Yuma, Roam, and I, Tatsumi, journeyed to Ellesmere, the bustling capital of Emperal, with the intention of selling the Atranoch remains. As we wandered through the city's vibrant streets, the sun cast a warm glow, illuminating the bustling marketplace.
Our destination was a merchant's shop, its exterior seamlessly blending with the surrounding port. The interior was a treasure trove of marine goods, from exotic fish to fishing equipment. A sense of warmth and hospitality hung in the air.
The merchant, upon examining the Atranoch, was visibly impressed. "A rare find!" he exclaimed, his eyes gleaming with excitement. He promptly offered us a generous payment.
Roam accepted the pouches of gold with a nod of satisfaction. "It was well worth the effort," he said, his voice a mix of pride and relief.
However, to my surprise, he turned to me and gestured towards the pouches. "Tatsumi did the majority of the work," he declared. "He deserves the reward."
He handed me the gold, his eyes filled with admiration. I was taken aback. While Roam had undoubtedly been instrumental in our success, I felt that I didn't deserve the entire payment.
"But Mr. Roam," I began, my voice filled with uncertainty, "you helped me so much."
Roam interrupted me, his expression stern. "If you're under my tutelage," he said, "you will accept this payment."
I hesitated, then nodded, accepting the gold with a mixture of gratitude and awe.
As we left the shop, Yuma couldn't contain his amusement. "Sometimes," he chuckled, "his tough exterior can lead to unexpected rewards. I guess that is his special ability."
Despite Roam's tough exterior, his deep-seated concern for us was undeniable. Mrs. Giselle's words had left an indelible mark on my heart.
Emperal, though a city of grandeur with its stone-clad roads and stylish shops, was also a place of stark contrasts. The narrow streets, once bustling with life, now felt confining.
As we prepared to depart, we witnessed a disturbing scene unfold. A middle-aged man, his face etched with fear, pleaded with a haughty Earl. The man's child clung to his leg, their eyes wide with terror.
"Mr. Ryker, please!" the man cried, his voice trembling. "My child did nothing wrong. I'll pay you when I can. Please, just give me time."
The Earl, his face flushed with anger, remained unmoved. "You insolent wretch!" he bellowed, his voice echoing through the street. "Do you know who you're speaking to? You'll pay dearly for your insolence!"
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Turning to his guards, he barked, "Seize him! Throw him into the dungeon!"
"You're lucky I'm not having you executed," he added, his eyes filled with contempt.
The middle-aged man, his face bloodied from the Earl's assault, refused to back down. "I did what I had to do," he declared defiantly. "I protected my child. I don't care about your stupid orders."
The Earl's rage intensified. "You'll regret those words," he snarled.
My blood boiled. I reached for my sword, my heart pounding with fury. Roam, however, grabbed my arm, his grip firm but gentle.
"Kid, don't do anything rash," he warned, his voice low and serious. "If we cause trouble here, we'll be in serious danger."
"But Mr. Roam," I protested, "we can't let this injustice happen."
Yuma, his face pale, nodded in agreement. However, he knew that Roam's decision was final.
With heavy hearts, we watched as the guards dragged the man away, his cries echoing through the streets. As we turned to leave, I couldn't shake the feeling of helplessness and anger that had consumed me.
For a moment, I stood rooted to the spot, my mind reeling from the injustice I had witnessed. The image of the man being dragged away, his child's desperate cries echoing in my ears, was a haunting one.
As they disappeared into the castle, the child's screams grew louder, a piercing cry of anguish that pierced my heart. I wanted to do something, anything, to help them. But I was powerless. With a heavy heart, I turned and walked away, the sound of the child's cries fading into the distance.
-----------------------------------------
"Those incidents happened a long time ago," Orano replied, his voice filled with a sense of regret. "I helped many people in Emperal before that. But after what happened, I vowed never to return."
Caitrin's heart ached with empathy. She had experienced poverty firsthand and understood the desperation that could drive people to such extremes.
She glanced down at the necklace she wore, a symbol of her commitment to helping others. "I have to do something," she murmured to herself.
After several hours of flight, they descended upon Emperal. The city, as Tatsumi had described, was a dazzling spectacle of opulence and refinement. Its gleaming towers, bustling streets, and elegantly dressed citizens painted a picture of prosperity.
As they touched down, Caitrin turned to Orano. "Hey," she began nervously, "I forgot to mention something. I saw a clock tower near the Rift. Do you know where it is?"
Orano scanned the city, his eyes searching for a familiar landmark. "Fortunately, I saw one too," he replied. "It seemed to be a popular gathering spot, but I've never been there before. It must be a recent addition."
Caitrin's expression fell. "This complicates things," she sighed.
Just then, a creature burst into the street, its powerful strides sending pedestrians scattering. It was a Bona, exactly as Orano had described: a large, muscular beast with piercing blue horns and a flowing white tail.
Caitrin's eyes widened in fear and excitement. "What is that?" she exclaimed.
"It's a Bona," Orano replied, drawing his sword. "The creature I told you about."
The Bona, seemingly panicked, fled towards the heart of the city.
"Why is it here?" Caitrin asked, her voice trembling.
Orano followed the creature, his eyes fixed on its tracks. "I have no idea," he replied. "But we need to find it before it hurts someone."
Caitrin hesitated for a moment, then took off after Orano, her heart pounding in her chest. "Wait for me!" she shouted, her voice filled with both fear and determination.