Rumi smirks.
"Sure. Whatever helps you sleep at night."
"Hey it's here the girl that stole our money earlier!" The two bounty hunters from earlier yell from the top of the alleyway.
Ryizen groans.
"Not again."
"Ryizen you can handle them right?" Ajax says, chuckling to himself.
Ryizen gives Ajax a look-half exasperated, half amused.
"Seriously?"
Then he shrugs, cracking his knuckles.
"Fine. But you owe me drinks after this."
"Sure just kick some ass for me!" Ajax says nodding.
Ryizen sighs but he's smirking.
"Sure. Just watch and learn."
Then he vanishes.
A blur of motion.
The bounty hunters barely have time to react before
THUD. THUD.
Both drop-unconscious-before their blades even clear their sheaths.
Ryizen reappears, flicking blood off his
sword.
"Done."
Rumi whistles.
"Not bad."
Ryizen smirks.
"Not bad"? That was flawless."
"Oh that was so sick. You really are the best swordsman in that old town of yours!" Ajax says, amazed.
Ryizen scowls but he's secretly pleased.
"Shut up."
Rumi laughs.
"Wow. Even when he wins, he's grumpy."
Ryizen glares at her.
"You're next.
"Anyways as a reward for getting rid of those bounty hunters, how about sleeping in an inn. Tonight, my treat. Rumi says showing money that she clearly stole
Ryizen frowns.
"You stole that."
Rumi grins.
"Yup."
Ryizen sighs, but he's smirking. And he doesn't refuse.
"Fine. But I'm picking the inn I want."
Rumi scoffs.
"Great beats sleeping on the ground." Ajax says before walking.
Ryizen grunts in agreement as the two walk off.
"I mean, sure. But the ground's not that bad."
Rumi scoffs.
"Says the guy who snores."
"Oh yeah and how would you even know that!?" Ryizen retorts.
"Yeah let's go. A cozy bed awaits me. The future holder of Kimmegona's Sword!" Ajax says skipping ahead.
Rumi rolls her eyes.
"So humble, too."
"Of course I am. I'm always humble." Ajax chuckles smiling away
Rumi laughs.
"Uh huh. Sure, sure."
"These two. They might just be the strongest people I've encountered for a long time. If anyone I can use to find Kimmegona's sword, it's these 2." Rumi says to herself
Ryizen glances at her smirking.
"You planning something again?"
Rumi grins.
"Maybe."
"Did you say something Rumi?" Ajax says perking up.
Rumi waves a hand dismissively.
"Nope. Just thinking."
Ryizen eyes her suspiciously but says nothing.
"Alright let's go then." Ajax says
Ryizen scoffs.
"Finally."
Rumi just laughs but follows.
The three make their way to the town's local inn.
"Wow. This place is a dump." Rumi says.
Ryizen just shrugs.
"Yeah, it is. But it's cheap. And I'm too tired to care."
Rumi sighs but doesn't argue. "This place's definitely not luxurious. But it'll have to do for one night."
"Aw yeah an actual bed. Oh how I miss this." Ajax says grinning.
Ryizen sighs.
"Don't get too excited. The beds are probably disgusting."
Rumi scoffs.
"Positive as always."
"Beds are beds." Ajax says not seeing a problem.
Ryizen rolls his eyes.
"Whatever. Just don't complain when you wake up covered in lice."
"I'll just feed it to you." Ajax taunts.
Ryizen recoils in disgust.
"What the hell?!"
Rumi bursts out laughing.
"Damn, that's brutal."
"Hey you bought it up!" Ajax says before plopping down onto one of the beds.
Ryizen scowls.
"Yeah, and I had no plans of mentioning lice... until you just had to open your damn mouth."
He sighs, sitting on his own bed-checking it for insects.
"Oh c'mon you really think they'd leave that
here?" Ajax laughs banging on the mattress.
Ryizen raises an eyebrow.
"This place is a dump. I wouldn't be surprised."
"Yet you picked it." Ajax snickers.
Ryizen grumbles.
"Because I'm tired. Not because I like sleeping in filth."
Rumi watches amused.
"You two are a mess."
"Can you two can it jeez how is anyone supposed to get some sleep around here?" Rumi says.
Ryizen rolls his eyes.
"Hey, we were quiet until you showed up."
Rumi smirks
"Sure, sure. Always someone else's fault."
"Yeah Ryizen. It's always someone else's fault and not yours." Ajax says continuing to laugh
Ryizen bristles-face going red.
"H-Hey!"
Rumi bursts out laughing. He glares at her pissed.
"Wow you get so worked up so easily."
"Whatever, I'm gonna sleep." Ajax says yawning and stretching.
Ryizen sighs.
"Finally."
He leans back arms behind his head and closes his eyes.
Rumi watches for a moment-then smirks.
"Night, idiots."
After what seems like a good night of sleep Ajax wakes up.
For a moment, he watches the dust dance in the air caught in the light. Then, he notices something.
Across the dark room, Ryizen sits on his bed. Staring at the wall.
He looks concerned.
"Hey leave my sword alone dammit it's not something just anyone's allowed to touch and definitely not from your suspicious ass!" Ryizen yells at Rumi who seems to be inspecting Ryizen's sword.
Rumi blinks startled. She quickly returns the sword.
"Jeez. No need to yell."
Ryizen scowls.
"Keep your hands off my sword."
"Woah when did you two get up?" Ajax says shocked.
Ryizen shrugs.
"I'd been awake for a while."
Rumi rolls her eyes.
"Me too. Someone's snoring kept me up."
Ryizen scowls.
"Shut up. I do not snore that loudly."
"Snoring or not, it's a new day!" Ajax says energetic as always.
Ryizen sighs, rubbing his eyes.
"God. It's too early to be this optimistic."
"Huh? I thought you loved being optimistic?" Ajax says chuckling.
Ryizen scoffs.
"Around other people, sure. But too much positivity so early in the morning just annoys me."
"You three do indeed have great sleeping patterns, master Ean's right. A voice says cutting through the conversation.
The trio freezes spinning around.
Standing in the doorway is a figure unrecognizable in the shadows.
Ryizen reaches for his sword-eyes narrowed.
"Who the hell are you?!"
"Oh sorry it's only fair I give you some light on the information. Sorry in advance. But the master said it'd be best to check up on our "troublemakers" of guests." The figure says walking into the room the light shining in him. His white hair covering one of his eyes with his tall frame and yet like he's in his late teens.
Ryizen glares at the figure.
"What the hell are you talking about? Who sent you?!"
Rumi, on the other hand, eyes the figure up and down.
"Hmm. Not bad looking."
"Oh my look how cool he looks you can't tell me he doesn't look cool?" Ajax says charisma practically beaming from his eyes.
Ryizen blinks taken aback. He was not expecting this response from Rumi nor Ajax.
He clears his throat.
"Uh... okay, that's not the point-"
Rumi cuts him off.
"Oh shut up. He's hot, so be quiet."
Ryizen stares at her in disbelief.
"Seriously?!"
"Anyways sorry for the inconvenience. The names Ishida Crystal. And I'm the butler around here." Ishida says.
Ryizen's glare softens slightly.
"A butler?"
Ishida bows politely.
"Yes. And Master Ean insisted I check on you personally."
Rumi smirks leaning forward.
"Ohhh? He personally sent you?"
End of Chapter