Day turned to night.

The road was quiet and lonely.

On the horizon a storm brewed.

Light crackled and cracked across the sky.

Thunder grumbled and growled shortly after.

Our realm shook with a coming force.

My only companion was my thoughts

And not the good ones.

The ones that worry

The ones in which everything doesn't turn out alright.

For the past 3 days, I ran.

On a farm off the road, I had obtained a horse.

Only to find out after two days of traveling that it was lame.

From then on I took no chances with mounts, believing only in my feet.

Every thirty minutes a stamina potion was popped and done the hatch.

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Prolonging my exhaustion, not remedying it.

I knew that with time these potions became an addition, an expensive one at that.

But I couldn't spare the time.

So, I was willing to roll the dice.

And pay the price if need be.

If only I trusted couriers.

But the land's mercenaries had doubled and their bandits tripled in the passing years.

Kingdoms once known for their progressive social reforms now itemized their taxes on stronger walls and standing armies.

Blood oozed from a land that once felt safe.

Every merchant caravan I ran by slowed as if approached by bandits, bows cocked back, pitchforks held higher, their strongest stony expression set between a pair of eyes that knew it was all a ruse.

Who were they kidding?

Not me, that was for sure

But I ran by, not even glancing their way.

From yards away I could hear their emphatic sighs of relief.

Which was also a relief on my end.

Taking a mental inventory, I had blown most of my weekly abilities and even went and used,

"Blade of the Soul" in order to defeat the Trolloc Legendary.

Now, seeing a grayed-out 27-day cooling time, it seemed like a rash decision.

At the time it was my only means of survival.

I was in no state to fight anything powerful…

And being honest with myself…anything at all.

So, when the road filled with angered shouts and signs of battle.

Every rational sense in me urged me to head into the forest in search of another route.

It was only when I grew near that I heard a familiar voice.

Jet black hair, a slim figure that danced with each slice of her blade…

I was mesmerized into joining her ballet of bloodshed once again

This time not against but alongside.