Elizabeth tilted her head her smile getting bigger. It didn't quite reach her eyes. She looked like a kid playing with something. "So what do you think? Are you okay with mentoring Elena, Kuroshi?"
Kuroshis jaw got tight and his hand went to the handle of his guns. He didn't look at Elizabeth. He took in the whole situation.
"Tsk. Yeah I'm ready I guess " he said in a rough voice.
He thought to himself 'It's not like I have a choice. If I say no she'll just find another way to mess with us. If I play along I can at least keep Elena from getting herself killed.'
Elena, who had been listening with scared eyes let out a sharp breath. Her voice was shaking as she backed away. "Wh-what?. I didn't agree to this! You can't you can't just decide my life for me!"
Elizabeth just giggled, an airy sound that didn't fit with the violence all around them. She stepped closer to Elena making her feel trapped.
"Oh Elena you think you get to choose? In a world thats already falling apart your 'agreement' doesn't matter. You're not joining a club; you're getting a head start."
Kuroshi stepped between them like a shield. He looked at Elena, his face unreadable. His eyes were burning with a cold practical intensity.
"She's right about one thing, kid " he said, cutting through the tension. "You don't get to choose how this ends. You only get to choose if you're holding the knife or getting stabbed by it. Choose."
"O-oke... I agree " Elena whispered, her voice barely audible.
Elizabeth let out a squeal clapping her hands together loudly. "Wonderful! So what are you waiting for? Lets go train!"
Elena stumbled back eyes wide looking around at the city square. "Ri-right ? I mean—surely we need to rest?. Plan? People are watching us, Elizabeth!"
"Time doesn't wait for anyone, Elena " Elizabeth said, her playful tone turning sharp. She reached out her fingers touching Elenas sleeve.
"The you train the stronger you'll get. Every second you waste is a second you're giving your life to the things that hide in the shadows. This is for the better—believe me."
Kuroshi didn't waste time. He. Walked away his heavy boots clicking on the pavement. He didn't look back to see if Elena was following; he just knew she would.
"She's right about one thing, kid " Kuroshi called out. "The world doesn't care if you're tired, hungry or confused. It doesn't pause for you to catch your breath. If you're coming move. If you want to be a bystander when things go south stay here."
Elena looked at Elizabeth, who was still smiling at Kuroshis back. She realized that this "training" wasn't a choice; it was a transition.
She took a breath squared her shoulders and started walking toward the alley leaving the noise of the normal world behind.
They had just started walking when a frantic voice cut through the silence.
"I heard everything!" Sarah shouted from behind them. "About the training about the Collectors, about her!" She pointed at Elizabeth, who just waved at her like a doll.
"Can I train to—"
"No!" Elena snapped, spinning around. Her face was pale twisted with terror.
"Yo-you think you're the one who cares?" Sarah shouted, her voice echoing off the walls.
"I'm not some prop you can just hide away! If these 'Collectors are coming don't you think they'll come for both of us?"
Elenas hands were shaking as she gripped Sarahs shoulders.
"That's why you're staying behind! I've already decided to fight so you don't have to. It's to protect you! If something happens to you—if something happens to you I… I wouldn't be able to stay sane!"
Sarah didn't reply away. She went quiet her gaze on the ground. The silence was heavy like the tension of the creatures gathering at the alley entrance. Elenas heart was hammering, scared of what Sarah would say.
Finally Sarah looked up her face unreadable.
"Alright.. You have to agree to my one condition."
Elena blinked, her breath catching.
"A condition?"
"Yes, a condition " Sarah said, her voice steady.
"You have to come to my apartment every day. I don't care how tired you are or how late it is. I want you to come to me so you can feel at ease after each battle. That is my price for staying."
No one heard the words; they were never meant for them. Sarahs lips barely moved as she spoke.
" All you only truly find rest when you are, with me."
Elena looked from Sarah to the shadows.
"Every day?"
"Every day " Sarah insisted.
"Promise me."
"I promise " Elena whispered.
"Good " Sarah said, stepping back into the shadows.
"Then don't you dare break it."