"Hello, mister are you there."
A soft warm voice echoed in Ren's ears as he slept.
-Who is that I never heard this voice before.
"Mister, can you hear me?"
-oh well, it doesn't matter who you are, I know that you're not really calling for me.
"Sir please"
-just quit it with that facade of yours, how many times must you torture me.
"Wake up."
"Huh?"
With those words, Ren awoke from his sleep and lifted his head, but only to bump his head with the girl's that was pleading him to wake up.
"Ouch, that left a mark for sure."
Ren lifted his head while rubbing the red mark on his forehead only to see a girl standing in the moonlights spot with her short white glossy hair and her red glowing eyes.
"She's... she, I just want to."
"I'm sorry are you okay?"
She looked down at the man who was sitting up, while he was in a complete trance by what he had just witnessed.
"Oh, yeah I'm just fine don't worry."
Ren gave her a smile, but he seems to have tensed up after he spoke to her. The girl's right ear twitched as she noticed something had changed in the atmosphere.
"I see well that's good, also I'd like to thank you for saving a lowly life such as mine."
"Woah you don't have to go that low, okay, I saved you because it was the right thing, I couldn't let someone die like that."
"Your very kind and that makes me happier knowing that."
The girl held her chest with both hands and gave a small smile while slightly tilting her head.
-she seems nice and I'd like to ask her what happened, although I'm sure something like that would leave a big trauma especially for her...
"By the way, if you don't mind me asking you look young, so how old are you?"
"I'm am currently eighteen years old."
"Woah seriously, you look so young like maybe a middle schooler."
"Middle schooler?"
She looked at the man with a face of curiosity as unlike Ren, her worlds schooling system is way different, that is if she were able to go. Ren stood up and noticed their height difference now that she was standing in front of him. Ren looked at her as he did he could see how adorable she is. As he looked at her he noticed one thing.
"She's lacking in a certain area."
Ren was looking at her chest as he mumbled this and the girl had caught on to what Ren was doing.
"Well excuse me that there so small, what is wrong with you men."
The girl immediately retaliated at Ren's comment while holding herself in embarrassment.
"There it is your true colors, I knew you weren't some soft-spoken cute girl."
"Seriously what is wrong with you, besides me acting like that it was because I wanted to be polite since you happened to save me."
She had furrowed her eyes and crossed her arms, while Ren stood there nodding.
"Well in any case what's your name?"
Ren tried to change the topic to a less hostile topic and mood.
"I don't have one, as a slave I was only referred to as she, her, or it."
The girl looked down in disappointment and agony. Ren walked up to the girl and patted her head.
"Well, we're just gonna have to come up with one then."
"Really?"
She looked up to Ren with glistening eyes.
"Alright let me think."
Ren walked around the girl in circles looking at her from top to bottom.
"Is this really necessary?"
The girl started to get flustered with Ren looking at her so seriously.
"I got it, your name from this day shall be known as Liz."
"Liz, I... like it."
Liz began to cry tears of joy and ended up hugging Ren.
"Alright, alright that's enough now."
"I'm sorry I just never thought I'd be given or even have a name."
While still clinging to the person who named her, she looked at him and gave a big smile.
"Well, it's pretty late so let's get to bed alright."
Ren looked up to the starry night sky and closed his eyes for a moment.
-the scenery is truly gorgeous.
With that moment Ren and Liz laid down on a soft red blanket Erza had given him and then fell asleep in the cold dark night.
As the night progressed a sound as someone had moaned with pain had woke Liz up.
"Hey was that you?"
She looked at the man who had been sleeping beside her, only to notice he looked like he was in discomfort and agony.
"I... hate you... all."
Ren had murdered these words as he slept along, with its tears could be seen running down his face. Liz slowly wiped his tears with her soft pale finger and decided to rest her head on him believing it would relax him a bit.
After a little time, Ren's sleeping body could feel the warmth of something soft on him. It had felt like someone was giving him a hug to that shattered heart he possessed. With this new feeling Ren had calmed down and whatever nightmare he had subsided.
#
At the break of day, the birds began to sing in the tall green tree's nearby. Ren woke from his sleep rubbing his eyes. As his consciousness returned, he felt a strange warm feeling on him only to see Liz's head resting on him.
"Li-Liz what are you doing?"
Ren started to panic and turn red at the sight of a cute sleeping kitten.
"Oh, good morning uh... actually I don't think you told me your name."
Liz let out a big yawn while blinking a couple of times.
"Right my names Arama Ren, and please remove your head."
Ren's face was still beet red, as Liz got up a little saliva could be seen coming off her lips. Ren medically turned his head while Liz whipped her mouth.
"Sorry about that Ren-Chan."
"Sure, and just call me Ren okay."
Liz started to then stretch her body as Ren went to the carriage to look for some breakfast that he could whip up.
As the morning progressed and they had eaten their breakfast Ren was ready to talk about what was going to happen now that she's been rescued and safe.
