Rowan's gaze remained fixed on the empty, dark sky. Hector led him as they traversed past and around the many buildings of the camp. The chaos of the dining hall could still be heard in the distance while the pair walked.

Although Rowan had slept well after arriving in the warmth and green, the day had still drained him. The deathmatch between Devoured and Defected. To the bustle and chaos of the cursed dining hall, held hostage by the two love birds.

'Will I really fit in here?'

So much had changed since he'd been abducted from his daily school life. Yet, in some ways, it all felt the same.

Dimming in and out of consciousness, he heard Hector's words faintly as he felt himself sway. His dreariness helped him withstand the burden of being beside the awkward Defected.

"Hey, sorry. I know you're tired. It's only a little further... But there's something I'd like to know. Before you meet the boss."

Rowan sighed. "Sorry. I was, yeah. Sure, ask me anything... go right ahead."

Hector lingered before he spoke.

"Well, you were with Nero earlier? When he killed that Devoured, weren't you?"

Rowan sighed. "Uh yeah, sure, that's all you want to know? Yeah, I was there with Nero. He killed that Devoured and made it look easy. He was probably trying to show off or something. But he did prove the two of us can get stronger. Even without a Defect, we can be almost or even as physically strong as you. Ha, well, anyway, he beat the Devoured, and it took him ages to wipe the stuff off in the end."

Hector flinched and made a clumsy attempt to hide his frown. Rowan scrutinised the tall man, his black markings sharing a similar shade to the night sky above.

"What's that face for?" Rowan asked. "Is it really that rare for someone to kill a Devoured here? The one you guys fought looked way, way stronger. Also, Nero mentioned you two knew each other well. But you didn't know he could fight a little?"

Surprised, Hector glanced Rowan's way. "No. We don't know each other that well."

Hector raised his eyebrow. "Not anymore, at least. Don't take any of the stuff Nero says for granted. I didn't know he could fight. But I realised when you lifted that Vile. Your physique alone might be the same as ours."

Rowan tilted his head up, listening closely.

"From what I can tell. You two are Defected, just with no abilities or conditions. That's what I assumed till I went to see that Devoured, while you were all in the dining hall. Or what Nero left of it. It didn't seem like a pushover to me. Even if you think it looked weaker."

Rowan felt the urge to pry into the two's history. It was the natural course of things in such a conversation. But Hector's tone and his expression had returned to indifference again. Looking up at the tall man, he felt a distance between them that couldn't be breached.

'Well, what's the point?'

Rowan's impression of Hector had been wrong. He'd assumed the man was incapable of asking something normal like that. He was the type to speak when spoken to or to get something important done. And that was it. But Rowan wasn't much of a talker either. So their conversation ended there.

However, as they walked in their lonesome, the silent alliance lasted longer than Rowan could cope with. Beaten by the bland man, he scanned his surroundings, hoping to think of something to say.

They had walked through most of the camp by now. It was odd, but though there must have been a hundred Defected enjoying the rowdiness of the grand hall. Yet, there were still more outside, huddled around the many buildings.

"I had no idea there were this many?"

He focused on a giant Defected. His right shoulder was littered with tiny black holes in his skin. At first, Rowan recognised it as a similar texture to a microphone, but then he got the briefest glimpse of something sticking out of those holes.

Thin and sharp, something reached out from within his skin, twitching. But then it turned and pointed at Rowan.

Moments later, the man was surrounded by two, then three more Defected. All stretching and yawning in unison, shielding Rowan from his view of the Defect.

Noticing Rowan's pale expression, Hector blinked and raised his voice.

"Those are the Noct. The Noct are Defected better suited for the night watch. Though some of that lot there are night hunters. They're a little weird. But you owe any peaceful night to them. Keep that in mind."

Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

As they neared the end of the settlement, the forest appeared. Even during the night, there was always a light of some kind in this world. Or at least Rowan had assumed there was.

However, whatever the source of that light was, it didn't reach within the forest. Only amid the trees and empty starless sky was there any true darkness. Rowan rubbed his mouth, feeling his clenched jaw gently. Hector watched him.

"Rowan, you should know. I'm in charge of the Noct. Most of the hunters at camp, too. I'm a leader here. Yet, I don't preach to anyone. Not really."

The darkness of Hector's face swirled and twisted as he eyed Rowan.

"But I will just this once. Rowan, if you want to do yourself any favours while you stay here. Then I'd suggest you don't follow Nero's example. I did what I could for him. But he's a liability. For your sake, don't get involved."

Rowan frowned as he listened to the daunting Defected. He might have had his own problems with Nero and his own differences. But he was like the only familiar figure to Rowan here, someone who treated him the way he was used to.

"We're here," Hector said.

Being surrounded by all these diligent and intimidating Defected today made him grateful for even that brief afternoon stroll. It didn't feel good to hear him be criticised so repeatedly. He got the sense everyone looked down on Nero and him. But before he could interject, the Defected's stiff, booming voice intercepted.

"Rowan, You'd be much better off modelling yourself after someone like her. You might not have noticed it yet. But everyone loves her, and for good reason."

The man rested his thick, heavy hand on Rowan's shoulder with a comforting pat before shoving him forward. The incredible strength in his arm almost threw Rowan off his feet as he stumbled forward.

"I don't care if you don't like me. And I'm not gonna waste your time making you like me. But I hope you'll listen to this. Even some awkward idiot like me gets his fair share of gratitude from others. If he works for it."

