Alzaras and Bullies?!?

“YOOOO!!! Look over there, man! That stall is selling some kind of mutton skewer!” Ishaan’s voice rang out, laced with exhilaration as he pointed toward a vibrant food stall nestled among a crowd of eager customers.

The air was rich with the mouthwatering aroma of spices and grilled meat, making his stomach rumble.

“Bro, just look at this building, you can't make me believe it's not an adventures guild”, Ishaan pointed out at a press house, which, with honesty, did look like a guild hub with its huge structure and structure.

“Ya, that's true, but you need to calm down, man, if you keep this up youll get exhausted, and then I'll have to give you a piggyback ride,” Aaron sighed as he grabbed Ishaan by his head.

Although on the surface he was trying to relax, he was instinctively scanning their surroundings with a hawk’s eye. He was just way too guarded and was finding it a bit difficult to enjoy himself with so much of a crowd.

“Seriously, chill out for once! It’s not like anyone here is plotting against you,” Ishaan teased, lightly patting Aaron on the back in an attempt to share some of his burning passion. His enthusiasm was palpable, as if it were a physical force pulling Aaron into the excitement of the moment.

“Besides all the fun we are having, I am a bit curious about this Reveal Festival thingy, like it's such a secure event, makes you think why have such an event.” Aaron was talking out loud as he took in the magnificent view of the Alps and wooden street shops with kids cheerfully prancing around, and with the smell of spices and foods everywhere.

“Bro, just look around! Who would have guessed it? It really feels like one of those isekai anime,” Ishaan exclaimed, his voice filled with excitement as he pointed to the billboards and gadgets surrounding them. “Just look at this place! It’s like a mix of all the technology from my isekai world, and it’s just mind-boggling.”

Ishaan had no system. He just walked — stopped when something caught his eye, doubled back when something caught it again, and generally moved through the market the way a pinball moves through a machine. The smell hit him first — something sweet from a pastry stall, then something spiced from somewhere he couldn't locate, then both at once in a way that shouldn't have worked but did. The stone buildings had carvings on them, detailed and old, and at some point, he stopped in front of one with mosaics tiled into the arch above a doorway and just stared at it for a full minute without saying anything. Which, for Ishaan, was practically a spiritual experience.

Aaron walked slowly. He always stopped for a brief moment when there was something worth drawing — and Alzaras, it turned out, was entirely worth drawing. He'd filled half a page by the time they cleared the first street. Not the grand things — not the palace towers or the festival banners. The small things. A vendor's hands are sorting through fabric. The way light hit the cobblestones at an angle. A child sitting on a step, watching the crowd go by with the focused expression of someone conducting a very serious study. He didn't know why he drew the things he drew. He just knew when something was worth keeping.

For the first time in a long time, both of them felt genuinely light. Well, Aaron felt light. Ishaan had never felt heavy a day in his life.

“You know it's been quite some time since I felt so at ease”, said Aaron while having his guard up, but it was just low enough for him to have a satisfying expression.

“I know, right, like with everything that was going on, just felt alive, I just wish we could stay here for a long time”, said Ishaan with a stupid grin on his face.

“Just hoping for some action like this is already like an anime, why not some action……..”

“SOMEONE HELP!!!!!!!!!” came a low but sharp scream from a dark alley.

“Were my ears ringing or did I just hear a scream?” exclaimed Ishaan.

“Stay away from us”, came another voice, different and composed yet afraid

Aaron also heard the voice and gave the most clique side eye, “It seems Goddess Laxmi decided to reside on your tongue just about in the right moment”

The brothers exchanged a glance, a silent understanding passing between them, and without a moment's hesitation, they dashed toward the sound.

When they arrived at the scene, they spotted two girls—one appeared to be the older sister, who stood protectively in front of the younger one. The young girl’s hand was obviously trembling, though she was making a brave effort to keep her composure. Meanwhile, the elder sister was favouring one leg, suggesting she was in pain, yet she stood tall and resolute, doing her best to keep a brave face.

They were both surrounded by 6 thugs, 4 trying to block them from the front and the other 2 from the back.

“Well, ladies, no need to be so persistent. We just want to have some fun”

“Ya promise we will be real gentle”

The thugs looked like they were enjoying it.

“Well, bro, what to do? We can leave, but if I know you, you'll kill me if I do that, so what say show them how we Indians fight?” said Ishaan with a smug look on his face

“Honestly, I just wanted a peaceful vacation, but I guess what has to be done has to be done”, said Aaron, cracking his knuckles.

“Let's show them how we Banerjee’s fight”