On the table that lay solemnly in their inn room, Enyah placed the map she bought. Though mass produced and littered with fake erosion, she had to admit, the quality was worth the price.

  Lakreia was unveiled before her, its hidden majesty uncovered on the single piece of paper. Even the other continents revealed themselves, their borders and cities screaming with mysterious cultures and lives. Still, none of the other continents were of concern for her at the moment.

  Orlent stood tall, its wide and sturdy borders surrounded by other countries. As if the borders themselves upheld the knightly virtues that nobles so often praise.

  Various countries such as Graille, Patlaw, Arates, and Fren Tilch all huddled close, bordering Orlent closely like sardines. Lakreia was in a time of peace, from as far as Enyah could tell, though who knows with politics.

  Within Orlent's various ecosystems, she found Pallor's Port, hidden away from the world with Soreado as its cover. In fact, she wouldn't have been able to find its location on the map without the single road through Soreado to be her guide.

  Speaking of Soreado, its growth was massive. Covering almost the entire southwestern region, the jungle lay daunting, untamed by human hands besides the single, lone path that cut through the lightest areas of the jungle.

  Bordering Soreado lay their current town, Operite. Mentioned with only its name in small font, Operite earned no attention from the mapmakers from the current era. It lay as only a rural village that bordered Soreado.

  No walls, no church, just a name. Enyah smirked. Still more noticeable than the port. Only a small dock sticking out of the jungle, barely noticeable, indicated its presence.

  Past Operite, various other names littered the map like stars in the sky, numerous and bright, but she could glean nothing from these names. She frowned in frustration. She'd heard all of these names in passing conversation from visitors that came to the port, but never dug deeper.

  She never had to. The port was home, she didn't need to know anywhere else.

  An oversight on her part.

  She turned to Rinne, who stood on his toes beside her, staring at the cities intently, drilling Orlent into his eyes with a perplexed complexion. “Hey kid. Do any of the nearby towns ring a bell?”

  Rinne's gaze turned towards her outstretched hand, which landed on the three nearest towns. Opline, Opteniant, and Opralictace. All of their names started with “Op”, Enyah mused. Must be an Orlent thing.

  “Hmm… I might.” He glanced at her with a smug grin and a twinkle in his eye. His grin only grew as he continued speaking “What will you do for this information.”

  “What will I do for..?” Enyah echoed, turning to glare at him. “Boy, I'm trying to take you home! Do you have to play these games with me?”

  “That doesn't mean I can't get something out of it.” He sang, rubbing two fingers together. “How about… three questions! That you can't lie about no matter what. Pinky promise!”

  Enyah looked down at the boy, who didn't look like either the scared, frightened boy in the forest nor the innocent, naive boy that looked curiously and asked plenty of questions. It was like… dealing with a noble, who also had the outspoken mind of a child.

  It brought out a sour taste within her.

  It wasn't a good thing.

  He was changing too much, this boy. Still…

  Don't be like this. Just tell me.” Enyah declined, staring at the boy with intensifying eyes. His confident gait never wavered, staring her down right back.

  “Three. Questions.” He grinned mischievously holding three fingers in front of him.

  “Fine.” Enyah relented, rolling her eyes. She ignored his cheer in jubilation, jumping around like a lixsis in heat, and waiting for his response.

  After taking a few moments for his excitement to ebb, Rinne whispered, his voice faithful and sturdy, “Pinky promise.”

  Enyah looked at his outstretched hand, his little finger reaching towards her solemnly, as if it were an ancient pact.

  With a shrug, she intertwined her Finger with his, sealing their deal with a childish action.

  “Now, are you going to tell me or not?” Enyah tapped her finger against the desk impatiently.

  “Sure!” Rinne pulled away, satisfied. “What I know about these towns are…” He held off in suspense, before sprouting out cheerfully, “Nothing! No bells are ringing here!”

  Silence pervaded the room for a few moments before she let out a long, drawn out sigh, exhaling her pent up emotions. Running a hand through her hair, she felt her head clear up, releasing all of her tension. “I expected as much.”

  “Hehe,” Rinne giggled, his eyes curling in glee. “I’ll use those questions later.”

  “All yours.” Enyah replied lightly, turning back towards the map. The mystery still remained… but did it matter? Knowledge was helpful, but shouldn’t let herself be consumed by its need. “Except we’ll be staying inside the inn for the rest of the day, not exploring the town.”

  “Nooooooo!” Rinne screamed death, his voice echoing through the room. “My perfect adventure! My romance! I’ll trade back! Please!”

  “Nope.” Enyah replied smugly, still gazing at the map with narrowed eyes. “You played with me like this. Now that I don't have to worry about going out, we can take our time.”

  “Hmph…I'll get my revenge.” Rinne grumbled behind her. She could hear the slow thumping of his steps trodding away, finding something else to entertain him no doubt.

  Still…

  Opline, Opteniant, and Opralictace…

  Opline seemed to be a few days north and a direct route to the capital. The fastest route, but all of the money grubbers and zealots around Orlent would know that as well.

  Still, Zarts would be able to outrun most of them with enough rest.

  Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

  Yet, if they surrounded a tired Zarts…

  She labeled Opline as a high risk destination within her mind.

  Opteniant, the village further east than north. Similar to Opline, the village would take her north towards Oprill, the jewel of southwest trade in Orlent. Though, there lay a few villages eastward that she could skirt to if she needed.

  Then Opralictace… A village purely eastward, with its own path to the capital, electing to move from the southeast towards the capital instead, bypassing the entire southwestern journey. The safest option, surely, but a longer journey by far.

  Still, Zarts could make the journey the swiftest of paces.

  She shook her head, moving her gaze off the map. This decision was important, the wrong path would kill them both, and it all stemmed from here.

  Yet, the familiar anxiety from decisions like these never came. Only an empty freedom, cold like blowing wind, awaited her choice.

  The port couldn't wait. She had to consider that too…

  After a few, silent moments to think, Enyah came to a satisfied conclusion, nodding to herself with certainty.

  They'd skirt the edges of Opteniant and take the smaller path. They could also simply deviate their path if need be.

  With their path considered, there was no reason to stay awake. With a quick glance outside, it was still light out. She could see the sun peeking over the trees, its lazy descent moving at a seemingly snail-like pace.

  It was too early to sleep, yet there were no other pressing matters to concern herself over. Still, the earlier they slept, the earlier they could rise and leave.

  Enyah turned to Rinne to speak her mind before he spoke to her from beside the window. “What are they doing to Zarts!”

  He was looking down at something in shock and anger painted on his face, one step away from opening the window and screeching down.

  “What?!” Enyah growled in an instant, dashing from her position to the window in a burst of speed. Her hand clenched her pistol, unafraid to shoot if anyone harmed her lizard in any way.

  Outside, a group of the mercenaries from earlier were with the man who took in Zarts, attempting to control the beast with rough tugs of his reins.

  “A fine beast. How much would they pay for a mount like this?” The stablekeeper grinned with pride, as if he personally caught the lizard.

  “Serves the bitch right, only getting what comes to her.” Another man grinned. A feral, his head furred and sharp teeth lining his mouth in a disgusting smirk, “And nothing wrong with getting some coin in the process.”

  “What’d you say?” Enyah roared from the now opened window, a foot on the ledge, a moment from leaping down. Her cutlass shone in the sun, gleaming a piercing silver down upon the mercenaries, who turned to look up at her in anger.

  Zarts also turned towards her, his amber eyes boring into her while he chirped in complaint, pawing repeatedly at the ground with a claw.

  “We said you're dying here, scum. And we’re taking the lizard, while we're at it.” A different mercenary smirked, staring up at her with a grin that bordered evil.

  “Touch my lizard any further, and no god will be able to save you.” She growled, holding her pistol in her other hand, its barrel boring down at the man, whispering death.

  The man, unperturbed, raised a curved sword to the lizard's neck. A drop of thick, red blood fell onto the blade, before slowly sliding down, staining the dirt in crimson. “The beast’s coming with us, whether you like it or not, you whore. Now. Do you think your gun's faster than my blade?”

  “Yeah.” Enyah responded with an angered grin, her face wrinkled in fury as her voice was accompanied by a loud crack as the lead slammed the man through his arm holding the sword, bringing him to the ground in a sprawled, groaning heap. “I do.”

  Showing the adaptability… and cruelty of a mercenary, the other mercenaries took a glance at the fallen man before one of them cried, “Kill her! Before she has a chance to reload!”

  Enyah welcomed their bloodlust, charging off the window with a sharp whistle emerging from her lips, her cutlass aiming for blood.

  In an instant, chaos ensued. Zarts, hearing the whistle, changed his entire demeanor, whipping his tail around with an echoing crack, he knocked over the nearby mercenaries before charging at his short term handler, tackling him to the ground.

  She landed heavily on one of the mercenaries, sending him sprawling to the ground from the impact. With a roll, she jumped back up, charging at the approaching men. She blocked a feral’s claw that swiped from her right with ease before swerving to the left, ducking around an axe that swung for her head, giving the bearer an elbow to the rib in return.

  Attacks came in constant barrages, while Enyah ducked, weaved, and dodged through the attacks. However, the stalemate wouldn't last forever. More mercenaries, hearing the commotion, ran towards them, joining the horde that surged against her without needing a reason.

  Enyah could only feel a prickle of disgust as she dodged their strikes with inhuman grace. Grace she hadn't had even last week. Speed she couldn't achieve.

  Her ability was growing. Slowly, but surely.

  As she moved to the tune of battle, she felt the mist cling to her lovingly, caressing her body like a mother's touch. She could see the wispy purple trails steaming from her muscles, enhancing her very being.

  Moving faster, growing stronger, before, her ability only gave her senses of danger, alerting her to any incoming attacks, which she sometimes struggled to respond against.

  Now though? The battlefield was a bloodied, crimson stage, and she whirled around the extras, performing a waltz of murder with a toothy smile that only grew with each slash.

  In moments, most of the weaker mercenaries had been subdued, sporting gashes or missed limbs, but none dead. They lay on the ground, too weak to stand back up, groaning their hatred through curses into the air.

  This feeling could get addicting.

