Rhita I

I was alive…

Death was so close.

It almost claimed me.

Almost…

I didn't know how I felt about that.

Being here, in this world… I didn't know how much longer I could last.

It's not that I wasn't ungrateful for this chance, but every single day, it kept getting harder to keep my promise to her. I just kept on wishing for something, for an excuse to pass on from this existence. That I gave this life my best, that this was the best I could do with what I had.

I'm just not that strong as a person. I'm a weak man with an even weaker will.

I just don't see what possibly could make living like this worth it. If my life is to be a monster in the day and barely able to survive at night, unable to make connections with anyone lest I scare them with my monstrous form, what other purpose could there be to even want to live a life like that?

Why would you even bother to save someone like me?

My stomach churned, making me shift my focus elsewhere.

I slowly sat up from the bed I laid in. I don't know exactly where I am, but the room looked like a bedchamber of sorts. There was a fireplace at the far end of the chamber, it cackled as it radiated the room with its light and warmth. It definitely was a warm welcome compared to the terrible cold that was outdoors.

I couldn't help it, but I chuckled at my weak attempt at a pun.

A sharp gasp could be heard to my left.

I quickly turned my head at the sudden noise.

A young woman who I hadn't noticed in the room with me held a book against her chest in a firm hold, as if she was taken aback. She had freckles on her face, and long brunette hair in a low ponytail.

"O-Oh, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to scare you, I didn't know that there was someone in the room with me!"

She took a moment and regathered herself.

"It's alright, I'm just a bit surprised to see you awaken, my father thought you wouldn't be up until sunrise."

"Yeah, I'm definitely glad that wasn't the case." I said as I disquietly scratched my head.

If that happened… I don't even want to think what trouble my other self would get me into. At least it wasn't sunrise yet.

"Umm, I hope this doesn't sound vexing, but could you perhaps tell me for how long I lost consciousness."

"I'm sorry, but I don't know how long specifically. You were already unconscious when my father and his fellow knight brought you here. They said that they found you barely alive and that you passed out on the ride back into the city. You've been laying on that bed for around three hours since you have gotten here. That's all I know unfortunately."

"Oh."

I barely remembered anything of that, it was nothing but flashing images for me.

I wondered where I was exactly.

"What city am I in?"

"You're in the city of Eboracum, it's the capital city of the Kingdom of Ebrauc."

Eboracum? I'm pretty sure I've heard of that city before. Some have said that it was the largest city in all of northern Britain.

The woman who had been kind enough to tell me this got up from her chair, and headed towards the door with haste.

"I'm going to go fetch my father. He'll definitely want to know that you're awake. In the meantime, please put on the clothes that I left for you on the table by the window." She informed me.

"Okay, I will. Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions."

"It wasn't any issue to me. If you have any more, then don't hesitate to ask my father. I know he may seem imposing, but he's a gentle soul underneath. I promise." She gave me a reassuring smile.

"Sure, I'll remember that." I only hoped that he wasn't an overly assertive person, I didn't handle being under pressure well.

But, he was one of the people who saved my life. So surely they couldn't be an awful person. I mean, to help someone who they didn't even know, nor had any connection to… that alone should speak much of their character.

She smiled again, then opened the door and left the room.

Interesting.

I just had a normal conversation with a person for once. I hadn't had one of those in a while.

No screaming or yelling at me in fear.

Just talking.

I know that if it was my other self, that she probably would have reacted very differently. But, it felt nice to talk to someone normally again.

Admittedly, I also found her pretty attractive…

I shook away the ungentlemanlike thoughts that had begun to flood my head. I definitely didn't need to start thinking about things of that nature. I mean, someone like me could never be worthy enough to experience intimacy with a beloved, especially someone who looks as beautiful as she did.

I stood up from the bed I was on to change into a different attire. I have worn these rags for so long, I don't even remember what they originally looked like.

The clothes that the woman from before set up for me, were far better than anything that I have ever worn before I ended up in these lands.

It was a blue long-sleeved tunic with red and gold cuffs, along with a belt to fasten around myself, so that it could cinch to my waist. Even with the belt, the tunic was still a little loose.

I was also generously given a pair of red trousers with dark brown leather shoes for the outdoors.

