Chapter 9
The Journey Begins
"So are you clear on the plan? The slightest miscalculation and you will die." Cross asked in a severe tone.
"Yeah we are clear on the plan; we won't let you down master." Allen said boldly as he tightened his fist with determination while Rhode nodded in agreement.
The night's chill crept in as the fire started to dwindle. Allen felt Rhode shiver because of how close she was to him. So he took off his jacket and put it around her, and she looked into his eyes and smiled.
"Alright as soon as morning comes, get going, and remember we don't have much time." Cross told them and started to walk away, but turned back and put his hand on Allen's shoulder. "Good luck Allen."
Allen laid by the warm coals with Rhode curled up in front of him with his arms around her. She smiled and closed her eyes happy to be so close to him, while Allen did the same and went to sleep. Cross looked back and smiled to himself and went on his way.
When Allen started to stir, it was still very early in the morning. His body felt strong even with only four hours of sleep because his body was used to working with minimal sleep. The morning was overcast and there was a type of blue and grey light due to the sun about to rise soon. It was still cool and the air smelled fresh as Allen rose, and stretched out his muscles. The fire had long gone out he noticed and then looked to Rhode who was still asleep. He smiled softly and knelt next to her slowly stroking her hair and waking her up.
"Rhode, it's time to get up we have to get moving." He whispered gently.
"No… five more minutes…" She mumbled still half asleep.
He laughed and scooped her up into his arms and started walking. Rhode opened one of her eyes and blushed a bit from being carried the way she was and being against his hard chest muscles and tight arms.
"It's okay I can walk now" She said after a few minutes and Allen put her down.
They looked around at their surroundings and decided to find some breakfast. Nearby there was a few apple trees and a stream. After picking a few apples and washing them in the cool clear water of the stream and then drinking some of the water, they sat on some boulders and ate and stared out at the peaceful landscape.
When they had finished their meal they got up and Rhode have back Allen's jacket, then started walking again. The wondered for a few minutes and found a lightly worn path that they followed according to Cross's instructions.
It took a few hours walking along the road surrounded by rolling green and golden hills, till they saw a town in the faint distance. The town they arrived in was a small town with about forty people and a few dozen buildings, which was right near the ocean. There were a few people going about their day seeming to be doing chores, however there was gloominess about the town. When the people noticed Allen and Rhode they stopped what they were doing and call everyone over. What seemed like the whole town gathered around Allen and Rhode.
"That jacket… You're from the Black order, Please you must help us!" One of the women yelled out and others mumbled in agreement.
"What's wrong?" Allen asked the crowd.
When the crowd had settled and the moved into the town tavern where one of the elders began to explain what has been happening.
"It started a few days ago, in the night our children have started go missing and we think something has been kidnapping them. Please help us and find our children." The old man explained.
"Alright we will do what we can; we will set up a stake out and wait for the creature to come." Allen said.
Allen and Rhode sat in the room that the village was letting them stay in. Allen was drawing up plans and thinking about what they were going to do, while Rhode got bored and sat on the deck outside of the room and kicked her legs back and forth and stared out at the sea.
"Allen let's go on a walk, it's still sunset so we have time." Rhode said coming in and leaning against his back with her eyes closed.
"Sure, I could use a break anyway, let's go." He said standing up and smiling.
They walked outside and down the deck onto the beach. After setting their shoes on the doormat out on the deck, they made their way down to the sand. It felt weird to both of them because it was rare for either of them to go to the beach. Rhode wiggled her toes in the sand and giggled while grabbing Allen's hand.
"Hehe let's go!" Rhode said while beaming at him.
The shore was bathed in a red and orange glow as they walked hand in hand. Eventually the stopped and leaned against one of the palm trees and gazed out at the sky which was painted orange, red, and purple.
Rhode looked at Allen and stared into his kind sparkling eyes.
"I love you Allen Walker" she whispered in his ear.
Allen blushed. "I… I love you too Rhode."
Rhode smiled like a minx seeing him blush and leaned in and gave him a quick kiss and then ran away giggling.
"Come on Allen, we don't want to be late!" she hollered at him teasingly.
Allen mumbled in agreement still slightly embarrassed and then smirked and walked after her.
It was almost nightfall by the time they got back and went to the center of the town to meet with the rest of the village people. The town elder came foreword with a small brown haired boy who was eight years old.
"This young man is Eric, he has volunteered to help you to catch this monster" The elder said about the small boy.
"If I help you, you can help me get my sister back, right?" Eric asked very innocently.
"Of course, we will get her back" Rhode assured him.
A few hours later the rest of the village had gone to bed while Allen, Rhode, and Eric stayed in the center of the town waiting for the creature. Allen noticed Eric seemed afraid so he did his best to comfort him.
"Don't worry we will get your sister." He soothingly said.
Just then he saw a shadow out of the corner of his eye and turned to face down the direction the shadow was moving.
"Rhode, stay here with him, I'll go check it out" Allen said with a strong voice.
Allen ran off toward the shadow trying to hunt it down. Rhode also saw something move in the direction opposite to the way Allen ran.
"Stay here Eric, I'll be right back" She said to him and quickly tried to catch the creature.
A few minutes later Allen came back to the center and a few seconds later Rhode came back.
"Rhode where is Eric?" Allen asked distressed.
"He was right here, I saw another shadow move over this way" she pointed to where she just came from.
At that moment they both saw a third shadow, Allen grabbed a torch from a nearby wall and they took off after it. They managed to follow it along way down the beach until they came upon a cave right next to the water. Making there way into the cave with Allen leading the way they tried to see where Eric might be. As they kept walking they saw the cave opened up into a cavern and saw a light come out from the cavern.
When they walked into the cavern they saw several children along with several creatures. Only the creatures were about two feet tall. They were green kappa looking creatures with big round eyes and little yellow hats. The some of the children were sleeping while others were playing with the creatures.
Allen talked to the children and then brought the adults and explained how the creatures would come to town and the children went to go play with them. To thank Allen and Rhode the village arranged a ship for them in a nearby town to take them where they need to go.
When morning came they said their farewells and departed to the town where they could find the ship that would help them along their journey.
Hello again, sorry for the dely. I've been swamped lately so I hopefuly will start pumping out chapters again. Like normally, Suggestions, Comment, and Critics welcome. Hope you enjoy!
