"Alright. You're free now. Come with us, we'll take you home." Christopher and Azure were still in the cavern. After a bit of careful wandering, they located where the kidnapped children were being held. The victims appeared sleep deprived, thirsty, and famished. Azure, upon command, conjured water for them all to drink, and Christopher gave them food. Nearly all of them were the children of demon-humans, only one was a beasthuman.
"Th-Thank you, m-m-mister!"
"Y-Yes! Th-Thank you!!!" The children, after being tended to, all gathered around the two. Christopher found himself touched. It was the first time he'd experienced that.
"A-Aww..." He looked at them all and wondered. How could those Dark Elves treat such nice children so badly? Christopher then took it upon himself to ensure their safety from then on.
"E-Excuse me..." One of the kids, a female cathuman, spoke up. This one was the child which surprised Christopher.
"Yes?" Christopher said, as gentle as possible. He crouched down to her height, and lightly patted her head. Hana was a petite girl, with nearly blonde, short hair, an oval, white face, large light brown peepers, and small eyebrows. She wore a small, torn white, sleeveless shirt. Her lower body had on a short black pants that appeared tight for her. Her skin was bruised, and by her demeanour, Christopher clearly saw that she was frightened of him.
"W-What happened to your arm? It's gone." Hana spoke. Christopher looked at his wound. Azure tended to it before they found the kids, she tied one of the deceased Dark Elves' shirts to the wound, which helped stop the bleeding, and used her healing magic.
"Oh...well..." Christopher wasn't sure of how to respond. The last thing he wanted was to scare them. So with a quiet groan, he smiled.
"...Nothing, it's just...I got into a fight with the Dark Elves who kidnapped you, and I got hurt. Don't worry about it." Christopher at last replied.
"Ehhh?" Hana's eyes shot open. Her tone increased in pitch as she exclaimed in a shocked voice,
"Y-You must've gotten really hurt! When we get to my parents' house, I'll give you some medicine." Hana said. Christopher snickered, then nodded.
"Thanks, err..."
"Hana. My name's Hana! What's yours?" Hana showed not many signs of fear as she grinned at Christopher.
"It's Christopher Hallowswift, just call me Christopher."
"Okay, Christopher!"
Following, Christopher and Azure both stood up. Shooting a cheerful glance over to his familiar, Christopher signalled her.
"Y-Yes master?" Azure replied. Her demeanour wasn't the same as it used to be. Christopher noticed that her gaze wasn't meeting his, nor was she her usual self, but didn't bring it up.
"Ready to go?" He questioned. He raised his hand, and placed it on her head. She flinched, and lowered her head even more.
"Y-Yes...Master...mmmmmm..." Christopher gave Azure a soft, affectionate gaze. With a calming voice, he spoke to her.
"Hey...come on, cheer up, Azure. I know what happened to me was bad, but I'm alive, aren't I?"
"..." Azure raised her head, and peered at the boy. She forced a twinkle, then bobbed her head.
"Y-Yeah...you're alive, master." Then suddenly, the smile faded. "It's just...no, nevermind...let's keep going."
"Al...right."
Christopher and Azure, with the five children behind them, left the room. The only path to the entrance was through the area in which the battle with the Dark Elves took place. It was littered with bodies, blood and severed limbs, so as a result, Christopher told them to cover their eyes. On going through, he surveyed the room.
"Wow...to think I nearly died to these guys...thank goodness that thing came to help me when it did." He remarked. Remembering what happened to him, it was his goal to improve himself. He didn't want to nearly perish in battle again.
"..." Azure didn't respond. She peered at Christopher's severed arm, which was laying flat on the ground, then back at Christopher. "I...I really did fail you, master..." Azure muttered. Christopher looked at her, and tilted his head. He was about to speak when out of the blue, a small moan was heard from in the distance. Christopher instantly drew his longsword, and told the kids to stand back. Each of them shook, and latched onto his back.
"Who's there, show yourself!" Christopher yelled out. His eyes shot over to the origin of the noise, and found Rukat, getting up from her state of unconsciousness.
