BLOOD OATHS:THE BOND FAR FROM BLOOD AND SOUL

The night sky was a blanket of stars, twinkling over the bustling city. DNS stood on the balcony of his small apartment in Japan, leaning against the metal railing. He glanced down at the glowing city streets, watching the cars weave through the traffic like blood coursing through veins.

His mind wasn't on the city, though. It wasn't on the Vajra Syndicate or the gang wars waiting in the shadows. It was on Lily.

The moment she said "yes" kept replaying in his head—her smile, the way she looked at him when he asked her to be his girlfriend. It made him feel something rare. Peaceful, happy. But this world didn't allow peace for long.

Background Music: A melancholic, slow guitar riff begins playing in the background, hinting at the weight on DNS's mind.

With a heavy sigh, DNS reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a cigarette. He flicked the lighter, bringing the small flame to the cigarette's tip. The smoke curled around him like a ghost, the scent of tobacco mixing with the cool night air. He took a slow drag, letting the nicotine calm his nerves.

It had been a long day. A good day, sure. But behind all the smiles and lighthearted moments, there was still the ever-present danger lurking in the shadows.

As he exhaled, the smoke billowed into the night, carried away by the breeze. His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching behind him. He didn't need to turn around to know who it was.

Neel (teasing): "Since when did you start smoking to look cool?"

DNS smirked, taking another drag before answering. "Since the world decided I needed a way to relax."

Neel came to stand beside him, leaning on the railing as he glanced out over the city. He had that same casual, confident air about him—like nothing could ever phase him. But DNS knew better. They both had scars. They both carried more weight than they let on.

Neel (serious): "You look like you're thinking too hard. Something on your mind?"

DNS flicked the ash off the cigarette, watching it fall into the darkness below. "Just... everything. The gang. The fights. Lily."

Neel raised an eyebrow, his trademark smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Ah, Lily. So the date went well?"

DNS chuckled softly, nodding. "Yeah. It went... really well."

Background Music: A soft, wistful piano melody plays as DNS recalls the day, the memory of Lily's laughter still fresh in his mind.

DNS (quietly): "I asked her to be my girlfriend."

Neel turned to look at him, genuinely surprised. "You actually did it? Wow. I thought you were going to chicken out."

DNS rolled his eyes. "Thanks for the vote of confidence."

Neel (grinning): "I'm just saying, man. Good for you. She's a good one."

DNS took another drag of the cigarette, letting the smoke linger in his lungs before exhaling slowly. His mind wandered back to Lily again, but this time, a wave of uncertainty crept in. As much as he wanted to be with her, he couldn't shake the feeling that the world they were living in wouldn't allow them to be happy for long.

DNS (gritting his teeth): "But being with her... it complicates things."

Neel leaned back, crossing his arms as he studied DNS for a moment. "You worried she'll get caught up in all this?"

DNS nodded, tossing the cigarette butt to the ground and crushing it under his boot. "The Vajra Syndicate, the Crimson Serpents, all of it. This life we're living—it's not safe for her. And she doesn't even know the half of it."

Neel (shrugging): "Then maybe it's time you told her."

DNS turned to look at him, narrowing his eyes. "Tell her what? That I'm leading a gang? That every day I'm walking the line between life and death? How do you even start that conversation?"

Neel (calmly): "She's tough, DNS. She's stronger than you think. You gotta trust her, man."

DNS shot Neel a look. "When did you become a relationship expert?"

Neel laughed, leaning over the railing with a grin. "Hey, I'm just full of surprises. But seriously, man, if you're serious about her, she deserves to know the truth. And you deserve to be honest with her."

DNS didn't respond right away. He just stared out over the city, the weight of Neel's words sinking in. Neel was right—he couldn't keep hiding his life from Lily forever. But telling her meant putting her in danger, and that was the last thing he wanted.

Background Music: The soft piano melody fades into a more dramatic, slow buildup as the conversation shifts to darker thoughts.

Neel (serious): "Besides, we've got bigger problems right now. Kazuma's been moving pieces behind the scenes, and the Crimson Serpents are gearing up for something big. I don't know what, but I can feel it."

DNS clenched his fists, a familiar fire igniting in his chest. Kazuma had been a thorn in their side for too long, and the thought of the Crimson Serpents making any more moves made his blood boil.

DNS (grimly): "Let him try. We'll be ready."

Neel nodded, but there was a tension in the air that neither of them could shake. The gang wars were heating up, and the violence was about to get worse. DNS knew that the Vajra Syndicate was strong, but they weren't invincible. Every battle chipped away at them, and eventually, something—or someone—was going to give.

As if reading his thoughts, Neel patted him on the back. "We'll handle it, man. Like we always do."

DNS nodded, but his mind was elsewhere. As much as he wanted to believe Neel, there was an uneasiness in the pit of his stomach that he couldn't shake.

After Neel left, DNS decided to go for a walk to clear his head. The cigarette smoke still lingered on his clothes as he strolled through the quiet streets, his hands in his pockets. The city around him was alive with lights, but there was a certain stillness in the night air that he found comforting.

Background Music: A slow, moody blues track plays in the background as DNS walks through the empty streets, his footsteps echoing softly.

As he walked, he couldn't help but think about what Neel had said. Maybe it was time to tell Lily the truth. But how could he explain everything? How could he tell her that the man she'd grown to love was also the leader of one of the most dangerous gangs in the city?

DNS (thinking): "What if she leaves? What if she can't handle it?"

He shook his head, frustrated with himself. He couldn't think like that. He had to trust her, like Neel said. But trust wasn't something that came easily in his world. It was a commodity, a rare and valuable thing that could be easily broken.

As DNS turned the corner, he found himself in front of a familiar shop—a small jeweler that he'd passed by dozens of times before. But tonight, something drew him to it. He stopped in front of the window, staring at the small, simple engagement rings on display.

Background Music: The blues track fades into a soft, delicate piano melody as DNS stares at the rings, lost in thought.

For a moment, he imagined what it would be like to propose to Lily. To make her his forever. It was a thought that filled him with both excitement and fear. Could he really give her the life she deserved? Or would he just drag her deeper into his dangerous world?

DNS pressed his forehead against the glass, closing his eyes. He wanted to protect her, to keep her safe. But he also wanted her to know the real him—the good and the bad.

DNS (thinking): "Maybe one day..."

He turned away from the shop, shaking his head. This wasn't the time to be thinking about rings and proposals. There were too many threats, too much chaos swirling around them. And yet, the idea lingered in his mind, refusing to leave.

As DNS made his way back to his apartment, the city's lights flickered in the distance, casting long shadows across the streets. The night was quiet now, but he knew that wouldn't last. The calm before the storm was always the most unnerving.

As he reached for another cigarette, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out and saw a message from Lily.

Lily (text): "Had a great time today :) Can't wait to see you again."

DNS smiled softly, lighting the cigarette and taking a slow drag. For now, at least, things were good. And maybe, just maybe, he could keep it that way.

Background Music: The piano melody fades into a soft, haunting guitar riff as DNS exhales the smoke, his gaze fixed on the horizon, knowing that tomorrow would bring new challenges, new dangers.

But tonight? Tonight, he'd enjoy the quiet.