The wind gently caressed Garnette's dark hair, creating a beautiful dance of movement. With a serene smile, Garnette spoke softly, "Ragnar, I'm here. Shall we make our way to the farmlands now? It's best to arrive early, don't you think?"
Ragnar's warm smile remained as he looked at Garnette, his voice deep and reassuring. "Yes, we should head there early." He stretched his arms towards the sky, a light chuckle escaping him as he glanced towards the farmlands below.
Garnette led the way with a calm and steady pace, with Ragnar following closely behind. With a tone of concern, Ragnar spoke, "You didn't bring a cap with you, Garnette? It's really burning at this hour."
Garnette paused as she touched her head, looking at her hair. "I didn't bring a hat because I thought it would be cold at this time," she chuckled in embarrassment. Ragnar, smiling, slowly removed his cap and offered it to Garnette.
Garnette looked at Ragnar's hand as he handed her the cap, feeling a bit embarrassed. She glanced at Ragnar and said in a concerned tone, "I don't think I should take yours; you'll probably need it in this hot weather."
"No, you'll need it more than I do. You're a woman, and I can handle this heat easily," Ragnar replied in a reassuring tone as he handed the cap to her.
Garnette graciously accepted the cap, and with a warm smile, she placed it on her head. It was larger than expected, and she chuckled with a hint of embarrassment. "I don't think this fits me. It seems more suited for you. You should wear it instead."
Ragnar hesitated for a moment and then replied in a calm and reassuring tone, "No, it looks lovely on you. Just wear it like that." Despite its size, Garnette decided to wear the cap, embracing its oversized charm. With that, Garnette continued at the same calm pace, with Ragnar following behind her.
As they descended, Garnette pondered the best route to take to reach the farmlands. Lost in thought, she turned to Ragnar and gently suggested, "Ragnar, what do you think? Should we consider taking the mountain path? It may take longer, but it's safer. Alternatively, we could head to the Lowfire District, but it's risky."
Ragnar began thinking deeply: 'The mountain would probably take a while, but it is also safer. While if we go through the Lowfire District, it only takes us minutes or an hour, but it would be dangerous.'
With a concerned look, Ragnar replied, "I understand that the mountain path is safer. However, considering the danger in the Lowfire District, it would be more challenging if we encounter trouble with you here. Would you be willing to take the shorter but riskier route?"
Garnette paused, turning to face Ragnar. She placed her hands on her front and looked downward, expressing her worry. "Perhaps it was a mistake for me to come. It would be easier for you if I hadn't joined you."
"No, no, there's no need to feel sorry. It's actually better that you've come with me, as it gives us more time to talk," Ragnar said in a reassuring tone. "But are you open to taking the more adventurous route instead?" Ragnar asked in a gentle manner.
"Well, I think it would be best to reach the farmland early, before it gets too hot. Plus, the chances of running into trouble would be minimal," Garnette suggested, with a reassuring look at Ragnar.
"I understand. Then we should move quickly before time slips away," Ragnar said in a calm voice as he continued towards Lowfire District, with Garnette following behind. "You should take the lead so I can keep an eye on you in case anything happens," Ragnar suggested as he paused and let Garnette pass ahead of him.
As they continued walking, Garnette led the way, with Ragnar following behind. With a serene smile, Ragnar looked at Garnette, feeling the gentle caress of the wind and the vast expanse of the sky.
The tranquil ambiance and the balmy weather infused the air with a sense of peace and a feeling of weightlessness, as if they were floating in the heavens. With a soft smile, Ragnar looked up at the sky and observed the clouds forming a perfect circle, mirroring the shape of the mountain itself.
Shielding his eyes from the sunlight, Ragnar gazed ahead and noticed Garnette experiencing the moment just as he was, her eyes filled with joy as she beheld the breathtaking view.
While gazing at the view, she halted and closed her eyes slowly, taking a deep breath in the peaceful ambiance. Ragnar also stopped, and with a serene smile, he said, "Let's head to the farmlands now, before the weather gets bad."
Garnette noticed Ragnar's voice echoing as she closed her eyes and then hastily opened them, gazing at Ragnar. She gave a warm smile and nodded to Ragnar before they continued walking.
As they descended, they finally arrived at the same entrance that Ragnar and Lady Ana had entered. With a gentle gaze at the sign for the "Lowfire District," they entered it.
Upon entering, they descended the stairs and found themselves in a crowded place. "Stay close to me, Garnette. I don't want you to get lost," Ragnar said as he pulled Garnette inside his trench coat.
They continued to navigate through the bustling streets, taking in the sights and sounds of the Lowfire District. Ragnar's tall presence was an advantage in seeing places they could go.
"Shall we head down there?" Ragnar gestured towards the staircase, leading downward into a quiet, untraveled path. "You're the only one who can see it, Ragnar. I'm too short for this," Garnette expressed with a tinge of disappointment.
"But let's explore it. No one else seems to be using this route," Ragnar insisted as they navigated through the bustling crowd. "Just make sure it's safe," Garnette responded, her concern evident in her tone.
After maneuvering through the crowded area, Ragnar and Garnette finally reached the staircase. Below, they found a serene alley enclosed by towering structures, with people quietly sitting on boxes.
"Garnette, the men in the alleyway are giving us hostile looks from every side. Should we risk taking this route, or should we backtrack to the crowded area?" Ragnar inquired with confidence. As Garnette glanced at the men, her legs trembled with anxiety as sweat dripped down her forehead and her legs shook visibly.