"Mmm....ugh...what...what hap-h-HUHHH?? W-WHAT THE HELL?!" The moment she got up, her vision was filled with the mutilated bodies of her fallen comrades. And this was more than enough for her to let out a blood-curling scream.
"AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH-W-WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED HERE?! E-EHH?!" Next, she saw Christopher, Azure, and the children. Her hear pounded against her chest as thousands of terrified thoughts raced through her mind.
"Y-You!! D-Did you do this?! D-Did you...kill all of my comrades?! N-No way you could've...y-you're a...foxhuman! F-Foxhumans aren't powerful at all B-but...they...they're all dead..." Rukat's face crumbled. Christopher lowered his weapon, then started approaching.
"Rukat..." He murmured. Azure watched carefully, she wasn't going to let her master put himself in danger.
"N-No! St-Stay back! D-Don't you dare take another step!" She shouted. Christopher wasn't intimidated at all.
When he was close enough, he took his sword, and plunged it into her left shoulder.
"Hmph. Now you'll feel just what I felt when I fought the Dark Elves. This is for deceiving me, and leading me straight into an ambush." He plunged it even deeper, and forced the blade through the flesh and bone.
"AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH-! N-NOOO!! AAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!" Rukat screamed at the top of her lungs. But Christopher didn't stop. He tore the weapon out of her shoulder, then slammed his hand onto her mouth. He peered over to Azure, and the children, whose eyes were still shut.
"Azure, take the children to the entrance of the cavern, and wait there for me. Kill any Dark Elf you see, I'll catch up with you." Christopher stated. His gaze told Azure everything she needed to know.
"Alright, master. Be careful, and don't do anything you'll regret." Azure replied. She trusted him.
"I won't." Azure guided the children out of the room, leaving Christopher and Rukat alone. Rukat knew she was going to be killed by him, but refused to accept it. Though she was powerless against the young boy. Forcefully, Christopher yanked Rukat upwards, and shot daggers at her.
"You're going to regret you ever spoke to me back at the village. I'll give you exactly what you deserve."
"No...No...NOOOOOO!!"
"Oof!" Christopher returned to the room the children were held, and threw Rukat against the wall. He approached her, then kicked her jaw with all his might. The impact caused some of the teeth inside her mouth to break, blood then flowed from her mouth, down to her chin.
"G-Gfaw! Nnrng..." Rukat swiftly got to her feet, and lunged at Christopher. Though her attack was read, and he easily dodged it. Before she countered, he plunged his blade deep into her back near her spine. She yelped, and collapsed to the ground in great agony.
"Heh..." Christopher looked down at the Dark Elf with an evil smirk on his face. He exclaimed to her, his body showing no signs of fear.
"...How does it feel, Dark Elf?! To be killed by me, a so-called 'puny' beasthuman?!"
"Shut up...you...you will regret this, you bastard!" Rukat's scowled at him. The pain in her body was too much for her to handle. "W-Why are you doing this to me?! Why?! When your sister defeated us, not even she was this cruel! You freak! Monster! You deserve this more than I do!"
"Hmmmmmmmm?" Christopher tilted his head, perplexed. "I do? I deserve to be tormented for killing off kidnappers who steal kids away from their parents and sell them off as slaves, where they're bound to receive terrible treatment?" He laughed loudly, clearly enjoying himself. "Go to hell, Rukat. And I'm not my sister. Roselina might not have done this, but I will. And I don't care about what that makes me. I'll torment anybody like this if they deserve it..." Then, he started walking towards her, wearing a sadistic grin on his face, "...and you Rukat, you definitely deserve all the pain I give you."
"No...please...I...I don't want to die! I'll do anything!!" Suddenly, she got an idea. She felt as though this was her final chance. She truly feared death.
