It's a hot day. Man, it's such a hot day.
To those who lived in the capital of the kingdom of Opulus, they often found themselves beneath an ever brightening sun. Every building and man was doused in endless sunlight, ranging from a warmth in the winter, to a blaze in the summer.
However, not all enjoyed the constant heat. One of those people being a man, Allen, who was out on patrol, keeping watch over the circular wall between the common folk and the royals. He was quite young and held a striking sense of fashion, that of that can be described as half man and half knight. With armor plates on his shoulders and chest, yet his head and legs exposed, he wore both protection and vulnerability as he walked around the wall.
"Why do I even have to keep doing this? Have I not achieved enough to warrant a more fitting job." He grunted, wiping off the sweat from his forehead. He then felt a hand on his shoulder, and looking behind him he saw the steel face of a helmet.
"Are you tired, sir?"
In an echoed voice, a knight in full armor asked Allen. Allen's gut wrenched and he immediately knocked away the knight's arm. Stepping away, bit his tongue with a "tch", unable to know where to look.
"I'm fine." Allen responded, with silence given back from the knight. He thought for a moment, straying his eyes until he spotted something. It was the flag of the kingdom, illustrated with four different colored sides with a diamond at the center. He exhaled with a tinge of relief.
"Tell the others we reached point three. We have ten minutes."
He pointed to the other knights that were following him, then to the corner of the wall where the flag was on. The knight nodded and walked away.
With the patrol reaching its halfway point among the perimeter, Allen decided to lay against the grand wall, but he quickly jolted away after feeling the heat that was trapped inside the wall's metal lining, burning his back.
"O' principality, give me mercy. Can I not catch a break."
Bickering at the wall, he felt awkward talking to himself, but he couldn't push himself to talk to the others. He was a rank above them, so it was out of the question.
In the kingdom of Opulus, the hierarchy was strict and clear. There existed soldiers around the kingdom who would help keep things in peace and order. Above them were knights, who were tasked to protect the royalty and resided within the circular wall of the capital. And finally, above them, were royal knights, people who have sworn to protect their respective family heads. The kingdom was governed by five royal families in fact, each with their own goals and strengths.
"And considering I'm in one of them, you'd think I'd get better treatment around here." Allen grimaced. He sighed as he found a bench near one of the shops that were nearby to sit on. Unlike the burning metal of the wall, the bench's warm wood gave him a comfort to relax upon.
He looked over the scenery of the district. He caught multiple people staring, many in awe or caution. Sure, if Allen was a normal person, he could see himself finding it creepy and annoying, but he was special. He was a member of a royal family. Specifically, the family of Damon.
At the top of the kingdom were the five royal families that governed different sectors of the nation. The Amai, one with close connections with the multicultural communities; the Makarovs, a family who dedicated themselves with the prosperity and satisfaction of the locals and domestic businesses; the Rihards, a family that kept making breakthroughs with foreign nations and businesses, bringing even greater sources of technology and wealth; the Viveks, made out of the greatest scientists and engineers in known history, building and discovering magic for progress in all factors of life; and finally, the Damons...
"We're meant to represent the strength and power of the kingdom, yet I'm stuck acting no different than a common soldier." Allen groaned, swaying his head back to rest on the bench. His amusement of being looked upon dried up fast.
Unfortunately, he knew that they were still looking, mainly due to the unique color of his eyes and hair. It was a gentle purple-blue that practically shouted he was of royalty, as almost every person had either black, brown, or blonde hair. He closed his eyes so that he would rest for a moment, but when he opened them, a face appeared out of nowhere in front of them.
"Ah– Kanata?" Instead of feeling tension or shock, Allen's dismay quickly wellowed down as he saw a familiar face.
"Good to see you slacking on the job, Allen." Said the girl, Kanata, her wry grin being complimented by her bright, pastel blue hair, along with her lively blue-shaded eyes that dazzled with the glare of the sunlight. If Allen had the ability to freeze a moment in time and forever stick it in his mind, he would do so now.
"I can't argue back on such a clear-cut assessment. It's good to see you too." He laughed as he waved his hand in resignation. Quickly, he stood up from the bench and met eye to eye with her, although it was hard to look at them without falling in awe. He could smell a flowery scent, which eased him even more. Alongside her face, she wore similar clothing to Allen's, but at a much more lenient level. With only her shoulders and the sides of her arms enforced with armor, the rest of her body was exposed, only veiled by a tight black fabric.
