Solum (13.12.9978 AS)

Tristan was sitting on the couch in their living room hearing the sound of the falling rain, as Erika entered the room accompanied by Laura.

“Tomorrow is the day isn’t it?” Erika asked nervous. “Do you really want to continue? It might get really dangerous, even with all this preparation you might end up in danger. “She added while looking concerned at the two kids.

“Yeah, we have thought this through, she’s not quite ready to know the truth yet and we can’t let her all alone during these turbulent times.”

Laura nodded, approving to Tristan words. “Yeah, we can’t leave her alone now; she’s starting to open up towards us! We almost have her where we need her to!”

“Good, as I already said, I like your resolve, but I still don’t like the idea of you putting yourselves willingly in danger. If it wasn’t for Melodias words, I would have already forced you to withdraw from this mission.” Erika said with a serious voice.

“As you said, we are doing it willingly, we know about what could happen in the worst case, but that won’t stop us from being there for a friend.” Tristan said with a determined tone of voice.

*Sigh*

“I should have known, people don’t change that fast… You already almost killed everybody in your company for your friend, but I won’t allow you to go that far this time. I know standing up for a friend is honorable and all, but leading other friends to their demise for one single friend is just plain stupid.” Erika said with a serious voice.

Laura looked at discouraged at Erika, as if she was about to give in and withdraw from the mission willingly. ‘I know I want to continue the mission, not only for Ai, but mainly because I want to show what I’m capable of! But if I get bad ratings, then it’s not really worth, sticking along with the mission!’

“I-“

“That doesn’t change the fact, that I couldn’t see myself in the mirror anymore, knowing I could have done something for a friend.” Tristan relied before Laura could say she wanted to withdraw.

Laura forcefully swallowed the words she was about to say and gather her resolve and finally brought out a: “I… I think so too. I will stay here!”

*Sigh*

Erika looked at the two of them, almost tears in her eyes. “At least I tried.” She whispered only for her to hear before jumping at the two sitting in front of her hugging, like this would be their last chat.

“Well, then let’s go over the plan for tomorrow…”

Solum (14.12.9978 AS)

“Isn’t it amazing how many people are attending the festival?” Ai asked and took a bite of her strawberry crêpe.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“Yeah, I can’t believe there are that many people present here.” Tristan answered absent-minded, scanning the crowd for possible enemies.

Laura just nodded, while anxiously looking around for enemies. Despite the cold weather sweat droplets formed on her forehead, she wiped them with a handkerchief continued her watch over the crowd.

“Is something wrong with her?” Ai asked Tritan while pointing at Laura.

“Nope, she’s just not used to crowds, that’s all.” Tristan said with a fake smile, while continuing to search the crowd for potential threats.

“Why didn’t you say so earlier?! Look over there, near the sportswear shop!” Ai pointed towards an alley leading outside the shopping district. “Why don’t we go over there? It’s less crowded and we will have a better view of the Festival, there we can decide where to go next!”

‘Shit, I blew it!’ Laura closed her eyes in remorse and bit her lips. ‘I can’t probably refuse such an invitation… And Erika even warned us how dangerous alleyways are!’ Laura thought and threw Tristan a glance saying: ‘ Trist please help me!’

“Great Idea!” Tristan said as he took Ai’s and Laura’s hands to lead them towards the alleyway ahead of them.

‘Noooo, nooo that’s not what I meant, I meant to safe me from going in there!’ Laura said as she unwillingly trotted behind Tristan, who was walking faster than usual, worming his way through the crowd in front of him, not caring about others, but Ai’s and Laura’s hands.

“So, here we should be safe from the crowd!” Tristan said with a serious tone, finally letting go of the two of them, taking out his Commu.

***

“Do you think he noticed us?” Sariel asked Viktor, who didn’t even spare a glance before jumping to the next rooftop, trying to keep track of Tristan who was using the crowd to hide from him and his allies.

“I don’t know, probably, our eyes met after all before he suddenly started moving with his friends! The movements were so sudden; I don’t think it was coincidence.” Viktor said to Sariel who also followed Tristan’s every movement, trying to keep track of him.

“If he knew, we were here, doesn’t that mean that he knows about the races? And if so, is he still considered a Wild Elder?” Sariel asked looking troubled. “I don’t want to cause some diplomatic trouble for our people.”

“Honestly, I don’t care, as long as the Princess is around here I have to show what I’m worth, so she can look forward of having such a capable man as her husband in the future, and so let me manage the continent all by myself!” Viktor keeping up with every movement Tristan was making.

“That bastard, he’s not older than 12 and he’s already a harem… Just so lucky… but that luck seems to have run out as of today!” Viktor whispered to himself putting a sadistic smile and taking out his Commu.

“To all forces, the target is moving towards the alleyway near the sportswear shop, please stand by to capture the target!” He said and jumped once again to the next rooftop not letting Tristan slip his watchful eyes.

“Fors, why do I have to work with someone like him?! Poor, Clair to have someone like that as her fiancé; now I know why she’s always so edgy!” Sariel said only for her to hear, while rolling her eyes and jumping after Viktor.

After landing, she took out her Commu. “To all forces, the target run into an alley near the sportswear store, please get ready to apprehend him!” She ordered same as Viktor did earlier.

“How does the plan look like?” Sariel asked Viktor, her eyes still glued on Tristan, who had walked into the alleyway with the girls.

“We jump down there and kick their asses, we’ll figure out what happens after, we’re down there” Viktor said as he took his Commu and issued the his command. “I’m going in, right now, make sure to cover the possible escape routes!”

Shortly after he jumped down towards the place Tristan and his companion were.

***Sorry…We… Engaged… With… The… Enemy… Can’t… Move… To… Assigned… Area…***

Sariel heard the voice of a female recruit coming out of her Commu. “Viktor wait!” She said, but her companion was already gone. “By Fors’ beard! What did I deserve to have to work with someone like him?!” She said and jumped after Viktor.