The alley was around 5 meters wide at most. The 2 of them were walking towards me slowly, one on each side of the pathway, around 6 steps away from each other in distance. Both of them had knives attached to their thighs, but neither of them was unsheathing it. I was definitely scared, but not enough for my mind to go blank and lose my rationality. Glancing at their boss that was standing behind all of them with a calculated grin on his face, there was a single deduction that came to mind.
Give me a break, will ya?… being tested here is the last thing I hoped for.
Trying to see how advanced my battle sense is, huh? He pointed out that I was clearly smarter than any kid my age, but I guess his curiosity went beyond that, since now I was pretty much being put in the spotlight as if I was in the center of a circus. "Show off too much, and they all jump you. Don't show off enough, and these 2 will kill you"… quite the annoying situation.
And to make it worse…
Glancing behind me for a moment, made me further take in consideration how big my disadvantage was. There was around 5 steps of distance at most between me and the kids behind. If I advanced too much, I'd go straight into their face and get beaten up. Go back too much, and I'm not only cornering myself, but also giving them easier access to hurt them as well. I know Fate has never been on my side, but come on, at least try to hide your hatred for me sometimes…
"Hiaaaaaaa!!"
With a sudden sprint, the closer one cut off the distance between us almost instantly, and sent a punch straight towards my face, but I could tell from his leg placement that it was faint. And just as I thought, he had stopped his punch about halfway through, and charged up a kick, but I was able to dodge it, going behind about a step and a half. However, the other guy had sprinted forward as well, catching my arm.
"I've caught you!"
"Tsk…"
I tried to pull off, but he lifted and brought me closer to him, holding me up in the air, clearly to taunt me as he started grinning devilishly.
"What's wrong, huh? Huh? Where's that confidence from earlier? Did it fly off? I don't see it anywhere, you know?"
"Hah… it's… pretty hard to be focused, let alone confident when I have your breath's stench this close to my nostrils, you know?!"
"You-"
He was about to punch me, charging up his fist behind his back, however, that was exactly what I wanted. Going for a low move like that wasn't exactly my style, and even considering the situation, I felt bad about what I was about to do, but drastic situations require drastic measures, right? And so before he could hit me straight in the face, with his focus now directed strictly at my upper body, I swung my foot straight towards his nutsack.
"Arghhh!"
The shock of pain was enough for him to let go of me, and he fell to his knee, which gave me another perfect opportunity.
Though I don't really have enough strength for a punch, so…
Giving up on any ideas that would involve physical strength, I formed a peace sign with 2 of my fingers, and pierced him straight into the eyes. It was another dirty play, but I had no time to shame myself for it, as the other guy charged towards me, this time trying to tackle me down.
That was close!!!
I had managed to avoid getting tackled, but it didn't look good for me. Why is that? Because while I had avoided the first attempt, I had completely forgotten about the space limitations I had. I had dodged towards my left; and ended up hitting my shoulder against the wall, which had stopped my momentum just enough for him to go ahead and grab me by my foot, dragging me on the ground.
"Gaaaahr!"
The sudden dragging made me not only fall, but also hit my head on the ground in the process, which for the record, hurt like hell! He then turned me around on my stomach before I could do anything, and locked both of my hands behind my back with his hand. Difference in battle sense aside, there was simply no way I could overpower and free myself from him. The other guy who was still on his knee had also started to regain composure, and I probably had about a minute at most before he got up again as well.
Yeah… I'm done for.
"Hmm, as I thought. Your fighting sense is also extremely elevated. I guess The Ashford genes aren't just for those ugly hair and eyes of yours."
Their boss spoke again. His voice seemed to be a lot more relaxed. I guess my performance was entertaining enough for him. The pressure on top of me easened up the moment he did though, which means he probably signaled something to the guy pinning me down. However, I couldn't see either one of them, since I was facing the kids.
"My, you flatter me. But you don't need to lie about your thoughts on our signature hair and eye color, you know? They're cool as fuck, and you all know it."
I heard him sigh at my remark, but then a few chuckles followed. It seems like I was being granted the mercy of a final casual chat… but I had no idea how long this was going to last, and that alone made me start sweating.
