Chapter 4: The Last City

Hey everyone, here is Chapter 4. It's a long chapter which is why it took me a few days.

So Chapter 5 is next, probably tomorrow. Then Chapter Six on Tuesday?

Hopefully.

Let me know how this is going. I really hate doing novels because I don't know how I'm doing with them. Last year suffered from poor planning, this year is just really confusing setting and such. So I'm hoping people can follow along ok.

Chapter 4: The Last City

            Walking out of my room, I head towards the staircase leading down to the tavern’s main floor. Looking over the railings, I notice the mess customers made last night scattered about. Broken chairs, blood stains on tables and walls, and of course shattered glass around the fireplace. A brawl must’ve broken out near the end of the night just after I went to sleep, and of course Winston left the mess for me to clean up. Taking a seat at the bar, I rest my arms and head on the bar top looking through the serving hatch that connects the kitchen and bar together. I can see Winston already preparing breakfast.

            “Thanks for this mess, you know you didn’t have to wait for me to clean it up? Maybe get a customer to do it?” I asked. Winston laughed, he always said he wanted to have a good old fashioned Irish Pub to call home, but since he’s stuck here he thought he would make one. He’s told me time after time a good Irish Pub can be decided by how many fights the customers get into, I wasn’t sure if he was being sarcastic or not. I also have to remind him he is British, not Irish.

            “If I start telling customers to clean up their own mess, you’ll be out of the job.” Winston yells. Pots and cupboards can be heard banging around as if he’s looking for something. Winston is a decent cook, but is always chasing his tail. It’s almost as if he needs to bang up his kitchen every time he cooks.

            “How long have you been here now?” Winston yells again, after the banging of cupboards has stopped.

            “I don’t know, four years? Maybe five?” I mutter. Time is hard to keep track because of the odd day and night cycles, and the concept of seasons are alien to this place. Pink horizon is considered daylight because it’s brighter, and purple horizon is considered nighttime because it’s darker.

            “I would think you know how this works now. I cook and serve, you clean up the tavern and stables.” Winston is in the middle of another lecture, he always leaves out the part where he hires part-time cooks during the busy nights.

“When I was your age, I was out in Germany fighting the Nazis. You have nothing to worry about here. I was risking my life every day when I was your age.” He finishes his lecture. I yawned, drowning him out and look around the empty Tavern. People tend to fill up the tavern around midday, but even at its busiest the tavern is usually only half-full.

            “I could fight. I’ve been learning stuff from Cress when she visits.” I spat back. I can see Winston shaking his head in my mind, he didn’t like Cressidra or Valentine, they’re a couple of crooks he often says to me. While I’m sure Valentine shares the same resentment towards me that Winston has towards Cressidra, it’s something they’ve dealt with fairly well. Cressidra promised once her apprenticeship is done with Valentine, she’ll take me to the Last City of the realm. Hopefully someone in the city can help me find a way home.

           Winston walks out with two plates with eggs and what looks to be ham. He handed me a plate and took a seat beside me at the bar. He pokes his sunny side up eggs so the yolk runs before eating it. I always start with the meat first, I find it easiest to eat it before he actually tells me what it is. We get supplies for the kitchen from people who scavenge fallen cities, have their own farm, or just happen to hunt something that night. We have a small patch of veggies that we try and farm every few months, the hardest part of it is waiting for rain. We also have a small chicken coop for eggs and meat behind the stables where we keep the horses.

            “If the Last City was the answer to going home, I would’ve left a long time ago. There’s a reason why so many people don’t bother going to the. It’s not a good place.” The Last City is named because it was the Last City standing during the war with the Demon King Atrocious. There are a few other cities around the continent, but they’re just ruled by thugs whose leadership changes every few months. The Last City has been ruled by Yosho, The Mad Mage for nearly a century according to Winston.

            “That’s the thing, I need to try. I can’t sit here and do nothing. Eventually I need to go back home. I understand why you stopped me before, I was twelve. But I’m an adult now, I need to do this. Hell, come with me. We can go home together.” I argued to Winston like a son fights with his father about staying up past curfew. Winston sighs, looking at me shaking his head.

            “What would I return to Blaze? I was taken during the war. Not only does my family think me dead, but I would be returning home to graves. I will return to nothing but death. This is home now.” Winston said. We’ve talked about this before, I’ve told Winston he can start a new life but he argues that he’s so far behind there is no point.

            “When I do leave Winston, I’m going to miss you. You’re like a father to me.” I said with a smile, shaking my head. I give him a one arm side hug.

