The sun had began to rise. Lumen still followed wordlessly behind the cloaked figure. He hurried his steps, catching up, so he was next to him, he noticed a large blade sheathed at his side, and there were various smaller ones attached to the thick, black belt that clung to his waist. He recognized the shine of the belt buckle. He had various pouches strapped to his thighs, and a faint metal rattling could be heard with each of his heavy steps.

Lumen opened his mouth to speak, but found no words. The mercenary didn't seem to notice, keeping his amber eyes on the road ahead.

He willed his courage, hurried words spilling from his mouth.

"Do you know the safest route..?" Lumen wished he would have worded that better, he quickly added to his thoughts.

"Like, the river to Tas'gala.." Lumen's words faded again. He didn't check the mercenaries expression, but he could tell what it must have been given the tone he answered in.

"Weren't you the one lost in the forest?"

Lumen felt a pang of embarrassment, so he did remember. He answered hastily, his cheeks flushing with slight shame.

"I wasn't lost, alright? I just.. I wasn't feeling well." Lumen's brows knit as his eyes followed the ground, their combined steps the only sound he'd heard for some time. He followed the males deliberate turns, combing through trees and bushes. They weren't too far from the city. Only a few hours as best. The faint trickle of water slowly grew louder with time. Lumen remembered he was to follow a river for some time. He quickly reached into the pouch on his waist. He pulled out a worn, folded piece of paper. He had re-created the map the local expert had shown him as best as he could. Lumen studied it for a moment and figured they had reached the base of the river. Now they'd start following it.

"Is this the river to Tas'gala?" Lumen asked without thinking, his eyes buried in his carefully made map. He heard a splash as the man stepped through the shallow water, crossing it before it became too wide. The man responded in a dry tone.

"Yes. The route was crawling with bandits a few days ago."

Lumen hopped over the thin stream of water, folding his map; his expression crinkled in concern

"Wait, bandits? So what does that mean?" Lumen knew this would be dangerous, but so soon? He couldn't imagine bandits so close to his village.

"We go around."

The broad man continued his steps, as if familiar with the ground beneath his feet. He walked effortlessly through the cluttered forest floor below. Lumen felt a sense of awkwardness as the air hung silent. To go around already meant their journey would be delayed.

"How much longer does it take to go around?" Lumen questioned him, it wasn't that he didn't trust him. More like he tried to quell the anxiety that hung in his chest. Lumen's stomach dropped at the response.

"A day" he said, without concern.

Lumen wanted to say something, but he couldn't bring himself to. There was no helping something like this. It was simply out of his control. Lumen clutched the strap of his bag, his eyes drifting to the larger form in front of him. When his hood was up, you couldn't tell he was of Beast blood. Lumen thought of the scars he could see, wondering how many there were that he couldn't see. Lumen thought this type of work must be terrifying. His words slipped out as if he'd forgotten he could be heard.

"It must be hard.." Lumen felt a sudden wash of embarrassment at his statement. The male in front looked back at him briefly, expression unchanging.

"What?" Lumen didn't sense annoyance in his response.

"Ah, Sorry. I guess I thought it must be hard doing this type of work."

Still, he continued to walk, not responding immediately. Lumen wondered if he'd been acting ridiculous.

"Not particularly" Lumen pondered the response. How could this not be scary? How could this not be hard for someone? Lumen didn't think to press further. He followed in silence, the sound of the river fading, and the rustling of the treetops taking over as they carved their path around the river. They walked in silence until the sun rose high above them.

In the distance Lumen saw a clearing of trees, and a large wooden sign that directed people to his city. A sprawling dirt path stretched far both ways, likely a merchant route. Lumen realized this meant they were leaving his familiar woods, to new territory. He felt apprehensive for a moment. He pushed the feeling aside as he watched the man in front of him stop for a moment, as if listening.

"Trade routes aren't safe, don't wander'

Lumen swallowed, it sounded like a command rather than a statement. His hands fidgeted as he took a few steps closer to the male, before he continued on. Crossing the path to the other side of the brush, they walked probably twenty minutes from the road. Lumen wondered how Biyo was doing. He had left some dried food out for him. He had been okay before meeting Lumen, so surely he would be okay now.

They walked for some time, between what would have been the lake and the road, though neither could be seen on either side due to the distance between them. Lumen's throat felt dry. His eyes drifted to a large rock and some fallen logs ahead. He hesitated before he spoke, feeling the need to have a brief respite.