"Despite their glares, I'd rather not risk suffocating in the crowded areas. Let's take this route, but please promise to protect me if anything goes wrong, Ragnar," Garnette pleaded, her eyes betraying her fear.
"You can count on me, Garnette. We'll get through this as long as I'm here," Ragnar assured her with unwavering confidence. As they continued down the alleyway, Ragnar kept a watchful eye on their surroundings, making Garnette feel a little more at ease.
Ragnar shielded Garnette within his trench coat as they navigated the dim and perilous alleyway, with hostile gazes directed at them from all sides. Undeterred, Ragnar pressed on with unyielding confidence, fixing his gaze ahead and disregarding the hostile stares.
As they advanced through the alley, the onlookers began brandishing their weapons, but Ragnar continued to stride forward with unwavering assurance, devoid of any hint of fear. However, Garnette clearly exhibited signs of fear about the potential danger.
As they hastened their pace, Ragnar sensed the strengthening wind and swiftly turned to intercept the arrow aimed at him. With utmost caution, he cautioned Garnette, "Stay alert; there may be trouble ahead."
As Ragnar gazed forward, a man with a steel dagger stepped in front of him and threatened, "Give me all your coins and that lady, and you shall be safe."
Ragnar stood tall and unwavering, replying with confidence, "I will not yield. If you wish to reach the prize you seek, then you must overcome my resolve." With his posture straight and determined, he threw the arrow to the side.
The men laughed and taunted, "Are you sure? We have weapons, while you only have your fist." Their laughter surrounded Ragnar, but he remained still, glaring at them with a serious expression.
"It's been a long time since I've fought someone. My fist shall not falter, nor shall my spine bend. I will stand like the strongest oak before the raging wind. You must match my will if you want to get to her," Ragnar declared, his eyes filled with unwavering determination and no fear at all.
The room fell silent as the laughter ceased, and the crowd glared at Ragnar with intense seriousness and anger. The man in front lunged at him with a dagger, but Ragnar swiftly dodged the attack and countered with a powerful jab to the man's chest, sending him crashing to the floor. "Garnette, get down and stay low; things are about to get intense," Ragnar instructed as he pushed Garnette to safety.
As two blades came at him from different angles, Ragnar skillfully stopped them, grabbing the attackers' hands and hurling them against the wall. Looking up, he spotted two archers taking aim at him, their arrows ready to fly.
"Die! Die! Die!" one of the archers bellowed in a fit of rage as two arrows hurtled towards Ragnar with terrifying velocity. With a sickening thud, one arrow pierced his shoulder, while the other inadvertently struck one of their own men.
Grimacing in pain, Ragnar gritted his teeth and sprinted towards Garnette, deftly evading the onslaught of blades. With a sense of urgency, he lifted up Garnette and pressed forward. "There are too many of them, Garnette," Ragnar gasped, feeling the searing agony of the arrow lodged in his shoulder.
"Are you okay, Ragnar? We need to find a way to escape now!" Garnette exclaimed, her voice trembling with fear as she noticed the approaching adversaries. "There are so many of them, and the archers have us in their sights!"
Ragnar sprinted desperately, narrowly evading the arrows and the armed pursuers hot on his heels. In the distance, he spotted a long staircase and skidded to a stop, realizing it was his only chance.
"Find cover and keep moving!" Ragnar instructed, setting Garnette down before turning to face the advancing men. As a blade slashed towards him, he seized the attacker's hand and hurled him down the stairs.
Garnette swiftly descended the steps as Ragnar engaged the assailants. Another blade sliced towards him, but he swiftly grabbed the assailant's hand once more, using him as a shield against the volley of arrows hurtling his way.
Arrows pierced the man's body, and he fell lifeless to the ground. Ragnar swiftly discarded the body and turned to face another attacker, delivering a powerful right hook. He struck another man with the same ferocity, his determination evident in every move.
As more adversaries closed in, Ragnar spotted a barrel nearby and hurled it at the oncoming assailants. The sudden obstacle halted the advance of the archers, causing one of them to declare, "We're losing too many men trying to take down just one! Fall back!"
The retreating men fled from Ragnar, but one of the archers declared to him with a determined expression and spoke in a hushed tone, "We'll settle this another time, just not now." Ragnar nodded, his muscles tense with tiredness.
"This really hurt. I should get this fixed after," Ragnar said as he noticed that the arrow was still on his shoulder.
He took a deep and calm breath as he slowly opened his eyes. He could still feel the pain from the impact when he was thrown to the wall. He couldn't stand anymore; it was painful. As he gazed forward, he noticed the same man who threw him on the staircase, with rays of light surrounding him.
And the man also noticed him; he was frightened when the man glared at him. He tried to stand up and run, but he couldn't, as if he were glued to the wall. The man took a step down the staircase, glaring at him.
And another step. He felt glued to eternal flames, as if his demise was near. As he got closer, the wind roared at him so much that he couldn't even resist. He was being pushed onto the wall with no escape whatsoever.
He felt true fear, and he finally noticed. That man lied; he lied; he was not the strongest oak or a structure; he was the one blowing it away. The man exclaimed in true fear, "He was the raging wind!" His voice was rough, and he was out of breath.
He was the one blowing the structures and trees away, but this one tree was the unluckiest one; he was the strongest tree, but he could experience the true power of the raging wind. "I don't want to die yet!"
It was his end—the strongest tree's end—the one who felt true fear—the one who experienced the true and utmost power of the wind—the man who stood in front of him was no normal person; it was the raging wind.