Swiping, Clattering, Zippering and Shoes tapping. Can’t you just move more silently. I’m still sleeping here for god sake.

Another tap, Another furniture moved, Another stumble. I can’t take it anymore, I’m on my limit.

Slowly walking up from my cut off slumber by noise that won’t cease even for a second, I ominously turned my head towards the one making it all. The platinum haired young man getting dressed in front of the mirror.

With my half asleep mind I can’t stop myself from shooting a glare at him, though the moment he noticed me I merely just turned to look away.

I really do not understand but I cannot force myself to look at him long enough. Maybe it’s his punchable glee or maybe his eccentric attitude but something about him irritates me to no end.

Flashing another bright yet empty smile he greeted me.

“Good Morning Fei, I was planning to get breakfast right now. Mind coming?”

Grumpingly waking up isn’t really my cup of tea, vaguely remembering I have a roommate for the week. I tried to sound as cheery as possible or at least that’s what I hoped I sounded like.

“As long as it’s your treat.”

“Well of course.”

Sitting on the side of our bed, I looked at him all suit up and ready to go out, He wore a plain gray cloak with a symmetric pattern on the inside, he had gloves on both hands, his right hand having a short glove barely covering his entire fist while the other extending towards his forearm.

I guess he does have a fashion sense in him. Unlike me.

“I’m just going to take a quick bath so mind if you wait for me outside.”

“Oh sure.”

Leaving my bed begrudgingly, I took a quick glance at the window placed beside our bedside. As I look down from below I can see that life in the city has resumed it’s daily workings with the streets filled with open stalls and markets bustling with life.

I guess that is something to look forward to.

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Now inside a diner, I have come to the conclusion that I shouldn’t really trust Rue with certain things.

How did this situation even come to this point?

We are supposed to have a light meal for this morning, so what the hell is this doing here.

“Are you sure we can eat all of this?”

No, I didn’t need to ask that question. I mean just looking at this thing I doubt even with our best combined effort we can’t consume it.

Staring down both of us in front of a table is a chicken cooked and served, though I doubt I can even call this a chicken. It looks more like a giant bat more than anything.

“I think we might have ordered the wrong one.”

“I thought you said you knew the menu at this place already...”

“My...bad”

Remembering a few minutes before this thing is on our table, He first asked for my opinion for what we will be eating and knowing nothing about the cuisine of Isanti I gave that job to him as he previously mentioned on the way here that this is now his third time around here.

But I guess the previous two go around didn’t really help, as we have a huge problem in front of us literally and figuratively.

Staring daggers at him, bullets of sweat formed rather quickly on his face.

“T-then shall w-we start?”

“I’m really not going to forgive you if I get fat because of this.”

I guess we don’t really have a choice now that this is on our table. As both of us raised our spoon and forks we simultaneously breathed and started to dig in.

An hour later since we finished chowing down on the dish and I can’t even begin to describe the feeling my stomach is making right now, Moments after we finished the dish a feeling of pride is in my face as the whole restaurant clapped on our achievement even the owner asked for both of our suggestion to the dish as we are the first to ordered the dish and actually finish it.

But feeling sluggish already I left the critiquing part to Rue as I hastily exited the building and quickly threw up in an alleyway a few blocks away from the restaurant. After that I was barely able to stand and Rue had to carry me to the plaza near the west gate to rest.

“Why am I like this…..when you look perfectly fine?”

Isn’t there something wrong? We basically cutted the bird in half to have the same portion. Yet here I am fighting for my life while this guy on the other hand is fine like nothing is even bothering him.

“Well…....It’s because you ate all of it, there are parts of the bird that you shouldn’t really eat unless your stomach can handle it.”

So that’s why, so in short I poisoned myself by trying to eat everything.

“Would have loved that bit of info before we started eating.”

“Sorry…”

Replying meekly, I can’t help but feel bad as it was my fault that I ate every part of the bird without thinking twice. Nevertheless, he could have still warned me.

“It’s fine....”

Struggling to sit up I pulled out a vial of red and gold elixir out of one of my coat pockets.

“Elixir?”

“Yeah, hope this can at least relieve what I’m feeling.”

With Rue supporting my right side, I drinked both vials at the same time. Drinking different elixirs at the same time is one dangerous thing to do since you’re technically mixing both fluids in your body but a chemical reaction is the least of concern right now really, I just wanted the feeling to subside.

Waiting for a moment or so I can feel a hot and hard feeling inside my stomach.

