We made our way back to town and currently stood in front of the church. The journey was silent; I was way too shy to say anything. Is this how virgins act? Is that how she knew?
Actually, I wanted us to take things further, and I tried, but she shut me down. So there was nothing more left to say. I tried, right?
It was the end of the day, so before I forget, I need to complete my mission. I have to bring her back home to the king. I will see her again, it's not a big deal.
still, how do I say it...
"Hey Maya…we need to go."
"Oh, you have somewhere you'd want to visit? "It is late, but," she answered with so much energy, scanning the place.
"maya..."
"Nero, I think it's pretty late. Everyone's basically gone, and the shops are closed too-" Maya kept talking.
"Maya, listen."
"ahh, maybe we could-"
"Maya, I need to take you back," I said, with my face to the floor. I couldn't look her in the eye. For some reason, it hurts. why?
Maya fell silent. Then she turned her back to me and began stomping the ground aggressively.
"I hate you people so much! Ugh! Just when I thought I could run away. Leave me alone!"
All the people left in the square turned to us with distress on their faces. She's making a scene. Considering everything, how can I blame her? I should be supporting her, right? But running away?
"You were gonna run away?"
"Of course, this place is not my home, Nero. Right now, I have no home. So why take their pity and be what they want me to be when I can be free?"
Now it makes sense. Maya is constantly escaping, even back home. She always insults us commoners, but all the fun in her life came from living like a commoner.
"But what about your life as a noble? Are you really trying to throw that away?"
"Did you not hear me?" she said, staring me down. "Not like I'm going to make my own decisions anyway. I'm just a political chest piece between Cestaf and The Neon Republic. My life is already decided for me...I hate it."
Maya…she knows what she wants for her life. She always has, unlike me. But like me, she doesn't have a home; she lost hers. I know how she feels, not completely, but I get it.
The streets are almost empty. The bird is still there, though.
and some food vendor carriages parked along the sides. It seems everyone is closing up.
" Nero…" Maya jolted as I grabbed her by the hand. "Let me go."
Her hand. It is shaking.
"I will help you be free. Let me bring your dream to life."
She froze. Looking at me with pleading eyes as her mouth trembled.
Why? I don't love her. So why is the realization of her dream enough to bring me to this?
I have a mission. But it's either I hand Maya over, or I help her achieve her dream, be free.
My answer, sadly, will leave us homeless again, Bella.
"Just when we found our home, too," I said with a sigh.
"Nero, you don't have to do anything," Maya said as she began to tear up. "Just go home and act as if you lost. If you do anything else, they will."
"After I already found you? What difference does it make...not like you can escape by yourself, right..."
Maya looked at me in a type of way. a way I cannot describe. It's like how she looked at me before the kiss.
But this one is different.
"Maya, I can—"
"Nero! Watch out!" Maya yelled as she pulled me away. In an instant, something flashed by my head. I couldn't see it, I only felt the strands of my hair falling.
Quickly putting myself in front of Maya, I readied to draw my sword as I scanned the area. "What was that?"
"Nero, there…" Maya pointed at the fountain at the center of the square. A man, clad in full armour—a golden knight stood on top of the fountain, at its very tip. It held a bow towards us. Ready to fire.
Behind the fountain, another knight stepped out. This one drew its sword swiftly and got into an offensive stance. Looking me straight in the eyes.
My legs began to shake ever so slightly. This feeling, it's fear, I am no match for these guys, but I can't run. Not now.
I glanced at Maya. She shivered uncontrollably at the sight of them.
Right now, I have no choice but to face them.
Maya desperately grabbed me, "Run! They're here for me, Nero. They probably overheard us, leave me and run. Please, if they think you're a threat, they will not hesitate!"
"Maya…"
"Nero! Please!"
"I refuse," since they can hear me and think I am a threat. They can come and take you away from me. In my eyes, they are the threat. "I will take you to where you belong, Maya."
Maya began to cry.
The knight with a sword bent over lightly, spreading his legs apart and taking that stance with his sword, pointing directly at me.
Its sword had a golden glow at the hilt while the steel shone against the moonlight. It's beautiful.
"It's coming."
It took one step. And another. Then, with its third step, it raced towards me and went for my head. It is fast, the fastest thing I have seen with my eyes. Too fast for my body to react, but I didn't need to.
I only needed to time my escape properly.
Before the knight's sword reached me, inches from my neck. I switched places with a barrel and escaped to the other side of the square.
Because Maya held on to me, she got teleported with me.
"Nero, your eyes. They shine a blood red," Maya muttered in awe.
Quickly sensing an attack, I threw Maya into the alleyway in front of us and turned to deflect the arrows sent my way.
I cut down three, but the archer kept firing.
Its speed is incredible.
I didn't think of a way to counter the archer; I didn't know how. I just thought of running, damnit.
What do I do now? Those arrows are fast. And I'm sure they can be faster.
In that moment, my body froze again. This pause led an arrow to pierce through my left leg, and the pain ran through my body.
"aahhh!!"
Still, I didn't fall. barely hanging on, I braced for more attacks.
However, in that very moment.
An overwhelming amount of blood lust snuck up on me.
Where is it coming from? I can't escape.
But at the corner of my eye, I glance to my right. I see it.
The other knight had snuck up on me.
I had no clue. How fast can this guy move?
There's no way of defending this guy.
He swung with zero hesitation. An attack that would otherwise kill me in a single strike.
However, it was blocked—no, countered.
By another attack with a precise technique.
The two blades clashed, sending a cut slicing through the square. It cut two carriages in half, as well as the fountain at the center.
As I remained unharmed in the middle.
A man stood in front of me. He had sharp, silver hair and wore a white-and-black coat. He turned to me, and that's when I realized where the overwhelming bloodlust was coming from.
It was him. Who is this guy…such incredible technique.
"What just—" I said, but he cut me off.
"Nero, not completing your mission on time happens," he said, turning to face me and staring down at me with his glowing white eyes. "However, trying to elope means death. We will be the ones hunting you down next time."
That's Siri. How does he know about that?
The two knights came up to Siri and bowed their heads. "Sword saint Siri, we apologize, we did not know he was with you," they both said in unison.
"The king had grown agitated at his request not being fulfilled; his patience ran thin. Therefore, he used us to complete the task."
"Yes, it only makes sense since you're here." Siri brought out a cloth from his pocket and began cleaning his sword, "He is new, but no matter, take her. We will be on our way."
"Sir," The knights said in unison as they walked over to Maya. Dusting her clothes, rearranging her hair and carefully beginning their journey to the king's quarters.
Maya, at this point, was as pale as a ghost. She complied with no resistance, a far cry from her usual self.
She glanced back and waved at me with a smile.
I failed both of my missions. I got carried away and ended up achieving nothing. What a failure.
Even with the pain from the arrow coursing through me, I couldn't help but think. I wonder if I will get to see her again. I want to
Placing his sword back into its sheath, Siri said, "Let's go," then began walking off.
I said nothing. Limping, I followed siri back.