S.Y. 641, Juo 22 4:22 S.Q. - Outside Unknown kingdom
[Bang! A loud noise erupts from the forest]
"What was that?"
[Temti, confused and surprised]
"I'm not sure we should hurry and check it out."
[Twilight]
[Temti & Twilight rush to the site of the noise]
[They arrive at the site of a burning castle village freshly attacked]
"So are you finally ready to cooperate again?"
[Hooded Stranger]
"Ne....never, you can go fuck yourself."
[Young Woman, spitting in strangers face]
"Oh...well, that's not nice of you."
[Hooded Stranger, cleaning himself off]
*Bang*
[Throws body to the pole of other dead villagers]
"Guess we'll just have to ask you instead, Miss Mayor."
[Hooded Stranger]
"I'll never tell you anything."
[Miss Mayor]
"Oh, you will unless you want to see your villagers shot or gutted one by one."
[Hooded Stranger]
"I promise you the moment I am free I will kill you!"
[Miss Mayor]
"Well, you've just killed your townspeople then Miss Mayor."
[Hooded Stranger, approaching the crowd of villagers]
"Wait, don't please! Not my son!"
[Mother]
"This isn't my fault, lady. Blame Miss Mayor."
[Hooded Stranger]
*Bang*
Smoke rises from the barrel of the Hooded Strangers weapon. As the smoke clears a shock of realization hits the atmosphere. The boy was still alive. Unknown to the rest of the villagers, during the chaos and commotion another stranger had lunged himself in front of the young child.
"I thought today was going to be just another regular day."
[Other Stranger]
"Who are you?!"
[Hooded Stranger, outraged]
"The name Twilight, and I see you must be named bully the way you're attacking these people."
[Twilight, overall impressed with himself]
"Repeat that one more time? What did you say your name is again. "
[Hooded Stranger, with a smirk]
"Twi...twilight"
[Twilight, a little confused]
"Oh, today must be my lucky day huh. To think I'd take down this stupid village and find a prize like you here too."
[Hooded Stranger]
"What do you mean by a prize?"
[Twilight]
"Don't worry boy, you will soon find out."
[Hooded stranger, charging towards Twilight]
"Is this dude charging at me? How lame, Oh okay, and with a sword, this will be fun. I'll just show him how strong I am."
[Twilight, thinking]
We clashed swords and I could tell by his face he was shocked. He then tried to slash me but I dashed behind him and jumped to attack him. He seemed to have some quick reflexes as well because he blocked me almost instantly. We then both dashed away from each other.
"Oh, so I guess you're going to put up a fight then."
[Hooded Stranger]
"Well duh, after you gave me that look I'm never letting you near me."
[Twilight]
"Hmph, no matter then. I guess he never said to bring you back alive anyway."
[Hooded Stranger]
This dude charged at me again but he seemed different. Faster, like he had been holding back this whole time. We began to clash, strike for strike. He grazed my cheek a few times and I grazed him as well. The battle seemed like it would take a while, but that's good. I'm just a distraction for now. I've got to buy time while Temti tries to help the others. We can't let this happen...it's...it's just like that day.
"Shit my arm. I'll have to step back for a bit."
[Twilight, thinking]
"Hmph, see I told you it's only a matter of time."
[Hooded Stranger, stopping his onslaught]
"I let you do that, you dumbass. I was getting bored and wanted to see if I could fight with my eyes closed."
[Twilight, with a cocky smile]
"Shit that fucking hurt I was not paying attention."
[Twilight, thinking while drinking a potion]
"So will you give up then?"
[Hooded Stranger]
"No...I think I'll stop holding back as well."
[Twilight, as Temti gives the signal]
"Now that Temti has given me the signal I can go all out. Let me try this new skill."
[Twilight, thinking]
[Activating Skill: Shadow Step]
Once the skill activated I began to disappear into the shadows. Dashing straight for him, and at the last minute he sensed my attack and blocked. We clashed heavily and I saw the surprise in his eyes. This fight was mine. I came out of the shadows to keep it fair but kept the ability on for the speed boost. I then dashed at him and we began a series of clashes. He would swing and I would intercept, then I would slash and he would intercept. Eventually, I got the better of him, and from there it was over. Strike after strike I landed, but I missed any vital points on purpose. He may be evil but he deserves to live. Eventually, we both take a step back from each other, assessing the damage you could say. I definitely didn't get away completely unharmed.
"You're...you're much better than I expected."
[Hooded Stranger, exhausted]
"Yeah, you've already said that."
[Twilight]
"I don't think I'll be able to beat this kid. I should retreat."
[Hooded Stranger, thinking]
"Well it was nice meeting you, I'll have to catch you later."
[Hooded Stranger, running away]
"Well, that was kind of anti-climatic."
[Twilight, a little disappointed]
I then headed to where Temti should be. It seems he was able to rescue all the villagers and get them out in time. Then a woman with a young child and baby, as well as the Mayor, approached me.
"I just wanted to say thank you. You saved my son's life."
[Young Woman, giving Twilight a hug]
"Thank you, strange mister."
[Young Child]
[The Woman and her children walk away and the mayor approaches]
"I also wanted to thank you for saving my people. I'm not sure what would have happened if you hadn't come. How can we ever repay you?"
[Mayor]
"You're welcome, and you do not have to worry about it. We just happened to be in the area."
[Twilight]
"Oh no, but I insist you let us repay you for the trouble."
[Mayor, pausing after to think]
"I know why don't you stay for a bit longer, our Harvest Moon Festival is coming up, it would be a great time to explore."
[Mayor, excited about her idea]
"We really shouldn't...we.."
[Twilight, a little reluctant]
"I will not take no for an answer, I'm insisting you come. Just come by my house up there when you're ready to talk more about it."
[Mayor, pointing at the house upon the hill]
The Mayor then offered Temti and me a place to get some rest. It was at the local inn. Seeing how we've been living in a cave for 7 years we jumped at the chance. The next day came and we headed over to the Mayor's home. The distance was further than we thought.
On the bright side, it seems the mayor must be into plants. You could see hundreds of different kinds on the way. From Mining Plants to regular exotic flowers. It was worth the climb just on its own. When we entered though there was an even bigger surprise. In the center of her home was a huge plant, it looked like a Mining Plant but it wasn't one I'd ever seen before. It had this rainbow color to it, where the more you moved the more it would turn itself from one to another. It glistened in the dimmest of lights. Temti and I were mesmerized by its beauty.