Peering down at her clothes, she tore off her top, and puffed out her chest. "H-hey!!" She blurted out. Both Rukat's hands went to her chest, and she held onto her breasts, squeezing and jiggling them, "Y-You liked my boobs, didn't you?! H-Here!! D-Do anything you want with me, and I won't resist!" She was offering her body to Christopher, but that didn't change the fact that he was going to murder her. Snickering, he stared at them.
"Oh?" He stated. "You're offering your body to me, Rukat?" Christopher questioned.
"Y-Yes!" Swiftly, Rukat perked up, "Y-You can do anything you want with me, Christopher! Even take me as your mistress, a-and even then, you could! S-So...h-huh? Ch-Christopher..?"
Except Christopher wasn't buying it. Rukat was deceiving him once again, and he knew it. Lifting his blade, he sliced off her right hand. Blood spewed out of her wound, all onto the ground. The poor woman's eyes bulged out in misery as she wept at the top of her lungs for mercy. But not even a single one was given.
"Grrr...you liar! You Dark Elves...You'll never trick me again...mark my words, Rukat..." Once more, a he grinned. His face twisted up in anger and enjoyment as he savoured the torment he was giving to Rukat.
"...I'm going to kill each and every one of your species. Every single one of them are going to die by my hand. Starting with you..."
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"
"N-No! Wait!! Please, don't leave me here to die! Christopher, I'm begging you!!"
"Shut up. I don't care. If I let you go, I'd be doing an ill-favour for the citizens of the Underworld."
"No! I won't! I promise! I'll change my ways, just please, don't leave me here!" Christopher chained Rukat to the wall with an iron chain he located in the room. Her left leg was chopped clean off, and most of her fingers were broken. Rukat was missing her right eye, and her body was partially mutilated. There wasn't any chance she was going to survive. Christopher took one final look at the Dark Elf. No feelings of regret befell him, viewing what he had done.
"Hmph. Have fun up there. Goodbye, Rukat."
"Nnrng...no...please...I...CHRISTOPHER HALLOWSWIFT!!!!!" Without a second thought, Christopher left Rukat chained to the wall, leaving her in complete pain and torment until her final breath.
"Sorry for the wait, I'm back, Azure!"
"Oh, hey master!!" Christopher finally made his way to the front of the cavern, where he found Azure, and the children waiting for him. He had cleaned up most of the blood from his skin using clothes from the deceased Dark Elves. Approaching, Azure hovered in front of him. "Shall we go?"
"Mhm." He peered over to the children. "Ready to go, kids?"
"Yes!!" Each one of them exclaimed in unison. The sound of all of them speaking together made Christopher feel as though he was a kindergarten teacher. Though, he shrugged it off. It was a long walk back to the village of monsters they departed from, and he was concerned.
"Mmm..." These kids all looked completely worn out when I found them. I should at least make sure they take breaks along the way.
"Christopher?" Suddenly, Hana spoke up, calling the young boy.
"Yes Hana?"
"I-In case you're wondering!! W-We're fully prepared for the walk to our homes! S-So don't worry about us!" Hana confidently exclaimed.
"Yeah! We're strong, don't worry! Us demons can handle anything!" Another one spoke. Christopher found himself giggling at the show.
"Haha, alright. Tell us when you get tired, or hungry. Azure and I'll tend to you, right Azure?" He peered at his familiar, who in turn, nodded happily.
"Yes master. We will."
"Great." Christopher said. "Let's go!" The duo took off with the children, toward the monster village.
On the way, Azure was eerily silent. Usually, she was filled with joy, and frequently chatted with Christopher. Though that time, not a single word escaped her lips. Christopher was worried, he wasn't certain about what was bothering her. Half-hesitantly, he decided to bring it up.
"Something bothering you, Azure?" Christopher softheartedly asked Azure
"N-No! Of...of course not, master!" Azure a little flustered, responded. She once more forced a smile to her face, and chuckled, "What makes you think that?" She muttered back to him.
"Well, you've been quiet the whole time. Usually you're much more active than this." He stated. Azure suddenly perked up, what her master mentioned completely slipped her mind. Swiftly, she regained her original composure.
