The Murklin System: Rise of the Dark Hero

Chapter 9

Finn blinked his eyes several times while looking around, and then his eyes went back to Efrelyn who was about to leave.

"What am I doing here?" he asked before gaping at the whole place. "This isn't Fract. I thought you're sending me back."

"I did. I also said I'm sending you back to where you belong." Before Finn could ask more questions, she raised her hand in the air to stop him. "Please. Can you stop asking questions I can't answer, and try to find the answers on your own?"

He nodded. He watched as Efrelyn's titan kicked the back of the horse, and the chaise started to move. When they were out of his sight, that was when Finn went back to gazing around in awe.

This was definitely not the Fract he knew. It was brighter, and everything was glowing. There were houses twice as big as their house, and the street was busy and bustling.

He hid behind an alleyway, and sat in the corner, away from the people, away from the light. He was so used to the dark and gloomy streets of Fract, that everything was blinding for him. While sitting alone in a corner, everything went back to him.

His family.

The m-rderer.

A murklin.

Everything sounded so ironic and distant. He didn't know what to believe anymore. He wasn't sure whether the things that happened really did transpire, or it was all just part of his imagination. Or maybe a dream.

The day passed, and the sun set. Only then did Finn stand and walk out of the alleyway. Of course, no matter where he went, there would always be darkness. And this was his favorite time of the day now.

Before he reached the busy street, he stole a dark gray hood on the clothesline and wore it to hide his face. The street was still busy with people shopping for food and clothes, and some were just running around and having fun. The street was filled with lights, but it was bearable.

When his stomach growled, he knew he had to find a way to eat. But he didn't have anything with him aside from three bronze coins. But if this was really the town of Flexure, this would only get him a piece of candy. And that wouldn't be enough to fill him.

He was looking around, trying to find a shop or anything, who were searching for workers. The mortals started to get noisier while running towards a certain direction. Finn's heart started to beat faster, but noticed that the mortals were rather excited, not scared.

"An elite team is coming! Let's go take a look," a child beamed while hopping towards the direction of the commotion.

Finn blended in the crowd to take a peek. He dreamed of becoming a katona and being part of an elite team. Of course, he also felt excited when he heard about it.

When he successfully squeezed in the thick crowd, he finally saw them. The elite team. Most of them were wearing gray cloaks, but four of them were wearing different clothes. One of them wore red, black, blue and green.

But to Finn's surprise, he saw two familiar faces walking with them. The one wearing blue, and the other black. When one of them glanced towards his direction, he immediately lowered his gaze and stepped out of the crowd.

His heart was raising while half running, half walking away from the commotion. "That was close."

The two men who helped him back in Fract were katonas, and they were higher ranks. If those katonas were to see him now, here in Flexure, they would surely report him. He needed to hide, at least from them.

"The elite army is so cool, don't you think?" a young woman from the next table said. Finn tried to eavesdrop a little from the two couples.

"I know. They were just walking a while ago, maybe on their way to their headquarters, but how could they be so charismatic? It's unfair."