'It's not like I wanted anything at all from this elf... Besides, it's not like I needed an external help. I just felt that he was way too good to be killed and if I let him just walk away, he'll grow too strong and by then, I won't be able to bend him to my will that's why I decided to let him live but in exchange for his life, his freedom will be mine. I know it'll hurt him so much considering the fact that he just regained his freedom not long ago but I really do not care about all that. I'm not trying to blackmail him but I just don't like being cornered and losing is something I've grown to hate. He is going to be under me for as along as I want and any day he tries to betray me, he's head will go rolling to the ground'.
Klein glanced around at the destruction surrounding them and sighed. "We can't stay here," he said, his voice practical. "This place is still overrun with monsters. We need to find a safer location."
The elf boy nodded in agreement, his eyes scanning the horizon. "I know a place," he said, his voice hesitant. "It's not far from here. We can head there and regroup."
Klein raised an eyebrow. "What kind of place is it?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.
The elf boy hesitated before answering. "It's an old castle," he said. "It's been abandoned since the destruction started, but it's defensible. We can hole up there and figure out our next move."
Klein nodded thoughtfully. "Sounds like a plan," he said. "Let's get moving."
The elf boy nodded, and together they set off towards the castle, navigating through the ruins and avoiding the roaming monsters.
As they walked, Klein couldn't help but notice the elf boy's quiet determination. Despite his rough start, the elf boy seemed to be adapting quickly to their new circumstances.
"What's your name, by the way?" Klein asked, breaking the silence.
The elf boy looked up at him, a hint of surprise on his face. "I'm Elon," he said, his voice soft.
Klein nodded, committing the name to memory. "I'm Klein," he said, his eyes scanning the horizon. "Let's hope this castle of yours is as safe as you say it is."
Elon nodded, his eyes fixed on the path ahead. "It will be," he said, his voice firm. "We'll make it safe if it isn't."
Klein smiled to himself, a small, wry smile. He had a feeling that Elon was going to be a valuable ally in the days to come.
After they had walked for a long time, they finally came to a halt at the entrance to a long old-looking castle.
"This is the place," Elon said, pointing towards the entrance; a small metal gate with intricate symbols.
Klein gazed at the castle for a while and then shook his head. "We aren't the only ones here."
Elon didn't look surprised as Klein said this. "I can hear faint breathings and whispers, thanks to my sharp senses but may I ask how you are aware?"
"There are many things you do not know about me, that is why I told you earlier that you can not kill me," Klein replied with no intention of telling Elon how he knew that there were companies in the castle. "Let's go in."
'He is so secretive, I can't learn anything about him'. Elon thought as he led Klein into the castle.
As Klein and Elon entered the hall inside the castle, following the faint voice s, they were immediately surrounded by a diverse group of people. There were men and women, young and old, each with their unique features and abilities but behind these group of outshining people were those looking battered and injured, some were covered with wounds. They were those caught up in the chaos.
Klein's eyes scanned the room, he didn't like what he was seeing but it didn't mean he cared about these people. He was after those with the special aura... Looking at them, he could feel the aura of each person. There was a girl with short, spiky hair who radiated an aura of speed and agility. A tall, muscular man with a menacing scar above his eyebrow seemed to emanate an aura of brute strength.
Elon noticed Klein's interest and said. "It seems they are no ordinary people. What are we going to do?"
Klein's eyes narrowed as he continued to scan the room. He could feel the power emanating from each person, and he knew that he would have to be careful.
Just then, a voice boomed from the far end of the hall. "Ah, we have visitors or should I call you friends."
Klein's eyes followed the sound and landed on a man with a bald head and a long, white beard. He radiated an aura of wisdom and power.
The old man's eyes locked onto Klein, and he felt a jolt of surprise. "This boy is no ordinary human," the old man whispered, his voice filled with intrigue.
Klein's eyes met the old man's, and he could sense a spark of recognition. The old man knew that Klein was powerful, but he didn't know the extent of his abilities.
Elon stepped forward, a fake smile on his face. "We are just passerbies looking for a place to rest up."
