Cavi passed back and forth for the countless time since the woman left. It was quite some time already since she went into the forest. Did she, perhaps, escaped from him?!
Huffing a sigh, he walked towards the direction she went into. Yet, as he walked, he noticed that there were more dried leaves being stepped into than necessary. Like as if… someone was following him.
He paused, wary of his surroundings now. Were they already watching him in the pavilion? If so, why didn't he noticed it? was it because he's distracted because of that woman?
'Then, that woman must be their ally.'
He gritted his teeth as he looked around him. it appears as if he's alone in these bamboo forest. Yet, it doesn't feel as peaceful as it seemed.
"Aren't you here to kill me? then why are you still hiding yourselves?" he provoked, and he succeeded.
As the wind gushes noisily, men in black appeared above him. shining blades were pointing at one direction. Towards him. he's really their target.
"One. Two…four…seven…ten… there are ten of them," he concluded and directly attacking the masked man to gain advantage, he lounged towards them.
He hit one of them on his belly, and one was kicked down. Like as dancer on a graceful move, he swiftly skidded towards the men he just knocked down and stole their swords.
He was planning to end their lives with their own swords.
***
"B-bad guys…" Ria's lips trembled as well as her knees, seeing the scene before her. while she was approaching the pavilion, she knew something wasn't right when she heard strange noises.
Since she woke up, it was her first time hearing the swords' sound clunking towards each other. And it was definitely her first time too to witness a real fight. It wasn't just a fight. They're trying to murder King Cavi!
"What should I do? What should I do?!" she tried racking her brain but she came up with nothing. Even if she tried calling for help, the palace was too far and it's surely too late to help the king.
Playing with her lips with her thumb and index finger as she anxiously thinks of a plan, her eyes lightened when she thought of something.
'Why didn't I think of that earlier?!"
***
It wasn't what Cavi was expecting. Though he knew that there won't be ten men only, he just didn't expect that there will be too many. The men he was fighting before were all knocked out by him. yet, many more arrived.
"Smoke?"
What are they planning with the smoke? He wondered, looking at the thick fog of black smoke covering the area. He thought it was a plan of the men who was trying to kill him. yet, judging by their reaction, even they didn't know where it came from.
"Then, it will be easier for me to fight them." Gritting his teeth, he was about to charge again but he noticed a little figure coming towards him.
Immediately, his sword was diverted towards the sneaky killer, unseen because of the smoke. Yet, he felt something didn't feel right.
He heard a gasp. A gasp of relief and fear.
"I-it's I-I…" a woman's voice uttered in a whisper and when the smoke scattered a bit, what Cavi saw made his lips parted.
It's the woman. Frozen because of the sword an inch apart from her forehead.
'What is she doing here?' he wondered, brows knitting.
Behind her, a blade appeared behind her.
Ria thought it was her end when Cavi's sword was pointed towards her. he wasn't even moving it away when she spoke so she thought that he really was planning to kill her.
Yet, she was bewildered when she felt someone wrapping his arms around her as they moved in circle. Beside them, she heard a painful grunt followed by a thud. She didn't dare looking at it anymore, knowing she'll only find dead bodies.
Cavi released the lady who was still stunned by what just happened.
"What are you doing here?" he snapped with gritted teeth.
"I…I came to save you. I mean… you were surrounded by men so…"
"So, it's you who released the smoke?"
"Yes."
He sneered and shook his head. Pulling her beside him as they turned around, looking for enemies charging towards them.
"Stupid. What power do you have to think that you can save me?"
His harsh remark made Ria glared at him but he wasn't just paying attention to her.
"I know it's stupid but it's better than letting you die here alone!"
"Tch! Too noisy."
He was right. Because of this woman's loud voice, the enemies now knew where they were.
Holding the woman's hand firmly, he pulled her towards him to make sure she understands what he was about to say. He couldn't afford repeating what he already spoke of.
"Listen. When I say run, just run alright?"
The firmness in his tone told Ria she must obey him nevertheless. Thus, she nodded.
Again, another wave of men attacked them. Cavi received it, fighting them off in an instant. Yet, another bunch was running towards their direction.
"Now. Run!" he shouted and was about to meet the enemies charging towards them.
However, his eyes squinted in confusion and anger when he felt someone pulling him by his wrist.
he couldn't help it anymore but to follow her. What he was just regretting that time was that he didn't instructed this woman properly.
'I told her to run but I didn't tell her to pull me too.'
"Stupid woman," he grumbled and instead if letting her hold him, he held her hand and led the way.
Ria couldn't help but stare at this man's back and his silver hair that was dancing with the wind as they run.
"Was it really you?" she couldn't help but wonder.