Chapter 39: A Rift Between Brothers
Word spread among the villagers about the ordeal that had befallen them, and in particular, the Bristow and Johnson families. They felt sorry for the families, but there was nothing they could do to save the girls or ease their pain. They could only hope the Shrouded One wouldn't return. How they missed the peaceful days when the prophecy was just a distant rumor.
Soon, word even reached the Shrouded One and Little 5.
They realized that the birds who had slipped from Little 9's grasp were the girls themselves.
Little 5 could hardly believe it, but the truth was undeniable.
"Say, little brother," Little 5 said with his usual smile, "don't you think we should attack while they're still birds? I mean, that way we have so many chances of winning."
Little 9 spared him only a cold glance before turning away without a word. He ignored him entirely.
Little 9 had already figured out what Little 5 had done — secretly summoning Percy to heal himself while he, Little 9, had endured intense pain alone. Just because he hadn't said anything didn't mean he didn't know. Little 9 scoffed inwardly at the thought.
Being ignored so bluntly didn't sit well with Little 5. He growled and barked out angrily,
"I'm talking to you, and you dare walk out on me? Did you forget I'm older than you? By hierarchy, you're supposed to respect and obey me!"
Little 9 paused his steps, turned slightly, and spat back coldly,
"If you're in such a hurry, you can get the job done yourself. Haven't you always believed you're the best among us? You weren't very happy when Master gave me this job, and you've always held a grudge against me for that. You don't need me, I believe."
With that, Little 9 turned and continued walking away.
Little 5's face darkened like never before.
It seemed he had gotten too soft. These boys had forgotten who he was — the eldest among them.
He needed to reassert his dominance.
Without warning, he sprinted after Little 9, his fists clenched.
Sensing his presence, Little 9 turned — only to be met with a punch to the face.
He retaliated immediately, and soon enough, the two brothers were throwing punches back and forth in a fierce, brutal brawl.
Time passed quickly, and before they knew it, four hours had gone by.
Finally, exhausted and bruised, they could no longer continue.
"Feeling much better now?" Little 9 asked, panting.
"Yeah, much better," Little 5 grunted in reply.
Apparently, the boys just needed a good fight to blow off steam.
But Little 5 wasn't about to let the matter go.
"So what's your plan now? Do you intend to sit around and wait for them to return to human form and lose your chance of winning?" he asked pointedly.
"I am not so weak as to take advantage of my enemies," Little 9 replied. "That's not a true victory to me. A real win comes from a fair fight. Besides," he added, "I still haven't healed completely."
"You and your pride," Little 5 muttered, shaking his head. "Fine. Whatever makes you happy. I'll go take a look tomorrow."
The Shrouded One didn't stop him.
He simply let Little 5 do as he pleased.