Masters

Chapter 16

"You've known him longer, you ask him!" "You've fought him, I'm pretty sure that creates a deep bond for PK Masters! You ask him!" "It was your idea!" "It was your fault!" "That's a low blow, pixie boy!" "Watch it with the slurs fiend, even I've got some pride!"

The door in front of them ripped open to the side with an upset Nick across the threshold. "What are you two yelling about? Aren't supposed to be preparing to leave? It's bad enough that we have to leave in disgrace for failing our first contract, but we're out thirty-two thousand HCs total!" Alzolami nudged Yohan with her elbow. "Uh... that's what we were going to ask you about. We were planning on- uh..." Alzolami's eyes flashed in exasperation. "We're going after Rosey. Are you in?"

Nick narrowed his eyes. "Why?" To Alzolami's surprise, Yohan's face flushed dark green. "Why? It was our fault that a bunch of power-hungry sociopaths kidnapped that sweet, gentle, innocent girl. So... WHY NOT?"

Nick, completely caught off-guard by Yohan's sudden uncharacteristic outburst, managed to quickly regain his composure. "We're not heroes Yohan, we have no obligation to anybody to risk our lives for anything beyond pure personal gain. Sure, it may feel good to help others, but good feelings won't help us become Masters any faster."

Now Alzolami was starting to get angry. "You heartless little- You might have been able to do what you needed to do, but I was right there! She had every reason to take one good look at me and scream, but she hung around and looked up to me like I was her big sister! Laquil just waltzed right up, grabbed her, took her away, AND I COULDN'T DO A THING ABOUT IT! I... I..." Alzolami fell on her knees with her face in her hands and started heavily sobbing, silver tears running down her arms.

Both Yohan and Nick were completely speechless. Yohan put his arm around her shoulder in consolidation while Nick just stared. After a couple of minutes, Nick furrowed his brow. "Since you both feel so passionate about it, I won't stop you. But don't expect my help on this fruitless quest."

Yohan looked up and scowled at Nick. "That's fine by me!" Yohan helped Alzolami to stand up and started leading her away. "Come on Alzy, we'll get her back. We don't need him."

***

The afternoon sun hung high in the sky, but it gave little respite from the chilly wind blowing from the north over the grasslands. Despite this minor inconvenience, Yohan and Alzolami made a steady pace towards the northern half of Ualiqula.

After explaining their plan to Lord Tomahk, he desperately tried to dissuade them from following through on it, saying he didn't want any more blood on his hands. After realizing that he could not convince them otherwise, he relented by giving them a bag with enough rations to last them a round trip, a map marking a route with the least treacherous terrain along with several abandoned villages that they could rest in during the nights, and a list of monsters they may encounter with their weaknesses and possible methods of escape.

Alzolami's eyes were very dim as she walked. "Monsters are Nick's specialty. We really could have used him for this." Yohan huffed. "We don't need that self-centered jerk! We'll do fine just on our own!" Alzolami's eyes glinted in cynicism. "Now that you mention it, I just might be okay. But what can you do, besides make a few shiny trinkets?" Yohan furrowed his brow. "I haven't exactly been resting on my laurels. I've been training on how to better apply my innate Aura manipulation skills to my Power." "I'll believe that when I see it." "Oh, you'll see alright." "Will I now?" "Yeah, you will!" "Really?" "Oh yeah!"

After nonsensically arguing for the next several miles, they finally came upon the first village serving as their rest point right as the sun was beginning to set. The wooden roofs had holes in them, the paper of the sliding doors was completely gone, and the crack-covered plaster had multiple patches where it had partially fallen away. Nonetheless, it would suit their needs.