Manhunt

Reunion

Charon leaned against the pillar, gazing at the people walking past the bank as he waited for Ryiah to come out. 

What were the odds of tumbling into Ryiah in Carran?

A small smile tucked on his lips, curling them upward when he heard the door being opened and familiar footsteps approached him.

Even after all these years he still remembered what Ryiah´s walk sounded like. He could hear a confident yet slightly light almost joyful bounce when she walked forward.

Charon was glad she hadn´t forgotten that bounce in her walk. It was a delight to hear and more fun to watch.

“You wanted to talk?” Ryiah´s voice came behind him. He turned to look over his shoulder, Charon held her wary gaze.

“Yes. Follow me.”

Charon didn´t wait for Ryiah´s response but merely straightened himself and strolled down the stairs.

Ryiah stared at his back, her every instinct screaming at her not to follow him. Charon wasn´t her friend. He wasn´t even her distant acquaintance. He was someone Ryiah would do well to stay away from if she valued her life at all.

And yet the look puzzled her Charon had given her in the bank. Last time she had seen Charon they were facing each other with weapons in hand, anger simmering underneath the skin just waiting to be unleashed. 

Their friendship had ended violently and ever since Ryiah had been looking over her shoulder waiting for Charon to come after her.

And now here he was. But there wasn´t even a trace of that rage she had faced all those years ago.

What was going on?

Ryiah shook her head, deciding to follow him and hear him out. Sure, she had planned on finding out why Charon was in the city, but not exactly this way. But when an opportunity presented itself, Ryiah had learned to seize it with a good dose of caution, of course.

“I hope those aren´t the regular clothes you wear when you're not on the job?” Charon's deep voice startled Ryiah as she silently had been walking a little behind him. He sounded amused and when Ryiah glanced at herself, she remembered she was supposed to go to do some shopping after the visit at the bank.

Huffing, Ryiah blew a strand of hair out of her face, shooting a glare at the back of Charon's head.

“No. I was planning on going shopping after visiting the bank, but thanks to you, that plan just flew out the window.”

Charon glanced over his shoulder, his brows raised in surprised.

“How so?”

“Oh come on Charon, there's no way I´m going shopping with you,” Ryiah spoke keeping her voice low. Charon flashed a toothy grin at her way hearing Ryiah using his name for the first time in a long time.

“Why not? It will be fun, just like good old days. I know a great place, come on.” Charon chuckled and without a warning grasped Ryiah´s hand pulling her with him, making Ryiah squeak in surprise, she yanked her arm back only noticing it to be futile. Charon ignored her and tightened his grip, making sure Ryiah couldn’t escape as he practically dragged her across the streets and through the sea of people while Ryiah tried to keep up.

This was the Charon she knew back in the day when everything was fine. Carefree, joyful, and a little mischievous man with a boyish smile. She couldn't remember how long it has been since she last saw him like this. Remembering the last time she saw him; full of hatred and cold-hearted. 

What changed? 

Charon finally stopped in front of a huge clothing store.

“Leviathan Fashion?” Ryiah read the sign above the doors, giving Charon a look.

“Don´t judge the store by its name. Come on.”

With a sigh Ryiah let him pull her through the doors and the minute she stepped inside her jaw nearly dropped to the floor.

The store was 8 stories high, grand halls full of clothing stands, bags, shoes and jewellery. Anything one would need to create their clothing fashion. Escalators going up and down full of people chatting cheerfully with each other. Charon, seeing her expression, leaned in to whisper.

“There’s no threat here, let it all go and go wild.”

Ryiah glanced towards him, still a bit sceptical. Charon gave her an encouraging nod, which was all she needed. 

For the first time in a while, Ryiah felt all tension drip away, ease and excitement taking its place, flooding her senses. In a very long time, she felt normal, like a normal woman for a small amount of time.

A high-pitched squeal escaped her and before Charon knew it Ryiah was dashing through the corridors, going through the endless possibilities of what she could buy.

Charon chuckled while shaking his head.

He settled to stroll behind her, letting Ryiah have some fun and feel like a normal woman rather than a ruthless killer. 

He had many apologies to give, but Charon wanted to wait until they were somewhere quieter and at a more private place so they could talk.

Charon knew because of the way they had separated nearly ten years ago, Ryiah thought he would someday come after her and end her life. 

That was the biggest mistake Charon had allowed to happen. 

But he had been too angry, too frustrated to set things straight between them. He had let Ryiah think they had turned into mortal enemies because he thought it was the right punishment for her stupidity and recklessness. He thought he taught her a lesson.

Well, in a way he did: Trust no one. 

That was the lesson Charon had taught to Ryiah, and she had taken it to the heart.

“I´m going to try these.”

Ryiah´s bright voice drew Charon's attention back to the present, looking at the clothes Ryiah had chosen, he couldn't help but smile while nodding.

