A Heart Of Fire (Final Fantasy XV)

Chapter 4

I had barely slept last night because I was too riled up to fall asleep. I was excited, and yet terrified. I had come up with a plan that would allow me to get close to the King, or whoever was with him, and take whatever valuable object I could get my hands on. After they would leave I would make preparations to take a long journey over to a city somewhere in Lucis. It was about a week's journey on foot to one of them, and I highly doubt that His Majesty would be willing to let a child like me return home with him in his fancy car.

Of course, there is also the possibility that I could get caught and be arrested for theft and be thrown in jail for life for stealing from the King, but there is also the possibility that I could get away with it and finally get out of this village. I could go to the city and live a potentially better life. No more picking at the dirt for scraps, no more starvation, no more theft, and, hopefully, no more judgment. Maybe I can even explore the world some time, visit other towns, cities, and other beautiful sights to see. Whether I was to be thrown in jail or not, either way, I was getting out of here. But will all this be worth it?

Well, I'll find out soon enough.

I sat in an alleyway between two shops, chewing on a root I picked from my secret path by the stream. Since I forgot to eat last night I made a quick stop to pick up some roots to snack on while I waited for the King. It wasn't specified exactly when he was arriving, so it's possible I just might end up waiting here all day. I scooted closer to the corner of the shop and looked out into the street. Nothing has changed. No sign of His Royal Majesty anywhere.

Of course, the villagers have been the most boisterous they have ever been. No longer are the streets filled with quiet murmurs of exhausted people. Instead, they are filled with loud chatter and energy that I didn't think existed here. Whether they were afraid or excited, either way, I thinks it's safe to assume that we are all anxious to meet the King of Lucis in person.

I decided to pass the time by making more paper birds, so I pulled out a few pages that I tore our from an old book and began folding away. The first bird I made was a crane and I held it in my hands. I looked out into the streets to make sure no one would see me and closed my hands around the crane. I closed my eyes and put all of my focus onto the bird until I felt my hands grow warm and felt a bit of movement inside. I opened my eyes and hands and saw the paper crane moving like a real crane. The crane sat in my hands as I watched it flutter its wings.

"You know, the king of Lucis is paying us a visit today," I said to it. "Everyone is all worked up because of it. I don't think I've ever seen them so rowdy." The crane responded by tilting its head to the side and reaching back to scratch itself under its wing with it's beak. "I don't know exactly what's going on here, but I do know one thing. This king is my ticket out of here."

Then the crane fluttered it's triangular wings and flew out of my hands and went straight into the streets that were full of people. My eyes widened in panic and I quickly chased after it. "H-Hey, come back!" I cried out. I ran out into the streets as I followed the bird and tried to catch it with my hands, but it was just barely out of my reach. Although I can make these things come to life, I can't control them and make them listen to my bec and call. They are as free as a bird.

I weaved through the crowd, silently hoping that no one would notice the flying paper crane. If I were to upset the villagers any more than I already have, it will surely bring me more trouble, but all the more reason to leave, right?

I kept chasing after the bird until I bumped into someone and fell on my side onto the dirt. I looked up, about to apologize, but I had lost my voice as my eyes widened in panic. Glaring down at me was the old man with that same scowl he always wears.

"B-Biers," I stuttered as I scooted away from him. "I-I..."

"Found you, you little--!" he grunted as he lunged at me. I let out a yelp as I somersaulted out of his reach and bolted away from him, forgetting about the bird and focused on getting away from him. I ran through the streets, pushing passed the people as Biers followed me, yelling profanities as he did so. I tried everything to elude him, hopping over barrels and crates, slidding under carts, but Biers was relentless and angry. He was determined to get his hands on me.