            “I’m sure it’ll be a long time before I leave you and this filthy Tavern.” I got up from the stool and kiss the side of his head.

            “C’mon old man. Back to work.” Winston is in his 90’s, however he didn’t look a day older than 45. 

            I started sweeping up the glass found on the floor from several broken mugs. Winston claims he didn’t know what happened, surely protecting someone still sleeping in the tavern from a mouthful from me. Doing chores around the place, chopping wood, and training with Cress has started to give me a more muscular physique. While my skin turns pale due to the lack of sunlight, I think I’m looking pretty good consider I was a bit chubby in school.

After sweeping, I started throwing broken chairs into the fireplace. If it can’t be used to sit, it can be used to burn. I spent an additional ten minutes re-organizing the chairs in the tavern so it doesn’t look like we’re running out of seating. Some of the people who slept in the Tavern have come downstairs to enjoy the lunch stew Winston is making. Some make small talk with me, some totally ignore me. I find the different races in the Tavern to be fascinating. Usually we get the average Human, but sometimes an Elf, Dwarf, or Changling will pop in. I tend to keep to the Human customers.

            I was almost done, just having to wipe down a few tables and a few blood spots on the wall. The iron arch doors of the tavern open, Cressidra walks in. Dressed in a violet cloak with black tight clothing underneath, she leans on her black obsidian bladed scythe using it as a walking stick instead of a soul reaping weapon. She looks exhausted, I drop what I’m doing and rush to her holding her in my arms to support her. She drops the scythe once I got her, knowing that I’ll hold her up. She looks up and smiles, those blue and green mixed eyes with her pale skin looks beautiful, she’s one of the good things that came out of me being here.

“Hey Cress, is everything ok?” I asked, shaking her. She looked exhausted, like she’s going to pass out.

            “They got Valentine.” I didn’t know how to react to this. I took her to a free table and sat down on the chair, she sat on my lap still embracing me like a child hanging on to their parent’s neck when they’re being put down on the floor. I hold her tight though, trying to comfort her. I knew she was Valentine’s apprentice for whatever he does, be it thievery or assassination, it seems him and his little group of rogues will do any job.

            “Who has him?”

            “Yosho. We were doing an operation in the Lost City, we got caught.” She begins to cry. She buries her face into the crook of my neck and shoulder, she gently starts crying. Everyone in the Tavern who is a semi-regular sees Cressidra and Valentine as cold people, I’m the only one who Cressidra has shown any emotion or care for.   

            “Go upstairs, clean up. Grab some hot water and have a bath. I’ll be up in a bit.” I said. She slipped off my lap and went to retrieve her scythe. She was physically ok, just tired. She managed to walk up the stairs with little difficulties. I sat in my chair, Winston overhearing the conversation already knows what I’m thinking. He simply looked away.

            Finishing up the cleanup and chores wasn’t normal. It was awkward, customers didn’t talk with me or strike up banter, and people were just silent. I must’ve looked agitated as I hurried scrubbing and cleaning up the Tavern. As soon as I was done, I put the cloth and bucket away and grabbed two bowls of stew from the lunch time pot to bring up for Cress and I. Winston and I didn’t share any words.

            Cressidra is laying in my bed when I came in. Most of her clothes scattered on the ground she is curled up with several blankets on top of her looking outside the open window at the pink horizon. The view from my room is nice, a clear view of the pink sky with the trees of the Forest of Fears in the background. She is looking outside and doesn’t acknowledge me when I walk in. My bedroom is simple, bed, table, and shelf for my clothes. I put our two bowls of stew on the table and crawl into bed with her, my arm cuddling her body with my hand resting on her heart. 
             

“What were you doing in the city?” I asked. I didn’t know she would be in the city, she hardly tells me where she is going or doing. I have a vague idea what she does though, I’m not naïve.

            “We got word some of Valentine’s other agents have been captured, it was a rescue mission. It was a set up to capture Valentine. I… left.” She sighed. I kiss the back of her neck.

            “It’s alright…” I say, trying to comfort her.

            “It’s not alright. I’m weak. If I was stronger, if he told me to stay, I could’ve helped him…”

            “No you’re strong Cress.” I reassure, she shakes her head. She is everything I wanted to be. Confident, determined, and free to do as she wants. Even the first time I met her, I knew she was stronger than I was emotionally, mentally, and physically. If I was like her, I would’ve left Winston already and be home already. The truth is, I’m uncertain if I could make it out there. I’ve heard stories of tribes of man eating orcs, dragons, and magical beings that can alter reality roaming this lost realm.

