Time to Take Action

“— Can you at least tell me what I did wrong first?”

There were four guards. Their armor creaked with every step, heavy and authoritative. I tried to save my skin by acting like a model citizen.

“— You entered the city without authorization… and without going through the main gate.”

Ah. There it is. I’m done for.

My legs were already trembling, and my mind was spinning at a hundred miles per hour: quick, a plan, quick quick quick…

… nothing. Completely blank.

Fine. I accept my fate.

The townspeople had stopped to watch us pass. Their eyes on me were heavy, hostile. As if I were a plague victim—or worse, a notorious criminal.

A guard tied my hands with a rough rope.

“There’s no need to tie me up! I’m not dangerous, you know!”

“Move forward without arguing.”

And there I was, dragged through the city like a petty thief.

Passersby kept staring, some whispering to each other. At least nobody had tomatoes ready… but judging by their grimaces, I braced myself for stones.

Finally, we arrived at a gloomy building: the prison. A door creaked, and the smell of mold hit me. The guards threw me inside like a sack of grain.

I fell onto the cold floor. The cell was already occupied by other prisoners, who gave me bored, uninterested stares.

“Wait! You’re really going to leave me here!?”

Nothing. Silence. The guards walked away as if I didn’t exist.

I sighed.

“Great… I had imagined a quiet life: getting married, having children, watching them grow up, growing old with my wife, retiring… and dying before her, the dream life …”

I stared at the ceiling.

“And now, instead, I end up trapped in an unknown world. Thanks, stupid door. And thanks, Ignis too…”

“Shut up! We’re trying to sleep here!”

“Oh… sorry.”

I leaned against the wall, resigned.

That’s when I noticed a bottle lying in the corner, dirty and dented. Curiosity got the better of me, and I picked it up.

Let’s see… maybe water? Wine?

I shook it gently. A dark liquid sloshed inside. A chemical smell hit me.

My smile froze.

… Wait.

No.

Not that.

It’s…

… just an explosive bottle… AN EXPLOSIVE BOTTLE!?

I stepped back, as if the object would detonate just because I looked at it wrong.

My hands were sweaty. I set it down carefully, like it was a sleeping baby about to scream.

Damn it… this isn’t a joke, right?

Why me? Why always me?!

⸻

My brain was running a thousand miles an hour.

Option 1: ignore it. But in this hole, ignoring a “gift” is like signing my death warrant.

Option 2: use it. But… using an explosive bottle in a stone cell? I’d blow my own head off before escaping.

Option 3: pray it’s fake. But seriously… who would have time to make a fake explosive bottle just to scare me?

No. This is real.

I’m 99% sure. The remaining 1%… is just my pathetic hope gasping.

I closed my eyes for a moment.

Breathe. Calm down.

Maybe… maybe it could work.

The cell door was solid. But not invincible.

The hinges were rusty. The stones cracked by dampness.

If I stay here, I’ll starve. If I use it… I might die. But at least I’ll have a chance.

Well… time to blow this up. No need to wait for Ignis, even if in part, she caused all of this.

⸻

POV – Ignis

A sneeze echoed down a nearby alley.

“… Someone talking badly about me again?”

I continued walking. My steps echoed over the cracked cobblestones until a sign caught my eye: Whispering Tea House.

A strange name for such a neat place. In this miserable city, the shop seemed almost unreal—like an oasis in the middle of a desert.

I entered. A soothing scent of tea enveloped me. The customers cast fleeting glances, smiling, almost too warm to be genuine. The place breathed serenity, but I couldn’t let myself get distracted.

At the counter, an elegant woman awaited. Her smile was calm, almost mysterious.

“Here, we only share our secrets after a cup of tea. Understand?”

I stared at her, hesitant. Really? Another silly riddle? But her gaze left me no way out.

I took the cup she offered. The intoxicating aroma rose to my mind. One sip, and my thoughts became clearer, sharper.

The owner still stared at me, unyielding.

“Good. Now that you’re ready, let’s talk business.”

I set the cup down, meeting her gaze.

“Fine… but I warn you, I’m not paying for this tea.”

She gave an amused smile.

“Then what kind of information are you looking for?”

“Simple: the Nemeses. I heard they attack this city. I’m here to exterminate them.”

She nodded gently.

“I see. Their assaults happen very late at night. But you should know… this city is full of misery and fear. Negative emotions amplify the Nemeses’ strength. Are you really sure you can handle it alone?”

“Don’t worry. I have a partner.”

“Which one? I see no one.”

“I left him somewhere in the city.”

“Reckless. He could’ve been attacked.”

“Hehe… yes, you’re right. But he can manage.”

She studied me, still puzzled.

“You are strange, young girl. But before you leave, look at this.”

She pulled out a recent city newspaper. I grabbed it and scanned the pages.

My eyes froze on a photo: brown hair, green eyes.

It was Akira. Arrested.

“Tch… no way…!”

My voice echoed, drawing the attention of the customers.

“Sorry!”

I jumped up.

“Thanks for the tea, madam.”

“Hm. Come again whenever you like.”

As I stepped outside, a black smoke plume caught my eye in the distance.

A bad feeling crawled over me.

I raised my hand, and my broom flew into it. I grabbed it with precision.

“Alright… looks like it’s time to get to work.”