Kita looks back to Raya who tosses her a bag. Snapping her out of the momentary daze that had overcome her. Inside the bag are some clothes Raya got from the raiders, as well as some coin.

"The weather will get strange to the East," Raya says.

Kita looks down to the strip below, noticing that no one has reacted to the shooting that just took place. No security or armed guards are on their way to investigate this massive crime scene.

"Why haven't we drawn any attention?" Kita asks.

"Shootouts between raiders are probably common. Most cities can barely afford to maintain their leadership, let alone armed guards,"

"Lucky us,"

"It won't be the same in the East. The city he spoke of is far wealthier than this one?"

"You've been there?"

"No. But I've heard they conduct trade in meats, medicines and vegetables. I'm not sure what their wealth may look like, but I'd presume it includes security,"

"I'll keep that in mind. Ready to go?"

"Go?" Raya asks, startled. "We're not ready yet,"

"Of course. Because we obviously need…"

"A tipi. Food and water, too. I'm surprised food isn't the first thing on your mind," Raya jests.

"Right!," Kita chuckles. "Are you doubting my love for a good meal?"

"I would lose that bet," Raya responds. "We'll buy enough to get us to the next city- It will take two or three nights for us to reach it,”

"I was thinking the exact same thing," Kita says, shrugging her shoulders.

They both make their way back to the strip, where they've bought themselves a two-person tipi that will keep them covered in case they run into the myst. The few bottles of water they bought cost more than the tipi, which surprised Kita considering everyone needs water. How could the poor people possibly afford this?

They walk amongst the passing bodies of the busy street, scouting for a store that sells food that would be good for travelling. The storefront Raya steps up towards is selling pastries, nuts and dried fruits- so boring. But it's travel food so it'll work best.

"How much for the creamy tomato soup?" Kita asks the chef.

"12 coin," He grunts, passing a glance between the both of them. "Should I ring you up for some of that too?" He asks Raya.

"Yes," Kita answers, glaring at Raya to agree.

"I'm askin' the responsible one," The chef dismisses Kita's answer.

"What are you trying to say, old man?" Kita grits her teeth, returning eye contact.

"We'll take two of the soups as well," Raya responds, placing more coin on the counter. "For travel," She adds.

"Understood, You can wait at one of the tables over there and I'll bring it all out for you," He points at the shared dining area.

"Much appreciated," Raya says.

"You better use love when you make it too," Kita scolds as the man walks away, ignoring her.

"Looking for love, sweetheart?" Says a seductive voice from over her shoulder. Kita turns to lock eye contact with a bright pink set of pupils. It's the tall, orange-haired girl with a white fringe. Her tight skirt hugs her curving body as she towers above Kita.

"Uhh…" Kita stammers, overwhelmed by her beauty as she recognizes it's the girl from before. The nerves are getting to her, and saying anything is proving to be more of a challenge than anything she's faced thus far.

"Smooth," Raya scoffs at Kita's response.

"Did the mission go as planned?" The petty lady says, leaning closer to Kita as she caresses Kita's arm.

"Y-yeah... I'm a hero now," Kita responds.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"Not mine, though," The lady frowns, placing a hand on Kita's.

"Well… I could be," Kita smiles. "Right now, even,"

"You're quick like that, are you?"

"When I need to be," Kita responds, "I often like to take my time,"

"You can take all the time you need, sweetheart"

"Does your, uhhh, friend still need saving too?"

"He does, he would be very disappointed if I didn't bring you back with me… To save him,"

"Then I better not disappoint," Kita responds, prompting the lady to take Kita's hand. "I'll be back," Kita says to Raya.

"Mhmm," She mumbles, "Don't take too long,"

Kita walks behind the tall lady, holding her hand as she watches her rear sway from left to right with each step. The high heels she's wearing make her legs and bottom look so firm. It's quite a seductive sight.

Kita takes one last look at Raya before she enters a tipi, behind the orange and white-haired lady, where she sees the man with the latex pants and stunning pecs.

He passes her a smile, "Welcome home, babe,"

•°•°•°•

The sun peaks over the hills, radiating heat across the barren land as Kita and Raya hike to the next city. Fully supplied with food, water and a change of clothing in the event the weather cools down.

Kita's going through a lot of lengths to get to this kid. She wasn't expecting him to have been taken to a whole different city but by this point, there is not much she can do besides follow the trails. There's not much else for her to do anyway. From everything that Raya has told her, she wouldn't stand a chance against the dark one right now. She needs a minimum of two hundred souls by the time she decides to do that. It's a bigger challenge than she's prepared to deal with right now.

"Will the myst pass over us?" Kita asks Raya.

"Not yet," Raya responds, pointing to the horizon on her right. "When it does it will come from the South,"

"How do you know that?"

"The stars. Depending on their alignment. The myst will generally travel from East to West, or North to South. But this can vary slightly,"

"I was told it also grows larger with each rotation," Kita adds.

"This is true, although not many are aware of it."

"How are you aware of it? Must be because of that fancy, royal education you got,"

"It is primarily from experience," Raya chuckles."But my fancy education did teach me a lot,"

"You can probably do large calculations and stuff with your mind, huh?"

"Something like that," Raya replies.

"Well then, you can manage our coin," Kita chuckles.

"That's a given. Unless we want all of our coin spent on an assortment of soups," Raya quips.

"That wouldn't be a bad use of coin," Kita answers, licking her lips. "A meat soup would be amazing,"

"And expensive," Raya adds.

"Coin is made to be spent, no?"

"On more than just food, Kita,"

"Sure. There were a few pretty men and women I wouldn't mind spending my coin on either,"

"Of course," Raya grunts, "And after the sex we can die of starvation,"

"Were all of your kind immune to having a good time?" Kita asks sarcastically.

"I'll have you know that our national celebrations were unrivalled. People would travel from distant regions to attend them,"

"Such a well-mannered princess could never participate in such antics,"

Raya chuckles, reflecting on her days of royalty with a smile prancing on her face. "Back then, I wasn't the most well-behaved Princess,"

"Oh? You were a rebellious heir?"

"I would often drink to the point of inebriation. Whether I was at a celebration, at the castle or even on the battlefield,"

"A drunkard princess. I'd love to see that," Kita laughs.

"I've reformed since then," Raya chuckles.

"Did Mother and Father approve of your behaviour?" Kita asks with her impression of Raya's posh voice.

"They did know... No one did. In my drunkenness, I would successfully win battles, entertain my family at the dinner table, socialize with my citizens, and spearhead the council on behalf of my Father,"

"All whilst alcohol was plaguing your body?" Kita asks, stunned that this polite, patient princess is a productive alcoholic.

"I presume you don't drink?" Raya chuckles.

"Ugh, no," Kita scoffs, "I prefer to alter my consciousness, rather than dull it,"

"The expectations everyone had for me were overwhelming." Raya says, scratching the back of her neck, "My family expected me to always be the shining example. Always smiling and strong. My soldiers expected me to be Brave… And ruthless in the face of any foe. And my people expected me to understand them and their needs. Despite how they would ebb and flow." She shrugs, "I'd be lying if I said it wasn't overwhelming… Dulling my mind was the only way I could cope with it all,"

"Are you drunk right now?" Kita squints in suspicion.

Raya laughs, "I no longer carry that burden. I only drink for leisure when it is available,"

"Way to dodge my question,"

"You'd know whether or not I was drunk. I'm much more susceptible to its effects these days,"

"No longer reliable in combat?" Kita asks.

"I still fight with skill… But I'm clumsy under the influence,"

"A drunken, warrior princess," Kita laughs, "There has to be a joke for this," She adds, rubbing her chin as she contemplates.