"I heard you just came back from Astraea. Considering the excitement I hear from people who visited, I assume it was fun for you as well?"
"Ah I wish. I was only able to stay for a couple of hours. One of my relatives had something she wanted to give us. You could call it a souvenir of some sort."
Reaching something from her pocket, she pulled out a small, flat talisman that looked like an ofuda, with Japanese writing inscribed on its surface. Kanata continued, "I had to bring back a box of these talismans for the shrine that will be built in memory of those who died from the attack in Kamehime."
Handing the talisman to Allen's hand, he carefully grazed the surface with his finger, feeling the etching into the wooden texture. Hearing of its purpose, he felt his gut stir. The attack Kanata mentioned was one of discrimination, one that was unfortunately becoming more common in the past few years. Yet, the family heads wouldn't discuss it. But he didn't want to think about it further, so he handed the talisman back to her.
As he struggled to think of something else, he suddenly heard the sound of music coming from the side, far off into the street. Both he and Kanata looked over and saw a man playing on a piano that was in the middle of an intersection.
Allen had never remembered seeing that piano before, but its placement within the center, surrounded by a garden of roses and violets, made it seem like it was always there. The glare of the sunlight shone down upon the man playing, his fingertips gently pressing each key with vigor and passion. Kanata soon hummed in sync with the music, which made Allen snap out from the trance. He looked at her, as if gazing at a star.
"I can't hold myself back in saying how beautiful you are when you smile." He spoke, no shame in his words. It caused Kanata to blush slightly, but she had not stopped humming, still looking at the playing of the piano.
"–Music is comforting. But all it can do is comfort." She mumbled.
Allen had caught her words, but he lacked any response and kept staring, in awe of her glistening hair and eyes. Kanata, like Allen, was someone of royalty. She was of Amai descent, and her blue hair brought beauty and life to whoever was in her presence. However, her timid demeanor was only surface level to her identity, for she was also a royal knight.
As knights who swore to protect one sole person, Allen and Kanata shared a bond over their mutual situation. They have spent the past few years helping each other with issues regarding family and threats. When it was necessary, Kanata was not someone to only gaze at. Allen could spend the entire day reminiscing over the time he shared with her, but he knew he didn't have such freedom.
"I will make comfort anguish in the face of our will." He mumbled back, but it did not catch in the ears of Kanata.
Allen was satisfied with that, though. For it was a promise he will take on alone.
...
A few hours later, Allen was far away from the center of the capital. Even after spending most of the day patrolling the wall, he had another assignment given. Every two months, the knights had to go through the whole city to make sure things were in order, with both the citizens and designated guards. Recently, fear of corruption was running rampant, thus it was necessary.
This time, Allen was chosen as the navigator. He was idly staring at the sun which was close to reaching the horizon.
However, what would've been a dull stroll through the streets were anything but with Kanata following him all throughout. She followed from behind, and chatted with many people every time they made a stop for a break.
As Allen and the knights were reaching a crossroads, he looked back at Kanata.
"How come you're still here? There's really nothing other than walking and talking to keep us company." Allen asked her.
He walked slower in order to meet her by her side, and she smiled wryly having to ponder the question. It made Allen start to break a sweat, wondering if he made a mistake, but Kanata answered promptly.
"I find watching you agonize in boredom quite entertaining for myself."
Allen blinked in confusion, repeating the same words in his mind in order to understand what she intended. But he coughed out a laugh.
Kanata looked forward and saw a small coffee shop at the end of the street. Her eyes struck out with desire and she ran to the shop, leaving Allen back without a word. The rest of the knights were provoked by her running and looked at Allen for context, in which he gave back a wry, nervous smirk.
"How about we make a stop here. We're near enough to the edge of the city, so it's not completely necessary to go any farther." He said, in which he received good reception from the tired soldiers. Allen, too, was also relieved he didn't have to walk any farther, as his feet began to ache.
He looked at the shop where Kanata had entered, the light inside being an unusual green. He noticed that it flickered a couple of times during his minute of watching, its age and sparse energy clear as the dying daylight. It was expected, as not many lived near the edge of the city, since it is more vulnerable than the central district, so profit was likely low. Allen was surprised the streets here hadn't become slums at this point.
