Dawn at the Wild Rift (Book IV)

Chapter 1

Waking up from the her unconscious state, Hanabi slowly opens her eyes. Her vision is still blurry as she recalls what happens before she lost consciousness. Remembering how Hanzo held her hand back then, she feels inexplicable joy. But only for a split of seconds.

"Wait," she murmurs to herself as she remembers being stabbed from behind. She immediately jolts up and holds her belly but there is no wound there at all. "Was it a dream?"

"Hey, Talon! The girl is awake!"

Shifting her gaze to the direction where the deep and rough voice came from, Hanabi realizes that she is behind bars. The dim-lit room makes it hard for her to make up who the huge guy is. The shadows are keeping his face from being revealed, thus, only his large figure can be seen clearly.

Her heart beats wilder in every step that the huge person makes towards her. His eyes are pure white which is like that of a ghost and the moment he reaches the bars separating the two of them, he kneels on one knee. She can even hear his ragged breathing and the moment the light is turned on, Hanabi's horrific shriek pierces through the house she is kept in.

Smirking from ear to ear upon seeing her reaction, Talon walks up to her. The flushed face of Hanabi is a first for him to see since he has always witnessed her tough side.

"Don't worry, Pyke won't hurt you and it seems your wound has totally closed. Don't forget to thank Soraka for healing you," he states as he leans on the cell.

Pyke scoffs at the reaction of the new girl as he turns his back on her. He returns to his seat and removes the red cloth that covers his nose down to his mouth. His pure white eyes stare at Hanabi as he gobbles up a big whole fish as if it is just some kind of noodles. His teeth are sharp and for some reason, he is dripping wet all over but leaves no trace of water behind.

Pointing at his shoulders, Hanabi tells Talon, "Why is he using a whole set of shark teeth as a scarf?"

"That is a taboo subject," he replies and upon seeing Hanabi swiftly stretches her hand towards him, he steps back-faraway enough to be out of her reach. Before he could tease her, someone comes in.

"Talon, you are being called forth by the boss. Bring the new girl with you."

Seeing it walk with small steps, Hanabi's eyes glimmer like the thousands of stars at the night sky. Swaying behind the newcomer is its fluffy tail and on top of its head is a skull-probably a bird's. The serious look on its face suddenly changes into confusion when its gaze meets with Hanabi's. He throws the handcuffs to Talon that would restrict Hanabi so they could relocate her.

"Is everything okay?" Talon asks, "You're red."

As he enters the cell himself, Hanabi steps back and is on her fighting stance with her spider limbs ready to protect her. But when she hears the screeching sound of a weapon being removed from its scabbard, she seems to be given no choice but to comply with her captors or she'll die in no time. Pyke is monstrous in size and with his spear that has wave-like blade on one edge, she can be finished with just one stab from him. And not to mention what Talon can do since she never witnessed him fight with his full strength.

She hesitantly stretches both of her hands towards Talon and with small clicks, the handcuffs are placed. The little fluffy wolf-like creature comes inside the cell as well. Gnar's ears are larger than its head but still, Hanabi could not help herself but want to cuddle it.

"Let me warn you, little girl," Gnar states as he looks up to her, "if you want to see the next sunrise, you better behave in front of the boss."

An awkward smile curves on the edges of her lips and replies, "Aren't you little yourself?"