Above the mining sites of the town, Ace leaps into the air, soaring high and free like a bird. His eyes conveyed every square inch of the place.
He saw people working somewhere, just doing what they were doing. Some had stalls.
Landing on a rooftop of one of the houses, his eyes surveyed the area around him. He saw a trailway followed by a steam engine chugging along the track, pulling a cart that was loaded. It was covered in a cloth, and he could only see a glimpse of shimmering blue glitter.
His hand came into view and clenches it tightly at the same time it engulfs in flames "nice to know i still got some fire" with a wave the fire dispersed from his hand. He placed his hand on his head, feeling the warmth of his own hand in his head, he had forgotten that his hat wasn't there. Realizing he wasn't wearing it, he sighed, "Oh yeah, right, it's gone. Thanks a lot, teach. You fat bastard."
He gazed down on the ground where some people were walking by going on about thier days. he hopped down below frightening the residents only for a few seconds before moving on.
As Ace walked around, some of the people threw their gaze at him oddly and curiously.
Along the way, he saw some people with the same dark hair color as Dunz and Lukes. Some were just sitting on the ground in an alleyway, all ragged up and looking sick as a dog. Some were covered in old coats with the same pattern as the rest.
"What's up with those patterns?" he thought questionably. "More importantly, something tells me they're not too popular around here."
He felt something hit his foot. It was a ball, followed by three boys with dark hair. One of them staggered forward, looking frightened. "U-um, sorry, Mr."
Grabbing the ball from his feet Ace stepped forward and walks up to the first boy in the middle while the other two cowered.
The poor boy couldn't stop shaking. Then he felt his head being patted. He saw Ace smiling at him. "Not a problem here. This is yours, right?" he said softly.
The boy gaped, as if he couldn't believe it.
"Yes, thank you, Mr."
The other two felt relief at the same time; they were in disbelief.
"Say you boys are up for a little game, because I'm down," Ace suggested. The first boy looked at his two friends, as they beamed, "Yeah! Let's play!"
"By the way, Mr., what's your name?"
"My name's Ace, nice to meet ya," he introduced, flashing a smile.
Dunz and Luke huffed as they ran around town searching for thier guest. "how is he that fast?" asked Dunz in between pants.
"You just need more exercise," his son said. Dunz took that as an obvious offense.
"Hey now!"
After eyeing left and right, he ignored his father and continued his search.
Stopping for a second to breathe, they decided to ask someone if they've seen Ace pass by.
At last, one of the residents saw the exact shirtless man they'd been looking for, giving the directions. Dunz gave his thanks as they resumed the search.
While on the run, Luke heard a chorus of laughter. He stopped immediately, his father catching on.
"luke? whats is it?"
"We need to follow where those laughs are coming from." With no other response, Luke ran off first. Dunz had second thoughts, but chased after him.
They both went through an alleyway, squeezing past garbage cans and wooden boxes. They made it to the other side.
Finally, they found Ace, and he wasn't alone. There were three children seen playing with him.
Ace performs an incredible skill of keeping the ball on his feet as it bounces from left to right on his feet, as the three boys were impressed.
"whoah"
"thats cool mr!"
"It's all in the feet," Ace boasted, and with one last kick, he returned the ball to the boys and waved them goodbye.
"bye mr Ace"
"see ya!"
"Challenge anytime!" he says to them.
"Ace!"
Ace looked behind and saw Luke and Dunz, who was panting for air.
"Oh, it's you two. Sorry for running off," he says apologetically. Then he remembered why he ran out in the first place. Planting his fist on his left open palm, he said, "Oh, right! I was hungry! By the way, do you guys know any good place to get some grub?"
Dunz slowly raised his index finger in a 'one sec' motion. "Whew! You sure run fast for someone your age. And to answer your question, yeah, I know a place, but-"
He was caught off by Ace, grabbing both their arms and running away, dragging both of them. "You could've said so sooner, let's go!!"
"I blame you for this, Dad!" wailed Luke miserably
"Not now, Luke! How are you this strong? Also, there's something you need to know!" Poor Dunz screamed at the top of his lungs while being dragged by their guest.
They raced past the street, leaving smoke behind. Their little marathon caused a few people to look at them in bewilderment.
On one of the stalls stood a man in his thirties, wearing a blue coat, an official Gallian military logo on his right chest, he had brown hair, blue eyes, and a short pointy nose.
He placed a hand under his chin, "Hmm," he said, walking on the opposite path. "Lord Pulzic shall heed this news as quickly as possible indeed. A new face he must meet, and some usual faces with debts to remind and collect indeed," he said with a mischievous grin.
To Be Continued