Nemma and Sion stood at the door. Rain was still falling outside. Heavy raindrops could be heard as they fell on wooden roofs. Nemma was standing behind Sion, tightly holding a sleeve of his robe with both of her hands.
Over 30 men turned their heads at them. Sion felt as if their eyes penetrated directly through him, staring at Rune. Could they feel him? He didn't know..
Sion started slowly walking towards the bartender, he had to take the keys and head straight for their room. If he was to run outside now, they would be too suspicious. He had to keep going. Sion stood at the bar, Nemma was still standing behind him, Sion felt her shaking.
" Welcome young gentleman and-.. young girl " bartender said with a smile. Sion looked at him, and then looked at Nemma. It is better if he took one room, he couldn't leave her alone. Sion coughed and said: " One room, please ".
He then froze and widened his eyes. He had no money!
~ Damn it... what was I thinking!
Sion looked down and coughed in his robe several times. " Rune-...! " he tried saying quietly. Someone touched his shoulders and pulled him back. He turned around and was standing in Rune's world.
" What? " Rune was standing silently.
" Well you see.. I have a question... " Sion was scratching his head. He continued " Ya' got any coins? " he asked.
Rune crossed his arms. He nodded. " I have plenty of gold coins, remains of my former host. " he said.
Sion nodded, " I'll need to use Collection, to get them outside. I don't have any coins to pay the bartender.. " he said. Rune knew it though, he saw everything Sion did.
[ WOOSH ]
Sion was standing in the bar once again. He leaned his head down again and whispered " Collection! "
[ Ability Collection activated, 30 gold coins received ]
Sion reached his hands in his robe and pulled out 5 gold coins. He placed them in the bar and slid them to bartender. Giant man with long beard took the coins and handed them the key. Both of them rushed upstairs.
They entered and locked the door behind them.
The room was small, it had one bed and two nightstands next to it. One large wardrobe was located right next to the entry. Nothing much could be said.. room looked as if wasn't cleaned for months. Corners were inhabited by spiders sitting on their webs. Floor was made of wooden planks and was filthy. Candles were standing on both nightstands, they were already lit.
" One bed huh? I'll sleep on the floor " he took off his white robe.
[ Ability Collection activated, robe stored ]
He was now wearing a baggy white blouse. He was also wearing black baggy pants. He had a belt with a golden symbol on it. He searched the wardrobe for something to but on ground to sleep on. He found a large blanket and placed it down next to the bed.
" You should get some sleep, tomorrow we should find you some new clothes and footwear. I'm not sure where we should head yet... I'm looking for people I can rely on. I want to create a team of people to lead against 8 Heavenly Empires. Nemma looked at him with surprised expression. She looked sad a moment later. " I-.. you won't have any use of me... " she said. Sion giggled, " That's not true, you see.. something crossed my mind earlier-.. ".
He looked at his hands, " You've carried me to the boat yesterday.. if you had touched my hands then, I would've killed you.. My Reapers touch is a passive ability.. you're lucky I'm wearing gloves. " he looked worried. Nemma approached him. She took his hands in her's. She pulled off his gloves. " Hey! " he moved away. She got close again. She once again reached for his hands, but Sion raised them in the air. Nemma looked at his eyes, " Trust me... " she said.
Sion lowered his hands, he showed very worried expression. Nemma grabbed his hands in her's. Nothing happened. Sion was shocked. " But how? " he didn't know what to say. Nemma looked at him and gently spoke: " I promise you, one day I will explain everything.. time just isn't right yet.. ".
[ BANG, CRASH ]
Something made loud noise in the bar. Neither of them had energy nor need to explore. It was better if they went to sleep immediately, and so they did..
[ Runes voice: Sion wake up ]
Sion opened his eyes. It was morning already. He was sleeping on the floor. His hair was messy and he was thirsty.
~Huh, what do you want Rune?
Sion starched and cracked his knuckles.
[ Runes voice: Nemamiah left to the toilet some time ago. She hasn't returned. Loud banging and noise continued throughout the night.. It appears Hunters were drinking the entire night, and considering she isn't here, you should go and find her ]
Sion jumped up and looked around. She was really gone, her bed was intact. It appears.. she slept down next to him. She must've waited until he fell asleep. Was she scared of the Hunters?
" Where is she?! " Sion yelled.
[ Ability Collection activated, Gilanndi dagger added ]
He rushed outside of the room and descended the stairs. When he was halfway through the staircase, he heard Nemma crying. She wept: " No, please.. stop... not again-... ". Sion jumped down and found himself in bar. He saw everything now. His dagger fell to the ground, he lost strength in his arms and legs. He fell to his knees, his eyes widened. The shock he felt at the moment was like nothing before.
Nemma was covered in blood. She was crying and covering her face with her hands. But the blood wasn't her's... Bar was filled with tens of dead Hunters. Floor covered in blood, Nemma was standing among the corpses in a pool of their blood. She wept again " S-stop... leave me alone.. stop doing this.. ". Sion wasn't sure what he was looking at. A purplish shadow was visible around her.
[ Runes voice: Dear Creator.. from what depths of Hell did a creature like that escape.. ]
It was bluntly obvious that Nemma possessed something powerful and ominous. Considering Rune's reaction, no good news were being considered.
Sion took a deep breath. He started approaching her. As he got close, shadow disappeared.
" Nemma-... " he said quietly. She continued crying.
" Nemma! " he grabbed her shoulders and started shaking her. She looked at him with teary eyes and bloody handprint on her face.