After I put on my new change of clothes, I sat on the bed patiently waiting for the woman to retrieve her father.

A small amount of time went by, before a knock on the door was heard, followed by a voice that sounded like a man.

"Are you dressed, is it fine for me to enter?"

"Yes, no need to worry, I'm fully clothed!" I responded back.

The door opened, to reveal a tall rugged looking man. He had dark-brown hair that was swept back, and had a noticeable amount of gray hairs that one could easily see. He also had several facial scars on his face. He wore plated armor, the type that probably a high-ranking knight would wear.

This man was really intimidating!

He just seemed to carry a strong and serious presence around himself.

"Your name is Escanor, correct? It's a good name, it sounds very strong."

"You may call me Sir Rufus." The man introduced himself as he entered the room.

He was a knight! And he knew my name?! I can't recall me telling him!

"My daughter informed me that you were awake. It was surely only a miracle that you even managed to survive, because the state that you were in… most people would have met their end."

"H-How bad was I?"

"Pretty bad, a fellow knight of mine went to go look for a physician for you, but he could not find one who was up at this hour. I'm glad to know that it wasn't required."

He took the chair by the desk, and turned it to face me. After that, he took a seat while he looked at me with his gray eyes intensely.

"How have you felt since you woke up?" He asked me earnestly.

"I… do feel a bit drained, and I am a little hungry… " the words came out with hesitation.

"A little? I was able to see your ribs not too long ago. You must be starving."

"Hehe, if I were honest, I am." A small awkward laugh escaped out of me.

"Then you don't need to worry about that, I'll make sure you're fed and well taken care of while you're a guest. I just need to ask you a couple of questions first."

"Okay." that at least reassured me a bit.

"What land do you come from?"

"Nowhere specifically Sir, I mostly just wandered south of Britain. This was my first time ending up in the north."

"I see… so do you know of the war that took place between Ebrauc and Powys?"

"There was a war?"

"Yes, though the war ended only a couple of days ago. Me and Sir Herry, while patrolling the road to Danum, found your unconscious body laying there in the snow. We originally thought you were dead, due to your lack of response. So imagine how surprised we were, to have found a boy, still barely alive in the cold winter night. I wanted to know how you ended up in that situation? Why didn't you better prepare yourself for the winter whilst you traveled? The only thing you had on your person, were those awful excuses for clothes from before."

"I…"

I didn't want to tell him about my curse, and how it prevented me from talking to people. I doubt he would take the threat of it seriously. Besides, I wouldn't want him to think I was a danger to him or his family.

"I can't say…"

"Why not?"

"It's just personal."

"Were you trying to get away from something?"

"Umm… yeah… I guess."

The knight looked like he wasn't buying that awful lie.

He then let out a sigh.

"Very well, I won't inquire futher. Do you know anyone you could turn to for help? Like any friends or family maybe?"

I shook my head.

"There's more that I wish to ask you, but you should get some rest. I'll have my daughter prepare you a meal to eat. We can discuss more about what to do for you in the morning." He got up from the chair and went to leave.

I can't stay here until the morning, especially not in a city! My day-form in a city would end very badly! Everyone would think of me for a monster!

"S-sir Rufus! I really appreciate the kindness you have shown to me. It's something I haven't had in a while, but I was actually considering leaving after I had eaten. I wouldn't want to be a burden on you and your family."

"You want to already leave after you ate? It would be foolish to travel in this winter season at night. Not to mention the rampant uprising of crimes. It would even be dangerous for you to try and leave the city."

"But—"

"No, I won't let you die after me and Sir Herry did so much to save your life! You're in no condition to survive out there in this kind of weather!"

"..."

"No more of this type of talk, okay?"

"...Okay."

"Good, I shall be taking my leave now."

He left the room.

I walked out of the room, thinking of the conversation I just had with the boy.

It was good that he seemed to be fine, albeit pretty surprising. I didn't want to push too many questions on him for now, he's probably been through a lot.

The boy didn't seem to be a bad person, I would trust my years of experience with dealing with less than honest people to know so. He didn't want to share his past, which I was fine with. Most have a past that they don't want to share.

It angered me though to hear that he wanted to leave while in those types of conditions, It was almost akin to suicide. if he were to leave now at this time, he would definitely die.

