A Chase Through Shadow

We entered the town and noticed a bustling crowd of people selling food near a large castle situated on the outskirts of the city. The atmosphere was peaceful and heartwarming, and seeing everyone enjoying themselves was uplifting.

"There's something delicious over there! Let's go!"

Siana's attention was drawn to a captivating display of buns nearby, as she said.

She eagerly grabbed my hand, pulling me towards the tempting treat.

"Wow, they look amazing! Hey, sir! I'd like to get two, please."

She said to the chef with a smile.

While the chef was preparing the buns, suddenly someone bumped into me, and a coin clattered to the ground with a metallic sound. The hooded person quickly apologized and disappeared into a dark hallway.

Curiosity got the better of me, and I picked up the fallen object, intending to return it.

Following the person into the deep, dark hallway, a voice pierced through the silence from behind me, causing my heart to skip a beat.

"Why are you following me?"

He asked, his voice carrying a deep, threatening tone.

I found myself face-to-face with a katana held at my neck.

"I just want to return the ring you dropped..."

Startled, as I stammered said.

Suddenly, a familiar voice called my name. It was Siana, searching for me in the hallway. I warned her not to get close to the person.

Just then, a group of men's voices approached, causing the ground to tremble as if they were chasing someone.

"Damn it! They're here. You two, come with me!"

Realizing the imminent threat, the hooded person urged us to follow him.

Without hesitation, we dashed after him, desperately trying to outrun the pursuers.

In a surprising twist, the giant, muscular leader of the group leaped high into the air, obstructing our path.

"You're not getting away this time, you bastard!"

With a menacing glare, he declared.

The towering giant swung its colossal hand toward the man before us with menacing force.

However, in a swift and calculated motion, he reached out, lightly tapping the giant's leg with his fingertips, conjuring a small bolt of lightning that surged through the giant's body, rendering him incapacitated in an instant.

Seizing the opportunity, we ran past the fallen giant but were pursued by the others.

Thinking on her feet, Siana retrieved a potion from her belt bag and threw it on the ground, creating a smoke screen to distract our pursuers.

Taking advantage of the confusion, the person opened a hidden door on the wall, leading us to safety. As we closed the door, the pursuers raced past us in a different direction.

Relieved to be inside a secure base, the person instructed me to return the ring. Just as I was about to do so, Siana asked what had just happened and why we were being chased.

"It's none of your business. Give me the ring and leave."

He replied curtly.

Before I could hand over the ring, an explosion rocked the surroundings, filling the room with black smoke. We hastened toward the commotion, straining to see through the haze.

"Damn, that didn't go as planned!"

A girl's voice emerged from the dissipating smoke, exclaiming amidst coughs.

As the smoke cleared completely, we spotted a teenage girl with short hair with tattered clothing, holding a wrench and working on something.

"Oh, Skyler, you're back! And you've brought guests this time!"

She noticed and cheerfully greeted us.

"Aina! What have you done this time?"

Skyler, visibly frustrated, admonished the girl.

Undeterred, she shrugged off the scolding and turned her attention to Siana, immediately taken by her appearance.

"Oh my God! You're adorable! What's your name?"

She exclaimed, running towards her with excitement.

"Huh!? Uh…Siana."

Blushing, as she replied.

"Siana... I've heard that name before, but never mind! I'm Aina, nice to meet you! I'll be your best friend from now on!"

Aina exclaimed, jumping up and down with excitement.

"Hey Skyler, I didn't know you brought cute guests!"

Aina quickly asks.

"Aina, we talked about this..."

Skyler, standing beside Aina with a disappointed expression, sighed and muttered. 

Aina hugged Siana, declaring that we didn't seem like bad people to her.

Aina leaned in and whispered to Skyler, he started to tell us to follow him and settled on a nearby sofa.

"I can't believe I'm doing this… Alright, I'll explain some of the things to you two, and you will help me with it."

He sighed, explaining. 

As we sat on the sofa, he finally pulled down the hood that concealed his face, a young adult with scars, dark skin with dark hair.

With a determined gaze, Skyler introduced himself to us and revealed that he had stolen the ring from the people who had been chasing us. It was part of a mission assigned to him, and now he sought our assistance in delivering it to Leroy Monroe, known as "The Young King" of the town.

This mission would earn us his trust if completed successfully.

The mention of "The Young King" surprised me, realizing that I would have the opportunity to meet this prominent figure face-to-face.

"That night, he sent me a letter to the base and asked for my help in obtaining this powerful ring. I don't even know how he found out that I live here. Even though... it's been 10 years since we last saw each other."

Skyler explained, recounting how it all began.

"Sigh... I want you guys to help me with this just because Aina wants me to. So, if you complete this mission without any suspicious moves, you will gain my trust, and I will keep a close eye on your every move."

He continued, his tone resigned.

Just as Skyler finished explaining, I noticed Siana becoming increasingly nervous, her hands trembling. Concerned, I asked her if something was wrong.

"Huh!? Oh! It's... nothing. So, we just need to deliver this ring to... my—I mean, the Young King, right?"

She became visibly startled as I addressed her, stumbling over her words in response. 

"Yes... Are you alright, Siana?"

Skyler asked, puzzled by her behavior.

"Yeah! I-I... um..."

With a nervous tone as she replied.

It was evident that Siana was concealing something she couldn't express openly.

"Um, she just wanted to use the restroom, so she's a bit nervous about it!"

Wanting to protect her, I interjected, cutting off her sentence.

Inwardly, I cursed myself in my mind for the hasty excuse that only added to her embarrassment. Hearing my words, Aina burst into laughter in the background, playfully guiding Siana to the bathroom.

"Yes... That's right..." She said, glaring at me and whispering, "You'll pay for this..."

Blushing with embarrassment, Siana reluctantly agreed, her voice barely audible.

At that moment, I knew I had made a blunder and would have to apologize to her later.