Frustrated by the rough man, Rowan considered turning and yelling. But he didn't have the strength. Raising his head with tired eyes, he spotted her.

Perched on the edge of a frail stone wall sat a woman. Even from this distance, he found himself drawn into her image. It didn't look comfortable or stable. Her delicate figure wasn't particularly balanced either.

She sat facing away from Rowan toward the dark outline of the forest. However, her neck was craned up, revealing the vapid, black sky as the source of her attention. Grasping that she was the boss, Rowan approached her from behind while Hector kept his distance.

He found her presence overwhelming. She was a Defected. There was no question about it. But the sensation she gave off was more potent, mystical even. Not dangerous, rowdy and frightening like the Defected he'd known so far. He was slowing, and soon, he'd stopped in his tracks.

Tearing her gaze away from the sea of darkness above, she turned to look over her shoulder.

'So with her, it's the eyes.'

The source of her Defect shone and gripped Rowan instantly. Her sparkling, dark blue eyes created a vague, weak light that drew him in amidst the darkness behind.

There were glinting sparkles in those dark orbs that were missing in the emptiness surrounding them. Her gaze captured Rowan, and he noticed one feeling expel the others. It was a surge of sympathy. She looked frightened.

"You're here, Rowan. It's nice to meet you. I'm glad, really. A new Defected is something we've never had before, a good sign."

Her tone was soft and warm, and her eyes kind. But she wasn't smiling. Rowan didn't either.

She asked. "You've spoken with Nero already, haven't you? About you're condition."

Rowan scowled, "Condition? Yeah, neither of us has a defect. What else is there to say?"

The girl managed a wry smile as she shuffled on her stone seat.

"I didn't mean to offend you. Based on what you said earlier, I was just... speculating. There may be some hidden benefit to your condition, no? One Nero has kept to himself?"

"Huh, earlier? But we just met? When did you hear something like that?"

The girl examined him with a long pause. "Well, from your conversation with Hector just now... The one with Nero, too."

Furrowing his brow, Rowan stared with sharp hazel eyes. It was enough to prompt the girl.

"It's to do with my Defect. It lets me hear and feel things. I'm trying to be as transparent as possible, so please don't look at me like that."

His eyes were drawn to hers. The dim radiance of her deep, dark blue pupils sought out the confusion and concern within him.

"There's another reason you're here, Rowan. Well, I don't have high hopes, but perhaps my second Defect can help you. You see. It would be best to describe my powers as listening and feeling."

Rowan's face scrunched further. Noticing his uncertainty, she sighed and waved for him to come closer.

"Like everyone else, my Defect has limits and is hindered by certain things. In my case, it's my senses. My eyes are where my powers dwell, but their potency is not at the level of my siblings. It seems like you didn't know? Most Defects work like that, conditions. Ones you can overcome by subjugating the Devoured."

Gesturing once more, she laid out her hand for him. Rowan's scepticism of the girl was clear as he watched her wave her hand. But glancing over his shoulder at Hector's watchful gaze, he assumed he had no say.

Taking a bold step forth, he approached the soft woman. Her hair was like a gentle blue wave that flowed down her shoulders. Her kind, wry smile did its best to hide the deep darkness in her pupils.

"This better not hurt or anything."

He was close enough now for his fingers to brush against her outstretched palm. She flinched as his fingers, red and cold, touched her own. But instead of prying into their brittle state, her eyes turned glossy, and he felt her gaze waver.

'What's happening. Why won't she say anything?'

Awkward, Rowan scratched his head as the silent, aloof girl captured his left hand. Her eyes open and vulnerable, he found himself exploring them. They seemed even darker than before, but straining his sight enough, he could see glimpses of light within.

Her pupils stirred. Then, they found their way back to staring at Rowan.

"You really are the same as Nero. There's nothing, no ability, no conditions. You're just you."

Sighing, she removed her hand first.

"You've probably been through a lot today, Rowan. We can save everything else for tomorrow."

"Everything else?

The girl smiled.

"You want answers, don't you? Well, so do we. But it will have to wait. Go get some rest, Rowan. You look like you're about to collapse. I'm out of time, too. Try to come back a little earlier tomorrow. Then we can talk more. I'll try to wake up on time, too."

Sheepish, she looked away from him as the corner of her lips rose. She looked at her hand and flexed it open and closed. She clasped it in her other hand and brought it to her mouth. As she breathed into her cold hands, Rowan heard footsteps approaching him.

"Let's go, Rowan. You can sleep at my place tonight. She'll need some more of your time tomorrow. But right now. This is more important."

Rowan shivered as he turned around to face the tall man. Nonchalant as always, Hector paid him no mind. Instead, he glanced at the girl, who paid them both no mind. Facing away from the pair, she stared at the dark sky, enamoured.

Hector said. "She can't hear us. When she touched you just now, that was her second Defect. From her right or left eye, I'm not sure. But now she's using the first. We can't disturb her. It's paramount to the camp's safety. I've commanded the Noct to guard her, so let's go."

Amidst Hector's rambles, Rowan found himself almost entranced.

'Defects?... So she has two of them?'

But then, the girl seemed to rise before him. Sitting on that stone wall, the world seemed to grow as the tall Hector grew, too.

Hector's vague expression bordered on almost surprise. Only after reading his awkward expression did Rowan realise he had collapsed.

"Oops," Hector said.

As he fell, the last thing he saw was an inky, deadpan face getting closer and swallowing his view.