Introductions

Despite fear ruling over me, I prepare myself and grip the weapon with both hands. They all look calm; joyful, even. Like they've done this before. Damn sadists. I shudder to think how many have fallen to their filthy hands. I need to keep my head up.

"Hey, kid!" a shrill voice from the crowd shouted at me. "That your mate over there?"

"Oh, uhm… Yes. Why? Do you guys need --- Ah!" someone just tried to pull a dirty on me.

"Hey. I'm talking here." I said.

"We don't care. D'ja think we came here to chat with you fellers? Pah~!" the lanky one in the back chuckled as he said this. "Don't make us laugh."

Three of the brigands charge at me. My body told me to run, but I didn't. Almost as if it was on instinct, I prepare myself. I see their movements clear as day, and I swing the sword in hopes of catching them off-guard. It works, and they managed to back away just in time. Hey, this isn't so bad after... all. What's that blue --- Shit!

Cold! Too cold! I look at the direction of the attack and see someone spinning a gray, prickly-looking lasso. I should get... out? I feel... slow. Is this from that blue-- Oh! Here it comes! I'm not going to make it!

...

The bastard really had the audacity to go for my neck. I can't breathe! I feel like cattle as the scoundrel tugs with great force, and I struggle to free myself by tugging back. The cord felt pointy, and the more he pulled, the more it hurt. He drags and drags, and I feel my vigor dropping with each pull. I...feel... weak... H-Ha! The sword!

I take the damn thing off my neck, wheezing loudly as I cursed at the bastard's direction. The next thing I knew, I was getting surrounded from all sides. Some sneered and some laughed as I realized the predicament I was in. This is slowly starting to piss me off now. The rope still hurts. It must've left a mark. I turn my head to the right just in time to see hands about to reach out to me, and I dodge by taking a quick step sideward. The one who tried to grapple me was a huge guy. He didn't have any weapons : He looked like someone who could kill with his bare hands. I look all-over and survey the scene. One. Two... There are four guys that are just about his size... Oh. Knight guy just took one of them out...And the same guy from earlier just grabbed my face. I can feel pressure rising from his fingertips. Is he trying to crush my face? I-- Gah!

Fuck!

"Look at him! He's gonna cry!"

Laughter followed suit as the son of a bitch punched me on the gut. Fuck. I don't feel so good. The fried meat feels like it's about to come back up. What's worse, the bastard still has his stupid hand on my face, and his eyes are smiling. It's like he's getting a kick out of this... Like they're getting a kick out of this. All they ever did in the past few minutes were either laugh or mock me on purpose. It feels... degrading. I can feel the ringing getting stronger, like something's trying to stop me. But it's too late.

I'm starting to feel something…

I don't remember what happened after that. All I know was that the fight was over, and it's night. The stars and the dark sky greeted me as I slowly got up from my slumber. How long was I out? What happened to everyone? What happened to the guys from before? All I know is I went bat-shit crazy and nothing else. And those... guys...

"Ah! You're awake. Good job, captain." A familiar voice called out. I turn my head and see purple streaks shine on dark metal.

"We got them."

"How? What happened to those people ?" I questioned.

"Oh, don't worry about that. We took care of them somehow."

"And that's what I'm asking about."

"You must be hungry. Here."

"Don't change the subject."

"What? I'm sorry, I can't hear you because your food is calling."

"N-No."

"Do you want me to feed you?"

"No! I ---"

"Waaa! Look what you made him do! Oh, he's crying! It's because he's getting cold. Put him out of his misery, chief." he teases.

"What?"

"… Do you want me to feed you?"

"Ah, fuck. Whatever. Give me that."

"Good." He purrs as I take the bowl out of his hands.

"Back when ---"

"I'm not answering until you be a good boy and finish your meal. Do we make ourselves clear?"

"…. Fine."

...

The soup tasted amazing. Compared to the fried meat, it was way milder. The meat and vegetables just tickles the taste buds. Seriously, if it wasn't for the food, I would've left him on the spot. There are shrubs everywhere, but there's enough space for a good campfire. I open my ears and try to listen to everything. Only the crackling of the fire and the rustling of the trees filled the peace and quiet, and I felt like craving more of it. All this looking around is starting to become a habit. I don't dislike it, though... What happened to my clothes?

"Are you done?" he asks.

"Yes.. Do you have a spare?"

"Huh?... OHHHHHH. Unfortunately, no. We'll just have to get to a city and find you something. I do, however," he dons the silver gauntlets from before and puts his hands together. He then undoes the latter and I see this hologram of a cube pop up from the middle of it. He plays with it for a while and clamps his hands again. Just like that, he magically summons a fur coat out of thin air. It's white, very much unlike the one he's wearing right now. "have this."

"That's amazing. So that's what we came for."

"Came for? This was mine all along. They were trying to steal it."

"Right. So I'm guessing that's your real bag?"

"Yes. It has a lot of items in it. It's VEEERY valuable."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Because you'll be my bodyguard from now on."

"Not yet. So far, I'm not liking what's happening to me."

"Haha, yeah! I know where you're coming from!... Uhhh, what's your name again? At least I have to call you something."

"Hmm... Help me out here. I don't know a good name."

"Oh! Oh! I have a lot!" he joyfully exclaims. What are you, a little kid?

"I have Khan, Sol, Mhoo--"

"Sol sounds nice. You can call me that."

"… What a bummer. I still have more left."

" I'll stick with Sol."

"Okay. " he sighs.

"Come to think of it... I still haven't got yours."

"That's obviously because I haven't given it yet. Anyways, " he tells in a jesting tone. "I go by many names, but you can call me Jean."