Marco was confused. He wanted to go into the house, but everyone was just standing like they were waiting for something to start.
He didn’t know what was going on but just the sight of the tall orgriash was enough for him to be on the verge of tears.
He inhaled as if he was going to try calling Inala when…
“Mon ami, be quiet s'il vous plait,” the white-haired girl put a finger on his lips. She then let him fall to his knees.
“What did you do to him?” Anciel was demanding.
“Nothing. He enjoys a deep slumber,” she said through the mask.
The dark-haired lad and the tall cat didn’t look convinced.
“There was someone else with him. Where is he?”
“Moi has saved your friend. Toi should be grateful.”
“You’re lying.”
“How rude…” she gestured with a small finger.
“I’m the rude one? You are the one whose face and name we don’t know.”
“Moi name? It is Timma. A pleasure to meet toi,” the girl went to take off her mask, but at that moment she noticed that the giant cat was readying to reach his sword.
“Moi wouldn’t do that unless toi wants to see the boy die,” she held one of the needles to his throat.
“Now you show us your true colors. What do you want?” the cat stopped.
“A fair exchange. Moi releases your friend and toi comes with us.”
“Us?” the cat was curious as he didn’t see anyone with her. He removed his hood and revealed his lynx ears which began scanning for any signs of the girl’s companions.
“Oui, us. The Serpent Forces.”
The sentence pierced the silence of the night like a thunderous premonition of an incoming storm. Suddenly the air seemed unforgivably chilly.
Anciel swallowed. He’s never seen the Emnikatia’s notorious elite force in person, but he’s heard a lot of stories about them. They were rumored to be ruthless and made for a dreadful sight on any battlefield.
The right hand of the King of Emnikatia; Rahn Lester the IVth; the serpents were known to hunt for nomads and force them back to the kingdom. Some say as slaves, others for execution.
All while wielding nomadic powers themselves.
“Psst! Do you intend to surrender?” Anciel asked the orgriash quietly but got no response. The lynx’s eyes were focused on the enemy. He looked as if he was trying to weigh their opponent’s strength.
Is he trying to find out some information in order to gain an upper hand… paw? Sure it’s just a frail-looking girl. He on the other hand; a mighty-looking beast. But it’s like he said; something about her makes me feel weary.
Anciel now carefully assessed the situation.
She is also on the defensive. I would also be cautious if he was my adversary. But she has no reason to fear me. I’m unarmed.
Anciel put his hands in the air and started walking towards her slowly.
“Listen. Can you at least take me as your hostage instead of Marco? He’s suffered enough, hasn’t he?”
The orgriash was just watching, his stance at the ready, unmoving.
That’s it. I’m almost in range…just a few more steps.
“A nomad?!” somehow she suddenly knew, instantly throwing the large needle aimed at his eyes.
He managed to put a hand in front of his face just in the nick of time and it pierced his palm.
How did she know what I’m planning? It’s as if she read my mind!
She reached for the other needle in her hair, but he was already too close. With his other hand, he was going for her neck, trying to use his cutting ability which he hoped she didn’t expect.
Yet instead of hitting her, he…
Mist?
The girl was not there, as if her body turned into mist just before the hit connected.
He quickly tried to lift Marco, but he was heavy now that he slept.
“Wake up!” Anciel slapped him, alas to no avail.
The orgriash turned quickly noticing the white-haired girl standing a few feet further away from them. Her long hair unfurled in the wind as pulled out the other decorative needle and was ready to throw it at the unsuspecting lad.
“Behind you!” the lynx let out a growl, and the boy successfully caught the other incoming weapon.
The lynx put all four paws on the ground.
Now that she used her weapons, but more importantly had no more bargain leverage, it was time to make his move. His stance looked as if he made himself into a living spring.
“Le chaton is quick,” was all she managed to say just before he sprung.
All that was left at the place he was standing was a cloud of dust.
Anciel blinked from the sudden movement and the next thing he saw was the orgriash already reached the girl’s position, his fist going straight for her face.
The fox shattered.
The pieces of the mask glittered in the moonlight, but the girl was gone like she was never there.
For a few moments more, both of them stood quietly, only observing their surroundings.
“I-I think she’s gone,” said the wounded boy finally.
The orgriash picked up his sword and then approached him.
“Let me have a look,” he grabbed the boy’s hand and after checking the needle, he pulled it out without any hesitation.
Anciel bit his lip but hasn’t let out a cry. The lynx then put a paw on Marco’s forehead.
“He will be alright. He is indeed just sleeping,” he stood up, “Call your mother and go inside.”
“What about you?”
“This time, we were lucky, alas now they know I am here. It is better that there is no next time. I must leave at once.”
“What if they come back?”
“Tell them the truth. If they ask what our connection is, tell them you don’t know who I am. If they ask where I am, tell them I left for Wasserstadt.”
“Huh… like they’ll believe me,” he was skeptical.
“They won’t need to. That girl is a master of the mind. She will know the truth whether you decide to tell her or not.”
“A master of the mind?” Anciel first heard of it.
“Indeed, and the most verse one at that.”
“What do you mean?” he was curious.
“There are seven cosmic states to master in this universe; body, mind, soul, energy, elements, matter, and void. I am a master of the body.”
Anciel wanted to learn more, but there were more pressing matters at hand.
“Then she will know I’m a nomad. They will hunt me down.”
“Then come with me,” he offered a paw.
“I—”, the boy really wanted to go with him. It would seem that this orgriash knows a lot about all the things he ever wanted to find out, but… “I can’t. There is someone else that needs me. He is in danger too.”
The lynx pulled his paw back, “I understand and respect your decision. Till we meet again, brave boy.”
Marco was finally starting to wake up.
“Where am I? What’s going on?”
“You are safe now,” Anciel helped him up.
He wanted to ask the lynx his name but the orgriash was already gone.
“Tell me what happened to Label,” he asked Marco, but the poor boy was confused.
“I… bwothel is…. We were…”, he started to cry and snivel.
“Look, you’re home see?” he pointed towards the windmill.
“But Label is somewhere out there and I need to know where!” he shook the little fellow, but that was getting him nowhere.
Damn… what do I do?
Wait… maybe I can try what she did…
Having his mind read by the mystical girl he got the gist of how it’s done. Maybe, just maybe he could do it too?
He hugged Marco tightly which calmed him down a bit. Then he put their heads together and focused as if he is trying to invade the other boy’s mind.
Probing and reaching, he felt his consciousness slowly slipping out of his own head and into the boy’s.
Wow… this is so strange. I feel like I’m floating in a vast space filled with liquid images. Memories? Thoughts?
This is no time to be impressed. I have to focus on what I’m looking for.
By ‘swimming’ through related imagery, he found a pattern. One that led him to the moment he was searching for.
Label is at the church. That’s where she left him, but why?
Oh, it seems he’s hurt badly. Was she the one who hurt him?
No? She saved him. She was telling the truth then.
But who’s done this to him?
I have to go back.
It was odd for him to look at things backward in the reverse order of them happening.
Nonetheless, he was getting used to it. Soon the images flowed as he commanded them and his mind reading improved.
I see. So that’s what happened. They were robbed by some thugs…
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