"Hmm. I can't deny that. Maybe it's just my bias towards your disgusting lineage talking, after all. Before the whole scandal became a thing, your distinguished hair and eye color were indeed looked up to. It could also be that it just generally looks off putting on you alone, haha."
"I'm sure I must look like a freak now, since I don't have golden eyes and only part of my hair has the signature color. But don't worry, my hair is slowly but gradually changing color. Give it 8-10 years and it should be completely white silverish."
"That's good to know, definitely… But it's a shame that it'll remain as nothing but a fun fact, since you won't live long enough for your hair to fully change color, after all."
"… straight to the point, huh?"
"Don't worry too much though. I won't have you die before those brats at the very least. Knocking you unconscious will do the job until then. We don't want you to somehow find a way to free yourself and get in our way further. Hope you understand."
"Just take me out already, will ya?"
I let out a sigh of resignation, waiting for it at this point. I didn't get a reply, however, I felt a strong hit against the back of my neck shortly after, which meant he ordered his minion to take me out just as I had wished for. How admirable, right? He had 2 grown men fight a little kid, but at least he gave me the honor of being knocked unconscious as soon as I asked for it. What a gentleman.
I've bought as much time as I could… I better don't hear anyone blaming me for it, if Maia doesn't make it in time.
And so, quickly after finishing my last trail of thoughts, my consciousness slipped away into slumber.
…
"How long do you intend on staying on the ground for? You're unsightly pathetic."
Shut up. I've done my best.
I couldn't get up, and when I opened my eyes, all I saw was white. White surrounded everything, no matter how much I turned my head around. There was however an exception. Right in front of me, I could see a silhouette. The feet of someone standing in front of me, whom I assume was also the one talking to me. It couldn't have been Maia, since this was clearly probably just a dream, but also because the voice was that of a guy. His voice seemed familiar. But no matter how hard I tried to remember, not a single memory, or even the faintest trail of memories came to mind. It doesn't matter. Above all, what mattered now was the fact that I was getting annoyed towards this man. And it only took one sentence.
"No, you didn't. The fact that you're lying to yourself to this degree alone is enough to make me want to puke."
Puke all you want. I'm tired. I've bought as much time as I could. I'm sure she's just going to arrive soon, if she hasn't already and save us all.
"That might be the case. No, I'm sure you're correct. Maia will arrive in time."
Then quit talking down on me as if you know any better… you're not the only irritated one here.
"You're correct. But that doesn't mean you're right."
What the hell are you even talking about now?
"Maia will arrive and save everyone, that's why you're able to take a nap without any care in the world. But you're forgetting something, aren't you?"
I have no idea what you're talking abou-
Then the realization of what he might've been implicating hit me. I knew Maia was arriving, so I wasn't worried in the slightest, after all I had withstood some of her strength first handedly. But then what about-
"Those kids… they're crying. One of the guys that you fought against is slowly walking towards the older brother. I'm sure both him and his sister must be terrified. And yet you're lying here on the ground taking a nap without a single care in the world, with some "I've done my best" bullshit as an excuse?!"
I-i… tsk.
""It's a test, so I can't do too much" so what if it was a test? If they all jumped you, all there was to do was beat all of them."
…
"So what if you were alone against 5? You're smarter than all of them. You could've figured something out."
…
""Buying time for Maia?" What's that even supposed to mean? Is that really why you put your life on the line, and why you made Luna go alone to look for her, even though she was clearly worried about your dumbass?"
His words were harsh. So harsh that I was gritting my teeth so hard, I thought they might've broken. His voice was filled with a mix of emotions, which I could individually recognize for some reason. He hated me, that much was obvious from the anger within him. But he also was genuinely disappointed in me, because he believes I could've actually done something on my own. There's also hints of compassion and understanding within his voice, almost as if he's trying to guide me towards an answer. But his approach was definitely not the best…
"I won't allow you to let those kids be terrified any longer, Cael. If you forgot how, then I'll teach you. What you need to do in order to save them from a life-scarring event."
… pretty easy to say when you're the one standing. And not the one who can't get up, you know?
I sighed, trying to genuinely not get mad at his words, as I was able to actually hear the benevolent intent within them.
"You still haven't realized it? Seriously… just how big of a failure can you be?"
You really hate my guts this much, huh?
"Yeah. I do."
