"Then..."

"We get moving." I say, straightening my expression just before she turns back to me. 

The two of us exchange glances for a moment, and then two. Allen tries to look for any hesitation in my eyes, but finds none. Now paranoid and far too tired to argue, she limply folds her tent and carries everything inside it. I inwardly let out a sigh of relief, and helped her to pack everything up in a quick and orderly manner. I offered to carry the heavier load in hopes of moving faster. Ah, courtesy too.

"Where to?" Allen mumbled.

"Nearest town is Rupiktai." I replied curtly, lifting up two persons' worth of baggage. Allen raises an eyebrow.

"No, the nearest is Kantai Schmutz-" She argued, but I glared at her, causing her to shut her mouth.

"Who's the local, you or me?" I snapped.

"Well you, but the map says-" Allen's voice became meeker with every word she uttered.

"Who's. The local. You or me?" I was spitting venom. I wanted to pressure her.

It was because she was right. Kantai Schmutz was at least an hour closer from our location, but that doesn't mean it was the best place to go. For starters...

"Schmutz is on lockdown."
"What?!"

Kantai Schmutz. My home. And the city I ran away from.

"You heard me."

Of course, the reason it was on lockdown was because of me, but she's not asking for details, is she?

"You've got to be kidding me... It's just one thing after the other...!" Allen groans. I kept up my pace regardless. Seeing that I've no plans to slow down, Allen quieted down and followed after me. Begrudgingly so. It almost makes me laugh.

Has she forgotten that I was planning to rob her just a moment ago? All because of a little help?

So lax, too lax... Focus, focus, focus. Don't forget who has what, idiot. Don't stand in front of the one with the gun.

...I slowed down a bit, just enough. Allen looked surprised, but she seemed grateful. No longer in a rush, she was now keeping pace with me. Ah, did she think that I slowed down for her? Was I that fast? I took a glance at Allen. She seemed to be exhausted. Her movements were sluggish, and her back was hunched forward, as if she'd topple over at any moment... But she said nothing. She seemed resolute, as she trudged onward with no complaints. Good. Good.

She's a runaway, just like me. And she's got blood on her hands, just like me. Thus, she'll have to learn, just like me.

That there's no rest for the wicked. Comfort will be the last thing on your mind when you're struggling to stay alive.

She might be dull and lacking now, but maybe with a bit of polish, she make for a fine

Tool.

...Ally. There's no need to get so close. It just so happened that we both could make use of each other. Namely, I needed her knowledge about the Central Continent, while she needed mine about the Western Continent. I'd say it's a fair exchange. And by the time I'm gone, she'd be none the wiser about who I am. 

Or so I hope.

We continued to trudge along through the dirt and mud until we reached a clearing. I halted, raising my hand to signal Allen to stop. She raises her head, dead tired.

"Now what?" She muttered.

"We set up camp. We're close to Rupiktai, but not close enough to get there in one go. Have a rest."

I put down our baggage, turning back towards the way we had come from. Even in the dark, I could see it.

The tracks we had left behind. Clear and easy to follow. I cringed at the sight. In the past, my travelling band would deal with such things before I even had to mention it. It seems I'll have to step up from now on.

I rolled up my sleeves and walked up to the end of the trail, before raising my hand.

"What are you doing?" I heard Allen say over my shoulder, but I pay her no mind. Instead, I opened my palm.

See nothing.

As if in response, a ghostly, metal gray aura began to envelop my arm. The mist-like energy then expanded until it surrounded us like fog. I held up my hand before extending it towards the way we came.

As if following command, the fog then moved onwards, seemingly swallowing our tracks. After a minute or so, the fog faded out of sight, and the trail that once was disappeared.

Satisfied, I headed back to where Allen was setting up camp. Or well, where she should have been.

"Why didn't you start on setting up?"

But her she just stood there, eyes wide, jaw ajar. Any kindle she had gathered in her arms were slowly dropping back onto the cold, damp, grass.

"You're a mystic?"