Aiden- Ah...I am in a bad condition...
*Looking at that light source, then looking back at the dead beast's carcass*
Aiden- What if that place is dangerous...I can't afford to take on more enemies...
*Aiden tries to stop the bleeding from his belly*
Aiden- Well...I don't have a choice either. If I don't get help, I will bleed to death anyway...
*Aiden slowly starts limping towards the village*
(Upon moving through the dense pathway, Aiden comes face to face with the place... It's a really small village with not too many people)
Aiden- Ah... it's just a village then...
*A girl with deep blue hair notices injured Aiden with a bloodstained white shirt*
Unknown Girl- Sir!- You are blee- Sir?!
Aiden- Peace...at last...
*Aiden collapses unto the hands of the girl, completely blacked out*
Meanwhile,
The Man on the throne- Did you find him?
Assassin girl- No Intel yet, master.
The Man- The capital?
Assassin girl- Definitely not in the capital.
The man- *Sighing heavily, a slight dissatisfaction crosses his face*
Make it quick...You know the consequences.
Assassin girl- Y-yes master...
The man- Put more men to work if you will...
*Slamming the throne handle, it makes the hall shake*
The man- But make- it- quick!
Assassin girl- Y-Yes!! Master!
*The girl disappears into the shadows, afraid*
The man- Useless... incompetent...
Some hours later,
Aiden- *Aiden wakes up in a room not too big...but filled with herbs and medicines. Aiden looks to his left to find the deep blue haired girl sitting on a chair beside his bed, passed out in fatigue. He also heard distinct chattering outside*
-This girl treated me I guess...
Aiden- *Trying to get up he fails, as his limbs
haven't fully healed yet*
- Ugh!...
The girl- *The girl wakes up from Aiden's grunt and movement. Rubbing her eyes she finally comes to her sense and notices Aiden awake*
- Ah mister! Don't move! You haven't fully healed yet...
Aiden- Ah...I can see that. Thank you...for treating me.
The girl- Ah- it's not a big deal...To see someone so injured I couldn't help but- I am glad you could come round!
Aiden- Are you a doctor?
The girl- Uh...
*Her face goes pale on Aiden's words*
Aiden- I am sorry...Did I sa-
The girl- No no... It's just...I am not a doctor but I want to be.
Aiden- I see. I assume it's financial?
The girl- Ah I see you have sharp senses...Yes it's financial. But there's much more to it.
*She looks down in discomfort*
Aiden- *Patting her head*
- It's alright. You can do it. I am sure...
The girl- *Looking upto Aiden*
- You think so...?
Aiden- Mm hmm.
(Thinking)- Clad in a basic robe, poor girl might not be able to afford the city. Born in a small village...maybe her dreams got stranded too.
Aiden- You're talented. And Look... I have gotten so much better. Thanks to you I get to live again.
The girl- Ah- It's not that big of a deal but, Thank you...No one told me something like that.
*She blushes with a tinge of sadness in her eyes*
Aiden- *Trying to get up, he succeeds this time*
The girl- Ah-! You shoul-
Aiden- It's okay. I am feeling better now.
*He wears his white shirt, covering his torso full of bandages*
- Anyway, what's the ruckus outside about?
The girl- It's... about you.
Aiden- *Surprised a little, Aiden says*
- Me? Oh...outsider insecurity?
The girl- Yes... Please don't mind but, your bloody condition made them think you might be a demon or something.
Aiden- Oh? Hell no...As if Hum- I mean Atrucians don't bleed?
The girl- Not that... It's just that the beast hunting our village, was found dead too.
*She diverts her gaze from him*
Aiden- It was a threat? How big?
The girl- Umm...It was a big one and no one else but my brother could kill it. So we were staying hidden until my brother was her-
Aiden- Who's your brother again?
*Thinking about scaling strengths, he got a little concerned*
The girl- He is the leader of Mariana Frontline.
Aiden (Thinking)- Must be...the capital name or something but...I didn't think it was that much of a threat...
Aiden- Oh...I see.
The girl- So did you...really kill that? But you don't have any weapon with you...Did you use magic?
Aiden- I used nothing except two poles.... nearby.
The girl- Who are you really?...
Aiden- I don't remember... anything at all.
(Thinking)- I know nothing about the Aiden who lived in this body before me. Ugh...
The gjrl- Well I trust you...but I don't think they would.
Aiden- That's natural, I am a stranger who striked down that beast. My arrival here is controversial...so you shouldn't trust me either...
*Wearing his shoes Aiden says*
Aiden- I am going outsid-
The girl- No! Don't!
Aiden- Why?
The girl- They might be angry and you haven't fully healed yet...
*She twirls her hair looking down*
Aiden- Awh, You are so caring. But I can handle it now.
*As soon as Aiden finishes he leaves the room*
The girl- Ah! wait!
*The girl follows Aiden to outside*
(Upon going outside, Aiden was greeted with the bright sunlight. He didn't flinch at the sudden light...He is trained. Instead he saw hundreds of people crowded outside, complaining and protesting)
The crowd- A demon has no place in our village!
- Yeah! Take him down!
The girl- Everyone! Please calm down!
*Her soft voice doesn't seem to reach to the enraged public*
Aiden- It's okay, let me handle this.
*Aiden touches her shoulder to calm her down*
- Everyone!
*Aiden claps once immediately taking everyone's attention*
Aiden- Who's the village chief?
*As he says, an old man comes forward*
Aiden- *Quickly bowing he greets the old man*
The old man- *Greeting back, he says*
- What's your purpose here?
Aiden- I didn't plan on coming here...I got injured in the fight with the beast-
The old man- And you striked it down. How can we trust a stranger with such abilities? One who could strike down a beast like that barehanded...cannot be normal.
Aiden- Doesn't necessarily mean I am a demon. Do I seem to have any distinct feature which makes me any different from an Atrucian?
The crowd- Demons can disguise themselves!
- Yeah they can!
The old man- Quiet! So young man, what do you say in your defense?
The girl- May I speak?
The old man- Yes please.
The girl- My brother should be returning anytime soon. I think rather than taking rash decisions, my brother could decide well. So why not give him a chance-
The crowd- Yeah, a chance to kill us all?
-What do you mean girl?!
The girl- I...
Unknown man- If he makes any move, I will execute him personally. What's your name kid?
(Everyone looks back to see a man, clad in brown Armor with golden designs, and blazing fists. It's probably the girl's brother)
Aiden- It's Aiden...else I don't remember.
The brother- *He walks through the crowd upto Aiden, and grabs him by his collar. His grip strong, and a furious look on his face*
- Don't remember my foot...My sister trusted you so I am giving you a chance...else You would be burnt to a crisp by now... Don't your dare do any shady business...and don't...
Break her trust.
(Letting him go, Aiden felt a huge pressure, lifted off his throat. Aiden dare not question his power)
The brother- But I have a condition. I'll give you 10 days. Prepare yourself. If you wanna survive...You must fight me, and prove your worth. You said you don't remember? Try to get back up...or something but you have 10 days only. Remember that.
The girl- But broth-
Aiden- No... it's okay. I don't run from challenges. So,
Challenge accepted.