Thunder's Mansion

Levi stood still, looking outside the window.

Thunder's mansion was truly magnificent. 

He could count a dozen servants tending to the gardens. 

There was a single path leading to the gate, while on both sides nice shrubs mixed with flowerbeds.

While many flowers occupied the space, numerous smaller paths composed of flat stones made their way through the fields, which the workers used to make their way through the property. Some benches were spaced through the paths, facing toward the fields.

The blue sky, the nice breeze making the heat bearable and the flowery smell made Levi forget his worries for a moment, as he stayed behind that window lost in thoughts.

As his eyes followed the birds and butterflies, a loud knock on the door brought him back into this golden room.

Opposed to the outside which flourished, the insides of the mansion seemed cold and distant. 

There were no pictures, no flowers, no emotions. 

The paintings were stoic, the only colors making their way into the mansion seemed to be those representing money.

As the knock persisted, Levi answered.

"Almost done!" he yelled through the room.

"You've been changing for thirty minutes! Either you forgot how to wear clothes and you need me to come in, or you're a hostage in this room and need me to come in, either way, I'll be coming in if you're not coming out anytime soon!"

Since he woke up a day ago, Syllia seemed to take his safety with the utmost importance. 

She regularly checked on him, even scaring him to death once, as she slapped him awake as he slept because he 'looked dead'.

Turning around again toward the window, he leaned on the window frame.

It was the first time he had real peace in a while.

The door slammed open, startling Levi.

Through it came Syllia, pacing toward him.

"What are you doing? You're already changed, I was waiting for you," she said with an accusing tone.

"It's peaceful," replied Levi.

Syllia walked next to him, leaning on the same window.

After several minutes, Syllia broke the silence.

"It's time for the pact, don't worry me and Joh will be there in case something happens," she said.

"I doubt anything will happen, if it would it would've happened already, before the pact..."

"Still, we never know with nobles, they always have an agenda..."

As they talked, loud noises and complaints interrupted them.

A carriage escorted by a dozen guards made its way to the manor's entrance. 

Levi supposed it was a noble friend of Thunder, until the servants started arguing with the man leading the guards.

His armor was black and gold, with intricate designs on the plates. He was tall, which made his halberd look even bigger, as it almost reached twice his size.

"There's no way that weapon is practical indoors," whispered Levi to Syllia next to him.

"That's 'The Towering' Grant. He's very popular, worth a hundred soldiers apparently," said Syllia.

"He looks normal, besides his oversized weapon,"

"He's been on countless battlefields and always returned victorious, you should be on your best behavior when he's around," said Syllia with an intense stare.

"Sure..."

As they looked at the scene unfolding, some guards stepped up to Thunder's servants, holding them out of the way so Grant and the other guards could enter the mansion.

The door slammed open again, making a painting fall from the wall. This time, Joh was the one running in.

"Quick, follow me, we have to go," he said between breaths.

"Why? What's happening," asked Levi.

"They're here for you."

Levi and Syllia looked at each other, panic quietly settling in.

Syllia quickly grabbed his hand, tightly holding it like Levi would have disappeared if she hadn't.

Quickly following Joh, they emerged in the hallway. 

They took a quick right, trying to create distance between them and the main entrance.

"We'll go for a door on the side, maybe we'll find a way out somewhere," said Joh.

"Why are they here?" asked Syllia.

"Apparently the king heard about Levi," said Joh.

As they arrived at a staircase on the corner mainly used by the staff, Joh quickly opened its door but as he took a step forward, he paused in his movement.

"What?" Asked Syllia.

"Shh," Hushed Joh.

As they stood still, footsteps paired with clinking armor were clearly making their way up the stairs.

Panicked, they quickly closed the door. 

Turning around, the hallway they came through had three soldiers running toward them. 

Syllia quickly led the way, pulling Levi with her around the corner. 

"There may be another way, if not we're jumping down," she said.

"We're on the third floor, it's not possible," quickly answered Levi.

"I'll carry you on my back, I won't let you down this time," replied Syllia.

They quickly ran through the hallway, knocking down a vase while they hurried.

As they almost made it to the back of the mansion, guards turned the corner ahead, facing them.

They quickly stopped in their tracks, sliding on the floor as they stopped running.

Quickly looking behind, the previous guards were further behind them, slowly walking forward.

Their footsteps were in sync, bringing a feeling of 'impending doom'.

As Syllia's breathing became heavier, her eyes were darting everywhere, looking for a way out.

Joh was next Levi, holding both arms up on each side, ready for a fight. 

"It'll be fine, it's me they want, you did your best," said Levi as he put his hand on Syllia's shoulder.

"You're jumping," said Syllia.

Next to them was a window. Levi looked over his shoulder, at the ground level was a stone pavement.

"Like I said earlier..."

With surprising force, Syllia pulled him next to the window.

Levi did his best to hold the walls on both sides of the window, but as they were too large he barely held on anything.

"Don't worry, I'll be right after you," said Syllia as she looked one last time at Levi.

She put both her hands on Levi's chest, ready to push him.

"Stop this nonsense, already."

A loud voice resonated in the hallway. 

As they all turned toward it, 'The Towering' Grant was going through his guards.

Levi was surprised, from this angle Grant was easily two heads taller than his tallest guard.

Quickly looking around, his weapon was nowhere to be seen.

Panicked, Syllia turned toward Levi once again, ready to push him.

"You think you can outrun me? You'll only break the poor man's legs, nothing more."

Syllia's eyebrows furrowed while her eyes became watery.

Levi could read a lot of emotions going through her face as they realized they were cornered.

"You'll have to kill me first if you expect to get to them!" Yelled Joh as Grant got closer.

Grant's eyebrow described an arc. He continued walking, his helmet under his left arm.

The three of them kept quiet, wondering what was going to happen. 

As Grant calmly approached, no violent intentions were perceived. His walk was nonchalant, and his expression calm - or bored.

Grant was getting closer, and Joh quickly positioned himself between Grant and Levi, holding both arms up.

Grant momentarily stopped right in front of Joh. Without moving his head, he simply brought his eyes down on Joh, making eye contact.

After a single second, he started walking around Joh who stopped moving, not even turning his head as Grant walked past him.

Grant finally reached Levi and Syllia. His calm attitude truly scared Levi, as the man before him looked void of purpose, barely 'alive' as he faced him.

"You are under arrest, apostate, you're coming with us."