I guess the elixir has started doing their respective jobs. With the red being tasked to reduce the fatigue and nauseousness while the yellow one, namely the Elixir of Enduring rock, builds up immunity and hardens one’s body, though I really just need the immunity.

Now regained a bit of my strength back I let out a sigh of relief.

“I’m really sorry....Fei. I should have been at least a bit considerate when I was picking the food.”

Bowing beside me is Rue, I guess he does have a responsible persona behind that eccentric attitude.

Tapping his shoulder he glanced to look at me.

“Rue please raise your head.”

“Ok…”

Raising his head slowly, I now can take a closer look at him. I’m not really sure but ever since we met I merely pass a glance at him not really taking a closer look at his overall features.

I guess I’m too absorbed by my own things that I failed to give at least a little bit of my attention to other people. Well granted I can certainly apply such logic to strangers but Rue is not a stranger right now but someone I have to live with for a while, So I think it would be disrespectful of me to not at least pass a glance at him.

Taking a closer look at him, I can see that he has an unusually pale complexion to the point that his platinum haired and face had the same color depending on the angle you look at him and the time of day.

His figure seems to be quite lanky and skinny for someone who eats so much. But the thing that disturbed me the most was his dulled indigo colored eyes.

I wonder why it looks so empty, remembering every interaction we have till now. I guess this is why I can’t look at him for a long amount of time. These pairs of eyes feel like they’re peering into my core.

An annoying sting on my chest even added more confusion to my fray of emotions. Was this guilt or just sympathy?

“I’m fine, so you don’t really have to feel that sorry. I’m not dead or anything.”

Unable to use my brain efficiently, I blurted out an overly dramatic example but nevertheless I continued.

“So just don’t mind it, though I would still appreciate a warning next time.”

Holding both his hands, I can feel the unusual coldness it emanates.It feels like I was holding a pair of snowballs.

“Okay….I understand now so.....ummm, Fei mind if you let go now It’s embarrassing.”

“Ah…..I’m sorry...got carried away there.”

Pushing our hands away from each other the same awkward atmosphere envelopes us once again, the same one we felt when we first met at the front gate.

I guess this will be a better start than before.

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Rue, 20 years old and a fellow traveler like myself, A skinny tall young man with blue jaded eyes and short platinum hair. Always had a smile plastered across his face and had an eccentric attitude, also speaks in an annoying roundabout way. His complexion is unusually pale making it similar in color with his hair in some angles.

And most of all—

He seems to be quite famous in this place attributed with his first 2 trips here.

Which became a problem rather quickly.

Tapping my shoes in annoyance I stand behind him with my arms crossed as I wait for him to finish talking to yet another group of people on our walk.

I’m not against socializing but, we already wasted about an hour just talking to everyone without really exploring, as it feels like every step we take we encounter someone who knows him and everytime it happens this man will not stop until they run out of topics.

“Ehem.”

Coughing mildly as I can, I finally caught the attention of Rue. Turning his attention towards me he can probably see the irritation in my smile, as he hastily turned back to the two girls he was conversing with.

This guy has serious attention problems, he’s about to forget I’m with him again.

“My apologies Fei, I got carried away talking to them.”

Rubbing his sheepishly, I can’t help but let out a sigh, as I waved off his apology.

“It’s fine to know people in places and all but aren’t you too famous?”

“You’re overestimating, I’m not really that well known.”

Is that a joke or are you just being humble, cause no matter how you look at it you’re definitely well known if not in the whole Isanti it’s at least a large portion of the city.

“I merely came and offered a hand during a time where they required immense help.”

“Heh....”

Well that’s a first.

Another question added to my neverending list. I honestly could ask him about all of these but I would rather not pry into his secrets as I would hate him to pry on mine as well.

Continuing our small exploration with Rue being my personal guide we soon realize that taking the main street is not a smart act considering Rue’s ‘background’ causing us to be stopped again and again.

So we have decided to take a less populated route for exploration, resulting in encountering some weird stalls and people.

“This is……”

Putting a hand on my waist, we both stood skeptically in front of a small violet tent.

Scattered across the small stall was ornaments used in voodoo on display and a sign saying;

‘The thread of faith is merely a large cobwebs of coincidence string together to create our reality.’

I guess all places have this same scam and stupid gimmick, since there are still guillible people out there that they prey upon.

After reading the sign I just let out a tired sigh while Rue merely stared at the tent with an amused look, whether he’s actually interested in this faggotry or just interested how the person inside the tent will try and fool us is beyond me but I hope it’s the latter.

“Fei, What do you think?”

“I think it’s bullshit, No that’s wrong let me rephrase that—

It’s one hundred percent bullshit.”

