Slums United (1)

'If there's anyone who can survive in this mess, it's the kids there,'

'The strong always survive, and those kids are strong,'

Alaric tried to avoid the group of bandits, but they spotted him.

"HEY, KID, GET OVER HERE!"

'Damn, I can't deal with this, I've gotta get to the slums and find those kids, they're the only chance I've got,'

'I can't let them die, not when I can do something about it,'

'I'm going to save them, no matter what, they are the future Solider of Moon.'

'No, no, no, they're following me, I've gotta lose them somehow,' Alaric ran faster, his heart racing, his lungs burning.

He looked back and saw the group of bandits hot on his heels.

"Kid, stop running, or we'll kill ya!"

"Fuck you, and fuck off," Alaric yelled back.

'Dammit, why are they following me, I'm just a kid, why would they want me,'

'It's the clothes, I've got some nice ones, and they probably think they'll fetch a good price,'

'Well, they're not getting these clothes, not a chance,'

Alaric took a deep breath and used the mana in the surrounding area to make his movement speed faster the tattoo hidden under his clothing glowing.

'I'm not going to make it, there's too many of them, and they're too close,'

"HEY, YOU!"

'Shit, the bandits are gaining on me, I need to think of something, or they're going to catch me,'

'I've gotta keep running, it's my only chance, maybe if I can make it to the slums, they'll give up the chase, '

"I've gotta try,"

Alaric poured more mana into his body, increasing his speed even further.

He looked back, and the bandits were still chasing him.

'Why, why are they so persistent, can't they see I'm just a kid,'

'They must be desperate, the guards must've given them a tough time, that or the guard are all dead and they're the ones who won,'

'If that's the case, I've gotta get to the slums, the kids are the only hope I've got left, '

"You can't escape us, kid!"

'Yes, yes, I can, just keep going, keep going,'

Alaric felt the energy leaving his body, his legs were burning, and his chest was on fire, but he couldn't give up.

He poured more mana into his body, using the little remaining mana, he could feel himself becoming weaker, but he didn't care.

He was going to get to the slums, he was going to save those kids, and he was going to survive.

'Please, please, I can't give up, not now, not when I'm so close I can't afford to die again if I lose this quest I will DIE!'

Alaric's heart was beating like a drum, his legs were numb, and his lungs were on fire, but he kept running.

The sounds of the bandits behind him were getting fainter, and the slums were finally coming into view.

"Yes, yes, yes,"

'I'm almost there, I'm going to make it, I'm going to make it, I'm not going to fail, not this time, not ever again'

Alaric felt a surge of adrenaline coursing through his veins, and he pushed himself to the limit.

'Come on, come on, I've got this, just a little bit further,'

'Please, please, don't let them catch me,'

'Don't let them kill me, not now, not after everything I've been through, everything I've lost, I can't die like this, not like this, not now,'

"HEY, KID, STOP RUNNING,"

'No, no, no, not a chance,'

"FUCK OFF," Alaric yelled.

An alleyway was coming up. Alaric quickly slid through the alleyway and jumped over the small wooden fence turning right and kept running.

Alaric's heart pounded in his chest as he dashed through the narrow alleyway. His small footsteps echoed off the walls as he sprinted, his breath coming in quick gasps. Ahead, he could see the opening of the alley, and he pushed himself harder, his determination fueling his speed.

As he approached the end of the alley, Alaric's instincts kicked in.

With a swift movement, he slid through the opening, narrowly avoiding the edge of the wall.

The wind rushed past him as he emerged onto the other side, the world outside the alleyway coming into view.

Alaric's eyes quickly scanned his surroundings, taking in the familiar sights of his hometown, Seagard. He spotted a small wooden fence ahead and with a burst of energy, he leaped over it, his body sailing gracefully through the air. His landing was sure and steady, his young muscles responding to his every move.

Without missing a beat, Alaric turned sharply to the right, his feet pounding against the ground as he continued his mad dash. The sounds of his footsteps mixed with the distant calls of seagulls and the gentle crashing of waves. He felt alive, his senses heightened by the rush of adrenaline.

As he ran, he couldn't help but feel a sense of exhilaration. The thrill of the chase, the wind against his face, and the freedom of movement all combined to create a moment of pure joy. The worries and frustrations of his earlier attempts to activate mana sensing faded into the background as he fully immersed himself in the present.

With each step, Alaric's confidence grew. He knew this town like the back of his hand, and he could navigate its streets with ease. The alleys, fences, and corners were his playground, and he reveled in the sensation of speed and agility that coursed through his veins.

As Alaric entered the slums, his breath still rapid from his sprint, he took in the scene around him. The narrow alley was bustling with life as dozens of kids, ranging in age from 4 to 15, went about their day. Their tattered clothes and weary expressions told a story of hardship and struggle.

But there was urgency in the air, a sense of impending danger that Alaric could feel deep within his bones. He knew he didn't have much time to rally these kids, but he couldn't stand by and do nothing.

Stepping forward, Alaric cleared his throat and his voice rang out, strong and determined, cutting through the background noise of the slums. "Hey, everyone!" he called, and heads turned in his direction, curious and wary.

"I know life here isn't easy," Alaric continued, his gaze locking onto the eyes of each child in the alley. "And right now, we're facing a threat. Bandits are coming, and they're not going to care about our age or our circumstances. They're here to take advantage of us, to take whatever they can."

He paused, allowing his words to sink in, his expression unwavering. "But we're not defenseless. We might be young, but that doesn't mean we can't stand up for ourselves. We can come together, use our strength in numbers, and show these bandits that we won't be their victims."

A few of the older kids exchanged worried glances, their expressions shifting from curiosity to concern. Alaric took a step forward, his voice unwavering. "I'm not saying it's going to be easy. But if we stand united, if we look out for each other, we can protect ourselves and our homes."

He spread his arms wide, encompassing the group before him. "I don't want us to be helpless. I want us to be fighters, survivors. We have the power to make a stand, to protect what's ours."

Silence settled over the alley, the weight of the situation hanging in the air, and Alaric's heart raced as he awaited a response. Then, slowly, one by one, heads began to nod. The older kids exchanged determined looks, and a spark of determination seemed to flicker in their eyes.

"Yeah!" a voice rang out, and then another. "We won't let them take anything!"

Alaric nodded, his heart swelling with a mixture of pride and determination. "That's the spirit! Let's show these bandits that we won't back down. Let's stand together, fight for our homes, and send them a message that they won't forget."

And as the words echoed in the alley, a sense of unity began to take root. The kids gathered around Alaric, their eyes shining with newfound resolve. With his words, he had ignited a fire of courage within their hearts, a fire that would burn bright as they faced the imminent threat together, ready to protect their community and prove that even in the face of danger, they could make a stand.