Open ✪ Stokbon Run Run Little Rabbit

Remy Leblanc · May 16, 2023

Stokbon, the capital city of the Falderan region and one of the most influential cities in the entire world, at least it was if you were lucky enough and had good fortune. But for other people, people like Remy, the city could be a dangerous place if you weren’t careful. Remy had joined the world of Terrasphere about a month ago and since then he hadn’t had an easy time in this virtual world, and he was currently slowly making his way through the crowded city streets, his eyes constantly scanning the area around him for any potential threats.

In the real-world Remy had an extremely deep love of the undead and necromantic arts, so obviously, when he joined this game, he had ideas of grandeur about being an extremely powerful necromancer and had chosen masteries that were in line with that build. Only to learn that here those powers, while they were available to you, were viewed as taboo and shunned to be used, and in some regions such as the one where he was one, it was outright illegal to be used at all. And that was how Remy found himself in his current situation, downtrodden begging and stealing just to survive another day.

Passing a fruit stand Remy quickly snatched, an action that was quickly met with “HEY!!! YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR THAT!!!”. At the sound of the stall's provider yelling at him, Remy broke out into a full-on sprint down the crowded street “SOMEONE CALL THE GUARDS, HE’S A THIEF!!!” filling the air behind him as he ran. He was still new to the area, so he wasn’t sure where he was going but the sounds of metallic-clad feet clamoring behind him as the city guard gave chase was the only thing that he could think about caring about nothing except for not getting caught.

Turning a corner, Remy dove into an alleyway only to be met with a dead-end ahead of him, his breath coming in hard, labored gasps from the sprint he had just been doing. The sounds of the guards catching up to him filled his eyes which caused him to narrow his eyes as he lifted his hands, a blue magic circle appeared on the ground beneath him, and a massive skeletal hand propelled him up into the air and onto the rooftops above. However, his escape maneuver hadn’t gone unnoticed “HE IS A NECROMANCER!!! CALL FOR REINFORCEMENTS, WE HAVE TO KILL THIS EVIL DOER!!!” rang out from below him.

A groan left Remy’s mouth as he heard the shouting before breaking off into a sprint again, vaulting from rooftop to rooftop in his escape attempt. All he had wanted was something to eat and now here he was running for his life from the city guard and before long from the knights of Falderan as well. Just how terrible his luck could be, he wondered as he raced across the roofs looking for a place to hide.

MayoYume · May 16, 2023

Calmness. Serenity. Peaceful. All words that Yume had never used to describe the city of Stokbon. In fact, she found the city to be everything she despised about the real world - reminding her of places like Tokyo; the ever-bustling movement and needs of the commonfolk mixed with whatever political necessities happened to be required for that day. She hated coming to these places, preferring the smaller outlying lands and homes, the areas that remained calm even during a dilemma - not the places that buzzed with an air of excitement at every little thing.

Darekaga nekuromansā tte iimashita ka? Yume's attention was drawn towards the disruption as she watched the guards shifted their pursuit. She could see the form on the roofs in the distance, slowly moving away from her.

Well now, that's...Futsūdenai.

She muttered the words before turning to follow from the ground, stopping every so often to keep an eye on the individual. She had considered briefly making her way up to the rooftop as well, before realising that her dress would likely impact her ability to climb well - that, and she preferred being on the ground, anyways.

Izure ni seyo, kare wa saishūtekini wa oriru hazuda. Kare wa mōsugu yane ga nakunarudarou. She could already see some gaps coming up in the distance, if he kept heading the direction he was going. Content to wait it out, she simply followed along behind the man - sometimes tailing the guards, sometimes moving alongside and in front of them. They appeared to pay little attention to her, glancing her way a couple of times in confusion before simply accepting her presence.

I do hope that he doesn't keep this up for too long though...Kono ran'ningu wa tsukaremasu.

She wasn't out of shape herself, but she had to admit running this much was more than she was used to - or more than she desired to do, right now at least. She could hear the panting of the guards around her, who were having to move about with heavy armour on - meaning that they were likely to give up the chase far before she was going to, if they didn't trap the man first.