            “It’s ok. You and I will get him back. I’m ready for this, and I want to help you.” I continue. She chuckles a bit to herself and my heart sinks. It reminds me that we aren’t the same deep down inside. The reason why we work well together is that I’m so dumbfounded by her, and she loves the attention I give her she never gets from anyone else. It grew from that, but when we get serious like this, she reminds me in odd ways that we’re not truly equal.

            “You’re not ready for what lurks outside the Forest of Fears.” She says softly with a bit of worry in her voice. The Forest of Fears surrounds the tavern, it projects traveller’s fears into the forest. Of course only those who are weak minded are affected, but a few travellers once in a while commit suicide in the forest. I was almost part of that statistic a few years ago when I ran away, part of the reason why I didn’t push Winston to let me go and explore the realm more. Cressidra was the one that found me hanging from a tree branch with rope I found in the forest, waiting for someone to pick it up.

            “I’m ready. I have you with me. You need me. Please, let me help.” I say, holding her tighter and closer to my body. I start to well up, it hurts to know she sees me so weak.

            “I’ve learned a lot since you started teaching me. Please, let me help. Trust me Cressidra.”

            “I do Blaze, I do trust you. I just don’t trust myself to protect you.”

            “I don’t need your protection. Please let me go with you. We’ll rescue him tomorrow morning, we’ll leave and come back in a week with him.” I pleaded more, pushing her to commit to leaving the tavern tomorrow to go to the city.

            “Fine. We’ll leave in the morning. Don’t making regret taking you.”

            “Great. We’ll leave in the morning. I’ll go talk to Winston. I brought stew, try and eat it.” I give her a kiss on the cheek and got up. The way she acted when she walked in, I wasn’t sure if she was even planning to go back. After all she ran all the way here, instead of staying there to rescue him.

          I didn’t have to walk all the way downstairs before Winston caught a look at me and knew what was going to happen. He finished pouring the last mug of ale he had on order. I walk to one of the tables in the back of the tavern and waited for him to join me. The Tavern is far away from being full.

            “I don’t like it.” Winston said, before I even opened my mouth. He takes a seat across the table.

            “Well, it’s a good thing I don’t care. I need to do this. She needs my help.” I argued.

            “Does she? Or did you manipulate her to taking you to the city? Why would she travel all the way here for your help? Why didn’t she reach out to other people in her field if she wanted to go back?”

            “She said she was going back, and that she came here because she’s scared this is goodbye. I can’t let her believe that, she needs me there.” I say convincingly, holding back any tears.

            Winston sighs, he considers what I said.

            “Fine. Come see me before you leave. I’ll make up a supply bag.”

            I stand up from my seat and walked over to him, giving him a hug.

            “Thanks.” I said.

            Returning to my room, I lean against the door way looking at Cressidra. She’s still in the same position I left her, she’s in shock. I think of all the times we would sneak into this room when her and Valentine were in the Tavern and mess around like kids our age would. But it seems in a span of the afternoon we’ve grown up a lot. Who am I kidding, she was always grown up, it’s me who finally turned on to reality today. I look over the bowls of stew I left, they remained untouched. Undressing my shirt and pants I climb into the bed with her, holding her, trying to comfort her.

            “It’s all set. We can leave tomorrow if you want.” I say, she nodded.

            “You know, if it comes to it. You’ll have to kill. Can you do it?” Cressidra asked. I paused.

            “Of course I can.” I replied. Not sure if I was lying or not, but I need to be a pillar of strength for Cressidra. I need to show her, I need her to believe that I can do this.

            I don’t think neither of us slept. We didn’t talk either. We lied there thinking about tomorrow and the next few days. It’s like falling asleep the night before Christmas, you’re simply too excited to fall asleep but in this case we were too worried. Cressidra worries about me, thinking she may be sending me to my death, and I worry about not finding the answers I need.

            It’s bittersweet walking down the stairs with Cressidra. She’s dressed in her violet cloak and black clothing while I wore a typical brown leather pants and a wool shirt. Winston was already at the bar, three plates already made up for breakfast. Winston signaled us to sit down and eat with him at the bar.

            “Morning Blaze and Cress, on your way?” I nodded. The three of us are silent as we eat. Winston wanted to tell us not to go, Cressidra looks like an empty shell just doing what she’s told, and I’m here hoping everything goes well. Winston notices how empty Cressidra looks, her eyes are baggy, and she isn’t eating.

