She was still stunned in the moments meanwhile; the crowd's gazes were fixed upon the two. Hatim glanced to Athena while she took the steps forward leaving the situation behind and ignoring all beside. Hatim did the same but as then, saw his money pouch onto the ground. He glimpsed the crowd, then turn it to his pouch with hesitation and after some pause, he grabs the pouch firmly and just then calmly followed Athena. They walked into the City and viewed it from inside. Despite having a corrupt system, Melidiona was still filled with merchants who have various goods selling in their stall. Wool, silk, carved wearing, and cotton could be found easily here from one-corner to another. And in this kind of City, words speared fast. The name Black-cloaked and a long-haired Lad with a weapon are known for defeating eminent Ruffians, was jumping in everyone's ear and soon later, eyes were confirming them with distress. Even after leaving the situation behind, the glares still did not leave their tail which makes it difficult for them to travel. Hatim peek at Athena while she glanced to him. It was clear, they were blaming each other for the outcome and were holding bitterness, but still muted their voices. However, then… "Wait, wait, wait, WAIT!!" She yells to spin their sights onto her while running towards the two with speed. She ran to catch up to them along dragging him by hand, and soon, stood in front of them with a large smile which he had never seen before up until this moment. "Age twelve, gender girl, and named Zera!" She introduces herself with a rapid tongue. "And this is my butler, Cleo!" She included. However, upon hearing her name, Hatim replies troublingly. "Huh?" Athena stood for a while but then walked away. Hatim was still unknown about how to proceed but, as well decided to abandon. While Zera follows them and keeps her talks. "So, you guys are not from here…" She paused "But the brawl you made was awesome!" She said while Cleo hesitantly pulled her as to say. "We cannot be involved with them!" He said something very correct, but Zera was in no mood to turn back now. She saw the two walking towards the North and thought of an incredible idea. "If you are headed for the North, then forget about it!" She said and peeked their attention. Hatim spun to her and asks calmly. "What do you mean by that?" A smug appeared onto her face, along so she replies. "You see, on the Northern side there is Leos!" She continues "Well, you guys must have heard of an event ten years ago…" Before she could say more, Hatim interrupts. "Yes, we know about that. Get to the point!" His tone changed little into anger, as Zera resumed a little bit of afraid. "Well, you see, after that event, Melidiona is sealed from Leos…"
"Seal?!" Hatim let out absolutely confused. However, Zera did not continue from that point on and gestured him to come closer along with a whisper. "I can't say more, right here…" She hinted to look around and saw everyone gawking at them with distress and soon later some number of people found walking to their path in a group and glaring at everyone intensely. Cleo's heart skipped knowing who they were while Zera grabbed the two by clothes and pulled them in an alley. "The Ruffians you encountered were just a fragment of (Fortis)'' Fortis, a unity of ones who rules and becoming the law of southern Artelia. Melidiona was once City of merchants and provided stocks by nobles. However, after a certain event, the stock supplies came to end. With no goods to sell, the unknown citizens decided to unwrap their arms against pirates which are resulted in the outcome present. Slowly, those pirates make Melidiona their base and gave birth to Fortis. "Now, they loot, mug, and even supply forbidden weapons openly, and whoever opposes, their death will be assured!" Zera explained and continued with bitterness. "Making senseless rules which only serve benefits to them," After some, pause, she regained her composure and says "However, Fortis as well has to follow some rules to make an eligible balance…" Zera finished as leading the two to a motel deep in the alley. "Why?" Athena broke the silence and asked a natural question. "Why are you helping us?" Hatim was wondering as well but did not want to insult her helping, and that made him mute. Zera stood quiet for a specific time and soon says as smiled. "I will demand it after I'll evacuate you from Melidiona!" She changed her stares into serious. Athena still does have doubts but, this is the only path out from here and so remains to no words. But Cleo, who stands beside her, knew exactly the reason of Zera's doing. He solid his fist and gaze at Hatim out of fear but also grief. Hatim glanced to him just as swiftly Cleo spun his sights other-way-around.
Sun decided to fall below and half of the moon received the order to shine. Cleo was above the roof of the motel with sombre on his own and was preparing to leave for home but just wanted to talk with the moon and so, sat alone with questions whose answers he did not know. Soon after a long silence, steps headed to him and sat beside him. The person was Hatim and upon seeing him, Cleo feared till death knowing, he stood next to a criminal, but Hatim began the conversation. "You were giving incredible vibes to me earlier. Is there any reason?" Cleo's fear rose even more and so, he silently trembled and brought stillness in the atmosphere, but Hatim began again. "You adore her…" After a certain silence, Cleo's top blasted with red. "Huh!?!" He said unknown to words but Hatim did not bother to smile or even smirk and just took a sip from his tea while gazing at the moon above. Cleo was under pressure but still chose to continue the conversation. "Yes…"
"Confessed yet?" Hatim asked with another gulp of his tea. Cleo's face got rosier but still proceeds. "I can not!" He continued as sadness climbed onto his voice. "She has a dream…" Hatim did not say another word and just stared at the beautiful moon.
