A smirk formed at the corner of Rin's lips. "Oh really? Do you mind telling me their names?"
Before Evryn could speak, Razek immediately took over the conversation. "Oh yeaa, we have Helly, but she's a bit crude and rude. She puts her hands on people a lot—likes hitting them. But she's a damn good fighter, hehe." He paused, twisting his wrist. "Then you have Cy. He's an old one, or at least that's what he likes to say." Razek deepened his voice mockingly and waved his hands in an exaggerated manner. 'I am the best gunslinger you can ask for,' he mimicked before scoffing. "But honestly, I don't think he's that great."
Rin paused with her pipe at her lips, her mouth slightly opening before closing again. "Cy?"
"Yeah, Razek likes to shorten our names for some reason. His real name is Cyrus," Evryn clarified.
"Cyrus? As in Cyrus Halloway?" Rin lowered her pipe.
Is that his last name? Evryn thought. I've never heard it until now.
"Yep." Razek leaned his head back, staring at the ceiling. "I don't know how old he is now… forty-six, maybe? Not too sure, I'm bad with ages."
"What does he look like?" Rin's tone shifted slightly, now carrying a hint of curiosity.
"Oh, well…" Razek extended his index finger as if counting. "Black hair with some silver strands in it, blue eyes." He twirled his finger in the air.
Evryn wasn't paying much attention anymore—he was just relieved he didn't have to do all the talking. He was drained.
"I see…" Rin's tone softened. "He sounds like a wonderful friend of yours."
Something about the way she said it was off. Too sweet. Too fake.
Evryn narrowed his eyes slightly. What does she know about Cyrus?
No—more importantly—why does everyone seem to know who he is? It was like his name carried weight, something unspoken lingering behind it. What the hell did he do in the past?
A soft hiss was made from the door, it was the blond-haired man who had been sent off by Rin to fetch his sword.
He walked forward, now standing next to Rin, "Do you want me to hand it to him now?"
"Give it to him."
The man nodded, walking over to Evryn, he handed the sword to him with right hand on the sheath of the sword.
Evryn took the sword then laid it on his lap, he looked at Rin, "Thank you."
"No problem, heh.." Rin's tone changed.
I can't tell if she is worried because we have connections to Cyrus or she doesn't want anything to do with him…
"Well then," Rin sat up and handed her pipe to Lighter. "I'll take care of them. The rest of you, go back to your affairs. Oh, and hand me my sandals."
"Yes, ma'am."
One of the guards pulled out a pair of wooden sandals—from who knows where—and handed them to Rin.
The sandals were crafted from smooth, elegant wood that blended well with the sandstone. The soles had two thick hilts running across them, with black straps securing the top.
She slid her feet into them before walking past Evryn and Razek toward the door. "Come on, you two."
Razek stood up immediately. "You don't have to tell me twice," he said, stretching.
"Right…" Evryn muttered softly before rising to his feet and fastening his sword to his pants.
As they stepped into the hallway, the bright lights overhead hit them, the same ones they had seen before.
Behind them, the door hissed shut, leaving the three guards inside to clean up the mess.
Rin glanced back at Evryn. "Don't worry about them. Just follow me."
Evryn nodded and fell in step behind her.
The hallway wasn't anything special—plain white walls with smooth paneling that covered the lights, and a few doors scattered along its length. It shared the same sleek, refined design as the rest of the city.
Rin's wooden sandals clicked softly against the floor with each step, the rhythmic sound oddly satisfying.
At the end of the hall, they reached a door. Rin pressed a red button on the panel beside it, and with a soft hiss, it slid open.
Blinding sunlight poured through the entrance, and a wave of heat followed almost immediately.
"Come on," Rin said, stepping outside.
Razek and Evryn followed close behind.
Evryn felt the heat of the sun beating down on his skin, the dry, sand-like dirt shifting beneath his boots. The fresh air outside was a stark contrast to the enclosed space they had just left.
But then, Rin came to an abrupt stop, frozen in place.
Ahead of them, leaning against a nearby building, was Cyrus. His left foot was propped up against the wall, arms relaxed, but his sharp gaze was locked onto Rin's.
So that's why…
Just beside him, hidden in the shadows of a narrow alleyway, was Helaine—most likely avoiding the harsh sunlight, preferring the cool shade.
Cyrus was the first to break the silence.
"Long time no see, friend." A smirk crept onto his face.
Rin let out a deep sigh. "It's good to see you too, Cyrus…"
Cyrus pushed himself off the wall and started walking toward her, lifting his arms in a casual greeting. "So, what have you been up to these past years?"
"Oh, you know. The usual." Rin crossed her arms, eyeing him. "And it looks like you haven't changed one bit."
"Heh, I guess you could say once you start moving, it's hard to stop."
Evryn cut through their little reunion. "Do you just know everyone around here?"
Cyrus turned his gaze toward him, smirking. "Did no one teach you manners?" he teased before shrugging. "But yeah, I suppose you could say that. I've had my fair share of run-ins with people over the years."
He's enjoying himself. First, we met Garran, now we're meeting Rin… I wonder who's next on the list.
"But besides that," Cyrus continued, glancing at Evryn, "you did good, kid. You found a—" he side-eyed Rin, "—very, very important person."
Rin rolled her eyes. "I guess you'll never change." She sighed before turning toward Evryn and Razek. "Come on. I assume you two are heading back in."
Soon, Helaine emerged from the alleyway, joining the others. Before long, they all made their way inside.
***
Rin led them through the hallways of the building, eventually arriving at a staircase that ascended to a door on the second floor.
She paused at the top, standing before the door, then glanced over her shoulder.
Cyrus was a step behind her, his right foot on the stair and the left one lazily hanging back. His posture was laid-back, his left hand resting near his belt—close to where his holster was.
Razek trailed behind, raising his hand in an exaggerated wave as he slowly made his way up the steps. Helaine kept to the side, one hand on her hip, eyes scanning the room.
Evryn leaned against the stairway wall, eyes closed, lost in thought.
'What a very interesting crew you have, Cyrus.' Rin mused, analyzing each of them in turn.
She turned back toward the door and pressed a button on the panel. With a soft hiss, it slid open, revealing the room beyond.
Rin looked back once more.
"Come on," she said. "It seems we have a lot to discuss."