章 13: Interference
The next morning, we took Rissa to the guild. When we went through the door again, I saw a familiar sight. Rin was in today. He was leant against the counter talking to Erika. From what little I could hear, he was talking about what seemed like random gibberish to me.
He was probably passing the time with idle gossip. I walked forward nonetheless and approached. Rin noticed me quickly.
"Ah." he said. "You're that boy from earlier. Keita was it?"
Rin smiled, showing off his flawless white teeth. He pushed his hair back to uncover his face slightly.
"Yes." I replied. "We're here to speak to Erika."
"That's fine. I was almost done talking anyway." Rin stood up straight and dusted himself off. "Maybe I'll see you again soon."
"Maybe." I said. With that, Rin walked off and left the building.
"So. You wanted to see me?" Erika asked.
"Yes. We left yesterday without getting our new member registered." I grinned and patted Rissa on the back. Her ears twitched as I did and she tripped forward in surprise.
"Agh-" she growled. "Don't ya ever do that again."
I winced as Rissa kicked me hard in the shin.
"Ow." I held my leg and backed up. Erika and Azraea simply laughed.
"Alright." Erika chuckled. "Lets get you sorted out."
From there Rissa was put through the same test that me and Azraea completed. She kept her card hidden however so I couldn't see what class she was. Though I would assume her to be a rogue of sorts considering that she was a thief.
"And so we've become a party of three." Azraea smiled.
"Yes, we have." I replied, smiling with her.
I had a strange feeling. It was like we were being watched. Except they didn't seem directed at me, or even at Rissa for that matter. It felt as though they were watching Azraea, her every movement was being tracked…no. It must just be me. Right?
"Anyway. Thank you for registering her." I told Erika. I was making sure to keep an eye on my surroundings.
If Azraea was really being watched, I need to do something about it. It's my job as her knight. Strangely enough, I detected no signs of stalkers. Perhaps they were very good at hiding? But I need to make sure that they don't do anything to hinder us.
"It's no problem." Erika smiled at me. "We're always happy to see new adventurers, regardless of their origins."
"That's great." I replied. "Anyway. We should get going now. There's still work to be done."
"Yep." Erika nodded. "The board's always up if you need it. Just pick whichever ones you can take."
With that, we walked to the board. I was still cautious as Azraea was picking out a notice to take. Am I just being paranoid? No, I could definitely feel an odd presence. My eyes flickered across the room…still no-one suspicious. Maybe I'll have to-
"Found one!" Azraea exclaimed, showing me a notice. It broke my focus for a second and I lost track of the presence.
The notice was fairly easy. It was another hunting quest. Though this time it was some minor bandits that had locked down a building in town. The guards couldn't get in. The pay was 20 gold and 10 extra if the bandits are brought alive.
"How do you want to do this?" I asked Azraea.
"We'll check the building first." Azraea replied. "We need to know what's going on."
"Right." Rissa said. "Ah can scout for ya."
"Go do that." I told her. "We'll catch up soon."
Rissa nodded and rushed off to find the described building. I looked over the room once more and found nothing. It must have just been in my mind.
"Let's go." I told Azraea.
"Right." Azraea nodded and followed with me as we too headed for the building.
It was a five minute walk. But we found the building. It was easy to find because of the guards surrounding it. It was like a riot squad was starting a raid. Just how did Rissa get through all of them?
I was suddenly spooked when I felt a tap at my back. I turned around swiftly to see Rissa standing in front of me, on a small wall. She grinned.
"There's four of 'em." she said. "Ah unlocked the back door so ya can sneak in too."
"Thank you, Rissa." I said. "Lets move."
As we moved toward the back door, the guards were too focused to see us as we approached. Once we reached the back door, I swung it open lightly. It was soundless, allowing us to sneak into the building without problem.
"Alright." I whispered to the other two. "Now, don't kill if you don't have to. It's better for all of us that way."
Azraea nodded. Rissa also nodded in agreement.
"More reward if they're alive right?" Rissa asked.
"Exactly." I answered.
*****
I was waiting on Keita's order to move. It was cold in this building. But…it didn't feel natural.
She's here. That's the only reason that it could be this cold and no-one would notice. Just as I thought that however, I felt tapered fingers on my face. I knew these fingers well. Long and tapered, soft but hardened at once. Cold. Like my own fingers.
"Dear Sister…" she said, wrapping her arms around me. "Why do you follow that boy's command? I know you want to kill."
No. She's trying to get into my head again.
"Me and you, we're one in the same." she continued. "Two peas in a pod. Two killers with one body…."
No. No no no. We aren't the same. I'm different to her. I know I am…
"Stop fighting against your desires…" she continued to speak to me, tightening her grip, near constricting me. My breath felt short...
"If you don't want to kill…" she said. "I'd be happy to do it for you. I'll help my dear sister out whenever she needs it. You just have to let me in."
No. Never. I will not let her in. Not ever. She's a monster….I have to shut her out…but I was feeling light-headed….
"Do it." she said. "Succumb to your desire. It's so restricting to follow another's command. We can do what we want."
There's no we. There's only her. She's the only one who wants this.
"Oh well…" she said. "If you want to live as a captive sheep for your life, that's right for you. But you can do that in the back seat. I can put your body to far better use…as your fate had decided."
No. I shook my head and she was gone. Keita looked over at me.
"Are you alright?" he asked. I nodded.
Was it really alright telling him my secret? At this rate…she's going to get him as well. I shouldn't have gotten him involved. He's not strong enough to fight her if she breaks free…and then there's my father. Keita's want to protect me. I like it…but it'll get him killed someday. Whether by her, or by my father's hand.
I have to protect him too.
I took a look around the building while keeping my head down.
"Alright." I said. "I see all four of them. They seem to have their backs turned. We can get them if they're like that."
Keita and Rissa nodded at me. I nodded back and took out a length of rope. I could choke them out like this, without needing to kill them.
"On my cue." I told the others. "Keita, take the one on the left. Rissa, take the two on the right. I'll take the one in the centre."
The others nodded and we got into position. We slowly crept up on the bandits, being careful not to catch their attention.
CRACK
A bandit suddenly turned in surprise and clocked Keita in the face. He went across the room into the counter. Fighters.
"Keita!" I called out.
Rissa quickly dashed ahead and took her designated two out before they could react, whacking them on the head with a blackjack.
"Intruders!" one shouted as they went down from Rissa's blackjack.
THWACK
Rissa didn't react in time to dodge the last attack. A blade hilt smacked her across the face, driving her to the ground.
.
.
.
Before I knew it, I was holding the remaining bandit by the throat. I didn't even feel the movement. It was like second nature. My grip was tightening on his neck as he dropped his weapon to the ground and his limbs weakened.
"That's right…do it…"
The air around me was cold as she came back to me. Not again. I could only feel my grip tightening as she held my arm with care.
"Kill him." she told me. "It's not like he had much to live for. He's just a bandit."
No. That's no reason to kill him. I can't do it.
"He hurt your friends. Don't you want to pay him back?" she questioned. "Just imagine what might happen if he goes free…he'll be back if you beat him here. He won't be as merciful as you are. Nip the problem in the bud."
She guided her hand up my arm smoothly. Another arm just like mine, creeping up to hold my hand and add to the pressure…
CRACK
CRACK
CRACK
.
.
.
I couldn't even tell when I had moved. But the bandit was on the ground. His head was split open and leaking crimson all over the floor. That same crimson was splattered across the counter. He made a drowned rattle as his movement stopped.
God.
What did I do?
*****
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