While walking down the hallway of my home, I saw my daughter leaning on the wall. She must have been waiting for me to be done talking to that boy.

She was a strong woman, someone who I was proud of as a father. When her mother died, I found myself In a deep depression, it was a very dark time in my life. I did many things I wasn't proud of during that period. It was tough to see the woman that I loved for so many years slowly die in front of me, we were already grieving for our son back then. If she hadn't forced me to quit my bad habits, I might have still stood in that sorry state till this day. Without her I would probably be in a worse place.

Unfortunately, I'm forced to give her some bad news.

"Camilla, I'm sorry to tell you this, but I have to leave to the garrison."

"You're leaving again?" a sad expression was shown on her face.

"I must, the group of knights who went to patrol the southwestern border went missing. No one has seen them since they departed from the western gates."

"Could Powys be responsible?"

"Perhaps. Even if our King wanted to negotiate things over, King Cygen does have a dishonest reputation. Hence he had us patrol the perimeter in the first place."

Her head went slightly down after hearing what I had said.

"I worry a lot for you. You're not at the age where you can be doing things that test your endurance, you haven't even had a moment of rest this past week."

I embraced her with care, as if she were a delicate flower. It was because of her, that I haven't abandoned my morals.

"I know, but I can't forsake my duties to the king. Rescuing that boy and taking him back to the city, rather than finishing my patrol, was already enough to question my commitment to the king."

I separated myself from her.

"I'm sorry to ask this of you, but could you please prepare our guest a warm meal. I can't imagine how hungry he must be."

"Of course father, I'll do whatever you say."

"Thank you. Please look after yourself while I'm gone. I most likely won't be back until this night's end."

After I said my farewells to her, I left the comfort of my home to go to the garrison and meet up with Sir Herry. I needed to find out what happened to the southwestern patrol.

The door to the room opened, and the woman who I saw when I first woke up, walked into the room with a wooden tray that had a bowl on it. I could easily see the steam rising out from the top.

"I've finished making your dinner." She went and placed it on the table for me to eat.

I got up from the bed I was resting on and went to the table. It was beef stew with sliced potatoes and chopped carrots.

"Oh, It's meat."

"Yes it is. Why? Do you not eat meat?"

"I mostly prefer to eat vegetables."

"Do you wish for me to make you something else then?"

"N-no! No! It's fine, It doesn't really matter much to me. Thank you for bringing my meal to me." I bowed out of politeness for her.

"hehehe, you're welcome. Let me know what you think of it after you had a taste." Now that she was closer, I could see that she was almost taller than me. She must have gotten her tall stature from her father.

I took a seat by the table, and grabbed a spoon from the tray to eat with my stew.

I looked at it with a bit of hesitation, but I picked up some of the meat chunks in the stew and brought it to my mouth. I forced myself to chew and swallow the meat down my gullet with a gulp.

It… actually tasted amazing.

The broth alongside the meat tasted sublime, it was like heaven in my mouth. I don't know if it could be that I hadn't eaten anything like this in a while, but I think I now have a bit of a deeper appreciation for meat than I did before. She must have added additional flavors to the broth to enrich its taste.

"It's good… very good…"

"I'm glad to hear that. I get a little nervous when making food for guests."

As I continued on eating my beef stew, she stood awkwardly behind me. I assumed that she was just waiting for me to be done with my dinner.

"So… do the clothes fit you well?"

Before responding back, I ate another spoonful of the stew.

"they're a bit loose, but otherwise they feel fine."

"That's good enough I suppose, it could just be attributed to your very thin body. You're around the same size as my brother, so my father thought his clothes would be a proper fit for you. Once you eat more, I'm sure his clothes will start to fit your form more nicely."

"T-they belong to your brother?"

"Yes, but he…he's no longer with us…" a frown appeared on her face when saying this.

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"It's alright, it was many years ago anyway."

"Are you really sure it's okay for me to wear his clothes? I don't want it to seem like I'm taking advantage of your hospitality."

"There's no need to worry. My father places a much higher value on my brother's memory, than the items he wore when he was alive."

She crossed her arms and exhaled a small breath of air out from her lungs.

"My brother you see… he was different from others."

