"The door could get stuck sometimes, all you have to do is push it upwards" said the landlady, pushing the door to the somewhat drab and chilly apartment room. Elle didn't have a large apartment, but it was adequate for her needs. 

Cold concrete walls, a twin bed on one side, a dusty bean bag at the end of the chair, a long table on the other with a microwave and a water header on top and a chair facing it, and a window overlooking the Empire's dreary weather.

A space like this with a really cheap rent was like finding gold at a trashcan. It was a miracle.

 "I'll take it." Elle stated firmly. The landlady turned to face her, gave her the keys without a word, then pivoted on her heel and left. Elle paused to watch her vanishing form before entering the darkened room. The cold air reached her instantly—if she was going to be here for a long time, she would have to purchase some warmers.

Elle was about to set down her suitcases when she halted, her gaze fixed on the dust-covered floor. The table, duffle bag, and bed were all covered with layers of dust. A sliver of doubt entered her head, making her wonder if the money she'd already spent—and would continue to spend—on this apartment was truly worthwhile. Elle sighed in defeat and dumped her bags on the bed. The hit created a cloud of dust in the air, making her cough and frantically wave her hands, attempting to dislodge the particles that had adhered to her lungs.

She then went to the table to see if the microwave and water heater worked, and to her surprise, they did, albeit the microwave smelt like a rat died in it, so she made a mental note to check that.

Elle pulled a cloth from her bag and wiped the dust off the chair before sitting down, then placed the cloth on the table. Her body felt heavy with tiredness from today. She desperately wanted to rest, but given the state of her apartment, that option was out of reach.

Elle pondered, unsure if she should go out and give herself a well-deserved break Maybe a hotdog or a simple sandwich, sitting on a bench and watching the world go by while she enjoyed the sights and the new found freedom that was all hers.

With a sigh, Elle stood up from her seat and took her wallet from the bag. She still had a few extra cash on her to waste on herself, but the rest will be strictly spent on her needs such as groceries, clothes and stuff that she needed in her new apartment.

-----

Elle spent the day touring the vibrant city of Hwenton, which captivated her with its unique charm. The architecture was stunning, a balanced mix of sleek, modern design and classical grandeur. She had the sense she was strolling through a metropolis where the modern and ancient coexisted together. Hwenton was a beautiful city, but nothing compared to the majesty of Leian Capital.

Leian Capital was like heaven on Earth.

Elle found herself reflecting about the times she used to roam the streets of Leian Capital. The luxurious lifestyle that seemed to pervade every aspect of the metropolis, the sleek floating cars that glided easily through the air, and the golden towers that reached for the sky., and of course the golden road that led to Athearith Castle, which appeared like a portal to paradise in the sunlight. Those memories seemed distant now, like something she could only imagine. She wanted she could return to Leian Capital. She could, but she wasn't confident that she could afford the rent there.

Elle exited the convenience store, clutching a paper bag in one hand and an ice cream cone in the other. She knew ready-to-cook meals would not last long because her apartment lacked a refrigerator. She decided to start by stockpiling canned goods and snacks so she would have something to eat in the meanwhile.

Eager to rest her aching feet after all that walking, Elle placed the paper bag on a nearby table just outside the convenience shop. She seemed carefree as she sat next to it whilst eating ice cream. She gazed around, her gaze resting on the sight in front of her. She tried to digest everything, but the scene increased her state of sadness. Even though it was midday, the sky was dark and the distant thunderclap seemed to last forever.

Elle longed for the days when the sun would illuminate the Athearian Empire and make it look to be brimming with life beneath its warm rays. Now that burning warmth looked like a distant memory, fading with each passing second. Elle winced as a burning, piercing sensation rose inside her chest. Her fingertips gradually turned numb, as if the cold was consuming her from the inside out, entangling her in an unyielding and freezing grip.

Elle sighed harshly and dropped her half-eaten ice cream into the nearby garbage bin. Her fingers, still stiff from the cold, fumbled as she pulled a cigarette and lighter from her pocket. The glow of the flame illuminated her face briefly before she took a steady drag. With each inhale, the tight knot of tension in her chest loosened as smoke filled her lungs and warmth began to return to her chilled body. In a cold environment, the intense burn of the cigarette brought her back to reality and gave a little moment of calmness.

