The Emblems of Justice

Chapter 5 - Zoey the Zesty

 The three continued to travel around the quiet village, the chirping of birds slowly starting to quiet down as the cool breeze of dusk blew. It was already getting a bit dark outside, and they didn't even have a proper place to stay yet. After some attempts in trying to find an inn or buy some supplies, the three only kept on getting kicked out for their previous commotion at Mr. Isaac's place.

"Honestly, I'm not sure if you're a genius in these sorts of things." Alek gave him a pained look. "First the property damage in the armory shop, and now you've somehow... destroyed the door while I was ordering dinner. I'm not sure whether I picked up a trained soldier or a budding arsonist."

"All that for some chicken..." The coachman grumbled, "and we didn't even get enough for three."

The young hero faced the other way, unable to look Alek in the eye. "I'm sorry, it's just... very hard to control. It's much worse than I expected."

"I know. It's just, I beg you, please. Even I have my limits," he warned. "We're going to have to move to another town."

"But I—" he wavered as a sudden feeling of uncertainty wafted over him. The sun had completely set, and there was nobody in the middle of the gloomy unlit streets except them... or maybe, there was someone else.

A faint scream resounded across the village, breaking the eerie silence before it was suddenly muffled. Someone was in trouble, and it seems the others heard it as well.

Pavel tensed up, raring to grab one of the many hidden weapons on his person.

"Sir Alek, we'll talk later." Cade placed his palm on the hilt of his blade, prepared to unsheathe it in the face of danger.

The prince clenched his fists, a magical aura surrounding him, "I'll go after you. Don't you dare do anything stupid. Pavel, keep an eye on the carriage."

"Yes sir!" he said, posture turning alert.

Another scream followed, this time much louder and clearer, but it was muffled once more. As they ran through, the cries of help went quieter and quieter as time went on. The houses, although quaint, were too similar to just run through. A final whimper was heard. "Nine o'clock," the young hero signaled, turning left into an alleyway.

The girl was cursing her misfortune. Look, it's not her fault that she didn't know there was a new gang hanging around this specific area, that they were more well funded, even having a Core user amongst their ranks. What's a poor hapless normal supposed to do against THAT?

Flames circled around her as a gang of men brandished their daggers.

"Ehe, Missy. There's a toll to be 'round here, 3 silver, it's generous I know. But you sayin' that you don't have any?" the thug mocked. "Now that's some bullshit, even a scowling dog has that much."

She stepped back into the cold stone walls of the alleyway. "Take all my copper, i-it's all I really have. JUST LET ME GO!"

The head of the gang inched closer, a smirk on his face; the flames threatening to sear her skin. "Feisty, but your fire ain't enough to outbeat mine. Here's a little lesson to not lie."

Sweat was leaking over her head, her eyes filled with fear. So this was how she was going out huh? "D-dad," she croaked. Her hands clasped in prayer, praying to every single god there was to save her.

A burst of light flashed through them. The leader, surprised by this, dispelled the fire. As her eyes adjusted back from the flashbang, the blurry figures of two men stood before her.

"A mugging. Truly a despicable act to do to anyone. A little lesson in not doing that is in play," one man, who was taller than the other, whose voice was gruff and imposing said; a brilliant azure light encompassing him.