Taylor groans from his bed at the sound of his phone ringing. He struggles to find his phone and blocks the call before trying to go back to sleep.

***BRRRINNNNNGGG***

“Aghhh…” Taylor groans as he grabs his phone and answers the call. “What?” Taylor asks, disgruntled.

“It's time. Get on a plane to the central continent as soon as possible. It's a little late but the show is going to go down.” Charles says over the phone.

“Fuck, it's like the middle of the night. Can't Hanz wait a few days?” Taylor asks, not expecting a serious answer.

“Get here as soon as possible.” Charles says, ignoring Taylor’s question. “We’re going to move in during the ritual to lock Hanz out of the fight. It’s risky but it’s our best chance of stopping it. I’m going to send you the address. If you don’t want to owe a blood debt, you’ll get here soon.” Charles says before hanging up the phone; he wasn’t really in the mood to deal with a half-asleep Taylor.

“Fuck.” Taylor exclaims before rolling over to Sylvie and gently rocking her body.

“Hmmm… What?” Sylvie asks, half-asleep.

“I have to go. The big battle is happening.” Taylor explains with a weary voice.

“Then just go. Call me when you get there. Love you, babe. Good night.” She says with a drowsy voice before going back to sleep.

“Fuck.” Taylor expresses; he was hoping for more than a drowsy goodbye. There was a good chance he wouldn’t make it out of this fight. It could go perfectly as planned, but Taylor wasn’t hoping for much. These climax-like events tend to end up in disappointment.

Taylor sighs. “Whatever.” He says, giving up hope of a goodbye kiss and removing the blanket from his body.

Taylor slaps his cheeks to get him in the mood. Game face. It’s time play 'survive as best you can'. Taylor tells himself, getting himself in the right state of mind. It would be nice if I had some encouragement… Taylor thinks as he looks at the sleeping Sylvie with a sigh.

…

…

Taylor slept through the whole flight and was picked up by Charles at the airport.

“How are you feeling? Are you ready to go? By the way, your body stinks of death. Who have you been murdering?” Charles asks, curious.

“Ughh…” Taylor groans. “It’s from my murder-spree a while back. I’m trying to cleanse the aura but it just won’t go away. I guess I'm stained now.” Taylor says, not expecting the aura to leave anytime soon.

“Oh yeah. I heard about that. You went wild for a while, didn’t you? Reminds me of your father. I hear he made a lot of enemies too.” Charles says, mentioning some passing rumours.

Taylor looks to Charles, curiosity in his gaze. Was my father such a well-known figure? He asks himself.

“Most of the people you killed were on the other side of the war, but there were a few who had friends on our side. Your family is keeping them away for now, but I would watch your back. Some of the dudes you pissed off are pretty scary.” Charles says with a chuckle.

Taylor looks out of the window, ignoring the issue. That was one of the reasons, that Taylor would go all out in this fight. He was at a point where his life could go one of many ways, so there was no point in being careful. I might as well go as wild as I can… Taylor thinks before his mind wanders to his father. I wonder if he ever felt the same… He thinks somewhat curious.