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Chapter 7: Unwanted Encounter Part 2

I screamed for help, but most of them ignored me. I can hear some cheering for my execution. What are you doing, Tiana? I can never get a read on her. They dragged me off, but Maria stood in front of them with her hands wide open.

「Father, please don’t kill him. I’m begging you. 」

「Maria, my child. I am simply doing Karmen’s work. Nothing will stop me from doing what should’ve been done years ago.」

Maria's eyes glow.

「Then I will judge with my own eyes.」

She walked up towards me and looked deep into my eyes. I can feel her power flow through me. Her eyes glowed green.

「There is no devil in him; I sense nothing in him. You see, father, you are wrong, so tell them to unhand him, now.」

I can feel disdain in his eyes. An anger so large that it can blow up an entire city. But he still managed to keep a calm composure.

「I am afraid I cannot, daughter. We can sense a strong aura around him. We Mus-」

「Father, you know how my eyes work?」

「Yes, I do, precious daughter, but we need to -」

「I promise that I won’t approach Leo again. If you unhand him.」

I can tell from her face that she forced herself to say it. She grasped her hand while looking down in desperation. Absalom walked up towards her with a smile.

「Very well, boy, by the gracious hands of my daughter, I will let you run free for now. But next time we suspect something from you, you will perish by the name of our god, Karma.」

The guards threw me to the ground, and they left while escorting Maria out. I can barely see it, but I saw a hint of sadness in her eyes. It was frustrating; I didn’t know what to do, and I was helpless.

Tiana: I’m sorry, but I cannot help you there. If they find me, you will be killed.

Leo: I figured that was the case. I don’t feel great. We got most of the stuff anyway, so let’s just go home.

I got up from the floor and picked up my bags of toiletries. I headed towards the ex I don’t know. I really don’t know. I can’t shake this feeling off; it was not the first time I had this feeling, but it doesn’t sting any less. I wish I could do something about it. I hate it, I wish I was stronger. I wish ….. I could live peacefully.

Tiana: I getcha. A guy and a girl fall in love, but the family member opposes their love. A tale as old as time. How romantic.

It’s not like that, I just ….

Tiana: Don’t be like that. I can tell how you talk to yourself. If only I were stronger, I could save the helpless cage princess from her shackles and run off to the horizon to live happily ever after. It’s so romantic, I make me … hehehehehehehehe,,,,

What are you talking about? It’s not like that. If it ever was, it can never happen again since we live in a different world, anyway.

Tiana: They all say that. But then when the situation of their love is in danger, the man defies the odds and proves his worth, finally allowing the love to flourish. Just thinking about it makes me GYAHHH <3.

Quit your delusion, Tiana. It’s not going to happen.

Tiana: I can’t help it; it's built into my DNA. But on a serious note, we gotta go.

I felt multiple intense glares at me. I refuse to look at them, but they are bad news. I calmly walked up the stairs towards the exit of the arcade. I don’t need to look back to verify if they are here. I closed my eyes while walking. I can’t explain this feeling, but when I close my eyes and concentrate, my senses heighten while time moves slower. It allows me to sense my surroundings while being able to react just in time before any disaster strikes me. Using this sense, I felt 5 mages on the roof waiting to fire, while many swordsmen trails me from behind. I opened my eyes and bolted towards a small alleyway from the right of the arcade.

They soon followed in my direction; I can see them catching up; I don’t think I can escape.

Tiana: Just keep running towards the alley.

Each step time slowly moves slower, the light front the sun darkens, every movement feels off. But all I know I am now outpacing them, eventually making it to the alleyway. I got to keep AHHHH.

Hands out of nowhere grabbed me into a dark void with a single space in that void showing the alleyway.

Soon, the same people trailing me arrived at the alleyway; They kept running further in trying to find me. I looked around the area.

「Oh Tiana, uhhh where are we? 」

「In the Shadows, this is what I see when I’m in them.Anyway, let’s just travel in this for now.」

「But wait don’t you need to attach yourself to something to move?」

「Not really, I can still move in any place the shadow touches. It is easier for me to attach to someone’s shadow than to pilot while trailing manually. But since I have nothing, we can swing. Anyway, let’s head back.」

I nodded, letting her guide me. We floated along the void while the open pocket showing the outside world follows our movement. We jump swiftly from shadow to shadow, avoiding any interaction from the outside world.

「So can we stop by at the grocery store near my ship?」

「You already in hot waters, I wouldn’t risk it.」

「That’s fair. So do you have anything else you need to do before going away?」

I grabbed my shirt by the sleeves. I don’t know why I feel down when I said that since I knew it won’t last and I am only helping her because I need to. So why I feel this ache in my chest? I don’t get it.

「I still got one more thing to do. Don’t worry too much about it, Leo. I won’t abandon you for a long while, especially with those weirdos trying to kill you.」

I felt relieved hearing this. The pain slowly subsided. I couldn’t help it but smile while feeling relieved.

「Anyway, we made it to your ship. We should be safe now.」

She shoved me out of the shadow; I almost fell to the ground but stopped myself on time with my feet. She soon followed after walking out of the shadow. I walked towards the couch and plopped on it. I’m starving; I missed my opportunity to eat. I turned my face towards the other side of the room. Tiana searched around my ship and grabbed my butane stove out of my cabinet. Blue outlines materialised on her body, creating an apron while shit ties her hair up.

「What are you doing?」

She looks blankly at me.

「What does it look like? Making meth?」

「Are you making meth?」

She looks at me in disbelief, then sighs.

「No, I’m making some food for you. Aren’t you hungry, you barely even ate at all?」

「I can help then.」

I tried to get up, but Tiana grabbed my shoulders and pushed me back to my couch.

「No no no, just sit back and relax. I don’t want to hassle you any more.」

「Ok then, I will leave it in your hands then.」

I lay down on the couch and closed my eyes, slowly drifting off to sleep.