Kaelis' and even Akio's eyes widened slightly at what they just heard.
*Makoto will leave the Hollow Hand...?*
"You can't be serious," Kaelis mumbled. "You do realize you need to sign a contract to leave the organization, right?"
"I will leave unofficially then. The Hollow Hand won't miss me that much, I'm sure. It's not a big loss, because I'm not important for the organization. But Akio *is* important. To me, at least," Makoto said firmly.
Meanwhile, Akio was looking at Makoto with a look in his eyes that could almost be described as slight admiration. And Vyko was still sitting on their chair, sipping their tea, as if this situation was something that occurred frequently.
"Alright. I'll inform the boss," Kaelis said before turning around. "I hope you won't regret this decision."
And with that he left.
"Guess I'll go too now. After all, I've done what I was asked to do," Dolly spoke up almost cheerfully and got up from her seat, turning to leave as well.
But before she could do so, Vyko stopped her.
"Not so fast, Doll. You still owe me an explanation."
Dolly halted and looked at the cult leader.
"An explanation? About what?"
Vyko leaned back into the chair, still holding their cup.
"Well, you're supposed to be on my side, and yet you decided to team up with the enemy. How shameful of you."
Dolly put her hand on her hip.
"I'm on no one's side. I only joined your cult because you're an interesting specimen. Here's my explanation, can I go now?"
Vyko took a sip from their cup of tea before answering.
"I suppose you're not wrong about that... Yes, you may."
Dolly then proceeded to leave, but not without waving at the remaining people.
"See ya later, bye!", she exclaimed enthusiastically.
After Dolly left, an uncomfortable silence fell over the room.
"Where is Makoto supposed to sleep?", Akio asked monotonously, trying to ease the tension.
"As I said, I have plenty of guest bedrooms. He can sleep in one of those," Vyko interrupted.
Akio's expression continued being unreadable, yet he fidgeted with his fingers a little.
"What if I want him to sleep in my bed with me?"
Makoto looked dumbfounded at first. Then his face heated up a little at the thought of sleeping next to Akio.
*Stop it, Makoto, this is embarrassing...*
"If that's what you want."
"You don't have to agree if you don't want to...", Akio mumbled.
"No, I do! We've slept in the same room before, so I wouldn't mind it," Makoto instantly defended.
Akio then looked away shyly.
"But I might start hugging you while I sleep, just so you know in advance..."
"That's fine. I don't mind that either," Makoto said more firmly than he intended to.
While the teenagers were talking, Vyko was looking out the window. It was already dark outside. Then they turned their gaze towards the clock on the wall.
"It's already late. I suggest you two go to bed. And don't make too much noise," Vyko joked.
Makoto's face got even more red at the implication. Akio however didn't react. He thought this was about them talking too loudly.
"We won't," Akio said calmly.
Akio then got up from his seat and walked out of the dining area, expecting the flustered Makoto to follow, which he did eventually.
As the two left, Vyko leaned back in their chair again.
"Ah... Youth..."
Then all of a sudden Vyko's phone rang, making them jump slightly in surprise.
They took the phone out of their sleeve and looked at the screen to see who's calling them.
The cult leader looked at the screen in what could be described as disgust, as they saw who was calling them.
Vyko sighed before deciding to pick up the phone anyways, bringing it closer to their ear.
"Hello."
"Hey Vyriel! I'm here to visit you again! Are you at home?"
Vyko rolled their eyes beneath the blindfold.
"Yes, I am. And don't call me 'Vyriel', that name doesn't belong to me."
"Oh come on, are you still rejecting your past? Anyways, I'm at your door now."
Vyko sighed in response.
"Seriously? You could've told me sooner you'd come."
"Yeah, but where is the surprise in that? Could you come unlock your door now, it's freezing out he-"
And with that Vyko hung up. They sighed in exasperation once again. They could feel a headache coming, just from talking to that person.
"This could've not been a worse time for them to visit..."
Vyko got up from their seat and left the dining room, approaching the front door.
As they unlocked and finally opened it, they were immediately met with a tight hug.
"Levan. Let go of me," Vyko said in a dangerously calm manner.
The person named Levan eventually freed Vyko from the hug, but kept their hands on their shoulders.
"Vyriel! I'm so glad to see you again! How've you been?", Levan asked cheerfully.
Vyko sighed for the umpteenth time, just from hearing Levan's voice.
"Fine. And stop calling me that."
Levan laughed in response.
"Ah you're still just as uncommunicative as back then, all those years ago!"
Vyko deadpanned.
"Release me."
"Alright, alright," Levan eventually pulled their hands away from Vyko's shoulders.
Vyko dusted off their robe, as if something infectious just touched them.
"Are you here for the same reason as always?"
"Obviously. You know, the world would be a way better place if you came back," Levan pouted.
Vyko could feel their headache getting worse.
"I'm not coming back. How often do I have to tell you that?"
"Come on! Please?"
"No."
"Pleeeease?"
"No. Shut up."
"You're so mean," Levan said with a slight smile.
Vyko's patience was running thin.
"And you're persistent. Do you have any idea just how annoying that is?"
"I can imagine. Anyways, may I come in?"
"I'm having guests over right now, but sure, whatever."
Levan walked past Vyko to the living room.
"Really? You? Guests? I thought you were too antisocial for that."
Vyko shut the door and followed them inside.
"Be quiet."
Levan sat down on the big sofa in the living room.
"Who are these guests anyway?"
"Experiments of mine."
"Ah that checks out. I don't know why I thought you had other friends."
For a brief moment only the clock could be heard ticking.
"Say Vyriel."
"Still Vyko," the cult leader corrected.
"Why did you leave us?"
Vyko stayed silent for another few seconds before answering.
"I've told you this countless times, Levan. If I stayed, freedom wouldn't exist."
Levan's expression became grim.
"No. You're just running away from responsibility. If you had stayed, conflict and chaos wouldn't have existed. Your task was to make sure they wouldn't ever turn to violence. For that is what your job was..."
"... As the Angel of Peace."