As Eloia stood in line, her turn at the execution tower drawing near, the guard stationed at her side turns towards her and flashes her a mischievous grin. In that moment, Eloia recognized the familiar face and her disbelief grew.

"What the hell are you doing here?" She blurts out, a mixture of surprise and confusion evident in her voice as she then recalls a sudden switch between her guards that had taken place earlier.

The guard removed his hat, revealing himself to be Cloud, and his serious expression transformed into a grin filled with amusement.

"It's about time you noticed!" he chuckled. "I'm here to rescue you!"

Eloia's skepticism flared up. "I don't need your help. Go away." She snapped.

Cloud's laughter subsided, he locked eyes with her, his eyes brimming with sincerity.

"Eloia, I've traveled far and wide hoping to find someone like you. I want you to travel with me across the seas."

Eloia looked at him as if he had gone insane. Cloud noticed her expression and continued:

"I've seen what this world has become... the corruption, the oppression—it's suffocating. And you, Eloia, I have this strange feeling that there is a power within you that can challenge this darkness. Together, we can bring back the true spirit of freedom and embark on a new era," Cloud declared passionately.

Eloia opened her mouth to speak, but was abruptly interrupted by a commanding figure behind them. A man stood tall, his muscular body adorned with terrible scars. He towered over the guard beside him, who seemed to be trembling in fear. Chains entwined his body, and his mouth was tightly muzzled. His deep voice reached out to them, filled with a sense of danger.

"In about 2 minutes and 32 seconds, this whole line will be gone, this tower will be destroyed, and if you two keep yapping, I won't hesitate to kill you both while I'm at it." The tall demanding presence growled at them.

Find this and other great novels on the author's preferred platform. Support original creators!

Eloia's eyes narrowed with offense at the man's audacity. She refused to be spoken to in such a manner.

"Who the hell do you think you're talking to?" She shouted back.

The man's gaze shifted towards Eloia, studying her for a moment. Slowly, a slight grin formed on his face, revealing a glimmer of amusement.

"Ah, I recognize you, you're that Yakuza girl... In that case, I will definitely kill you." He taunted, his voice filled with a dark, menacing tone.

Eloia violently glared at him, her rage flaring even stronger.

Amidst the tense atmosphere, a guard shouted, "Next!" signaling Eloia to step forward into her place at the execution tower.

"Okay, Eloia, this is it. I have a plan." Cloud whispered to her, his voice filled with urgency and determination.

"Just follow my lead."

Eloia looked over at him in disbelief.

"I am not your friend. Stop speaking to me like I am your friend." Her voice stern with annoyance.

"And I already told you. I do not need your help." She pauses as she takes a deep breath.

"Hey! Marine, hurry up and place her on her knees."

Eloia looked over at the executioner, her eyes filled with intensity, as a plan began to take form in her mind.

In a swift motion, she sprints towards the executioner, grabbing onto his body and using her momentum to push him over the tower's edge. The two of them falling together, disappearing into the depths below.

"Eloia!" Cloud shouted, running towards the edge of the tower, his eyes fixed on the plummeting figures.

Behind him, loud and disturbing sounds begin to take place. Turning around, he witnesses a horrifying sight—the prisoner from earlier had broken free from his chains and was now rampaging through the line of people unfortunate enough to be caught in his path, tossing them off the tower.

"This was not in my plan!" Cloud sighed, realizing the situation had taken an unexpected turn.

"Well, time to adapt, I guess." He mutters to himself, his eyes focused on the rapidly unfolding mayhem.

With a swift motion, Cloud transformed his lower body into wind, propelling himself down the tower's staircase, desperate to catch up with Eloia.