After twenty minutes of walking through the tunnel, Nasrin encountered a few thugs she would knock out and a few caged individuals whom she freed. Soon, she reached a room that was designed like an office. The room was as big as a small coffee shop, and behind the chair on the wall was an emblem.
The design was elegantly shaped like a diamond, showcasing a majestic golden tiger resting on a lush field of green grass. Behind the tiger, two crossed swords, also of a golden hue, enhanced the regal image. The tiger's emerald-green eyes seemed to observe anyone who dared to look upon it, adding to its commanding presence.
After examining the emblem, Nasrin searched the room for valuables. After thoroughly checking for anything else of worth, she only found ten gold ingots.
Walking out of the room, she snapped her fingers, filling the room with a milky-like gas. 'I'm glad the original host practiced this spell a lot,' Nasrin snapped her fingers again and a small purple fire appeared on her index finger.
She flicked the fire towards the room before her figure disappeared. Outside, the sound of an explosion and screams could be heard, but they were soon silenced after a short second. Clapping her hands together, Nasrin pressed a stone, and the wall closed.
After that, she walked towards the boy, but the sound of footsteps stopped her. "Hey! Who are ya!"
They were answered by loud smacks to the chest. After making sure the cost was clear, she walked over to the boy who hadn't moved during that time.
She removed the bag from over the boy's head with shaking hands. The boy opened his eyes and stared at Nasrin blankly.
Nasrin's eyes filled with tears, blurring her vision as they streamed down her cheeks. She held the boy close, wrapping her arms around him in a desperate embrace.
Breaking the hug, she looked at him closely. 'He does look like August, but I know this isn't him,' she thought, removing her mask to wipe her tears. 'I hope he's okay. Luckily, I saved a lot of money.'
"I'm sorry for hugging you like that. You reminded me of my brother," Nasrin said, looking at the boy with a gentle smile. The boy stared at her in amazement. 'No one has smiled at me like that before,' he thought.
"The ropes must be uncomfortable," Nasrin said, shifting the topic and quickly untying the boy. What's your name?" She maintained a gentle smile, afraid of scaring him.
"…Hunter," the boy softly said. Nasrin's smile faltered for a quick second. "You have a nice name." Her smile returned quickly after.
"Do you have pa- "
"Hey! Who are you?! And what are you mongrels doing on the ground? And you lot go get her!" Viper's sharp voice echoed through the alley. Nasrin's smile vanished, replaced by a cold expression. She held Hunter's head down and whispered, "No matter what you hear, don't get up."
Hunter kept his head down while nodding. Nasrin's eyes sparkled with a smile. When she looked up, her expression turned cold. She glanced at the twenty thugs behind Viper and slowly approached them. Viper flinched back upon seeing her face.
"Ah, It's the lass I stole money from," Viper's expression relaxed. "Yah here to get your money back?" His eyes narrowed into a smile as he looked at Nasrin.
"Capture her, she'll sell for a lot of money with that face." The thugs looked at each other before running towards Nasrin.
Nasrin simply kicked them in the chest enabling them from getting up. Now, twenty-plus men were left groaning on the floor. Viper moved back as he yelled at the approaching Nasrin, "Stay away!" He then turned towards his men, yelling at them to get up.
One of the thugs on the floor held onto her leg, firmly trying to stop her from moving forward. Nasrin stomped on the thug's arm causing a blood-curdling scream and snapping of bones to echo in the alleyway. Hunter, whose head was still down shivered on hearing the scream.
Nasrin threw the thug away before stretching her hand out, "Hand my money back."
The shivering Viper shakingly handed the three ingots back. Getting her money back, she kicked him in the stomach causing him to pass out from the pain. Looking back, she called out, "You can go home now," She turned towards him. "On your own."
Hunter looked up at Nasrin, who awkwardly rubbed the back of her head. "Well, this is goodbye."
She waved to the silent boy and then walked out of the alleyway. She looked at the setting sun and let out a sigh, 'This seems to be a wake-up call. I have to find that 2nd Sun flame remnant* and leave this world.'
A sorrowful smile appeared on Nasrin's face as she walked towards the outskirts of the town.
*Note: Sun remnants will now be called Sun flame remnants or just Sun flames.