Crimson and The Guardians (Part 2)

Nite chased after her and ran into a dark alleyway. His gaze settled on her as she stepped into the dim light that seeped in-between the rooftops.

Water droplets leaked from the dull grey pipes, falling on scattered scraps of wood. The weathered brick walls narrowed the space around them as their eyes locked on each other. 

The air grew thick as her frown transformed into a grimace. Her scarlet eyes burned her gaze on Nite.

"This feeling in the air... it's the same as when I fought that bear."

His body tensed, shifting into a fighting stance. A bead of sweat ran down his face.

The girl's gaze scanned him, and her cloak rustled as her hands radiated with a purple shimmer.

Her gaze twisted into a glare as swirls swam around her hands.

"Wait! I'm not a threat. I just saw you using your powers to fly to that rooftop and thought, 'Wow! So cool!'

So, can you please teach me magic?" Nite said as he jumped out of his stance and clapped his hands together.

The glow around her hands died off as her eyes widened and her mouth hung open. Her legs faltered with her hands raised, as if to steady herself from the shock.

The thundering of footsteps rang through the tight space as the mob's screams bounced off the walls.

The girl straightened, eyes darting between the rooftops and Nite. She dashed towards Nite, her hands wrapped around him as she launched into the air just in time as the raging mob filled the alleyway.

Her feet trod along the ridge of the rooftops.

"I've got a lot of questions for you, and you're going to answer every single one of them once we're safe."

"Yeah, but why did you save me?"

"Are you stupid or just idiotic?" Her gaze turned razor-shaped.

"Why did they chase after you because of your magic?"

She remained silent as her gaze scanned the area.

"I have questions too."

Her eyes widened as a smile stretched her lips. She leaped off the rooftops as her cloak fluttered, with her feet landing squarely on the tiled floor.

"Crimson, how nice it is to see you." The words sounded from a familiar voice.

It let out a sudden scream, "What are you two doing together?"

A soft and sweet giggle broke out from another voice. "I guess there's no point keeping you two away from each other anymore."

"I'm just surprised that he's still alive."

Nite swung his head up as his expression lightened, his eyes and lips wide. A green long coat rustled in the breeze as white gloves tipped up the man's top hat.

"Hello, Nite. Happy to see you're doing well."

A woman bedazzled in purple fabrics, adorned with golden stripes and stitches, held a familiar crystal ball.

"This is a future I didn't see happening. You truly prove yourself to be an enigma, Nite."

"George, Valerie, How are ya? It's great to see you. Crazy, it seems the story wants us to stay together."

Crimson released him from her grasp, and he landed face-first on the ground. He struggled to his knees as George offered him a hand.

"You know him?" Crimson spoke as she pointed with her thumb.

"Yes, we've met."

Her eyes narrowed into slits as they darted between George and Valerie.

"So, anyone going to tell me what's going on?"

George's face went pale, but Valerie focused her gaze on Crimson in response.

"You are quite the temperamental one, Crimson. You truly are an interesting one."

Meanwhile, out in the grassy plains, a man strapped in a black leather coat stood tall, his muscles budging, as he stared at the sun through his sunglasses.

Monster corpses lay scattered around him as he marched away with a smirk.

In Estel, Crimson, George, and Valerie talked in a closed circle as Nite stood on the sidelines. Crimson crossed her arms as she sauntered in his direction.

"You saved my friends from a magic bear monster, so I believe a show of gratitude is in order. I still have questions, though.

Let's do this: you answer my questions, and in return, I'll answer yours."

Nite placed his hand on his jaw as he focused his eyes. "I accept."

"Then my first question is... Who are you and where are you from?"

"My name is Nite Nexus, and I'm the main protagonist, the MC. I come from a faraway land disconnected from your world."

"Huh?"

George stepped to Crimson and leaned in. "He talks a bit strangely, like he's in some kind of story," he said in a hushed voice.

Her brows furrowed as she gritted her teeth at Nite. "Not everything is a game; take this seriously."

