Where did he even come from, Jamal had to know, as they walked down the stairs inside. The place looked abandoned by the looks of it, as they finally reached the front, and back to the open. Taking a good breath again, he looked behind to make sure they weren't being followed. He could still see the light trail of blood in the other direction and away from them. Can't believe it took that much for them to run away, what a bunch of cowards, he gladly pondered.
"So it seems like you survived this far, lucky man." Hops said without looking at him, "Anywhere, where's the rest of them."
"I should ask you the same. Where have you been?" Jamal replied, pointing towards the direction he came from.
"Hm, I hopped out of the carriages once we got here and explored the rest of this place?" he added, "You guys wanted to wait for me or something? I'm trying to find somewhere to sleep."
"Mmm, how are you doing so fine? You must have saved me from getting out of the tournament and I didn't see you in the arena when I woke up again. I have so much to ask."
"First, no problem, and I was told you won so good job there. Second, injured pretty bad, but when you live in a world with powers that can cure just about anything, you come back strong. And last, don't ask more questions as I see your girlfriend and the rest of them."
Walking closer, Jamal could see Fonda point at him, and Ula turning around to face disapproving.
"Well, I found hi-" he said, before getting slapped in the face, causing him to fall to the ground.
"Dang! That's tough!" Hops had to laugh.
"That's not funny! And what's wrong with you, Jamal? Brat should've known better, but you were disrespectful to him, and then you came back like nothing happened! I don't know if we should be together if you keep acting like this." she told him furiously.
"Wait, no, I'm sorry! Where's Brat? I'll go find him." Jamal quickly got back up and looked around for him.
Facing Hops, Ula asked him where he had been all this time.
"Living alone for a bit. They have some nice places here that no one lives in, not going to lie. Saving up so much money. Another update, we can't leave the city, at least normally. I'll explain with fewer people in the area." he casually told her.
"What do you mean? We can walk out of here at any time, it's not that hard," she announced to him.
"Ok, yall have anywhere we can be in private. Maybe your boyfriend will lead us to wherever y'all been living." Hops said, pointing at Jamal rushing at Ula, with Brat behind him.
"See, I said sorry. He said he was wrong and forgave me. We on good terms now right?" Jamal sputtered towards her.
"Hmmm, I'll let it slide it this one time. But you haven't been yourself lately. I just want to see the real Jamal again." she said, walking past him.
"Yeah, um, anyway, I'll show where we've been lately," he grumbled, leading the way.
They traveled along the road leading to the hotel, as they saw a commotion in the distance with people standing around, watching a man shouting at them. Ignoring it, they went past the hotel entrance and into the courtyard, before stopping in front of the hotel door.
"The place looks nice, but it isn't as good as what I found." Hops laughed off, as Jamal opened the door.
Rushing to get a seat by the table, Hops placed his feet ontop as he laid back, watching the others looking at him.
"Anyway, I'll get to the point. There is no escape, at least by normal means anymore." he causally told them.
"What! What do you mean by that!" Ula cried out to him in confusion.
"Ever since the attacks, all the main and major roads have been blocking those from leaving or entering the city, unless you carrying supplies into here. Other than that, you got to escape through one of the side roads." Hops explained.
"Ok, then what? We get out of here, then we risk getting captured by Youden or someone else?" Jamal looked at him while saying so.
"I mean the nearest town is ten miles in Youden's direction, or the safer one, about fifteen miles away from him, at least that's what someone told me. I could make the journey just fine, it's just that y'all would slow me down."
"Why don't we hitch a ride on a supply carriage? We could get out easily." Fonda added.
"And where would you go once you get out here if you all do?" he eyed them, getting up from the seat.
"We don't really know, I guess. Someone tried to jump me and take me to a place called Yerni, but I never heard of it." Jamal said.
"I let y'all come up with a nation to live in. Jamal, come find me again when you know where you guys want to hide out in." Hops said, opening the door and running off in the distance.
"Yo, where are you going?" Jamal rushed through the door opening, barely catching his shadow disappearing in the distance.
"Didn't he say he had a place?" Brat muttered, speaking again after a long break of silence.
"Doesn't matter, but right now we need to figure out what it will take to escape this place, and not come back until the time has come." Jamal spoke to them with confidence.
They had to leave soon, and Jamal didn't have time to deal with any issues on the way. They better get searching, and quickly.