Rune and Sion stood across each other. Sion was confused; " N-new ability? You mean Devils Contract? I know that alre-.."
" No Sion! Not Devils Contract! " Rune interrupted " I'm talking about Aura Freeze, it seems you've unlocked it a moment ago when Nemma was in danger. It's your 7th ability, and it's the only one TRULY yours. ". Rune was smiling; " Listen, Aura Freeze works in a certain proximity of you, 30 meters I would say. It immediately freezes EVERYTHING that has less energy than you. Yet another perfect ability for you. " Rune said " Oh yeah, one more thing.. I've made all your abilities stop being passive, you've got quite few now, and if you want to use them you'll have to activate them, I don't want history to repeat. "
Sion was nodding. " Right of The Weakest, Reapers Touch, Justice Ground, Collection, Life Cycle, Devils Contract and Aura Freeze... those are all huh? " he smiled. Sion looked at Rune; " Life Cycle still needs 100 days before I can activate it... I don't have enough souls to use Devils Contract and Aura Freeze is burning up my energy way too quickly to be usable mid battle.. Have I understood everything correctly? ". Rune confirmed with a nod. Both of them were now standing quietly, smiling.
[CRASH, CRASH]
The world collapsed, Sion was lying next to Nemma. He coughed several times. Now that he was in the real world again, aftermath of Aura Freeze took effect. His energy was almost completely drained out, he felt weak and his skin was pale. By slowly turning his head, he looked at Nemma. She was looking at him already. She started approaching him, but all of a sudden, his vision started going blurry. This was all a familiar situation to them.
[SLAP]
" Eh? " Sion mumbled. Nemma slapped him; " DON'T FALL ASLEEP AGAIN! " she yelled. Her eyes were teary and she looked scared. " D-do you know how heavy you are!? " she closed her eye and almost started crying. Sion laughed. He turned around and pushed himself up; " Don't worry... I got this *cough* *cough* ".
Sion wrapped his arm around her neck and leaned on her. Both of them started walking towards the village again.
Wind was still blowing, and it got only colder and colder. Occasional stick flew past and left a scratch on their clothes or skin. Sion didn't have enough energy to use any of the abilities, if a similar situation happened to them, he wouldn't be able to protect them.
" SION, LOOK-! " she yelled and pointed ahead. A faint light could be seen. Both of them looked at each other and headed towards it.
[WOOSH]
Wind was still blowing.
Cold air was still making their skin freeze.
But now they were close, giving up wasn't an option.
Moving was hard for both of them. With each step Sion felt as if he is collapsing. Nemma didn't have enough muscles to help Sion walk this long, she was helping him with sheer will force by now. They were both filled with bruises and cuts. Nemma stopped feeling her fingertips some moments ago. Sion started losing consciousness, everything was going dark.
A pebble flew by and hit Sion in the knee. He stumbled and fell down. He was no longer protected by aura, he was as strong and resistant as a 5th Class, regular human being. Nemma grabbed him for the blouse he was wearing and started pulling him towards the light. Wind blew, robe Sion gave her got blown off. She grabbed his wrists and pulled him while walking backwards.
Wooden houses were clearly visible now, streets were filled with torches. No one was outside. Nemma and Sion walked slowly. They were several meters from passing through the gate, something caught them off guard; wind wasn't blowing as strong as it did before. They were now beneath the village gate. Nemma took one last step backwards and fell on her back, they were now in the village. But...
Wind wasn't blowing anymore. Air wasn't freezing. Village was covered in snow but it felt slowly and gently. Sion and Nemma were lying on the very entrance. Neither was moving.. Light flashed over them; " Hey, somebody is here! ". Several villagers saw them and ran up to them.
Sion couldn't open his eyes.. His breath was getting slower along with his heartbeats. Sion focused all of his remaining energy he had to his hearing, he tried locating Nemma around him. She was nowhere to be heard. Beside his he felt no breathing nor heartbeat. Villagers arrived, it was now different. He felt 9 other heartbeats beside his.
" Pick them up-... " one of them yelled. Sion's hearing was going dull now... He started losing consciousness quickly. With his last remaining seconds he heard a conversation; " ...-take them somewhere warm, to my house for now.. "
" Hey chief.. should we uhm... take both of them? " he asked.
" Yeah boss.. one of them-... isn't breathing... "
[3 days later]
" Get your boots of my table Santiago! " old man yelled.
Old man's name was Kai, he was a man in charge of the livestock this village had. His skin was filled with wrinkles and pores. He had black eyes, white short mustache and bald head. He wore a straw hat with a feather attached to it. Kai wore a long sleeved white shirt with a dark blue vest over it. His pants were much wider than his legs were. On his feet a pair of brown boots could be seen shining. If you met this man in public, it would be bluntly obvious he was a farmer. It was also kind of funny since he was very short.
