Physically gasping for air with each passing step he was getting increasingly tired. He had no idea how long he had been running up till this point..
Has he been here before? Every new turn he looked around trying to assess his surroundings. "Haven't seen this road either.."
It was unfamiliar territory, but Oanh could feel the impending doom chasing him. Every second he crept closer, comparable to a ferocious apex predator tracking down their injured prey.
"I have to get away.. Huff! My sister is in danger if I run home!"
Outrunning him was simply an impossible feat. That's what he thought to himself. Nonetheless, carrying on, he had to get as far away as possible from their home.
After roughly 30 minutes passed running around, he arrived at a narrow passageway filled with different stores and homes.
"It seems like I'll be able to rest slightly at least. He's not far off but it'll be difficult for him to track me in this narrow street."
Oanh was dripping sweat from head to toe. The long period of running had tired him out immensely. Taking out his personal hand cloth he wiped his face before walking down the street.
Although his pace had slowed down to a walk now. Slow enough to recover, but fast enough he could start running at a moment's notice.
A store filled with toys from a bygone era. Another one with old retro tech. Old restaurants that served some special soup with bread. The buildings were old, so were the signs, yet they had history. Every home is filled with a story. It reminded him of European architecture.
"Ahaaa, Germany. Some of them had that old feeling. Ugh, the weather there.". An unpleasant memory resurfaced in his mind of the terrible weather.
Despite only living over there for 1 year with my sis I can still remember and feel the architectural build. I wonder who came here and built this. We're in the middle of the pacific after all.
With each passing step forward he came across a new local. A few of them greeted him casually, while others reciprocated a soft smile. It was an oddly refreshing feeling compared to the inner city. Regardless, there would be no merit stopping now, he was getting chased after all.
After what felt like an eternity of walking through the alley something different caught his eye. A fairly run down flower store with vases and clay pots sitting on a table.
Outside sat a young boy, around the same age as him reading a book. He couldn't make out the contents of the book. Although its title read closer to "The history behind the Cornerstone of the Sun."
Furthermore he had vividly white hair, cyan coloured eyes alongside square shaped glasses resting on his high nose bridge. He could honestly pass as a model somewhere remote.
Despite his features, his white hair almost immediately put Oanh off. After all, he's still in the middle of running away from a white haired individual.
Perhaps Oanh's facial expression gave it away, as it didn't take long before he'd be interrupted. "You've been staring for quite some time now? Do you need anything?"
"Sorry, I was just looking around, bye." Releasing the hold up, Oanh quickly tried to scurry away. Barely managing to walk past before he was abruptly grabbed by the hood.
"Oh really!? Are you a new customer? I'm surprised someone came out here to check out some flowers!" Appalled, Oanh tried gesturing his urgency by pointing towards the long corridor-esque alleyway.
"I need to go-"
"Don't be shy! Welcome to our store!" As he began pulling in Oanh inside the crusty old door, towards the darkness, noises could be heard steadily creeping closer.
Someone was approaching from a distance rapidly. No, it wasn't only the striped white haired individual approaching but also a black mist. Its outline showcasing a screaming mouth.
"Crap!" Raising his arms, slapping away the employee's hand who had been holding onto him. Oanh quickly picked up two clay pots, hurling them against the mist. Turning left, Oanh yelled.
"Go! Inside or duck!" The mist who had previously not taken solid form, now appeared to condense itself, shaping into a darker, more solid shade of black. Gaining a pair of white eyes and large disfigured mouth.
"I need to go now!" Pushing the store employee out his left fully now, Oanh started sprinting at full speed again. Soon after, disappearing from his vision entirely.
"Ack! Ow, ow, ow.." Falling butt down first, the employee could only hold his back whilst scratching the back of the head.
"Hey! My flower pots! How are you going to rep-" The atmosphere turned heavy, he felt it. An overwhelming presence that erased existence.
Sliding behind the entrance door he carefully watched the approaching figure.
In no less than one second the figure appeared and disappeared from his vision. Catching a short glimpse of the intruder's face, it had no expression. "What is he..?"
It almost felt as if he inhibited a Cosmo Nebulae instead of a Mana Valve. But that wasn't quite right, he thought the trail of energy felt ominous, even eroded.. Suddenly all the dots clicked in his head.
"A corrupted Cosmo Nebulae!" This is really bad. If that mysterious figure is chasing that boy.. He's going to die!
With newfound knowledge gained, he was debating whether or not to try and interfere. After all, he too possessed a Mana valve. Although less powerful than a Cosmo Nebulae, if he utilised his affinity for wind.. "Then maybe.."
He stood still unsure if it really was the correct decision.
"I can't.. I'll die too." Was the conclusion he reached.
Sigh. "Suppose I'll just get to cleaning this mess up."
"A creature like him, only someone like Amaterasu could handle." That's odd though.. How's that boy around my age able to run so well?