Deviating from the original plot

Chapter ninety-three

A/N: Mature content ahead 🔞

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Preparations for the Blood Moon were nearly complete, and tension hung thick in the air. That evening, as usual, Cassius slipped into the shed to tend to Damien's curse wounds.

While carefully applying the salve, he said quietly, "In two days, we'll move. We're stopping the Ascension Ceremony—no more waiting, we're going all in."

Damien's eyes widened in shock. "What?" he blurted out. "That's insane, Cassius. You can't just charge into something like that—it's suicide."

Cassius's brows drew together. "You think we don't know the risks? Should we just let that happen?"

"I'm not joking," Damien snapped, sitting up despite the pain. "That ceremony—it's not just a ritual. Reality is going to be altered due to that. You set foot there, and you're done for. Just forget about whatever you are planning if it's like that."

Cassius narrowed his eyes. "And why should I believe you?"

Damien let out a slow, tired sigh. "You don't have to," he said flatly. "Do whatever you want, Prince. It's not like I care what happens to you. But I'm telling you this because it's the truth—take it or don't."

Cassius studied him for a long moment, searching his face for even a flicker of deceit. But Damien's expression remained calm, unflinching, almost resigned.

"I'll take your warning seriously," Cassius said finally. "But I'm still going through with it."

Damien gave a bitter chuckle. "Of course you are. Stubborn to the end." He leaned back against the wall, wincing as the movement tugged at his healing wounds. "You're going to get yourself killed, you know that?"

"Why should I believe you?" Cassius asked, his brow furrowing in doubt.

Damien let out a sharp exhale, his patience thinning. "You don't have to," he muttered. "Do whatever you want, prince. I'm just giving you a warning; whether you listen or not is your problem."

Cassius studied him for a long moment, the flickering lamplight catching the tension in his face. "You talk like you don't care," he said quietly, "but you wouldn't be warning me if that were true."

Damien's eyes darkened, and for a moment, he said nothing. Then, with a faint, derisive scoff, he muttered, "Or maybe I'm just tired of watching you act like an idiot."

Cassius gave a small, lopsided smile. "Fair enough. I am an idiot sometimes. So tell me—what should we do then?"

Damien shot him a glare, his jaw tightening. "I don't know," he said flatly, turning his face away.

Cassius watched him for a moment, then crouched beside him again, checking the marks on his arm. "You know," he said softly, "for someone who claims not to care, you're awfully bad at hiding it."

Damien gave a short laugh, bitter but quiet. "Don't mistake irritation for concern."

Cassius didn't answer this time. He just uncorked a vial and dabbed the salve over the burns in silence. The air between them felt heavy, charged with words neither seemed willing to speak.

"If you say so," Cassius murmured, brushing the dust from his hands before leaving the shed.

✦ ✦

Later that evening, the courtyard was quiet, bathed in the soft crimson tint of the setting sun. Cassius stood at the centre, his blade flashing in steady, rhythmic movements as he trained. The sound of steel cutting through air echoed faintly until a familiar voice interrupted.