35

Heading for the City

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“Anchor!”

The sound of an impact was followed by a heavy groan. Leon’s face was crumpled in discomfort. His frown and displeasure aimed at a tall and slender young woman.

“Your feet moved again,” Her cold voice critiqued the blond-haired young man.

“Again!” Alduin’s voice yelled out from the sidelines. His eyes observed every minute detail of their fight.

“Hold your shield higher,” Ise added on with a deadpan face. Compared to when she was talking to Alduin, she didn't show a single emotion facing Leon. Her long black hair was tied together, two long daggers were held in her hands, and her eyes looked at Leon as if he was prey. Leon had become someone she vented her frustrations on.

“Go!” With the sound of Alduin’s voice, Leon steadied himself once more. This time, his shield held slightly higher to maintain his center of gravity.

Ise started running, she wouldn’t be using her daggers, today, she would be using nothing but her swift kicks.

Her steps were faster than a human should be capable of. From her circling around Leon, to her giant leap forward, she had already surpassed a regular human’s capabilities.

But Leon was the same, his eyes never let her out of his sight. He might not be as fast as her, but his power was not to be disparaged.

“Come!” Leon roused his strength with a shout. Ise’s feet were right in front of him. Using him as a landing base, Ise’s full strength was transferred to her legs as she jumped back using his shield.

Ugh His grunt rang out once again, but this time his feet didn’t move.

Alduin looked at the two fighters. From Ise, dressed completely in black athletic clothes, to Leon wearing a full set of dark leather armor. ‘Seems like the dungeon loot will be useful for him,’ Alduin thought, but his eyes were focused on a thick metal shield. It wasn’t that large, probably since it came from a goblin’s nest, but it allowed for Leon to carry a sword with him.

The dynamic figure of Ise, with her two daggers, alongside the bulky impression that Leon gave off with his shield, sword, and armor. Alduin was more than satisfied with both of their performances over the last two days.

“Where’s your mother?” A heavy voice asked Alduin.

“She left around noon,” Alduin replied with a smile.

Edward stood next to Alduin, he had arrived not long ago. His eyes were similarly glued to the two people in front of him. His voice seemed to grumble as he lamented his age. “If only I were younger.”

“What do you mean, Gramps?” Alduin turned with surprise. “You’re stronger than most people here.”

Edward looked to the side and started laughing. “Well, that’s also correct.” With a smile, he continued, “What did Lydia say?”

Alduin knew this question was coming, Edward was the first person he had discussed this with. Following his advice, he had first talked with his father, and it seemed like things had worked out better than expected.

“She didn’t say much today,” Alduin said, “Well, she has spent almost two entire days just watching us. I think she finally trusts in what I’ve told her.”

“That’s only natural,” Edward said before he sighed. “At first I couldn’t believe it either, but your mother knew better than anyone about your physical condition after that night.” Edward looked back at Ise. “But after seeing that power, I don’t think anyone would doubt your plan.”

Alduin replied with a smile. It took him almost three entire days to ease his mother into agreeing with him. From their first conversation the night Ise awakened, to this very afternoon. Even her frown of anxiety had largely disappeared as she talked to him with a softer voice.

“Still,” Edward said, “It’s a shame that kid doesn’t have one.” His eyes observed Leon’s movements. The increase of his physical strength was on par with Alduin and Ise’s, but there was one thing that made a large difference.

“It’s alright,” Alduin said, “The fact that I’m able to use that is already enough, but we also have her.”

Edward and Alduin stared at Ise’s next assault. Her movements were even faster than Alduin’s. while her kicks didn’t have as much strength behind them compared to Alduin or Leon, her accuracy and speed more than made up for it.

Edward looked at Ise breaking down her opponent’s defence. Shivers coursed through his spine as he thought back to last night. “It’s a good thing she’s on our side.”

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Alduin didn’t reply, but his silence was telling. Every time he witnessed her ability he felt a sense of dread. The thought of that Goblin escaping was more terrifying than his memory of fighting it.

Edward and Alduin stood in silence as they watched Leon’s powerless resistance decrease after each encounter. But while his strength was being depleted, the accuracy of his counters increased. ‘It’s like a muscle memory that’s being awakened.’ Alduin knew full well what Ise and Leon were both going through. But their matchup still left much to be desired. ‘This is why we need a party.’

Feeling as if his plans were finally starting to take off Alduin stepped forward the moment Leon landed on his butt. Exhaustion was written all over both their faces.

“You did well, Leon.” Alduin smiled as he walked over.

A face full of frustration looked at Ise standing in front of him. “How come I can’t even hit her once.”

“It’s normal, that’s not what you’re supposed to do anyways,” Alduin said as he patted his friend on his shoulder.

“But still.” Leon stared at the sword in his hand.

“Leon.” Alduin squatted down and stared him in the eyes. “Allow the energy to circulate in its pathway and focus on your strengths, we’ll cover your weaknesses.” A serious gaze conveyed his intention, “I can’t do what you can, nor am I as fast as Ise. You’ve already achieved much.”

