Mystic Messenger Short Stories

Zen

You carefully carried the tray in my small delicate hands as you made down the long corridor. Thoughts about what Zen and you discussed together yesterday were still lingering in your mind.

"We leave? But where?"

"I don't know. But aren't you tired of being a maid at the palace? I see how the crown princess treats you, and I don't like it."

"I can't help how she treats me. She's royalty, and I'm just a lowly maid. I'd rather suck it up and be able to stay here comfortably, Zen. I'm sorry."

"Mc. You can't give up on me like this. Do you think I'm able to feel the same way you do about my job? To just suck it up as being the stable boy?"

Zen clasped your hands.

"Please Mc. Let's run away together."

You hesitantly stared at him.

If we were caught, we would easily be imprisoned. Executed even.

You bit your lip, then let out a sigh.

"Fine. Tomorrow, we leave."

You stood right outside the princess' bedroom door.

This would be the last time you saw her.

"Princess? I have your evening snack."

You could hear shuffling behind the door, and light footsteps making their way to the door.

And there she was, the crown princess.

Every town's person would get a once in a lifetime chance to see the crown princess up close, but here you were, experiencing a regular everyday reality that only others daydream about.

"Just set it on the dresser over there and leave. I must prepare myself for dinner later and you are intruding on my precious time."

"I apologize, princess. I shall take my leave." You curtsied and quickly left the room, afraid she would find a bone to pick with you as she usually did the other times you made contact with her.

You finished your last given task, and rushed to your bed chambers. Zen would be waiting by the shed near where he had to care for the palace horses.

Grabbing only the small necessities - which wasn't much from how poor you were - you snuck out the room and slowly but surely crept in the shadows to go outside.

Your chest hurt from how hard your heart was pounding. Hard breathes were coming out from your mouth, and the best you could do to muffle it was hold it shut with one hand.

Eventually, you somehow made it outside without causing any suspicions from others.

"Psst! Zen!"

Nothing.

You slightly panicked, but tried again.

"Zen! It's me! Mc!"

"Mc? Come here!" It was too early for your eyes to be adjusted to the darkness, but you felt a familiar strong grip on your arm pulling you under a large tree.

"Zen! You scared me!"

"Sorry. A few minutes before you came, a small group of guards walked past talking about how they want to go late night hunting, so I got scared it was them again. But we must hurry before that come back to take some horses."
You weren't sure how you were able to understand everything he said from how quiet his whispering was, but you nodded and followed him into the barn.

"Are we taking a horse to leave?" you asked.

"No. It'll be too risky. People will ask questions about how we got such a big horse as regular civilians. We'll just have to go on foot." Zen dug through some hay in an empty stall and retrieved a bag.

In the distance, faint laughter could be heard.

The guards.

"Let's go." Zen took your hand in his and made a dash for the door.

You were surprised by how good of a runner he was, and tried your best to keep up.

But your bag couldn't keep up.

Because of the sudden movement, your bag had a little moment of momentum, and lurched to the side, hitting the doorway on your way out.

"Hey! Who's there?" A deep voice shouted out. No doubt it was a guard.

"Sh*t! Mc! Run!" Zen didn't bother keeping his voice low.

Zen's running speed got faster, and you were tripping over yourself trying to keep up with him.

"Stop right there! We order you to stop!"

"Don't listen to them, Mc! Just keep going!" There was no going back now.

The juvenile moon pierced through the roof of the world, lighting up the path in front of you.

"Zen! I'm scared!" you screamed out.

Right when you did, a sudden pain shot through your knee from a misplaced step.
You tumbled down the path.

"Mc!"

You grit your teeth through the pain as more gravel scratched your body.

"Come on!" Zen yanked your hand and helped you get up.

Your knee didn't feel any better, and it was getting harder for you to run.

The shouting from the group of guards was starting to sound louder and louder with each step.

You looked up at Zen's face for reassurance, but even his usual confident face was clouded with trepidation.

He glanced at you, fear swimming in his eyes. You could see tears brimming.

"Mc......I'm sorry!" Before you could register what was happening, he picked you up with his strong arms and through you with all his might in a nearby bush.

"Zen!" you landed roughly on top of the leaves, but that didn't bother you in the slightest.

Scrambling to get on your two feet, you used a tree to support your weight. Your eyes frantically looked around.

A boisterous grunt was heard, and a loud thump following after. You whipped your head into the direction where it was, and saw Zen on the ground struggling to get out from a knight's grip.

"Zen!" you fought to stand up correctly and run over, but a spine chilling roar came from Zen again.

"What are you doing? Are you stupid?! Just leave me!"

"Run."

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Word count: 981 (yes very short)

Lol hi. It's been a while. Told u that I rarely get inspo. Lately I've been into anime. The one I watched recently is haikyuu and I love it so much. And yesterday I started watching food wars.

Ngl I haven't been social distancing lol. I've been having/going to a lot of parties oop. Ig I'm just a party girl🤪

Anyway, hope u guys stay safe and don't do what I'm doing! See ya~