Escape

In the middle of the city, two men were jousting. One with a slim long sword while the other had a halberd with a black cloth attached as it flowed along. The sparks danced in the air as the weapons clashed. "So, you also possess a Fate Weapon, my curiosity is at its peak. Just who are you?" asked Kizaru as he swung his sword aiming at the neck of his opponent, who dodged by a hair's breadth.

"I'm just a nobody with no importance to anyone or anything, how about you be a good guy and spare me… won't ya?" Tufail said. To which Kizaru replied. "I'm afraid I cannot."

Kaze was looking at the duo fighting within close proximity and with each passing minute, his face got sweatier and sweatier. "How come master is not dominating him?" He wondered as he was beginning to question his master's indomitable image.

Tufail Tigor was facing a salvo of sword attacks from Kizaru, a master of swordplay. The Great General couldn't have gotten his position in a sovereign nation like the Zenith Empire by a mere stroke of luck.

Kizaru struck his sword straight, aiming for the chest, yet the drunk man jerked his body 90 degrees, causing the sword to barely cut through his clothes and draw nothing but air. Then, Tufail took advantage and immediately shoved the end of his halberd at his opponent. Kizaru glided in an attempt to dodge, but couldn't as his foot was stomped by his opponent, impeding him.

Then, the blunt end of the halberd hit the chest of Kizaru, but right before direct contact, his chest turned pitch black as the sound of metals clanging resounded. Kizaru had coated his skin with Armament Will. But nevertheless, he couldn't mitigate the force of that attack and was blown away slightly. Tufail was waiting for this moment as he threw a few bottles of fine wine at the Great General of the Zenith Empire before throwing in a Molotov along with the rest, a mere split-second later. The recipient, Kizaru, moved his hand and slashed all of the bottles, spilling all of their contents along with igniting the Molotov. This union created a great explosion, however, Kizaru reacted almost instantly and retreated while creating a powerful gust with a slash to redirect the fire and heat from himself.

Once safe, he looked in Tufail's direction but couldn't find him before furrowing his eyebrows in rage. The drunkard had escaped.

Soon after, he looked at his subordinates. "I'm going straight ahead while you scatter in the other directions, find him at all cost! And remember, do not engage with him."

As he was about to move after giving his instructions, he heard someone run in with heavy breathing. Quickly swivelling his head, he asked. "What is it?" The soldier was sweating but he didn't delay in reporting. "Sir, th-the prisoner is gone."

Kizaru's eyes widened. "How could he – No! He has a backer." He turned his head to Kaze. "Post wanted papers across the capital with that prisoner's mug on it, quickly!" He walked a few steps and stopped as he said. "If there are any good painters here, bring them to me. I need one to draw this drunkard's face properly." His eyes glowing red whilst relaying this.

***

Away from the chaotic region of the capital, in a newly constructed building, a family of five was tied in ropes and taped mouths. "Please, cooperate with me for a mere few hours, I shall compensate you greatly." Said an old man as he took out a pouch from his pants before shaking it to let them hear the clink of the coins. "This all shall be yours, believe me." Said Maron as he put that pouch on a table near them. The middle-aged head of the family rapidly nodded his head in fear.

Maron sighed and turned his head to the bed. "Never would've thought that I would one day steal money and threaten an innocent family." His hand, wearing a golden glove, went into his shirt before taking out an object wrapped in cloth. "Eat this and you will live." Maron said to a half-dead young man, who laid on the bed. That young man was none other than Bahlol Deur and the thing he took out was the Fire Fate Pome.

"Bloody hell! Kill that stupid bastard, Maron." Yelled a man behind a closed window, Maron calmly stepped towards the source and opened it before Tufail quickly jumped in.

"Whew! Finally safe. Huh, who are they?" Asked a surprised Tufail, pointing at the tied family.

"The owners of this apartment." Maron answered shamelessly before Tufail offered his proper greetings whilst bowing. "Oh howdy, good lords and ladies, thanks for giving us such hospitality." After which, he asked about Bahlol's condition. "How is he?"

"Breathing, at least." Answered Maron.

Tufail inspected Bahlol's mutilated body thoroughly, counting each and every wound that he could. "What are we waiting for, Maron? Religious chants? Shove that goddamn pome in his mouth."

Maron shook his head. "No cap', his condition is quite unstable and consuming it would be akin to assisted suicide."

"Tsk, give me that." He tried to snatch the Fire Fate Pome from Maron's hand but couldn't as the old man's reflexes were faster. "You're far too hasty, cap'."

"Argh!" Tufail pulled his hair in vexation. "Are you nuts Maron? Have you forgotten what kind of abilities the Fire Fate Pome had?"

Maron looked at the Fate Pome in his hand. "But still, cap'…" His eyes turned towards Bahlol as he continued. "He is the only offspring of Messi, I'm afraid."