Kyllian and Mika kept kissing for what seemed an eternity, both of them didn't have the strength to break their embrace, Mika eventually slid her hand down his chest to his pants which caused Kyllian to grab her hand and back off. It was as if he had come to his senses.

  " I'm sorry Mika, we can't do this, not again. "

  " Wha - why ? "

  " I can't be what you want, I can't be who you want .. "

  She walked up to him and caressed his cheek.

  " I don't need you to be anything but yourself. "

  Kyllian chuckled and removed her hand again. He began to walk backwards towards the darkness of the forest.

  " Myself is not good enough for anyone, go to sleep Mika, I'll see you tomorrow. "

  " Kyllian, wait ! "

  To put an end to the discussion, he took off running into the night.

  " Kyllian !! "

  Mika's voice echoed into the night, she was now left alone in the dark, shivering. She walked back to the camp and laid in her sleeping bag. Her head was filled with words that she thought would have been the right ones. She kept thinking about what she could have said to make him stay but no answer came to her. With only regret in her mind, she managed to fall asleep, her heart full yet so empty.

  The next morning the group packed their things and went back on the road, as they had previously traveled, Kyllian was inside with Yordan while Maggie and Mika were on top of the cab. After some time on the road, Maggie gently tapped Mika's shoulder, she had mischievous smile.

  " Last night I kind of had an eye open and noticed you and Kyllian were missing, I guess you had a talk hmm ? "

  Mika sighed while looking at the countryside.

  " Yeah .. "

  Maggie giggled and shook in excitement.

  " Oh, by the creator, tell me more !! "

  " Maggie I'm not in the mood .. "

  " Come on, how did it go ? Did you manage to patch things up ? "

  Mika looked behind her, as if she was staring at Kyllian through the cab, a sudden sadness overcame her, she managed to control her voice enough to not let Maggie know how devastated she was feeling.

  " No, I don't think we did. "

  The rest of the trip went by without Kyllian saying a word to anyone. Most of the breaks they took he spent in the cab or wandered off into the countryside. Never too far but far enough that he didn't have to deal with anyone and only coming back when everyone had packed their things. The wind coming from the sea was getting stronger the closer they were getting to Sutra. As the sun was rising over the horizon, they started to see the first few buildings of the port city. Sutra was a city whose main function was to be a major trade route between all of the ports of Euhya. A sort of crossroad where you could acquire all the goods you ever wanted, spices, rare ores, animals, all of it. The group stopped at the entrance of the city. Their objective was to now find a captain willing to cross the sea over to the dragon queen's continent. Luckily, Stowe had given them some money and they hoped it would be enough to convince someone to take them.

  Kyllian took his bag off the cab and looked ahead, he was now a few steps closer to his objective. Behind him, Maggie and Yordan were done getting their things. Mika went and paid the stables owner to keep their cab clean and their horses fed. Kyllian turned around as she was getting closer to him.

  " You got us to the city, you can leave now. "

  " I will leave when you embark on a boat, its' my mission. "

  As a response Kyllian simply groaned and began walking towards the entrance of the city without giving her a second look. Mika sighed in annoyance "Why does he make everything so difficult ?". The group advanced through the muddy streets of Sutra, the closer they were getting to the port the more drunk sailors and homeless people were being seen in the streets. In the distance they could see the sails of many ships going and coming to the port. Yordan kept looking around him, worried about all the looks they were getting from the people around them. He leaned towards Maggie to whisper to her.

  " I feel like we are back in Kolipa and everyone here feels like they want to rob us. "

  " I completely feel you but with these two walking in front of us it's safer, the people around us are the ones in danger. "

  " I guess you are right, but stay vigilant. "

  After a while, they entered the main port area and began asking if anyone would be willing to offer safe passage to the other continent. Unfortunately, they were only met with negative answers. After spending the whole day walking the port, they decided to make a stop in one of the many inns of the town. Once they were sat down and had ordered, Maggie began wondering what was the next course of action.

  " So, what do we do now? No one is willing to do the trip and take us there, any more ideas ? Kyllian ? "

  Kyllian was deep in thoughts and barely heard the question that was thrown at him. His chin resting on his hand and looking around the room he could only muster a grunt.

