The streets of the Normal sect were relatively new based on Lozo's observation. Most of them were tiled with polished greyish rock that stretched across the main paths and even cut across into the alleys in between the buildings. The rest of it was just brown dirt, similar to the one in the expanse between the Normals sect and the Harmatia sect. This was the unfinished part of the renovation.
As of now Lozo could hear numerous footsteps march on the streets. They were in a hurry, storming into every single darkened alley way searching for the boy currently in his arms. In the middle of the search group a worried voice called, its voice echoing through the village. The voice called for the boy's name… Covy. But the boy could respond for he was unconscious and drooling on Lozo's new clothes.
'Must be his mother.' Lozo guessed as he rose. He looked at Covy who slept in his arms. Peaceful even after the domain gushed out of him. He groaned now and then but stopped. He seemed to be reaching for something or someone., Lozo could only but guess.
Something about him had changed. Not entirely from the prior though just enough to be noticed. He no longer had those weary eyes from back then. They had regressed in age, turning into dark circles around the eyes and look a little bit better now. Whatever it was that was ailing him had gone… but not entirely.
Lozo stretched his legs and walked towards the voices. He took a corner and at the end of the street, he saw one of the searchers. He wanted to call out but then searcher quickly turned to their direction. He was spooked as he gazed at their slightly distant figure. On making them out his face immediately turned sour narrowing to a bitter demeanor. He squinted to confirm the boy's identity and turned to call his fellow searchers with a hand sign.
His eyes never left Lozo. He just moved closer and closer to them, the bitter look still on his face.
***
The chase after the domain had flopped. She had tried to match its speed but fell short. Even with the sphere tethered to its tail like a wrecking ball, the domain didn't slow down. It moved fluid across the floor in its cat form, jumping over the garbage and other obstacles in its way gracefully.
Karin could only watch as the distance between her and it grow wider and wider and even bumpier for her. In the end the cat slipped out of her sight and into the darkening streets and making away with the sphere.
A swear was at the tip of her tongue when she suddenly noticed something. She turned looking back into the alley and he was nowhere to be found. She checked again peering through the bags in the way hoping to see him but he wasn't there.
"Where the hell is he?" she wondered.
Just then a spite filled voice echoed through the walls of the alley.
"Just stay where you are and don't come any closer!"
The voice was not familiar but the tone was. She had once been greeted the same way during her first time in the Normals sect of Himo village. Come to think of it, earlier in the day the boy she was with had been received in the same way.
'Oh, come on. Tch!" she clicked.
"It can't be.' She thought dashing for the exit of the alley.
…
"Hey! I said don't come any closer."
"But—"
"Just stay where you are and will come get him."
Her eyes adjusted slowly to the dim light of the approaching night. She struggled to see even a few meters from where she stood. Her hand placed against the wall, Karin scanned the corner she was about to take.
Farther ahead a group stood in a one versus five standoff. Things looked dicey especially for the five whose bodies were angled, with their fists up, and ready for a fight. A single wrong move from the single boy and each would rain their inner grizzlies on him.
The single had a child sleeping in his arms. He looked confused, astounded by the reaction of the five. And even more by the reaction of the lady who stood behind the five, crying into her shawl.
"I just want to return the boy." Lozo started trying to disarm the five. He shifted his right leg, just by a smudge.
"Sure, and we said stay where you are! Can't you understand simple instructions" one of the five said and spat the twig he was chewing on.
He turned to one of the five and gave a nod. The man, hesitantly, left the group and walked towards Lozo. He picked the boy off his arms and hurriedly rushed back to the others.
On seeing this, the lady with the shawl around her neck quickly moved retrieving the boy out of the man's hands.
Her tears were still a wonder to Lozo. Were they of joy or the evident feeling that each of the men in the group were giving off.
Fear.
"Okay! Now get out of our village. We don't condone your kind here!"
"But there is something after that kid."
"Are you deaf or something. Get the hell out of here, Harmatia!"
The term Harmatia. For as long as he could remember the term had been always referenced in the same way. A flaw. In the books he read and even how old man Ji detailed it to him. Being Harmatia was… is being a flaw.
And even now. The looks in their eyes. A red flare of anger shimmered. And fueling the flare, was a fear.
"They are all the same." He mumbled.
"Hey what did you say?!"
"You got a problem with us?" another busted in response.
Karin watched at a distance. She could see the fist in Lozo's hand and the one's wielded by the five. Both fists but clutched for different purposes.
Just then a memory sparked. The memory of why she was even there in the first place.
<>
"Karin." She remembered Mr Kisharu's call.
It was two days prior and had been strolling in the garden just outside their pagoda like dorm. Kisharu stood on the wooden platform that stretched into the garden. He was in his tired dark pants and purple tucked shirt with the top unbuttoned. His coat hung in between his stomach and his pocketed left arm.
She turned and greeted him with a glare. Their usual etiquette.
"There is something I need you to do for me." Kisharu continued.
"What?" she asked, grouchy. Lately a lot had been on her mind. At the peak of it was Cilia's current condition which wasn't that good. Time to time she would stroll in the garden. That's what it was meant for actually. Tranquility.
But today that was not option. Here came her annoying teacher with a request.
"Two days from now there will be a boy joining the family. You two have actually met before but I doubt you remember. I need you to show him the ropes and get him up to speed."
"Why me? Isn't there someone else who can do that?" Karin asked obviously rejecting the thought.
"No. Most of the other have been sent on different tasks. Only you, Kento and Cilia are here. Kento has his whole thing... so you're the only one I can count on."
Karin pondered for a while.
"Don't worry the task is simple and you could handle it on your own. I just need you to bring the new guy up to speed on Normals and Harmatia relations. He has an idea of it but very vague and might get him killed."
"So, you up for it?" Kisharu asked
<>
She never really answered his question. She had taken her time to think about it and when she came about with an answer he had already left. That was a habit of his. Mr Kisharu. Leaving before the answer or mid question as though he could read minds. But his judgement was never wrong.
And so was his analysis of Lozo.
"Come on let's go." She said pulling on his arm.
"Don't worry, he is with me. I'll get him out of here."
Lozo's eyes seemed darker than usual. Or maybe it was because of the setting sun but Karin could tell there was something serious lingering over them.
"Come on." She pulled once more.
"Yeah, yeah, I know. Harmatia aren't welcomed here."