Yet, he saw Kanata idly chat with the owner of the store through the window. Enjoying the company, the owner seemed to be showing some objects that were on a shelf on the wall. Allen couldn't make out what they were, so he decided to just enter the shop himself.
As he walked to the shop, he looked around the rest of the street, taking glances at similarly aging stores. He saw a few shut down and even abandoned. When he reached to grab the doorknob, the door was opened by a young girl with raven hair. He looked at her amethyst eyes for a moment before pardoning himself inside. She seemed to move in a rush, but his attention withdrew when he saw Kanata.
Kanata greeted him with an endearing wave, egging him to sit next to her. Allen nodded and sat on a stool that felt as old as it looked, with bumps and ripping all over.
"The owner was just telling me of an idea that I think would be great for the outer district." She said.
"Oh yeah? I bet it would be good, considering the state of the street outside."
"Er, that's right. No one finds the streets here appealing even a bit, I tell ya."
Placing down a glass on the table, the owner put down his own comment as he poured some water. "I'm sure you feel quite thirsty, sir. I saw you sweating a river outside."
Allen hesitated to pick up the glass, slightly embarrassed by the statement he was given. But he was indeed thirsty. So even with his pride hurt, he tightened his cheeks and grabbed the glass.
Sipping on the lukewarm water, his eyes found themselves looking at photos and awards on the shelves. One of them was a picture of the owner surrounded by many elderly folks.
"I looked quite sharp when I was young, didn't I?" The owner said, grabbing the picture, grazing it tenderly with his thumb. "This place used to be quite lively. Folks from even the central visiting to eat exotic fish my friends caught at the lakes."
Smiling as he spoke, the owner placed down the picture on the counter. Allen looked at it closer, noticing the background was of the same street outside. Except, the buildings looked new, with many civilians walking from one to another.
"How come it's so empty nowadays?" He asked. The owner's smile vanished.
Looking at Allen, straight to his eyes, he huffed out a breath. Narrowing his own eyes, they strayed to the window, where the bleak, empty street laid.
"What do ya think? People are getting frightened." He answered, his voice becoming deep and sturdy. "Until ya fix this problem, no one is coming here. Hell, I heard some people might even go to the empire, cause at least they keep their people safe."
Allen's throat tightened, freezing for a second. Without thinking, he slammed his fist on the counter, moving his face close.
"What are you implying?" His breath became hot, feeling it flow by his lips.
The look on the owner's face, it made Allen's gut wrench and he couldn't help but get it out. Something in Allen, for a reason he couldn't figure out, fueled him with anger. Yet, the owner neither flinched or showed any fear. He took Allen's glass and began to wipe it clean, but his eyes were hard stuck on Allen.
"I ain't implying anything, son. I'm telling ya straight to your face. This kingdom ain't safe, and you royals aren't doing anything about it from what I've seen."
"You have no idea what–"
"Allen, stop."
Hearing timid, rough words coming from next to him, Allen immediately shut his mouth, his glare only leaving a few moments after. He could feel his face still enraged, barely restrained by his own will. Finally, he let a laugh escape, placing a couple of fingers to mask his face.
He thought about how much he embarrassed Kanata, who he couldn't bear to try to look at. He wanted to curse himself.
Meanwhile, Kanata placed down her glass and apologized profusely to the owner. Although, hearing the owner's repeating response of forgiveness, even Allen could tell Kanata was doing too much. But that was who she was, and it made him feel even more shame.
"A-anyways... I appreciate the service you've given us, let me see if I have anything to tip you with." Trying to move on from the tension, Kanata searched through her pockets to get her wallet.
"–It's gone."
Before registering her words, Allen instinctively looked at her upon hearing her, his eyes widening with a shine.
"Did you lose it on the way here?"
"No. I just had it a few minutes ago."
"It might'a been stolen by that black-haired girl, if I had to guess." The owner, his rough voice cracking, pointed to a booth behind Kanata. "She was sitting close to ya there, and I've never seen her before, either."
Evaluating the situation, Allen stood up from his stool, brandishing the sheath of his blade. His face felt restless, like it was seeking hope–he spoke, a hint of grimace protruding from his speech.
"I'll find her. It wasn't too long since she left."
Kanata was left mouth agape, a nervous sweat on her cheek. "You don't have to. I can find her myself," she said, standing up as well.
"I know." Allen replied, opening the door. "But you're off duty. It's my responsibility."
