Dawn at the Wild Rift (Book IV)

Chapter 3

Running through the forest seems to be the fastest way to shake away her pursuers but Hanabi cannot help but feel something bad around her. Not only because it is too peaceful but the atmosphere is somewhat heavy. Nevertheless, she still hopes that beyond that forest will be the Land of Dawn or Magical City or even Iga town.

As she runs forward and makes one or two turns to the right and left, it feels like she is only running in circles. She'd always find herself in a familiar spot that she is sure to have passed by and it is more than frustrating.

To prove her theory, Hanabi marks the three trees around her with an x before running ahead. But then, after 15 minutes of travel, she sees the three exes she made. Further pushing herself would only drain her energy and if an enemy appears, she might be doomed to death. Trying to figure out how she'll leave the forest, she feels someone else's presence.

She summons her Higanbana and with a swift turn, she throws it right above her, and just as she predicted, someone jumps off from the tree branch and lands on the ground with ease.

"Seeing you helpless is not pleasing to the eyes, Hana," Talon states as he walks towards her. But being wary of him Hanabi takes a few steps back. She just feels like she will once again fall into his traps if she isn't vigilant enough. "Come, let's get back to the house."

Hanabi shakes her head while looking down on the ground. She does not want to cry but her tears welled up against her will.

"Please, Kenshin, stop. I'm tired, okay? I'm tired of all this. You lied to me for heaven's sake! And you took me away from the place I ever wanted to be, from the place where I belong! Please, I'm begging you, bring me back home," she begs while covering her damp eyes with her bare hands. Her shoulders quiver as her sobs escape from her mouth and at that moment, all Talon could do is offer her a shoulder to cry on.

He wraps his arm around her and caresses her hair as she cried her heart out. Kissing the top of her head, he whispers, "I will. But for now, all I am asking from you is to stay by my side. Is that a deal?"

Hanabi could not help but still doubt the words of the man offering her comfort. She's been lied to and she believes that Talon's act of kindness is also a facade. She does not know what he is thinking and for what purpose did he take her for. But in that new place, she is only left with the choice to rely on him. So then, with a small nod, Talon holds her by the hand, and with his katana, he slices through the air which created a long slit big enough for them to fit in. Entering in that entrance, Hanabi remains frozen upon seeing what is in front of her.

"Is this where you live? A castle? What are you? A prince?!" she asks as she shifts her gaze from the mansion to Talon, then back to the mansion. The Noxian assassin cannot help but smile at her and simply shakes his head in response to her questions. Making their way to the entrance, Hanabi could not believe her eyes that a door that is as large as the main gate at Magical City actually exists. She could not help but think that a giant actually lives in that mansion.

As the door creaks open, Hanabi immediately ducks and turns on her heels as she summons her Higanbana. The attacker that suddenly lunged at her has long silver hair that seems to dance with the wind as she lands on the floor with grace. She is wearing a cardigan with a dark shade of green and somehow, her clothes are like Jinx's that can only cover a few of her skin. She flickers just in front of Hanabi, which caught her off guard, and with her two short swords, she swings them downwards. Hanabi uses her Higanbana to block her but it slips off from her hand and clangs against the marble floor. With no hesitation, the woman crosses her blades and thrusts it towards the Scarlet ninja—aiming at her neck to behead her. But before a drop of blood stains the floor, Talon appears before Hanabi, and with a screeching sound, he stops the silver-haired woman with his katana.