With a venom laced tone, Rue just looked at me in amusement which pissed me off even more.

“Want to try it?”

Try it?

Well that is certainly an option, looking back at him for confirmation I can see that he has an excited grin plastered on him.

Wait, does he really believe this kind of thing?

Facing back to the tent, I scratched the back of my head in annoyance as I replied.

“Fine, I guess.”

We don’t really have anything to do and besides he seems to be interested in it so I guess I’ll have it his way.

Taking one last look at the sign we entered the violet tent.

The inside of the room is dimly lit with a few candles being the only source of light there isn’t really any notable. It's the same cliche design that every fake has. Crystal ball on a table, cards on the side and some more hidden away by blankets.

“Granny, I’ve come to visit.”

Continuing to observe the inside of the tent my thoughts were quickly cutted by a warm greeting from Rue.

“Rue, I thought I had told you about sending a letter before coming here.

“I did send one, didn’t you receive it?”

“I didn’t receive anything of sorts.”

“Well, that’s certainly troubling.”

Looking to the middle of the room on the other side of the table a old lady sat, wearing a long gray robe covering her entire body, her hair is ashen red hair tied in a ponytail and to my confusion she was conversing with Rue like they knew each other even calling her Grandma if i heard correctly.

Wait, don't tell me.

“Let’s just leave it at that since you already here mind telling me who’s that you brought?”

“Ah this is a friend of mine, I took him here for a reading.”

Ah, so that’s what this is about.

“A reading eh.”

Realizing I have been tricked by Rue to come here as a customer I quickly shot a glare at him which he merely replied with a smile.

Damn you.

Seeing as I have no choice but to comply I replied in a polite manner as she stared at me.

“Yes, would you do one?”

“Sure, take a seat there”

Bowing slightly, I whispered in Rue's ear before I made my way to the vacant chair in front.

“You better explain yourself after this”

Now sitting in front of the old lady, I quietly waited for her to say to put my hand on the ball or pull out the deck of cards on her side, or even do the weird motion ‘as she tried to communicate to the cosmos using her magical ball.’

But to my surprise nothing. She just stared at me quietly observing me, silence slowly filling the tent as nothing was making a sound other than the sudden shift and turn of the tent from the gust winds passing.

A mix of uncomfortableness and the awkward silence made the wait more unbearable so I decided to break the silence.

“Umm....are you going to start anytime now?”

Waiting for her response, I can see her face slowly turn into pity as she continues to stare at me.

Why is she looking at me like that?

“It’s done.”

Eh?

“Done, wait how?”

“You see, Granny reading works simply with a simple look.”

Oh, so that’s why.

That’s a new one. Not groundbreaking but at least somewhat mystical while not being over the top.

“Then how was it?”

“Hmm…...I’m not really sure to be honest, reading your fate is beyond my ability, it’s like my vision is clouded by a thick fog that I’m unable to penetrate”

Spewing reasons now are we. Typical but—

“But, I have one piece of advice that might give you an insight about your fate.””

Before I was able to berate her more, my thoughts were quickly cut as she continued, with a more grim tone on her voice.

Caught off guard by the sudden mood change I braced myself for whatever she would throw at me.

“The past will soon catch up to you.”

Eh?

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The past will soon catch up to you, she said. Sitting on a bench, I breathe in and out to calm my nerves.

Remembering what my initial reaction to what the old lady said I guess I did overreact.

Yelling incoherent things at her before storming out of the tent leaving Rue behind as I ran through the dense city.

“I have to apologize when I see them both.”

Standing up from the bench I trudge along the street and back to our Inn to at least hope Rue is already back there.

Hasting my pace, I might have forgotten one thing about myself.

I have no sense of direction.

Running around the city, I noticed that I don’t recognize the places around me. When I asked, it seems that I’ve reached the southern part of the city.

Did I really run that far?

Continuing my little adventure to get back to either our Inn or the Old lady came to no fruition as I just got lost more and more.

“This city is just damn too big!”

Sitting on a small flight of stairs in a dark alleyway, I shouted my complaints.

“I guess I relied too much on Rue, that I forgot to buy a map and not run around too much.”

After voicing all of my complaints I let out a frustrated sigh and just gazed quietly at the clouds above me now turning to an orange hue of gold slowly stretching at the sky above.

“It will be night time soon.”

Well this is bad I’m still lost and I haven't made my way back to our Inn, I have asked directions already but got more lost, I guess I’m truly a lost cause.

Continuing to stare at the sky above brought a sense of tranquility in my mind.

But after a while of peace, a loud change occurred.