“Everything okay love? You know you’re welcome to stay here as long as you like.” Winston offered. I looked at Cressidra, unsure what she would say. She wants to go, but I think most of her wants to simply give up. That’s why she came here, to see me, and just give up. I can’t let her do this.

“She’s tired, I think we both are.” I replied to Winston. He looked at me angrily. But before he can accuse me of anything, Cressidra speaks.

“I’m just tired. Blaze is right though, we need to leave now. The longer we wait here, the more likely Valentine will be dead before we arrived or organized anything else.” She said, pushing her plate aside. She slips off the stool and heads towards the doors, not wasting any time. Her scythe strapped to her back.

Winston pulled out backpack from underneath the bar top and handed it to me. Looking through the contents it has some food, flint, steel, and a few bottles of waters. Attached underneath the backpack were two bedrolls. I smile to Winston.

“That’s not all Blaze. Come here.” Winston said, walking out from the bar and into his back room past the kitchen. Cressidra watched me as I got up.

“I’ll be right back” I said to her.

 

            “I wish you guys wouldn’t do this.” Winston said. Waiting for me in the backroom of the Tavern which doubles as Winston’s office. The office is small, but it’s enough for Winston to store a lot of his stuff. On the wall is a mounted Lee-Enfield sniper rifle in WW2, it looks almost brand new as Winston had time to clean it up since he’s arrived. Most of the stuff Winston had on him when he fell into this realm is located in the room from the wood handled revolver, to his uniform cleaned and displayed near the door.

            “We, have to.” I replied. I look around the room. I rarely came in here, but knowing what I know now, I find it odd how much stuff he kept in his office of his past life since he’s so adamant he’ll never return home. Winston turns to the sniper rifle, unmounting it.

            “It’s a bolt action sniper rifle. You fire your shot, you need to crank this down and back. You put bullets in here. One shot at a time, so act fast and shoot accurately. Don’t get caught.” Winston said, moving the rifle around in his hands to show me where each component on the weapon was. Winston is tearing up a little as he hands me the sniper rifle. I sling it around my back, thankful for the weapon strap.

            “Also, one more thing.” Winston said, grabbing the Revolver from his desk. He hands it to me.

            “Three bullets in that one. There is a box of bullets for the sniper in the bottom of the bag. You know how to shoot the revolver? Don’t have much to practice with.” I nodded and smiled.

            “Point and click. I’ve played video games before.” I say, chuckling to myself. The reference is lost on Winston. I tried to tell him what’s going on in the world in my time like the internet, video game, and how music has changed, but everything just goes in one ear and out the other.

            “Make sure you take two good horses. I bought a couple off a few travellers last night so don’t worry about leaving me without a ride or something to sell. Come back alive. Got it?” He said, hugging me tightly.

            “You’re like a son to me. I’ve seen you grow up here. I’m sorry I couldn’t be the person you needed me to be. But I did my best.” Winston didn’t want to let go. He feels guilty for not getting me home, but firmly believes there isn’t a way back.

            “Thanks Winston. I’ll return these back to you, I swear.” I said, returning his hug just as tightly.

            “Goodbye.” He said, as I leave his office. Cressidra is leaning against the doors of the Tavern, and without saying anything to her we both walked outside together and towards the stables.  

           The stables is more of a large shed where horses are put together for customers that stay the night, it was nothing fancy. Winston and I always had our personal horses just in case we need to use them. I take my black horse, Jet out of the stable. I’ve had Jet for a few years now, I try and ride him every day so he’s getting exercise however like his counterpart, Winston’s cleverly named horse Tank, they’re not as fit as they could be. Too much food, not enough exercise. Cressidra went to one of the better looking horses, one of the ones Winston bought last night. Like everything she does, she get son the horse effortlessly. I still struggle to get on the horse, even with a saddle like I have on Jet. Cressidra takes out her brown and white spotted horse out of the stable and waits for me.

            “So are you going to name it?” I asked riding out of the stable. Cressidra looked at me like I was crazy.

            “Why name a tool that you’re done with once they finish their purpose? Attachment is the most dangerous thing about what I do.” She says, I wasn’t sure how I should take that.

           

            Cressidra wasn’t in the mood for talking as we rode through the Forest of Fears. We stayed on the main trail at a jogging pace so we’re not tiring the horses out. The sky is a bright pink, a few odd clouds in the sky but nothing to different. This would be the first time I ventured outside of the Forest. It took us nearly all day to get out of the forest. Beyond the forest was flatland. The plains caught me off guard, one second we were exiting the forest following the dirt road and all of a sudden nothing but tall grass and the same dirt road to follow.