"How so?"

"Well," she sat at the edge of the bed I was resting on earlier. "he was born deformed."

"That…that must have been difficult for him."

"It was a lot to shoulder. Many people who saw him would curse him, claiming that my mother must have committed wrongdoing while she was pregnant with him, therefore, God made him that way. I remember my father punching that man who dared to say that to his face. Besides that man, and a few others, most kept their opinions to themselves. But I knew what they would say under their breath about him."

"What would they say…?"

Her head fell slightly downwards, and her fist tightened.

"That he was a monster."

"A monster…" I murmured to myself.

This felt somewhat familiar.

"Yes, he was afraid to go outside because of his appearance, so he would always stay indoors. He was forced to never know someone outside of his family. He felt alone, that we were ashamed of him. But that wasn't true, not true at all. All of us loved him, me, my father, my mother. He was the person who would always fill our days with joy. People would always judge him from the outside, but they never knew who he was on the inside. He was the kindest person I ever knew, I wish… he knew how much we treasured him before he departed from this world."

She raised her head to look at me.

"I'm sorry If I am— hey, are you okay?" she asked with clear worry.

I pressed a hand against my face, I felt the steady stream of tears that went across my cheek onto my palm.

Her brother… he sounded… a lot like me…

It must have been hard dealing with something that he had no control over. Fate must have been real cruel onto us both huh. To never be able to live a normal life, never make connections with others. At least he had those who cared for him. Parents who loved him despite his differences.

I wish I had that.

I rubbed my arm against my face, wiping away the tears.

"I-Its nothing. I… I just wanted to thank you, for allowing someone like me, to wear the clothes of someone whom you loved with all your heart. I honestly feel unworthy."

She smiled at me.

"You're a kind heart. I'm glad that my father thought it was right to save you. If he had left you to die, I would never speak to him or Sir Herry again!"

"Hehehe / hehehe."

We both chuckled at the declaration.

"Thank you for talking with me, I just wanted to chat for a bit, but I probably shouldn't distract you much longer. You should eat your food before it gets cold."

"Oh! You're right, and don't worry, it's no problem to me. I really appreciated you talking with me. I haven't had a proper conversation with someone in so long that I thought I might have forgotten how."

"That sounds… pretty lonely. Don't worry though, we can talk as much as you want in the morning." She told me.

A sadness filled me.

The morning… right… I had a curse that caused me to become a monster during the day and prevented me from forming any type of connection. I couldn't stay here, no matter how much I wanted to.

"Yes… in the morning…"

I continued to eat my stew, and after I was finished, she took the tray and went to the door.

A thought entered my mind.

I didn't know her name. Even if I had to leave, I wish I could know who she was before I did.

"Wait, miss!"

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"I-I wish to know your name."

"Right, I forgot to tell you. My name is Camilla."

"That's… a very beautiful name…"

Her freckled cheeks quickly became a rosy color.

"Thank you… and yours is not so bad yourself… Escanor."

I was a little surprised. Which must have gone noticed by her, because she then gave me an answer.

"My father told me your name, after he and Sir Herry brought you into our home. I have to say though, and please don't get offended, but your name doesn't really sound like it suits you."

I laughed at what she said. I don't really know why my parents decided to give me a name like that anyway. That name deserved to go towards someone who was much stronger and had more heroic qualities than me. I'm nothing more than just a waste of space.

"It's okay, I agree with you. It comes across much too strong for me personally. Trust me when I say, I wish I was born with a different name."

She held the tray with one of her arms and opened the door.

"I don't wish to impede more on your recovery. You should sleep, we can talk more tomorrow."

"Sure, thank you for the meal."

"You're welcome, sleep well Escanor."

After she left, I knew what I had to do. Staying here wasn't an option for me, I had no control over what I did in the day-time. It could end with me hurting everyone. It would be better for them if I left. I don't want to cause trouble for them.

They are good people, they shouldn't have to deal with my own problems.

Leaving through the window wasn't that much of a task. Thankfully the manor was only two floors high, and accompanied with the fact that my fall was cushioned by the snow, it made it much easier for me to leave.

I looked at the home of the knight and the young woman that was his daughter, who lived there.