" You kids these days are too cocky! " he yelled once again. He was frowning.
" Being a member of Sons of Freedom isn't an excuse to act like a spoiled brat *cough* *cough*! "
Kai was yelling at a man in his late 20's, early 30's. That man was sitting in a chair next to the fireplace. He was holding his feet on the desk that belonged to Kai, they were in his house. Santiago was looking at his silver, sharp dagger. He would occasionally spin it around his hand, throw it in the air or stab the air with it.
" You took your meds old man? " he asked with a grin.
Santiago was about 1,9 meters tall (6"4'). His build was muscular and well defined. He wore a long black coat with an armband around his shoulder, a symbol of skull was on it. On his back there was a yellow star sewn into his coat with a writing ' Sons of Freedom '. His hair was blonde and slicked back. He had blue eyes with a thin but long scar underneath his left eye, it almost reached his lips. He had no facial hair. On his waist there was a belt with one unsheathed dagger, other one was in his hands right now.
" Stop screwing around with me, what do you want Santiago?! " Kai started approaching him but stopped, he didn't want to get too close. Man raised his arms in the air and punched air few times in anger; " I've already paid you for your job last month! Deal was clear, you take care of the creature in the cave near this village and I pay you 200 gold coins! ". Santiago stood up and walked up to the man that seemed like a child next to him; " First of all, it was a cave infested with high class cursed monsters, I've ran out of equipment in middle of my mission just because you've given me false information.. Second of all, deal was 300 gold coins Kai.. You're lucky I didn't burn you and your livestock alive while you were asleep... " his voice was surprisingly soft, yet quite fearsome.
Kai took few steps back; " Y-you... you wouldn't dare! This village... Your village is still here because of me! If I weren't to provide us with food we would perish! " he yelled. Santiago looked out of the window; " There are plenty capable villagers that could do your job... And Kai-... This was your last time you've threatened me by mentioning this village.. " his eyes locked on Kai. Kai felt as if his soul has been ripped out by Devil itself. He bowed his head down; " I-I understand, I'm sorry Santi, just... take your money and leave my house! " he pulled out a pouch with gold and threw it to him.
Santiago spread his arms and leaned forward a bit in sign of gratitude and turned around. He walked up to the door and opened the door, but he didn't leave though. Santiago turned his head and looked at Kai; " Tell me one more thing.. I've returned this morning... I couldn't not notice the rumors about some outsider that got here 3 days ago? " he waited for the answer.
Kai crawled to a chair and helped himself up by grabbing it. He mumbled stuff on the way and cussed here and there. After he stood up he cracked his back and picked up his hat. He then looked at Santiago; " Hmm, yes yes... 3 days ago some boy and girl arrived here.. But I don't know anything, they are located in Lori's house, he's a doctor not me go ask him! " the old man frowned again.
Santiago grinned and let out a quiet laugh. He exited the house and closed the door behind him. Snow was still falling, it always does in this village, but it's falling softly and slowly, so it doesn't pile up quickly. Santiago had his hands in coat's pockets, he walked through the streets of Greyre with a smile on his face. People that passed next to him would always bow slightly and greet him, he would always respond back. While he was walking, he seemed as a guardian of the village, people respected him, but not feared him.
" Hey~ Santi~ Is that you~ " an old, weak voice said next to him. Santiago turned and saw an old lady walking up to him. She was full of wrinkles and bent forward. Her eyes weren't quite visible from her eyebrows. Her hair was white and thin. She was holding a bag full of onions and cabbages, in other hand she was holding a walking cane. " Granny Clara, nice to see you! " he approached her and leaned forward a bit. " May I help you? " he took her bag in one hand and straightened up, granny held his arm to ease off her back pain. She smiled at him, she was missing a few teeth; " Thank you~ Santi dear! You've always been so kind~ to me~ " she said while catching breath. Santiago and granny Clara were walking the streets slowly. Santiago was still smiling all the time; " Tell me granny, how you been lately? ". Granny looked up at him; " Oh well~ I'm not any younger hoho~ I went to the store~ to buy food for my Tony~ he eats a lot you know? " she laughed. Santiago lost his smile; " Granny... Your husband has been dead for over 20 years now.. I remind you of this every time I get back home " he was looking at her. Granny made a confused expression; " Oh~... Is that so~? ". She looked as if she knew it already but just forgot, she didn't seem sad, just surprised. " That's right~ I remember now~ " she said.
" Sorry~ for~ making trouble for you~ Santi my boy~... " she seemed sad. Santiago shook his head in disagreement; " Granny don't worry, you're not a problem at all " he smiled.
He led her to her house, it took 35 minutes to move several hundred meters with her. Santiago waved to her and went back. He headed towards Lori, this towns doctor.