@Remy Leblanc

Remy Leblanc · May 16, 2023

Remy continued to sprint along the rooftops, his gaze darting down and below him every so often to see if he was still being pursued, which of course he was. He didn't think the city guard would back down from something as simple as a foot chase, if that had been the case then they would be a very effective police force if all the criminals had to do was run away. But he knew that he didn't have the stamina to keep up this pace for very much longer, and the second he slowed down would be the second that he had gotten caught.

Looking further ahead, Remy then realized that he had a bigger issue at hand than how long his stamina would last, he was running out of rooftops to run on. Further ahead he noticed that the gap between buildings was growing and before long they would be too big for him to jump across, so he was going to have to figure out something. The large gap closed in on him with every step before finally he couldn't avoid it any longer and as he approached the edge, he placed his foot down hard on the edge and launched himself out and into the open air.

The sound of the air rushing past his ears was all he could hear, his eyes scanning for something to grab onto, anything at all but was coming up with nothing. With nothing else left to do, Remy crossed his arms across his face and braced himself for the impact as he collided with the glass of a window in the building across the way. The sound of the glass shattering and the resulting high-pitched scream of the occupant of the room could be heard as Remy came crashing through the window head over heels before slamming hard into the wall beyond.

A soft groan escaped his lips as Remy lay there for a second before he pushed himself to his feet and looked around to try and get his bearings. It seemed that he had come crashing into someone's apartment before he turned and bolted through the door and into the hallway beyond, he still couldn't believe that he was doing all this over a stolen piece of fruit. Well, the fruit and the fact that the guards had seen him summon a large skeletal hand and just couldn't let a necromancer run freely on the streets.

Remy made his way through the halls of the apartment building before bursting back out onto the streets and making a bolt for it once again. Sprinting through the streets, he tried to shake his pursuers in the large crowd before dipping into a darkened alleyway and dropping himself down behind a pile of boxes out of sight and waited for the city guard to pass by, hoping they hadn't seen where he had gone.

@MayoYume

MayoYume · May 16, 2023

The man had run to the end of the rooftops, his speed never slowing. Yume was sure, with each step coming closer and closer, that they man would falter, would slow in his crazed race across the open rooftops. He didn't. Instead, Yume watched in amazement as he pushed himself off the edge of the roof, lifting into the air for a few breaths before starting his slow descent.

From her position, she could tell almost immediately that he wasn't going to make it. Even as he reached upwards and outwards, stretching as if desperate to reach the edge of the roof that was far beyond his range. Yume could only watch as he began to shift downwards, starting out slowly before picking up speed as he began rushing to meet the ground.

The smashing of glass pulled her attention back to reality, making her realise that she had disconnected from what was happening for a brief second. She barely registered the sight of the man disappearing through the window pane, leaving behind only an open frame.

It didn't take long for him to reappear - this time on the ground floor, returning to the street level and attempting to continue his dash away. Yume followed behind carefully, threading through the crowd as he seemed to shift through it, watching his form from a short distance - and noticing as the guards slowly fell away from sight. It didn't take long before the man had ducked down an alleyway, attempting to hide behind a collection of crates and boxes - pulling himself down and out of sight. Yume waited a few seconds, smiling as she watched the form hunkered down behind the makeshift hiding place.

Yā...they're gone, for now...you can come out now. I promise I won't hurt you.

@Remy Leblanc

Remy Leblanc · May 17, 2023

Remy sat there on the hard stone ground with his back pressed against the wooden boxes behind him with his eyes closed for a moment. His breath was still coming in hard and labored gasps from the physical exertion that he had just put himself through just moments again, something that as a magic caster he was unaccustomed to. He couldn't even remember the last time that he had run like that, in this virtual world, or the real one for that matter.