I feel bad knowing that I made them waste their efforts on me. They gave me clothes, food, and shelter. Now here I am, sneaking outside without them even aware.

I really am just a coward.

But I know that I have to do this because If I don't…

I turned away and walked through the streets of Eboracum, while I looked for any type of directions towards the city gates.

There was no clear indication of what the time was, it could be three or two hours before day-light and I wouldn't know. I wish I'd mustered the courage to ask that knight when I had the chance.

As I walked through the streets, I looked at the structures I passed by. I have seen very few of those structures while I was wandering, but they were nothing more than ruins. These ones that are in this city, were kept in good condition. But I wasn't really focused on their condition they were in, but rather their design.

It reminded me of the stories I heard, about an empire that once was the most powerful in the world. Many people supposedly believe that an empire like that would never fall. But the structures that I have seen and the ones before me now, are proof that nothing can last forever.

I continued walking through the empty streets. I only saw a handful of people as I went by, and they looked like they weren't the type for conversation, so I avoided them.

The city's environment began to look worse as I kept on walking. The area where I left was much better than the place I was now. I suppose this area was where most common people lived within the city's walls, and the area I came to, was for those who were better off than most in the city. I guess I shouldn't be surprised that a knight would live in such a location.

My main focus right now was getting out of here. I figured if I walked to the city walls and followed it, I would eventually come across a city gate.

While I was trying to get to the city walls, a man who looked like a city guard was running towards me. He had a look so worried that it unnerved me.

I quickly got nervous, as I didn't know what I may have done wrong. I was sure I hadn't done anything bad, I was mostly unconscious while I was in this city anyway, and it was still night time.

The guard came closer and closer.

"Umm, hey I don't know what I di—"

"Shit! Shit! We're fucked! Fucked!" He yelled as he ran past me in the opposite direction.

That… was concerning… I hope that man is okay…

…

I soon found myself in what looked to be where the dredges of society ended up.

Majority of the buildings looked very worn down, some of them appeared to be on the verge of collapsing.

It must be very cold for those who are inside. I mean, I am cold beyond words myself right now.

A door opened to one of the worn down buildings near me, and I saw some people stumbled out from it. One of them face planted the snow right in front of me.

I decided to help him up.

"Hey, are you alright." I asked as I got him to his feet.

"~Me? I'm just dandy meh boy.~" the man burped loudly. "~Pardon meh rudeness, but were you about to head on in?~"

"Head on in where?"

"~Why the tavern uh course, ya stupid bastard!~"

"This place is a tavern?"

"~Duh, didn't ya see the sign boy.~"

I looked and didn't see any sign on the building.

"I don't see one."

"~Ehhh!? Really? It must hav fallen down then.~"

"Are you able to walk by yourself?"

"~Aye, thanks for the hand lad. I wish I had somethin to give ya, but I don't got anything of value. Sorry.~

"It's fine. You probably will need it more than me anyway."

"~Awwww… wat a good boy you are.~" He started to pet my head.

"Uhhh… I'm sorry… but I need to get somewhere."

"Oh right, my fault for holdin ya up. I'll get going then. This city could use more people like ya. Farewell meh boy!"

The man kept walking until he turned a corner and left my site.

He was a strange fellow.

I looked at the door to the building that the man said was a tavern. I did see light coming out from the door when those people walked out, so he could have been telling the truth

Wait.

I could've just asked that man from before where the city gates were!

I pounded my head against the building in frustration. Seriously, how could that have slipped by me! I'm such a fool!

It is what it is I suppose, there's nothing I could change about it now. I'll have to just see if there's anyone in the tavern that can tell me.

When I walked into the tavern, I could immediately feel how gloomy the atmosphere was.

There were two full tables with most of the people sitting at one of them being so drunk that they were all Insensible. Basically sleeping almost, with the heads on the wooden table while the others continue on drinking.

The other parts of the tavern were either drinking and minding their own business or looking dead at me, like they were a predator ready to attack.

It was making regret walking in here…

I decided to go over to the bartender to ask directions to the city gate.

He was moving some bottles behind the counter.

"Hey, I'm very sorry to bother you, but do you know where the city gates are located?"

He ignored me.

"Excuse me?"

"Give me a sec, would ya?."

