Minus the sub-plot, things were still rather grim. The cheery and chatty Aisha had gone mute. Mute because she was still absolutely upset with Elsword for not saving Frank, the elderly man, back in the last town. Really, though, it was also because she'd come to a deterring conclusion.

A silent air floated between the two as they strolled down the paved roads. The town was pretty modern, containing dull-red-brick buildings and lampposts that had burned out lightbulbs. The outfits had an ornate style to them, containing shades of orange, red, and yellow and messy embroidered stitching along the edges of the cloths. Something was still rather off about the city, but that explanation was to be saved for later.

Oh? Wasn't that Rena and Raven, over there? Why yes, it was them! The two finally appear for the first time since the adventure began. How long had it been since Elsword saw them? One, two weeks?

Although, it looked as though those two were having some problems. Like Elsword and Aisha, Rena and Raven made no communication with each other— no verbal communication, anyways. The tears streaming down Rena's face and the cold look in Raven's eyes accompanied with Rena's fragile-looking state said that something had just happened.

"Eh? So you two are still alive?" Elsword remarked.

Slightly startled, the green haired lady swiped away tears and put on a fierce look. "O-of course we're still alive! We aren't some immature and amateur engineers like you!"

Elsword, eyebrows furrowed, glanced at Rena's partner. Nobody really knew much about Raven. Elsword could only remember the brief moment where Elesis sent him to deliver a message to the rivaling business. The little Elsword had spotted Raven pounding metal with a large hammer at the forge. From what he could recollect, Raven's skills were actually pretty good. But that was all he knew about the silent partner.

"... What, no rebuttal?" Rena placed her hand on her hips, tilting her head curiously at the two. She'd definitely noticed that her rivals weren't talking to each other, nor back to her. "Something happen?"

"Just this guy being an idiot." Aisha lashed out with a sharp tongue. There was no hesitation in her words, startling Rena who knew of the two's relationship, but Aisha did shut her mouth quickly once the words spilled out. It wasn't too often that she called Elsword an idiot out of anger. Although, frankly, Elsword was only an idiot with skill.

The older lady crossed her arms. "Little fights, huh?" She moved her green hair behind her shoulders. "Those are never fun. It's best to avoid them when you can."

"Shut up Rena." The redhead half-mumbled and half-yelled. Aisha was starting to annoy him. He got them out of the town for their own good! Why was she so stubborn in the head? Despite the status between him and Aisha, though, he couldn't stand anybody talking about their relationship in such a way. "It's not like you didn't have one just now.

Rena balled her fists up. "N-Nothing happened here! You can't prove that! And I was actually being—"

"Stop right there!"

Rena's words halted at the sound of a man's yelling, something cruel and hoarse. It came from behind her. On the paved road, a young lady with raven-black hair and tattered orange and white clothes was running barefoot away from soldiers with spears, swords, and shields. Her feet, dirty with the fleshy skin all red and worn, were pushing her lady stumbled and fell to the rough pavement, attempting to pull herself up quickly. But before she could, a soldier approached her with an evil look and kicked her square in the stomach. "You revolting wench! A fool, you are." Behind the soldier came more, all with the intent to track this lady down.

Eye twitching, Rena pointed at the group of soldiers closing in on the lady. A lady should not be suffering like that at the hands of men. "R-Raven..."

Raven slipped his right hand into his gray coat and pulled out a slightly curved sword. It glinted and shined, the blade of it seeming to curl more in the light. "Understood. I'm on it."

He paced forward calmly, like a wolf in the cool of a winter night. Then, with the blade towing at his side, Raven began sprinting up to the group. With one swipe, his metal arm slashed the backs of soldiers, tearing at the fabric and greatly digging into metal armor. All eyes rose to the foreign man whom suddenly proved as a threat.

Rena, pulled a bow from behind her, hidden behind her hair and cape, and uncovered a box of darts from under her hat. As her partner clashed with the spearmen and swordsman, Rena loaded her bow and aimed at the men. With quick shots and precision, the men collapsed to the ground. One by one, they were eliminated, the lot of them scattered across the pavement.

"D-Did you two... Just kill them?!" Elsword questioned, freaked out. He didn't know they could do this! Kill men so willingly?! Had he been living and arguing with murderers this whole time?

Rena shook her head, blowing her bow as if she just shot her enemies with a persuader. "Nope, simply tranquilized them." She went to the man that kicked the lady and kicked him in the shin hard. "I should've done worse though."

