Novels

"That was… brutal," Tores muttered, his face pale as he tried to process Malvin's account. His queasiness was evident, and he instinctively rubbed the back of his neck.

"And seriously cool!" Jos burst out, his eyes practically sparkling with excitement. "I didn't know you could fight like that, Captain!"

Malvin glanced at him with a raised brow, his expression bordering on incredulous. "Was that supposed to be a compliment?" he muttered, the tone of Jos's enthusiasm leaving him unsure if he'd just been insulted.

Clare chimed in, her voice more composed but tinged with unease. "I don't think any of us have ever seen you fight, Captain," she admitted. Like Tores, the vivid imagery left her feeling uneasy.

"Obviously," Malvin replied matter-of-factly. "I'm higher up in the chain of command. It's not like I'm patrolling the streets every day."

"But why did you use lethal force right away, Captain?" Loreen asked cautiously.

Malvin turned to her, his brows knitting slightly as he replied with a questioning, "Hmm?"

Loreen elaborated, her tone careful but insistent. "Couldn't you have knocked them out and arrested all of them? Wouldn't that have been better?"

Malvin's gaze dropped to the floor as he considered her words. "I could have," he admitted. "And if something like that happened again, I'd probably take a different approach."

"Then why didn't you back then?" Clare pressed, her voice laced with a mix of curiosity and concern.

"At the time, we didn't have echo communicators," Malvin explained, his tone steady but weighted. "Even if I'd incapacitated all of them, there was no way to call for backup. More importantly, if they had realized I was holding back, they'd have been far more motivated to fight. Best case? I might have won, but I'd have been severely injured. Worst case?"

"Dead," Aeron finished, his voice calm yet decisive.

Malvin nodded in agreement. "Exactly."

"That makes sense," Jos said, nodding as if satisfied.

The others, while they understood the logic, couldn't entirely shake the unease. Loreen's lips pressed into a thin line, and Clare exchanged a brief glance with Tores. The reality of a Guard using lethal force so decisively wasn't something they were used to.

"But I have another question, Captain," Aeron said, breaking the moment of reflection.

"What is it?" Malvin asked, shifting his attention to Aeron.

"You said things didn't go well," Aeron pointed out. "But you just told us you won against over twenty people. So, why imply otherwise?"

The others perked up, clearly just as curious about the apparent contradiction.

Malvin let out a weary sigh, running a hand through his white hair. "Let me tell you what happened after I told those three they were under arrest. Then you'll understand…"

---

Philip bared his fangs, his fury barely contained as Malvin's calm declaration settled over the room. The officer had just dismantled his gang, yet he stood there as if it had been a mere warm-up.

"Who the hell do you think you are?!" Philip snarled, his voice rumbling with anger.

"Someone who doesn't have to answer to you," Malvin replied evenly. "Now stand down."

Philip's fists clenched, his claws digging into his palms. His tail bristled with frustration as a growl rumbled deep in his throat. "You fucking—" He took an aggressive step forward, but before he could close the distance, the man beside him raised a hand to his chest, halting him.

"Why are you stopping me, Ambrose?!" Philip barked, rounding on the man with barely restrained rage.

Malvin made a mental note of the name—*So, his name is Ambrose,* he thought briefly, but his focus remained sharp on the scene unfolding before him.

Ambrose, his demeanor calm but firm, met Philip's glare without flinching. "Calm down, Philip," he said, his voice steady and deliberate. "He's trying to get under your skin, and it's clearly working."

Ambrose turned to Malvin with a relaxed grin, his casual demeanor a stark contrast to the tension in the room. "Man, you're a monster, aren't you? Didn't think I'd run into someone like you in this city," he remarked, taking a deliberate step forward, leaving Philip behind. 

Malvin's eyes narrowed, immediately assessing the shift in dynamics. "You're from the outside," he stated coldly, his voice steady but edged with suspicion. 

Ambrose chuckled, seemingly unbothered by the accusation. "Wow, you make it sound so ominous," he replied, shrugging lightly. "But yeah, I snuck into this city." 

The revelation only heightened Malvin's caution. His grip tightened on his baton as he raised it defensively, his stance shifting slightly as his body coiled for action. 

Ambrose noticed and gave a light laugh, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Hey, hey, no need to get all jumpy. I'm not someone who can use magic or anything. So, no fireballs or lightning bolts coming your way, my honor." 

His tone was disarming, almost playful, but Malvin didn't let his guard down. Ambrose might sound truthful, but trust wasn't something Malvin dealt out freely, especially not to outsiders who snuck into the city. 

"Oh, come on!" Ambrose continued, exasperation laced with amusement. "I'm being serious here. Though I guess I can't really blame you for not believing me." He lowered his hands, his demeanor shifting slightly, the grin fading into something more focused. "Anyway, after watching you take down all those guys? I've gotta say, I really want to fight you. One on one. You look like you'd be fun to fight."

Ambrose stepped forward again, now just far enough that it almost felt ceremonial, like the two were sizing each other up before a duel.

Malvin's eyes narrowed further, his muscles taut as he readied himself for the potential attack. "Why the hell would I—" he started, his tone sharp.

Ambrose interrupted with a quick wave of his hand. "Hold up! Humor me for a second. Here's the deal: if you beat me, I'll make sure everyone I work with in this city surrenders. No tricks, no conditions. I'll guarantee it."

His words sent ripples through the room. Philip growled, his fists clenching in outrage. "What the hell are you saying, Ambrose?!" he snapped, stepping forward.

The dwarf beside him looked equally shocked, his wide eyes darting between Ambrose and Malvin. 

Ambrose silenced Philip with a single sharp gesture, his raised hand signaling him to back off. "Don't," he said firmly, his voice brooking no argument. Philip snarled but reluctantly stayed put, though his frustration was palpable.

Ambrose turned back to Malvin, his grin returning. "Come on, Officer. Please?"

Malvin exhaled slowly, closing his eyes for a moment to rein in his irritation. When he opened them, his gaze was sharp, unwavering. "Fine," he said at last. "Malvin Ashborn, Ironguard Officer." He shifted his stance, tightening his grip on the baton, readying himself.

Ambrose's grin widened with unmistakable excitement as he swept his brown hair back with both hands, the gesture almost ritualistic. "Joshua Ambrose," he declared, his voice carrying a confident weight. "The Grand Lotus."

The air between them thickened with tension as the duel was about to begin.