"Uh, sure."

He seemed a bit frustrated. I didn't mean to bother him, but the more time that passes by, the more endangered everyone else could be.

I stood waiting at the counter while he did whatever he was doing, so I looked back once more at the tavern goers.

There were still people who were eyeing me uncomfortably. But there was a group all the way in the back who were looking at me with a very scary look, it could mean very bad things. I really needed him to hurry with whatever he was doing so I could get out of here quickly.

While I was looking around, there was a female who delivered drinks to one of the tables, before one of the men started to make very inappropriate comments to her as she left and went into some backroom.

After some time had passed, the bartender was STILL doing the exact same thing. What could he be doing that could be taking this long!

The woman from earlier came back out, but this time she… had something shiny?

She then went behind the man who made those comments, and proceeded to slit his throat in front of everyone!

Blood started to violently gush out of his neck as he held his neck to stop spouting of his blood. He fell from his chair and started moving sporadically as he died.

And…

No one said anything about it.

They just looked at it and went back to drinking…

the men who were sitting with him didn't even look like they cared…

I think I even heard somebody chuckle…

What the hell is wrong with these people!

"What do ya want boy." said the voice beside me.

I looked right at the bartender.

"A man just died…"

"So?"

"You don't care?"

"No, why should I give two fucks for a sorry sod like that? He was acting like a fool and paid the price. He shouldn't have flirted with my bardsmaid then. By the way boy, why are you walking around in clothes like that? They're very nice, but those ain't clothes fit for the winter. How aren't you freezing your bollocks out there?"

"Can you please just tell me where the city gates are? It's imperative that I find them."

"Why? Ya got a message for one of the guards there?"

"No, I just want to leave the city."

"Well then, that there's a problem."

"What, why?"

"Because no one besides the ones given permission by the King are allowed to go in and out the city as they please. You should've known this since the King banned anyone from leaving Eboracum two months ago, right when the war with Powys started."

"Well, I'm not from here."

"Well, that ain't my problem now is it?"

"Yeah, I guess not… Can you at the very least tell me where the city gates are?"

"I'll tell you where one of them is. The closest to us is the southeastern gate, it's just a little bit more east of this building. You can also look for the stone towers that stick out farther than the rest that are on the wall do, that's when you'll know you're close."

"Thank you for telling me, I don't wish to take much more of your time."

I began to leave, as I couldn't stand this place much long, before I heard a small cough from the bartender.

"Aren't ya forgetting to give me something for my help?"

"I don't have anything though."

"Bullshit, look at them clothes you're wearing. You even speak like some high-born, proper speech and all. Did ya get bored being cradled by your family's wealth, that's why ya here?"

"They're not mine."

"You steal them then?"

"No, I borrowed them."

The bartender made a hearty laugh and I was now starting to get a little annoyed.

"Yeah, sure ya did. Then get lost ya brat. If you don't got anything to give me, you ain't got no business in this place."

The bartender gave me a 'polite' gesture to go elsewhere, so I did.

Outside of the tavern, which I'm thankful to be, I was thinking of the situation I was now in.

I probably had no chance of getting out of this city before the break of dawn if it's true that no one within the city could leave.

I sighed with frustration.

What was the point of me even leaving the warm shelter of that manor if I was going to transform anyway. It was utterly pointless.

I guess, I just didn't want them to see what I was during the day… that monster. He wasn't me, the real me. He's just a freak.

The only thing I can do is at least check the southeastern gate and see if it was true.

Before I was able to go however, an arm wrapped itself around my shoulder.

"Hey there ya pretty little thing."

I looked at the person who had their arm wrapped around me. It was a bald man with a scar across his lip. He was taller than me with a lean build. He had a grin that could only spell something sidious.

"Hello…"

"Ya know, me and my boys saw ya earlier inside that tavern. We wanted to have a little word with ya."

I saw four other people in an alleyway on the opposite side of the tavern building, One of them holding something in their hand.

"I'm sorry, but I'm a little busy rig—" my words were caught in my throat as he put me in a headlocked.

"No my little birdy, we wanna talk with you right now." He dragged me to the alleyway where his cohorts were waiting.

"Put him with his back against the wall!" The tall one said as he threw me to somebody.

