I felt sick.
How could he do that? I'd thought he'd changed, maybe even a little, but no. He was still as heartless as when I'd met him, when he was testing virgin girls in his bed.
I swallowed my bile at the memory and the hatred that had consumed my every thought while I watched all of the girls being taken.
The Sovereign grabbed my arm and yanked me down the alleyway. His grip hurt and I wrestled out of it.
He ran cautiously down the streets which I could see were quieter. Maybe whatever those starbursts were are a signal that the day is over? I questioned in my mind as I followed after him.
He never once looked back which I thought was arrogant.
Reaching the end of a road he looked up at the building which had laundry strung along the front. His head searched from side to side, examining the black and blue buildings that kind the street.
"What do we do now?" I asked breathlessly.
"We climb." He said grimly.
"Is that your answer to everything?" I asked as I tied my hair.
Unbeknownst to me a devilish grin appeared on the Sovereign's face due to more vulgar thoughts.
Finding a foothold on the building I began to climb, the Sovereign doing the same on the opposite side of the building.
Coming to a windowsill I couldn't help but peek in, the room was lit by one candle while a mother was rocking in a chair, her baby in her arms.
I unintentionally paused as I observed the scene with a warm feeling in my bosom. I realized then how much I missed my family; little, innocent, Peri, and Hickory with his contagious smiles, Palmer with his adorable solemnness-
"Hydie!" I awoke from my thoughts when I heard the Sovereign whisper my name harshly.
"Yes, yes." I muttered as I continued the climb.
Reaching the top I sat on the flat roof.
The Sovereign joined me and he pulled out a scrap of cloth and began cleaning his weapons.
I grimaced at the gruesome sight and stood to get away from the nausea.
My mouth dropped open and my eyes lit with wonder.
'Oh, how beautiful.' I exclaimed in my mind as I perceived the glorious spectacle beneath me.
I thought it had been beautiful when I'd seen it from afar but this was even more spectacular. The lights seemed to glow from beneath the streets as they drifted up and shone for all to see. A warm glow emanated from it and I smiled.
"Alright, let's go." I heard him say behind me and the short happiness was gone.
We walked along the connected buildings and I sneaked glances down into the bright, lemon yellow and lime green lit streets. The dark colours of the buildings made the warmth of the lanterns seem more inviting.
The Sovereign halted in his steps and my eyes searched for the reason why when he—without a word—began to climb down the building.
I rolled my eyes and followed after, my hands clenching where I could find a handhold.
Reaching the ground he took off at a run and I followed hastily after.
'What's wrong with him?' I asked as I ran tiredly after him. We'd been running all night and my feet ached and my lungs burned.
He came to an abrupt stop once again and I nearly ran into him.
"This is the exit to the city, they most likely have guards stationed here."
"Then what do we do?" I asked shrilly.
"Go through, if they attack us, we kill them." I could see the glint in his eyes as he answered.
"You heartless, selfish, bloodthirsty- you're no different than the Mathubans who killed Hadok." I said heatedly and I could see a flash of hurt pass through his eyes but I didn't care. He was going to kill innocent people just because he could. It was wrong and he needed to understand that.
I could see he was trying to come up with something to say in reply but he came up empty and instead headed towards the gate.
Looking around I could see no guards. I leapt for joy when I saw that no more blood would be spilt.
The Sovereign grabbed my wrist harshly and ground out, "Quiet."
I stopped my gleeful reaction and stood still.
"Let's go." He said and we began to walk through the darkness towards the jungle.
The jungle, again. I enjoyed the fields that surround the city and I did not want to return to the haunting jungle that always seemed to be creeping in and carry untold, forbidden secrets.
Reaching the tall trees that had grown dense with vines and moss over the years, the Sovereign bent down and picked up a stick. Taking the cloth he'd used to clean his blades he tied it to the tip.
I watched curiously as he attempted to make a torch.
He found a rock and began to run his blade over it, trying to create sparks.
After many attempts he growled seemingly frustrated and he threw the objects in his hands.
Rolling my eyes and thinning my lips I crouched next to him and picked up the thrown objects.
My brows came together as I concentrated in the darkness and after many failed attempts, a spark finally lit and a proud smile shaped my face.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah…" The Sovereign muttered as he stole my accomplishment from my hands.
"Hey!" I said as I stood smoothing my dress.
He ignored me and only continued to stalk away.
"If you'd chosen to stick with it you'd have eventually finished it." I said crossing my arms.
Seeing that my words had no effect on him I huffed and hurried to follow after the torchlight.