Chapter 4 -- Vrazen

AIO: I love writing but, proofreading, not so much... Here I am reading the same words over and over, just to miss several typos anyways! I do see the value because I catch other things, but alas, a chore it feels.

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Thorn remained tied up, lying on the cracked navy stone.

...

Reach: "What? You've met him?"

Thorn smiled.

Tomo: So his name is William... I never thought to ask.

The yellow sky transformed into a peaceful blood orange as the sun slowly set.

Reach: "The greatest scientist in the world? Is that true?"

Thorn: "How ironic. Does his own son know the least?"

Reach: ...

Reach: Wasn't he just a researcher... A scholar?

Reach considered his upbringing and The Peaceful Retire: Undying.

Reach: My device... Those weaponised stands...

Reach: He practically cured Kail's blindness.

...

Reach: It... It makes sense.

Thorn shuffled on the stone.

Thorn: "Untie me. I'll tell you more."

Reach seemed hesitant.

Tomo: "What should we do, Reach?"

Reach looked around, spotting Thorn's two curved, light green blades.

He gathered more metal wire from his bag and proceeded to wrap the two blades tightly.

Tomo: Even more wire?

The blades were placed on the stone underneath Reach's bag. Tomo sat down.

Reach: "Okay. But no blades."

Reach walked over to Thorn.

Thorn responded with a mischievous smile.

Thorn: "Are you saying I can't beat you without my blades?"

Reach stood over Thorn, this time looking deep into her soul.

All traces of gentleness removed from his face. She noticed the pure darkness of his eyes.

Reach: "That's exactly what I'm saying."

Thorn stopped smiling.

She took a moment, then exhaled.

Thorn: "Relax. Now that I know who you are, I have no interest in killing you."

Thorn looked down, mumbling to herself.

Thorn: "Besides, I already lost the duel."

Reach: "Did you say something?"

Thorn looked back up.

Thorn: "I said untie me. I won't attack either of you."

Reach: "Alright."

Reach slowly untied Thorn.

She didn't resist, then calmly sat on a boulder a few metres away. Reach sat next to Tomo.

Thorn lightly touched her sore temple, then tidied up her green hair.

Thorn: "William visited my homeland not long ago."

Reach: ...

Tomo: Thorn's... Homeland. I wonder what it's called.

Thorn: "Apparently he was researching our people because of our unique traits."

Tomo: Unique traits? Like her hair? But my sister has green hair?

...

Tomo: Is this woman in front of me my sister?

Thorn continued, ignoring Tomo's varied facial expressions.

Thorn: "William was a kind man. I usually don't care for men, especially older men."

...

Thorn: "He was not weak either. Good for a spar."

Reach smiled mildly.

Reach: "So where is he?"

Thorn: "He said he was heading to peculiar lands. Ones where physics don't work as they should."

Reach: "I see."

Tomo: What the hell are physics?

Thorn looked at Reach.

Thorn: "He talked about his two sons. One with an absurd regenerative disease, known as Reach."

Reach: ...

Thorn: "How does that thing work, anyways?"

...

Reach: "I won't get into the details, but... For both Tomo and I, you could say we'll always be a bit inconsistent."

Thorn: "Huh?"

Tomo smiled.

Reach: "I heal too much. And Tomo, he forgets stuff."

Thorn: ...

Thorn: "Right..."

Reach glanced at his outer left shoulder.

Reach: "I already told Tomo, but I wouldn't be alive if it weren't for Dad."

Reach: "He wanted to travel the world and help people. So I guess it adds up that he's some famous scientist now."

Tomo: "Wow..."

Tomo: "I wonder if he's met many other disease-holders. I've heard of a few wild abilities out there."

Reach: "And somehow you remember those wild abilities.."

Tomo chuckled.

Thorn: "I was surprised by William's knowledge of diseases. I personally don't have one myself, so I was never very interested."

Reach: "If you didn't awaken a disease at a young age, it is extremely unlikely that you will. Dad said it's a one in a billion sort of thing."

...

Reach: "With that being said, I talk as if awakening is a good thing. Most diseases simply kill you."

Tomo: ...

Reach: "All three of us are lucky to be alive."

Thorn continued, deep in thought.

Thorn: "Is it possible to move diseases between people? Or share a disease like yours?"

Tomo: She's a lot more open to conversation now.

...

Reach: "No."

Reach: "I know because I've asked Dad the same question."

Thorn: ...

Reach: "Unlike normal transplants, diseases cannot be moved from one person to another."

Reach: "If something like that were possible, it would have to be the product of another disease."

...

Thorn: "Understood."

Tomo: ...

Tomo: "I'd like to have more than one disease... Something useful."

Reach: "Again, same rule applies."

Tomo looked down, both figuratively and literally.

Reach patted him on the back.

Reach: "I like your disease, Tomo."

Tomo seemed to cheer up a little.

Reach: "So Dad is heading to peculiar lands... That's rather vague."

Thorn: ...