Leaving without waiting for any further response from her, the door closed shut. The ringing from the door alarm being the last sound to find itself in the room.
Kanata still stood there. She had taken a step forward, but she kept herself from going to him. Her eyes were down, and she held her own arm.
"It's fine." she whispered. "He will pull himself together."
...
Taking a deep breath, Allen was relieved to get out of the shop. The heat was bad out–it really was–but being inside began to feel like a sauna. The smell of old wood and alcohol was also noticeable, but he refrained from mentioning it.
"Ugh, this day has already pissed me off, and now I have to catch a run of the mill bandit. Just great." He scoffed, stretching his back and arms as he got ready to look around the deserted street. Only the knights that had been with him were hanging out at a corner of a building. But they weren't important. As he looked at the directions that the thief could have ran away to–which was every single one–he groaned. "I think I'll take the easy way out this time."
Once more, he took a deep breath, this time putting together the palms of his hands. Closing his eyes, he spoke out words that were empty and soundless.
—The world has birthed many beautiful things. Plants, animals, food, people, and will. Yet, what people would regard as the greatest discovery would be arcana, magic which has been sealed up until thousands of years ago. While generations of magic have been formed and evolved, no other lineage has harnessed arcana evolution more than the five royal families of the kingdom. Allen, in honor of the Damon lineage, had no doubt possessed such magic.
Mouthing words that would never be heard by even the world, reality itself warped in front of him. Reaching his hand out, he grabbed a pole from the shifting space, and soon, he was wielding a staff that had not existed until then.
"Now then, let's play a game of hide and seek."
Now grabbing the staff with both his hands, the core at the top radiated with a blazing red light. The staff, a work of craftsmanship with a red hot core at its tip, was built for one purpose–to expose. And feeling the heat coming off the core, Allen winced as it bursted with a dozen red lines outlining the world. Each line curved and shifted to meet the surface of whatever it was touching, and soon, Allen's vision redshifted for a glimpse of a second.
"Let's see..." He looked behind him, seeing two figures glowing red within the cafe. It was Kanata and the owner, and they were completely exposed by the magic of the staff. Judging by their steady movements, it seemed only Allen was able to see their exposed presence. Confirming the staff was working, Allen strayed his eyes away and looked at every direction he could, until...
"Looks like I won." He spat out, looking directly at an abandoned building with multiple floors. It seemed to have formerly been a department store, with an old mannequin on display behind a wide window. Sitting on the second floor was a figure glowing red, most likely the culprit.
"I just want to end this quickly, so hopefully I can catch her off–" As he entered the building, the sound of ringing loudly echoed through the room. Damnit.
Allen completely neglected that there was an alarm, and the red silhouette of the culprit panicked and moved frantically, seemingly picking up something big and heavy as her knees started to become unstable. Allen sighed and his eyes drooped, his knuckles tightening. He fastened his pace as entered through the front door. The red glow around the thief was beginning to fade away, so he clumsily made his way through trashed clothing racks and shelves, smelling the dust that floated. It almost made him sneeze. When he reached the stairs, he shouted into the hallway above.
"Hey! Look, I really don't want to deal with this right now. Can you just make this easy for me?"
All he got in response was the sounds of bumping and the clanking of metal hitting the ground. It seemed the thief had no intentions to face him, so he quickened his pace up the stairs, scoffing from the annoyance.
Getting to the second floor, he brandished his sword, preparing for any violent confrontation that could arise. Walking down the hallway, he kept hearing more chaotic bumping coming from inside a room to the right. Finally, as he reached the door frame, he saw the culprit who was in full view.
Raven hair, amethyst eyes. Indeed, it was that girl. Her cheek seemed to have been slightly bruised, likely from bumping through the mess of garbage that was littered throughout the floor. Her lips were dry, as if not a single drop of water had met it for days. Along with that, there was another person on her shoulder, which caused Allen to narrow his eyes. Whoever it was, they weren't exposed by the staff, which greatly confused him, but he refocused as his head started to irk.
"Come with me. The person you stole from wants their–"
"Stay back."
Cut off, the raven hair girl snapped back, her threat dampened by a voice hoarse and dry. However, even with the condition she was in, her face expressed a ferocious look.
"Tch. I've had enough. You must either be incredibly stupid or from the damn hell nest if you can't tell who I am." Allen tightened his fists, his head almost bursting with a migraine. He was at his limit, and so without warning, he walked and grabbed the girl's shoulder, gripping it only hard enough to where he wouldn't leave a mark.