            “Since all I’ve seen was the Forest and Tavern, I never seen a map of this realm. How big is it?” I asked, a few miles out of the forest.

            “The last map I saw had three continents. However that was before the rise of the Demon King, before I was born. Now? I’m not sure. No one has bothered to map out the world, we’re too busy trying to survive. Humans like us? May see a lot of us from the Tavern to the City, but beyond that we’re not the norm. Like Winston warned you, there are monsters in this realm.” She answered, I still don’t get how everything can still exist. It’s like things happen but there is no sense or logic to say why it’s like that.

           We managed to find an old camp site someone used a while ago with a fire pit already made and a place to tie off our horses onto. There wasn’t a tree in sight, but once again without rhyme or reason a tie off and firewood were left at the campsite. Cressidra just said that it was a good omen, it means we’re doing the right thing.

            We made the camp in twenty minutes. Fire roaring, bedrolls out, and dinner was heated from yesterday’s stew. We slept in separate bedrolls, and we slept underneath the violet sky. I try and look as far past the sky again, but couldn’t see any stars.

            “So what’s out there in the sky?” I asked.

            “Space. Why do you always ask this?” She answered, sounding a bit annoyed. Ever since this morning she seemed to be acting short with me.

            “Yeah, but why isn’t there any stars? Has anyone tried to go up there?”

            “There’s nothing up there. It’s literally space. No stars no anything. Just the void, a bleed between realms.” Cressidra answered.

            “I don’t get it…”

            “That’s because your mind is trying to use logic found in your world, not what you’ve experienced here. Everything is.”

            “But why do you call this a realm and not a world?”

            “Because, this isn’t a planet. This is a landmass floating in the void of reality. This is why it’s called the Lost Realm, because we’re lost.” She said. Suddenly it made sense why Winston assumed he can never go home, we’re nowhere.

            We slept without incident.

            

            We rode for a half a day before I noticed changes in the landscape. In the distance there is a big black cloud floating above what looks to be a crater from a distance. The land quickly changes from plains found in farmland to scorched earth like area that can be found in an apocalyptic movie. Mountains can be seen coming into view as we approach the Crater. A flimsy wooden sign hammered into the ground reads The Last City.

            “Is this the Last City?” I asked.

            “The Last City, built on top of the grave of a demon.” Cressidra said.

            At the foot of the Crater we both got off our horses. I walked to the foot of the crater and looked down. The crater was deep, at least a four hundred feet deep and in the bottom of the crater stood a city. A staircase leads all the way down the side of the crater and stops outside the City Walls. The city spans the distance of the crater, 6 miles radius.

            “This is the city? It doesn’t looke like ho—“ I was cut off.

            “Again, you apply your world logic to ours. This is the spot where the Demon Atrocious fell, we built a city on his grave.” Cressidra said, walking down the steps letting the horses free to roam without tying them off. I was concerned about the horses running off, but Cressidra was too determined to head down, as if she has a death wish.  

            “But… how does the city defeat raiders then? You would think being down below would make you vulnerable from attacks up here, right?” I asked. Cressidra grabbed a rock from the side of the crater and dropped it towards the city. A blue dome of energy suddenly appeared as the rock got too close and vaporized the rock. After a second the dome disappeared.

            “Magic shield.” Cressidra said, walking down the steps.

            As we walked down, the city became more detailed. A large tower is the center piece of the city, Cressidra called it Atrocious Tower. The tower was big and circular, easily the biggest building of the entire city. The city is made of makeshift houses from dirt, brick or whatever they can find. Cressidra described the tower is where they’re holding Valentine, probably in the basement.

            We approach the city gate after walking down the stairs for nearly an hour or so. The gate looks like something out of a medieval movie or video game. On top of the gate there are two guards looking down as we make our way towards it. Cressidra addresses the guards

            “We have business with the Magician’s Guild. We found an item that seems demonic in nature.” Cressidra pulls out her scythe, the Black Obsidian tip lightly glows in this area, something that I haven’t seen before. The guards whisper to each other.

            “Give us a second” one of the two guardsmen answered. The guardsmen didn’t wear any armor, just normal clothing in what seems to be a uniform. The uniform is Blue, with red stripes going down the chest horizontally.

            Cressidra turns to me, quiet enough so the guards don’t hear.

            “Well it’s good that they don’t know who I am. I was afraid that they might’ve been told to look out for me. Must not have a good description.” She laughs a bit, I didn’t think it was funny.

