We ran for what seemed a while, the cage in my arms was getting heavy. My body adapted to do this easier, but I guess even through adaptation, it only makes it easier. It doesn't make me stronger or invulnerable. Just best suited to my situation. If I need to run, I take on traits of a faster and better runner. If I need to lift something I get the traits of someone who can lift heavy things, doesn't mean it will make me strong enough to do it. It doesn't seem to take energy to adapt, but it doesn't improve mine either, just makes me the most efficient at using it.

With all that said, my lungs were screaming for air, and my legs were getting weaker with every step. I was approaching my limit for energy. This day has been a hell of an experience. I am not sure how long it has been since the fight started, but I am getting really tired. My body aches everywhere. I stumble to a stop and lean against the wall.

“I am too tired to keep going.” I gasped out.

The leopard lady stopped and turned back to look at me. I could tell even with her training, she was starting to get winded. We were far away from the original ambush point, and far away from the unsafe house. We might finally have lost them and might be able to relax for a second and get our breath. We still had not heard back from the rest of our original squad, so who knows if any of them made it out alive.

“We stop here for a second. If we keep pushing we will not be able to defend ourselves.” She remarked and took a seat next to me.

I let my back slide down the wall till I too was sitting on the ground, with my body trembling a little I couldn't help but wonder about things. I still don't understand what role I am supposed to play here. What is it I am supposed to be doing? Is there someone pulling the strings to this weird game? So much going on, and I don't even understand the slightest thing going on. Someone was reincarnated, some seen born here, and somehow I was just created and placed here, given enough memories and information to self function. What is this all about?

“Hey, I am not sure you even know what's going on, but this place sure is wild.” I said.

“Don't think about it too much. The more you think about it, the less it makes sense.” She replied, as she pulled out a smoke and started to light it.

I leaned back against the wall and my body quickly relaxed. I was still watching around me, but my body needed rest. I could feel my body sinking. The fatigue is grabbing hold of me. I start to wonder if a little rest will be fine. I could feel myself drifting off, when a strange feeling took hold.

A weightlessness took hold, but not physically my much deeper. Like my soul. Darkness clouded up my vision, maybe not cloud but like I am being pulled away. Pulled down into this darkness. I tried feeling for my hand to try to look at it, but in the darkness I couldn't see my hand. It felt like I was in a very thich mass, it's hard to move. The deeper I sunk, the more pressure I felt on me. It was quiet, almost deafening. I didn't feel the need to breathe, but my chest began to hurt like it was being pressed down on.

Suddenly I pushed forward, all the way back to body, with such violent force, what felt like ages to sink, I was immediately slammed back into my body. Lurching forward I gasped for air as suddenly I was taking in information around me. The sky looked a little darker, the shadows have stretched more. The air felt a little less harsh as well. Slowly catching my breath and trying to calm down, I flexed my hand, which is not bandaged, and felt a wave of relief at having control over myself again.

“Had a nightmare?” Leopard asked.

I looked over at her, which was not in her original spot, but sitting closer toward the street. I guess to watch it, or look for someone. She has had a few smokes, which I was gone. I guess I was out of it for a while.

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“Something like that. Sorry, I didn't mean to fall asleep.” I responded, slowly getting up from my seat.

“Ready to get moving then?” She asked me.

“Ya, I think so. Best we don't stay here too long. They might find us.” I replied having fully gotten up.

I still was not sure what happened, was I dying or was that a dream? I wasn't sure, but I knew that I needed rest soon or I might collapse. The sooner we get this done the better. After I got up onto my feet, I walked over to her.

“Alright, I am ready to go. Let's get this done with. I want to go home soon.” I responded, and hardened myself for anything that might come.

We walked out onto the street and started toward our goal again. What was a full convoy, is now just me and her. We are both dreadfully tired. I can't wait for all of this to be over. I just want to hand off this cage and be done. The familiar tight buildings with bright signs with the names of the shops which cover the street level of said buildings, with housing above them, guess to fit both shops and housing in one place. There was no real road here, it seems this section was more designed with foot traffic in mind.

We were making good progress, we seemed to be reaching the main street of the town, which ran from the city center to the west exit. As we made it into the street she stopped in front of me and I froze. We had been completely surrounded. The entire street was filled with Are’s members, and not a guardsman in sight anywhere. They may have had scouts posted on the main streets if we had to cross any they would trap us. They have.

I watched as she drew her weapon, and in response so did the more than 20 people around us. Most of this group seemed to have lizard-like people in it. Seemed to be something with Are’s and Lizard like people. Maybe they like the rules there.

I couldn't use my weapon effectively like this. Holding a cage in one arm, and trying to use a spear, even if I make the handle smaller it's not effective. I was really cursing my luck here. When suddenly the entire street went quiet, everyone watching from the sides all seemed to very quickly scatter as everyone's attention got drawn to the westward gate.

I couldn't see what they saw as most of them stood a bit taller than me, but they started yelling at whoever was there. Then before I knew it suddenly the leopard lady tackled me to the ground, then suddenly everyone who was yelling all got real quiet. I could faintly hear the gentle presse move dust across the street, and the breath I was breathing. A dreadful chill ran down my spine.

I watched as all the guys which had surrounded us, all fell apart. Each one of them split in half across the abdomen. Blood gushed everywhere and the sound of two dozen bodies falling to the ground and dropping weapons followed. Intestines spilling out the smell which smelt like iron or rusty metal suddenly became a horrible stench.

I retched at the awful stench that pierced my nose. I lost whatever I had left from anything I ate today. Then suddenly I was grabbed and pulled forcefully up to my feet by the leopard lady, forcing me to follow her as she dragged me out of the circle of dead bodies which now decorated the street in a deep crimson color.

I barely got a glance at what everyone had run from earlier. A wolf-like man was walking down the street from the west gate, Most of his features were indistinguishable in the shadows, which his tattered and worn cloak provided. I could tell it was mate, with darker colors, I saw some golden claws, red and gray furs. The power he carried with him, I am not sure how but seemed to give off a hazy effect around him. That man was dangerous. Much so then anyone I had seen before. Before I could get any better of a look, I was dragged by force into the nearest alley way.