"Ehhh? Of course I'm active, master!! Don't you see? I'm Azure, your cheery, fun-loving familiar!" She shouted out. The volume startled the children, and Christopher only felt awkward.
"Ahaha...whatever you say, Azure..." But ultimately, he chose not to delve into it too much. Looking at her with a happy grin, Christopher held onto her one of her sides, and pulled the girl close to his chest. The action surprised her, but she didn't resist.
"H-Huh?? M-Master?" She moved her gaze over to his face. Christopher peered down at her in a loving manner. He wrapped his arm around Azure, and placed it on her stomach, then hugged the familiar.
"Well, whatever it is that's bothering you, I'm sure that it'll be alright, Azure." He spoke. Azure swiftly realised why he did what he did.
"Master..?" She whispered. Christopher continued.
"We've been through so much already. From when I first came into the world when Amaterasu reincarnated me, to the stuff that happened in Babalonia, all the way to here. You've been a big help, and a good friend to me. So, don't worry about anything. Whatever it is, we can work it out together." He mouthed. His grip around Azure tightened ever so slightly. "Mmm...Azure..." A quiet groan emanated from his mouth as he softly pressed his face into her hair.
"Master..." Azure was comforted by his action. She thought back to the time during the battle against Poidun, and what Christopher went through as an action of her refusing to help him, and was guilty. She knew he could've avoided having an arm detached from his body. "...I'm sorry." Her words were spoken in an almost inaudible manner. Christopher didn't notice them.
The duo, along with the children, arrived at the village without any problems. The first one to notice them was Gobta, whose eyes shot open the moment he saw them.
"Ch-Christopher?! A-Azure?! Th-Those...those are the missing children! Everybody!! The missing children have been returned!" His voice was loud enough to alert each and every person in the village, who raced out of their houses upon hearing.
"Thank you...oh thank you!! J-Just where did you find them?!" The duo were taken to the village elder's home, where they were given refreshments, and hospitality.
"You don't need to thank us, Gobta. We just did what was right." Christopher responded, taking a sip from a cup of water. The water was much needed, the boy savoured each drop of it.
"Y-Yeah..." Azure replied. She didn't regret rescuing them, but was at two minds about the entire trip. "...Mmmm. You really need to have better protection here, master and I had to battle eight Dark Elves, you know!" She pouted, and glared at the demon.
"Dark Elves? You mean, the entire situation was because of the Dark Elves?" Gobta's face turned pale the moment he heard Azure speak.
"Yeah! Mmmmm! You really owe master a lot for finding them!! S-So you better make it up to him!" Azure raised her voice. She was definitely mad, mostly due to the trauma Christopher was forced through. Though Christopher calmed her down soon after.
"Hey, calm down Azure...it wasn't that bad. Well, I did lose an arm during the battle, but we're alive, aren't we?" He replied calmly.
"W-Well, yeah...but I'm still worried about you...master..." Her head drooped downwards. Christopher sighed, then gave her a small head pat.
"Aww...Azure..." Christopher found himself a little touched by how much Azure was concerned for him. Looking back at Gobta, he anxiously chuckled. "...A-Anyway. Is it alright if we stay in the village for a while? I'm all worn out after rescuing the kids and, I could really use a break..."
"By all means, Christopher." Gobta replied, "It's the least we can do for you, after your endeavours."
"Thank you, Gobta. Man, I'm all worn out..." After all he did during his journey to the cavern and back, Christopher was just about ready to pass out. Prior to anything else being said, there was a knock on the door. Gobta let the individual in, and whom it was startled Christopher.
"Oh, Hana?" He remarked. The person was none other than Hana, who appeared worried. Christopher quickly got up, and went to her. "I thought you were with your parents, are they not here?"
"Master?" Azure hovered beside him. Hana shook her head in response.
"N-No, m-my parents live somewhere else..." Hana stated. Out of the blue, she latched onto Christopher's lower, and held him tightly. "...I...I'm scared...there are so many demons here..."
