Orchid and Harold rode along the riverside, following the current upstream. The open fields allowed anyone a good vantage of their surroundings.
"How much longer until we get to the town?" Orchid asked with an impatient tone.
"Not much longer actually. We should be able to see it in a few minutes." The man explained with a sense of joy.
"Something is off." Young spoke up to Orchid.
"What do you mean?" she asked, this time remembering to speak in thought.
"Just be ready." Almost the second after Young gave his warning, an arrow flew through the air. Orchid grabbed Harold and pulled the both of them to the ground.
The warrior grumbled a bit as he got to his feet. "Hey, you know it was already funny the first time you did that." Harold complained.
"Not now. Watch yourself!" Orchid shouted.
"What is it?" He asked but from the tall grass a cloaked figure emerged and charged Harold with their blades. Orchid quickly stepped in and took the attack herself. The blade ran through her stomach with little effort, but the elf stood strong.
"Stay out of my way. Their mine." Orchid selfishly stated as she faced her opponents: Three strangers dressed in black cloaks. Undoubtedly they were from the same group that tried to enslave her from before. "They just don't give up, do they?" Said Orchid as she coughed up a bit of blood, then she kicked her attacker back, removing the blade from herself.
"You will need to work with Harold to beat them." Young warned calmly.
"I'll beat them with my Skill, like I did before." Orchid protested in pain.
"I believe you mean my Skill."
"What?"
"The Skill 'Final Form' belongs to me, and as you and I are now one, it also belongs to you now, however, you body is ill-prepared to use it properly. You will only end up fainting again, especially since you haven't given yourself enough rest since the last time." Young explained.
"Then I'll just beat them all to a pulp." Orchid shouted aloud and faced her opponents. The cloaked people looked at each other confused, but then Orchid charged one of them and landed a punch, knocking them to the ground.
One of the other men tried to quickly counter attack the elf, and they succeeded, cutting Orchid in the back, leaving a nasty gash. They tried again to attack, but she quickly moved out of the way. The third one in the group made for Harold, but Orchid quickly intercepted the attack.
"Hey! I'm the one you want so keep your eyes on me!" She shouted in an almost greedy fashion.
"Thanks for the save!" Harold thanked.
"I didn't do it for you, so just stay out of my way." Orchid barked, then proceeded to attack the men. She fought well against all three of them, but things weren't looking good. One of the men managed to knock her down to the ground and was ready to drive their blade right through her heart.
"Equip: 'Legendary Sword'!" Harold shouted and in Orchid's hand a sword materialized. The elf then blocked the attack only to then drive her blade through him. The man was dead before he hit the ground. Orchid's bloody gaze fell upon the other two. Filled with fear, the men ran for their lives as Orchid was ready to chase after them, but her legs wouldn't move.
"You have done enough." Young spoke with a firm tone.
"Let me go! I need to finish them off!" Orchid protested.
"Your anger is blinding you. Killing them will gain you nothing." He stated.
"If they get away, they'll tell the rest of their friends and bring even more to come after me." She testified.
"Your injuries must be treated to first. You cannot fight if you are dead, now can you?"
"Just let me go!" Orchid shouted to the wind as she tried to tug at the necklace with all her might, but the men were already gone. Young released his hold of Orchid's legs. Angered, she turned back to the horse. As she passed Harold, she tossed the sword by his side.
"I didn't need your help. I would've been fine." She claimed, but Harold simply sighed with relief that she was okay, mostly.