Noticing the deep furrow on Zigh's brow after he hung up the phone, Ron approached him immediately.
"Are you alright?" Ron asked.
"Yes," Zigh replied.
"Is there a problem?"
Zigh let out a tired sigh. "No. It seems I've just been too lenient with my subordinates."
"Anyway... what about Lian, Zigh?"
"I'll ask him at home," Zigh said, rubbing his temples. "If he agrees, I'll pick you both up tomorrow. If not, I'll still come by to bring you communication devices."
Nox chimed in, leaning forward. "You mean phones?"
"Precisely."
"Fine. We'll be waiting tomorrow."
Zigh nodded once, then turned and left, leaving Nox and Ron in the quiet room.
Nox let out a sharp huff. "Ron... if we actually meet Lian... what are we supposed to do?"
Ron didn't answer immediately. He walked toward the window, where the azure sky was beginning to bleed into shades of orange, the fading light piercing through the clear glass.
"Nox... you and I, we apologized to Lian before we went to Echo, didn't we?"
"Yeah. Back then, I..." Nox's voice trailed off into a mumble.
Ron pushed the window open, letting the cool evening breeze lash against his face. "I only apologized for calling him a criminal—not for the attempted murder."
Nox's eyes widened, his hands clenching into tight fists. "RON! THAT'S ENOUGH!"
Ron turned around reflexively, his gaze meeting his brother's.
"Don't speak like that again," Nox hissed, his stare sharp. "I know... you've been holding this back since the hospital. But Lian... he was laughing... back then." Nox lowered his head, falling into a heavy silence.
"Nox... perhaps he was simply exhausted, both physically and mentally. That might be the reason," Ron said softly. "As the head of the investigation team at the time, I failed to grasp the situation."
"Then what about the scars on your hand? What about the agony we felt when we lost our parents?" Nox's voice trembled.
"Nox..."
"He even made us both into gladiators, forcing us to hurt one another..." Nox whispered, tears finally pooling in the corners of his eyes. "HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN THAT, RON?!"
"Nox... look at me. Don't look away. We already know the truth. Lian isn't the one who would destroy Vellion."
Nox took a step forward. "Ron, if it wasn't Lian, then it was Outer, wasn't it?"
Ron placed both hands on his younger brother's shoulders, his grip firm. "Nox, Lian was just trapped. He was a victim. Outer only wanted to protect him."
"Ron, why are you defending him now?"
"I'm not defending him, Nox... I'm just saying... Lian is not a bad person."
"He's a psychopath!"
"NOX!"
Silence fell like a heavy shroud. Ron slowly released his grip and turned back toward the window, facing the draft. He took a long, steadying breath. "Nox... you realize it too, don't you?"
Nox remained silent, his gaze fixed on the hospital floor tiles.
"You said it yourself at the Vellion crater... if Lian had remained as evil as—"
"Enough..." Nox's cheeks were now wet with tears. "I don't want to hear it..."
Ron closed his eyes tight. "Nox... we must apologize. If we don't, we will be stuck in this cycle forever."
"Ron... what about Mother and Father? What was their sin...?"
Ron stood frozen, his hand trembling as it gripped the window frame.
"Ron... who am I supposed to blame?"
Ron turned back, looking at his brother's tear-stained face. "You know... I used to hate Lian. I hated him so much..."
Nox gasped, stunned by his brother's admission.
"But... I've come to realize that Lian wasn't the cause. I..." A single tear escaped Ron's eye, hitting the floor.
"Ron..."
"Even Lena knew about my hatred, didn't she?"
Nox took a formal stance. "Lieutenant Colonel Ron Eosvile, Major Nox Eosvile reporting for duty," Nox suddenly said, his voice cracking but firm.
"Nox—"
"Lieutenant Colonel, today I consciously resign from my position as Major for my anarchic actions against the witness, Leuliang Esculenta, during the investigation. I am ready to accept the consequences of my actions." Nox snapped a crisp salute to Ron.
Ron took a deep, shaky breath. "I, Lieutenant Colonel Ron Eosvile, acknowledge my negligence as the lead officer in the investigation of the destruction of Vellion City. I have abused my authority, failed to follow standard operating procedures, and committed attempted murder against Leuliang Esculenta. With this, I resign from my post. I am ready to accept my punishment."
"Ron..." Nox whispered.
"Nox, this time I will face Lian. I won't look away from the truth ever again."