"Get the hell off me!" The girl shouted, pushing back against Allen, which launched him into the wall with a slam. Widening his eyes, he felt complete shock. From the sight of the girl, she didn't seem strong at all–he underestimated whoever this was, and it made him even more frustrated.
"Fuck. That's it. You're under arrest! In accordance to the rights of the free people, you are–"
—Flaming red.
Completely forgetting what he was even saying, his mind was completely overtaken by a single color. A flaming red that was unlike any other, a red in which he knew all too well.
Caused by the girl's resistance, the cloak on the person on her shoulder had fallen off. Now exposed, hair of a blazing red was swaying as the woman's face was peacefully asleep. And amongst the sunlight that creeped its way in through the cracks of the building, the rays that hit the woman's hair sparked with flame, crackling softly.
It was magical– a familiar kind.
In the five bloodlines that had served the kingdom through all of its history, the blood of each family developed into a unique kind that fused with mana itself. And among the families, there was one family that was exceptionally known for their blood: the Viveks.
Their blood was a burning, scarlet substance. If one were to touch it with their bare hands, they could burn themselves. Along with that, the blood they held had also affected other parts of their body. Mainly, their hair. A blazing red color that upon contact with the sun, bursted into a crimson fire pattern which everyone could describe as nothing but spectacular.
That was why. That was ultimately why...
"Why do you have her?"
Allen's voice changed in an instant. It used to contain a hint of annoyance–of childish whining– but now, that was gone.
His eyes looked straight at the raven haired girl, this time with an intense gaze that could pierce their soul through its own pressure.
Without even thinking, he unsheathed his sword, the light reflecting from it creating a flash, causing her to close her eyes. Upon opening them, she was met with Allen's face right in front of hers. With his teeth clenched, he thrusted onto the girl and knocked her downwards, the woman on her shoulder falling next to the wall head first.
"Rita!"
Hearing the crash, the thief shouted. Trying to reach with her arm, it was abruptly crushed by Allen's foot, the rough sole of his boot imprinting on her. With nowhere else to look, the raven haired girl met eyes with Allen, and in the next moment, her vision was surprised by the sharp blade of his sword.
"Who are you?" He asked. No longer caring to be courteous, he put even more pressure on her arm, causing her to scream with agony. "Answer me!"
The girl was left with only short, quick breaths, barely bearing the pain from Allen's foot. Her eyes darted everywhere, as if she was trying to find a way to get out. In the edge of her sight, she noticed that the light creeping in had started to dissipate, and she clenched her teeth.
"The hell?" The soft skin he had been stepping upon had vanished– no, it was as if it had sunk into the ground. It was not only the girl's arm, however, as her whole body was phasing through the ground itself, darkness outlining her the whole way through until she was gone.
"Shit, shit." Allen's movement scrambled as he looked all around, wondering if she was using arcana similar to his–that of spatial distortion. However, nothing happened, with only silence filling the room.
"Agh!" He felt his back blunted by something at high speed, and toppled over to where the girl had been, faceplanting onto the floor and dropping his sword. He tasted the dust that was on the wooden boards, and his nose started to bleed. Looking behind him, the girl was now the one above him. Even with her bruises and weakened arm, that in which she held carefully, she stood tall and stable. Her eyes, though, were shaky.
"I have to knock you out, don't I?" The girl spouted, her voice becoming more frail. She raised her fists up and took a stance, ready once more to fight.
"At this point... I guess you have to. Because I'm going to make sure you regret hitting me." Allen responded with harsh words, picking himself up with his arm, wiping off the blood from his nose, and raising his fists to a similar stance. "Bring it."
Without hesitation, the thief ran straight towards him. Her eyes focused, completely on getting a single strike onto him. She shot a punch straight to his chest with a speed that made Allen flinch. Except–
"What?" The space between her fist and his chest looked like it had disappeared, with her hand completely severed from her arm. But it wasn't, She could still feel it. That's when–struck on the cheek by Allen's fist, her head swayed in the air, barely keeping her balance. Trying to process, another punch hit her chest, and soon another one was about to hit her nose.
"God damnit." She bit her lip, tasting the blood in all its scorning nature. The next moment, she sunk once more, and Allen's punch missed completely.