He couldn't believe that he had even found himself in that situation in the first place, he had joined this game to get away from reality and live a different life, he just hadn't been expecting that life to be a penniless thief who had to steal food just to survive. The city guards had been extremely persistent in their pursuit of him, well to be fair that had only been after they saw him summon a skeletal hand to aid in his flight. When he first joined this world, he had been warned that Falderan was particularly unfriendly towards users of animancy, and he had learned just how unfriendly the hard way.

As he sat there trying to both hide himself and recover from the chase, a voice called out to him which caused his body to stiffen in surprise. He had been almost certain that he had lost all of his pursuers but yet here one of them was calling out to him, his eyes quickly darted looking for somewhere that he could run, but not seeing a way out he sighed slightly, even if there had been somewhere to go he simply didn't have the energy for another chase like the one he had just ended.

Slowly Remy moved out from behind the crates and stood to his feet with his hands raised about his head in a sign that he wasn't a threat. He then slowly turned around to face the individual who had called out to him, his appearance a disheveled mess of how he normally looked. His clothes were covered in dirt and were now torn in places, cuts along his arms and face from the glass he had just crashed through as he looked at the female who stood blocking his escape.

A soft sigh escaped his lips as he looked at her before he shook his head "Look, I know I shouldn't have stolen the apple. But I was just so hungry, and I haven't eaten in days, and I don't have any money. If you just give me a little bit of time, I promise I will pay for it as soon as I have some money, I swear" he said. He left out the part about his use of necromancy hoping that she hadn't been there to see him use it but if she had then he wasn't sure what he was going to do, he would probably have to resort to violence to get out of there. The only thing that he knew for sure was that he wasn't going to allow himself to be captured for any reason.

@MayoYume

MayoYume · May 18, 2023

Yume cocked her head to the left as the man explained about the stolen apple. Her smile never faltered, no judgement in her eyes as she listened to her words. She had seen him raise his hands - as if to signify that he was unarmed, that he was no threat. Or perhaps as a means of distracting her. She wasn't entirely sure, but she shook her head as he finished his explanation of the events.

Īe...It's fine, I covered the cost of the apple. However...I think you're in more trouble. Kokode wa karera wa shiryō-jutsu o konomanai. Which means they'll continue looking for you, until you're found...we should probably find a way to get you out of the city, hai?

She had stepped to the side a bit, just enough to allow him to rush past if he felt so inclined. The last thing she had wanted to do was make the man feel like he was trapped - like there was no escape for him. She wasn't entirely sure, although she did have a strong feeling, that the man was a player - most of the Landers would know about necromancy, and it's punishment for use, in these areas.

Watashinonamaeha yumedesu. I am a member of the Lion's, and will guide you to safety...if you are willing to come. Anzendearu koto o yakusoku shimasu.

She held out a hand towards the man, waiting to see what he would do. She knew that there was always a chance he would simply rush past her, and attempt to disappear into the crowd again. He looked exhausted, but adrenaline did a lot for people. Yume knew that she could keep up with him, so long as required. She hadn't become lax in her time here, and she had grown to know the city's streets fairly well - as much as she hated being in this place. For the time being, though, she was offering safety - an offer she hoped he would accept.

@Remy Leblanc

Remy Leblanc · May 19, 2023

Remy stood there watching the female in front of him closely suspicion clear as day on his face, he hadn't met very many friendly individuals since he had started his journey in this world. Especially not once they learned that he was a necromancer, once that information came to light everyone turned on him rather quickly. It didn't matter to them that he hadn't caused anyone harm or even reanimated the skeleton or corpse of a human, they still treated him like he was an evil creature that needed to be eradicated at all costs.

During his time in this virtual world, the only friendly people that Remy had come across so far had been other players of the game, the NPCs, or Landers as they were known here, had been rather unwelcoming of him. With his eyes trained on the female he couldn't help but wonder if she was a player or a lander since it was almost impossible to distinguish between the two here. The AI that controlled them was on a whole other level.

Remy's eyes darted from the female to the opening that she had made, contemplating making a bolt for it while he did. The idea sounded good for all of a second, but he knew that his body just didn't have the energy he would need to get away, not when he took into consideration that she had been able to track him the first time he tried. So, he turned his attention back to the woman and listened to what she had to say, a soft sigh escaping his lips as he lowered his hands.