After settling the two for a day, Zera and Cleo went for their home. It was night but not a dark one because the merchant's stalls were still in place and Melidiona was still bright. Zera walks in front with a great mood while Cleo follows her quietly but whispering in thoughts. "Are you sure…" Cleo decided to speak after towering his conclusions in his head. Zera stood, no words yet left her but then, spun to him with the same smile, he has never seen and replies brightly. "Yes!" But, Cleo was not satisfied and let out. "Let me be there…" Zera expressions changed to anger. "At least until, the Journey of Melidiona…" Her mood worsened but not let the tongue do its job and continued her walk and after her reply, Cleo's face embraced by a tiny smile. The twelve-year-old children. Still do not know many words to express. Yet, know a fraction of life and agreed to walk on that thin and sharp as a hair life ahead. But little they know, the dream they glimpse is far beyond from their fate…
Sun pulled out of the horizon, and Zera was in the motel along with Cleo, peeking from the window to assure any Fortis members. She glanced at him while he stood beside her watching for the same objective, as after some number of minutes, she walked over to another window, as he followed her. Zera tried again to change position but he unknowingly followed her thinking; she may have found Fortis. She stood to glare at him intensely and after seeing her gaze upon him, Cleo notices and asks firmly. "Um… Is there anything?" And by that, he raised her mood to be actually irritated as she informs him. "You know, if your mother even got a hunch of our doing, she will kill both of us. First me and then, you!" Cleo stays quiet for a few moments as along says, adopting a stupid smug. "Don't worry, I have handled it!" She gawked with exactly knowing what is going on in his head but, even if, it is a foolish plan of sending other kids with various excuses to his mother. It Does buy a few times, so she accepted it. After the conversation, she headed to the two as precisely entering in the room of one and reaching another to the roof. "We have to move!" Zera said after gathering altogether. "The path out of the City is two-hour-long by camel. However…" Her tone became serious. "Along with hiding… It might take us three to four days!" Upon hearing, others came to be troubled, though, knowing the urgency of the situation, Athena moved forth assay. "Regardless, we are to move now!" Her voice echoed throughout the room as it also making clear the outcome if to deny her! Zera grew worried about the unavoidable confront with Fortis if goes in the open. However, just then an idea crossed her mind as it left an evil smirk. She reaches her hand to Hatim and says brightly. "Give me your money!" Precisely as certainly lead him to utter confusion while departing his only words onto lips. "What?!"
The two walks onto Melidiona streets out in the open sky. However, something seems different and that became noticed. Hatim wore a white turban with a shiny white silky outfit with various wooden carvings in hand and neck. But most astonishing was his heavy-beard which he never had before! Zera walks in front along with Cleo while Athena walks by their side in the same Black Cloak. Seeing only himself being apart led him to uncertainties as he asks, pulling Zera behind. "Why, I'm the only one in these weird clothes!?" Zera stood, gestured to approach close as whisper after reached. "Well, I tried but, it's just, she won't listen!" She lows her tune even further. "You see, girls have their own problems! She might be not very beautiful and wanted to hide it?!" After listening, Hatim stood, no reaction was on. He blinks his eyes a few times and glared at Zera innocent expressions. He decided, to be quiet…
After some silence, he let Zera go in front and walked behind. It was for the lookout all-around and be aware of Fortis from any direction. Hatim swirl eyes simultaneously with swift momentum, enough to not attract any suspicion but soon the gazes stopped after Zera runs for silver bracelets on a stall while Cleo hesitantly followed. He quietly smiled but that moment did not stay long and faded after a certain memory appears into his eyes of a girl, he once knew, with a similar name and fondness as her. And at that minute, he swallowed in the depths of the past. Her smile, her love for bracelets, her tiny voice. All were there in farther memories but not here, and this sole might be the result of what happened next. She spun her sights to him and in that portion of time, a figure collided into him. His turban fell, revealed his long hairs along with his Dagger which brings down forth with him on knees. The man who struck offered his arm. Hatim rolls his head to him but after the two men eyes met, an utter confusion created. It was confusion or else? No one knows, but what happens afterwards was…