Kyle walked down the halls to see Hunter; his mission was a success in taking the item first. Vann and Lily argued in the distance about who is at fault; it was that the weapon was gone. Kyle pulled to item from his cloak, a small orb that changed colour. He could feel or see nothing special and knew that Gotama might have some insight. He put the orb away and headed to Hunters' room. Kyle found it empty and void of his affairs. Kyle was confused by this and saw a guard close by. The guard told him that Hunter was a traitor after the battle at Everforest Cliffs.
Kyle dismissed the guard and Vail walked up to him. "Was the mission a success?"
Kyle looked at him, inquiringly. "Yes, but where is Hunter? Has he been sighted?"
Vail shook his head. "Not here, later. For now, Kyle gets ready to leave, or else you will end up like Azoth."
Kyle stood confused, "what do you mean?"
Vail turned away. "Our ally within him is gone, and there is not much we can get from him. The lord is checking anyone for spies after your mission to retrieve the weapon."
Kyle closed his eye, "Alright, how long till I leave again? This time permanently."
"Tonight."
Kyle's eye widened but could see that Vail was serious. Kyle sighed, and he walked past Vail. "Very well, are you going to see me off?"
Vail grabbed his shoulder, "Sorry, no, I will no longer be your ally after this evening." Kyle lowered his head and walked away to his room.
He packed his belongings that he could transport. As he rustled through his thing, a small stone fell out. Kyle stopped to look at it and picked it up. He smiled as he looked over it. He remembers the day he got this was the same day Hunter killed that man back in Fallmist.
Kyle jumped as he heard banging at his door. "Open up, Kyle Longfeather!" Kyle could hear that it was a guard. He was grabbing what he could, he ran for the window. The guards then went ahead to break the door lock. Kyle reached the window as they broke their way in. "Stop him!"
Kyle leapt from the window to a narrow edge, making his way to the northern wall. Guards tried following him as he jumped from ledge to ledge. He noticed guards with guns and bows drawn.
"Fire!" Kyle dodged their shots, rolling into a window. "Don't let him escape!" the sound of their footsteps rushing to his location just beyond the window.
Kyle sat for a moment, catching his breath, then fixed his glasses. He looked around, then headed to the door. Peering around, he saw no one around and made his move. Kyle knew the only way out now was in the throne rooms hidden passages. No one, not even Lord Demora, knew of their existence.
As he entered, he heard Lord Demora shouting at someone. A chill ran down his back, hoping it was not Vann. Kyle decided to look before leaving and saw Vann surrounded by a magic circle. Then screams echoed through the halls. Kyle watched as Vann's mind transformed to fit the Dark Lords' expectations of him. Kyle winced at the sight and head for the exit. The screams continued as Kyle made his way through, slowly fading the further he went.
Kyle made it through to the outside, finding himself relieved, and yet the worry of his friend pondered his mind as he waited for dusk. Kyle looked back down the tunnel to see anyone coming.
"I need to get to Gautama's place and fast, but without-" Kyle noticed the buck he fixed for Hunter was sitting out, no more than three hundred meters from the castle gates. Kyle scoffed a smile, "thanks, Vann, for the ride."
Kyle made his way down to the bike and pulled away farther, out of earshot, as the sun began to set. Kyle revved the bike, drew a map out to see the best possible route to Vailrose. Kyle plotted his course and readied himself for a long journey ahead. He hoped to find information on Hunter's whereabouts along the way so he could help his friend through this chapter in his life.
Five days passed before Kyle entered a small village. The villagers looked at him in fear and held their children close. Kyle was tired and hungry; he collapsed to his knees. The men and women scattered, closing their doors and windows. Kyle knew why they fled in fear; the logo of the Faremin was on his clothes. Looking at his sleeve, Kyle ripped the logo off and tossing it to the ground. He sat there as the weather turned for the worst. Rain poured in seconds, hiding his tears streaming down his face.
One of the villagers watched him, seeing that he was in pain and felt that he was no threat. They walked up to him, cautiously approached him. They checked around to see if anyone was watching them, then touching Kyle's shoulder.
"Y-you a-alright?" their voice hesitant in fear of what the other villagers would think of them. Kyle sat there, unresponsive to their question. They then looked around, grabbing Kyle by the arm, and taking him to their home.
Once they reached the person's home, the data Kyle down. They grabbed a towel and gone ahead to dry him off. They took a deep breath and smiled, "I know I just took you here, but my name is Alex." Alex thought small talk might get through to him.
Kyle looked over to them. "Sorry, I am just not feeling the greatest right now—Alex, was it?" Alex smiled in joy as they nodded furiously. "Thank you for bringing me here. I do appreciate it."
Alex noticed the sadness in Kyle's eyes. Alex tilted his head at Kyle, "what seems to be the matter—um?"
"Kyle, and I well…" Kyle explained his story to Alex. Alex stared in shock and awe as Kyle told him. "… And now I am off to see a man that can help me find my friend and see if he is still alive or if he is dead."
Alex smiled at him, leaning back in their chair. "Well, they might be alive and well and might be heading in the same direction as you. So have a little faith!" Alex's words warmed Kyle. "Oh, before I forget, I can help you gather supplies for your trip—Ah, your bike! I will get it for you or else someone might take it and sell it!" Alex raced to the door, "be right back!"
Alex rushed out to get Kyle's bike, he could only smile at Alex's generosity. He reached into his jacket, pulling out the small stone. Rubbing it within his hand, Kyle let out a sigh. Looking over to the window and could see Alex is talking to someone. Kyle could see that they were arguing, but then Kyle recognized the person Alex was talking to. It was Crow! Kyle knew he had to get out and fast.
Before he could do anything, Crow scoffed at him, her voice loud enough to hear. "You got to be kidding me! You mean to say that you found this—this thing earlier today and didn't see its rider!?"
Kyle froze, her tone sharp enough to pierce him. Kyle peered over at them to see Alex slapped to the ground. Kyle bit his lip, knowing that if he exposed himself, Alex would surely die. Kyle watched as Crow left, her face filled with disgust as she walked away. Alex found their footing before walking back to the house. Kyle shaken from the ordeal, turn to Alex.
Alex rubbed the injured before looking at Kyle. "I think it's best we get you out of here and fast. That woman was crazy." Kyle grits his teeth; Alex touched his shoulder. "Well, I think this might be the only time I would ever use my secret exit from years ago." Alex shook their head. "Well, you might not have the most glamorous food supplies, but I have military food from United Alisia."
Kyle shivered, before looking at Alex, "Thank you, Alex. But I must ask what did—"
Alex shoved him to the entrance. "Not now, just go. That woman will be back by the morning to check the homes." Alex opted the hatch, dragging Kyle down the hole. "And lives might not be here, by the next morning."
Kyle went to convince Alex to leave with him, but Alex latched the entrance. Kyle gritted his teeth before heading down.