            “Riiight.” I say. This is what I wanted to come to the city. I may’ve pushed Cressidra here, and I may’ve lied a bit to get here. But now that I’m here, I’m not sure if I want to be here. I grew uncomfortable the longer we wait, be it the heat in the crater, or just the nervousness, I started to pace and just as I was going to tell Cressidra we should leave, the gate opens.

            “Alright come in. Go to the Tavern a Mage will be waiting for you.” Cressidra thanks them and we walk into the city. The city looked like something you would see in a night market, makeshift tables of people selling food, clothes, and goods. Houses look in poor condition, it didn’t look as glorious as I imagined it.

            “We need to hurry, let’s go to the tower before they realize I may’ve lied.” She said, running towards the center of the city using whatever alley ways we can. As we grew closer I had to get her to stop.

            “Cress, we need a plan. We can’t rush in.” I say. I stop running in an alleyway, we are just only a few blocks away from the tower. Cressidra walks back towards me.

            “Isn’t this what you wanted? To be here? Let’s do this.” She says. Her attitude since she arrived and since we left to the tavern had changed. She wasn’t sad or depressed, but angry.

            “What’s going on with you?” I asked. She glared at me her duel colour eyes staring at me, welling up.

            “You think I’m fucking stupid? I know you lied to Winston. I know you used Valentine as an excuse to get here.” She yelled. I looked around, nervous that someone would hear us fighting and call a guard.

            “Settle down, let’s get Valentine then I’ll decide what I want to do.” I said. I started to walk out of the alleyway and look around the area. I pointed to a five storey building that looks like an apartment complex and doesn’t look like it’ll collapse unlike most of the buildings.

            “Clear a room on the fifth floor.  Let me set up, and I’ll show you death.” I said, moving the sniper rifle from the strap on my back to my hands.

            Cressidra nods and ran towards the apartment complex. I followed her. We ran inside the building and up the stairs. Cressidra with her scythe out killed anyone she saw without judgement or hesitation. The first person she killed was just a man walking down the stairs as we ran up, his lifeless body fell down the stairs and I had to jump over him. I stopped for a moment and considered what is happening.

            “Let’s go” Cressidra shouted from the top floor. A few more bodies had fallen down the steps that I had to step over since I paused and considered what I was doing. Innocent people were dying, and she moved and killed without remorse. Maybe Valentine and her were the villains, maybe they deserved to be captured. Maybe this place isn’t as corrupt as everyone says it is.

            I eventually started to run upstairs, Cressidra had already cleared a room. Bodies belonging to a family lay dead on the floor. Three adults and two children.

            “Cress… what are you doing?” I asked. I stood at the door looking inside, again the bodies just lying there. Even in the lit room by candle light, I can see the glow of Cressidra scythe.

            “Doing what you asked me to do. That’s my purpose. To take orders.” She said. I couldn’t think, but then I remembered she asked me when we were lying in bed, you’re going to kill people. Can you handle that? I told her I can do I for her. I need to dig deep and prove to her I can be her equal.

            I set up the sniper rifle so it points outside the window. I had a clear view of the entrance of the circular tower. The door to the tower is in sight. Two wooden rectangular doors. Outside the doors are two fully dressed guards in hard leather armor without helmets. Obviously they’re there for show. I fired the first shot, the shot missed and I reloaded. Guards looked around, wondering what’s going on.

            “Stop it? They’re going to ring the alarm.” Cressidra complained. I reloaded the gun. This time I calmed myself down and fired, a guard dropped. More guards out of the tower came flooding out, I fired again, another guard dropped. Cressidra couldn’t believe what was going on, guards were dropping as fast as she can kill them with her scythe but from a distance without arrows or magic.

            “This is a weapon from my world. It’s devastating. I’m hoping we can kill most of the guards because they’ll be rushing to the entrance to see what’s going on. Then you and I just run in.” It was a slightly better plan than her suicide run just moments ago. I wasn’t sure if I was killing or injuring the guards however, they’re falling to the ground and not getting up so I’m hoping the body shots with the bullets are getting through.

            Another few reloads and another couple rounds fired. The guards are starting to wisen up and started scanning the area. We’re too far away for them to spot us so I continue firing.

            “Turn around slowly, drop the gun.” A male’s voice said. Cressidra with her scythe out looks behind her and runs to attack the guard. I turn around realizing what is happening.

            “Cress stop.” I yelled. Cressidra stopped in place. The male guard dropped his sword.

            “Jamie, is that you?” Claudio asked.