“You bastards!”

A scream rang out coming from my right.

Hearing the scream flick my switch quite fast as I took out my wand out of pure instinct.

Waiting for any other change, I silently walked towards where the sound came from.

Now quite closer it seems that the sound is coming from a dead end alleyway. Peeking to see what is the cause reveals something I should have just ignored.

On the other side is a bloodied young girl with a long black staff struggling to stay standing, her body is littered with cuts and bruises and even a large gash in her abdomen.

Surrounding her were red hooded individuals with their weapons out, waiting for the young girl to finally fall.

And littered across the ground were dead bodies wearing the same red hoods, some are crushed with their innards revealed, some are cutted into small pieces, some are littered with holes, and some are cleaved in half.

But there is one similarity that spread to all of them, they were each killed in a brutal way filled with anger and hatred.

Clenching both cheeks I looked away from the sight in an effort to not throw up.

“I’m going to kill....all of you.” spat by the girl.

After saying one last threat the girl’s strength has finally given out and fell to the stone hard floor.

Now the girl being out of commission the assailants didn’t think twice and jumped at her for the kill.

‘Shit!’

Upon seeing it I quickly sprung into action gulping the disgust for now I accumulated a large amount of arcanum on the tip of my wand.

“Skoni”

In an instant the hooded individuals' attacks were interrupted as I launched a barrage of swords made of light around the fallen girl.

This should hold them off.

Coming out of the wall I’m hiding from, I launched more light swords at them but to my dismay was blocked by one of them with a large shield.

“Tsk!”

Looking behind them, they quickly pointed their weapons at me as they concluded that I’m the caster of the spell.

I guess I shouldn’t have stepped in.

Observing them, I can see they’re 6 of them in total.

One seems to be a large broad sword user, three seems to be an Arcanist and One is a shield user and…the last one.

Huh?

Looking at the where should be the last one of them revealed no one.

Where…

It was then that an indescribable sensation behind my back appeared.

Was this human instinct?

Was this just adrenaline?

I do not know but there is one thing that both my mind and body is saying at that moment.

Behind You.

Wasting not a second, I threw my body to the side.

CRASH!

“Heh, You managed to dodge that?”

The hell?

Looking back to the place I once stood a moment ago shows that I might be in deep trouble. There standing is a man with two long swords which he had just swung down on my initial position.

A few seconds delay and my body would probably be butchered into pieces.

I just survived by the skin of my teeth, it’s definitely too close for comfort.

Regaining my bearings I briskly stood up, talking with them is really a dumb decision but right now I need to stall.

“Mind if we can talk this out?”

“I’m afraid that you will have to die here.”

Of course I am.

Seeing them readying their weapons I had no choice but to do the same. Can I win?

What a stupid question, Of course I can’t.

I can’t take all of them on, escaping is a must right now.

Gazing back at the bleeding woman, I grimaced what would happen if I ran away now.

I should at least take her with me if I’m running away.

Tightening my grip on my wand, I psych myself one more time, as the man with swords charge at me.

“Techos”

Tapping the ground with my shoes sprouted crystallized structure around the area encircling me and the woman which hindered the man’s attack.

Though the leverage I had created quickly banished as the enemy shot bombardment of explosion magic destroying the defensive wall I had created around myself.

‘These damn lunatics!’

They really plan to kill both of us with any means necessary.

Checking the girl I can see that one of the mages and the swordsman is about to destroy the crystal wall around the girl.

‘Not on my watch!’

“Lampros!”

Upon uttering those words a flash of blinding light emerged from my wand and engulfed the surrounding area effectively blinding everyone except I the user.

“Trive”

Sliding across the floor I ran past them and towards the girl barely avoiding their blind attacks.

Dissolving the crystal igloo protecting the girl I dashed as I grabbed her and whisked away, before blinding them even more.

Opening their eyes reveals an empty scene with no one but them present.

“Damn that brat escaped!” shouts by the swordsman.

“Who the hell was that, backup?”

“Doesn’t matter, we kill them all the same.”

As they contemplated their next move, loud footsteps slowly grew closer.

Realizing the loud ruckus has alerted the guards they swiftly left the bloodied scene.

‘I guess they’re gone now.’

Realizing they have left I let out a breath of relief as I lay silently inside one of the houses near the vicinity with my body seemingly transparent and existence seemingly invisible.

Gazing down on my chest is the girl I had saved, her wounds I had tended into a somewhat fine state, still needing more time to heal her properly but better than nothing.

I could hear the commotion outside grow louder as the guard had finally reached the scene.

Finally I’m safe for now.