“How are you feeling? Unlic got in a pretty good hit there. You're gonna have a decent bruise on your lower back.” Velinty looked at Dante, but couldn't see his face. The set of his shoulders, however, told Velinty everything she needed to know. He was pissed, more than pissed if he wasn’t looking at her.

“I tried to avoid him you know. Not that that changed the outcome of the situation, but it counts as being careful, right?” Velinty chuckled a little, but Dante didn't take the bait. In fact, he looked more pissed than before. Velinty started to hope Dante didn't turn around because it would mean she had to face his anger. He would never physically hurt her, but she hated pissing off her best friend. He was the only one who mattered to her anymore.

“Being careful? Really, Velinty? You shouldn't have even be on the streets if that dickhole is there! You knew yesterday that his daddy let him out to play, why the fuck were you out? I would have done anything that you needed! I love you too much to see you hurt!” Velinty scoffed. Her best friend was being dramatic, it was a concussion, black eye, and a bruise.

“Your pretending I almost died, it wasn't that bad. I've been through worse.” At those words, the fight left Dante and he kneeled at Velinty’s feet.

“If you would just agree to be my girlfriend, then you wouldn't have to suffer at all. You know I have a reputation on the streets, and we’re so good together. Agree to be mine and I swear to the Gods, no one would hurt you again.” The pain in his eyes was almost too much to handle, but Velinty knew he was just being nice. No one wanted her, especially not in that way. Even the men who were desperate enough to pay for sex, wouldn't lay a hand on her that way. She just smiled and patted his hand. His eyes hooded with the pain he felt at her rejection, but she just turned her head. He sighed and walked away.

“So, what was so important that the elder would let Unlic out of his sight?”

“You don't know? In about a week, the sleeper will awaken and the year leading up to the battle will begin. They’re preparing for the evil presence from the void to get stronger. This is the time in which crime gets the worse. Of course, since the Void Keeper won the last battle, crime has been at its peek for 200 years now.” Velinty always heard the last sleeper, Tanie, had failed and died trying to defeat the Void Keeper. She felt bad for whoever had to face that monster, not to mention all the pressure that came with being the sleeper. Especially this time, since Tanie failed, people are ready to not have evil hiding behind every corner.