The hooded figure would turn towards the direction the footsteps had gone. After making sure the Knights weren’t within hearing range, the figure began to speak.

“The city is still filled with Orcs, the Knights should have higher priorities than to come after us… Then again, they are zealous beyond comprehension… There is very little use in applying logic when it comes to Holy Knights. So, you can never be too careful… Anyway, I know a way out without getting spotted. If you don’t want to die, I recommend you follow me. Time is not a luxury we have." A feminine and soft voice stated.

The hooded figure that stood before him wore a black traveler’s cloak. She stood at 5 ft 5in (1.65m), but not much else could be discerned due to her clothes. The force she mustered with her tug earlier was quite surprising for her stature.

Kazius was feeling overwhelmed at everything that happened, taking a moment to register his savior and process her words. He wasn’t given much time at all though. After explaining herself, the hooded woman looked around to make sure the coast was clear before leaving.

Realizing that if he didn’t move he would be left behind, Kazius would follow. The two managed to move through they alleys carefully, Kazius making sure to follow closely.

‘Does this lady know what she is doing? Is she crazy? Why would she help a Monster like me? Then again… She spoke poorly of Holy Knights… And did seem to include herself in the group of people being persecuted… She was also surprisingly prepared for this… Just who was she?’ Kazius began to wonder as they walked.

She had no reason to help him. Honestly, he didn’t want to trust her. He was just betrayed by his long-term friends; he wasn’t in the most trusting of moods. If anything, he was feeling quite bitter and resentful even now. A part of him wanted nothing to do with Humans again.

Still, she was his best and safest bet. He had no choice but to trust her. Even if The Church was her enemy, he didn’t understand what was in it for her by saving him. That being said… If she was really here to save him… An ally when a whole kingdom was against you was not a bad thing.

So, he simply followed her, not saying a word. He intended to hold off on any questions, at least until they were at a safe distance. Where they wouldn't be so easily found.

After some time walking in silence, The two would soon make it to the outskirts of the city.

Most of the evacuees had gone West towards Layton, but the two of them were headed East. There was no risk of running into them. The path was still a somewhat dangerous thing though. West was the direction the Wastelands infested with Monsters were, where the Orcs had come from.

Then again, was there any place for a Monster like him other than The Wastelands? The Orcs were in good enough condition that it showed going to the Wastelands was not a death sentence like The Church had claimed it was.

The City of Marv was close to the Elf Kingdom of Zelphar, which was to the North, but it was also close to the very edge of civilization… The distance The Orcs had walked without being detected though was not any less strange. There were still several towns between Marv and The Wastelands.

What was weirder was that outskirts remained intact, showing all the more that their target had been planned and specific. The more they walked though, the less signs there were of The Orcs… They must have taken a path more to The Southeast… Which was better for them… But it did bring to question as to how the hooded woman knew what path they had taken.

‘Had she seen the Orcs come in? Why did she not warn anyone?’

Then again, if she was helping him and from how she spoke, it was clear she was an enemy of The Church… Something that confused Kazius…

‘She smells like a Human… Why would she have such a grudge against The Church? It feels like no matter how badly they treat people; no one ever questioned them… Wait… Smell? Oh, this is getting weird.’

They seemed to be far away enough from the city… And Kazius’ hesitation to trust her was being beaten out by pure curiosity. So, he decided to finally speak up. After all, there was mostly just greenery around, they had no people to worry about at the moment.

“Why are you helping me? You’re a Human, aren’t you?” Kazius finally spoke up wearily, unable to see any of the woman’s features. Despite not being in the city, she kept her hood on, it seemed she did not trust him either. Not fully.

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"Look, being an enemy of The Church isn’t easy... I am not doing this out of the kindness of my heart… If that is what you think. I saved you for a reason. I need protection and traveling in a group is better than alone. Thimdur and Zelphar would gladly hand us over to Ratier… So, all Three Kingdoms are our enemy… That is why The Wastelands is the only option for criminals like us… I don’t intend to be buddies or anything of the sort." Hooded woman stated out bluntly as she crossed her arms, at least she was being honest. Her tone was quite resentful as she spoke of the kingdoms as well.

“That doesn’t explain why you would help a Monster. Who even are you?” Kazius questioned in confusion.