Nox managed a faint, bittersweet smile. "Neither will I."
The orange light spilling through the window stood as the sole witness to the brothers' solemn vow.
***
Meanwhile, Zigh was tearing through the streets in his patrol car, heading home at high speed.
"Lex, Dev... you two are really something. Just you wait until I get there."
Thirty minutes later, Zigh pulled up and slammed his hand against the horn.
BEEP—!
The blaring sound shattered Lexin's focus and made Devin jump. Lexin looked at Devin nervously. "The Boss is here..."
"Yeah. Go open the gate."
Devin pulled the keys from his pocket and shoved them toward Lexin. "Dev, you want the Boss to skin me alive?"
BEEP—!
"Hurry up, Lex! You know how he gets."
Inside, Lian stood up. "Who's making all that noise with the horn?"
Devin and Lexin stood up quickly. "Lian, just stay here. We'll... we'll handle it," Lexin said, snatching the keys and rushing toward the gate with Devin close behind.
Lian sighed. "He's back. How annoying."
At the gate, Lexin fumbled with the lock and swung the gates wide. Zigh rolled down his window, glaring daggers at the two men. He stepped out and slammed the door with a thunderous THUD!
Lexin and Devin trembled. Zigh marched toward them. "Impressive. Ignoring your superior's calls, are we?"
Lexin bowed his head. Oh man... the Boss's face... there goes my bonus.
Devin stared at his own shoes. Lex, this is your fault...
"Lex?" Zigh's voice was dangerously low.
Lexin looked up. "Yes, sir?"
"Why didn't you answer your phone?"
Lexin took a breath and let it out in a rush. "I... I was playing games."
"Playing games? Well, isn't that nice. Given a mission and you spend it playing around."
Lexin went silent.
Zigh shifted his gaze to Devin.
"And you, Dev? Joined in, did you? Fantastic."
Zigh began to clap slowly and mockingly.
The sound of approaching footsteps interrupted them. "Zigh, you're back?"
Zigh clicked his tongue. The troublemaker himself, he thought.
"Lian, were you playing with Lexin and Devin?"
"Yes."
Zigh grunted. "Lian, go inside."
"I still want to play with them."
Zigh smiled, but the vein in his temple was throbbing and his fists were white-knuckled. "Lian, I've had enough—"
"Ssh..." Lian stepped closer until he was level with Zigh. He leaned in and whispered, "Asley is playing with fire behind your back."
Zigh's eyes widened. "I see..."
Lian smirked.
Zigh turned back to his men. "Lex, give me my keys."
"Here, sir."
Zigh took his keys and tossed the patrol car keys to Lexin. "You two can go home."
Lexin and Devin exhaled in massive relief and started heading for the car.
"But," Zigh added, stopping them in their tracks, "your bonuses for this month are cut in half."
They froze for a second, but without looking back, they scrambled into the car. Lexin ignited the engine and peeled away.
"Lian, wait for me inside."
"Fine."
Before entering, Zigh leaned toward the departing car window. "Find out what Asley Griffh is up to."
Lexin killed the engine and stepped out, followed by Devin. "You mean the Head of the Civil Registry Office?"
"Yes, him."
"What's wrong with Sir Asley?"
"Just find out what he's been busy with this past month. If you can get me a report by tomorrow morning, I'll reconsider the pay cut."
"Sir, you mean we only have tonight?" Lexin groaned.
Devin nodded. "We'll get it done."
"Good. Now get out of here before I actually lose my temper."
Zigh walked inside and locked the gate behind him.
"Dev, what do you think is up with the Boss?"
"Forget complaining. Just focus on saving our bonuses. It's going to be a long night."
***
In the living room, Zigh and Lian sat across from each other.
"Lian, explain what you meant earlier."
"I can't. Not yet."
"So you're just making assumptions?"
"No. I'm just waiting for the evidence."
"Waiting? Don't tell me..."
"You're quick when it comes to things like this."
Zigh exhaled. "Lian... what if Ron and Nox stay in this house?"
Lian stood up. "Do as you wish. You already know my history with them."
"Lian..."
Lian ignored him, choosing to head straight for the room.
Zigh leaned back into the sofa, closing his eyes. You could have just said no, but you always have to spike my blood pressure, Zigh thought.
"Asley... you always choose the wrong friends," he muttered to himself.
To be continued...