Howling in the distance, chirping all around, the path was barely visible for both of them, only being lit up by the moonlight. Step by step, they head forward, not looking back, stone cold faces on both of them. But in truth, it was a facade. A thought traveled through their heads constantly. 'What is out there?'. In a whole new continent, a different world, there were many unexpected possibilities. Kassius, carrying both bags, one on his back and one on his front, walks up beside Arnold.
Kassius: "Don't you think it was bizarre?"
Arnold: "Hmm?"
Kassius: "Why was she on the tracks? Where did she come from?"
Arnold: "Her legs were burned. Maybe she was trying to escape something."
Kassius: "Or someone. What if they're looking for her?"
Arnold: "Whatever it is, we'll protect her until we find some help."
Before Kassius could muster any words, they both stop walking. Naturally, they struggled to look up ahead, but not for something like this. Their eyes dilated immediately. A moth-like creature hugged a tree in front of them. Wings, the size of them both. They looked at each other and almost telepathically knew what their next step was. They slowly crept in a different direction, watching every little step. As they got further from it, their hearts pounded less. They turn back on their direction and continue ahead.
Arnold: "How far do you think the walk is?"
Kassius: "Hopefully not long, if I can trust my map reading skills."
They could not. After a while of walking, their pace begins to slow.
Arnold: "Not long, huh?"
Kassius: "Sorry. Let's take a break."
Just as he suggests the idea, Kassius spots an open space up ahead. As they arrive, they see the whole place clearly, moonlight shining down, illuminating the area. Kassius throws the bags down and falls to the ground. Arnold gently places the girl down and sits beside her.
Arnold: "Just a few minutes."
Kassius: "At least half an hour. I didn't sleep, you know."
Arnold, focused on helping the girl, plans to refuse. But as he notices Kassius' yawning and fatigued look, he nods his head.
Kassius: "I've never seen a red person before. You think they're more?"
Arnold: "Probably. About her... what's our plan? We can't just leave her here, right?"
Kassius: "Not here, but maybe in Ritetown. We can find someone to help her find her family."
Before they even notice, something rushes in. It tries to grab the girl but Arnold kicks in its way, causing it to leap over. It lands on the ground and stands tall. As they both catch a glimpse of it in the moonlight, this time, they look on, not horrified but rather amazed. Its red skin, gleaming in the light. Its tall stature, almost like a tree itself. In an instant, it grabs Kassius' bag and runs away. Both of them stare on as it runs away.
Kassius: "I'm not crazy right? That was-"
Arnold: "Another one..."
Kassius: "Wait... oh, no! No, no, no! I'm going after it. It took my bag."
Arnold: "We don't know what's out there. Just leave the bag."
Kassius: "I can't. I put my wallet in there. I can't leave my wallet. Are you able to take her to Ritetown on your own?"
Arnold: "...I can. But what about you?"
Kassius: "I'll meet you there. At the train station. Ok?"
Arnold: "Ok. Be careful."
Kassius sprints away, following the red figure.
Kassius: "Get back here!"
Kassius runs down the forest and slowly catches up to it. Looking on, unable to believe his eyes, the figure grabs onto the tree branches and swings, one to the other. Focused too much on what the figure was doing, Kassius trips and falls on the ground. He stands back up and sees the figure in sight barely, with no sign of slowing down. Running through the forest as it gets quieter and quieter, Kassius hurdles and avoids all the plants, the rocks, the roots. The figure suddenly stops. It rummaged through the bag, only seeing clothes. Out of nowhere, Kassius tackles it.
Kassius: "Got y-"
Suddenly, Kassius realises why it stopped. They tumble down a hilly area, hitting everything in their way. Before he knows it, Kassius slams down onto the bottom, dazed and confused. His ear rings, as he slowly gets back on his feet.
Kassius (in head): "Where am I..."
A rushing sound of water grabs Kassius' attention. He looks around but sees nothing. Nothing except his bag on the floor, and the red man, hanging just over an edge. As he gets closer, the man begins to slip. Kassius manages to catch him by his arm just as he falls and looks down. Finally, he realises where the water was. Over the edge, a river flowed, with a small lake just nearby. Getting a closer look, Kassius sees the red skin clearly. The man has dark blue eyes with smooth long black hair. His arms, in strong condition. The red man slowly opens his eyes, seeing Kassius hold onto him.
Kassius: "You're awake. Climb up!"
Red man: "What... are you doing?"
Kassius: "Helping you!"
Red man: "Drop me!"
Kassius: "Are you crazy? You could die!"
Red man: "I'd rather that than owe anything to one of yours."
Kassius: "Well, I'm not dropping you."
Red man: "Alright then."
Before Kassius knew it, he was yanked towards the cliff, the man grabbing onto the edge and lifting himself up. Before he falls, the man grabs Kassius, both of them swapping positions.
Red man: "Now your life is in my hands. Tell me where the other is going with Ulqora."
Kassius (in head): "He drew me out to pick us off alone."
Red man: "Tell me!"
Kassius: "He's going to Ritetown!"
Red man: "Ritetown?! Oh, no..."
Kassius: "Wait, you know the girl?"
Red man: "I do."
Kassius: "Well, we're trying to help her."
Red man: "Don't joke. I hold you by just your hand."
He releases a finger off his grip.
Kassius: "I'm not joking. I swear! We found her on the tracks!"
Red man: "I can't risk you following me."
Kassius: "If you drop me, Arnold won't ever give you the girl back. I'm your only way to her."
Red man: "I'll just kill him as well."
Kassius: "You can't."
Red man: "I doubt one of your kind could fight me."
Kassius: "You'd be surprised. Look... you don't need to do all of this. If you lift me back up, I promise I'll take you to her."
As tempted as the man was to drop Kassius, he couldn't bring himself to do it. Staring into his eyes, he could sense no deceit. Dragging him back up, he throws Kassius to the side and leaves him on the ground.
Red man: "You will lead me to your friend. If Ulqora is hurt, I will kill you both."
Kassius goes up to his bag and looks through it. He sighes a breath of relief as he sees his wallet in the bottom. He pulls it out and puts it in his pocket.
Red man: "What is your name?"
Kassius: "Kassius Moore. You?"
Red man: "Aljaser. Let's leave be-"
A pinch hits Aljaser in his neck. Before he knows it, he slowly falls unconscious. Kassius, looking around, feels it in his arm. As he looks down, he sees a dart piercing his skin. He grabs it, but the drowsiness hits him quicker. Falling to the ground, Kassius and Aljaser get swarmed around by a group of people. Not too long after, he regains consciousness but sees bars in front of him. Sat in a cage, Kassius is seated the center of a ring, lit by torches. Barely picking out his surrounding, he looks up ahead to a man seated in front of him. He has a short gray beard, blue eyes and black hair. Beside him are two other people, one stood on each side.
Kassius (in head): "Where the hell am I?"