Two individuals plus one white birdy sprinted down a narrow alleyway trying to flee their pursuers.
*Fwip!* *Fwip!*
Ducking under a couple arrows, the Heretic looked back toward a couple guardsman who had unloaded their crossbows at them. However, that was the least of their problems. Overhead, a troop of elves rained spells and arrows down on the two.
This chase had already lasted over an hour and it showed. The fugitives were pincushioned with arrows, especially the armoured undead. Not that the undead even cared about them, he still kept his inhumane speed.
"Seems like the Heretic hasn't discovered the powers of his bloodline yet,"
"Phew, seems like we came at a good time, otherwise he might be impossible to kill later on,"
Two elves discussed as they kept the pressure on the Heretic.
Although, fallen races are discovered every now and then, although difficult to kill, won't incur too many losses. However, the Heretics, the ringleaders of the fallen races, are on another level compared to the mainstream fallen races, after all, to be able to organise and keep the fallen races in check took a substantial amount of individual power.
As such, it made perfect sense, why the Heretics were such a danger to this realm, even to the point of banishing the gods which kept the realm in a balance. That being so if a Heretic is ever found, the strongest of forces would have to be dispatched to even stand a chance against them. A true stroke of luck that this particular one hadn't awakened its powers or this city would already be dust.
*Swish!*
But as the two conversed a sudden change occurred! Swinging his scythe in a semi circle behind him, he released a pink blade light type attack on his hunters on the rooftops.
Due to the sudden counterattack, one of the elves was unable to react in time. Her head being cleanly lopped off.
"Avianna? Noo!"
However, as the other elf grieved, time wouldn't stop just for him, taking advantage of this turn in events, the bird too launched its own essence blades at him. Ripping him to shreds.
This single action made the pursuers all realize something. They were underestimating him too much, if the Heretic were to turn around and actually start fighting, they wouldn't even find time to say their prayers. This put hesitation between their steps, as they felt a primal fear for their lives. If the Heretic turned around and started fighting, they would be nothing more than prey for a predator. And the history of ages past had shown that the Heretics were apex predators even to the point of competing against the gods.
This brief reprieve was all the Heretic needed. His speed drastically increased as he disappeared out of sight. Fleeing successfully.
…
[Grade A Quest: Inquisition !
Failed !]
"What? Did he escape,"
Catching up to the pursuing party, he could see that they were investigating the area as the captains barked orders.
"What happened?" he asked a Knight nearby.
The Knight cleanly summarized the events being that the Heretic created an opening which slowed them down, allowing him to escape. However, he also noted that the Heretic should still be in the city, and that search parties would be dispatched to look throughout the city whilst the guards manning the walls were to be tripled. The elves from before had also disappeared following the Heretic's escape.
"Anyway, Sir Hero, I think it best that we go back to your accommodation, the city lord would most likely want to have a word with you as well," The Knight indirectly told the Hero to bugger off.
Going to the city lord's manor, the Hero was directly brought to the city lord's office. He had not bothered to remember his name, but it wasn't like he was ever going to meet him again. Walking through the neat hallways, it wasn't nearly as grandiose as the royal palace, but that should be expected. He was just a one shot character anyways.
…
"That Hero isn't normal," Savage said, as he plucked out arrows from his armour. They were hiding in a rundown orphanage as Jeffrey stared at him.
"Damn straight, in fact, it doesn't feel like he's from this realm,"
This statement took Savage by surprise. Not from this realm? What did that mean?
"What do you mean by that? Actually, now that we're safe for now, mind telling me?"
Tell what?
"About why he called you a Heretic, that is,"
"I dunno,"
Savage audibly facepalmed. Although he couldn't change this situation, he would at least like to know how he got into this mess.
"No, better question, why did you kill that lady?" regaining his composure, he slowly asked about the key point that actually started this whole predicament in his echoey voice.
"I dunno,"
?! Savage felt like strangling the guy. He didn't know whether the guy was being an arse on purpose or if he was just that clueless.
Deep breathes, deep breathes. Well, he would take deep breaths if he could still breathe…
"I mean, I felt like killing her,"
Did this guy have no control over his impulses? Was he a kid or something?
"What do you mean by that?" he spoke again in a measured tone.
Mulling over this question, Jeffrey soon found his answer.
"Some guy did say that I didn't smell human,"
"The hell?"
Jeffrey perked up at the mention of Hell.
"Wait, d'you know him?"
There seemed to be a knowledge gap between them.
"Who are you talking about?"
"ANts Man?"
Why was there a question mark!? Are you even unsure of the people you talk to?
"Who is he?"
"He's an ANt,"
An ant? Okay, that cleared all previous doubts and suspicions. Savage had a hunch that this might be the case. For some unexpected reason, he was drawn to this interesting fellow, and it seemed that he had some kind of affinity for death and darkness, which for mortals would usually cause insanities and manic episodes such as what had happened not too long ago.
The lad most likely had a delusion of talking to an ant, which wasn't the most far fetched story he'd heard before, and it would explain the facts behind the previous events.
Having settled that problem, now he had to think of a way out of here. It was clear that Jeffrey seemed to still be stuck in a delusion right now, so asking him for input was a big no.
Seeming how the Hero had persuaded everyone that Jeffrey was a Heretic, this place was basically a death trap. The walls would most certainly be heavily guarded, not to mention that the elves had already exposed their involvement. It won't be easy to leave the city.
But wait… there might be a legitimate way out of this hell hole.