  " Hmm. "

  Maggie sighed and turned to Mika for guidance.

  " Ok then ... Mika ? "

  The young woman was also deep in thoughs and replied the exact same way to the displeasure of Maggie.

  " Hmm. "

  " Oh god .. Yordan ? "

  " I'm at a loss too, no one wants to risk so much for so little reward. "

  While they were deliberating, a few men started arguing in the room, Yordan turned around to see what the fuss was about. Two men were being extremely aggressive towards one lone traveler. He was a tall man in his early thirties, tanned of skin, wearing a red bandana and big earrings who were touching an unkept beard. He was carrying a long curved sword with a hole in the middle of the handle where he had his thumb. He was simply resting his hand on the hilt, contrary to how a sword was usually sitting on the right or left of the person's waist, his sword was in a position he has to reach down to his lower back to grab it like a dagger. The man was leaning against the bar and drinking from a pint while the two men were antagonizing him.

  " Where is our gold, you vermin ? "

  " Yeah don't play with us ! "

  The man took a sip and laughed at the men.

  " Ahaha! Don't worry, I always pay my debt guys, aight ? You just gotta be patient and trust me, aight ? "

  His voice was not deep but it sounded like a fox mascarading as a wolf. His accent was strange like nothing Yordan had ever heard before. He also had a strange was of pronouncing the word "alright" at the end of his sentences. The man to his left smacked his drink off his hand and grabbed him by the collar.

  " I'm not trusting you for shit! It's the gold or your hand now !! "

  " Come on, we don't have to be violent guys, I'll pay aight? In two month I should be able to pay."

  " Two month ?! You fucking with us ? "

  The man smiled and scratched his beard.

  " Maybe ? "

  " You fuck- "

  The big man barely had any time to finish his sentence than the man with the bandana delivered to him a knee to the guts which made him bend forward. He was then was knocked unconscious by a chop to the neck. The man with the bandana straightened his clothes and looked at the other man.

  " Your partner was awfully rude. "

  He then placed his hand on the hilt of his sword and slid his middle finger in the hole of the hilt.

  " Are you going to be rude too ? "

  The whole room had become silent. Everyone was waiting to see what was going to happen next, the second man made decided to draw his own sword out but the second he placed his hand on it the man with the bandana drew his own sword and rushed at him with incredible speed. A second later, the second man looked at his right hand and let out a scream of terror and pain as he realised that his hand had been cut clean in an instant. Kyllian, who was watching from afar was impressed not with the speed but the movement the man had executed and the way he was holding his blade, in an instant he had closed the distance between himself and his attacker and drew his blade but was holding it in a very peculiar way. He was holding his sword in a way that the blade was a continuation of his forearm. " He is holding this giant sword like it's a kitchen knife, like a praying mantis who can attack with their elbows. " The man with the bandana wiped his sword on the unconscious man's shirt and sheathed his sword back. He then gave a hand sign to the barman and asked him for another drink. While this was goingon, the man who was still conscious was still screaming in pain at the loss of his hand. The man with the red bandana grabbed his drink and spit on the ground in front of the one with the missing hand, he then walked towards the back of the room in the direction of the group. The room resumed its usual chatter as it seemed that the matter was resolved. As he was passing by, the man with the bandana he looked at Kyllian's group and he was going to keep going until he noticed Mika. He stopped in his tracks and smiled at her, Mika respectfully nodded and the man decided to approach, he leaned on the table and introduced himself.

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  " Hello milady, Cynrik Senso at your service. "

  Before she could say anything he grabbed her hand and kissed it, his forward way of presenting himself quickly got on Kyllian's nerves.

  " Hey, we were in a middle of a conversation, fuck off somewhere else. "

  " Ouhhhhh, calm down little man, I'm just making conversation with the pretty lady, wait for your turn. "

  " I'm not waiting for shit, you move or I make you move. "

  Cynrik smiled and put his hand on his sword.