Heading into the change room, Ryiah held a grin so wide Charon was briefly wondering if it would break her face.

Charon sat at one of the chairs near the changing rooms, waiting patiently to see how the outfit would look on her.

Ryiah hummed quietly after pulling the curtains to get some privacy. Stripping her clothes Ryiah took first the light blue torn jeans pulling them on and buckling the black leather belt. Then she put on a dark red v-neck t-shirt, placed two silvery bracelets on both wrists and laced the grey sneakers on her feet. With a black leather jacket on, she finished the outfit with a black fedora that had a red band.

Glancing at herself in the mirror she gave two finger guns at her image and with a click of her tongue turning around, she stepped out the changing room giving Charon a twirl.

He stared at her with wide eyes, not sure what to say. She looked stunning with that outfit. 

That was the Ryiah Charon remembered from the past: Goofy, no care in the world, and always smiling.

“Wow…” Charon managed to breathe out as he stared at Ryiah.

“You like it?” Ryiah grinned while fixing her fedora, watching as Charon stood, letting out a deep hum.

“Sure, but it just seems to be missing something.”

Ryiah blinked at Charon before giving him a doubtful look. Since when Charon knew anything about woman fashion?

Without saying anything Charon turned around, disappearing between the shelves, leaving a curious Ryiah to wonder what he meant by it.

Coming back, Charon was holding something in his hands, hiding it behind his back before Ryiah could see what it was. He walked behind her, ignoring her sceptical stare drilling into him, Charon clasped a necklace around Ryiah’s neck. Ryiah frowned, but when she glanced down, she saw an icy blue pendant with a pure silver chain on her neck. 

Gently, as if she was afraid it would break, Ryiah lifted the pendant to take a better look and gasped quietly.

It was a gemstone called Ceruiba, carved into the shape of a dragon.

Charon walked back in front of her and grinned as he looked her up and down, arms folded against his chest.

“Now it´s a perfect outfit.”

“Charon, I can´t afford this jewellery. It costs more than this entire outfit.” Ryiah looked up to his face, but Charon merely waved his hand to silence her.

“Tut tut, who said anything about you buying?”

“But…”

“No buts, no ifs, no nothing. Now, if you're done, let's head to the cashier and go grab something to eat, I´m starving.”

Ryiah opened and closed her mouth trying to think of some sassy reply but came up with nothing.

Charon ushered her back into the changing room and waited until Ryiah had changed her clothes. Coming out with a basket of chosen clothes and pieces of jewellery they head toward the cashier but Ryiah was still thinking of a way to decline his offer.

Before she knew it, Charon snatched the basket from her and put it in front of the shop assistant pulling out his wallet.

“Hey!” Ryiah snapped, but Charon merely glanced at her over his shoulder.

“Shut up.” His quiet, yet playful growl was enough to shut her mouth and settle instead for a glare. Ryiah crossed her arms, she sure didn´t remember that Charon could be so stubbornly annoying.

“I can afford my clothes, you know,” Ryiah muttered.

“I know, consider this as a gesture of goodwill and apology for all those things I said years ago.” Charon's tone was quiet but sincere, throwing Ryiah out of balance for a moment. She could only stare when Charon finally turned around, handing the bag to her with a small, unsure smile on his face.

Hesitantly Ryiah reached out, taking the bag, returning the smile sheepishly.

They walked out of the store with the silence surrounding them, but Ryiah didn´t find it unpleasant.

The city was fully awake by now and Ryiah watched the people swarming in the streets absentmindedly like busy bees. She found herself enjoying it for the first time.

“Where are we going?” she asked finally, following Charon who glanced at her briefly.

“To get breakfast.”

“But I have already eaten.”

“Then you can watch while I eat. Either way, we need to talk.”

“Great.” Ryiah´s murmured, making Charon chuckle deeply. Crossing the street, Ryiah saw that Charon was guiding her toward a Firefly Sip Tearoom making Ryiah furrow her brows.

“I didn´t know you were a tea person,” Ryiah said, and Charon hummed playfully.

“There are many things you don´t know about me. In our profession, you need some way to relax once in a while and tea is my guilty pleasure, when I find the time of course.”

Ryiah couldn't stop the snort that escaped from her, hearing that confession. Charon, the most feared assassin who earned the nickname The Ferryman, was a tea person. 

That was an image she couldn't picture, no matter how hard she tried.

“What is your guilty pleasure?” Charon asked with a smirk, a glint of mischievous shining in his eyes. Ryiah pursed her lips with a tilt of her head before replying.

“Rum.”

Charon let out a peal of hearty laughter as he gripped the doorknob opening the door and waited for Ryiah to step in first.

“I need to remember that.” he chuckled walking behind Ryiah and glanced around. In the corner was a free table and he placed his hand on the small of her back, guiding Ryiah toward the table. But Ryiah halted midway and glanced at her left, seeing a sign of “restroom” on the wall.

