It had all happened way too quickly.

Just a moment ago, it had only been droplets, until suddenly they transformed into a torrent of water, crashing down on Felix.

The arrows he had shot just before the impact had connected with Katy’s shoulder plates on each side, catapulting her backward with an irrational force. She could only watch as the massive flood descended, burying him underneath.

Water spilled through the alley, first forming a stream that quickly turned into a river with a rushing current. Crashing waves pushed Katy further until her back slammed against a wall, the impact rattling her senses.

Her eyes frantically searched for the boy. The boy who had just saved her life—again.

“Felix!” she called out, hoping for an answer.

As she repeated his name over and over again, water splashed into her mouth. Katy coughed wheezily, irritated by the liquid’s taste. She had expected normal water—not…

Saltwater…?

But then why didn’t it sting her eyes?

Coughing, she tried to keep herself above the water as a figure descended from above, diving into the water stream that was finally starting to subside.

The water washed over the silhouette, gradually streaming down until Katy could finally take a look at her enemy. A young man with messy orange hair and vermillion eyes. His chartreuse cape was soaked, his silver armor gleamed brightly, glistening with droplets.

The water level continued to recede, draining away as a murky brown sludge down the alley, leaving Katy standing on solid ground again.

“What did you do to the boy?!” she demanded.

The stranger glared at her. “You’re Katherine, I suppose?”

“Answer my question!”

At that, he plunged his hand into the water, which now only reached his knees, and pulled up a limp figure. Gripping Felix by the hood, he held the pale boy up toward her. Katy flinched.

“What did you do to him?!”

“I’m the one asking questions now.”

Katy wanted to argue, but she understood that he held the upper hand. So, she nodded.

“I’m here to settle an old score,” he continued. “He isn’t my target.”

With that he let Felix drop to the ground, the boy landing with a splash in the remnants of the water.

Katy, her gaze flickering between Felix and the stranger, still couldn’t comprehend what was happening. Was this man a headhunter? If so, she had no chance of escaping. He had already shown a glimpse of his power, and she feared that wasn’t even the full extent of it.

“He’s not breathing,” Katy said, crouching down and turning Felix onto his back. “I won’t try to flee from you, but please don’t drag innocent people into this.”

“Flee…?” the man asked, confused. “Am I not even worth fighting? Is that it again?!”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about! Just help the boy—”

A hand clamped around her throat, lifting her into the air. “Tell me! Are you the daughter of that Ambertrix Elder?!”

Gasping, she struggled for air, but his grip was too tight.

“Answer me!” the man demanded.

“Let me go… I… must…” her words faded into silence.

The grip suddenly loosened, and air streamed back into her lungs.

Eyes widening, she saw Felix behind the man. The two short swords he held in his hands were crafted from red crystals, adorned with yellow ones that seemed to have lost all their color.

The man let Katy drop to the ground, turning his attention to the boy instead. “Do you want to die?”

Felix stuck his tongue out at him. “Catch me if you can!”

Then, he darted off, his footsteps splashing through the alley.

What is he thinking…? Katy thought groggily. Such an idiot… He’ll get himself killed like that.

She swayed a few times before finally managing to push herself off the ground, listening as the man followed into the distance.

What now? Katy thought.

A part of her wanted to help the boy, but wasn’t her own escape more important? She still had to warn the citizens. Besides, she couldn’t do much against the overwhelming force that was this Oath Keeper.

Hurting, she held her head.

The chase reminded Felix of playing tag, and if the situation weren’t so dire, it would’ve been quite funny. Though, he found himself giggling anyway.

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“Give back my swords, you stray!” the man yelled behind him. “They are the sacred legacy of my family!”

“Then catch me!” Felix called back, leaving a little surprise for his pursuer.

A moment later, the man started gagging and coughing violently. Felix snickered in amusement.

“What’s that smell?!” the man choked, trying to hold back a retch.

Felix rounded the corner. So far, his plan was working; disarm the opponent and lead him away from the civilians. But there was a problem: he couldn’t be sure the girl was okay, and worst-case scenario, the man might return to her. In her condition, he wasn’t even sure if she could run.

Felix had no choice. He had to go back to the crime scene eventually.

He had only been in Fetról for about a week, yet he had felt at home pretty quickly. He knew that if he just ran in a square around this block, back toward the marketplace, he would end up in the alley where the girl lay. Hopefully, she would be fine until then, for he hadn’t heard anything from his pursuer for a couple of seconds now.

Glancing back, Felix found himself alone in the alley. He paused and cupped his ear in case the man was still chasing him but just a little slow on his feet. But nothing.

“Darn it!” Felix cursed. “You don’t just do that! Stopping the chase without a proper time out…”

Laying down the stolen swords—as they were more of a threat than a help to him—he peeked back around the corner.

Katy stumbled backward, holding her face in shock.

“Stupid bitch!” the man growled, towering over her. “Why didn’t you show up?! Tell me!”

