WMMAP - [S1] Shelter You - (愛)してる

Prologue

Roaring thunders were spitting through the sky. Sparks were lifting and washing over the headquarters of Obelia Company, showcasing a hectic office as several men surrounded their superiors. They dispersed around the two kins, looking precisely like brothers despite only being half-blooded. One of them was the rightful heir, though no one would dare question the younger brother who just dethroned his share of blood. Perhaps it was considered self-defense.

As he laid on the hard floor along with the scattered bodies of his underlings, Anastasius's lips curled up into a smirk, mocking the inevitable consequence of their battle.

"Do you actually think that killing me would solve the bloodshed we made, Dear little brother...?" He serrated a peal of hoarse laughter as he embraced the agony inside his throat.

Cold as ice, Claude remained quiet.

The pair of brilliant blue stones bore into the identical ones beneath him. If looks could kill, his gaze would have led to the murder of the person he was looking at. A possible origin of the phrase came from Medusa's legend, who had the power to turn anyone who glimpsed at her into stone.

"Such intense stare... I wonder who else has the same eyes as us... Eh, brother?" The older brother's sarcasm made Claude flinch slightly, yet he tried to remain calm. "What was that? Did I hit your soft spot...?"

Choking on his blood, Anastasius continued, "My, such treasure you have been hiding from this chaos... My precious niece. Athanasia, was it?"

Upon hearing the name, Claude's eyes flickered under the moonlight. Slowly raising his pistol onto his could soon become a deceased brother, Claude challenged Anastasius to utter another word. At this point, Anastasius had nothing to be appalled by. After all, he was merely waiting for the final blow to be delivered.

"Beautiful silky golden hair. The same as yours. The same as mine... Unlike Penelope, who once was yours but was actually mine..."

Anastasius's smirk grew more expansive when the trigger was ready to pull.

"Give your avaricious woman my regards when you meet her at the bottom of hell," said the younger brother.

"Ah, of course... You found your substitute. Who was she? Ah right. Lady Dia—"

Claude's foot stomped down, harshly, upon his brother's chest, choking the life out of the poor soul beneath him.

"How dare you mention that name with your filthy mouth?"

"Brother... She is dead. Why does it concern you?" Anastasius asked, making Claude dig his heel, increasing the pressure that rivaled the boiling rage inside. But the mocking smile lingered on Anastasius's face, only fueling his anger.

The older kin continued, "You should prioritize other things or someone else..."

"If you touch a single strain of her hair—"

Gathering all his remaining strength, Anastasius tore his brother's foot off his chest. Claude's guards were ready to take action when he signaled them to stand by. He watched his brother crawl to the nearest wall, resting his back against it.

"My men are already searching for your little girl. Do you think you can keep her hidden by just sending her away? Unguarded?"

The lack of emotions on his face was considered an advantage in a situation like this. So that his enemy could not read how terror was creeping into his body to the point that he froze in one place. His personal bodyguard, who knew him by heart, stepped closer.

"Sir?" asked Felix.

Dismissing the Knight of Crimson Blood's concern, Claude sauntered away from his brother.

"Roger Alpheus. Take him. Information needs to be extracted," Claude ordered.

"Yes, sir." The white hair man answered.

Anastasius's laughter echoed inside the room as he watched his brother fade away.

"You have gone, soft brother! You should have killed me!"

-

Claude tossed the pistol carelessly to his most trusted companion, Felix Robane, as they walked back to the car.

"Was that a wise choice, sir?" Felix asked as he opened the door for his superior, letting him be seated at the back.

"We shed enough blood," he sighed, "...I have to bring my daughter back."

Felix enquired, looking through the back mirror. "Sir, with due respect, it would be dangerous to bring Lady Athanasia back right now. Therefore, I wouldn't suggest you leave the company unattended. I believe it would be wise to take care of the potential danger in Obelia first. Anastasius may be detained, but his men still roam free."

"What do you propose?"

"I do not mean to act out without your consent, but I have found a pair of worthy guards to be sent to Lady Athanasia's location."

"And who might that be?"

"Sir Lucas and Sir Ezekiel."

"Those brats? You put my daughter's fate onto a bunch of kids?"

"One boy was trained under the Black Tower Magician and excels in close combat. A perfect choice for a bodyguard. The other boy is the son of Sir Roger Alpheus himself. Specialized in weapons and intellect gathering. Please rest assured, Sir."

Running his fingers through his golden locks, Claude let out another sigh. "Send them to my mansion right away."

"With haste," replied Felix as he seized his phone.