“I want to go change my clothes,” she whispered, and following her line of eyesight, Charon nodded.

“Alright, I´ll wait by the table.”

While Ryiah walked into the restroom to change more comfortable clothes, Charon walked onto the table sitting down and took the menu starting to read it.

He was so deep in thought he failed to notice someone was watching him with interest. The person built up the courage to stand up and go to talk to him when they saw a woman walking over to the table and sitting.

Ryiah sighed as she sat down putting down the bag making Charon look up and smile when he saw Ryiah.

“Those clothes really suit you.”

“Thanks.” Ryiah smiled while taking the menu. Although she had eaten she could drink something and reading the options she was about to say something when from the corner of her eye Ryiah noticed a figure stopping in front of Charon.

Both glanced up, expecting it to be a server.

Ryiah´s brows furrowed deeply while Charon´s shot up almost at the hairline when he recognized the person standing in front of him.

“Ciroc! I´m surprised to see you again!” the woman greeted enthusiastically.

Charon leaned back, not sure if the fact should surprise or irritate him. A woman he already had rejected once now stood there with a wide toothy grin on her face as she looked down at him.

“Theia...”

“You flatter me, I wasn´t sure you would remember my name.” Theia giggled, hiding her mouth with her white glove covered hand.

Ryiah glanced at the woman first then shifted her gaze on Charon who looked slightly uncomfortable.

But before Ryiah could say anything, Theia´s attention turned to her and clearly, she tried to figure out what kind of relationship Ryiah had with Charon.

“Well, there aren´t that many people named Theia I know,” Charon spoke, turning to look at Ryiah who was staring at him curiously.

“Riona, meet Theia, a woman who tried to invite me to breakfast the first day I arrived in Carran. Theia, this is my old and dear friend of mine, Riona. We haven't seen each other in years.”

“Pleasure.” Ryiah nodded politely while Theia did the same with a smile.

“Don´t let me interrupt your reuniting. I just wanted to say hello.” Theia smiled before turning and walked back to her table where two of her friends had been watching them with great interest.

When Ryiah was sure Theia was out of hearing range, she leaned forward with an eager grin.

“Look at you! And here I was thinking you were a lone wolf.” Ryiah teased, making Charon roll his eyes.

“Don´t even start with me. I am not interested in her.”

“Maybe not, but she sure is interested in you.” Ryiah chuckled and wiggled her brows at him. Charon groaned, shaking his head, already regretting taking a step in this tearoom.

“In our line of work, relationships don´t work in the long run. You should know that.” Charon remarked while returning to read the menu, failing to see how Ryiah´s face fell and her cheerful expression changed into solemn and a little cold.

“Yeah, I do know that. Better than anyone,” she whispered, hurt clear in her voice. Charon shifted his gaze back to her face. He cursed his thoughtlessness. Charon closed his eyes for a second.

“I am sorry, I didn´t think…” He offered, but Ryiah didn´t look at him. Memories of Griffin dying in her arms came flooding back, and she had to fight back the tears so she wouldn´t break down in front of him.

“That is why I am here. To take revenge on the person who ruined it.” Ryiah muttered and Charon frowned, his lips forming a thin line. There was something in her tone he didn´t like.

“Vendetta? That is a one-way road. There is no turning back and you might get yourself killed for nothing.”

Ryiah laughed dryly at Charon.

“Seriously? The very thing we do is a one-way road, we might get killed while on the job. It is no different. Our lives are on the edge of a knife every single day. At least now I have a cause I will gladly die for. I am doing this for Griffin.” Ryiah told him, glaring at Charon whose eyes widened ever so slightly at the mention of Griffin.

“Griffin? He died while on a mission.” Charon was now cautious when he saw Ryiah´s eyes flashing in anger.

“No, he didn´t. The House of Valor killed him because he became a threat to the Faith. He knew too much, and so they killed him. I was there that night. Griffin died in my arms and there was nothing I could do to help him.”

Charon was quiet, an angry expression forming on his face. That is not what his employer told him when he heard the news of Griffin´s death for the first time.

“That is what they do. They use us until we become a threat or they have no further use for us. I know whoever gave the order is in this city and I am going to find that person and I´m going to kill him.” Ryiah growled, glaring at Charon who met her flaming gaze.

“And how will you do this?” Charon asked sceptically.

“I first need to get my weapons back from that henchman who captured me a few days ago. He works for Father Silverius, who is a high priest in this city. I´m sure Silverius knows who gave the order. The only problem is to get past Valentianus, he has eyes everywhere in this city.”

At the mention of Valentianus, Charon perked up and looked at Ryiah intently.

“Valentianus? You don´t mean Tharron Valentianus?”

Ryiah looked at Charon, puzzled.

“Yes. Why?”

So, they were meant to bump into each other. Charon's smile turned into something darker and it made Ryiah lean back in her seat. She didn´t like the look on his face.

“His brother is the reason why I am here.”