This time, however, she didn't disappear. Instead, as if rising back like a ball in water, she kicked Allen on his shin with a force that he didn't expect. Shocked by the pain, his eyes burst open, and the spatial distortion that had trapped her hand vanished.
Her hand was still intact, with not a scratch done on it. With a gasp of relief, she readied for another punch. The next second, she was lifted up from the ground.
Naught a sound could be heard out of her mouth no matter how much she tried. The pressure on her neck, the hands that were tightened around it, was not stopping.
Her eyes were bloodshot, her jaw dropped, her hands trying desperately to move away his hands but with no prevail. With her feet unable to touch the ground, she realized there was no escape.
Allen, enraged as blood was trailing his face and armor, said no words. Staring deep into her amethyst eyes, as they shake and plead for release, he couldn't help but loosen just every so slightly.
Those eyes reminded him of ones from a long time ago. Not again. Not again. Not again.
He wished he would forget those eyes. He then thought about what he was doing, and it made him choke on his own saliva.
He was not a monster. He wasn't like him.
Feeling the pressure of his fingers loosen, the thief's eyes that were dimming had shined once more. Quickly placing her feet on his waist, the girl launched straight off him, crashing onto the wall– and further beyond.
She didn't think she would be there–in the air–high up. She could see the splinters of wood flying off alongside herself. As she was falling, the face of Allen was looking at her, clearly startled. Seeing that he was frozen in shock, she took the chance to land on the ground beneath as safely as possible, gasping for the air she lacked.
Even though she landed, the pain in her arm reignited upon contact. It started to become unbearable. She looked upwards, the knight still only staring. Straying her eyes, she couldn't see her.
But she couldn't do anything more. Her arm was practically unusable, her legs were barely holding just after landing, her face bruised to the point where only one hit was enough to take her out.
So, clenching her teeth to the point of a sharp pain coursing through her, yet overshadowed by the pain of her arm, she ran. It was the only thing she could do... it was the only thing she believed she could do.
Putting his hand on his chest, Allen sighed a breath, but he was not ready to feel relief. The woman, she was a danger. She must be captured... Yes, captured.
"Knights! Capture that woman this instant!" He commanded, his words cutting through the wide distance between himself and those who were buildings apart. Quickly emerging, the knights spotted the woman fleeing and ran after her.
Taking a deep breath, Allen held on his hands towards the thief who kept running through building after building. Focusing through all his pain and shock, he mouthed words that no one could hear. Soon, the space in front of him, the size of his whole body, began to warp around him. Akin to wormhole, he felt the world desperately trying to hold on to its own soul. And then,
"—Allen."
Like a gust of wind with the power of lightning struck him through every blood vessel, he was whiplashed with nausea that made him scream. Falling onto his knees, he held his head with both his hands, trying to bear it as much as he could, but he felt himself losing.
"Allen! Allen, are you okay?!" A voice, barely audible, he could move his eyes to look up, and saw a glimpse of sky-blue hair on top of him. And with that, he clung into that single description as his face dropped onto the ground. With that, he could bear the pain.
Slowly, his mind recovered. Finally being able to pull his head up, he felt like vomiting right then and there. But instead, he felt his chest being pulled up, gentle, soft fingers supporting his weight. He looked at the side of him, and there, a familiar face gave him a reason to relax.
"Kanata..."
"Don't talk. Just focus on picking yourself up… I'm so sorry."
Her voice was like quiet whispers, even when she talked loudly. Allen looked up a little, through the broken wall, but he lost sight of the girl. There was no point to chase her now.
"The woman over there..."
Conjuring up his energy, he pointed to the opposite side of the room, where the flame-haired girl was lying. Kanata, seeing it, gasped as she focused on her body, making sure she was seeing things right.
"Is that–"
"It is."
Even though Kanata saw the collapsed woman, Allen could still feel her fingers holding onto him, not loosening in the slightest. His head still hurt as if stabbed by a hundred pins, but he managed to form a smile.
However, as he stared at the woman lying on the ground, unconscious and vulnerable, he thought back to moments ago. To when the raven-haired girl looked up at him... when she seemed to look around, as if concerned for someone.
Placing his arms onto the rough wooden planks, he slowly pushed himself up till he was standing. Finally eye to eye with Kanata, he spoke with a lingering disdain in his throat.
"I stopped a kidnapping today."
Yet he was acutely aware of how he truly felt. And those words were much more important for him to know than her.