Chapter 5: Confrontation Time, Yay
Somehow, someway… this is strangely pleasing to the eye. I tried, probably failed, hiding my amazement on my face with a blank expression. But you can't really keep a straight face at this.
"So?" I asked, placing a hand on my jaw to stop it from dropping. "How does it feel?"
Ash walked out the doorway to my room with a very peculiar expression on her face. It was hard to tell what she was thinking, especially with that small frown.
"Drafty… mostly." She said, swinging her arms around. "Perhaps a bit loose too… exposed, comfortable, It feels as if it does not suit me."
I wouldn't be saying that from where I was standing. In fact, it's quite the opposite, it suited her too well, actually.
I just smiled at her. "You'll get used to it."
If we were going out in public, obviously I needed her not to look like she's heading out to a convention of some kind. So after breakfast, I fished out some clothes from my closet. My clothes. Not really nice clothes, per se, but clothes nonetheless.
At least, that's what I thought at first.
Those jeans that made me look like a fool, fitted her slender legs like a glove. And that jacket, which according to my sister, gave her homeless beggar vibes? Yeah, Ash practically made it her own, and she radiated with a certain style I could only dream of.
Especially with her long white hair flowing down to her waist side. Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised if she gets picked up by some talent scout somewhere. There was just one problem, though.
"You know your ears?"
She looked at me and lowered her arms. "I know of them."
"Yeah…" I shook my head. "Elves, umm… we don't have elves around here, so… you're going to be attracting a bit of attention if we leave them out in the open like that."
Her ears began to droop a little. "Oh," then she frowned. "What do you propose we do?"
"Easy fix, no worries…" I walked up to her and pulled the hood that came with the jacket over her head. "There we go, now you're looking human. Ash of Humankind, roommate to me, and devourer of cereal brands everywhere."
"Master, are you perhaps mocking me?"
My hands rose up in surrender. "I'd never dream of it."
Ash drew her eyes upwards, clearly fascinated by the hoodie, her eyebrows raising under the fringes of her hair.
"I have seen our scholars and monks on occasion, and they have donned something akin to this one." She said, her fingers pinching the end of the hood. "Were you possibly once a scholar yourself?"
"Err, no. Wouldn't call myself that. I mean, I wasn't exactly the brightest in school either."
"Brightest, you say… humans can shine?"
"Metaphorically speaking, uh, sure I guess?"
"Hmm…"
Hmm indeed. I was beginning to confuse her, I knew it, It's a clear sign now. Whenever she would furrow her eyebrows or make a small frown, or if her ears started twitching up and down, it's a sure indication there's something she isn't getting.
But we'll work on her metaphors later. For now, the afternoon sun blazed high in the sky and we have somewhere we needed to be.
So with a clap of my hands and the opening of the front door, we set off to the outside world.
It was clear from the moment we hit the sidewalk that Ash would immediately start gazing away at this new and bizarre world she somehow found herself in.
Like a curious little cat, she is. Tilting her head at a red 'stop' sign and freezing in place, "It said stop, Master." she said.
"Yeah, but not for you." and there I was, nudging her away from the sign.
Cars and motorbikes blazing on the road startled her as we walked across the zebra crossing, meanwhile, the traffic lights or as she calls it 'red, yellow, green orbs hung high above' captivated her to the point where she stopped moving again.
"Fascinating..." She said.
"We're in the middle of the road," I told her, nodding apologetically to the cars honking at us to get a move on.
Clear highlight for me was probably when she suddenly shoved into a bush while bracing herself in front of me like a shield.
"Dragon!" She shouted at the top of her lungs, her hands darting to her waist-side to brandish her sword… which she didn't bring so it just looked like she was trying to grip the air.
Many onlookers stared at us weirdly as they passed by, but Ash's eyes could only focus on the anomaly soaring in the sky.
I popped up out of the bush, cluttered in stray leaves. Placing my hand on her shoulder, I calmly explain to her, "No, Ash, it's just a plane."
She immediately eased up, breathing in relief. "Oh, just a bird, then?"
"Sure," I said, blanking my expression. "We'll go with that."
