As Marcella stormed out of the house, she turned to look at it one more time before leaving. The sight of it brought a mix of emotions, but she quickly pushed them aside and headed into the town. The streets were bustling with people engaged in their daily routines. Her mission was clear: she needed to gather supplies for her journey into the unknown.
Her first stop was the blacksmith's shop. The moment she stepped inside, she was greeted by the clang of metal and the scent of burning coal. The shop was filled with an impressive array of weaponry and armor. Shields and spears lined the walls, while swords of various sizes and designs gleamed under the dim lighting. Armor sets, meticulously crafted, stood on display, promising protection to those who wore them.
Counters were covered with an assortment of crystals and magic gems, each radiating a unique energy. Healing potions, neatly arranged in rows, glowed with a soft, reassuring light. Every corner of the shop was filled with items that could prove essential in battle.
Marcella marveled at the scenery. While she was lost in her own world, a boy of about seventeen bumped into her. Stumbling a little, she steadied herself and asked, "I'm sorry, are you okay?"
Before he could respond, a voice shouted, "Get him!" The boy bolted from the shop, and without hesitation, Marcella took off after him. The chase stretched on for hours. The boy tried every trick to lose her, but she was relentless. Finally, exhausted, the boy stopped, panting heavily.
"Why won't you give up?" he demanded, gasping for breath.
Marcella, equally breathless, replied, "Because you're a thief."
"What makes you think so?" the boy asked, his dark eyes locking onto hers.
Regaining her stance, Marcella said, "If you weren't, then why did you run?"
The boy's expression hardened. "What does it matter to you?" he asked.
"Thieves are not meant to roam the village freely," Marcella said, stepping closer, her deep blue eyes piercing his.
For a moment, the boy was lost in her eyes, finding them enchanting. Marcella seized the moment to grab his hands, holding him tightly to prevent another escape. Snapping back to reality, the boy struggled but found he couldn't break free. He was bewildered by her strength. Desperate, he decided to talk his way out.
"I'm Liam," he said with an enchanting smile.
Marcella stared at him in horror. "What are you trying to do?" she asked.
"I'm just trying to be friendly," Liam replied, still smiling.
"Well, your kindness won't work on me," Marcella responded nonchalantly.
"Can we be friends?" Liam asked, almost pleading.
"Why would I be friends with a thief?" Marcella retorted.
"For heaven's sake, I'm not a thief," replied Liam, clearly annoyed.
"Then what are you?" Marcella asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I'm your brother," Liam joked.
"I'm taking you to the blacksmith's," Marcella said, dragging him along.
"Wait," Liam shouted.
Marcella stopped. "What?"
"What if we share it?" Liam suggested.
"Share what?" Marcella asked.
"What I took," Liam replied.
"So you are admitting that you are a thief?" Marcella asked with a mischievous smile.
"That's not what I mean. I'm just making a suggestion," Liam said.
"No," Marcella replied, dragging him again.
"Okay, stop," Liam shouted once more.
"What now?" Marcella asked, stopping in her tracks.
"I saw you looking at the swords at the blacksmith's shop. And by looking at you, I can tell you ran away from home without a penny," Liam said.
"So?" Marcella replied, raising an eyebrow.
"So, what about I take you to a place where you can get a sword without spending a penny?" Liam suggested.
Marcella paused, considering his offer. "Why should I trust you?"
Liam shrugged, his smile fading slightly. "You don't have to. But it's a better deal than dragging me to the blacksmith's."
Marcella hesitated, then released her grip on his arm. "Fine. Show me this place. But if you're lying, you'll regret it."
Liam nodded, his smile returning. "Follow me." He led her down a narrow alley, away from the busy streets and into the shadows. Marcella kept her guard up, ready for any tricks.
They walked through a dark alley and emerged in a slum-like village. Marcella looked around, her eyes wide with surprise. "What is this place?" she asked.
"This is where I live," Liam replied nonchalantly.