"Shut it, I ain't an amateur at this Bran!"

He pushed me up against the stone wall with something sharp that I can feel near my stomach. The other three helped him hold me there. Not that it mattered, I was way too feeble to put up a fight with them anyway.

"So, you must already know what we want. Hurry up and cough up anything of value." the tall man whose name was Bran said.

"I don't have anything valuable. I already told the bartender at the tavern this already!"

One of the men holding me, struck me in my face. It hurted a lot, and I could now feel my nose bleeding.

Bran, the man who brought me here, punched the guy who struck me.

"Argh! bloody hell! Why you done that Bran!"

"Because I didn't want to get blood on his clothes you fucking twat!" Bran shouted with anger. "and you," he looked back at me "There's no fucking way you don't got anything of value. Those clothes you have are made out of something expensive! My eyes never lie! They look like what them wealthy folk would wear!"

"I'm serious, I'm not lying! These clothes don't even belong to me!"

"So you stole them!"

"No, I didn't!"

"Bran, who gives a fuck. Let's just strip the little shit of his clothes if that's all he's really got." the one holding the sharp object voiced.

"Aye, let's do that then."

No, I can't let them take these clothes. It's not even for the fact that I'll probably die without them, it's for the fact that they aren't even mine to begin with. They belong to Camilla's brother. I couldn't live with the fact of giving scoundrel like this something with this much sentimental value.

"I can't allow you to have it…"

"Have you lost ya fucking mind! You really want to die over some clothes!"

"I'm prepared to..."

It didn't matter if I died, it'll just mean my hell has ended.

"What a fucking knobhead." He chuckled. "Force the clothes off him and then kill him afterwards."

They took me to the ground and I was able to feel the cold snow on my back. They intended to take my upper garments off first. I tried fighting them, but every time I did, one of them would punch me, sending my thoughts into disarray.

"Ya know, he's a cute one. Maybe I could—"

*BOOOOOOOM!*

A loud noise catches everyone off guard. The group of low-lifes stopped and stood still in shock of the godly sound that had just occurred.

"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!"

"LOOK AT THE SKY!" The man who was holding the knife pointed upwards.

I looked up and it was a huge cloud of what seemed to be debris… it came from the direction I left… from where the home of that knight and Camilla lived…

The debris that was in the air, now started to come down.

It felt as if the entire world was shaking. Everybody was swept off their feet as the debris crashed down onto the city. I could hear faint screams from a distance, as this was taking place.

The group who wanted to rob me got back on their feet.

"Bran, what do we do!"

"I'm getting the fuck out of here!" Bran ran out of the alleyway leaving the others behind.

"Bran! The fuck are ya doing!"

One of the men looked back at me.

"You're a lucky son-of-a-whore that this happened!"

They all ran out of the alleyway to probably follow their leader.

I slowly got up from the ground and walked to the entrance of the alleyway. I looked across the street to where the tavern is…

Or I should say was…

There was now a slab of rock that replaced where the tavern used to be.

What's going on?

I only had one in my mind.

I had to go back to where I left.

To where Camilla was.

I ran up the street as fast I could in the snow. I had to know she was okay at least. She and her father were good people, they didn't deserve to suffer this type of misfortune.

I'm the only one who deserves bad things to happen to them. I was the one with no meaning in this world, not them.

I kept on running until I saw a guard running… away from that area where that happened?

I stopped him by blocking his path.

"Move you fool! You're going to get us killed! It's all pointless! Pointless! Don't you see?!

"Why?! Tell me what's going on!"

I needed to know.

"The city's under attack by Rhita Gawr!"

Author's Notes: Let me know if I made any mistakes. I don't know how I feel about this chapter, it just felt weird to read but it could be that I'm seeing things. (Probably because I didn't outline. I'll never do that ever again. Lol)

I already know what I want to do for this first arc. It may or may not be long, so we'll see.

Also, please be kind, I am an amateur writer looking to improve my storytelling, I also have a very terrible memory, just letting you know. I'm saying this to keep your expectations low and to avoid disappointment. I should have said this in the introduction.

Please offer constructive criticism if you have any. I'll update the map that I posted after the first arc is completed.

I'll fix any incorrections when I have time.