(---)
The night was calm. Surprising, for a forest full of monsters.
An arrow cut through the air, at an extreme speed. It headed toward Arlene.
Slash!
The arrow was cut in half.
"Come out, idiot."
Keon had been standing up, his sword unsheathed. He looked tired.
A duo dropped down. One with a bow, the other with a sword.
"That's her, for sure. The one who escaped from the facility."
"Remember, we have to bring her back alive. The boy doesn't matter."
"So disrespectful. What makes you think you guys can kill me?"
[Cast: Ice Dart]
The archer shot an arrow, the air around it condensing.
[Cast: Definite Parry]
It was deflected.
The arrow came charging at the duo, at an even faster rate.
[Cast: Blazing Crescent Strike]
The swordsman pulled his sword out, slicing the arrow before it could reach them.
"I wish I had a cast like that... Instead of a boring reflect!" Keon whined.
In an instant, he dashed at the duo. It was a blur.
"Quick!" the archer called out.
[Cast: Double Flame Thrust]
The swordsman sent a thrust at Keon. He blocked it, though his sword melted a bit from the fire.
"Damn it-"
Another strike came.
"Shit!-"
Fortunately, it wasn't deep enough. He jumped back.
"Haa. I'm dragging this for way too long."
[Cast: Blazing Arrow Rain]
The Archer shot out several arrows. It was a lot. They were all steaming hot, too.
"Ah…"
[Cast: Definite Parry]
It was deflected.
The assassins were killed by their own attacks.
"Hiding the bodies will be a hassle."
. . .
. .
.
"I found these clothes for you, Arlene."
A white collared shirt, and some black shorts.
"It looks nice on you."
"You think so?" she smiled.
"Nope."
"…"
A few minutes of silence followed.
"Have you always had that injury?" she pointed to his abdomen.
"Yeah."
"Take off your shirt."
"You pervert."
"Take it off!" she yelled.
Reluctantly, he took off his shirt.
"So many scars…"
She placed her hand on his forehead.
"I'm a swordsman. It's expected."
"This one on your forehead… how did you survive?"
"Can you just do whatever you were gonna do?" Keon asked, impatiently. Arlene nodded. She placed her hand on his abdomen and closed her eyes.
[Cast: Heal]
"Eh? I feel so much better."
"Why did you wait so long, huh? You would've died if that injury had been there for too long!"
"I'm a swordsman. Something like that is guaranteed-"
Arlene's eyes lost their spark, as she slowly began to fall. Keon caught her before her head could hit the ground.
"Arlene? Arlene! Wake up!" He shook her.
. . .
. .
.
"What kind of useless cast knocks you out after one use?!"
Arlene was sat up straight on the bed, her back leaning onto something. A wet piece of clothing (ripped off from Keon's shirt) was wrapped around her forehead.
"I'm sorry… for being so useless."
Her head stayed down, a sorrowful expression on her face. Keon sighed.
"We're gonna have to leave soon."
"Why?"
"Some people were looking for you."
Arlene shivered. The fear on her face was evident.
"N-no… th-they've found me… already?" she stuttered.
"I killed them, so we'll be safe for a bit. But soon, we'll have to go to town."
"O-okay…"
"Could you… please tell me where you're from, Arlene?"
She hesitated, but she spoke.
"I'm… from a research facility. They tested on me. I had the greatest healing capability…"
"Why'd you run away?" Keon asked.
"The needles… so many needles. And then- and then… all of them… they… they…"
Arlene panted. She started to sweat, and tears started to swell up in her eyes.
"Arlene? Are you alright?-" he reached his hand over to her.
"N-No! Pl-please don't touch me a-again! I-I'll follow th-the rules!" she screamed, the previously swelled-up tears started running down her cheek.
Keon retracted his hand, but Arlene did not stop panting.
She started to look around. A knife that Keon had made, to harvest different fruits. She pointed it to her neck.
Keon was quick to react, kicking it out of her hand.
. . .
. .
.
"I'm sorry for… making you remember all that bad stuff, Arlene."
"It isn't your fault… I was just being too emotional."
"I don't blame your reaction. If I went through what you did, I'd feel the same too."
"I still need to recover my energy. So, I'm gonna go to sleep."
"Sleep? It's so early in the morning, though. That'll mess up your sleep schedule."
"All that panting made me even more tired. My head hurts, and I'm out of energy. Can't I rest?"
"But it'll-"
"I could sleep for a whole day when I'm fatigued, Keon."
Keon sighed. "If you insist on going to sleep, then I guess you can."
"Make sure to hunt today."
"Sure, sure."