image [https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczN8z3ivP3hKXnYj_4hKp-Kqvk4YolUIDYWDOjMxcoxiQfqhf5a8c4bBWw8uPQZ9v-ubRymPnGDHHZMydW_2ssj6xfz2UwHN1wRqSSGws4yJ4miuyIqXV1Uxczo2iuz1jfBIyoNPfkiP298b8KJjZXTOKrd3S82CnmHYgd_XoPCQalhNLRbrLm79q2zAAPyr_XjaGWl3YT5Rn9QKBapApLNapeAciTekncJlhu7PcyZW4YFOc3gRGqyFQ2tfeTUQIXXd_WOt6RwJgz1nsA5d_WJgXomfrzkvBXVjB3qWf3LhwTkRgUjgy8Ic4W5bWdz6qVe7n1mrEldA4ItDKDyj131QqP_uKg3wTZg9bpGpJh5xS2klL2YasI11FRaJofmmW067mZcmcoW5o2hIMGb328EEUofW0NmRsFtKC64JxYSMjpFC8TN4OFZBtXj2G2sZXB42SIEqkkmcLrh4nw-emivf0tjXFlgq4Wosn90JTV0pWPl1l8hUXCWnLoQ2vLreeeEbOTPzN8LeYWcKdKJtrAfqfqP80nmuXoIpep1cN24m8Xt1DajjJ5k8aeiqjOYYiY_CYITAyOcTWIUii9BK7yPpRKt2WqltGqFnYZXyBAtEJIJW2lcfrvEisPNxSWu7CSK1bbjtEN-Se-gZG-jzbl5K4l6757lvo0oH41JnkxCKOH2uXR-gMmdwRVNSCs8fZJZPvCi-06FqDjvIl9TPbMAmQhsP4wiY2LSIfQNmfq2oKZ_4Iom-0f_GeeENOtytiBbU_Fy2JfDbW0R0MZpffdEr_ZmTVbjf5b-8-LbZVbhnSe8sIp2V4P0ck8PNIoT4vZoT6wlMC6Zv_iwpxAUbRAHcgLa9zKnBdT1Wvz0lOmCaiZpHVEmhSP57Eg54QIprJ3VIkj-e-xuGo9B7L7yq-Et_RuihqJrPnSIuCguIAAhDep0mXdqMbfojVLNFLas=w896-h896-s-no-gm?authuser=1]
On their eventful journey, the sun finally decided to grace them with its presence, casting a cheerful glow upon their surroundings. Katie wanted to take advantage of the beautiful day, suggesting they partake in a refreshing bath by the nearby falls. Eager, the boys took their turn, stripping down and wading into the crystal-clear waters. Richard accidentally swallowed some of the shampoos she lent them. Panic washed over him, his face contorting into an exaggerated expression of impending doom. He clutched his stomach, convinced that his days were numbered. Ed told him to stop being a dramatic little bitch and get up.
Emerging from the waters, they found themselves clean but adorned with an array of colorful bruises. Apparently, they shared a common sensitivity with "ol' goat man," making even the simplest of tasks a potential hazard as they beat the dogshit out of each other. Blood and soap are a great combination back in their country, as they say.
Katie exchanged a glance with Leon as she passed him once they'd finished, taking her turn to undress and bathe. He smiled back, but his attention remained on his friends, ever watchful. They sat on some nearby logs, eating a well prepared meal provided by Katie.
"My guy, what are you doing?" Richard asked him.
He had been starting to eat a sandwich, staring at the clouds. "Eating lunch? What's it look like?"
"You have the babe of a lifetime bathing alone over there, and you're here eating a sandwich? You know damn well what that look she gave you meant."
Leon sighed. "It's not like it isn't tempting..."
"Are you still thinking about Cynthia at a time like this? She's gone, man. Hate to break it to you, but she left us high and dry. It's time you got over it, don't you think?" Richard said, biting into a banana.
"I might've said the same about Iris... but- I forgot to mention. The other night while you two were knocked out, I had a vision. It was you two inside of cyber prison with Death. How did he even capture you guys?" Leon asked.
Ed whistled, crossing his arms. "Smooth way to change the topic, but to answer your question, he found us shortly after that school fire. We figured it had to be something to do with you, so as soon as we could ditch the teachers, we ran to the courtyard. Iris was waiting for us... It wasn't much of a fight after that."
It didn't take much to imagine it. Death waiting, presumably with her cloak off, offering a warming or chilling smile. "What about that prison?" he repeated.