Remy had no idea what this Lions thing that she was talking about, given how she had said it like he should know made him assume that it was some kind of mercenary organization, or something similar. "I have gathered that they don't like necromancers here, I've learned that the hard way, but I don't know what this Lions thing is that you're talking about, or why you're acting as I should just automatically trust you because you belong to it" he said after a moment. "I do want to get out of this city though, I believe that I have overstayed my welcome which was not at all in the first place so I guess I will come with you if you can show me a way out of here. But just know that I am watching you, any sign of funny business and I am out of here" he said as he walked past her and stepped out on the street, waiting for her to take the lead.

@MayoYume

MayoYume · May 19, 2023

She had remained still just long enough for the man to pass, before stepping in beside him. She matched her pace to his, keeping the smile on her face as she began speaking again. She was surprised at how little he seemed to know - kare wa watashi ga omotte ita yori mo atarashī ni chigainai - but she pushed the concern aside. For the moment, she'd promised to look after him - so she was going to do just that.

The Lion's are like...a local police force, sort of. Erm - well, maybe not local. They're all over the world here. But they...keep people safe. Sore ga watashitachi no mokutekidesu. Hitobito no anzen o mamoru tame.

She waved towards the left, before moving to take them down a side alleyway and away from the main crowd. She didn't falter in her steps, continuing to speak even as she moved through the less populated area. The few people they passed gave the two a single glance, before going back about their business - either recognising the two to be more danger than they were worth, or simply not caring about a pair moving through the streets that had little consequence to their own lives.

Falderen is a dangerous place for someone like yourself to be...Sugoku abunai. We should get you out of the city, and out of the entire kingdom to be honest...you should head for Astorea. Sokonara anzendesu.

She cocked her head suddenly, realising that she was giving advice to another - advice that she hadn't help mere weeks ago. Monogoto ga kyūsoku ni henka suru no wa omoshiroidesu. Shibaraku koko ni kitara… She liked that idea - the idea that she was no longer the helpless one, the one being forced to follow others for safety and security. Now she was able to help new players - and this was clearly a new player, from what she had seen. It made her feel like she was making a difference, suddenly.

I would also recommend that you keep those abilities to yourself...at least while we're in Falderen. Koko de sorera o shiyō suru no wa kiken sugimasu. As you've probably noticed.

She had no doubts that he had noticed - and if he hadn't, well...she would just need to make him notice. The guards wouldn't tolerate those abilities, nor would the commonfolk for the most part. If Yume was going to get him out of here safely, they'd need a bit more anonymity, and a bit of luck. Karera ga mada monban ni shirasete inai koto o inoru bakaridesu.

@Remy Leblanc

Remy Leblanc · May 19, 2023

Remy slowly followed the woman through the crowded streets of Stokbon before she turned and took them down a back alleyway. As she did his eyes narrowed wondering if she was leading him somewhere so she could attack him with fewer witnesses, but he then realized that if she was going to attack him, she could have done that back when she first found him. She wouldn't have had to lead him somewhere else to do it first.

Finally, he slowly started to lower his guard a bit and look around the city he was in, the people here were doing what people in the real world did mostly, they were just minding their own business. They looked the pair up and down and decided that they weren't any of their business, or that they looked too dangerous to try and steal from. Or more likely in his case, he simply looked too dirty and ragged to believe that he had anything worth stealing in the first place.

Remy tilted his head back as he looked up at the rooftops that he had just been running atop not so long ago and sighed slightly. He had first started coming to this world one month ago and he had picked the worst mastery's possible for his starting point which he hadn't known at the time, he had chosen them because he was just excited to live out a fantasy he had always had in the real world. He never could have imagined that it would lead to him having so much trouble here and making things this difficult for him.

His start in this world had been so bad that there were times that he wondered if he should even keep playing this game, it seemed like everything was set up against him. He, however, couldn't bring himself to quiet, there had never been a game like Terrasphere before and he would hate himself if he put it down now just because things were a little hard at the beginning. But the more he thought about all the things that he had gone through since he arrived here, the angrier he got.