"I am not dumb enough to go to The Wastelands alone and I am in no position to be picky… Yes, I am a Human… But as far as I know… Monsters have not done anything to me… Not like Humans or The Church… So, I don’t really care what you are… You looked strong enough out there… I… I saw you trying to save those Knights… So, I also figured you cannot be all that bad… I have no idea why a Monster would try and become a Holy Knight though… And I won’t ask… Let’s keep our private stuff to ourselves… Just understand that the only place we will be able to get away from The Church is at The Wastelands. They may still chase us though… The Knights of Edict are especially persistent” she added while fidgeting a little, clearly anxious about the situation herself. When she mentioned Edicts, it was as if she was saying a word that carried a lot of unease for her. She spoke with almost an authoritative firmness, but her tone revealed she had surprising amount of fear she was doing her best to hide.

Kazius never anticipated the idea that Edicts may be sent after him. After all, he was a Monsters that understood the ways of The Holy Knights and The Church well… He had even been on track to become an Edict himself. He was definitely a problem they would like to take care of… And this hooded woman likely was a hazard to The Church herself.

What bothered Kazius the most is that he did not recall getting any sort of report about anyone on the run… Had she done something so drastic that even a Lieutenant like him was not trusted to know? The one thing she showed certainty about was that The Church was the enemy and that they would collude with the other kingdoms to get rid of them.

He was curious about her, but it was clear she did not intend to tell him anything nor become friends… Then again, he wasn’t sure if he wanted friends either… But… He would be lying to himself if he said he did not feel desperate loneliness. A loneliness that had only grown stronger now, but he felt ever since he realized that he thought differently from others in Ratier… And for once, it seemed there was someone else that hated The Church as much as him. A hatred he had been in denial about until today.

“I guess… That makes sense… In that case, I will go with you to The Wastelands… I have no idea what is there, but we don’t have much of a choice.” Kazius admitted with a sigh.

“Good… Let’s keep moving then, we have to hurry… The cover of dark is our friend right now… The ceremony is not forever either… We need to leave before it is over… It was kicked off today… The spoiled idiots got to see their future today… But there is still tomorrow and the day after for normal citizens…” The hooded woman stated, walking faster. It was surprising that she wasn’t already exhausted… Or if she was, she was doing a very good job at hiding it, but then again… If stopping meant death, the two would have to push themselves.

“We need to stay as far away as possible from roads… That won’t make this easy… Knights don’t get reports about news in other areas until morning… Normally… But in emergencies Priests can use Holy artifacts to communicate. I remember sending someone to spread news about the Orcs… There is no way a description of me hasn’t already made it out… We need to be careful… Whatever few Knights are not in Lazne will be looking for me for sure.” Kazius admitted as he followed closely.

“If you’re right, we should hurry even more. Come on, we can’t waste any more time.” She responded, sounding all the more nervous.

With that, they began to hurry to cover a bigger distance.

Time passed. It was getting very late. As they walked, the Moon did little to light their path. They were walking between a lot of trees and foliage… And with Marv growing distant, it was only getting darker. Something Kazius barely registered since he could see just fine.

Kazius’ new vision had not registered at all, not until the hooded woman ended up running into a branch. She seemed to let out an annoyed grunt, that sounded like it hurt…

This was all strange… From the shadows that had sunk into him… To his new fangs that he could feel in his mouth… And now the fact that he realized it was night just a bit ago, but ever since he had that fight with the Orcs… Everything looked like it was almost daytime again with how well he could see. He truly was not Human. That was why the more Kazius watched her the more he realized it was clear she could barely see.

At this rate she would run into another branch again. Sure, they were not friends, but they had to work together for now… And despite his newfound resentment for Knights… Kazius had wanted to become one with Alex to help people. Deep down he still wanted to help others… Even if that sentiment was now muddled with the newfound anger he felt. Anger that he did not know what to do with… But at the end of the day, whether out of the kindness or not… This woman saved him… So, he wanted to help her.

“Hold on… There is a branch there too.” Kazius warned awkwardly, placing his hand in the way before she could run into it.

“Come on… If it is East we’re heading, I can lead the way… Or I can at least clear the way ahead a little.” Kazius suggested feeling a bit uncertain about how his offer would be taken, but he may as well try. After all, she did say she wanted his help.

Of course, he couldn’t see the hooded woman’s expression, but after a bit of silence she did seem to nod a bit under her hood.

“You… You can lead the way.” She agreed hesitantly.

If they going to work together, this level of trust was necessary at the very least.