I sprint through the maze of boulders. The screams grow louder, desperate, cutting through the stillness like a blade.
"No! Please, stop! Somebody help me!"
The voice belongs to a woman. I round the last boulder, and the scene unfolds before me: three men and a dwarf encircling a figure crouched low to the ground. It's not a woman. Not entirely.
The figure has the form of a human but with golden catlike ears twitching nervously atop her head, a matching tail coiled tight against her body. She's pressed against a rock, trembling.
I don't stop to think. "Tsuki!"
He's already moving. We've done this before. Tsuki races behind me, blade drawn. I leap into the air as he plants his sword firmly beneath my feet, launching me forward with precision. A quick burst of wind magic propels me even faster. My foot connects with the side of the closest bandit's skull, the crack audible. He drops instantly.
The others whirl around, stunned. I land smoothly, adrenaline coursing.
Tsuki follows up with a sharp snap of his fingers. Ash swirls in the air, blinding the remaining bandits. Without hesitation, I dart forward, spin, and land a kick square in another bandit's chest. He crumples.
Tsuki handles the third with the hilt of his blade, dropping him effortlessly.
That leaves the dwarf. He stumbles back, rubbing at his eyes as the ash clears. When his vision returns, it's met with the sight of his unconscious companions and two very capable magicians standing before him.
I step forward, my blade glinting in the faint sunlight. "Get lost. And don't come back."
My voice is low, steady—a poor imitation of a mob boss from an old show Sam and I used to watch. Still, it works. The dwarf stumbles over himself as he flees, dropping his axe in his haste.
Tsuki methodically ties the unconscious bandits to a nearby tree. "We'll notify the guards in Saxumidian," he says without looking at me.
I nod, turning my attention to the trembling figure behind the rock.
Her golden eyes peek out cautiously, wide and wary. Up close, her features are striking—a mix of human and feline. Her ears twitch as they catch the faintest sounds, and her sharp nails retract as she stands.
A nekoman.
Her hair is short and messy, tied up with a red bow—surprisingly clean compared to her torn, mud-streaked clothes.
She looks at me, still unsure, and I offer a hand.
"Uh… Ha ho," I say awkwardly, recalling the greeting I'd heard in Alstidon.
Her ears perk up slightly. She hesitates, then grasps my hand. Her grip is firm, her palm rough, calloused.
"You're… from the Kingdom of Light?" she asks, her voice soft but edged with surprise.
Tsuki steps forward, his tone neutral. "Lord Solice, that phrase is a common greeting and farewell in Alstidon. She's recognizing your use of it."
I clear my throat, feeling caught. "Er, no. Not really. It's… a long story. I'm Solice, and this is Tsuki."
She nods, her tail twitching nervously. "I'm Dezirae."
She's small, barely reaching my chest, but her presence carries a weight of someone who's endured much.
"Are you hurt?" I ask, scanning her for injuries.
"No…" she says, though there's something behind her golden eyes—something I can't quite place. Fear? Disappointment? I push aside the intrusive memory of Alondra, willing myself not to see betrayal in everyone I meet.
"Good," I reply, forcing my voice to remain steady. "Do you live nearby? Can you get home safely?"
Dezirae hesitates, her gaze darting between me and Tsuki. Then, her expression brightens, almost too suddenly. "My village isn't far. We're just on the outskirts of the kingdom. You saved my life! Please, come with me. My people will want to thank you properly!"
The knot in my chest tightens. Something about her excitement feels… rehearsed. Forced. I glance at Tsuki, his cold eyes giving nothing away. He waits for my decision.
I sigh, the weight of choice pressing down on me. Trust is a fragile thing, but without it, I'll never survive in this world.
"Lead the way," I say finally.
Dezirae beams, her tail swaying as she takes the lead.
Behind her, Tsuki and I exchange a glance. He says nothing, but I can feel his silent vigilance, ready for whatever may come next.