That anger somewhere along the way deepened to almost outright hatred of this country and he had caught himself at times daydreaming about bringing the entire thing to its knees with an army of undead. This country hated necromancy so completely that the thought of actually giving them a reason to hate it put a smile on his face. He then turned back to look at his guide for a moment, this was the second time that he had run into a helpful player so he couldn't say that his experiences had been all bad.

"I joined Terrasphere one month ago, but when I started, I chose all Mastery's that would help me build a necromancer, Animancy, Dark Magic, and Soul Magic. So, as you can imagine using any of my abilities has put me in a bit of a tight spot wherever I have gone in Falderan." he said after a moment of silence. The thought of leaving this country had never appealed to him more, at least until he was stronger and could come back with a bit more experience and with enough power to defend himself. As he followed the female however his ears picked up the sound of metal-clad feet crashing into the stone ground behind them.

Remy's eyes widened at the sound as it sounded like there were more of them this time than there had been previously, it also sounded as if they were more heavily armored. It was only then that he remembered something that one of them had yelled while they were chasing him, for someone to go and get the knights....the Knights of Falderan were catching up to him!!

@MayoYume

MayoYume · May 19, 2023

She had wanted to answer him, to note that he had been unlucky enough to choose masteries that - at least at this time - would cause him more pain and trouble in Falderen. Yume had been lucky in her choices, or perhaps simply more inclined to do good. Either way, she had chosen her skills based upon her desires, which just so happened to line up with a good portion of the population's desires, and interests. However, she had the time to tell the man none of this, as the sound of metal on concrete echoed around them.

The man had spun around at the sound - his surprise and fear hidden to almost no one. Yume, however, had stayed facing forwards, knowing that they had been surrounded. The sound echoed, but she had caught the way it seemed to bounce and dance around them, signifying that it wasn't coming from a single direction. Stopping in place, she placed a hand on the man's arm, smiling at him in an attempt to comfort him.

Don't be afraid. I won't let them harm you. Yakusoku shimasu.

She didn't look at the man as she spoke, keeping her eyes on the bend in the alleyway ahead of them. She had taken this route because it was never used by the guards - a fact that they seemed to have picked up on, unfortunately. She resisted the urge to sigh, knowing that the encounter ahead would be far more difficult - especially if it came to conflict. Karera ni risei o rikai sa senakereba narimasen. She had no desire to engage with the local guards, but she also wouldn't let them take an innocent man away. From what she had heard, that had been happening far too often across this world.

Her lips tightened slightly as the armoured individuals came into view, the Knights of Falderen glistening even in the shadows of the buildings around them. They moved with a purpose, neither speeding along the path, nor wavering in their formation. Their movements calm, controlled - and more importantly, and obvious sign of battle-hardened individuals. They strode until they were several metres away, stopping with a final sound of metal on concrete. A single individual stepped forward, raising his sword in a salute towards the two, before speaking from behind his helm.

Hail, Lioness. You have something that belongs to us. Hand over the necromancer, and no one else needs to get harmed.

Yume bowed in response to the words, performing the typical Keirei that she had been brought up with. When she raised herself again, the smile still on her face, she spoke calmly and softly - loud enough for the knights around them to hear, but not done in a way that would cause them to become startled or reactionary.

Kyō wa, Sire Knight. I am afraid I cannot hand over a captive, regardless of the requestor. This man is wanted by the Lion's Pride, and must be brought to justice under their guidance. I am certain that you understand.

The knight shifted in place at her words, an edge of frustration entering his stance as he slowly lowered his hand towards the weapon hanging at his hip; a longsword that looked plain and unappealing to the eye, and yet Yume was sure had seen more than enough conflict in its time.

He is wanted for the crimes of Necromancy and Dark Magics, under the imperial laws of Falderen. You will hand him over to our justice, or face the consequences yourself.