He paused before continuing, but to my surprise, I saw him crouch. I don't know why I did it, but at that point, I instinctively put all of my strength inside my right hand, trying to lift it up ever so slightly from the ground.
"I really hate you…"
He paused once again. This time, taking my hand in his, and helping me get up slowly. It hurt. It hurt so much that I felt as if my bones were shattering. But I didn't stop. Gritting my teeth even further, putting all of my strength inside my legs, and with his support, I had managed to get back up on my feet.
"I hate you. But I don't dislike you. You might've not have thought about it, but I'm sure that if you saw how badly traumatized those kids would've been if you waited for Maia to arrive alone, you'd blame yourself for it, for the rest of your life. I have no doubt about it."
… that might be right.
He was substantially taller than me, clearly a grown young adult. I tried to look upwards and take a glance at his face, but almost as if telling me it wasn't the right time yet, all I could see was the lowest part of it, and anything above his lips was covered by a darkness which I couldn't even begin to find a logical reason for, since everything else in this space was completely white. However, now that I was able to see his mouth, I could tell. This whole time, even while insulting me, and degrading me… he had this hopefully and jokily smile on his face.
"That's why, you have to wake up. Do you want those kids to remember this event as that time they got traumatized because Maia arrived slightly too late, or do you want them to remember this… as the time Cael Ashford saved them?"
A smile was creeping up on my face, yet no matter how hard I tried, I simply was unable to conceal it. Fuck… I really hate how he's wording it, since being a hero wasn't my intention here. But the other option was even less appealing, so the answer was obvious.
Even then, I really don't know how I can help them… and all you've done so far was insult me.
With his thumb and index finger on his chin, as if actually realizing that playing the vague and mysterious being wouldn't help me magically know the answer he was looking for, he let out an "ah" sound.
Did you really think I'd somehow understand what you want me to do that way…?
"Well… anyway! Even though you should've already figured it out by now, I shall be nice enough to enlighten you. Be grateful."
Yeah, yeah. You're amazing, so cool! Now spill the beans already, will ya? I have something I need to do.
"… you're right. The main problem you're facing right now, is the inability to move freely, due to the heavy clothing you're wearing. But there's an easy solution, is there not? You've also been subjected to it this morning, in front of the gate after all."
Again, playing the mysterious being won't help m- … body enhancing…?!
"See? Told you that you haven't tried your best. You knew about what you had to do deep down, but ignored it."
I do see your point, but I really have no idea how to do it, you know?
I let out a disappointed sigh. To which he grinned once again.
"What are you talking about? Haven't you already done it on your own once? When Alduin attacked the village."
Oh, that's right… after I heard those chains break, and I managed to make that insane speint. But I really have no idea how I did it.
"I'm sure about that much. And so I won't be bitching you about it. We don't really have that much time left after all. Cael, you already know the theory behind how it works, right?"
I mean, I guess so? It's not really complicated on a theoretical level after all. You just use your personal mana to condense the mana that your body is made out of, which works separately, and you pour it inside it, no? But the theory is always easier than the practice.
"That's good enough. As long as you know the theory, you can justify it after all."
He let go of my hand, and walked to my side, putting a hand on my head.
Justify what?
"You don't have to think about it. I'll help you this time, I was the chosen one after all, so it's my duty. When you wake up, you'll be able to enhance your body, but with your current mana pool, I'd say it'll only last about a minute at most. But even after you recover, from now on, you'll know how to do it as if it was second nature."
Wait, what?! How are you-
"There's no more time left for chatting. I'm sorry buddy, but it's time for you to wake up."
But i still have a lot of questions-
"You'll forget all about this conversation once you wake up. Like a faltering dream, escaping from your memory. The moment you're awake, you'll simply "know" how to enhance your body, and won't waste a second doing so."
Huh?! Wait, you can't just-
"The guy whose eyes you blinded momentarily, he just grabbed the older brother, and took him back to his fellow pieces of shit. There is no more time for you to waste. Go, Cael. Wake up."
I tried to protest, to tell him to wait once again, but it was all useless. Weirdly enough, it felt the same way it did when I passed out to begin with. My consciousness was fading away, or I guess returning? And instead of sinking into a slumber, I was floating towards my awakening, already having forgotten all that we had talked about, and the memory of his presence as a whole disappearing quickly after.