𝘕𝘦𝘸 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 // 𝙁𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙨𝙮 𝙃𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙢 𝙓 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧

Cʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ 6 {𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚒𝚌 𝚜𝚘𝚞𝚕}

"Got you."

You kick at the attacker, but their arms had a strong hold on you. You finally bit his hand, allowing yourself to look at your kidnapper. He hissed, letting go of your mouth, but keeping a good grip on you.

Piercing eyes loomed from above you. It was a boy with brown hair. You didn't have time to think about his looks before you reached for your sabre, but stopped yourself, thinking about what Elias had told you.

I don't have to attack.

"Please! What do you want from me?" You ask in desperation as the boy just frowned. You felt him reach for something, but hesitating for a moment. He eventually reached for his katana and pulled the blade towards your throat.

"This can go by faster if you don't speak." His eyes were dark before noticing your eyes, and the small tears that formed in the edges of them.

His eyes widened as he removed the blade from your throat and you fell to the ground in a coughing fit from the life that had just flashed before your eyes. He was struggling to say something as he looked down at his hand that held the katana. 'Why couldn't I do it? I haven't gotten this sympathetic before.. who is this girl?'

Suddenly a figure jumped from one of the buildings down into the alleyway. It was a person with long hair tied back wearing robe-like clothing. "Masaru. Why let her go?" The person asked in a cold tone.

"She's not our target." Masaru finally managed out. "Look at her arms and legs. A figure with such high authority and such a comfortable lifestyle wouldn't have scars, Aello." He analyzed, but truly... usually he would have killed the person either way, to just make sure he didn't make a mistake and let the target go.

"Whatever. You're getting soft. I'll go scout out our real victim. Just make sure this girl doesn't say anything or both our lives will be on the line." Aello huffed, hopping back up the building before taking off.

You just laid on the cold stone of the alleyway in shock. I could have died for sure... why couldn't I say anything? Just crying like that wouldn't save me.

Masaru looked down at your small frame and averted his eyes. He looked like he was debating something in his head before he reached a hand out to you. "You look like you could use some guidance. Let me help. It's the least I can do... for almost killing you." He grumbled a bit before gesturing for you to take hold of his hand.

Your trusting self didn't put much thought into it as you took his hand. "...Yeah." You just cleared your throat.

"Also, if you want to keep that life, you might want to avoid saying anything to anyone about this encounter." His eyes turned dark as he pulled you up before looking normal again. "Now, where is it that you are looking for? You looked very fixed on your map here." He held up her map in his hands.

You gasp and grab the map back from him quickly. "How'd..?"

"Got it when I tugged you back." He just answered with a little shrug.

You pout a bit before unfolding the map. "I'm trying to get to the capital.. I'm looking for a lady named Echidna.. do you have any idea of where she could be?" You ask him in hopes that he would provide some answers.

Masaru thought for a moment before nodding. "I've met her a few times. She usually came to the capital to sell her things from other places. But, she never liked it here. I doubt you'll find her here." He just shrugged a bit, but your disappointment from his answer made him reconsider his coldness.

"Maybe she went to the Shaen Kingdom... she likes it a lot more there." He just added.

"Thank you... I'm just not sure how far I can make it with the things I have. I don't think I can get all the way to Shaen." You sigh, looking at the far distance that you would have to travel. Your money could only last you so long here.