Dawn at the Wild Rift (Book IV)

Chapter 6

After an hour, Talon returns to the park where he left Hanabi and Gnar. He first thought that the two would be playing around especially that Hanabi is never the type of girl to just sit still on a corner. But upon his return, there is no sign of the two in the area.

"If ya lookin' for beauty, Wolf ears gotta hold of her," Jinx says while enjoying the sight of Talon's rare confused state. A smirk is plastered on her face and it entertains her to see Talon and Sett getting in each other's nerves. They are usually calm and collected, thus, if they lose their calm, it would be quite a sight.

It is understandable that Sett wanted to look after Hanabi since she is their hostage but it is a puzzle as to why he seems to be urgent in having her. But for some reason, he finds it too suspicious, and letting him have his way is no good.

As he makes his way into Sett's tavern, he is stopped by a group of men by the entrance. He isn't allowed to enter unless Sett gives the permission himself. With the sudden shut out from the boss, Talon finds no reasonable reason for him not to enter, especially that the guarding of the hostage is supposed to be his jurisdiction. Without a proper transfer, he has every right to take Hanabi back.

Without drawing his sword, he attacks the men guarding the entrance with his bare hands. Not only is he serious, but he's seriously mad since they seem to look down on him.

"Talon, you're too noble to stoop so low and barge in here like a barbarian," Sett states as he emerges from the main hall of the tavern. Seeing his men being beaten up like they are merely a group puny thugs, it is an embarrassment for him.

Clicking his tongue after taking down the last man, Talon meets the gaze of the so-called boss.

"Hand her over," he demands with his piercing, icy glare. Even though Sett had seen him like that countless times, it never fails to give him the chills. Before he could speak, Hanabi interferes and in no time, Talon reverts back to his normal self.

"Oh, you're already here. Boss offered some delicious desserts so I came for a while since you seem to be busy. Are you done now?" she asks.

Though she doesn't exactly know why there are unconscious bodies scattered by the entrance, Hanabi did not dare ask. The tension between Talon and Sett is heavier than before and she's afraid that if she speaks of a wrong word, she'd be toasted in a blink of an eye. No word is spoken by Talon so she simply gives her gratitude to Sett before dragging him away. After a short while, Talon holds her arm and forces her to face him.

Looking at her with a glare, he states, "Have you got no danger awareness at all?! If I had not come earlier, do you think you'll leave that place in one piece?!"

Hanabi has known Talon for quite a long time ever since they met at the laboratory back at Magical City. She always sees him as a man with a calm demeanor who analyzes situations first before taking action. Never had she seen him get mad, especially towards her. Thus, being scolded by him is as shocking as being struck by lightning. In addition, for a few moments, it is as if the man scolding her is Hanzo, making her even more flabbergasted. Moreover, she has no rebuttal at what was thrown at her since she did let her guard down when she was offered food. But it wasn't just all about food, she isn't that of a simpleton to be seduced by food alone. She wants to hear more stories regarding Talon to figure who he really is so she willingly followed Sett when they bumped into him at the park.

"I... I'm sorry?" she stutters and out of nowhere, her knees feel like they turned into jellies, making her fall on the ground. Inside her mind, she curses and reminds herself that Hanzo has somehow changed. She noticed that during their last encounter but she cannot just entirely erase the demonic image of Hanzo in just seconds since it has been instilled in her that he is nothing but a dense and horn-mad man.