  " You saw what happened back there boy, you don't want none of this aight. "

  " Oh yeah, what a great warrior, assaulting two slow drunk hogs looking fuckers. "

  " I was not even at ten percent of my speed blondie. Don't lose a hand over some nice girl. " He looked back at Mika and smiled at her. " What do you say, we go take a walk and have a drink, just you and me. "

  Kyllian was about to get up but Mika kicked him so hard in the leg that he couldn't. She smiled at Cynrik and took a sip of her drink.

  " What could you offer me that would make me want to go? "

  " I can bring you to places you have never seen before. "

  " Hmm, the only place me and my friends are interested right now is not easy to reach. "

  Cynrik kneeled and slightly bowed his head.

  " Try me. "

  " Mada?nn, the dragon queen's continent. "

  Cynrik took a step back and looked at her trying to guess if she was serious or not.

  " Really ? "

  " Yes. "

  " That is far away and no one in this port will take you there, probably no one in this country. "

  Kyllian chuckled.

  " Useless, I'm not surprised. "

  Cynrik ignored him and stayed focused on Mika.

  " I have a ship, I can take you there but first I need help with something. "

  Mika's eyes lit up as she heard his answer.

  " Really ?! What do you need ? "

  " I need to make a deal with some friends. I'm a merchant, I like to bring valuable goods you can't find anywhere else. I'm supposed to make the deal tomorrow morning. So, what do you say that you and I go there tomorrow, make the deal and then I can take you to my ship and we can go where you want. We can even talk about it in my room tonight aight ?"

  Kyllian instantly stood up and planted himself in front of Cynrik.

  " Listen cunt, you may have a boat but I don't trust you at all, she doesn't go with you anywhere without someone else from the group. "

  " Ok then we take this other girl, problem solved. "

  "She is not a fighter, I'll go. "

  " Nah nah nah! This is a two person job, if I show up with an army they will call off the deal. "

  Kyllian took a step closer. And firmly planted himself in front of Cynrik.

  " I. Go. "

  Realizing he was not going to get through to him, Cynrik sighed.

  " Fine, first light in the morning, in front of the inn, no weapons on you. "

  " Why ? "

  " Because if they see a weapon, the deal is off. Don't fuck this up for me blondie. Aight?" Cynrik turned back to Mika and did a reverence. " If you want to talk details, my room is the second door to the right on the second floor. "

  Mika blushed and giggled at his over exaggerated movements. He winked at her and walked away, Kyllian sat down, trying to calm himself, his hands were seconds away from catching on fire.

  Mika smiled and took a sip of her drink.

  " What an interesting fellow, I like him. "

  Kyllian crossed his arms on his chest and sighed.

  " I don't . "

  " You don't like anyone Kyllian. "

  " Tell me you aren't going to go to his room to "talk details"."

  " What if I do ? "

  " Come on you can't be so naive he doesn't want to talk ! "

  " What tells you that I just want to talk to him hmm ?! "

  Kyllian stood there dumbfounded. He tried his best to control his temper but Mika was noticing his face twitching in places.

  " You can't be serious ! "

  " Why ? Because only you are worthy hmm ?! Only you should be the one? You don't own me! "

  " That's not what I'm saying ! It's just that it's not like you ! "

  Mika slammed her hands on the table as she stood up.

  " Don't pretend like you fucking care or that you fucking know me ok ?! " She finished her drink and said one last thing before she went away to get a room. " After all, I'm just a girl you fucked right? Goodnight. "

  Kyllian laid back in his chair and pressed both of his hands on his face.

  " Fuck .. "

  Yordan patted his back.

  " Give her time, I think she just needs some rest, we should get rest too, I'll get us a room, Maggie, I think she is probably getting a room for the both of you, I'll be with Kyllian tonight. "

  " Yeah, I'll go now. "

  " Kyllian ? You coming ? "

  " Nah, I need to go walk or punch something. "

  " Please do the first thing. "

  " Can't promise anything. "

  Yordan got up and walked away. Kyllian finished his drink and walked out of the inn, hoping he would get the images of Mika and Cynrik together out of his head.

