"Arghh! Fuck…" Aria cursed loudly after her eyes completely opened.
"My head is pounding. Did someone strike it many times with a hammer or shit?" She promptly groaned as she completely regained her consciousness and attempted to sit upright - Only to realise her all extremities were tied tightly with rope.
"Tsk! Not again!" She gritted her teeths, and unease creeped over her.
Am I dead? Hadn't she perished? Yet here she was, very much alive, and talking properly. Wait, is this hell? And I am in danger? Hmph! fate is not playing tricks with her… Does it?
Soon confusion clouded her mind, contending with her most conflicting thoughts.
'That doesn't make sense how the fuck I'm alive.' It was as if she was on the brink of death but she refused to die or she was just 'lucky'.
But why are her limbs tied… Her garments clung to her skin, inexplicably drenched. She pondered a lot but then an unfamiliar voice snapped through her musings.
"Ah, you're awake, Kid." Somebody called her nonchalantly. "Make sure you swiftly gather your strength to stand on your feets. Because our destination is getting closer."
It was a middle aged male human — Has short black hair and dark skin — A claw scar inscribed upon his cheek; Eyes resembled those of an eagle shape and colour. He donned a simple ensemble: black trousers paired with a white shirt — Both fabrics had numerous scratches and tears.
"Where a- Nevermind. I'm probably in adversity." Aria's lips twitched in resignation as agony ran veins-to-vein; Both mentally and physically. Taking a good look at her surroundings, She observed that she was trapped in a cage with many miserable beings - Different races - she had never seen.
All of them were transported by a prison wagon. "... Shit! Ugly people."
Two horrible looking goblins sat at the reins, steering their unknown journey. The man with the eagle-like eyes addressed her casually. "Good morning. My name is Johnson. And your introduction, Mrs… ?"
"..." Aria expressionlessly glared at him —> Her blank stare conveyed her disinterest in any type of bullshit, given her catastrophic condition. Not like she remembered her own name… Her memory pieces are indistinguishable. Having conversation with strangers seems painful to her as sharing your information with unknown folks is excruciating.
"... Well." Johnson repeated a single word more than two times. "Yes, This young lady is going into a tangle. We were passing through this jungle while these goblins found you as a bonus. Think of yourself as a freebie for this goblin."
What the hell are you talking about? For some reasons; Aria wants to beat this old man. She isn't some kind of goody.
"... Isn't this the place where you should ask 'How so'?" Johnson complained.
Anyone watching the scene could easily discern his entertained mood by her continued silence.
"... What?" She said in a low voice.
"So cold!" His body language — that slight tilt of the head — Relaxed positions of his shoulders; Explained Johnson wasn't frustrated. Instead, he felt elated that she would engage in dialogue, believing her single word confirmed her ability to speak.
"Uh, these goblins apparently found you near the edge of a deep river."
"Abyssal river?" Her murmur unconsciously took on a glacial track. The prison wagons meandered along a winding trail, flanked by an ebony waterway that snaked alongside their route.
"Have you noticed that shadowy stream?" John inquired, lifting his eyebrow towards her as he readjusted his posture: Crossed his legs.
"No!" she retorted sarcastically. It was a nonsense question. Not like she is blind!
They were in a forest-like area, under a crimson sky. To add more repugnant; Environment, air, and oxygen was disgusting and smelly.
"I see… You're blind, eh? No worries. I'll be your guardian, My new friend." Johnson quipped, nodding towards the river.
She looks at him curiously. 'What does this moron want from me? Can't he see i- Wait he must be bored and wishing for death. Is this hell? What is this place?'
Aria wants to know things! But how can she get them? There is nobody to speak with. In the end, left with no choice, she silently inquisitive yet closely listened to Johnson's words.
Meanwhile, Johnson explained before pointing his hands towards the black watercourse. "Ahead of us lies the black creek called is - Abyssal River. Legend's affirmation is: Its depths are so dark that even gods can't penetrate or swim in its murk."
"... Hmm. I see." Aria humped; Wasn't interested anymore after she referred to him as chatterbox. She looked at the two goblin raiders, then swept her eyeballs over the countless prison wagons following behind hers.
"What do these halfwits intend to do with us?"
"... They..."
Johnson nervously scratched his cheeks as he tweaked his figure according to his comfort as strain flipped throughout his face. "Well. We're merely merchandise to them. Plot twist - We're heading to the slave market..."
"... No shit sherlocks." Aria instantly understood his double meaning. They were about to be sold off like discarded refuse as she lamented internally.
'What transgression have I committed to merit such a type of tribulation?'
What troubled Aria most wasn't the prospect of being sold by these wretched creatures. But rather the jarring question of her own identity. She had not one piece of memory that belonged to her. What kind of luck had led her to circumstances that caused her to suffer in the middle of winter?
"Something on your mind?" Johnson located her distant expression, misreading it as fear. "Don't worry! I've got a plan to break free from here."
"Huh!" Aria came back to the present; Acknowledged that the current situation requested her scrutiny before lodging on other uncertainties.
"A plan, you say? Do tell." She was still sceptical of Johnson.
"Intrigued by my scheme, aren't you, kiddo?" Johnson nudged her shoulder with his own while crossing his hands on his chest. Something inside of her scared the shit out of her because of touch. She instinctively shot him a killing glare.
"Don't touch me, You unworthy worm!" If not had her hands were not bound, She might have strangled him until his final breath. Today, Johnson was really fortunate. "Less gloating - More explaining. What's this plan of yours?
"Whoa…" Johnson raised both hands in objection. "Please forgive my behaviour; I shouldn't have touched you."
He noted that Aria was uncomfortable with touch, apologised like a real gentleman. "If I was aware that you dislike physical contact - I would have refrained from doing so in the first place."
To earn her trust, He dedicated to make an effort to engage in actions that she appreciated.
"Speak!" Aria's coldy command. It caused the surrounding crowd to recoil back, trembling, except for Johnson. His lips moulded into a cunning smirk.
"The key is to..."
Aria inclined her head as he outlined the scheme. Despite the risk of failure, she saw potential. Her expression was neutral and unexplainable as she declared. "Count me in. My liberty is worth any cost."
"That's spirit…" Johnson grinned ear-to-ear and pivoted, exposing his back. "Remove the blade from my belt. Then proceed."
Aria retrieved the weapon without any further action. "We'll soon discover if this proves effective…"