Axion jumped and boosted himself off the right wall, shortly wallrunning on the left wall before propelling himself and leaping over the brick wall back onto the street and seeing the person slow down and going to change directions.
"Haha." he said, getting up and running after them once more. Slowly he was catching up but the person took a sharp left turn, one he didn't even know was there nor did he even see it, yet he continued for a couple more meters and took the left on the street, running the fastest he possibly can for a straight line and taking another left, noticing the person get out from the tight alleyway and tackling them down.
"Got you now." he said, holding down their arm but getting punched in the stomach, grunting from it and taking off their mask, being surprised by what was underneath.
To his surprise it wasn't a guy but a girl "You're a girl?" Axion asked, puzzled, standing back up.
"And what of it? Huh? Am I not allowed to fight for my own survival just because I'm a girl?" she asked him angrily, actually remaining there instead of running again. At the corner of her eyes though, she saw the armor of High Guards and pulled Axion into the dark small alley by his tunic.
"What the-" he asked but she just shushed him and waited until they passed.
"Okay, now what do you want??" She was clearly angry. No mistake about it. Axion memorized that she had short brown hair, was slim and wasn't neither beautiful nor ugly by his thoughts.
"Why'd you take my gold?" he asked her abruptly to which she sighed and rolled her eyes.
"That's what this is about? A gold coin?? I thought you were one with the Nobles, not a broke dude." she proceeded to look him up and down "But I can see now that you look like a specimen that'd reside in Panor Alley…"
"Yeah, thanks for that. Now answer my question."
She smirked and pulled her hood back up, not pulling up the lower part of the hood, the mask part covering her mouth and nose "I need it. It's not exactly easy living like a poor person and besides, The Underground, I can't return empty handed."
He looked at her intrigued "Underground?" Axion questioned "What is that?"
"Wish I could tell any random person I find on the street such info - buuut, I can't. Or won't." she shrugged, "Better luck next time. Now will you be a pain in my ass or bug off?"
He looked back onto the street, noticing more High Guards passing "I don't know. What's your deal with them first?"
"Listen cheesecake-" she began to say.
"Cheesecake..?" Axion mumbled in the volume of voice quieter than her as she continued to speak.
"I don't have time for this, aight? The High Guards are after me for theft. Simple as that. Doesn't help your pathetic ass is on me too. Now, I've got stuff left to do and a time period until I do it. Will you help me or not?"
In that very same moment, they heard an explosion. It wasn't distant. It sounded near. Axion turned to see and heard her speaking "Hm.. Must be one of mine. Come on, this'll be quick. You help me with something and I'll pay you back."
"Why do you assume I'll help you?"
"Because you seem like the type of person who would. Atleast from my perspective. Am I wrong?"
Axion sighed "What do you need help with?" he asked, to which she smirked even more.
"Now listen up. I am Mabble. I won't repeat so remember that, cheesecake. I need help acquiring something. That something is from Halamar's Shop. It looks like a heart shaped pendant made out of diamonds and gold and it's worth about 300 gold coins."
He listened to what she said, widening his eyes at the price of it when he heard that. He adjusted his cloak "For what exactly did you offer for me to help you then? You seem to have things pretty nailed down."
She clicked her tongue and pointed, shaking her hand in that gesture "Hamar is an elf. One that's skilled in fighting, archery and that is an awoken. That's pretty annoying by itself. Not to mention that he intends to sell it. Today. So if you're in, we'll get a move on."
Mabble pulled the lower part of the hood, the mask part, over her mouth and nose and awaited for an answer, putting her hands on her hips as Axion thought it over. On one hand, she is a stranger and he could go back to his own life but on the other, he could take more and actually instead of constantly telling Ragnar that his dreams are just dreams, actually make them a reality. It sparked across his mind that this could be the beginning of becoming the strongest after all and changing the world. Sometimes to change for the better, one must reach the low point where that change is accessible… Despite not being sure, he chose.
"I'll help. But don't expect me to risk my life for you."
"Same goes for you. Now let's go. The buyer is scheduled to be there very very soon."
They went out the alley and headed through Panor City for a few minutes until they reached the front of Halmar's Shop. Mabble leaned against the wall and crossed her arms as they inconspicuously gazed through the windows. Axion stood there too nonchalantly and gazed as well.
"Now listen up." Mabble said to him, continuing to keep her eyes on the storefront.