I made it a note to myself to never sleep right after experiencing Sleep Paralysis, that was admittedly one of the dumbest decision I've ever made.
Horrible nightmares kept me up all night and left me exhausted in the morning, much to Flay and Roxis' chagrin. Nikki and Sulpher don't mind, they only find it rational to be exhausted at 5 am.
We got off at a crowded bay in a town called Ghravanha, which according to local rumors meant " Ghra's Fresh Waters. " Personally, I didn't believe that part much. Mostly because the water was littered with fish innards and rotten bits of fish gone in the markets for too long. Muppy wasn't in sight either, apparently he skipped this place to avoid smelling the maggots rise out from the dead fish.
Though by the looks of things, it seemed important to whatever Flay's planning. I never wanted to question why he chose Tony's hometown, he always answered questions about his plans differently.
" His house should be around here somewhere... he has a better map than this old piece of crap... " Flay said, throwing away his map that was watered down by yesterday's flood to the bloody water below.
" Wait, you said we were the only ones still alive right? Does that include them? " Nikki asked, I was starting to get curious of that too.
" They were on a honeymoon, " Flay almost laughed but then turned serious again. " Upon knowing that their friend was executed despite not being an alchemist, they decided to drop all their romantic rendezvous plans and fled off to only the Gods and Goddesses knows where. "
Even Tony and Renee chickened out, that's how bad the prejudice is. There's no mercy in the war, to the point where soldiers come home to kill their families just because he thought they were alchemists. The fear and paranoia drove them insane.
Later we came across a house between two prawn shops, crowded with soldiers and mercenaries. We knew it was Tony and Renee's house, it was right there on the small sign next to the door.
I lowered my hood to cover up to my chin and looked around for questions, then a soldier came up to me.
" What are you doing here? Get away, there's nothing to see here! " he said, a slight tone of worry is in his voice.
" What's going on here anyway? "
" This place here is where those wretched demon-spawns brewed diseases and greedy potions, " the soldier pointed at the building, he made the last word sound like 'poison'. " They claimed it will heal even the damned plague but it didn't! They wouldn't share them with the holy men, they denied joining hands with our Goddess! "
' Yikes, ' I thought. ' That was a bit too much... '
" Not committing to a self-destructive hive-mind? What heathens! " Flay joked, he was being his old risky self at that point. The guard pointed a shaky spear at his neck.
" D-don't... The Goddess will punish you... " he was practically foaming in his mouth.
I looked at Roxis and Nikki behind me, they looked grim. Even Sulpher looked disgusted by the soldier. Deep down we all knew they fell prey to wrong teachings, but it wasn't our business at that point.
Our business lied at Tony's desk, where he hid his seafaring merchant's map.
Getting in was supposedly difficult, Flay had us gather right behind the building to plan out.
" We have to create a diversion. We can't get in otherwise. " he said.
" But these men are stubborn and, like a dog, once they have their sights on something they won't let go, " Roxis said, showing a bruise shaped like a steel gauntlet's palm on his forearm. " If those freeloaders on Fragisse are able to do this with such attention, how do you expect to distract them? "
Both their eyes turn on me, Nikki and Sulpher immediately objects.
" Woah, woah, woah, wait! " she said, sounding a bit angry. " We can't just throw him to the wolves again, I thought we were over that! "
" Tell that to the storyboarders, we have to hit the sales somehow! " That part Flay said somewhat made sense. " Besides, he's the only one perfect for the job. Seeing a homunculus would divert the attention of anyone! "
I heard a soft, low growl from Nikki and she turned away. Sulpher jumped from her arms and unceremoniously to the ground, making a silent 'thump!' as he hits the ground with his remaining feet and shoulder. He limped by my side and meowed.
" Sulpher? No, it's too dangerous... " Nikki said, trying to pick him up again but he hissed and swiped her hands away.
He wanted to go with me, even into danger. Like how we did before the war grew too fiery. I almost let tears form but I know Flay wouldn't like that, I wiped it away with my sweat when it did instead.
But really, I was only doing that to prevent Flay from doubting and eventually leading us to be killed from late planning.
" Are you ready for this? " he asked, putting a hand on my shoulder. " You have two weapons out of us, the dagger and Sulpher. You can, however, refuse if you want, I don't want to send a scared buck to do a wolf's job. "
My worst nightmare came true for one part; Flay had a tone of regret in his voice. I felt sick, ready to refuse. But can't, I couldn't bring myself to quit. Because I know if I did... All of us, even innocent people, would be lying dead while wars still rage on.
It was inevitable yes, but we have the option to postpone it. And that option only counts today, in my hands as a diversion and it all depends on whether they get the map or they die trying. It was a cruel option, but it was the only one at hand.
" Yeah, I'm ready... " I said finally and it felt surreal, as if I just woke up from deep sleep standing up. I must've thought it over for too long, but no one showed impatience.
" No doubts? " Nikki asked, twiddling with her tail a little.
With a deep sigh, I said " ...yes. "
Flay nodded and lowered my hood, looking around to make sure no one's around to break his plan.
" Run as fast as you can... Trust your instincts and, Vayne, " he stopped to look at me dead in the eyes. " Don't die. "
I nodded then ran past the three of them, Sulpher following behind me quickly despite his limping run, and out of the shadowy hideout of the alley into open danger.
" Homunculus! "