The silent purple-haired girl scurried to the lady in tattered clothes. She placed her head against the lady's chest and took her pulse. "Her heart is beating rapidly and she's taking deep breaths. She's been running for awhile now."

"Which is a good reason to shoot these guys down. We need to take her somewhere secluded to make sure she's safe, and obviously that can't be done while she's being chased." Rena leaned over the lady, looking her up and down. After inspection, she stood straight and snapped her fingers. "Raven, think you can carry her?"

Without answering, Raven lugged the lady over his shoulder and gave Rena a thumbs up with an expressionless face.

The green haired lady clapped her hands. "M'kay, let's get movin—"

"Hey wait, what makes you think we're going with you two?" Elsword broke in. Never did he agree to the plan!

Rena crossed her arms. "Because I know a kid like you doesn't have the heart to abandon her."

Her nemesis scoffed. She was right on about him. But of course, he couldn't lead her to think that about him. Not if he wanted him and Aisha to stay alive. "But, I know you're going to take care of her," Elsword turned sideways, "so there's no point in stay around. Therefore, we'll be taking our leave." The redhead reached for Aisha's wrist to take her with him.

"...No."

Stopping him in his tracks, Aisha coldly stared at Elsword while pulling her arm away. Her fists had balled up at his words, and anger was boiling inside her due to the flames that had been set. "I'm not leaving with you. I'm staying to help this lady out."

Was this about deserting Frank again? It must have been, Elsword thought. Was she trying to make him feel guilty? "Aisha now, or I'm leaving you here."

"Fine then. Leave me here"

Aisha definitely knew how to push him. More agitated, and slightly panicked, he raised his voice a level. "Aisha, stop being stubborn and just come—"

"Look," Rena stepped between the two, "She's not coming Elsword, and there's no point trying to change her mind. I say you do the right thing and help out as well." A delicate hand was held out for the boy to shake. "On behalf of The Titanium Welder, the competition between us will halt until this lady is safe."

Red eyes glanced at the hand before him, then at his friend. Aisha's purple eyes bore into him, the feeling of a missing friend hidden from him rising in his chest. It was like Aisha had somehow stopped supporting him. He truly had no intentions of leaving her behind— like that wasn't already obvious. "Alright..." He replied with a reluctant shake. He actually felt pretty bad about the suggestion of abandoning his best friend, even with their current relationship. But still, Elsword didn't enjoy the idea of teaming with the Titanium Welder.

The green haired lady smiled at her partner who nodded in response. "Great, let's get a move on then!"

As the other two went ahead, Elsword faced Aisha. "What was up with that? Why would you so willingly team up with them?"

Aisha looked almost disgusted by him. "You're kidding me Elsword! A person's life could very well be at stake, and you can still only see them as your enemies?! Is there any sanity, any altruism, in your mind?"

Aisha couldn't remember a time where her best friend was this selfish. It stunned her, and her words to him the same. "When you get your head screwed on straight again, let me know. I'm totally frustrated talking to you!"

She couldn't stand looking Elsword in the face, so she ran ahead.

A man with with long black hair twirled his mustache while leaning onto the arm of an angular throne. His attire, compared to many of the commoners in town, was fancy and clean with neat embroidering and golden silk fabrics. An artfully embroidered dragon was done across the front of the outfit, and it look as if it might fly iff and wreak havoc. Something about him was intimidating and could send chills down one's spine— his devilish grin, or, perhaps, his fingertips menacingly tapping the each other so calmly that it was too calm?

A soldier, with blood-red-shaded clothing on, ran in with a spear in hand. His face was stern, and his form stiff. "Your highness, the lady has escaped. Four foreigners infiltrated the city and tranquilized the units. They are currently on pursuit towards the borders."

The man in the throne sat upright in his chair, his smile turning into a disapproving frown. "I see... that just cannot do..." As quickly as his smile had left, however, the corners of his lip curled up. "Send out more soldiers. This time, I want her and the foreigners— Dead or alive. But all in whole pieces."

"Yes, your highness." The soldier dismissed himself from the room, bowing promptly before doing so. The man, whom was the ruler of the town, chuckled with a tight fist.

"Yes, dead or alive. I will have you soon Miss Ara Haan, like a little doll trapped in a playhouse, and you will regret ever revolting against me!"