The Ashen Dominion

Tap. Tap. Tap—

The sound of shoes echoed softly in the dim hallway.

It was still early— sunlight hadn't even stretched its fingers fully over the horizon yet. The morning mist clung low to the ground, and the faint scent of dew lingered in the air.

Inside the Silver Place where Kaiser and the others are, in one of the tables with benches around, there's a lamp already lit.

Kaiser sat in the middle of the long bench, his arms relaxed, gaze locked forward.

To his left sat Viktor, leaning back on the bench rest with both feet up on the table like he owned the place. He was twirling a stick with two fingers.

To his right was Edmar, eyes narrowed in thought, or maybe because he's a bit sleepy still.

Leo slouched in a bench closer to the edge, barely keeping his eyes open.

'This wouldn't be easy.'

"..."

Kaiser blinked once. Slowly.

Then he closed his eyes.

He wasn't going to panic.

He just needed to see them with his own eyes.

That was all.

...

...

*****

The next morning.

Tap— Tap— Tap—

"KAISER!!!"

Rai came rushing in the Silver Place to meet Kaiser early in the morning.

The sun hadn't fully risen yet.

"Ugh...? What the hell...?"

Kaiser opened the door of his room with half-lidded eyes. He was frowning, he still wants to sleep.

...

Anyway— he got to where Rai was not long.

"..."

Kaiser didn't say anything.

Rai blinked.

"You're up already?"

Kaiser glanced at him from inside the silver place, then he just silently closed his eyes.

Moving on, Rai just let him be, he knows he's listening—

"...What is it now?"

Kaiser then suddenly asked, eyes still closed.

Rai didn't speak immediately.

"...?"

Kaiser opened on of his eyes to check on him. Then—

"I overheard something earlier when I went back to spy on their leader, vice head, and members. When I was giving out breakfast just earlier."

Rai declared that.

And before Kaiser could even react—

"Disagreements between the Head and Vice Head. Possible conflict about leadership roles."

Rai followed, summarizing the news he have for the sleepy Kaiser.

"They're not on the same page, apparently."

Kaiser stared at Rai for a while after hearing that.

"..."

Then his lips slowly curved into a sly grin—.

"...Now that's good morning news."

He mumbled, still sleepy though.