Yume cocked her head slightly, before raising her hands. A flow of purple surrounded the bands on her arms, slowly moving up and over her arms in a mesmerising way. She let the magic dance for a few seconds, careful to keep it slow in order to avoid antagonising the knights more, before answering the man.

Hai, I had heard that there was an...incident. However, his presence is desired by the Lion's Pride, alive. Under penalty, failure of such a deliverance is unacceptable. Sore ga nani o imi suru no ka, kitto o wakari itadakeru to omoimasu.

The threat was veiled, but she had shifted her body ever so slightly, as if preparing for the conflict that was coming. Although the Knights of Falderen might not fear her alone, Yume figured they would fear the repercussions of killing a member of the Pride - an act which could trigger an all-out war that the army of Falderen was ill-equipped to handle, from what Yume had heard. She simply hoped that her words would be enough.

@Remy Leblanc

Remy Leblanc · May 20, 2023

Remy stood there frozen in place as he listened to the approach of the knights, they hadn't sent just a small detachment, there were enough of them to surround the area that they were in. His mind began to swim with the thought of all the things that they would do to him should the female hand him over to them, and of course she would, who in their right mind would willingly fight the knights of the country for a complete stranger. His mind ran wild with all of the different torture methods he was sure they would employ to get what they wanted from him, a confession that he had done something evil to warrant such treatment, even if he hadn't.

When he thought about how Falderan treated those who used magics that their government viewed as taboo, reminded him of how women were treated during the Witch Trails of the Middle Ages that ended with the murder of thousands of innocent women. An anger began to grow in his stomach until it turned into the white-hot fury of rage as he thought about his treatment in this country, he had done nothing to be treated in this manner, yet here they were hunting him down like a rabid dog. He was sick and tired of being hunted down for crimes that he hadn't committed; they were going to keep chasing him no matter what so he might as well have done something to deserve it.

Remy stood there and listened to the exchange between the leader of this company of knights and the female who was leading him out of the city, or so she had told him, but she had just told the knights that he was wanted by the organization that she belonged to. Right now with his mind as suspicious as it was from the treatment he had endured so far; he wasn't sure what to believe. He wanted to believe that she was trying to help him get out of the city, but he couldn't be completely sure about that either.

Slowly Remy turned around to face the leader of the knights, a dark scowl on his face and his eyes narrowed, the rage and hatred he was feeling in the moment clear as the day upon his face. The shadows of the alleyway seemed to grow and darken in color as he took a couple of steps forward "drit nul" was all he said but as he spoke his voice deepened and boomed around them and distorted in an almost demonic manner. As soon as he finished speaking the words, all the knights except for the leader fell to the ground, their screams of pure agony filling the air around them as a dark smile spread across Remy's face.

The Falderans had pushed him too far and he had had enough of it, now he was finally pushing back with all of the power that he currently had in his possession. The agonized screams of the knights brought him some pleasure; however, he made sure not to allow himself to get drunk on his own power, he knew there would be stronger knights out there who wouldn't be affected by a spell of this level. "You knights, I hadn't done anything to anyone, all I wanted to do was just live my life, but you hounded me everywhere I went. You chased me like I was a diseased wild animal that had to be exterminated at all costs. Well, this is the cost of that pursuit, watch what your own actions have wrought upon you!!" he screamed as he prepared himself for whatever the knight leader would do next all while the air was still filled with the screams of the other knights.

@MayoYume

MayoYume · May 24, 2023

The man had stepped forwards before Yume could say anything, before she could try and intervene. Yume watched as he strode towards the leader of the Knight's, the alleyway darkening around them as he continued. Something about his posture - about the way he strode forward - worried Yume, almost as much as the darkening of the alleyway around them.

Iya, matte!

Before the words had even fully developed on her tongue he had spoken. Two simple words, words that were entirely foreign to Yume's ears. Whatever they meant, whatever their origin, they had a single purpose - one which occurred immediately. She watched in further horror as the knights fell to the ground, screaming in pain as the magic that the man had released took hold of them.

