Chapter 4 - Demon
The girl in front of him didn't understand what he was feeling, how could she know? She doesn't know of his past, and he can't tell her because she would think he's crazy, or a lunatic. But, for now, this was the only person that he really knew from anywhere, even if it was just a little, so he had to give her a half truth.
"My name is Adrien, and i'm...not from here...I'm from very far away, and don't know a thing about this place. I woke up in the field outside of this town. And...that's all I remember." He said, only telling a half truth. He remembers everything, the grotesque being standing over him looking him dead in the eyes, Quod Mendax, especially the grotesque monster. To him...it felt so real. Thinking back on his "previous" life. He saddened slightly.
"Not from here...hmm" the girl sat up to think. "Seeing as you don't know anything about Domus, I'll tell you some of what I know, it could help you get around and understand" she stated.
"You're just going to believe me?" Adrien asked.
"Unless you're lying to me, then I don't see why I shouldn't believe you. My mother, when I was young, told me to believe what someone says if they're in trouble, and you seem very troubled indeed."
"Thanks..."
"Now pay attention because I'm not going to repeat myself, think of it as a history lesson."
"Sure, I'm ready" Adrien began listening intently as the sunlight grew brighter.
Avabel went on to explain the logistics of where they were on...some planet. The continent of Domus is the second largest continent in this world, and it is split by 4 ruling empires, previously ruled by 6, but the other 2 were crushed by the 4 allied rulers. Adrien had a difficult time taking in the information dump, but he understood a majority of what she was saying.
"So, which empire does this town belong too?" Adrien asked.
"This town is not a part of any empire, the people in charge of a "rebellion" decided that this place would be a strategic position in planning. And we didn't get a say in the matter." She sighed after telling him. "A civil war?" He pondered.
"Yes, but not only that. There is rising political conflict between 2 empires, and people are speculating that they may fight, the only thing stopping them from attacking one another is the largest continent, Arithtomin, and the Digon empire. Who have also been letting out threats after their new ruler had gained control."
"Quite the situation here..." Adrien thought about where he stood in the case of political standing. He didn't have any, and the place he was in, disagreed with the current ideology of the rulers. That and the hostility between continents. It was bad either way he looked at it.
After they had finished talking, the sun was now just above the house, and was shining brightly through the bedroom window, Adrien could now see more of Avabels features better, She had been wearing a shirt resembling something from the Regency era in his world. But as expected it was bloodied and ripped in different places, she wore brown pants that appeared to be made of fine leather, having a sharper chin, small cheekbones, and green eyes. He thought she was quite pretty. She reminded him of Ava.
Looking at the sword next to him, he decided he should ask her now before he misses the chance. "Hey Avabel, do you practice swordsmanship?" He asked grabbing the sword and investigating it. "Yes, but I'm still only just beginning to learn. I'm not quite good at it yet" She stated. "I see..." Adrien placed the blade down once again.
When he tried to stand up, he stumbled over clutching his stomach. He was starving and was suffering from weakness. The exhaustion took over his body and he grew lightheaded. He reached over to the water canteen, and drank the rest of it in one swig. His thirst was sated and he could move again. But he was still hungry.
"Adrien, there are-" before she could finish they had both heard glass smash downstairs. Followed by yelling "Where the hell are you!?" To which Avabel began to shake slightly. "Go buy me more alcohol you bitch!" He yelled drunkly. And Avabel winced. Adrien walked over to her and gave her a hug, she hugged back hiding her face in his chest all the while Adrien grew angrier with each passing second. His heat had risen and he clenched his teeth.
Avabel was crying now. And the angry drunk man downstairs was the reason, he went through his options. He could just sneak out with her through the window...no that would draw too much attention...what if I- "I'll kill the motherfucker you brought in here if you don't come out." The sound of a drawer slamming and the familiar sound of a blade being drawn, had alarmed him. Jerum probably grabbed a knife. And heavy angry steps could be heard coming up the stairs to the room.
Adrien despite being weakened, gathered enough willpower to stand to the side of the doorway. "Here you are..." the man was holding a blade that resembled a Kukri machete from the real world, the hilt appeared to be made from ivory, and the blade was a metal unfamiliar to Adrien. The best he could describe it would be crystalline. It was made from some kind of ore resembling emerald or jade.
The man approached Avabel as Adrien quietly stepped behind him. "You're daddies little girl...right? Go fetch me some alcohol and I'll give you a reward this time...heh heh" Adrien felt sick in a moment, he tried to kiss Avabel but she turned her head shaking slightly. This man was toxic, a demon. Adrien's fist closed tighter and he looked at him with the aura of hate and disdain.
The man reached for her shirt setting the blade on the bed, and began unbuttoning it. Avabel was sobbing quietly now. Adrien grabbed the man by the neck unable to grab the blade without being noticed, and pulled him off of Avabel, dragging him to the door and smashing his head against the wall outside. Producing a dent, Jerum struggled with Adrien grappling his shirt and driving a hard punch into his ribs. "You're the motherfucker aren't you!? Trying to take her from me!?" He growled before tackling Adrien to the floor Adrien was barely managing to protect his face from heavy punches. He was a large man.
Allowing him to throw a hard punch Adrien moved his head so Jerum punched the floor, taking advantage of the momentary flinch, Adrien smashed his elbow into Jerum's nose, the impact knocking him down. Adrien ran to the bedside and grabbed the kukri. Now standing between Jerum and Avabel. In a fit of anger, Jerum charged toward Adrien as he swung his blade too late and was hurled into the wall by him.
Avabel who had been scarred by the very man she called father, was now watching him fight a complete stranger who had treated her better than he ever has, her entire life. She grabbed the rapier unsheathed the blade and drove it straight into her fathers leg, side and shoulder in quick thrusts after standing.
"AGH!" the man stopped attacking and fell to one knee. Adrien caught his breath and kicked him square in the jaw. Causing him to fall over. Adrien was filled with fire, and adrenaline. Jerum barely stood and limped towards the window in hope to call for help. Adrien stabbed him in the back, the blade passing through his chest, and he fell onto the table. "Bastard...and a...whore daughter...who would've thought..."
Turning Jerum around, Adrien slashed his throat open with the blade. Blood hitting the wall, and painting the floor. "Shut your goddamn mouth..." Adrien said wiping the blood off his face.
And his body hit the floor.