*Just what the hell is hell is happening?*
Taylor asked himself.
He then turned to Lalia.
"M-Mom….what's going on?"
"I'm not sure, but we're not sticking around to find out?"
Small ambers began attaching to the house.
Slowly igniting the wooden structure.
Taylor noticed the dust settling on the curtains.
The flames licking greedily at the fabric.
"Uhm… m-mom…."
He stammered, pulling her dress.
"What's wrong?"
She asked concern lining her feature.
It was too late.
He pointed at blazing curtain.
Lalia wasted no time.
-Thud!
She kicked open the door of the study.
And went inside.
She opened a chest.
Brandishing a dagger she muttered:
"It's been a while, hasn't it?"
While Taylor went his room.
-Creak!
He bent down under his bed.
Taking out both volumes one and two of [Hero's Ascent] written by the legendary hero.
Then left.
Lalia grabbed his hand tightly.
Then they rushed down the stairs.
Crackle…! Crackle…! Crackle…!
The fire had spread throughout the house.
But luckily they managed to get out in time.
-Clink!
-Clink!
Potions from the study spilled from shelves mixing together.
As soon as they were far enough.
-Boom!
The house they lived in was no more….
Lalia holding him by her waist.
She tried to hide it.
But Taylor could see right through her.
Droplets threaded to fall from her eyes.
After all that house held a lot of memories.
Taylor grabbed her tightly.
"It's going to be okay, I promise."
"Yeah, I know."
Those were the only words he could muster.
This time it wasn't an act.
He truly felt sorry for her.
Be it because of the real Taylor's memories or maybe after all this time he had grown fond of her.
Even seeing her as his real mother.
But that didn't matter at the moment.
They finally arrived at the town.
The scene was sureal.
The corpses surrounded them.
Screems echoed, and they were corpses lying on the ground.
Lalia covered his eyes.
"We have to find Garin and the others."
Lalia said with determination.
"Yeah…. but where are going to start?"
Taylor asked.
*Who did this? And why?*
Suddenly two figures flashed out in his mind.
As soon as he had those thoughts.
The cloaked man from before appeared.
His presence sending chills in Taylor's spine.
The man let out a disturbing smile.
"Well, look what the cat dragged in."
"Huh!"
Lalia stopped abruptly.
*Damnit, I knew it!*
The man unsheathed his blade and added.
"No one's here to help this time!"
He's gaze pierced through Taylor.
Lalia's protective instincts kicked in.
"Who are you? And what is your business with my child?"
She demanded, her voice steady.
*I've never seen him around before. Amidst all the chaos he's oddly clam. Could be he caused all this?!*
"Do, I really need a reason to state my business here?"
The man replied coolly.
Lalia tightened her grip on her weapon.
Putting Taylor down.
"Taylor, dear! I need you to take those kids over there to safety and find Garin."
"B-But who's gonn—"
She caught him off.
"Please don't make me repeat myself."
She looked back.
Taylor had never seen this side of her before.
"Sigh…!"
With a sigh of defeat, he nodded.
"Roger!"
He ran towards two little girls.
A girl with short hazel hair and dark eyes who seemed close to his age.Along with a little girl who seemed to be the younger sister.
They were currently mourning their parents' lifeless bodies.
"M-Mommy, please wake up!"
Cried the older girl.
Desperately trying to rouse her mother.
While her younger sister sobbed quietly behind her.
Taylor rushed towards them.
Urgency propelling his words.
"We have to leave now!"
"No! I have to wake up momy first!"
The older sister protested.
Leaving Taylor no choice.
He grabbed both their hands and hurriedly led them away.
The older girl fought back, resisting as they made their way.
***
Garin and Liam's father were running to save more people.
Then he spotted a familiar figure.
He approached.
It was Taylor and the two girls.
Relief washed through Taylor's face as they drew near.
He could see the strain on their faces.
"Garin!"
He called out.
"These kids need to get to safety!"
"We're trying!"
Garin replied, glancing at the chaos.
"There are still many more people. So we have to act fast."
Liam's father crouched down to the children still sobbing.
His voice soft but still firm.
"Listen kids. We're going to keep you safe. Follow us closely and don't look back, okay?"
The older girl nodded.
Fear still lingering in her eyes.
The smaller one clutched Taylor's hand tightly.
"Are Liam and the others, okay?"
Taylor asked Garin.
"Their fine, they went with Elda. But where's Lalia?"
Garin asked.
Looking at the surroundings.
"She asked me to get the kids to safety. While she held of a strange man."
"Damnit."
Garin muttered his expression hardening.
"We need to get these kids to safety first. Stay close!"
Liam's father led the kids, while Garin was navigating the area.
*Why is he closing his eyes? And how is he still running and navigating
perfectly?*
Taylor decided to keep his thoughts to him self and just follow.
"Hey, Joey."
Garin called out for Liam's father.
"Can you handle things from here. I need to save Lalia."
"I understand but…"
Joey interjected.
With a worry some expression.
"Please, my friend."
Garin pleaded.
"Fine, hurry up and save her."
Joey relented.
"Thank you. I will."
Garin replied confident.
"Taylor I'm going to need you to stay here with Liam's dad. While I go and save mommy, okay?"
He simply nodded.
With that Garin pointed directions to where the nearest wagon was.
Then Garin dashed out.
With immense speed.
Leaving no room for set backs.
"Wow!"
Taylor gasped, seeing the scene that just played out.
"Don't worry Taylor you're mom is good hands. After all Garin is a <<[Swordmaster]>> level expert."
*Huh! Swordmaster what? What's that?*
He thought.
"Taylor! Don't fall behind!"
Liam's father urged carrying the two little girls.
The sounds of destruction echoing behind them.
As they hurried a man shouted.
"The last wagon, everybody climb aboard!!!"
"There!"
Liam's father shouted.
They finally arrived.
He quickly placed the two girls inside.
"Mommy! Mommy's still…. We need to get her."
The older sister cried.
Her eyes wide with worry.
"Don't worry you're mom's still here. She'll be following behind you, okay?"
"Really…?"
The girl wiped away some of her tears.
"Yeah!"
He reassured.
"Now, it's your turn Tay—"
Taylor was no longer beside him.
"Huh! Where is he…?"
He replied alarmed.
Taylor was already rushing back to save his mother.
*I have to save her!*
He thought.
Knowing the heaviness of the situation.
***
A/N:
[Like it? add it your library!]