Īe! Anata wa nani o shite iru?! They're not...they're just following orders! They may have let us pass! Yamero!

Yume stepped up to the man, her face still showing a sign of horror at his actions - but a look of danger suddenly crossing it as she raised her own arms. She spoke a single word, snapping a barrier up around herself as she planted her feet in front of the man.

Ashurionbēru. Release them. Release them all at once.

She opened her left palm outwards towards the man, a swirl of purple beginning to form in the centre of it, as if gathering energy. Her eyes had tightened slightly, and her general smile was gone - replaced instead by a grim look on her face that bespoke of someone who was ready to become violent.

@Remy Leblanc

Remy Leblanc · May 30, 2023

Remy stood there watching the knights as they struggled and writhed around in pain, a dangerous and pleased gleam in his eyes as he did so. He had finally struck back at the country that had caused him so much turmoil, even if it was in such a small and insignificant way. It still brought him pleasure and a release from the frustration that had been building up inside him for quite a while now. And at that moment, that release was the only thing that he cared about.

However, the woman who had been guiding him seemed to object to his treatment of the knights, she seemed to feel that he should be empathetic to their plight since they were 'only following orders'. However, so much evil had been done in the real world by people that were only following orders, should that free them from any responsibility for the horror and pain caused by their actions? He didn't think so, no, he believed in karma and these knights chose to obey their orders even though they were morally wrong, they chose to chase and persecute a man who hadn't committed any crime other than existing.

Remy watched her as she moved and stood before him, blocking his way towards the knights, a look of horror on her face from his actions, but also a resolute expression of someone who was ready to fight for what they believed in. He narrowed his eyes slightly as he looked at her, it was clear that of the two of them she was the stronger and more advanced player and if they really did start a fight here, he didn't think he would win. But at the same time, he didn't just want to let the knights off the hook either, he had a decision to make, and he didn't like either choice.

After a moment of silent contemplation, he shook his head and waved his hand slightly, ending the spell he had cast on the knights. This was signaled by the fact that they had finally stopped screaming in pain, although their bodies were still feeling the effects of it for a short time after its cancellation. He then turned his attention back to the female and narrowed his eyes "This is what happens when you wrongly persecute someone. Your karma will catch up to you, you can only push someone so much and back them into a corner before they have no choice but to lash back out, and only following orders is so excuse for evil deeds" he said before turning away and waiting on the scene would play out.

@MayoYume

MayoYume · Jun 1, 2023

The man seemed to consider everything for a few moments, his eyes ranging over Yume and the Knights, thoughts moving fast enough that Yume could see the concern and consideration. For a moment, Yume was worried that he would choose a path of violence, that he would try and overpower her and escape. Yume knew as well as he that he didn't have a chance, that it would only end in unnecessary bloodshed and further violence.

She was surprised, however, when he instead chose to release the Knights, a look of discontent and disgust on his face. She listened, quietly, as he gave a final verbal warning, a thought aloud, about how their actions would catch up with them - and how they shouldn't persecute others. Yume waited until he was finished, before laying a soft hand on his arm.

Come on...we're done here.

She waited until he moved to follow, quickly stepping ahead of him and around the fallen Knights. It didn't take long to clear the small alleyway, but Yume remained quiet as she led the man further and further away from the area of conflict. She could hear, in the distance, the sounds of armoured individuals moving - never quite approaching, nor receding entirely. She chose to ignore the sounds, knowing that they would follow until they had left the city walls.

It only took a few blocks before Yume began speaking, her voice low and level but her tone void of any judgement, anger or joy. She didn't look at the man as she spoke, keeping her eyes facing forwards.

I lied. There is no bounty on your head...had you have stayed calm, we could have simply walked away. Instead, you chose to torture men who did nothing more than follow orders. Orders that they may not agree with, but that they cannot refuse without consequence. Anata wa sore o ukeirete ikinakereba narimasen.

She wanted to say more, to explain how his actions could effect others - the repercussions of which could be felt by others in this world, worse than he had faced. Kare ga ki ni suru wakede wanai...

@Remy Leblanc