Paseo a la orilla del mar

Trees swayed as the hollow wind coursed through them. It was an eerie feeling, not unlike the abandoned back alleys of Japan. Here, branches blocked nearly every bit of the dual suns’ rays, casting us in uncertain shadows.

Lilly and Francis both leaned against adjacent trees, neither bothering to say a word as Aila and I sat down in the grass.

For now, Lilly felt confident that we were safe. Everything else was secondary.

“Well then,” It was Francis who broke the silence. “I probably should apologize to you two—and let me assure you, I never met to deceive you, Rin.”

“Shouldn’t I be the one getting an apology?” Lilly scowled. “All this time you knew Rin wasn’t here.”

“You asked where he was, not when he would arrive. Big difference,” Francis said. “Not that I would have given you an answer either way.”

I half expected Lilly to throw a punch in his direction, yet she just rolled her eyes.

“Stop playing games then,” I scowled. “What’s going on here? You know how important Lilly was to me! And all this time you two were chatting behind our backs!”

“I love talking to pretty girls, what else did you expect from me, Rin?” Francis chucked, ignoring the scowl on my face. “I’ll leave most of the details to Lilly. We’ve been working together since the day she arrived, ever since the rivers started to lose their power. Chained as I am, I’m just lucky RiverLight found her first.”

“Chained?”
“We’ll leave that question for a later date, giving all the secrets away this early isn't very fun.”

I turned to Lilly. Even in a situation like this Francis wasn't the type to budge. “Fine.”

“I’m not!” Aila seemed to teleport midair before she was millimeters from Lilly’s face. “I’ve still not heard an excuse on why she’s going around murdering kings!”

“Later,” Lilly said, staring Aila right in the eyes.

“Not later, now! I don’t claim to know Rin half as well as you apparently do, but he’s still my partner, and it's my job to make sure he’s safe!” She took a step closer, nearly pushing Lilly against the wall. “Now you better give us some answers, or I’m running out of here with Rin whether you like it or not. You can’t outrun me.”

“Whatever,” Lilly scowled before taking a step to the side. She dug through her orange jumper’s pocket before pulling out a set of familiar looking gems. “I’m sure Thien has explained these well enough? These are the eyes of East.”

“The eyes of god, that’s what you're saying?” I asked.

“In a way. Despite what you’ve been told, nothing in this world is accidental. The rivers flow according to His schedule; every rainstorm was foretold, the plants grow at whatever rate East decides. But from what I’ve been told, East isn’t here enough to monitor this world. That’s why he gave the power to his kings, the very same kings that are putting this world into an artificial recession.”

“You’re saying those little gems are the cure.”

“Correct,” it was Francis who stepped in. “Believe her or not, it’s the truth. Those little gems control this entire planet. A bit McGuffin like, takes away the charm. I told East it was stupid but he’s not one to listen to logic.”

“You told East?” I raised an eyebrow. “Whatever, you won't answer me if I ask. Tell me this, if that's the case then wouldn't a few gems work?”

“The kings here were trickly,” Lilly said. “It has to be unanimous. We tried for years convincing them to turn the tide. Thien kept getting in our way.”

“So you resort to murder!” Aila shoved Lilly back against the tree, sending leaves falling to the ground.

“What other choice did I have!?” Lilly scrambled, shoving Aila onto the ground. “You don’t know what it's like, catgirl, getting thrown away from your home with no way back! And this new world? I get here and am immediately hunted like a wild animal because some unknown god tried to summon me!”

“I know better than you ever could!” Aila shouted, nearly tearing Lilly’s face off. I internally sighed when she pulled back. “Don’t you dare say otherwise.”

“Fine,” Lilly said, clearly unwilling to pick the fight. The way she could calm down on a dime was one of the few aspects of the Lilly I knew still here. “But as long as this accursed mark is on me, I will fight to leave this place.”

Lilly put up her hair and lowered the back of her collar, revealing a tattoo eerily similar to mine.

It was half the size, located just underneath her neck. A ring of fire encircled her tattoo, yet where my second ring as bright white hers was dull gray.

“You too?” I pulled back my cloak, revealing my tattoo. “Same outer mark.”

“Figures,” Lilly said. “Same summoning, same god.”

“What’s your plan then, take them to The Crucible?” Francis asked.

“Where else?” Lilly took a deep breath. “I can’t explain everything like Seth can, and you won't be of any help.”

“Guilty as charged,” Francis shrugged. “Well, I think I've done my part here. Thien hasn't clocked me yet somehow, but I’m sure my suspicious absence won't help things. East’s Sailors have their ways to find things out, better to not give him the opportunity.”

He walked toward the clearing, spinning a small orange dagger across his fingers. “The second I leave, Gallai's soldiers will be able to find this place. I recommend Pilom’s Tent if you want to lay low for a bit.”

“Understood.” Lilly said. With a snap of her fingers, shadows began to grow from the ground. They wrapped around her jumper like snakes, emitting a dark gray mist that seemed to block the sun. When it disappeared, a dark gray cloak similar to mine covered her orange prison suit. “Let’s get moving. Pilom’s Tent isn't more than an hour’s walk from here.”

Despite the million questions I wanted to ask, I bit my tongue. Getting to safety came first.