Thorn: "I mentioned odd physics. He also talked about searching for some 'ethereal power' in the name of science. Perhaps an energy source?"

Reach: "Ethereal...?"

Reach: "I wonder what that means."

Reach: "He's always been quite religious. Going on about heaven, hell, and god..."

Thorn: A religious... Scientist?

...

Tomo: "Is your goal to find your Dad, Reach?"

Reach: "No, certainly not. But it'd be nice to see him."

Reach subtly smiled.

Reach: "Anyways, thanks, Thorn. I appreciate the update."

Reach: "You're kinder than I thought."

Thorn: ...

Thorn: The distinction is uncanny...

...

Thorn: Not between Reach and William... But between Reach and himself.

Reach and Tomo talked in the foreground. Thorn continued in thought.

Thorn: It's like he has a switch.

Thorn: One half is nice and polite... While the other is something brutal and dark.

...

Thorn: If it wasn't for that merciful half, I would be dead right now.

Tomo: "So what are you doing around these parts, Thorn?"

Thorn regained her focus.

Thorn: "I left my homeland on a conquest. A solo-journey if you will."

...

Thorn: "I wasn't heading anywhere in particular. But when I noticed those large mountains, I remembered William said he was from a town 'hidden in the mountains'. Little did I think I'd run into his son."

Tomo: ...

Tomo: "You're the same as us."

Thorn: "Huh?"

Tomo: "Reach and I..."

Tomo: "We have no destination."

Tomo grinned.

Reach smiled, too.

Thorn dismissed the thought.

Thorn: "Hmph."

...

Reach: "You don't want to go in that direction anyways."

Thorn: ?

Reach: "I can already picture you killing a bunch of rotten men."

Thorn subtly grinned.

Thorn: "My favourite pastime."

The sun now truly set. The three seemed to relax, under the mild dusk.

Thorn: "You two aren't so bad."

...

Thorn: "Forgive me for my violence. I enjoy taking on the strong."

Reach: What a surprise...

Tomo looked around.

Tomo: "We may as well settle for the night."

Reach: ...

Reach: "What will you do, Thorn?"

Thorn: "I'll rest here. Besides, you still have my blades."

Reach: ...

Thorn: "Don't worry, I won't try anything."

The three began to prepare for the night.

Thorn gathered some nearby plants for the group to eat. Reach and Tomo were hesitant at first, but joined in once Thorn ate a few.

Reach prepared a small fire using chunks of wood - Tomo unable to follow Reach's ultra-fast hand movements that birthed the flame.

Tomo laid out their two mats on the navy stone. Thorn opted to rest in a sitting position against one of the boulders.

Tomo: "Is that comfortable?"

Thorn: "It is."

Tomo: ...Really?

Thorn noticed Reach consume pills from his bag.

Thorn: "What type of pills are those? Good or bad?"

Reach: "Pain killers."

Thorn: "Are you in pain?"

Reach: ...

Reach remained silent. Tomo looked concerned.

Tomo: It's so easy to forget.

...

Tomo: It's not that he's in pain, but rather... He's never not in pain.

...

Tomo: I...

Tomo: I still can't believe how strong he is. Both mentally and physically.

Tomo attempted to lighten the mood.

Tomo: "And who do you think caused him pain today, Thorn?"

Thorn: ...

Thorn: "That is true... I already apologised."

Reach: "It's fine."

Tomo: "But wow, you sure have been running into strong people lately, Reach. You keep taking damage!"

Reach: "I'm glad my pain amuses you."

Reach subtly smiled, seeming to appreciate the insensitive humour.

Thorn sat, surprised.

Thorn: Someone other than me...

Thorn: ...Was able to touch him?

Reach and Tomo entered their mats.

Reach: "Goodnight."

Thorn: ...

Thorn: "Night."

- - - -

A warm, new day. The sky almost painted in a peaceful lime green.

True to her word, no malicious acts were attempted throughout the night.

Reach - a naturally light sleeper due to his device, was worrisome at first but eventually dosed off, and rightfully so.

Reach and Tomo packed their belongings.

Reach changed out of his black long sleeve shirt that was ripped at the outer left shoulder. Instead he opted for an olive green long sleeve shirt with the same black pants and brown laced boots.

Tomo: "You might run out of shirts soon."

Reach: "Very funny."

Tomo wore grey pants instead of the shorts he'd been wearing. With it he wore a white shirt and cream shoes that seemed comfortable for walking and running.

Reach trustfully unwrapped Thorn's blades and returned them to her.

She equipped them once again to her back.

Thorn: "Thank you."

Reach: "Perhaps we'll meet again one day."

Thorn paused for a moment.

Thorn: "I thought about it overnight."

Reach: ?

Thorn: "I hate to say it, but..."

Thorn: "I'm coming with you."

Tomo: ?!

Tomo seemed delightfully surprised.

Tomo: "So you are the same as us!"

Thorn: "No."

Tomo: Oh...

Thorn looked at Reach.

Thorn: "You appear to know some customs, but perhaps not all."

