Wet droplets fall on my face.

I wake up and wince in pain when i'm met by a massive headache.

The side of my head hurts like hell and i rub the sore spot.

"Fuck, my head..."

More droplets fall and i open my eyes.

Above me i see Alfreda's face, sobbing and the droplets are her tears.

I'm laying on the ground, my head resting on her lap and being held by her.

She still has Stella's bag with her.

"Sob, you're finally awake. Are you okay?"

She speaks up through her tears.

Through much effort, i manage sit up.

"Ngh, probably. How long was i out?"

"A few hours maybe? I don't know, sob."

I look around us, trying to figure out where we are.

"Huh, iron bars?"

My heart sinks a little when i realize we are in a cage.

I turn to her.

"Alfreda, what happened?!"

She bursts into tears.

"Waah! A man hit you in the head and they took us."

"I figured that out but where did they take us?"

"I don't know! They put a blindfold on me and tied my hands and carried us."

I crawl to the cage door to see where we were taken.

I can see campfires, tents and lots of people, all men.

Some are young adults while some are about middle-aged.

They all look rugged, their clothes are dirty and worn.

Some of them are wearing capes or animal furs.

There is a group of men gathered around a campfire, one of them is roasting an animal carcass, probably a pig.

The others are holding mugs, using a barrel next to them to fill them up.

Most likely alcohol as they seem to be drunk, judging from their rowdiness.

There's no mistaking it, this is a bandit camp and we've been captured by them.

Following the lights was a mistake, and now we face the consequences.

These people mean serious business, as they're carrying lots weapons like swords, axes and bows.

They probably form a group, was it called a band?

Like Alfreda, i should feel scared, but instead i feel irritated, angry even.

Am i to blame for this situation?

Why did i allow Alfreda to come with me?

Is it because of her that we're in this mess?

Why didn't i just buy that stupid log?!

But none of that matters now, but one thing is certain.

I will not have her blood on my hands, so i will not allow anything to happen to her.

I brought her here and we will escape by any means necessary.

 

A group of five men who were talking to each, notice us.

"Oh, look, they're awake!"

The group approaches our cage.

I get further away from the door and Alfreda tries to hide behind my back.

"Don't say anything."

I whisper to her.

Three of the men are the ones we followed, the other two i don't recognize.

"Hmm, what did you guys bring us this time?"

"Just two brats that were following us."

The man kicks the cage bar, causing Alfreda to yelp.

"Eek!"

"Why the hell would they do that?"

"I don't fucking know, maybe they were lost or something."

"...And they did a shitty job hiding! We noticed them right away, haha!"

One of the men interjects and laughs loudly.

What?

I thought we were pretty sneaky?

Was my technique really that awful?

Hearing them laugh about it just makes me more irritated.

"How did you manage to sneak up on them anyway?"

"With my technique, 'Silent Steps' of course!"

"Hah, i told you having a rogue join us was a good idea!"

"Although i must admit i was quite surprised that the boy noticed me at the last second before i hit him in the head."

"Doesn't that just say that your technique is shit?"

"Huh, what's that!? You wanna fight!?"

The rogue pulls out a knife and the one insulting him puts his fists up.

One of the other men gets between them.

"Okay, calm down boys. Let's focus on the kids. What do we do with them?

"Hmm, i don't like the way that boy is looking at us. We could just kill him..."

My heart skips a beat when hear i the possibility of being killed.

The last thing i want to happen is me dying in this forest by some nobodies.

"...Or we could just sell him to a slaver. He looks healthy enough."

"What about the girl?"

A rather overweight man squats down and eyes Alfreda creepily.

"She looks rather cute for an elf. I've never seen an elf with white hair before, and her dress looks pretty fancy. Oh, and i like her eyes."

"Didn't know you had a thing for elves, huh? I'm not surprised."

"Heh, maybe i could ask the boss if we could keep her."

A boss?

Does this group have a hierarchy?

"And then what?"

"Hmm, i think she could grow up to be very beautiful. We could sell her for a nice sum of money."

He pauses for a moment and squints his eyes.

"Or i could keep her and make her my girlfriend, hehe."

He licks his lips disgustingly, which causes Alfreda to tremble in fear.

The men laugh loudly, but they are interrupted by someone approaching us.

A tall, well built man with black hair, dark eyes and a serious look on his face.

"Enough! The boss will decide their fate. Now go get drunk like the rest of the band."

Grudgingly the men walk away to a nearby campfire.

I lock eyes with the man and he stares me down.

It's clear that he didn't send the men away as an act of kindness, but as a threat.

 

Another man, alone and holding a mug of ale, approaches the serious man and our cage.

"What's with the commotion Rolund?"

"Not your business Lucan."

Lucan, he's here!?

"Why so serious? You should learn to lighten up once in a while!"

"Once we're done with the job and back on the road will i "relax"."

Lucan puts his hand on Rolund's shoulder.

"Stop being so serious all the time! The boss's right hand man can have some fun once in a while."