  A few hours after he went out to walk he came back to the inn, he took the stairs left of the entrance and reached the first floor where his room was. Before he entered he looked at the stairs leading to the second floor. " He said the second floor, third room to the right, hmm. ". He knew it was a bad idea but he decided to satisfy his curiosity. Slowly but surely, he made his way up the stairs and as soon as he could see Cynrik's bedroom door he focused all his senses on it. He got close to it and sniffed the air " It does smell like her, vanilla. ". He stuck his ear ot the door and listened in, inside he could hear the distinct moaning of a man and a woman. Instantly he could feel his palms heating up. " I'm gonna bash this fucker's face in once his deal is done.". A sudden voice to his left startled him.

  " What are you doing ? "

  Kyllian turned around to discover Mika only dressed with a long white shirt and no pants.

  " I .. hmm, I thought you, I .. Fuck .. "

  " You thought I was going to fuck him. "

  " Maybe.. "

  " You disgust me Kyllian, how could you think for a second that I would accept his advances? You think I'm that easy ?! "

  " I don't fucking know Mika! You just piss me off sometimes, just move out of the way. "

  Kyllian bumped her shoulder as he walked past her. She sighed and sat on the stairs.

  " Clearly you care about me. Why don't you just admit it! "

  " I don't have to admit shit, I'm tired, I have work tomorrow. "

  He entered his room and slammed the door, he took off his shirt and fell face first on his bed, letting out a sigh of frustration. He could feel the vibrations of the ground telling him that Mika had just entered her room next to his, he could even tell when she laid down on her bed. Soon after, he fell asleep.

  The sun was not even out when he woke up. He was feeling in a bad mood due to the night prior and nightmares he had. Recently his sleep was disrupted by strange dreams of a pale woman in a forest, everytime he would feel extremely cold when she was around, the woman had white hair and blue eyes, he had never seen her before. The dream would always stop before he could speak. He shook his head to stop thinking about it and went downstairs to get something to eat. After a quick breakfast he stood outside of the inn, waiting for Cynrik. A few minutes passed and he got out of the inn while readjusting his bandana.

  " Damn blondie, you early. "

  " I just want to get this over with. "

  " Never rush things boy aight. At least you listened when I said no weapon, follow me and stay close to me aight. "

  Cynrik started walking towards the port, Kyllian followed him for a while as they were passing boats after boats. Kyllian figured it was time to try to know if he was legit or not.

  " So where is your boat ? "

  " It's somewhere. "

  " What do you mean somewhere ? "

  " Somewhere."

  " You probably don't even have a boat. "

  " I do, why would I tell you where it is ? "

  " Because then I could trust you. "

  Cynrik chuckled.

  " You? Trusting me? I would have more chances of having the creator turn my shits into gold ahah! "

  " How far is this deal? What are we getting? "

  " Be patient blondie aight? We getting there. "

  After a few more minutes of walking, they stopped in front of a warehouse. Cynrik looked left and right, the docks were empty, he knocked on the door and on the other side a man with a low voice started speaking.

  " We are closed. "

  " I'm here to see Pete, I got his Forynseol. "

  After a few seconds of silence passed, the man on the other side opened the door. Cynrik gave a hand sign to Kyllian telling him to follow him. As he passed the guard Cynrik gave him a slight punch in the shoulder.

  " Hey big guy, you eating good but don't eat too much aight ! "

  As he was walking through the warehouse, Kyllian counted the number of people inside " twenty of them, all with weapons. ". Inside of the warehouse were all types of goods, some men were playing cards in a corner, some were fighting and others were having conversations but most of them were watching them advance through the warehouse. They were led to a small room at the end of the building. The room was barely lit, three men were waiting inside. Two were standing and one was sitting, in front of him was a table and two chairs. Cynrik entered the room first and smiled.

  " Hey Pete ! How you doi- "

  " Sit. "

  " Aight ... "

  Cynrik sat down and Kyllian looked behind as the man who escorted them was standing in the way of the only exit. Cynrik looked at Kyllian and tilted his head to the side hoping he would sit quick. Kyllian kept his eyes fixed on Pete as he sat down. Pete lifted his legs and put his feet on the table.

  " So, Cyni, you got my stuff? "

  " Yeah of course I got your stuff. Do you have the money? "

  " What money? "

  " Well, I went to get it back for you so I'm owed compensation aight. "

  Pete put his feet back on the ground and reached behind his back, he pulled out a dagger and planted it in the table in front of him. Cynrik swallowed his spit with difficulty.