"I just need to sit for a moment.." Lumen sighed as he made way for the rock. Lumen thumped down on it, pulling out his canteen and taking a sip, filling his mouth with cool water. He swallowed and sucked in a breath.

The mercenary said nothing as he stood, his eyes roaming the surrounding trees. He had become a bit used to the silence, but still felt strange about the looming male that led him.

"Let's go" He commanded. Lumen swifly shoved away his canteen, standing. His legs already stiff and it hadn't even been a day.

Lumen's thoughts wandered as he scanned the forest. It didn't necessarily look different, but it did lack the familiar dirt paths, and worn-out signs that guided one to the varying villages. Lumens eyes shifted to the cloak swaying in front of him. He felt an out of place curiosity about the incident with the red headed man. Lumen began to speak

"So.. What did that g-" Lumen was abruptly cut off, a hand stretched out in front of him.  Lumen stopped talking as he examined the situation, had he said something stupid?

"Quiet." He spoke low, his eyes surveying the area around them.

Lumen suddenly felt worry spreading in his gut. What had he heard? 

Suddenly Lumen yelped as he felt a pull. His body was yanked backwards. His heart felt like it sank as he'd realized someone with a firm grip held him from behind. A dry voice broke the silence

"Hey hey don't worry about it pretty boy, We just wanna borrow some stuff" The man chuckled. It sounded hoarse like gravel, it made Lumen feel sick as it grinded against his senses. The firm grasp around his arms tightened, and so did his chest. Lumen's body flooded with visceral fear, his palms breaking out in a clammy sweat as he tried to struggle, his eyes darting around, looking for the mercenary. Suddenly the body behind him went limp, releasing Lumen. He stumbled forwards, falling to his hands and knees, his blurry eyes shot up.

Black tendrils swirled around him as he watched, wide eyed. The mercenaries hair loose now, floating momentarily with his movement. A small lock of hair landed beside him alongside a black cord that he likely used to tie it. Lumen was completely mesmerized. There was something akin to admiration in his eyes as he fixated on the mercenaries deadly dance. The Beast-mans hood fell, his hair flowing free, it whipped with the momentum of his body. Lumen couldn't move, somehow entranced by the mercenaries movement, more dexterous than he looked. He maneuvered smoothly, as if he'd done this a hundred times. His sword was drawn; he quickly pivoted, and his blade clashed with a bandit's smaller dagger; sparks flying and the sharp sound of metal clanging, he lifted his knee and drove his foot into the bandit's stomach, sending him backwards. The mercenaries piercing eyes seemed to shine as he spun. His normally thin pupils were blown wide, like an animal on the hunt. The mercenary spun quickly, whipping his sword ahead of him, his cloak flowing like liquid as his body moved. Lumen saw a spray of red, shortly after panic set in as his eyes filled with red and the thick scent of metal began to fill his lungs.

The agile, ruthless man had torn into someone, and had his gaze set on Lumen, who hadn't moved from his knees. His eyes were wide, taking in the harrowing events surrounding him. Lumen felt fear consume his mind, spreading across his body, to the tips of his fingers as the mercenaries intense gaze connected with his. A large hand reached out, grabbing Lumen's arm.

"Get up, quickly" The Beast man seemed impatient. Lumen quickly found his footing as he was pulled upwards by the mercenary. His senses returning, he could hear a man coughing behind him. He didn't want to look, it sounded wet, as if he was choking. The other males sword was stained crimson. From the corner of his eye he could see one of the bandits limping away, making guttural sobbing noises as he disappeared into the brush. The mercenary had no concern to chase him. He shook his blade a few times. Vermilion droplets splattered to the ground and he sheathed his weapon.

Lumen stood in silence. He'd never imagined he would see blood like that, a life slipping away in front of him. The brutality of the mercenary, the uncaring gaze he still held.

His eyes glazed over the man in front of him. His long black hair fell to his waist, framing his features. Stoic, and impossible to read. Narrowed eyes looked into Lumen's core. He swore he could smell cinnamon through the copper scent staining the earth around him. Lumen blinked in silence, unbelieving of what had happened.

"What?" The silence was broken, by the abrupt question. Lumen couldn't formulate a proper response. He'd never seen death.

