[https://i.imgur.com/2ANra6J.jpg]

Drac flipped over a wave of fire and struck his blade on Vambraces. Ventus blew him off. Fell back on a hand on the stone floor. A flip backwards and he was back to his feet. He was moving again. He zig-zagged around Marina’s balls of fire.

Marina smiled. A column of flame erupted from the ground stopping Drac in his tracks. Drac stepped back into a sheet of Murus. Still smiling Marina flicked and two flames flew to his side. A quick two-slice destroyed the flames.

Marina gestured up.

“Damn…” Below his stone bubbled. He created a platform of blue. The column of fire carried him to the air.

“Let's try harder.”

He created a second platform and pushed off with feet tuned to Ignis. Like a cannon, he exploded at Marina. Scared, Marina dodged with a roll, letting Drac crash into stone. Out of the rubble blur the fighter attacked Marina again with a thrust aimed at her head. A barrier was created and Drac skipped to the side. From the edge of the blue wall, he sliced at Marina's right side. A vambrace blocked the attack then another.

Oh!

A horizontal slice, Marina evaded by bending down. Fists close to her chin, she struck upward with her right. Drac dodged to the right and riposte. Her left vambrace blocked the attack to the chest and she threw out a right straight.

It's parried and Drac counter-attacked with a left straight at a face. With aura Marina jumped away, breathing hard. With Heilong on in right shoulder, Drac nodded in approval.

Turn it up a notch.

Drac tuned into levitation. His jacket floated in the morning breeze. He exhaled. And tuned into Ignis once more.

What's this?

Experimenting.

With a push of fire, Drac hovered metres in the air. Flame blasted from his feet. Marina gawked at the sight. Soldiers below stare up at the Drac with awe in their eyes.

Drac tuned in Ventus.

It's too much for you. I will help.

Drac shot himself like a bullet. Reflexively, Marina fired large large blasts of fire. Drac used Ventus to direct himself away from the attack. He slipped past the blasts gaining distance. Drac brought up his Heilong. For a split second, he increased his speed as he smashed into Marina’s Murus. It broke apart, splintering its shards across the training ground. As her last hope, she charged Ignis on her knuckles and punched a blast, melting the stone ground. Drac appears on the left side. An open palm collides with Marina's ribcage. The Mage was sent rolling to the ground.

“No!”

Marina covered her rib in pain. Drac ran to her on the ground.

“I am so sorry.”

Marina groaned and began laughing. “I lasted way longer than last time.”

“Are you ok, Marina? How hurt are you?”

“Very hurt. After one kiss, you want to take it easy on me?”

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“Uuuuuuuuuuh….”

Marina laughed harder. Winch and the continuing her laughter.

Drac brought her up from the ground still in her laughing fit.

“What you did just now, what spells did you use?” asked Marina while she limped holding Drac's arm.

“Ignis of course, levitation. To move in the air I tuned Ventus around my-”

Marina stopped limping and glared at Drac “What did you just say?”

“I wrapped Ventus around me.”

“Not that, dummy. Levitation.”

“Oh. Yeah. I am not good at it yet.”

“Not good?! The fact you could do it at all!”

“But I use it all the time.”

“Stop bragging.”

As Marina limped by his side, Drac held her through the corridor. Members of the watch stare as they walk by.

Even if help save a city, we get the same stares.

Bob was found reading at the infirmary. Small glasses accent is gruff face. He licked his finger and turned a page. Eye focused on the words, he chewed on toffee.”

“Bob. Your lady is injured.”

Bob rushed out of his seat. “Again!?” Bob threw his book at a nearby desk.

“It's just a bruise.”

Bob aimed his glowing hand at her side. “Same place…”

“Hehe, calm down! The guy who hurt me last got off worse, so don't worry.” She patted the glowing hand, consoling the large man.

“Oh, Drac. We are going to the northside later.”

“Why?”

“Because you cannot keep wearing the same clothes every damn day, you bum.”

Marina jumped out of the carriage. Grinning wide, she gestured for him to come out. Black boots stepped out and the people of the high street oogle. The man in black, slayer of hundreds strolled down the street with his blonde female companion. The noble killer window-shopped, buying things for the journey ahead. Drac pinched his mask.

Are you sure you want to do that?

I decided in Plyton that won't be hiding away anymore. Gawk and stare. I don't care. You shouldn't. You have as much of a right to walk the streets as these people.

Mm…

Drac brought down his mask and hood. The pedestrians’ ogling eyes grew wider. Even without Auditus, whispers and gossip can be heard around them.

“Ignore the fuckers. If they cause any problems, just cut their necks.”

“I keep telling you, I don't do it on purpose!”

“Sure you don’t.”

A cut neck stops the screaming.

A bell jingled when Drac and Marina entered a tailor’s shop. A man came from the back of the shop to meet his customers.

“Vernons and Co’s tailoring. How can I help? Oh! Miss Vanessa! How nice it is to meet you again. And who is that - Oh god… It's you…!”

Marina smiled and said “Why so scared? Did he kill some of your customers?”

The shopkeeper trembled under Drac’s silent gaze.

Marina chucked a purse full of silver coins at the tailor.

“This man needs shirts and trousers. As many as can be made in a day.”

The doorbell jingled as the two left the shop.

“Not used to being measured like that. Too much touching.”

“If you going be around me, you’ll have to get used to that.”

Drac blushed.

“Not like that stupid!” said the mage. She grinned as she carried her shopping bags. Drac followed behind carrying more.

Drac let go.

What are you doing?

Hood was in control. He was anxious with his hood and mask down. He brought up his hand.

Don’t, Hood. Isn't this what you wanted?

Hood looked around at the high street. People walk around cheery as if there wasn’t a small war that occurred under their streets.

Just enjoy the moment.

Hood looked forward at the happy girl who plagued Drac’s mind. Her boundless energy distracted him from his worries.

“Want to go to a blacksmith next?” She turned around to face Hood. “Hey! Are you listening? Where else- Oh… Hood, right?”

He nodded.

“I see... Then let’s go down there. I heard they sell great cake.” She continued walking on.

Hood felt calm. His shoulders finally relaxed. He smiled and followed his friend.