"There isn't much to say. We woke up and Death more or less said we could choose to help her with... whatever her plans are or she'd force us to. She injected us with these giant fucking syringes with some sort of red liquid. It looked like blood, though by the time I took a second to think about it, I was stabbed in the eye with it. Seeing is a little difficult after that, don't know if you knew that?" Richard said bitterly, throwing his banana peel behind a bush.
Leon grimaced, his sandwich half eaten. "I'm guessing the next time you guys woke up was in the Salem Saloon then? Whatever caused you to attack me was something else entirely."
Ed and Richard exchanged glances, pausing. "...We could see what was happening. It was strange, almost like a dream. I felt furious. Angry. All I wanted was to kill you and your stupid sister for pulling us into this ridiculous mess. Reality was a twisted puzzle. I couldn't tell if this anger was real or something Death put into our heads... but it was everything until you knocked us out."
Those words had them sit in silence for a few minutes. But then Katie's voice called out, "Leon! I'm having a hard time scrubbing my back, could you help me, please?"
Richard shot him the goofiest thumbs up. Leon was surprised he didn't burst into flame. "Leon? Are you there?" she called again.
Finishing the sandwich, he got to his feet, sighing nervously. "Coming!" he shouted. He grabbed a apple from the pile of food.
SPLASH.
A loud splash came from the water. King had decided to make a grand entrance by performing a jumping dino bomb into the lake. Shortly afterward was followed by screams of protest from a not-so-happy angel. Lightning, explosions, trees being uprooted one after the other, and a very terrified Irish dinosaur sprinting out of the falls. "Apparently, your girlfriend is sensitive too," Ed whispered, making Leon choke on his apple.
"Enough with that!" he protested, storming off to help her.
Once he finally got her settled, Leon used the loafa to scrub her back. His face was burning, his fingers brushing against her silky skin. Her eyes were closed, smiling to herself. "You ever gonna explain why Hime and her band of knights are hunting us down?" he asked, making her smile drop.
Katie sighed. "I was hoping you'd save that topic for later. Preferably when I put my clothes on..." She turned to look at him, smirking at how he bashfully looked away.
The moment he did, he forced himself to look at her again. "Mortal peril tends to distract me from the finer things in life," he responded, returning her smile.
They looked into each other's eyes. Something that felt so natural, listening to the roaring waterfall behind her. She wrapped her arms around his neck, whispering, "Do you trust me, Leon?"
"Of course I do... I just wish I remembered enough to give you what you deserve," Leon responded, grimacing. "It's easier to protect you when I know what we're dealing with."
"That's fair. Look into my eyes," she commanded.
He obeyed. The world distorted.
--------------------------------------------------
Everything was black and white.
What? Leon tried to say. He wasn't in control of his own body.
The environment was the tattered remains of a village. Bloody and body parts were scattered amongst the roads. Stone buildings broken, some completely caved in. Unconscious on the floor was Hime. Kneeling over her was a black knight with a feather helmet.
He had Hime clutched by the hair, a dagger to her throat. Just as blood began to trickle from her neck, chains ripped out of the floor. They ensnared his every limb, pushing him against a stone wall. "You? Damned angel, how are you even moving!"
In that moment, Leon understood he was watching from Katie's point of view.
Katie's hands wrapped around his neck, a pained choke escaping him. It wasn't Katie's voice that came from her lips. "What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?" It was Jalaiya.
Hime began to stir, her eyes struggling to open. "K-Katie, just what-"
Jalaiya glanced at the princess and smirked. "Enjoy your nap? The rich are quite privileged these days, aren't they?"
The knight writhed and screamed. "Your lord. She killed them. Help me!"
Hime's eyes widened as she struggled to her feet. She turned to look at their surroundings. The blood that stained almost every inch of the tattered village. Stains that ran deep into the ends of her hair. Her eyes watered, her grip tightening on the sword clutched in her fist. "It isn't true... is it?"
Jalaiya ignored her, blades taking shape from the chains that ripped out of the ground. They stabbed into the knight as she loosened the grip on his neck. He yelped as volts of electricity surged through them. "Toras! No, stop!" Hime cried, when Jalaiya smacked her away with the back of her hand.
"Do not get in the way of my prey, little demon. I've not had my fill yet, hehehe," Jalaiya said gleefully.
Toras screamed, Jalaiya's laughter echoing throughout the empty village. Hime's eyes burned and she rose to her feet. The chains broke with a single swipe from her sword. Jalaiya turned to meet her when a gust of wind slammed against her body. She crashed into the building several feet away, falling to the dirt.