"Oh," Marcella said absent-mindedly, still taking in her surroundings.
Liam led her to a shady blacksmith shop and knocked in a specific pattern on a secret panel. The door creaked open, and they stepped inside. Suddenly, a hand knife whizzed through the air, narrowly missing Liam.
"What are you doing here, you little rat?" growled a man in his mid-fifties.
"Boss, I'm happy to see you too," Liam replied with a forced smile.
"You owe me, Liam. Since you're here, I guess my money is ready," the old man said, his tone dripping with annoyance.
"Not quite," Liam replied, shifting uncomfortably.
"So why are you here? Do you have a death wish?" the old man asked, his eyes narrowing.
Marcella, who had been watching the exchange, finally spoke up. "Um, hello, sir."
The old man demeanor shifted instantly. "Ah, a customer. How may I help you, my lady?" he asked, smiling warmly.
"Actually, I'm here with Liam," Marcella said, glancing at Liam.
"Huh? Liam, how dare you kidnap this beautiful young lady?" The old man asked, his surprise evident.
"Oh no, boss," Liam protested, shaking his head. "I would never kidnap anyone, let alone a lady."
"Yes, sir, I wasn't kidnapped," Marcella added.
The old man looked between them, suspicion in his eyes. "So why are you with this rat? Don't tell me you are in love with him. I would advise you not to. Liam is a very, very terrible influence."
"That's never going to happen," Marcella replied with a straight face.
"You never know what could happen," Liam said teasingly.
"Not in a million years, Liam," Marcella scoffed. "Liam said I could get a sword here without paying," she added, turning back to the old man.
The old man glared at Liam. "Really, Liam, are you trying to drive me out of business?"
"No, boss, but I have a gem for the payment of the sword," Liam replied quickly.
"What about your debt?" The old man asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I'll pay it pretty soon," Liam replied, rubbing the back of his head nervously.
"I ought to beat you up one of these days," the old man grumbled. "Hand over the gem."
Liam quickly handed over the gem, hoping to appease the old man. Marcella watched the exchange.
The old man inspected the gem closely, his eyes narrowing. "The quality of the gem will determine the sword you can afford," he said. "This is a third-grade gem, so it can only afford a third-grade sword," he added, pointing at a wooden sheath.
Marcella moved towards the wooden sheath and began searching for a suitable sword. Then she spotted a glowing one. "Can I take this glowing sword?" she asked, pointing at it.
"Which glowing sword?" the old man asked, looking puzzled.
"This one," she pointed again.
Liam and the old man exchanged strange looks, as they couldn't see the light glowing from the sword. "You can take whatever," the old man replied with a shrug.
Marcella picked up the sword, feeling a surge of power course through her body. "This is not an ordinary sword," she thought to herself. Without another word, she turned and walked out of the shop, Liam trailing behind her.
"Why are you following me?" Marcella asked, irritation creeping into her voice.
"Wherever you go, I go," Liam replied confidently.
"Why exactly?" Marcella asked, stopping to face him.
"Because we are allies," Liam answered with a grin.
Marcella's eyes narrowed. "Seriously, I might kill you if you keep this attitude of yours."
"I feel a different aura coming from her," Liam thought to himself. "I would be thrilled to be killed by a beautiful lady like yourself," he said aloud.
"Scram, this is your last warning," Marcella threatened.
"Where exactly are you going?" Liam asked, undeterred.
"None of your business," Marcella replied coldly.
"It is actually. I can't let such a beautiful lady as yourself slip from my fingers," Liam replied, his charm unwavering.
"Go away, pest," Marcella replied nonchalantly.
"I want to go with you and experience your unknown adventure. I won't ask anything, I won't bother you, please just let me come along," Liam pleaded.
"Whatever," Marcella sighed, turning to walk away.
"Yes!" Liam replied happily, following her like a lover drunk on love. He chatted away nonchalantly, blissfully with not a single care of the danger he might be walking into.