"H-Hana..." Christopher couldn't help but smile at her. Slowly, he lifted her in his arm, and gave her a reassuring nod. "...Don't worry, I'll bring you back to your mom and dad. You'll be home before you know it." He firmly spoke to her.
"Mhm!" Azure remarked as well, "If anybody could, master can!"
"O...okay." The little girl somewhat believed them. She continued holding onto Christopher for the rest of the time in the elder's property.
Later, the duo rented a room in the village's inn. As soon as Christopher viewed the medium sized, double bed, he collapsed into it's warmth. It was as if the entire world came crashing down upon him the moment he laid down. Letting out a long, heavy moan, he said out loud to everyone,
"Ohhhh my God...it feels soooo good to lie down again...Azure, Hana...you've gotta feel this..."
"Heehee, masterrr, it's only been a day and you're already this worn out?" The two girls joined Christopher on the bed, and immediately sunk into it's comforting embrace.
"Woww, you're right..." Azure understood what Christopher meant. Her body was tired, and she was completely worn out. There wasn't any chance any of the three were going to get up, once they sank onto the mattress. Not a single word was said next, and a comforting silence befell the trio.
Wow...today really was difficult... Christopher thought, he began to go through the events of his journey. First, I was deceived by Rukat, one of the Dark Elves I killed back at the cavern, then, Azure and I fought them eight versus two. We nearly lost, I was nearly killed, and lost an arm. Boy...wait till Roselina hears about this, she'll freak out for sure... The young boy snickered to himself. But in truth, he was disappointed. He foolishly paid no heed to Azure's warnings, and the price he paid was severe. His life was nearly extinguished that day, and he knew it. I really did nearly die today...not listening to Azure...what was I thinking? She's my familiar! Of course she'd know much more than me about the world! Stupid Christopher! What would Roselina say after she sees me like this?! He thought to himself. Christopher didn't wish to face Roselina in his state, she'd freak out, and he did not at the least wish to face her. He deeply regretted not listening to Azure, and willingly going with the Dark Elf. What was he thinking, not listening to her? And now, he had to face the consequences for his foolish actions.
Roselina... His younger sister by a year filled the boy's thoughts. ...Just what is she going to think when she sees me like this?
"Master? Are you alright? You're making a scary face." Promptly, Azure called out to Christopher. For the past few minutes, she had been watching him. She wasn't sure about what was going on in his head.
"I-If you're wondering about Roselina, w-we're bound to find her soon! She has to be somewhere in the Underworld." Azure optimistically exclaimed. Christopher met her gaze with a positive, fragile grin.
"Azure..." He spoke. Tears started to form in his eyes. Taking note of this, Azure trembled.
"M-Master..." She sat up. All her focus was aimed toward Christopher's terrible state. She couldn't stop thinking about what she could have done to prevent him from losing his left arm. "...I..." She muttered. Without warning, she covered her face, and burst into quiet, bitter tears.
"A-Azure!"
"Master...I...I'm so, so sorry!! All of this is my fault! You losing you arm, getting beaten up by the Dark Elves, all of it is my fault!! Waaaaaaaahhhh!! Please, please forgive me, master!!!!!" Azure exclaimed quietly. Her tears were constant, flowing down her face like a river. She was heart broken. Christopher couldn't stand seeing his familiar that way.
"Azure...n-no, it's not your fault. It's not." Without his left arm, he was unable to properly embrace Azure, but he tried. Christopher neared the girl, and wrapped his right arm around his shoulders. With as tight a squeeze as possible, he pulled her close to himself. "What happened was because of me, and no body else, Azure. So please, don't beat yourself up over it. I don't hold anything against you, and why should I in the first place?" The young boy spoke. Azure shook her head, and refused to acknowledge him.
"N-No! Masterrrrr!! Stop taking the blame off of me!" She argued, "I'm your familiar! Amaterasu sent me down here to protect you, and yet, look! Your left arm is missing, and you nearly died! What will Roselina think, no, Amaterasu think if he finds out what I let happen?!" Azure's tear-filled gaze met with Christopher's, the moment it did, Christopher let out a silent gasp. Her face clearly showed how utterly dejected Azure was at that second. Her eyes were bulging, filled with tears, mouth quivering, and she sniffled. The sight was enough for Christopher to tear up.
