Traversing the roads was proven taxing, as Nicolas almost fell to his face on the streets, trying his best to continue his stride while avoiding enemies that tried to hinder their advance. Some of the knights, Alvor’s men, and surviving town guards kept on driving the enemies away as they kept shouting at him to regroup at the library. It gave at least gave him hope, holding tightly at Mae.

After seeing more fighting on the street ahead, he quickly made a right turn to an alley and headed for the main road. To his surprise, even the path was blocked by two men from the enemy. They’re quick to react, raising their sword on guard as they hurdled towards the running boy.

“Mae, close your eyes”, he cried before jumping on the right wall, then to the left.

The men watched him sprawl into the air, glaring at them from above, pointing their swords at him as they grinned. Nicolas gathered his soul at the souls of his feet before using the shield to crush the ones below, but it was not enough. Quickwittedly, the other pushed his comrade forward, and by the time Nicolas landed, the man was already swinging his sword.

Mae could only squeal as she opened her eyes and watched the blade approaching towards her undefended back. Nicolas already knew that he’d not be able to turn in time, his eyes wide and worried, urging himself to move when, out of nowhere, a blue arrow came from above, shattering the enemy’s blade.

It gave him enough time to conjure his sword and deal the finishing blow. Panting, he panned his vision above while asking the little girl if she’s okay. He caught a glimpse of Matthew before leaping to the next roof.

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He wanted to follow him, call his name, and ask why he’s still cooperating with the enemy, but with Mae’s another ear-ripping cry, he had no choice but to move forward. Unlike the back alleys, the main road was clear. The Bibliotheca can now be seen, three blocks away, as it towered over the town. Archers' position on its stairs and roof while the barricade are manned with swordsmen, making it hard for anyone to approach it.

Nicolas could already feel relief when he heard a familiar voice from another alley.

“Alisa, hi, nice seeing you again”, He did not find the need to check who it was for he knows it’s Meriane.

“You again”, Alisa’s voice was far from confident for a fight.

Clashing on a grassy yard behind a tailor’s shop, exchanging insults and curses. Alisa was holding her bow, starching at its string and prepared to shoot while Meriane watched her from across the lawn. Carelessly waving her sword as if a baton.

Alisa was on a tight spot, stuck to the wall as she hesitantly checked her side. Nicolas as quietly as possible sneaked behind some boxes before the yard and saw the reason. A woman was beside her, shivering in fear, defending herself with nothing but a potato in hand.

“The vegetable lady”, he thought.

It was then that he was forced to decide. Should he come to her rescue and endanger the little girl, or should he go and leave everything to Alisa and risk losing her again and probably forever. He bit his lip, trying not to show his wavering resolve in front of Mae. His thoughts juggling between what Alisa would do if she’s in his place and what he could lose.

As he finally turned around, he could only place his trust to Alisa, praying for her safety as he cursed himself, “Mae, hold on tight.”