The old man nodded, his eyes never leaving Klein's face. "I see," he said. "But there's only one way to determine if we are going to let you both stay."
Klein's eyes narrowed, sensing where this was going.
The old man smiled, a glint in his eye. "We'll have a duel," he said. "If you win our strongest man, I'll let you stay with us."
The room erupted into cheers and chatter, each person eager to prove their strength.
Klein's eyes met Elon's, and he could sense a spark of fear and worry.
"I am not interested," he said and turned to leave.
"Just like that?" The old man asked, a hint of mockery in his voice as he spoke to Klein. "You must man up and do what is required of you. The world outside this temple is chaotic with no safe place to stay... This place is your only option but unlike these poor citizens, you must earn yourself a spot."
"What stupid ideology is that?" Klein asked with a hint of disgust in his voice. "To hell with your safe haven, I love places that are chaotic."
This got the man boiling, however, he didn't do or say anything. He silently watched Klein turn to leave, inwardly, he believed that the boy would definitely come back because there was no place safer than the temple.
"Daddy!" A tiny voice among the crowd of helpless citizens called. A little girl with large eyes and frail look ran out from the crowd and ran over to Klein who halted.
He turned and saw the little girl holding his trousers, a look of pain and shock spreading across his face.
"Who are you?" He asked her.
"Daddy, it's me Eve," the girl said. "I am your daughter."
Klein raised his head and glanced, as expected, all eyes were on him. Some were staring at him in disbelief, others surprised, while some were staring at him sympathetically. 'What's with all these people'? He thought and glanced at Elon, the boy was staring at him in surprise.
"Hey, do you know her?" He asked him.
Elon quickly shook his head, waving his hands at the same time. "I don't know who she is."
"Daddy... Carry me," the little said, causing Klein's face to darken. She opened her arms and raised her hands, gesturing him to carry her. Her large eyes getting wet, indicating that she was going to cry.
'Th-this'. Klein had never been in such a difficult situation before, it was obvious from the complicated expressions on his face.
"Hey, carry your child!" Someone from the crowd yelled at him.
"What are you hesitating for?"
"Don't tell us you are one of those unfaithful men out there!"
'Hah'. Klein sighed inwardly. This wasn't his plan, he didn't want to be tied down to a single person or responsibility. He turned once more to leave but Elon stopped him.
"Maybe you should carry her," he said to him.
"Tell me why I should do that?" Klein asked him.
"We both don't know anything about the world, having someone like her will make the world easy for us to navigate," Elon replied.
"I don't need her help," Klein said and began to leave. "If you want someone badly, you can go ahead to carry her. I mean... Having you as her daddy doesn't hurt, right?"
"You... Damn it!" Elon grunted. Before be could say something, Klein was gone... He had left the temple.
"That kid..." The old man mumbled, trying to keep himself from lashing out.
Meanwhile, Elon looked down at the girl with her arms still widely open and sighed. He was also least interested in tagging anybody along but seeing how frail the little girl was, he somehow remembered his past. He was once like her... His arms were always open like this, waiting and hoping that his father... No, anyone at all would carry him and make him loved but no! None of that ever happened. He didn't know what love and care was but at least, he knew how to make someone feel better.
He bent down and picked the girl up in his arms, the tears in her eyes vanished like it was never there and she circled her arms around his neck immediately.
"Hopefully, I am not making a mistake," he mumbled before he turned and left the temple.
Outside, they soon caught up with Klein whow as walking slowly... It was as though he was waiting for them indirectly and Elon noticed it.
"So where are we heading to?" He asked him.
"Anywhere the feet takes us to," Klein replied, his gaze was afar off.
"There is a cave outside the city, it is the safest place to pass the night," the little girl suddenly said and Elon glanced at her.
"Are you sure?" He asked her.
"Yes, the first time I came to this world, I lived in that cave with my father so I know it's a safe place," she replied.
Klein who was listening to them tilted his head and glanced at the girl, his emotions unreadable as she studied her.
"Hey," he mumbled, his eyes locked onto the girl's. "Aren't you tired of pretending?"