  " Tell me Cyni, why do you think I asked YOU of all those useless sons of bitches to get this back for me ? "

  Cynrik smile at him while leaning on the table.

  " Because I'm good looking ? "

  " Ahah, always with the joke huh? Well you are right and wrong, it's because you are a fucking clown and no one expects you to succeed. "

  " Ah .. thanks .. "

  " You're welcome, now, don't demand shit from me until I see the Foryn. "

  Cynrik reached inside of his vest and pulled out a small pouch, he placed it on the table, Pete grabbed it and weighted it with his hand. He looked at Cynrik for a long time. Kyllian was starting to feel that things were not going to go well.

  " Cynrik, you aren't stupid. Are you ? "

  " I don't think I am, my mah always told me I was a smart lad aight. "

  " Cynrik ? "

  " Yah ? "

  " I don't give a shit what you momma said, what I'm telling you is, you are smart enough to know that you should not fuck with me ok ? "

  " Yeah I know that Pete! You know I respect you man, I would never do bad things for your business aight. "

  Pete opened the pouch and looked inside, Kyllian could feel Cynrik's nervousness, he could see his chest move up and down faster as his breathing was getting faster. Pete emptied the pouch and a white powder poured out of it. Kyllian's eyes widened "drugs .. oh fuck, what kind of shit did I get myself into, we need to get out of here.". Cynrik had a nervous laugh.

  " See ? Everything is there, no funny business aight. "

  " Hmmm. "

  " You know what ? " Cynrik stood up. " My payment is the smile your face may be able to make one day ok? Time to go blondie. "

  As he turned around to get out, the man standing in the doorway took a step forward and bumped Cynrik backward. Pete started tapping on the ground with his foot.

  " Cynrik, either you sit the fuck back down right now or I will make sure you can never stand up ever again. "

  " Heyyyy, no need to get mean aight. I'll sit. "

  Cynrik sat back down, Pete used the tip of his dagger to take the powder and handed the dagger to Cynrik.

  " Taste it. "

  " Heyyyy, Pete you know I'm a seller not a consumer aight. It's bad business if you take your own product. "

  Pete gave a nod at the man behind Cynrik and instantly he grabbed his head in a lock with his muscular arms.

  " Break his fucking neck. "

  " WAIT WAIT WAIT !!! Ok ok ok ! I'll take it ! I'll take it aight ! "

  Kyllian was observing the situation, he was waiting for the right moment to act. The man let go of Cynrik and he grabbed the dagger that Pete was holding, he put the powder on his tongue and swalloded it. Cynrik instantly started laughing and swing back and forth in his chair.

  " Woohh ! Oh shit ! That's .. that's some strong stuff aight ! I think we good aight !? "

  Pete kept his eyes on Cynrik, he then took the dagger back and made the man to his left try it, he then tried it too. He laughed after he was done tasting.

  -" Ahhh, Cyni Cyni Cyni ... "

  Cynrik stopped laughing and made a hand sign under the table, Kyllian saw him make the number three with his fingers.

  " You really think .. " Cynrik then made the number two. " .. that I wouldn't notice that .. " he then showed the number one " YOU GOT ME FUCKING FLOUR ?!!! "

  Cynrik and Kyllian both stood up at the same time and flipped the table onto Pete. the guard at the door bear hugged Cynrik who tilted his head backward and broke the man's nose. He then grabbed his chair and broke it on the man's head. Kyllian repelled one of the assailants by kicking him straight in the chest, he then looked at Cynrik who pointed at the main room.

  " Follow me blondie ! "

  The two of them exited the room which was already surrounded by all the other gang members. Pete exited the small room with his eyes full of rage.

  " The only way you fuckers leave this place is in a box !!! "

  Cynrik laughed and raised his fists .

  " I'm no merchandise thank you, you ready blondie ? "

  " Just shut up and get ready to fight ! "

  " That's what I like to hear, don't die on me aight.. "

  Now surrounded by an entire gang and unarmed, Cynrik and Kyllian prepared themselves for a tough fight.