With that, Katie's eyes shifted back to green and tears fell as she struggled to rise. She looked up to Hime's blade inches from her face. "Hime, I-"
"Not another word, you filth!" she spat. Even as she tried to put venom behind every word, Hime's lip trembled. "After I fed you and gave you a home, this is how you repay me!"
Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.
Katie pushed away the blade, falling against the stone wall. "You don't understand..."
A cold laugh escaped Hime. It sounded like an anguished cry. "My unit is dead! What part of that am I missing? That you're still breathing?"
"It wasn't me!" Katie shouted, but Hime raised her blade.
She choked back a sob, and her arm wavered. "Just go... That is the only mercy you shall receive from me. You will pay for this one day. Do not let me see you prowling around my kingdom again."
Katie opened her mouth, but she knew it was pointless. 'I will prove my innocence... No thanks to you, Jalaiya.
------------------------------------------
When the vision distorted, Leon realized Katie was in tears. She released him and turned to look towards the waterfall. "What was that?" he asked, his brows furrowing.
"We were attacked by Tartarus troops and Hime had been knocked out. I had to rely on Jalaiya or we would've died. It was the first time I allowed a joint union, and yet everything became blank to me. I have no idea what sort of hellish carnage she may have unleashed in my stead. By the time I came to my senses, I was torturing her first knight, and Jalaiya attacked her against my control. Hime thought I had killed her unit, but their bodies... there were no gunshot wounds. No burns. She refused to believe me after Jalaiya struck her. She still has that snake at her side as we speak. That's why they're hunting us."
"You were close... I'm sorry," Leon placed a hand against her shoulder, pulling her close. She turned to him and they embraced, silently taking in the warmth. Once she had regained herself, they moved on.
The following day was a long one. They passed many strange mythical and prehistoric animals. It ranged from creatures like cockatrices or pterodactyls flying over their heads to warrior apes swinging in the vines from a distance. None disturbed them, but Katie drew her pistols more than once to be safe.
Night fell upon them once more, they set up camp in a small clearing amongst the trees and bushes. A beautiful full moon and a night sky full of stars, a rhythmic symphony of distant chirps and cries from the inhabitants of the forest. How Katie could fit four sleeping bags and two tents in the tiny sack of her pouch was anyone's guess. In her words, 'Magic' didn't help much in explanation, but they sure weren't complaining.
I still don't understand why we didn't just wash back at the saloon... Leon thought, sitting on a log. A fire crackled in the center of the tiny camp they set up. "Is it just me, or did she look disappointed after her bath?" Leon whispered low enough so only his friends could hear. Katie was standing watch above the trees, but he was more than sure she had superhuman hearing. Thinking mindlessly was dangerous enough knowing she could listen to his thoughts.
"Pretty sure she wanted more than a back scrub. You can't actually be that dense.." Richard muttered, shaking his head as he sank his teeth into a giant chicken leg.
"I'm not, and shut up," Leon retorted, avoiding looking at the amused smirks that earned him. Guilt of thinking of Cynthia, yet his desire knowing what they used to be constantly plagued him. It felt like anything he did with Katie was wrong, yet that couldn't be further from the truth.
A loud thud made them all jump. A giant tusked hog lay dead behind them at King's feet. It easily towered over all of them. Wagging his tail gleefully, the raptor dug his way into its stomach, followed by the squelching of the meat he devoured. "Ugh, I think I'm going to be sick," Ed said, running behind a bush. Colorful rainbows came out of his mouth that night.
The following day, they climbed rocks and ledges over a waterfall. "We should be getting close. After one more night, we'll reach Galadius," Katie said, wiping sweat off her forehead. Her hair was wrapped in a ponytail, and her sweater was tucked around her waist.
Everyone was covered in dirt and sweat, panting. Well, everyone except King, who kept hopping ahead of them. "Aye, hurry up, you wee tikes! I might hav'ta take a nap at this rate!"
"Shut up, you overgrown pigeon!" Richard snapped, stopping to take a breath.
King gasped. "I'm not overgrown... I'ma late bloomer."
Leon reached for a rock when Katie's hand ended up grabbing his. "Can't you fly? Why are you climbing?" he asked, panting.
She sighed. "Nothing screams 'we're here,' like giant white wings flapping in the sky," she said, using his shoulders as a stepping stool.
"What the- hey!"
It has been only two days, and she's already stepping all over us, Diablos said.
