"Wait you fool! I had to direct you to the blacksmith! What makes you think you can find the administrative district yourself!?" Although he didnât want to admit it Nero knew Celica was right. However, that fact didnât quite stop the young warrior, rather he simply slowed down enough to allow her to catch up. âTrue Iâm not really accustomed to the layouts of large cities like my father wouldâve been. I was raised in the forest on the other side of the Sliventra mountain range.â he said looking over his shoulder towards her shooting the kindest smile he could muster in her direction.
âDangerous place if I had to describe it, not exactly a place you go to for an afternoon stroll, and living there is probably harder than what youâd find in places on this side of the mountains.â Nero added before shaking his head causing his hair to whip about in a sporadic manner. âBut thatâs beside the point we need to hurry before Johnathan is turned into a demon himself, and I give my word that I will do all I can for the people that the demon had taken before now.â Nero added lightly pushing to the side people who would get in his way.
âBut Johnathan is really the only person tied to my past that I have left in this world. I just canât lose him.â Nero thought as he looked towards the sky to gauge how much time has passed. âTwo hours past noon we really need to hurry if weâre to have any chance of finding the demon before night falls.â he stated rubbing his eyes when he looked back down. âand still no sign of Johnathan⊠was Weiss, right?â Nero mumbled to himself as he looked down several alley ways he would come across on his way to the administrative district. âBut why tell me about this plan?â as he let his thought mull over Nero could feel his feet get pulled out from under his body, and in an instant, he found himself looking straight towards the sky while gravity pulled him down causing Neroâs head to bounce slightly when he hit the ground with a sickening thud.
Gasping for air the grounded Nero attempted to scramble to his feet, at the same time he could feel something tightening around his legs pulling him towards the shadows. âCrapâŠâ was all that Nero could say before freeing his sword from its scabbard once he felt what seemed to be a tail like appendage. âWhere? Either I found the demon, or Weiss told it I was going to hunt it down.â he thought swiping his sword down at his feet as the appendage began to tug the young warrior towards the sun deprived alley way. Unable to find purchase on the unseen adversary all Nero could do was leave a light cut, not even deep enough illicit a reaction from the unseen assailant. And in a matter of seconds Nero was pulled into the shadows and pinned upside down to the closest wall.
âLooksss like there's afew powerful people in thisss city recently, first a Black Knight and now a boy with an irresistible scent to him.â the figure hissed in Neroâs ear as it wrenched the sword from his hand. âI wonder are you as powerful as the Black Knight who made hisss way to town hall?â it hissed again as its tail loosened though not before it grabbed hold of Neroâs head flipping him over allowing his blood to distribute even throughout his body once again.
Cursing himself out Nero slowly attempted to lift his arm hoping to pry himself free from his captor. âLook I doubt I can measure up to a Black Knight⊠especially if you were able to catch me off guard so easily.â he stated hoping that the demon would think it was true. âSo if you could find it in yourself to just let me go I promise I wonât say a word about you making this city you nest.â he added with mock fear in his voice. âHmm yess I can see it was rather easy for me to catch you even though you smell powerful it was far too easy.â Nero could hear the demon cackle as it began to lift him even higher on the wall. âBut I canât let you go after all you already know Iâm here and you could just go and tell that Black Knight you had a run in with me. No, I have different plans youâre going to be a part of my growing army.â
âI doubt thatâs going to happen.â Nero though when he finally got his hands around the demonâs wrist. âActually I hate to tell you this but youâre going to find it impossible to make me into a demon.â he stated tightening his grip until his right arm began to emit a faint blue glow forcing the demon to howl in pain dropping the young warrior only to realize that Nero had not yet let go.
âDamn you that burns release me now!â it howled trying to wrench itâs arm away from Neroâs iron grip. âAnd give you a chance to escape and continue kidnapping people no way. What kind of person would I be if I allowed that.â Nero said with a low growl not realizing that the demonâs tail had wrapped around the hilt of his sword. âNo please I promise Iâll release everyone I took, Iâll even leave town once theyâre free.â it stammered keeping Neroâs sword out of his view.
âAgain Iâm not going to let that happen instead why donât you stay still the burning will vanish once Iâm done.â Nero stated tightening his grip to the point any kind of movement would back the demonâs bones. âFigured that would be your answer too bad!â it said and with a blur of movement Neroâs sword had wedged itself into the demonâs arm and with a pained grin the demon effectively gotten free before disappearing further into the alley way leaving behind itâs arm and Neroâs sword.
âDammit if only I saw what it was doing.â Nero growled tossing the severed arm to the side and picking up his sword. âWell itâs not a total loss all we need to do now is find the blood it leaves behind and find itâs lair.â As he spoke Nero let out a deep sigh of relief âAlso the knowledge that Johnathan is safe now is quite a heavy load off my shoulders.â Sheathing his sword Nero quickly made his way out of the alley. Once on the main street Nero sat down leaning his head against a barrel of water. âI donât know how long itâll take for the demon to regrow that arm or how long itâll take for its bleeding to stop but for now I really need to take a breather.â he said to himself though quick yet nervous breaths.
watching the Half breed girl make her way to the cities entrance Gaelin gave a short farewell. "May your travels be filled with light young one!" he declared walking in the opposite direction.
As Gaelin moved through the city he asked afew people if they saw a young man with mostly brown hair and a white patch had passed by. "Yeah he and the priestess Celica came by not that long ago headed towards the administrative district." an elderly human said pointing in the direction the two had apparently left for. "Thank you you help is much appreciated." Gaelin said with a slight bow before heading off in the direction the man pointed.
'Let's see he said they headed this way but why? Does that young man intend to become a citizen of this bustling city? O is there something more to it then what's presented at a glance?' As Gaelin continued to walk doing his best to avoid running into people. Until he noticed Nero walk out of an alley way nearly stumbling at the end only to sit down and rest his head on a water barrel. "You look like you had a tough day. Care to indulge me in a bit of conversation before you continue on your way?" he asked moving to the opposite side of Nero.