A Desperate Bargain

The people from the cart slowly began to emerge from hiding, astonished at what had just happened. Though fearful, they decided to try and at least approach the people in strange outfits who risked their lives to save them. At first, they believed them to be rival demi humans seeking to fight their enemies for territory, but after seeing them argue and fight together, they came to the conclusion that they were intelligent and compassionate heroes wanting to help. But as they approached, it was clear they were in the middle of something.

‘’What are you doing here?’’ Hanzo asked

‘’How’d you summon that big monster?’’ Enji added

‘’Why did you take this long to find us?’’ Sora demanded

Where Tsuki was once beaming, now she began backing up in confusion at her siblings string of questions. Only Ren remained silent, his eyes locked on her. While their siblings littered her with questions, she rushed forward, jumping into a big embrace. Ren instinctively wrapped his arms around her like he had when they were both little, he could feel her shaking, grabbing him tightly as if scared he’d vanish if she let go.

‘’You’re here.’’ She cried with relief. ‘’I was so scared. I thought I would be all alone again.’’

Ren just held her closer, their siblings silent at the display of vulnerability. They all looked at each other, relief flooding in that they managed to all survive this amazing encounter. After some time passed, and gentle urging from Ren, Tsuki let go. Tears of relief and happiness were on full display, she then turned to each of her siblings with the same gesture, all of them happily accepting their youngest siblings embrace. Soon though, the people they rescued approached them, Ren, who had forgotten them at this point, turned to greet them.

‘’Oh, thank you mighty ones.’’ The older of the two opened. ‘’If you hadn’t shown up when you did, I dare not imagine what would’ve happened.’’

‘’Don’t worry about it.’’ Ren replied.

‘’I cannot thank you enough for saving me and my niece.’’ Gesturing to the little girl standing beside him. Slowly bowing in gratitude and awe at her saviors.

‘’Thank you very much.’’

The others approached them, Ren pointed to Enji in complete dismissal.

‘’It’s the guy with the wings you should thank. We just followed behind him to make sure he didn’t try to crash into a mountain or something.’’

‘’What did you say?!’’ Enji shouted as he got closer. Aiming his head right at Rens.

‘’You heard me. I only followed to see you smashed against a mountain like a bug on a windshield.’’

‘’You want to get that pretty horn snapped off Sparkles?!’’

‘’Sounds more like you want to get knocked into a tree again!’’

Enji looked at Tsuki with outrage.

‘’Feel free to weigh in here?’’

Tsuki looked puzzled for only a moment, before appearing right next to Ren, raising his arm to the sound of a bell surrounded by flashing lights.

‘’Knockout!’’ Tsuki said

‘’Oh, come on!’’ Enji cried in outrage over her clear favoritism.

Sora cleared her throat.

‘’If you are quite finished, I would like to hear what they have to say.’’ Sora turned her head to the older man and the child.

‘’May I ask who you are?’’

The old man took a step back in surprise.

‘’Please forgive my rudeness.’’ He hurriedly apologized. ‘’My name is Melvin, and this is my niece Anna. We are humble merchants, trying to make our way back home after a successful business venture in the nearby city.’’

Melvin turned his gaze to the forest, a degree of fear and anger in his voice as he continued.

‘’Likely those beasts attacked us looking for an easy meal. We have repeatedly asked the duke for aid regarding these attacks but have been brushed aside. Hopefully now the kingdom will see that the threat is real.’’

Melvin continued looking at the forest, mumbling like he was foretelling of future calamity. Anna, oblivious to her uncles dread, stood forward.

‘’ Will you stay with us?’’

Melvin snapped his head, his focus brought back to the present.

''I think that’s a wonderful idea!’’ Melvin said. ‘’We will need to thank you properly for saving us.’’

‘’No thanks.’’ Ren said dismissively. ‘’We’ve got other things to work on.’’

Melvin looked at him with great focus.

‘’Your kindness truly knows no bounds, but I must insist that you follow us back to our village. There, I will see you are generously rewarded.’’

‘’I said no.’’ Ren replied. Annoyed at the old man’s persistence.

Melvin stood shocked for a moment, then quickly caught himself. Sighing, he looked at the group,

‘’Alright. The truth of the matter is, we need your continued protection.’’ Melvin finally admitted. ‘’As I said earlier, the local duke will not be sending us relief for some time, which means we will likely be on our own to fight those beasts by ourselves. Until you brave souls came along, we had to outrun the creatures, often losing many valuable merchandise and more lives.’’

Melvin looked at Anna, his gaze turned to pity.

‘’Including my brother and his wife.’’

Annas face darkened slightly at the mention of her parents fate, but she put it behind her quickly. Grabbing Rens sleeve, she looked into his eyes, pleading for his help.

‘’So, I ask.’’ Melvin’s voice softened. ‘’Will you help us keep our homes and families safe? At least until the dukes relief force arrives’’

Ren looked at the old man. Then at the little child literally looking up at him with pleading eyes. He removed her hand from his arm and turned.

‘’Not our problem.’’ Ren coldly replied. ‘’Find someone else.’’

‘’Okay! Time out!’’ Hanzo and Enji quickly grabbed Ren, dragging him back while he struggled. Sora was right behind while Tsuki looked at the two stunned villagers.

‘’One moment please.’’ She added, then quickly joined the group, now having a heated argument.

‘’What is your deal?!’’ Hanzo asked angrily

‘’This is not our problem.’’ Ren argued

‘’Those two just begged us for help and you turned them down!’’ Hanzo yelled

‘’They have guys who can handle it, let them earn their coins.’’ Ren added coldly

‘’I don’t need your permission; I’ll help them whether you like it or not!’’ Enji added defiantly

‘’Because that worked out for us so well the last time?’’

‘’I am not scared of a few lizards!’’

‘’You calling me a coward?!’’

‘’Yeah I am! Maybe you can make us a couple of glittery banners while we do all the fighting. It would be more than what you offered in the last fight.’’

Ren and Enji butted heads against each other, tempers flaring, Hanzo having to separate them once again.

‘’Think of this rationally.’’ Sora added. Turning all their attention on her. ‘’They’re offering us food, housing, payment, and most importantly, information about the world we are now living in and know nothing about. This may well be our best chance to gain everything we need in order to find the path ahead.’’

‘’We’d be putting our lives in danger.’’ Ren objected

‘’More so than wandering off on our own with no idea where to go?’’ Sora countered. ‘’As much as I detest the thought of facing more monsters, this seems to be our best chance.’’

All eyes were on Ren now, the weight of the emotional pleas and cold logic clashing with eldest sibling stubbornness. A few awkward second later, He groaned in agreement. Tsuki bounded towards the waiting villagers with a smile.

‘’We accept your offer. Please show us to your village.’’