Quiet you. He grumbled as she giggled, offering him a hand.
He took it, silently grumbling about being turned into hiking stairs. Katie put a finger on his lips to silence him. "Shh... just listen." They stood together at that moment, hearing the waterfall in the background. A soft breeze tickled their faces as chirps and cries of beasts echoed in the distance. Leon took her hand, grasping it as he pulled it away from his mouth. She blushed and looked at him.
"This is nice and all, but it still doesn't make sense," he said.
"Ugh! Do you seriously expect me to fly ahead and wait at the top? Takes the fun out of it all..." She turned around, crossing her arms and pouting.
"Heh, okay, that's fair enough."
"Are you sure this is the right way?" Richard asked, looking over the edge of the narrow cliff they were climbing. "There's no way off this cliff ahead unless you plan to climb down. If you tell me to jump off this height, you're crazy."
"It doesn't lead to town if that's what you're wondering," Katie responded. "It's a good half-a-day trip once we get back down."
Beyond the trees, a clock tower peaked out several miles in the distance. Leon had to squint to even see it. The forest blocked the rest of the town from sight. "Once we get down? What do you mean?" he asked.
"It's growing late, and after our little encounter the other day, I want to ensure we aren't being followed. Tonight, we're staying at my cottage."
Leon and his friends looked at the empty grass clearing atop the hill. They exchanged glances. It was leading to a dead end. "But there's nothing up ahead? Are you sure this is the right place?" Ed asked.
"Of course. It's my house, after all," she said, walking ahead of them. "Keep moving. You'll see it."
Leon's ear popped the moment he took a step forward. His vision blackened, making him blink. A stone path now leads along the grass. The shadow of a building towered over them. What had been the edge of the cliff was now a more significant clearing with a golden-brown cottage overlooking it. Trees and shrubs covered its sides, while a garden of flowers led to the front door. The boys stood in silent wonder.
"Am I smokin', or did a house just pop up out of nowhere?" Ed asked, scratching the back of his head.
Katie watched their expressions from the porch, a satisfied smile on her face. Richard's stomach growled, making them look at him. He groaned and asked, "Wouldn't happen to have a little something-something in that house, would ya' Katie?"
She drew her pistol. He flinched as she hissed, "Are you trying to rob me?"
"W-what? No! I was asking if you had food!" Richard shouted, raising his hands.
King looked at him and gasped. "He's trying to steal my din-dins? Shoot him, mum!"
Katie smirked and put her gun back in her holster. "I'm just teasing. Yes, I have more than enough for all of us. Feel free to get as comfortable as you please." With that, she went inside, King trotting behind her. His body shrank as it slipped through the doggy door.
"Leon, what's with you and picking the crazy ones? Is a normal girlfriend too much to ask?" Richard asked, turning to him.
Leon shook his head. "At least I can get one."
"Oh, fuck you!" Cause the bird, is the word.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Seated in the cozy living room, their gaze drifted to the forest through the expansive windows as they eagerly awaited the meal Katie was preparing in the kitchen. The cottage exuded warmth, with bookcases lining the walls and captivating portraits adorning the space. Ed, his nerves on edge, found himself staring out the window, his foot tapping against the polished hardwood floor. "Are we really safe here?" he asked.
"Aye! Ha-ha!" A squeaky voice spoke above them. They jumped as a tiny raptor leaped from the rafters into the little bed cushion by the couch. "We're tucked away nice and safe!"
Leon furrowed his brow, puzzled. "Is that you, King? How'd you get so small?"
King's toothy jaw curved into a mischievous grin. "To answer your first question, this wee house is guarded by illusion magic. Ye must be incredibly skilled or walk within the barrier to even see it. If ya' can get through the traps that is! My body can get itty bitty or high and mighty like so-"
"King!" Katie's voice boomed from the kitchen, reverberating through the room. "King! If you dare to grow any larger and break one more thing in this blasted house, I will personally toss you off the balcony! And no din-dins for you!"
King's eyes widened, his tail drooping in defeat. "No! Not my din-dins!" he protested. "Alright, alright, I can shrink and grow as I please. Thas all...."
Richard chuckled into his palm. The raptor snorted indignantly before adding, "Aye, laugh at this wee tike's expense, you cheeky tart." This time, it was Leon and Ed who burst into laughter.
"Wait, you said something about illusion magic? How does that work?" Ed asked, sitting in the armchair.
The little raptor sighed. "All this talkin' is makin' me hungry..."