"I've troubled you, it seems," she said, finally taking notice of all the stares on us. "I shall refrain from acting in haste and instead await your judgment before rendering myself of use. Your land, your knowledge. I shall withdraw myself."
Bowed her head again… I'm no king, so I don't really need that kind of gesture.
"Okay then, let's get going," I said.
First things first, I went ahead and returned the suit. Left in the rush before they could ask any questions. After that, it was a straight walk into town.
On the first day of moving into the city, everything looked so normal. Then I was coerced, scammed, and placed into debt midway through my second week.
Since then I started seeing the city for what it is.
That Italian Restaurant on the left? That's a front for the mob. The laundromat over there? Same story.
Hair salon, nightclub, and pub? Money laundering.
Every corner of the street, you can feel the mob's influence. They controlled the town and half of the people in it. I was one of them. If they want it, they'll get it.
Anything they want in the blink of an eye.
And there I was, about to march up to their faces and tell them 'No'.
They don't like that word. Learned that the hard way. Still, if the Elf-Knight from another world is confident of her chances, then…
"We're here," I said to Ash.
The building in front of us looked just like any you'll find in the city. Normal, plain, like any other office building. It's only once you get in that you'll find it's far from anything mundane.
"Indeed," said Ash, knocking her knuckles on the concrete wall. "A sturdy fortress, a tall one too. A fitting structure for those that desire to perch themselves up and stand above all others."
"How… poetic? Anyway, yeah… let's get this over with."
You'd think with this building being practically their headquarters, security would be beefed up at the front entrance but no, it was absolutely deserted. Anybody can just waltz in there and that's exactly what they want to happen.
Wanna borrow some cash? Well, sure, come on in. Just make sure you're ready to pay the price.
One very deep breath later, Ash and I finally took our step in.
Inside, well, it wasn't very homely. Few chairs, the smell of smoke lingered the air, and it was basically empty, save for the receptionist behind the desk at the far end.
It was her that we had to talk to in order to get anything done around here, so to her, we went.
Her eyes were set on us and I began.
"Can I… uh, can I..." I trailed off. What I was supposed to say? How do I begin? Don't think they get a lot of people opposing them… what are the right words here?
That was when, with all the boldness she could muster, Ash slammed her hand against the desk, proclaiming at once. "We wish to speak with your leader at once!"
I cringed so hard that if I cringed any harder I would have died. To try and save face, I muttered quietly a small, "please."
For a few moments that felt like an eternity, nothing. Then the receptionist adjusted her glasses and stood up.
"One moment," she said, walking away into another room.
While we waited, Ash whispered to me, "Fear is what they prey on the most, and your face is flushed with it. Master, ease yourself, I am here with you."
"I'm trying," I whispered back, wiping the droplets of sweat that had formed on my forehead.
A little while later, the receptionist emerged out of the room, and trailing behind her was a most dreaded face.
There again with his stupid bowler hat, stupid trench coat, and that stupid smile on his face.
"Well, well, what do we have here?" He said, rubbing his grimy little hands together. "To my complete surprise, you actually came. I was just on my way over to pay you a visit just in case you forgot."
With a scowl, I nodded silently.
He lit up a cigarette and tucked it between his puffy lips. "Now what's this I hear about you wanting to see the boss?"
"It's my payment," I explained. "There are some matters with it I wanna discuss with him personally, and in private."
The stubby man chuckled and blew out a puff of smoke. "He's busy."
"What?"
"He ain't got time for a dissatisfied customer. Besides, what you wish to discuss with him, you can discuss it with me. That's what I'm here for."
I gritted my teeth. "Tell him it's important."
"Oh? What could possibly be so important that I have to bother the bossman to come running your way like some kind of worker grunt?"
Ash placed a step forward, her eyes stern and grim. "That he will be paying the debt no longer."
The man, clearly unfazed, blew out another puff. "He ain't got a choice, lady. If anything, it's him that came crawling to us, you know?"
"And then intend to ensnare him forever in your clutches," Ash said. "You've tormented this man for long enough. You will take your deal and go, you will pester him no longer."
