Awaiting The Dawn

18: Confession Of Secrets

The more Hisa thought about it, the more similarities she could see between Kija and Suzu.

Having only lived in his village, Kija was very inexperienced to travel. From upbringing to even personality and disposition, the two heavily overlapped. 

The only difference she found besides their appearance was that Suzu was a little more carefree.

Maybe that was why Hisa never felt uncomfortable around him even when she wasn't too good with strangers.

While they were moving, he'd fallen down a slope, screaming at the top of his lungs because of some insects. It was oddly similar to how she first met Suzu. 

She laughed a little too much, finding his characteristics shared by her former companion very endearing.

"I can still feel them crawling all over me." He shivered, walking in circles so quickly that it made Hisa's head spin.

Hak teased with a grin. "I see dragons can't even handle bugs."

"N-no! I just don't like creepy crawly creatures! I have been granted the proud, divine strength of the white dragon. I'm beyond ordinary people!"

"Well, whatever. I'm not expecting anything from your dusty old power."

"Haha—" Hisa's chuckle suddenly silenced itself.

A vision flashed through her eyes. And to summarize in one word: "Bandits."

Everyone on alert, Yoon and the princess went to hide in the shrubs while Hak and Kija stood where they were, ready to fight. Hisa decided to follow the weaker pair so she could ensure their safety.

It wasn't much of a choice, as much as it stung her pride.

She had experience with throwing knives and bows, not with swords and spears. Taking her opponents off-guard was the only way Hisa would survive when forced into close-combat with so many enemies.

As they were watching the thunder beast and white dragon fight, Yoon commented. "They're inhuman. Unbelievable."

"Thunder is fast. And he's as strong as Kija's dragon arm." Hisa was honestly impressed he could fight like that even with his injuries.

Princess Yona didn't say anything, intently observing the bandits attacking Hak.

"Want to help?" He asked both Hisa and the princess.

"They'll know our hiding place." Hisa reasoned weakly, keeping guard so that no one tries to ambush the three of them.

Yoon deadpanned. "Didn't you hear them earlier? We were already noticed. And this is exactly what she's been training for."

She hadn't prepared any other arguments.

As Hak and Kija showed off their monstrous strength, Yoon and Hisa were helping the princess shoot an arrow at one of the bandits behind Hak. 

Princess Yona managed to graze the hand that was holding a weapon, but soon after, a different bandit snuck up behind them. 

Hisa heard his footsteps and once confirming he wasn't some sort of diversion to lure her away, she pounced and knocked him to the dirt.

With that, all the bandits were either dead or subdued. The problem was the aftermath. Hak had reopened his wounds and toppled to the ground. 

"The sun is setting." Yoon said after he checked on the collapsed thunder beast. "We should find somewhere to sleep."

"Is there an inn nearby?" Kija asked, not aware of what Yoon meant.

Hearing that made Hisa smile. He really was like Suzu.