"K-Kei... I c-can't.... can't see..." Kei flinched when Niall first grabbed at him, but seeing as though he was nowhere near any of his exposed skin the man forced himself to relax. His voice was so different from before. It was relieved and hopeful, and Kei was thankful he was able to save the boy before the villagers were able to torment him further. The boy was too hurt to move as quickly as they needed too, because surely the men would be back once the fire was no longer out of control. “Niall, it’s ok. I’m going to get you out of here. So please, bear with me.”
Kei braced himself, making sure all his clothing was properly arranged, before looping one of his arms around the boy’s back and then bent to swipe the boy’s feet out from under him. He had seen people carry their wounded this way many times, and it was often referred to as bridal style. Eos squirmed from her squished spot in Kei’s pocket and onto Niall’s body. The boy was worse for wear and the little phoenix looked up and down the boy’s body in confusion to his present state. Kei began walking, the people were too distracted by the threat of the fire to notice him slipping out, and it was already dusk so it was even harder for people to notice since the man was already clad in all black. “Don’t worry Eos, I’ll keep us safe.” He whispered reassuringly to the little bird, but she seemed to ignore him as she inspected Niall’s wounds.
“You! You’re Thantos!” Kei was startled when the woman that he had seen earlier was standing in their way. She looked distraught, her eyes were swollen from crying and it looked like it had taken all of the courage she could muster. He felt bad for her, but he needed to go. Kei’s human form was not strong, and already Niall’s weight was proving to be too much of a burden for him. “Please miss, this has all been a mistake, let me save my friend.”
“Do not lie! I’ve seen your eyes! No human could possess eyes that look as if they are death itself!”
“Miss, please. You’ve made a mistake.”
“No! I watched you kill my entire family! I will avenge their deaths!” The statement hushed Kei and he felt his blood run cold. He had missed one of the people he was supposed to kill. The look of panic on his face seemed stop the woman as well. He wondered if the expression he wore now was something sinister. He shifted Niall’s weight, the boy was still blind, he wouldn’t witness a thing. Keisuke couldn’t risk Hera’s wrath. For the sake of appearances he pleaded with her one more time.
“Miss… please.” She didn’t respond and he leaned forward and before she could react he kissed her. His hands too full to take her soul in a more traditional way, he felt the energy of a soul taken before their time rush through his body, and he could feel the life drain from her body. “Thank you, I’m sorry for all your loss.”
The energy taken from the woman’s soul he rushed forward, moving as gently as possible for Niall until they were in the woods on the other side of the village. He set Niall down for only a moment, listening to the commotion of the village before picking the boy up again. He wasn’t sure if they were moving in the correct direction, but they could not bear to stay any closer. He was trekking uphill with the boy in his arms, and he was thankful for the energy of the woman’s soul aiding him. Eos was busying herself on Niall’s body and Kei had to guess it had to have been at least two hours before he finally looked down again.
Kei was sweating heavily, and his breathing was coming in heaving and labored, but Niall looked much better than when they had left the village. He noticed the feathers around Eos’ eyes damp and realized she had been healing the boy as he carried them. Even the unblended eye looked at least usable now. “Are you… feeling better?’ He managed to pant out.