  Enyah pushed the numerous questions of why or how to the back of her head, instead reveling in the satisfaction of newly gained strength. She continued weaving around without a scratch on her body. She responded in less than a blink to the pings that spread through her mind, her body finally keeping its pace with the sensations.

  In less than a few moments, the ordinary mercenaries were cut like grass, leaving only the mercenaries that were skilled above the rest to remain standing.

  Sending Rinne a quick, pointed look, Enyah turned to the menagerie of mercenary folk that surrounded her.

  A feral growled at her warily, his claws outstretched in the sun’s setting glow. His growls of a deep, unending hunger were only overshadowed by the wails of the downed mercenaries. “The strong ones always taste juicier.”

  “Let’s… not eat the woman, alright?” Another man grumbled, his skin glossy and tanned. A texture that Enyah saw before. Mist touched, she noted. In fact, all of the ones left standing had some sort of ability from the mist.

  “Just shows how necessary the mist is. Nothing but strength and evolution.” Enyah frowned, her thoughts hidden from the ongoing conversation around her.

  “An honorable fight! Like the days of old.” A bear-like man boomed, his face a grin full of battlelust. “The gods will feast upon our spilled blood, and drink to our triumph!”

  “I'm not too sure about that, Glain.” A soft, impressionable voice sounded from nearby, as three figures came into view.

  The leader was an older man, his wrinkles curving gently on his face. He wore a suit, yet it seemed out of place… somewhat alien. His short hair was greased in something, and he gave the look of an affable, pleasant man.

  Yet, maybe it was her powers, or even instinct, but Enyah saw a snake. A devil of a man hid beneath that facade. A man who marked her as a target, his gaze locked into hers.

  Beside him was a huge man, whose size rivaled the bear-like man Glain. His face, scarred from years of work, only made him more intimidating as he scanned the situation with intense focus. Sheathed beside him was a massive sword, even larger than Rinne, which hummed to be released.

  The last figure was a woman, whose eyes screamed danger. Her stare was void, empty, and Enyah felt a chill simply being looked at by her.

  Still, she was a beautiful woman, by normal standards, dressed in A high quality dress that seemed unfit for a fight. That didn't stop Enyah's appraising eyes from scanning her head to toe for a moment, before gazing back at the leading man.

  “Are you the mayor?” Enyah finally spoke, her voice scathingly cold.

  “Yes, I am Manuel. It is a blessing to meet you.” The smiling man bowed humbly, spreading his arms in a warm gesture.

  “I see.” Enyah nodded, concluding her earlier skepticism. “So you're all working together for this, huh. The rumors, catching me like this, even baiting me with my mount.”

  “It was necessary to catch such an evildoer.” Manuel spoke smoothly, his grin never breaking. “Look at the citizens. They sleep in fear and terror because you exist. You have to be put to justice.”

  “Really.” Enyah rolled her eyes. The hypocrisy of this man. “So brainwashing the town didn't have anything to do with it?”

  “Brainwashing?” The tanned man mumbled to the side. It seemed the mercenaries that still stood didn't know, Enyah mused. Even if they didn't trust her, the thought would've been planted by now.

  “No, it wasn't brainwashing.” Manuel shook his head gently. “I helped them find the truth. Helped them get to you, my dear.”

  “Be honest, you just want the kid.” Enyah spoke, reloading her gun with swift motions while nobody stopped to interrupt.

  “It is my duty as a child of Replicio, I must admit.” He agreed with a nod of his head. “You are not needed in His world, I'm sad to say. Though if you repent and give us the child, I will plead your case with my whole heart to my most merciful of lords.”

  “And you all agree?” Enyah's eyes gazed towards the remaining mercenaries, as well as the duo that stood behind the man.

  “Mayor's paid top dollar to take you down.” The tanned man said. “Whatever the reason, that's good enough for me.”

  “Can I eat her? If she refuses?” The Feral barked, turning to the mayor, who gave him a gentle, ‘go ahead’ nod. “My body screams to kill you. To consume you. Refuse.”

  The man who spoke of honor's face lowered, having some sort of decency to show embarrassment. “I live by honor! But… I need money to live by that code.”

  “I'll follow the money.” A fourth mercenary finally spoke at Enyah's gaze, his figure shrouded in a cloak that covered his entire being. His voice sounded grinding, inhuman. “If you pay more, I'm yours.”

  Before Enyah could turn to the last two, the big man behind Manuel spoke with a vicious tone, “Bah! She clearly isn't going to let him go. Must've paid top dollar for the help of some no name fisherwoman. We're mercenaries, we ain't compromising. We'll kill her and take the boy by force!”

  “Calm, Pat.” Manuel motioned, before studying Enyah's face for a few, silent moments, eying her defiant expression. “Very well, child. For standing in the way of the perfect world, I must sadly sentence you to death. May your ignorance be cleansed in the world beyond. Prim, my dear girl, please help us send that bitch to the next world.”

  “...Yes, deacon.” The woman responded, her neutral face twisting into a grin of death, charging at inhuman speeds towards Enyah. Following Prim, the rest of the men began charging, besides Manuel.

  Thus, the battle began anew.