"Oh yeah, and we're just gonna pack up and go, are we?" said the man, staring at us down with contempt. "And who's gonna stop us if we don't?"
Ash met his eyes, and spoke boldly, "I am."
The man snorted, his head shaking in disbelief, and drew a step back, flicking away the cigarette in his lips. His eyes kept flicking from me to Ash, which would be immediately followed by a deep heavy sigh.
"I'll go make a call," he said.
Chapter 6: The Lion's Den
They say that three is a crowd. But they never really specify if whether that crowd is dead or not.
Well, in my case, as me, Ash, and the bowler-hat man stumbled our way into the lift, I wouldn't exactly call us the liveliest crowd.
It was mostly just complete silence, followed by the occasional glaring from either one of us. All the way to the top floor was the button the man pushed and being the heavy smoker that he is, he just had to have another smoke while we're in such a small compact space.
Ash didn't seem to mind, but I did. A sensitive nose has its drawbacks. I had a tough time trying to refrain from going into a coughing fit so as to not draw any attention to myself.
Wasn't exactly the mood for idle talk either, but bowler-hat man didn't care.
"You're an idiot, kid," he said, shaking his head once again. "Shoulda just paid what you owed like a good little boy. It would have ended well for you."
"I did pay what I owe," I retorted. "It's you people who decided that it wasn't enough."
"Never said it was fair, but it would have been a far better outcome. Now there's no turning back from here. You know, if it weren't for my job, I would almost feel sorry for you."
I tried to not let his words get to me. I knew he was just trying to intimidate me, but goddamn it, dude… it's actually working.
Of course, Ash noticed, squeezing my arm tight and giving me a small nod. Her way of encouragement, I guess. Doesn't really bolster my confidence that much but I'll take what I can get.
"Still though," said the man, as the elevator doors parted open. "You got guts."
We stepped into the room and as soon as our feet hit the carpeted floor, a sense of danger began to pervade. A simple penthouse suite shaped into an office and yet it feels as if we just entered the lion's den, complete with tough-looking bodyguards at either side all wearing suits.
The bowler-hat guy didn't follow us, he remained in the elevator, giving his farewell with a curt nod before the elevator doors closed once again, leaving Ash and I all on our lonesome to venture on deeper into the heart of darkness.
Had I come alone, no doubt my legs would have gone jelly and I'd be flopping around the floor like a fish having a nervous breakdown. But for some reason, the sight of Ash simply striding forward without fear gave me enough courage to do the same.
Suddenly Ash leaned in close, whispering to me while looking straight forward, "By any chance, could that be him right over there?"
Her finger pointed to a man in a pristine-looking business suit, he was by a large window overlooking the city with his back faced towards us. A cane in one hand, while the other delved into his pants pocket.
I've only ever seen the mob boss once when I first paid a visit and although it was a very brief sighting, I knew there was no mistaking that authoritative air around him, nor that relaxed demeanor.
The way he just stood there, like he was always in control. There was no mistaking it…
"Yeah, that's him," I told Ash, meeting her eyes with a knowing glance. "Sure about this?"
She nodded at me. "Have faith in me, Master."
Faith was all I had right now. And I'm clinging onto it for dear life.
I nodded back. Moment of truth time.
"Excuse -"
"Not another step."
The man spoke fast, but each syllable hit like a drum, so much so that I instantly did as he said and froze in place.
"You don't call out to me, I call out to you," the man said, turning around to face us. "Do we understand each other?"
The air in the room was suffocating. Even the way he stared down at people made you feel like you were trapped in a corner with nowhere to go. Despite his immaculate appearance, with his smartly-groomed hair and beard, he was a true mobster at heart.
"Understood," I said, and then his eyes flickered towards me, his gaze piercing, almost as if burrowing through my very soul.
"I know you," he muttered, taking a step closer with his cane. "A thousand dollars. Cash, yes? Needed it for an investment, you claimed."
That caught me off guard. "How did you -"
"Deals made with us, I don't forget. Especially with those people who I feel would try to squirm their way out of their agreement… yes, them - I try to remember their faces... each and every one of them. I wouldn't forget you."