Lucan takes a big gulp of his ale.

Rolund slaps his hand away and heads off to a large tent.

"I will report these kids to the boss. Don't do anything to them."

Lucan mutters to himself before taking another big swig.

"Tsk, fucking prick..."

Lucan turns to us and i see him clearly.

He has no eyebrows and his face is covered in burn scars.

He has no lips and his cheeks are missing chunks of flesh, exposing his teeth.

His right cheek shows a clear, melted hand mark, Stella's handiwork when she escaped from him.

It's a wonder how he can speak clearly and not spill his drink.

"Oh, i recognize you! You're that kid we passed some time ago."

I frown at him and get a little bit closer to the bars.

"And i you. Stella told me what you did to Pyke and Vilke."

"Hah, she did!? Those brothers sure were naive, and killing them was so easy."

He chuckles with a sadistic tone.

"She told me the whole story and i have some critique about it."

I taunt him, despite the dangerous situation we're in.

He leans in closer, intrigued.

"And what would that be?"

"She should've finished the job and burn your face until there's nothing left."

Hearing this makes him furious and he tries to grab me through the bars but my reflexes are faster and i back off.

"I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU! TELL ME WHERE SHE IS RIGHT NOW OR I WILL TEAR YOUR FACE OFF!"

While reaching for me, i pick up a nearby branch and break it on his arm.

"AH FUCK!"

He pulls his arm away and rolls on the ground in pain.

At the same time Rolund comes back.

"Fuck off Lucan, the boss wants to see the kids."

"The boy fucking broke my arm! My fucking arm!"

Rolund opens our cage and puts shackles on us.

"Stop overreacting, he's just a kid."

He begins dragging us to the large tent while lucan shouts at us.

"That boy is stronger than he looks! We should just kill him!"

 

We pass between two braziers and stop by the tent entrance.

A bandit who appears to be some kind of guard approaches Rolund.

"Take this girl for holding, the boss wants to see the boy first."

The guard nods and begins taking Alfreda away.

"Alex!"

"Where are you taking her?"

Rolund doesn't bother answering and pushes me through the flaps into the tent.

Once inside, Rolund holds me from the back of my neck and pushes me forward.

We approach a tall man, who i assume is the "Boss", leaning against a large table.

Few candles on it illuminate the tent.

Rolund brings a chair and sets it down behind me.

"Here is the boy you asked for, sir."

I'm surprised that a bandit band respects any kind of authority or Rolund might be the only one.

The boss doesn't take his eyes off a map that is on the table.

There are several flags on different spots.

"Dismissed."

Rolund nods at the boss and leaves the tent, leaving the two of us alone.

I turn my eyes back from the entrance to the boss, who still hasn't lifted his gaze.

He looks to be in deep contemplation, planning something.

"Sit."

He addresses me, still looking at the map.

"...I'd rather stand."

I choose to remain defiant in the presence of this "Boss", i won't be ordered around.

"SIT."

His voice commands sudden authority.

I feel pressure around me, like his voice has actual power behind it.

My knees buckle involuntarily and i collapse on the chair.

What was that!?

Sweat drops form on my forehead, my heart beating fast but i remain focused and keep my guard up.

The boss sits down on a large wooden seat behind him and he finally looks me in the eyes.

Dark eyes, wild long dark hair, broad shoulders and a massive frame covered in battle scars.

He's wearing a vest made out of animal fur, rugged pants and dirty boots.

He looks like a wild man and appears to be in his early 30s.

His muscles are toned and large, signifying his strength.

185 cm at 125 kg.

During my time fighting in the WWEF, i learned to accurately identify my opponents physiques by just looking at them.

I could read their muscle size and tone to determine their fighting styles and skills.

I can tell this man isn't a nobody, but an experienced fighter.

"You're observing me, assessing my strength."

Shit, how did he see that?

I thought my expression didn't show it.

"...What makes you think that?"

"Your eyes. They aren't the eyes of a child, but a man's. A man who knows violence and strength."

It's like this man is looking right through me.

My uneasiness is increasing by the minute.

I don't like this situation at all.

"Well, as you can see, i'm just a kid. A kid who got lost in the forest with his friend. Nothing more, nothing less."

I try to refute him, i don't intend to spill any secrets about my previous life.

"Don't lie to me boy."

Again, that authority and pressure in his voice!

It's like something heavy is on top of me, pressing me against the chair.

"I'm not lying, i'm just a kid!"

"Then explain those hands of yours. A ordinary child doesn't have calloused hands like yours."

"I'm the son of a farmer! I help out in the field sometimes!"

"I told you not to lie to me boy!"

His voice rings in my ears and the crushing weight on me is even greater than before.

I'm starting to sweat profusely, it's hard to remain composed.

It's like he has an invisible hand holding my throat and i'm suffocating.

I haven't felt fear like this in a long time, the last time was during a match in my previous life.

The match was in [redacted] against a man nicknamed the "Arctic Beast".

