Eterna

~Chapter 3~ Redemption

I woke up extra early and packed a small bag with clothes, food, and water. I wrote a note to Roland telling him I was going to the city of Felchare and the Sublian coast to pick up some surprises. I told him Payne was going with me so he had no reason to worry about me traveling unaccompanied. 

I met Payne at the entrance of the village and we started on our way down the R.R., also known as Redemption Road. Ironically called so, Redemption Road was named after the many families who moved away from their homes in hopes of redemption and starting a new life. Many of those families used this road, and now I traveled it in hopes of that same redemption.

"So, did you talk to him?" Payne asked.

"No." I replied. "I didn't want to have an argument so I just left."

"Good call."

We walked for another six hours without rest. Payne's body didn't require sleep or much nourishment, and for some reason, neither did mine.

"Are you alright to walk the rest of the way there?" Payne asked, concerned as usual.

"Yes, I'll be ok. You shouldn't worry about me so much Payne. I'm a big girl. I have the ability to take care of myself quite well. And you seem to be talking quite a lot lately."

"Well, I'm just eager to repay my debt to you, I suppose." She hung her head and stopped walking.

"What is it?" I asked

"There's something following us." She replied quietly.

The real side of Payne came out when there was danger abroad. She scanned the area and wrapped her fingers around the hilt of her sword. I could tell Cupid had been shined and re-wrapped prior to departure. Although I never verbalized it, Payne's debt would never really be paid. I saved her life when I didn't even know her. Now, it didn't seem fair to her even if she saved my life, but she would keep aiding me until the end of time. I was her light; or so she said.

"Let's move." She said, guiding me down the road at a faster pace.

"Are they still here?"

"Yes. All of them." She replied, now gripping Cupid tighter.

Suddenly, out of the grasses appeared six men, adorned in black clothing and sharp knives fashioned for throwing.

"Now ladies," said one with a red belt, "Comply to everything we say and you might not get hurt."

The rest of his men chuckled and slowly approached us.

"I must object to your proposal sir." I said with full authority. "We are not your average traveling women. You should be on your way and let us go."

"You make a very poor argument." He replied with blade drawn.

"Then let me try and convince you."

Payne drew out Cupid, his blade glistening in the sunshine. His base adorned with the face of a demon skull, it's red eyes ready to glow with the souls of its oppressors.

"I will not turn you away." Said Payne "Cupid is hungry, and if you're willing to feed him, how could I object?"

In one awesome and mighty stroke, Payne struck the man down, and his soul was drawn into Cupid before his lifeless body could even hit the floor.

"Anyone else want to offer his soul as a snack?"

One by one, the once confident attackers took their chance in running, and one by one Payne struck them down, blade to flesh, soul in steel. Only one young man remained, now begging at Payne's feet for his life.