"I am. I promise." Nite said as he waved his hands defensively.

Crimson's glare turned to daggers as it pierced through the heavy air.

"Okay, I promise to take it seriously."

With a heavy breath, Crimson regained her composure. "Alright, let's move on to another question. Do you have any type of power?"

"None that I know of."

"Then how did you beat the monster?"

"I basically didn't. The bear pierced itself with its claws, which gave me the chance to slice the crystal on its head."

"Why did you care so much about the crystal on its head?"

"It seemed like the source of its power. Like an obvious weak point a monster would have in a story." Nite narrowed his eyes as his lips turned into a slight curve.

"If not for that, I might have given in to the pain. My heart ached, and my muscles felt dead.

I desperately looked for any reason to stay alive and get up, but my eyes felt heavier than concrete. I was ready to give up and pass away as a warrior who died in battle. That would have been pretty cool, huh?"

He bowed his head as his voice dropped.

"An MC never gives up. A true MC fights till he can't anymore.

Those words filled my head as I finally realized that if there's no point to death and I was going to die anyway, I should at least try to fight to live."

Crimson's gaze widened as her mouth hung open for a moment. Her expression softened as her stiff posture melted.

"You sound like you went through a lot. Are you okay?"

His eyes widened as tears streamed down his cheeks. He wiped his face and raised his head.

"Obviously, my MC plot armor got me through it. I must've just gotten myself worked up." He broke into a wide grin.

She eyed Nite cautiously as she continued. "My last question is... Actually, don't worry about it. What are your questions?"

"My questions?! Ah, I forgot about that. I only have one that I actually care to ask. Why did those people chase you?"

Her face twisted into a snarl, her fingers curled into a fist.

"Crimson, are you okay? You don't have to answer; I'll answer him for you."

She raised up her palm to him. "No. I said I'd answer his questions, so I have to do this myself."

She exhaled deeply as she placed her hand on her chest. "In the world of Estelria, magic is synonymous with ruin. It's a power people despise more than anything and see complete extermination as the only remedy."

Her brows furrowed as she went on. Her eyes fell to the floor.

"Anyone with magic is ostracized, banished, and killed. If one wields magic, they're seen as an abomination, a monster."

She gripped her wrist as tears gathered in her eyes. She wiped them away with her gaze pointed forward.

George's gaze darted between them. A breath escaped his lips as he rested his head on the palm of his hand.

"That's what happens when they're both too stubborn to let their emotions slip," he muttered under his breath.

After the tension died down, Crimson wheeled to George.

"You have everything?"

"Yeah, I brought everything you requested," he turned to point at Valerie, "including her."

"Yes, I believe it's time for a proper introduction. I am Valerie Estel, the oracle."

"I am—"

"No need, I already know who you are: Crimson, captain of the Guardians, rebel of Estelria, and someone made to carry a tremendous weight at such a tender age. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"And that's why I needed to talk to you before anyone else. Your ability to look into one's past, present, and future makes you essential to staying one step ahead of the kingdom."

"You put me in a difficult situation, but your conviction and your mission are worthy. I accept."

Nite jumped with his eyes wide. "So, this is your first time meeting each other?"

"Yes."

"But you and George talked as if you've known Crimson for years."

"George has indeed known Crimson for many years, but I simply looked into her with my crystal ball."

"Wow, cool magic! Wait! If people here see magic as dangerous, why aren't you trying to hide it?"

"That's because the powers of an oracle aren't seen as magic. Magic can be done without a specific medium, while the powers of an oracle require one medium or another. Mine is my crystal ball."

"I see. That's something."

Crimson's lips parted to say something, but then a dust cloud exploded in-between them as a huge crater. As the haze cleared to reveal a silhouette.

A muscular man stood at the center of the crater as a grin played on his lips.

"I heard reports of a red-haired girl and a suspicious-looking person accompanying her. I didn't expect it to turn into a party."

His smile faded as his sunglasses hid his gaze. With a click of his tongue, he said, "How fun."