Chapter 27: Blood Rage
The following day, as usual, Little 9 focused on his training. He had only one day left before he had to return to his mission, so he poured all his strength into getting better, barely having time to bicker with Percy like he normally did.
"Come on, little brother. I never took you for the hardworking type. Tell me, is that mission really so important to you, or has it just gotten too personal?" Percy asked with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
Little 9 merely spared him a glance and resumed his meditation.
"Oh, I think I know why you're so hell-bent on making this work. It's because the two queens defeated you, wounded your pride—and now, two little girls have trampled all over it. This is all about getting back your ego," Percy declared with certainty.
He turned to look at the Shrouded One, who had decided to ignore him earlier, but sure enough—he had struck a nerve. The Shrouded One's fingers clenched tightly, his eyes glowing such a deep red it looked like blood might drip from them. His jaw was so tense that Percy could hear his teeth rattling.
The sight stunned Percy. Never in their lifetime had he seen his little brother so enraged. Sure, he might've been the most short-tempered among them, but this—this was different. Little 9 looked like he was ready to kill.
Fear shot through Percy, and he instinctively tried to back away, but before he could take a step, he felt a weight press against his back—so heavy, he couldn't move.
He tried to turn around to see what was holding him—
Bang!
Little 9's punch hit him squarely in the chest, hurling him across the room. He crashed onto the ground hard, blood dripping from his mouth and the back of his head where he'd hit the floor. As he lay there in disbelief, he saw Little 9 approaching again—like he was facing an enemy.
Run!
That was all he could think. Right now, saving his own life was the priority. Taunting the Shrouded One had worked, just not in the way he intended.
He tried to vanish, to teleport—but as if expecting it, the Shrouded One blocked him completely, giving him no chance to escape. Percy was truly trapped. This, he feared, was the end.
Desperation consumed him. He knew he could handle almost anyone in their family—except two. The Master. And an enraged Little 9.
As a final attempt, Percy tried to blow air on him. It was his gift—a calming breath. His breath could soothe even the most furious soul, and he was the only one among them blessed with that gift.
But the Shrouded One could read him like a book. He blocked him again, completely shutting down Percy's last defense. Defeated, Percy closed his eyes and waited for death.
"Little 9!"
A voice thundered behind them just as Percy was sure it was over. Turning, they saw the Master standing at a distance, his expression stern and commanding.
"I see you're growing more and more outrageous—to the point where you would dare attack your own. You know that has always been forbidden."
At that moment, the Shrouded One snapped out of his rage and looked down. In front of him lay Percy, crushed beneath his weight, and with just a little more pressure, he would've strangled him.
Horrified, he immediately let go and stepped back, staring blankly. He was confused, shaken by what had just happened and how he had come so close to killing his own brother.
© 2025 Victoria Nakayenga. All rights reserved.
This story is my original work. Do not copy, repost, or translate without permission.