"You guys alright?" Rivan was the first one to break the awkward silence. He was stunned, to say the least.

"Yes, how are you guys here? Didn’t I tell you to stay back," Xiran scowled, wrapping his arm around Aselia’s waist and pulling her close.

"I couldn’t just sit back and let you deal with everything alone. We assessed the situation before making a move, and would never jeopardise your lives. The mansion has been cleared and is under our control. Silver called all the nearby agents and hunters which Aldridge had assigned to gather information on Phantom. So all bases are covered," Rivan answered, still shocked at what he was seeing.

"We have captured most of the enemy, killed those who resisted. Will wait for you to decide what their fate will be," Silver added with his eyes widened.

"I see," Xiran felt an enormous amount of relief at the news, besides having Rivan and Silver here, he knew he wouldn’t have to deal with everything alone.

"And it seems like both of you did the unthinkable. Is he really dead?" Rivan pointed with his index finger where Phantom lay at their feet. Everyone turned their heads to glance in his direction.

"He is, Aselia killed him," Xiran answered and their eyes flickered to her in astonishment. Seeing her emotionless state and wounded body Silver spoke:

"We will discuss everything later. For now, she needs medical attention. Bring her outside so I can tend to her wounds."

She needn’t be told twice and moved of her own accord. Xiran removed his hands from her side and a feeling of emptiness washed over him. She shuffled towards Silver, taking measured steps and stopped near him before slowly asking:

"Any news on Yurian?" her heart ached immeasurably as she waited for his answer with bated breath. She could sense Silver’s reluctance and her heart took a deep dive.

"Why don’t we step outside? And let Xiran and Rivan handle the situation. I will tend to your wounds and we will talk about Yurian," he gently asked, seeing her turquoise orbs giving nothing away to what was going through her brain.

"Is he even alive?" she inquired in a small voice, the facade cracking and hints of worries began to etch on her face. Her eyes began shimmering with emotions and worries for her brother.

"He is, come with me," he instructed her to step out and Xiran nodded at him, worried at how vulnerable she seemed.

"Silver keep her safe, please," Xiran requested, knowing his father and brother were dead but the unknown fear lingered in his heart. Fear that will never leave them.

"I will," Silver nodded.

Aselia sighed and walked out with Silver, leaving the two best friends behind.

"So, he gone for good? I can’t believe it," Rivan walked over to Phantom’s body and nudged him with the tip of his boot. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

"Yes, I don’t know how but Aselia was wearing this ruby bracelet and it changed into a stake and she stabbed him with it," Xiran explained and Rivan couldn’t hold back his surprised expression.

"Maybe she received it from someone," Rivan added, "Or she had done some research and found a weapon."

"I will have to ask her when she is in the right frame of mind. They hurt her Rivi and they fucking made me watch," Xiran gritted his teeth the pain masking his face, an immeasurable amount of pain. His eyes had that forlorn sad look in them as those scenes replayed in his brain. Rivan’s hand landed on his shoulder and he gently squeezed.

"It has ended now. No one is going to hurt her anymore," Rivan’s gaze followed the patterns on Xiran’s body yet again, he was intrigued, to say the least. He always knew his friend was special but he just touched a whole new level. Xiran saw him observing his tattoo and spoke:

"They had bound me and were about to make me watch as Xifin..." he closed his eyes and tried to push the traumatic memory from his mind but he knew it was going to stay there forever. A reminder of the horrible family he had.

"It’s ok Xi, you don’t have to talk about it," Rivan’s soothing words had him opening his eyes. The hurt swirling in them as he tried to form words again.

"So something seemed to awaken inside of me, it was hot and I could feel my skin burning. My powers returned and this pattern appeared on my body, helping me in breaking the shackles and saving her from something we both wouldn’t have been able to bear. I killed him, I killed that sorry excuse of a brother I had. But it hurts to even think about it, he was my family, he was supposed to respect her and yet he wanted to do the unthinkable."

He choked on his words and Rivan held his shoulder tightly, letting him know he was there for him.

"They have broken me, Rivi, my family has utterly destroyed so much of me that I had to kill, I had to kill my brother. I had always hoped that once he would be away from our father’s shadow he will change because he himself was a victim but with every passing day, he turned worst."

Xiran’s hands were trembling and he was emotionally shattered, this was something he could only confide in Rivan and not Aselia. He didn’t want her to think he had regrets about killing his brother, he didn’t. He would do it all over again but that gnawed at his soul like a relentless beast. Taking a life was not easy for him, especially, taking Xifin’s life had scarred him for life and he knew it. There was no return from the dark place his heart had gone to.

"I know, but remember he didn’t leave you a choice," Rivan stepped closer and hugged his friend who was on the verge of a breakdown. Knowing he was being strong for Aselia but he didn’t have to be strong in front of him.

"I could have knocked him out but my instincts told me that I had to kill him and break this cycle of him chasing and hurting her. I never tried to even lay a finger on Sohlia but Xifin," Xiran’s voice came out broken and something seemed to have stuck in his throat for he couldn’t speak anymore. He just buried his face in his friend’s shoulder.

"You did what was required. Let it all out so your heart can feel less burdened. I got you."

Rivan patted his back and Xiran held onto him like a man-deprived, silent tears followed that began drenching Rivan’s shirt from where Xiran held his face and he let him cry. Knowing he would never show his vulnerable side to anyone else except him. His friend needed to grieve without any judgment, it wasn’t his fault his family was shitty. It was still his family and he had just lost them.

"We are your family Xi and we will always be there for you and Aselia," Rivan spoke with finality and Xiran sniffled, too emotional to speak.

"I know. You and your family had always treated me like one of their own and I hated fighting with you that day," Xiran finally stepped away from him and they stood face to face.

"Me too, I said some mean words to you which I should have never done. Especially regarding Aselia, she has been through so much and I was judgemental of her. Her circumstances made her that way and I realise now that she needs love, not judgement. Forgive me, Xi. I will never disrespect her again or pass judgement on your relationship."

Rivan sincerely apologised making Xiran even more emotional, he nodded his head in approval.

"And I have sent her away from the city. I helped her change her identity, forged new papers for her, gave her bodyguards and money and I told her to leave. Xiran, she has no place in my life anymore, the only woman who does that now is your sister."

Rivan further professed, telling him he was serious about Irlana, after all the ordeals his friend had been through, his friend needed good news. And it did make Xiran weakly smile.

"She is my only blood relation left, she is even more precious to me now. Don’t break her heart, Rivi," Xiran requested of his friend. He was a broken man today but this gave him hope.

"I won’t, let’s wrap this up here and head back to our city with our women," Rivan suggested.

"I would love nothing more than that. Get me something to wear though. I can’t prance around like this, I am not comfortable with people finding out whatever this is," Xiran gestured to his tattoo.

"Come, we will find something for you," Rivan led him out as they threw one final glance at Phantom’s body and headed out, with Xiran clutching his mother’s diary to his chest.