Elle heard a faint noise coming from the alleyway next to the convenience store, but she dismissed it as a stray cat prowling among the garbage. After extinguishing her cigarette, she delicately tapped it into the ashtray and twisted it out. The ember hissed softly as it faded into the metal.

However, a sharper, more ominous sound—much louder—broke the silence. Elle turned her head in reaction to the sound. A familiar searing sensation arose in her chest, but she immediately disregarded it, eager to continue on. She had nothing to do with whatever was going on down that alleyway, so why bother? After one last look at the dark sky she decided to call it a day.

Elle took her paper bag and turned to leave, only to bump to man wearing a green sweater and a dark brown coat. "I'm sorry." The man apologizes. Elle simply gave the man a nod, not making any small talk or eye contact before walking past him.

Elle did not want to get involved. She has her own priorities and a life to plan. She didn't care whoever—or whatever—was in that alleyway. There was a reason she left The Shelter: she wanted to be free to live her life without hindrance. She fought too hard to be free of their restraints, and she had suffered too much to allow anything to jeopardize the precarious freedom she had achieved. Falling into trouble would devastate everything she had worked so hard to acquire. She was not about to take the chance.

Elle was about to past by the alleyway, when a soft 'meow' of a cat caught her off guard. An oranged cat with a missing eye was looking up at her, meowing as if it was calling for her. She stared at it for a while, hoping for it to leave. But it only stared at her back, nuzzling on her leg. 

Ellena Frieah hated people. But damn did she loved animals.

After a moment of hesitation, Elle bent down and petted the orange cat out of reflex. As soon as her fingertips brushed its fur, the cat nuzzled against her, silently purring. Its warmth contrasted with the chill in her body. As she continued to stroke it, the familiar burning sensation reappeared in her chest, this time with a sharp and obtrusive flare. As her body became colder, her skin prickled as if the frost were oozing from her bones. She grimaced and clenched her teeth in frustration. She couldn't even pet a cat without getting this gnawing sensation. The weight of it, the way her peace was always interrupted, only deepened her irritation.

Elle's body temperature changed abruptly, and the cat felt it. It moved away from her contact, backing up and giving her a cautious look as its ears twitched in alarm. Elle's heart fell, as an unexpected sensation of remorse swept over her. Her own tension had forced the creature away, but she had done nothing but attempt to provide a moment of consolation. She felt a touch of melancholy tug at her chest as she watched the cat leave, her hands numb from the cold, and the searing sensation in her chest worsened.

With her breathing visible, Elle stood up from her position just as the cat ran off to the alleyway. Elle should've just looked away and left, but after the noises she heard from the alleyway, she worry the cat might get in trouble.

Elle sighed heavily and laid the paper bag down on the ground near the alleyway's entrance. She reached into her pocket with a certain stiffness. The cold metal of the folding knife sparkled in the low light as she took it out and slid it into her sleeve, making sure it was safely tucked away and easily accessible. She didn't anticipate danger, but in this world it was better to be prepared of anything. Something was off and Elle wasn't going to be caught off guard.

And with that, the brown-haired cat-lover walked inside the alleyway, alert in every movement and every sound around the closed-in space. Her breath was visible and her hands were freezing, the burning in her chest was still there, spreading throughout the veins of her body.

Elle didn't feel nervous. She felt no fear. She was frustrated with herself for forcing herself into a dim alleyway to ensure a random cat's safety. What was going through her mind? She had no desire to be involved in the difficulties of others, let alone a stray animal. Her frustration was burning in her chest as she moved on her feet ready to leave the alleyway. However, a sound from the side cut through the silence like a sharp edge, getting her attention.

 Elle's eyes snapped at the loud noise, she sighed quietly in relief when she spotted the orange cat safely sitting atop a closed dumpster. Her shoulders loosened, the tension relaxing for a brief period. She was ready to turn and leave when she felt a cold distinct pressure against the back of her head. Her heartbeat spiked, the burn in her chest, coming back for more as ber body went numb in the freezing sensation.

"You really shouldn't be here," a man whispered in an unnaturally calm and velvety tone. The words surrounded her like a frigid hand. Elle shut her eyes and raged at herself for being such a fool. Her instincts informed her that she had made a terrible mistake. It was common sense to avoid dark alleyways alone.

"Turn around."