"You.. You killed them?" Lumens voice quivered, he wasn't sure if it was a question or a statement.

He heard earth crunch underfoot as the mercenary turned, and continued walking, glancing back, freezing Lumen with his ferocious gaze.

"I'm a mercenary. You hired me."

He continued, Lumen felt hesitation as his feet slowly obeyed. He'd never seen someone with eyes so intense. Uncaring, unwavering at the loss of life. Would he.. Kill Lumen that way too?

Lumens eyes squeezed shut at the thoughts, he stopped. The mercenary took a few more steps, before realizing Lumen had stopped, he turned his body only slightly to look at the youth, his hood had fallen, whatever two-toned hair wasn't braided fell beside his face, framing his features as he stared at the ground, unmoving. He heard the others deep voice again.

"You'd do well to get used to it" Lumen's eyes flit open, the deep green orbs settled ahead of him, and he continued slowly. The mercenary was right; Lumen didn't agree with it, nor was he comfortable. But what could he even do, he froze when he was grabbed. All he could do was plead in his heart that this didn't keep happening. His eyes landed on the man's back. The white ends of his hair swayed as he walked. His eyes downcast, he watched his feet in silence. His heart weighed heavily. Was this the price of his cure? Lumen considered the question as they walked onwards. Hours passed, and eventually the mercenary took a turn Lumen hadn't expected, leading them to a narrow cave entrance.

Lumen starred quizzically as the Beast-Man slid inside, crouching for a few feet before standing. His eyes fell on Lumen, freezing him in place.

"Get in, we rest here for the night."

Lumens brows knit together as he opened his mouth to speak. Uneasy over the thought of staying in a dark, cramped cave with someone who had just taken life without remorse. But what choice did he have? He sighed as he crept into the cave, defeated.

His deep voice echoed in the hollow of rock.

"Stay here, keep quiet. I'll be back with wood for a fire" Before Lumen could respond, The man glided passed him, disappearing outside.

Lumen sat himself down, pressing his back to the cool stone behind him. He tucked his knees to his chest and sighed. His chin resting upon them, he stayed that way for some time. The cave was nearly completely black now, the sky outside engulfed in a dark purple hue. Suddenly his view was obstructed, and true to his word, the large male returned, tossing a bundle of wood to the ground. Lumen felt his anxiety creep back up. The presence of the mercenary unsettled him to the core now, despite having saved his life. Lumens thoughts paused, he had saved him.. twice? No, technically, three times if he thought of his episode in the forest. If someone else had found him, he could have been mugged or worse.. Lumen's brows creased in confusion at the realization. Lumen's eyes drift to the man in front of him, watching him assemble the beginnings of a fire. Lumen shifted his position, shuffling forward. His hand digging into the small pouch on his waist, he dug under the map, finding something jagged, his flint. He had forgotten he had packed it, but was thankful he did.

The mercenaries cold gaze fell on Lumen as he fumbled his hands, grabbing his dagger; he struck it a few times, nervous over being stared at. Finally, a spark of light flashed as it caught a bundle of dried leaves, igniting, and spreading quickly. The mercenary swiftly, with calm hands grabbed the smoldering bundle and placed it within the confinement of the logs.

Before long the fire grew and warmth spread towards Lumen, his eyes fixated on the flames. They reminded Lumen of the mercenaries eyes, smoldering and deadly. He felt entranced as he watched the flames dance before him. Crackles echoed through the empty cave.

On the other side he heard metal clanking, and rustling. The man had leaned his sheathed sword against the wall. The case of the deadly weaponed glistened as the fire shone brightly. The man's back pressed to the wall, he rest an arm on a propped-up knee. His words quickly filled the silence of the cave.

"Now's the best chance you have to sleep, I'll keep watch."

Lumen watched the man, his features cast in shadows as flames colored his figure orange. He didn't think he would be able to sleep after what he just saw. His legs ached, and his heart hung heavy with today's events.

Lumen slid his body back until he felt the cold stone behind him support his weight. His forehead fell to his knees, his arms hugging, his body close, he felt his eyes prick with sadness, fearing this day would be easy in comparison to the days ahead. This isn't what he wanted..

Eventually, encompassed by the warmth of the fire, Lumen found his eyes fluttering closed. He could faintly detect a familiar scent wafting through the air. It pulled him under, like a current in water, into the vast darkness of sleep.