"I..." Azure murmured. With a whimper, she clenched onto Christopher's shirt, and lowered her gaze, "...I really am a failure after all...I...I'm so sorry, master...I...I'm a terrible familiar..."
"..." Christopher remained silent. It took him a while to process how Azure felt. Though after he did, quietly, he whispered her name.
"Azure..." Christopher said. The girl sluggishly raised her head, and looked at him. With a shaky tone, she said,
"Yes, m-master..?" Before she knew it, she was being embraced by her master, the tightest he could muster, he hugged her. His body shook, and he sniffled as he mouthed lovingly,
"Don't you dare say you're a failure again, you hear?! I can't believe what I heard just now."
"H...Huh?" The way he spoke startled her. Christopher continued,
"How can you call yourself a failure, Azure?! Don't you know it's all because of you I've made it this far?! Th-This world is hell on Earth, you've got to do so much just to survive here!" Christopher yelled at her. His voice started to crack, tears fell from his cheeks, onto the bedsheets. "It's so much harder than my last, if it wasn't for you, I would've died a long, long time ago! S-So don't you dare call yourself a failure again!"
"M-Master..." Christopher's fingers pressed into the familiar's back during the speech, his words brought comfort to Azure, though she was still concerned. "...But...during the fight, while Poidun was beating you up, I hesitated, and didn't aid you. What kind of familiar would do such a thing while their master is being hurt by someone that badly?"
Christopher moved his face in front of hers, and sent her a twinkle.
"You did that because I told you not to interfere, remember?"
"Eh..?" Azure wasn't expecting him to say that. The guilt she possessed for not helping him overcame her way of thinking so much that the fact that Christopher told her that, completely slipped her mind. "You did?" She inquired.
"Yeah. Did you forget?" He answered her. "I...I was overconfident. I thought I could beat Poidun on my own with my own strength. But...I guess I was wrong. You weren't in the wrong, Azure. I was. Please, please don't feel guilt over this, it wasn't your fault at all. It was mine."
"Master..." Azure was speechless. Straight away, she raised her hand, and sent it flying to Christopher's cheek, slapping him across his face. The force was enough for Christopher to cause Christopher to stagger a bit.
"Don't you dare worry me like that again, master! Don't you know how much I beat myself up over what happened?! How could you command me to let you fight Dark Elves on your own like that, despite what I told you?!" She shouted at him. She wasn't concerned about the volume-only about the situation Christopher got himself into. "Nnrng...you...I can't believe you, master!!"
"Ahaha...I...I'm really sorry...I...I won't do it again, I promise!" Christopher wasn't mad, he was touched at how much she worried about him. He accepted the punishment, and apologized deeply to the familiar.
"Gosh...And look at you..." Azure placed her right hand onto his cheek, and looked at him. "...mmm...sometimes you really do worry me, master...you're so reckless..." Azure gave him a slightly disappointed, but expectant grin. "...Be more responsible next time! You know, next time you're injured like that, you mightn't survive!"
"I will, I will, don't be so worried, silly..." Christopher chuckled at her. Then slowly, he moved his face closer to hers. Pressing his lips onto Azure's cheek, he kissed her. The kiss caused a deep blush to emerge onto her little face.
"Mmm...Azure...your face is so soft and squishy..." Christopher laughed a little to himself, as he kissed her cheek for a second time. "...And you smell so good..."
"M-M-M-Master?! N-No! Th-That's a little...mmmm..." By the action he did, Azure was immensely timid. She liked what Christopher did, but she just wasn't used to it. Christopher moved back a bit, then asked her, "You don't like kisses, Azure?"
"I-It's not that I don't like them...it's just...n-no one's really done that to me before so..." After, she averted her gaze away from him, then once more, made a small groan. "...Mmmmmmmm! N-Nevermind!!!"