"Leon, could you come here for a moment?" Katie called.
He clicked his teeth, wanting to hear King's explanation. "Coming!" he yelled, standing and heading to the kitchen.
As Leon made his way past the stairs, his gaze landed on Katie, struggling to put on an apron. Noticing him, she blushed and asked, "Can you please...?" She adjusted her glasses.
Raising an intrigued eyebrow, Leon moved closer, his fingers deftly tying the apron around her waist. "I didn't know you struggled to see," he commented.
"Struggle to- oh, these!" Katie touched her glasses, meeting his gaze. "I don't need them. A friend of mine just told me I looked good wearing them. I like them."
Leon nodded, propping against the counter. Giving her a better look, he grinned. "It suits you... Never took you for a fashionista."
"Leon!" Katie yelped, looking at him wide-eyed. Suppressing a giggle, she hid her blush by turning to the stove. "Are you suggesting I have no taste?"
"Not at all. Just figured you weren't interested in that sort of thing... which is strange. Having assumptions makes no sense when my memory of us is still about zilch." Leon crossed his arms.
She gave a weak smile and gripped his hand. "It'll come in time. Or I'll just learn a means of undoing the memory wipe. One way or another, we'll make it work."As she spoke, she focused on chopping ground beef on the cutting board. "It's good to hear you're all getting along. I know King can be quite the handful."
"I'm still wrapping my head around the idea of a talking dinosaur. As if that's the craziest thing happening here."
Their conversation flowed effortlessly as they worked together, chopping vegetables and seasoning the meat. Katie poured pasta noodles into a boiling pan, the aroma filling the air. "Why do you think Iris erased your memories?" she asked, shifting her gaze on Leon.
He let out a sigh, washing his hands at the sink before replying. "If I had to guess, she saw you as a threat. When she found you months ago, did she ever mention why?"
Katie shook her head. "No, she only mentioned that she couldn't protect you anymore. She said I was your only hope when Death took control of her body. I tried to follow her, but she disappeared. Your sister is quite adept at evading pursuers, to say the least."
Leon focused on pouring tomato sauce over the cooking beef, his expression thoughtful. "Is that why you started visiting my dreams? Trying to reach out to me?"
"I think so. It wasn't the first time I tried to see you," she admitted, holding herself. "I sensed a change in your cognition. It felt... cold. I was afraid you hated me or perhaps regretted we'd met in the first place. The last time your mind was so cold was the first day we met."
Shocks ran through Leon's head as he heard those words. He fell back on the tiled floor, his vision blackening. Katie cried out his name. He could sense her kneeling beside him.
Images of a younger version of himself sitting in the darkroom of his dreams.
It was ten years ago.
Cold that was unrelenting, unexplainable guilt that pierced him.
Most of all, there was a sense of solitude.
No desires nor dreams that his so-called friends possessed.
None of the passion or love his family blessed him with.
It was an empty void, representing the hole he'd felt in his heart and soul.
Sounds of footsteps splashed toward him that day.
Frantic pants as the silhouette of a small girl dashed through the fog toward him.
Leon had risen to his feet, alarmed.
No one had ever entered this room before.
His heart thudded faster and faster.
It didn't feel like a dream anymore.
Everything about it felt real at once within that moment.
The girl crashed head-first into him, causing them to fall against the lake.
The girl wore a tattered white dress. Battered tiny, white wings protruded from her back.
Long, wild brown hair flowed to her hips, her bangs covering her face.
Her body was covered in bruises and cuts. Details that had never occurred until now flowed through his mind.
He lay there, frozen.
Tears streamed down her cheeks.
A violent pang struck his heart as their eyes met.
Emerald green eyes that would drown him in every meeting.
Shocks ran rampant, screams escaping his lips in reality.
The question that would plague him for years to come escaped his lips.
"Who are you?"
Leon's eyes shot open, and he sat up. Katie, Ed, Richard, and King were around him, eyes wide. "What the hell happened?" Richard snapped, glaring at Katie.
Her eyes lowered as she stammered, "I-I d-d-don't-"
Leon placed a hand on her shoulder, looking at them. "It wasn't her," He said, kneeling. "This was Iris. Whatever she did to erase my- No, she blocked my memories. Some sort of trigger attacks whenever I force myself to remember anything she didn't want me to see."
Ed narrowed his eyes. "I knew she had to have done something, but man... Maybe you should avoid prying until we develop a less painful solution. I don't think my heart can take many more screams..."
"...Maybe," Leon said, gritting his teeth.