Crossing Fate

"I can understand your decision of going to school, but why retire?"

"You're expecting me to both study and cure people at the same time?"

"Ah...You're right. I'm sorry, it's because you've managed to exceed my expectation many times so I thought..."

"...A fourteen year old boy going around the world curing people, sounds ridiculous, isn't it?"

"I know, right?"

"And so I want you to keep my alchemy set until I've finished my study."

"Eh? Is it fine? Isn't it important to you?"

"Like I said, I've decided to retire as an alchemist. To as why I let you to keep it, it meant that I've trusted you enough. Beside, this town is much better than it was before now. If they kept on following my instructions, everyone won't fall sick for the next decade or so."

Iris's face turned slightly red.

"T-Then, I'll keep it for you."

"Ah. I must go now. There's a carriage heading to the capital, and I don't want to miss it."

As he walked his way to the door, he could here the voice of Iris behind him.

"Thank you for what you've done for this town. We residents of Poppi Town will always welcome you with open arms."

Hearing that, Nayari bloomed a small smile as he exited the guild.

It's time.

Meanwhile, somewhere unknown.

Two sihoulettes were running, and chasing behind then were two soldiers.

They covered themselves with a piece of black coat so as not to attract attention, but that was proven false.

They were making their way through a thick forest, trying not to get caught by the two soldiers.

"Stop right there!!" One of the soldiers shouted.

"Only stupid people would listen to that!" With the voice of a young girl, one of the hooded people replied.

As they continued running, the taller of the two started speaking.

"Young lady, I don't think I can run much longer."

"Don't give up yet! There! I can see the exit!"

The forest they had been running in which seemed like endless had finally let them out.

But, luck wasn't on their side.

As they made their way out of the forest, the tall person tripped over.

The shorter one turned back to the sound and saw it.

"Karie!"

"Young lady! Keep running! Don't worry about me!"

"Fool! How can I do that?!"

She turned back to help the other stood up, but due to that the two soldiers had managed to catch up.

"Tch..."

She clicked her tounge.

She couldn't get herself caught right now, as she still had a mission to complete.

Having no other choice, she took off the coat and unshealthed her sword.

Hidden underneath that black cloth was beautiful long pink hair, a strand of cowlick in the middle of her head, and a pair of horns protruding from the side.

She was wearing a frilly blue dress, and looked to be from a noble family.

The other person did the same and revealed to be a maid of some kind.

Similar to the other girl, she also had a pair of horn on her head.

The soldiers also unshealted their swords and started charging at the women.

The pink-hair girl did the same, and a battle broke out.

Nearby, a carriage was going by.

Hearing the sound of metals clashing, the passenger inside the carriage spoke up,

"Excuse me, you can drop me off here." and passed the rider a bag of coins.

He made his way toward the source of the sound and hid behind a tree so as not to be seen.

The scene appeared before him made him stood still.

A battle between two soldiers and a girl who had horns on either sides of her head.

Those horns.

He had seen them once.

From his dream, and from that day.

They were said that those who has horns on their head belonged to the Demon Kingdom.

There was another woman who was taken captive by one of the soldiers, making the pink-hair girl fall into a dead end.

At that moment, something rose up inside him.

His hand had already reached for the spear.

But he managed to refrain himself.

"This is their fight." He thought to himself.

He continued to stand still, not doing anything as he watched the girl slowly got herself cornered.

She had been forced to drop her weapon due to her maid's being held captive.

But, as a last struggle, she launched herself into the soldier that was holding her maid captive, making him fall over and freeing the maid.

"Run!" She yelled.

The maid looked at her before reluctantly ran away.

The pink girl got slashed in the back by the other soldier, but the sword only cut off a large part of her hair, and not her.

But that made her fell onto the ground.

As she tried to get up, the soldier stepped on her, forcing her to lie down.

"Demon, today, this place will be your grave. Prepare to die!"

"Is this the end for me?" She thought to herself.

She looked toward the direction the maid had run toward and no longer see her.

She smiled bitterly before accepting her defeat.

But, at that moment.

"Gyah!"

An unknown silhouette appeared before her and delivered a kick into the soldier's head.

She looked up to see a back of a person faced toward her.

Silver hair which was tied into a ponytail flew along the wind.

She had initially thought that the one saved her was a woman due to the body figure.

The person turned around, a voice which was filled with discomfort spoke out,

"Are you ok?"