"So is there anywhere you can go and live?"
"Wait for what? I thought I was going to be with you for now on."
"Don't get me wrong I'm sure it be nice to have another person by my side, but I'm what you call a loner."
Liz looked at him with dissatisfaction.
"But you saved me, therefore, your my master now."
Ren shook his head in disagreement.
"Sorry I don't need any servants."
Liz would not let this go and continued to argue with Ren.
"Please let me stay by your side, I promise I'll never leave you."
Ren looked down and gave a sigh.
"I'm sorry I can't, so is there any place you can go off and live at."
"There are... nearby towns that let slaves live there and have their own lives."
A tear fell down from her right cheek, during that time Ren had settled up the carriage to leave.
"Well, then I'll give you a ride and then we'll part ways."
Ren softly spoke this to Liz knowing how hard it is for her to accept this request.
As they rode down the rocky dirt trail Ren tried to cheer up Liz with games and jokes. Liz would laugh and start to joke back with him making Ren laugh, although she knew he was only trying to cheer her up.
#
It was around midday when they arrived at a village that Liz could start a new life in.
"Well here we are, I'm going to talk to whoever in charge around here, so you can go were ever now."
Ren jumped off the carriage and left Liz as she was in silence.
Liz decided to look around the village, there were kids running around laughing and workers smiling along as they did there job. This was the ideal village to start a new life in, but Liz wasn't happy.
"Hey, kid what'ch yah looking all gloomy for?"
An older man had spoken out to Liz while leaning on a fence looking at the sky.
"I'm fine, it's nothing really."
Liz forced a small smile on her face.
"You're new aren't yah, at this village, we help each other out, so tell me what's wrong kid.
The man surely wasn't going to let Liz go, in defeat, she gave a small sigh and spoke.
" well you see someone saved me and I want to repay that debt, but he won't allow it."
The man stroked his chin and nodded at Liz's claim.
"I see, but you know to repay a debt like that is almost impossible."
"But still I have to repay him."
Liz pleaded to the man that her mind was set in doing anything she can for Ren.
"Well, the only way to repay such debt is to live."
"Live?"
Liz was confused at the man's explanation.
"Well, you see the guy saved yah, so the only way to repay that is to live on and be happy, do what you want to do with your life for yourself."
Liz tilted her head down and slowly closed her eyes.
"Do what I want to do, and live for myself."
Liz nodded then smiled while jumping off the fence she had sat on.
"Thanks, mister I understand now."
As she ran off Liz waved goodbye to the old man.
"Alright, then thanks a lot sir I owe you one."
Ren had finished talking to the chief of the village and made his way up to the carriage to see Liz was no longer there.
"Well, this is how it should be."
Ren hopped on the carriage and began to leave.
#
A few hours had passed and the sun began to set, and the birds that had sung all morning had begun to grow silent.
-was it really for the best?
"Of course it was, besides I don't deserve to have a girl like her around me. I'm fine by... myself."
Ren looked down and let out a deep sigh.
There was truly no real reason she couldn't have stayed with Ren, but he was filled with anxiety when she was near him. Not only that, but he had truly felt happy that he found someone he could talk to and laugh with.
"I'm pathetic!"
Ren slouched down with sorrow and regret. As he rode Ren had hit a large bump leaving everything to bounce around in the back and along with that came "eh" like sound. Ren stopped the carriage to find the source of the strange noise. As he jumped off the sounds of movement rustled in the nearby bushes.
"Who's there?"
Ren yelled at the bushes only to see three men in dark black coats to emerge.
"Oh my, that's a nice ride you got your self."
The three were bandits looking to rob anyone who foolishly came across them. Ren reached to his pocket, but only to find his dagger has gone missing.
"Darn it of all times."
As the three drew closer a beautiful young girl rose from the top of the carriage.
"Liz is that you?"
"I'm sorry I didn't listen to you but..."
Liz backflips down next to Ren and pulls out the dagger he had lost. The three were not intimidated as in there eyes Liz was but a small weak girl.
"Ha, you're going to make this little girl fight!"
Liz angerly stomped the ground.
"Hey I have you know I'm eighteen, therefore, I'm a proper lady. Also, I'm am by no means weak."
Liz threw the dagger to the air while releasing a chant. After a few seconds, the dagger glowed red and flew towards the bandits knocking their weapons out of their hands.
"A dark magic user, I'm out of here."
The three men ran away stumbling into the forest and Ren immediately hugs Liz then steps back with a smile.
"Well, I guess you're stuck with me for now on then, by the way, you didn't hear anything earlier did you?"
"I only heard your cries of agony for leaving me behind."
Ren furrowed his brows with a little blush at the now smirking Liz.
"Why you little...."
With that, the two had reunited with smiles as Ren finally had accepted her to accompany him and his journey.
#
The next day had come by and as they rode to the next area Ren was having a conversation about Liz's potential.
"Alright, what do you know or can do that could help me and my business."
"Well unlike you I know how to read a map and I have some knowledge of things, that is compared to you."
