Chapter 23 - Mask (2/2)

”Outside,” Esta stammered.

”In this area?”

Lyn's eyes go wide, and she immediately went towards the window. She opened it and indeed confirmed Esta's words. Not too far from where they were, Kazuya was fighting bellow.

.....

They found Kazuya easily, alongside the man named Chris, the sub leader who Esta was with earlier. Currently he lay on the side beside the bushes. But just like Esta, he wasn't in the condition to fight. Kazuya must have escaped. So why hadn't Kazuya returned to them yet? Lyn felt there was something wrong. Rhys, however, was just glad to see him. Kazuya stood alone in the vast gardens outback since it was night a cool breeze spread through the air indicating it was close to winter.

Lyn who wore light clothes brought her hands to cover herself but stopped as she stared at Kazuya. She noticed it; he hasn't deactivated his powers yet.

”Kazuya, come on. Let's go back now. Hopefully, Lyn's family didn't notice.”

She stepped forward and blocked Rhys from taking another step forward. Lyn closed her eyes, and a natural light surrounded her, and soon two familiar blades appeared in her hands.

Rhys looked at her surprised.

”Lyn? What are y---”

”Kazuya doesn't seem normal,” Lyn interjected. She noticed it when they were still far away and when she opened the window. But the aura around Kazuya seemed different.

Rhys glanced over at Kazuya, and his expression grew grim, ”Kazuya, to escape did you perhaps use...”

”...”

”Damn idiot, the elder is going to kill you.”

Lyn didn't know what they were talking about, but as she glanced at the present Kazuya who was surrounded by black energy. An image of the fourteen-year-old her appeared in her memory. Is it the same power as her? The colors dancing around Kazuya now are not his usual bright ones; they were dull and gave her a feeling of being oppressed. Kazuya's normally bright eyes covered in darkness.

She immediately understood what happened here; they must have hit him repeatedly to provoke him to use his powers. Even in Kazuya's present state, Lyn could make out the cuts and bruise marks on his face. How awful, how long did he withstand it? She should have noticed sooner.

Maybe she should have told Rhys, he almost saw right through to her. But how on earth could Lyn bring it up?

--------

Earlier

Lyn brought it up because she didn't want him to twist her thoughts. Big brother has a way to do that. Lyn only mentioned that he was hiding a power greater then what anyone had seen before while they waited for the servants to finish setting up the rest of the table.

”Keep your distance from him.”

”Brother,” Lyn paused, ”I don't think I can...”

Andrew shook his head and sighed, ”Do you understand? You must do your job well, little sister.”

------

The 'job' her brother assigned to her regarding Kazuya. Yes, even before she met him, she knew who he was. But, honestly, a long time had passed since brother contacted her regarding that job. That's why she forgot what he looked like.

So when she first met Kazuya and the many memories they created afterward - they were all genuine. She wasn't pretending to get close to him. But when she saw how hostile her second brother was and noticed General Adrien being too cautious. Lyn decided to search for the file with the photo. When she finally found it, she remembers the weak feeling in her knees, her face color pale.

Why, why does it have to be Kazuya?

Why wasn't she mistaken?