Leon’s eyes started shaking as the frustration slowly melted away. His sense of inferiority of being the only one without an ability to manifest had clouded his purpose. His eyes landed on his other hand as Leon finally realized what made him take a step forward.

“You’re right.” Leon grabbed Alduin’s arm as he stood up. With a radiant smile and his hand gripping his shield, Leon replied, “Thank you.”

Edward, who had walked forward, interrupted them, “Get some rest, you still need to talk to your mother.”

Leon nodded, his mother stood silently at the sidelines with vacant eyes. His mother had almost lost her husband and her son. Having woken up to the sight of his father, lying unconscious, with a bandage over his eye and a scar on his face, still haunted him.

“I’ll go talk with her again.” The confidence in his eyes diminished as he looked at his mother. But he needed to do this, his steps grew with an increasing sense of responsibility.

Everybody had a purpose to move forward. Without a purpose, they wouldn’t have the strength to persevere. And Alduin felt the reality of their future approaching. His purpose was defined, now he just needed the strength to follow his plan.

“You performed good as well, Ise,” Alduin said to the silent fighter approaching him, yet no reply was heard. “Let’s get dinner.”

The night rapidly approached as the fires were once again lit outside. The tables were filled with the last survivors, and everybody received their rations. Life had restarted in this place, and each day it felt more and more like home.

Their reclamation efforts weren’t over yet, they still had much to do, but this place was not where Alduin was needed. Surrounded by the warmth and the voices of his family, Alduin’s burned as he stared at the shining fractures in the sky.

“Alduin,” A hushed and angry voice came from the side.

“What’s wrong?” Alduin asked back with surprise.

“Why haven’t you told me?” Veleda stood there, her gentle face trying her best to show her anger. Her hands folded in front of her as she tried to make herself look taller.

“What do you mean?” Alduin didn’t know what was going on.

“You’re not leaving without me,” Veleda said, “I’m coming with you.”

“Yes, I’m taking you with me.”

“Don’t think you can leave me behind.” Her eyes had tears in them knowing what Alduin planned to do.

“I’m not.”

“Right, you’re… not?”

Alduin stood up and held Veleda’s hands close. His voice repeating what he said, “Yes, I’m taking you with me.”

“Well, you better.” Veleda was flustered, this outcome wasn’t what she imagined.

“Why, did you think I would leave you behind? Didn’t I tell you back when we headed into the cave?” Alduin asked back.

Veleda didn’t know how to reply, a hint of embarrassment washed over her as she remembered how angry she was. Her soft voice replied, “You didn’t tell me.”

“Well, now you know, even your parents already know I’m taking you with me.” Alduin pushed her hair behind her ears as he held her face. “There’s no backing out you know?”

“F-fine,” Veleda said with a flustered voice. “I’ll follow you closely.” With a flushed face, she quickly wanted to turn around but Alduin held her back.

“Don’t run away now,” Alduin laughingly said, “So, how were you going to convince me?”

The fires burned as the night progressed, and the tables gathered in the town square were brimming with life as all survivors worked together. And Alduin spent his last night surrounded by his loved ones, the people he wanted to protect.

The morning sun once more melted the frost-covered land. The leaves that hadn’t fallen yet were covered with a layer of white as winter approached.

“Are you ready?” Lydia was filled with worry as she kept inspecting her son, “You haven’t forgotten anything?”

A jeep was being filled with supplies and four large backpacks. From their equipment to their necessities, their journey to the city would be different than any before.

“I’m fine, mom,” Alduin said as he hugged her back. “I’ll make sure to find them.”

Her trembling betrayed her emotions as a soft voice replied, “Thank you.”

Lydia experienced many sleepless nights just worrying about her eldest son, his wife, and their unborn child. It was also one of the reasons she consented to Alduin’s plan.

“Whatever happens, make sure you return,” She said, “I’m expecting you back soon.”

A group was gathered around the car as everybody was preparing their goodbyes. Alduin, Veleda, and Leon were all talking to their family. But Lucas and Edward were focused on Ise.

“Make sure you keep in a low gear. We don’t know how the engine reacts to prolonged usage, so be prepared to exit the moment you notice something is wrong.” Lucas checked the engine for the last time as he continued, “Promise me.”

Ise stared at the two men, she was the only person with a driver’s license in this group of people. She had seen herself how explosive gas had become so she couldn’t help but pay close attention. “Right, we’re going to take our time, we should arrive in the early to late afternoon.”

A drive that normally took no more than 2 hours would now take half a day. With the engine starting and the car rumbling, the group would now head for the city.

Having hugged everyone, the four people would head in the direction where multiple fragments of the broken sky landed. A location where nobody in their right mind would go.

“Take care of them.” Looking Alduin in the eyes, the two men conveyed their emotions.

“We’ll be back as soon as possible.”

A terrifying goodbye was filled with a hopeful return. The car slowly headed forward through the road that split the autumn forest.