Ren had told Liz that he lost his memories of everything since he knew if he told her he was from another world he would be labeled as a lunatic.
"Tsk, well I'm sorry for being so useless."
"Besides how did you come up with the idea of becoming a merchant if you know nothing."
"It seemed appropriate to me."
Liz let's out a sigh while lightly facepalming herself.
"Well, we're going to be coming into the city of Mono."
Liz let out a giggled then clung to Ren's right arm pressing his arm against her chest.
-whoa, it's soft, wait what am I saying.
Ren looked at her with a face that said "let go", she then removed herself and gave a pouty face.
"Hey there's the city, hopefully well can sell somethings here and make some cash." Ren had pointed out at the city that was coming up in the distance.
"Hold it right there what's your business here."
Two male guards were at the front of the entrance.
"I am a merchant and I'm here to sell some goods."
"I see and that girl, she your slave?"
"Actually she's my partner."
"Well whatever, just don't let her loose got it."
With this Liz became furious and stood up, but just as she stood to unleash her anger Ren turned to look her in the eyes only to have her sit back down remaining silent and angry.
"Hmph, well go right on in, everything checks out alright."
With that, the two had entered the city of Mono.
"I can't believe that guard, I mean seriously."
Liz was letting out all her anger from the guard's behavior towards her.
"Well it doesn't matter okay, I mean your my partner got it, not a slave!"
Liz smiled with a little blush on her cool undertoned face. The two of them walked to the cities market place. As they finished there business they started to head back, on their way Ren accidentally bumped into a man in a robe with white hair.
"Oh, pardon me."
"It's quite fine."
The man then noticed Liz that was standing next to Ren.
"By the way nice girl you have there, I'd keep her close by."
The man patted Ren's shoulder, Ren gave a wryly smile and continued to walk as the man disappeared into the crowd.
"Well he was creepy, definitely gave me the chills."
"Well, whatever it doesn't really matter."
Ren looked back only to see the crowd of people and no man in a robe. The next day came by and Ren was getting ready to set off while Liz was sitting on a stack of boxes swinging her legs back and forth.
"Hey, I could use some help here."
"Nah you seem just fine."
Liz continued swinging her legs with a smile while watching Ren. While Ren finished up a loud bang roared across the city followed by the screams of civilians.
The two rushed to the scene while passing panicking civilians Ren noticed a man running on the top of the roof in a short white robe. The man glanced at Ren and smiled, while taking out a dagger in his pocket and threw it right into Ren's left arm.
Ren screams in pain grasping the dagger logged into his front shoulder. With the sound of Ren's scream, Liz rushed to the carriage for some first aid, while Ren had ripped the dagger out of his shoulder. Just as he was about to throw the dagger to the ground he noticed a paper slip tied to the handle of the blade. Ren took the slip and read it, as he did he felt a cold chill running up his spine. The note read "do you want to go home?" Ren couldn't understand why, why now and who, who was that guy. Liz came running back with a roll of bandages, Ren crumbled the note and shoved it into his pocket.
"What was that?"
"It was just some garbage that flew by."
Liz's ear twitched and she gave a sad look in her face, she then walked up to Ren starting to bandage him up while purposely causing Ren's Shoulder to sting with pain from the disinfectant.
#
In another part of this world in a small dark cave were five white coated demons.
"Well, welcome back basilisk."
A man in a long white coat had welcomed back his commander from a long journey.
"Yes, it's nice to see you again Locust."
Another white coat had walked in the entrance of the cave while letting out a long yawn.
"Oh... hey... guys."
The women rubbed her sleepy eyes while slowly waving with the sound of chains that echoed from her left and right arms.
"Is that any way to act in front of the commander Widow?"
"Hey, now you know she can't help it cut her some slack."
Another man had come and interrupted Locust's complaints towards Widow.
"Tsk, Louse how nice to see you."
"Great there at it again, what numbers this at."
Widow turned around in excitement at the voice she had heard.
"Pieris I missed you, and I think playboy vs buzzkill thirty-four?"
Basilisk walked up to the four of them and spoke out.
"Alright, guys settle down! Phase one has been completed, we're ready for the next phase got it."
The four turned to face their leader and gave sinister smiles.
#
The day was cool and gentle, perfect for an evening strolling. There was only the sound of the Gyu's feet stomping the ground as he pulled the carriage along.
Suddenly there was high pitched yelp from what could possibly be a young animal. Liz full with curiosity looked around the area as we continued on, she then pointed out in front of Ren at a small orange fur ball in the right-hand side of the dirt path.
Ren pulls to stop the Gyu in its tracks as Liz leaped out of her seat running up to the orange animal. The orange animal had hurt it's back left leg, it must have been hit by passing carriage. While taking a closer look Ren noticed that the small animal was, in fact, a baby fox.
-wow, I'm surprised they let a normal animal in here rather than some crazy unknown creature.
The two of them proceeded with helping the injured fox.