A day has passed since then. The wagon moves along the roads, humping slightly for each small obstacle the wheels roll on. Robin and I are now headed to the next town after we've gathered enough supplies. Unlike before, the trip should be go for a long while. A day or two would pass before we reach our next destination.
Aside from the two of us, there is a family sitting just across our seats. The kid innocently stares at me, her eyes showing fascination to the mask I am wearing.
"Mister, why are you wearing a mask?"
The child innocently questions. Her mother would then tug her clothes from behind to warn her before she turns to look at me apologetically.
"I am really sorry for our kid."
She then apologizes to me. Knowing that there is no harm, I simply shrugged and reassured the two.
"It's nothing. As for the mask, well...kid, do you know witches?"
I ask. The kid's eyes sparked in joy and hopped to her mother excitedly.
"Yes! Mister, are you a hero?"
"No...unfortunately, I am not. When we were chasing a witch I got cursed. Let's just say bad things happen if I take this mask off."
My answer seemed to have disappointed her and her excitement went down as she look at me in pity.
"Aw, but don't worry Mister! The hero would kill the witch and you'll be freed from the curse. That's always how it is, right Mother?"
"Yes, it is dear."
The mother answered her child. I look beside me to see Robin. She was staring at the opening in the wagon, relishing the air that brushes her face. Not showing interest, she only stared outside the moving wagon. It was long before the driver decided to make the horses take a rest. Noon has passed and the sun was starting to fall on the other direction. After we stopped, the family went outside to go for a walk, leaving the two of us inside the wagon. It was really hot compared to the breezy morning and I was starting to sweat. No wonder Robin tends to wear sleeveless shirts. How was she able to survive in that hunk of iron again?
"Let's go outside for a moment, Nathan."
I nodded after she tugged on my shoulder and left the wagon. I soon followed after she hopped out and let her lead me inside the forest. The trunks of the trees collectively covers the sight of the road and the bushes conceal path we took.
"There's something I'd like to try, Thane. It's been on my mind lately. Can you help me out?"
Robin's worries? Well, she asked me and I am glad I could be relied upon.
"Sure. What is it?", I said, pulling my sleeves to shoulder length.
"Can you use your ability on me?"
"What? Why--"
"Listen first. I've been thinking about it. I tend to finish my fights between dark magic practitioners as swift as possible, since they would go after my life. Naturally, that's just how my fights have been. But I want to know if I could handle it. I trust in you, which is why I'm asking you a favor."
Well, that's a weird request. But for self improvement huh. Yeah, that's pretty an awful way to do it, yet there's really no other way when I think about it...
"Fine, I'll do it. Line up and stand still over there."
I reached out my hand and opened my palm. Conjuring the chains into existence a spark forms at the tip of my fingers before bursting into flames. The weight of the chains is upon me, its presence seem stronger than before. I start to think about it; What makes my chains stronger? What makes me stronger? I don't really have an answer, but I recall the pattern of absorbing the souls and recovering strength. So I thought, perhaps there may be a link to it.
Now I feel a strong presence coming from the chains. I am starting to recognize it.
"Captain, get yourself ready. I'm about to take a measure of you. Weaken.", I said to Robin and directed the chains at her. Crawling out of the ground suddenly, the chains wrapped around at her feet, climbing its way up to her shoulders. Once it has tangled itself I pulled it and in response, Robin's body kneeled on the ground.
"Khh...my knees are...feeling numb!"
Robin tries her best to stand back up, but slowly she loses footing and fell to the ground helplessly.
"Hah...hah, I can't move...I can still feel my body but I can't lift a finger."
Her breathing becomes erratic, perhaps in struggle to stay awake.
Frankly, I am surprised Robin wasn't able to lift herself back up. Lucina was able to stand up with willpower alone. Was it because of me absorbing spirits, or was it because Robin is naturally weak against these attacks? Should I test it further?
"T-Thane...?"
Robin muttered as she finds me approaching her. Looking at this angle, she does look defenseless. Helpless to whatever may take place. She is crawled up to the side. I have to turn her to the other direction.
I pushed her body to the opposite direction where her face falls. Now her body is facing directly at me. That's much better, she would be much comfortable at this position.
Hmm, fear should atleast give her a push of willpower, but she doesn't seem like she can muster it up. Let's give this a rest.
"I'm sorry. Let me get you back up."
I let go of the chains and it shattered into fragments. I offered my hand for her to grabbed on to. Taking it, I was taken off guard when she suddenly pulled me to the ground with her.
"Teasing is over you dolt. I'll have my vengeance."
She said with a serious tone and locked my body into submissions. Her arms locking my neck and her legs crossed to prevent my legs from escaping. It wasn't tight to actually feel my bones breaking, but I still can't breathe properly.
"How was it? Is it fun now?"
"Wa--wait...I have--! Air! Give!"
I try to grasp for air but I could only get so little. In panic I try to slap whatever I could to get her off me but in turn I just hurt myself doing it.
Darn it! If I could just get my neck out where she's strangling. I need to turn around!
I shuffled my position by turning myself around, facing her body. This way, I somehow have a leverage to breathe air.
"Heh I still got it. Don't think I've never thought of a counter for this."
"Not bad. You're as stubborn as ever--"
The two of us hear the rustle of a bush. Robin loosened her grip and the two of us turned to where it came from. To our surprise, we the kid standing in a distance and possibly have been watching us.
Did she see me use magic?! The book! She may have seen it floating.
"Wai--"
"Mother! The two are playing that wrestling game!"
The kid then looked back, as if she was being called before running off back to the road, while she answers her mother.
Oh, good. She didn't see me using magic... Wait--