I squirmed in place, trying to look anywhere else besides his intense glare. "You know that deal wasn't fair."
"Fair?" He repeated, his cane slamming the ground with another step. "You knew our business. You knew our rules. Fair? There's no fair here. Still, you signed with us, wrote your name, shook our hands… and now you're here to complain to me about fairness?"
"I was an idiot back then! I made a mistake."
"Yes, you did," he stopped moving, leaving only a few meters of space between us. "So why don't you want to pay for it?"
My mind drew a blank. I had no clue what to respond back. Everything felt as if it was closing in around me. It was too much. Everything was too much. The bodyguards all swarming towards us, the simple evil look on that man's face, and the sheer utter thought that I might not come out of this unscathed.
We really shouldn't have come here.
"He already has."
Suddenly Ash was there, occupying the empty space left in the middle, confronting the man without any fear in her eyes.
"What was owed he has already fulfilled. Long ago, in fact. Yet you still kept him, chained him against his will. You don't intend to let him go, you'll hound him and chase after him for all that he is worth. The pain, the misery you've afflicted… it sickens me, you sicken me… and I intend to put a stop to it at once."
Strong, unwavering words that echoed across the walls of the penthouse. It was clear the man was taken aback, staring at Ash with a certain interest in his eyes.
"And just who might you be?" He asked.
"My name is not to be defiled by your twisted lips," Ash snarled. "What matters now is that you free my master of the burden you've wrongfully placed upon him and you will do it now while you still draw breath."
The man raised an eyebrow. "And if I don't?"
Ash took a large menacing step towards him, completely going against his wishes, and said to him in a quiet voice, "I'll convince you."
The man's face was always stern, permanently in a scowl. But against all odds, completely out of nowhere, he cracked a smile, widening, until it completely filled his face.
"Interesting," He said, snapping his fingers once and drawing away. "Then please, by all means… try and change my mind."
I felt a rough hand grip around my left shoulder, pulling me back and sending me stumbling backward. A bodyguard came marching to the front, a hand delving into his coat pocket, his sights deadset on Ash.
Terror struck through me then, as he pulled a gun into view, and aimed it to the back of her head.
I tried, I called to her, screaming, "ASH! BEHIND!"
Too late. She turned around and the barrel of the gun was placed in between her eyes. He pulled the trigger.
The sound of a gunshot reverberated throughout the room.
I flinched, teeth in a tight grit, my eyes clasping shut… ears ringing.
We never should have come… I shouldn't have approached her, shouldn't have let her help me. Now Ash was dead, I got her killed.
Or so I thought.
I dared a peek, a small one, and immediately my eyes widened in disbelief.
Ash stood there, not a single bullet wound on her head, despite the smoke swirling from the barrel of the gun and the bullet casing falling to the floor. There was not a mark on her.
The bodyguard made an audible gasp and took a receding step backward, but before he could place another step, Ash grabbed hold of the front end of the gun.
Glaring, and with an anger I have never seen on her, she muttered, "My turn."
In one quick stroke of movement, Ash crushed the gun under the sheer might of her grip, crumbling it into bits and pieces that landed on the floor. Then, closing her fist, she sent the bodyguard flying to the other side of the room with one swift strike to the gut.
I was there, I saw what happened, and yet I still couldn't believe what I just witnessed. Not only did she survive a bullet to the head, but she also sent a man soaring with a single punch.
The normal question that would have come to mind by then would be 'Just what is she?' but I already knew the answer to that, didn't I?
The Elf-Knight from another world, here to save the day, turned back to confront the bossman himself, whose jaw had dropped in complete and utter shock.
Without missing a beat, she nudged her head at him. "Convinced yet?"
CREATORS' THOUGHTS
Brendanjoke
Brendanjoke
If you guys are enjoying, please be sure to add it to your collection. Goes a long way into helping me out. Also power stones.
Okay... now I'm just being greedy, aren't I? Still... If you can spare some. I'd be very grateful.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
200+ Power
Ranking 
15 Power
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