Katy’s world spun as she felt the man’s grip on her collar, pulling her up to eye level. At that point, it was clear: she really should have dipped when she had the chance. But no, of course, she had to run after the psychopathic Oath Keeper.

“You’re coming back with me to the Colosseum now, where we will have our fight!” He shook her aggressively. “Don’t you dare pass out! I want a real fight! You hear me?! A REAL fight!”

This guy really must have been crazy! Katy had been locked in that damn tower for the last three years—what freaking fight would she be involved in?!

Katy struggled against his grip, trying to free herself but with little success. When he kept on yelling, Katy had enough. She spat right into his right eye, kicking between his legs. “Fuck you!”

He blinked against the spit, though still holding her tightly.

Katy bit her lip at the aching in her foot.

Armor, of course!

At least the weirdo couldn’t kill her. Or rather wouldn’t. Unless he wanted to fight a corpse in the ‘Colosseum’—whatever that was even supposed to be.

The man, however, seemed to see things differently. He pulled back his fist for another strike. Katy squeezed her eyes shut.

“Cowardly woman-beater!” she spat.

But the blow never landed. Confused, she opened her eyes. An arrow pierced both his bracers, chaining his arms together like a pair of handcuffs. No blood seeped through.

The man cocked his head sideways, glaring at the intruder once more.

Felix, standing with a drawn bow, aimed right at his head.

The man stuttered, bewildered, anger slowly finding its way back into his voice. His grumbling turned into uncontrolled screams, furious. Katy seized her chance—the psycho was distracted—it was time to run.

Out of instinct, she ran toward Felix, even though it wasn’t her smartest move as now he wouldn’t have to pick between his victims.

The crack behind Katy sent a shiver down her spine.

“Run!” Felix yelled, biting his tongue for focus as he drew another arrow, leaning forward.

The man, having broken free from the arbitrary handcuffs, stumbled after Katy.

The bowstring snapped, an arrow darting right past Katy’s neck, slicing through strands of her hair. The man yelled in pain—or anger—she could no longer tell the difference.

Something grabbed her leg—she fell. Her knee ached as if a hammer had split it apart. Yelping, she got back up, limping forward.

Felix nocked another arrow, hesitating.

“I can’t do anything against him!” he yelled, standing far from the chase. “My normal arrows are useless against his armor!”

Katy’s heart pounded. Hands reached for her, tearing off pieces of clothing where there was no armor. Nails bit into flesh where there was no protection. Felix watched with trembling eyes until, eventually, he turned around and ran off.

Yes, that’s good… Katy thought. Everyone has to think of themselves.

That’s how it always has been. And it always would.

She should have thought of herself too. Should have just stayed in that tower. Should have kept Father’s secret to herself.

Compassion was a weakness.

A weight pressed down on her body from behind. Lying on top of her, the man huffed like an animal. She felt his hot breath on her neck. Hands clamped around her wrists, pinning her down despite her screams. Then he yanked her up by the hair, bending her torso and spine to the extreme.

“Now I’ve got you!” he hissed triumphantly right into her ear. “If you run away again, I’ll kill that boy too! Do you understand?!”

Katy didn’t dare to speak. Not even the sounds of resistance escaped her anymore.

An image flashed before her eyes. The boy’s smile beamed at her, his giggle so lively it was almost annoying. She had rarely seen anyone like him, someone who actually cared about others.

No.

Stop that.

He ran away.

He left you behind.

He…

Is just like Mother.

Why does everyone leave me?

All the weight suddenly lifted off her body as two shimmering crystals shot past her.

Green… Yadis?

Katy turned around, watching the arrow’s impact.

Just like with the other soldiers before, the arrows bit into the man’s armor and latched onto it, dragging him along the alleyway until he finally hit a wall. Two arrows pinned the armor above his shoulders, two more following at his legs and torso. Like nails hammered into the wall with a single, precise strike.

“What is this supposed to be?!” The man tried to free himself with visible effort. He shook, stretched, and strained—his neck and facial expression the only parts of him able to move.

Eating deep into the stone wall, the arrows ensured he wouldn’t harm anyone anymore.

“Are you okay?!” Felix asked, crouching, and laid a hand on her shoulder.

Katy winced at the touch. “Don’t!” She looked up, confused as if mistaking Felix for someone else. “I mean, yes… yes, I’m… fine.”

“Sorry that it took so long, but I had to get these back before I could beat him.” He wiggled three more arrows with green tips in his hand.

She stared at Felix with empty eyes.

“You should really visit a doctor now,” he insisted, pulling her up.

“Get back here!” the man yelled. “I’m not done with you! Why does this not work, goddamnit?! Fire! I need fire!”

“Let’s get out of here,” Felix said, glancing at the man still cursing and stomping like a child throwing a tantrum.

Katy kept her gaze on the Oath Keeper for a short moment. Then she followed Felix’s lead, absentmindedly. She winced yet again when he grabbed her hand tightly, but it was different from other men. He was so pure, so childish, and his warmth felt…

Comforting.