Resistance

Chapter IX Prologue

In a dark, empty room, there was nothing but silence and the gently flickering flame of a bedside lamp. That light alone was only just barely enough to illuminate the room, the dark, cement walls reflecting faint shadows, almost ominously.

A single, young man sat on the only bed that lined the far right side of the wall, his head hung low in seeming defeat, lacking the energy to lift his gaze. His fiery red hair covered his face as he sat there, but as the heavy metal door to the room swung open with a cringe-worthy creak, he twitched.

The sound rung out heavily throughout the already stale air, amber eyes meeting a cool, calm silver as he finally lifted his gaze.

“...What do you want?” He hissed in question, not putting in the slightest amount of effort to hide his clear disdain towards the man, who was clad in black.

“Now, now, is that the greeting you give to an old friend? I’m wounded.”

“You’re no friend of mine.” He replied without hesitation, his tone sharp, sharp enough to cut flesh, or so he had wished. If only that could have been the case.

The silver eyed man, Iuno, simply grinned in amusement, walking the rest of the way into the dark room, the door swinging shut behind him with a loud, metallic slam.

“I suppose not, with you being the sole survivor of the Aria Clan.” He hummed with a deliberate, mocking tone, arms behind his back as he closed the distance between the door and the bed. “I must admit, I was quite surprised to see their youngest clan member had survived, much less lurking with the very outcome of their negligence.” He leaned against the wall just beside the bed, those silver eyes gleaming with a harsh light. “Ironic, considering you’re the heir to a clan that was sworn to the observation of the flame, and nothing more.”

“Don’t talk as if you know anything. You aren’t even a part of the clan. You have no right. You’re an outsider.” Cai hissed, pushing himself off of the bed as he stared Iuno down.

“Ahhh yes, it’s that impertinent, prideful behavior right there. That feeling of being above the rest of the world. That confidence...That’s what led them all to their demise.” Iuno shot back on the dime, closing the distance between them and meeting Cai eye to eye, face to face. “And besides...Outsider or not, the one whose in charge now is me, is it not?” His lips curved into a wry grin, expecting no rebuttal in return to his comment, which held nothing but the truth, as it now was. “So tell me...What are your intentions? I’m certain you know.”

“...I’ve already put the past behind me.” Cai retorted, balling his hands into fists, composing himself. He refused to continue letting this man egg him on.

“Perhaps you have...But what of your friend? Has he put it behind him?” Iuno questioned, that wry grin only widening upon Cai’s silence. “...Or...Have you not told him?” He hummed, beginning to pace circles around Cai slowly. “...The truth. You haven’t told him any of it, have you? The poor thing...Of course, you couldn’t tell him even if you wanted to...Surely he would come to hate you.”

“…” Cai said nothing in return, feeling particularly stung by Iuno’s last words. “...Is that all you have to say?” He growled, averting his gaze and refusing to look the man in the eye any longer.

Iuno chuckled, finally stepping away and giving Cai some space.

“I suppose it is.” He answered, making his way to the door, opening it, “Run along now, little Aria.” And with that, he left the room, the door left wide open behind him, leaving Cai the choice to step out of his own accord.

To step out of that room would be the same as admitting to defeat, turning tail and running...But Cai knew he couldn’t stay here.

Syrus was waiting for him.

And so...With a bitter taste lingering on his tongue, Cai stepped out of the room.