Reach: ?

Thorn: "Where I come from, if you lose a duel - especially a duel to the death, you swear allegiance to that person."

Thorn: "In other words, in return for the mercy you've been shown, you help them."

Reach: ...

Reach quietly listened.

Thorn: "My individual policy slightly differs."

Thorn: "I plan to travel with you and grow stronger. But one day..."

...

Thorn: "One day... I'll fight you again, and earn back my freedom."

Reach: ...

Reach: "You can go now if you want. I really don't care."

Thorn: "This is a matter of my pride, Reach."

Reach: ...

The two stood, eye to eye.

Tomo: "Uhh..."

Tomo: "Why not, Reach? She's not so bad."

...

Thorn's glare remained determined.

Reach: "Okay."

Reach: "But, this pride of yours..."

Thorn: ...

Reach: "We work together. We do not betray each other."

Tomo: "Oh?"

...

Thorn: "Understood."

Reach and Thorn both seemed to relax.

Reach: "I suppose you can't be too bad if Dad got along with you."

Thorn: "Touche."

Tomo smiled.

The three walked together for the first time, heading in the direction Thorn had come from.

...

Thorn: "There's a village made of enormous trees near here. I suggest we go there."

Reach: ...

Tomo: "How big are we talking?"

Thorn: "Big."

Tomo: "L-Let's do it!"

...

Reach: More greenery it is.

Reach: "You never know, Tomo... You might've been there before."

Tomo: "How rude."

Reach smiled.

They diverted onto a path much like the one Reach and Tomo had descended from - dirt surrounded by vast stretches of nature.

Thorn knew the village was roughly in this direction but was not familiar with the path itself.

The three of them heard uncomfortable-sounding screeches from far away.

Tomo: "Dines?"

Reach: "Indeed."

Thorn: ...

Reach walked in the middle of the pack with Tomo and Thorn on both sides.

Thorn: "A trio with two guys and one girl. Feels very cliche."

Tomo: "Huh?"

Tomo: "You say odd things sometimes."

Thorn: "Be quiet."

In the distance they observed a small collection of unique trees with blackened wood and red leaves.

Tomo: "Pretty..."

Tomo jogged ahead.

Thorn: "He's easily amused, isn't he?"

Reach: "Yes..."

Tomo approached the closest red tree to touch it.

Tomo: "Awesome."

In that same moment, a man drops out of the tree, landing behind Tomo.

With no hesitation, the man swings an axe towards Tomo's neck.

Shink.

The man's head comes flying off.

Thorn now stood next to Tomo, both her blades drawn. Blood dripping to the ground.

Tomo, panicked, can barely comprehend the situation.

Tomo: "H-Hey?! Wh-"

Thump.

The man's head lands in a gruesome splat. Some sort of mask still attached.

His headless body soon follows, sinking lifelessly.

Thorn: "Is that sufficient... Reach?"

Reach: ...

Reach: "Beat me to it."

Reach: "However..."

Reach moves at incredible speed, vanishing from sight and reappearing next to Thorn.

Reach: "You probably didn't have to kill him."

Thorn: "This was different."

Reach: ...

Reach: "That is true."

Reach placed his hand on Tomo's shoulder.

Reach: "All good?"

Tomo: "God... That scared me..."

Reach: "Apparently nowhere is safe these days."

Tomo gulped, looking down at the messy corpse.

A decent amount of people slowly emerged, perhaps 30 in number. It was not just men, but all kinds of people varying in shape, size, and colour.

Their faces were mostly covered in unnerving red masks. They surrounded the entire small, red forest.

An unmasked man with red hair that did not seem natural, stepped forward.

????: "It's rare to find anyone strong around here."

He held an absurdly large sword, leaning it over his shoulder.

Reach: The ringleader? What are they, looters?

The unmasked man stared directly at Thorn.

????: "I like your hair."

...

????: "I'm sure our boss would love to tear you apart."

Thorn glared at the man with a cold, ruthless expression.

Thorn: "Filth."

The man smiled with lust.

He glanced at his former associate on the ground next to Thorn.

????: "I don't care about that guy. But if you actually kill all of us... 'He' will come after you."

Thorn: "He?"

????: "That's right."

The man took off his loose, black shirt and turned around.

On his tanned, muscular back revealed the letter 'V' in large red text. It appeared more as a painful branding than a tattoo.

Thorn: ...

Reach: ?

The man put his shirt back on.

????: "Do you know much about this world?"

????: "Those deemed the strongest among all others..."

Thorn gripped her blades tightly, ready to attack.

Thorn: "I couldn't care less."

Reach calmly spoke.

Reach: "Wait a moment, Thorn."

????: "Soon to be king... A new third..."

????: "From the true bloodline of diseases."

Reach: ?

The unmasked man pointed his large sword at Thorn, holding it with both hands.

His supposed-red hair bristled in the wind.

????: "Have you ever heard the name..."

...

????: "...Vrazen?"

[Chapter 4 -- End]