He was 200 cm in height and also weighted the same amount.

I managed to defeat him but the aura he had made me fear for my life and career.

"I like to train okay!?"

The pressure disappears.

"Scoff, i thought so."

He reaches for a long staff with engravings along its length and lifts it with one hand to reveal its large shining blade, a greataxe.

He sets it down on the table in front of me.

I can see my reflection on it.

"Is someone training you? Your father?"

"...No, i'm self-taught."

"Your training seems to be quite intensive. I doubt you came up with it on your own."

"I use knowledge passed down to me by a mentor."

I try to remain vague but truthful.

"Why do you train? I doubt a "kid" like you has many enemies."

I blink slowly once.

"I'm going to leave my village once i've grown up. I'm preparing for that."

He leans back on his chair.

"Interesting. It's impressive seeing such dedication and commitment at such a young age. Tell me, what do you think of pain?"

"I... think pain is necessary for growth and i train until my hands bleed. Instead of fearing it, i embrace it."

He squints his eyes slightly after hearing those words.

"Hmm, it seems we hold quite similar views. I believe in strength also, and the power it can give you. Might makes right, or so they say."

He gets up and walks around the table towards me.

"I think you've earned the privilege of knowing my name, call me Grem. What's your name boy?"

"...Alex."

Once next to me, he picks up his greataxe and brings it close to me.

Suddenly he grabs my left hand and in front of me.

He then rests the sharp blade on my palm.

"Let's see "Alex", if you truly know pain."

I frown and grit my teeth as he slowly slides the long blade across my palm.

"Ngh!"

Blood flows and it trickles down my arm, staining my clothes and some of it drops on the ground.

My other hand grips the chair hard, waiting for the agony to end, but despite the pain, i don't take my eyes off the blade.

He finishes slicing me and let's go.

I grasp my bloody wrist, looking at the wound with labored breath and sweating.

The skin is definitely open, but the muscles and tendons seem to fine, as i can still feel my fingers.

Fucking bastard.

"Not a single cry of pain. I'm impressed."

He returns to his seat and throws his feet on the table, his shoes spilling dirt on it.

I have to stop the blood flow.

I rip my left sleeve from the elbow and wrap it around my hand.

"Grunt, are we done?"

"For now."

He snaps his fingers and Rolund enters the tent.

"Sir."

"Take him back to their cage, i want to talk to the girl next."

"Consider it done."

 

We step outside where i find Alfreda waiting for her turn.

"Alex!"

She shouts my name as we pass, but i'm unable to answer, my mind too preoccupied by the wound.

Another guard leads her inside as opposed to being pushed like i was, she's definitely receiving better treatment than i am.

Rolund opens the cage and pushes me inside.

I stumble on my feet and land face first on the dirt.

Through the bars he throws a loaf of bread.

"Eat. You'll need your strength for what's coming tomorrow."

"Fuck you!"

I curse him as he walks away.

I'm in no mood to eat.

I eye the bandits who are continuing being loud and drunk.

Mark my words, if i get the chance, i'll definitely kill you.

With a frown of anger and hate, i forcefully make a bloody fist.

But can i do it?

Can i kill someone?

The line i promised not to cross?

If my life depends on it then i must.

I look around the cage for something that might be useful.

My eyes catch something in the back of the cage and i make my way to it.

A wide grin appears on my face.

I pick up a nearby large rock and begin striking it against something.

 

What feels like an hour later, Alfreda is brought back to our cage.

I'm leaning against the bars and wake up when the door is opened and she steps inside.

I get up and she hugs me.

She's not crying but is clearly upset.

"Are you okay? Did he hurt you?"

She lets go and rubs her eye.

"Sniff, no."

"Then what did he do?"

"We just talked, sniff."

I look at her confused.

"What did you talk about?"

"He asked about me, my parents and our village."

That's odd.

Why would he ask about those?

"Did he threaten or shout at you?"

"No, i think he was being nice. He gave me food."

"How much did you tell him?"

We sit on the ground.

"Well, i told him about us being friends, where our village is and what we were doing in the forest."

I rub my head, so much has happened during this night.

I look up at the sky and see that it's beginning to get brighter, morning is arriving.

The bandits look tired too and go to their tents.

What were they even celebrating?

Alfreda yawns and tries to keep her eyes open.

"You're tired, go to sleep."

"Can i? But i'm scared..."

"Yes, you can use Stella's bag as a pillow. I'll stay up and keep watch."

She does as i advised and lays on the ground, resting her head on the bag.

I pick up the large rock again and continue striking at something, making sure not to make too much noise.

"Alex?"

I pause to look at her.

"What?"

"Will you keep me safe? Can you promise to protect me?"

She asks through tired eyes.

I turn back to what i was doing and for a moment i stay silent.

"...Yeah. I'll get us out of here."

I don't hear a reply and i look back at her.

She's fallen asleep, so i doubt she heard that last sentence.

Tap tap, i strike with the rock.

What will be waiting for us tomorrow?