"Hahaha."
When the duo finished, the two laid down. Christopher looked toward Hana, who was somehow fast asleep, despite all the noise they made.
"Hm. Now that's a deep sleeper." He found himself impressed by the little girl. Azure noticed as well.
"Yes, master." She scooted closer to her master, then met his gaze. "Tomorrow, we'll be bringing her home?"
"Mhm." Christopher replied. He was determined to bring her home, even if that hindered his search for his sister. "Though, what's a cathuman doing in the Underworld in the first place?" The fact that cathumans were a species that resided mainly in the Overworld remained. Why would one be in such a hellish realm in the first place?
"I was confused about that to, master!" Azure exclaimed to him, she gaped over to Hana, and studied her. Nothing abnormal about her was found at all. She truly was a cathuman. "Cathumans aren't allowed in the Underworld, just like foxhumans. If any one of the demihumans in the Overworld entered the Underworld, they'd be a much bigger target for slavery here."
"Mm. No wonder Rukat approached us then..." By then, Christopher knew slavery of demihumans was a big problem. Dark Elves and humans were two culprits, as he saw in Babalonia, and the cavern. Though, slavery was supposedly ended a long time ago. How come it's still going on even now?
He looked over to Azure, and was about to ask her something when Hana seemed to be regaining consciousness.
"Hana?" The two sat up, and had their eyes locked onto her. Slowly, her eyes opened.
"Huh..? M-Mommy..?" She must've dreamt that she was back home. When she realized it was all in her head, she started to tear up. "N-No...no more..! I...I wanna go home...please...m-mommy...d-daddy...Waaaahhhhhhh!!"
"Hana..." Azure hovered behind her, then embraced Hana. Hana quickly returned it, and cried into her chest. At that moment, Christopher was lost in thought. Hana... Seeing how Hana was took a partial toll on him. In his previous world, slavery wasn't a thing at all, but he knew what it meant. He just didn't know the effects it had on it's victims. Hana was one of the kids whom were freed from being sold as a slave. Just thinking about how someone would steal an individual away from their family to sell them off as a slave made Christopher's blood boil. He had to stop it-all of it. The young boy took one final look at the weeping little girl. I will stop it. I'll stop the slavery-and punish each and every person involved with it.
The next day.
Christopher, Azure and Hana departed from the village, in search of the little girl's home. None of them were certain where it was, but Christopher was determined to locate it. He didn't want her to come into any more harm than she already experienced. Looking at her, he remarked quietly,
"Hana, got any idea of where your home is? Th-The area, I mean?"
"Nuh-uh." Hana shook her head in denial. "B-But there are lots of houses around! A-And it's in a kingdom full of...d-demons, and other p-people!"
"Ohh.." Christopher finally received an idea. The area Hana described must've been a kingdom where species could co-exist with each other. Though that wasn't at all good, for it meant children like her could've much more easily been targeted by God-knows-what. "...Eheheh..." He pleaded with himself to hold back his tongue. Are Hana's parents...stupid, I wonder...?
"Hey, master! I think I know where that place is!" Suddenly, Azure spoke up. Christopher, hearing her remark, gleamed in her direction.
"Y-You do?! W-Well don't just keep it to yourself, spit it out already!"
"Yes, master." The three stopped in place. After a long pause, Azure pointed to the east from where they were. "If we go that way," She stated, "we'll arrive at the Kingdom of Elysium, which is the Underworld's largest kingdom, home to many, many different species." She peered at her master, then grinned, "That's where Hana must live!"
Christopher was partly surprised upon hearing that was the Underworld's largest kingdom. He had only seen a single, compact village, and a large, danger-filled cavern. Knowing that he'd be heading there gave him a slight chill. But one thing filled his mind-his sister. If that really is the largest village, then Roselina might be there... The boy knew he had to go, both because of Hana, and the possibility of finding his sister. He smirked to Azure, then sent a thumbs up.
"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go bring Hana home!"