The group moved swiftly through the dimly lit streets, their footsteps muffled by the chaotic sounds of explosions and shouting that echoed in the distance. Kaede led the way, her eyes on the virtual map ahead of her as she guided the liberated prisoners toward the sewer entrance. Kirara stayed close, her own gaze darting nervously to her bracelet which held her own virtual map.
“Keep moving,” Kaede urged, her voice low but firm. She glanced back at the group, a mix of frightened n and won, so limping, others barely keeping pace. Most were too stunned to speak, their faces pale and drawn.
The sewers were only a few streets away, but Kaede knew they had to stay vigilant. The drones might have been decoys, but they were bound to attract unwanted attention. Falmuth’s forces wouldn’t stay scattered forever, and the templars were likely already organizing a counterattack.
As they reached the sewer grate, Kaede knelt and began working on the lock, her fingers moving with practiced efficiency. Kirara stood guard, her eyes scanning the street for any signs of pursuit.
“Hurry up,” Kirara urged. “I don’t think we’ve got much ti.”
“Oh for goodness sake,” Kaede muttered, her hands grabbing at the bars of the gate . She swung the grate, pulling it off its hinges, and gestured for the prisoners to enter. “Go, quickly!”
The group of people were slack jawed for a mont before resuming their trek as they rushed in. Kirara simply smirked at Kaede who blushed. "What?"
One by one, the prisoners climbed down into the sewer, their movents hurried but careful. Kaede waited until the last of them had descended before following, with Kirara close behind.
The air in the sewer was damp and heavy, the faint sound of dripping water echoing through the tunnels. Kaede led the way, her footsteps splashing softly against the slick stone floor. She had morized the map of the underground system, and combined with the virtual map provided by Artificia, her confidence reassured the group as they pressed forward.
After several minutes of navigating the twisting tunnels, a familiar voice called out from the darkness.
“Kaede!”
Kaede’s shoulders relaxed as she saw Shifu step into the dim light of a torch. The forrly aging warrior looked as young as ever, like he was in his early twenties. His sharp eyes scanned the group.
“You did it,” he said, his tone laced with approval. “And much faster than we'd planned. Good thing I'm as fast as I am then?”
Kaede offered a wry smile. "Hehehe.’”
Shifu chuckled softly, then turned his attention to the prisoners. “You’re safe now,” he assured them. “We’ll get you out of the city and to a secure location.”
One of the forr prisoners stepped forward. A middle aged lady with tanned skin. "Is that really you?" She placed a hand on his face. "You look so different." A little boy of no more than ten years imdiately rushed forward, hugging the ogre's legs. "You're ok!"
Shifu knelt, placing a reassuring hand on the boy’s shoulder as he gently ruffled the child’s hair. “I’m okay, little one,” he said softly, his voice calm but carrying an undercurrent of emotion. “And you’re safe now. I promised I’d co back for you, didn’t I?”
The boy sniffled, clinging tightly to Shifu’s leg, while the middle-aged woman gazed at him, her eyes wide with disbelief. “You look... you look so young,” she whispered, her hand trembling as it left his face.
Shifu stood, taking her hand in his with a gentle grip. “It’s ,” he said.
Kaede, standing a few steps back, smiled faintly at the reunion, her heart ward by the scene. She glanced at Kirara, who was leaning against the damp wall, watching Shifu with wide eyes.
Kirara tilted her head, squinting slightly as if trying to piece sothing together. Then she turned to Kaede, her voice a hushed whisper. “Like, when did the ogre get that hot?"
Kaede blinked. "Didn't you have a boyfriend?"
"Had, Kaede, had. He's not here and I'll probably never see him again.” Kirara hissed, leaning closer. “Girl, like, look at him, tall, chiseled, all broody with that ‘I’ll protect you’ vibe. It’s like a fantasy poster ca to life!”
Shifu stood tall, his gaze sweeping over the entire group of forr prisoners. The damp, dimly lit sewer didn’t dim the awe and relief that spread through the crowd as they recognized him. Whispers broke out among them, growing louder with each passing second.
“Is it really him?”
“He looks so young… so strong…”
“I thought we’d never see him again…”
A wiry old man with sunken eyes pushed his way to the front, his breath hitching as he stared up at Shifu. “You… you saved us, lad,” he said, his voice trembling. “I didn’t think I’d live to see the day.”
Shifu stepped forward, placing a steadying hand on the man’s frail shoulder. “I saved no one alone,” he said humbly. “I had help. And I wouldn’t have let them take any of you, not if I could stop it.”
Another prisoner, a young woman with short-cropped hair and a bruised face, stepped forward hesitantly. “You… you ca back for us,” she said, her voice cracking. “Even after everything.”
Shifu’s jaw tightened, a flicker of pain crossing his features before he forced a smile. “Of course I did. You’re my people. I swore to protect you, and I’ll keep that promise, no matter what.”
A burly man with a bandaged leg limped forward, his voice gruff but warm. “You’ve always had heart. Always been the one to stand up when no one else could.” He extended a calloused hand. “Thank you… for not giving up on us.”
Shifu clasped the man’s hand firmly. “It’s not just anymore,” he said, glancing back at Kaede. “It’s because of her, and the people who’ve helped , that I could co back for all of you.”
The crowd turned their attention to Kaede, a mix of curiosity and gratitude in their expressions. She shifted awkwardly, scratching the back of her neck. “I, uh, just gave him a na. The rest is all him.”
Kirara, standing beside her, whispered under her breath, “And made him hot, don’t forget that part.”
Kaede elbowed her sharply, but Kirara didn’t relent. “I an, look at them, Kaede! You’ve got half of them swooning over him already.”
Shifu, oblivious to the exchange, turned back to the group. “And there’s one more thing you all should know.” He stood tall, his voice resonating through the tunnel. “I’m no longer just a naless warrior. Kaede gave sothing I didn’t realize I needed, a na. From now on, I am Shifu, and I carry that na with pride.”
A wave of murmurs spread through the group, followed by scattered applause. The young boy grinned. “Shifu! That’s a cool na!”
The older woman from earlier nodded, tears streaming down her face. “It suits you, lad. You’ve beco soone truly remarkable.”
Kaede watched the scene unfold, her heart swelling despite herself.
Kirara, anwhile, leaned closer, her voice a low whisper. “I’m just saying, if you don’t want him, Kaede, I’ll—”
“Kirara,” Kaede hissed, cutting her off as her blush deepened. “I have a girlfriend.”
Kirara smirked but backed off, though the mischievous glint in her eyes remained. “Oh, so you're one of those types.”
Kaede sighed as a sudden sense of dread enveloped her, her eyes quickly darting around. 'Artificia?'
"Wait,” Shifu muttered, his voice low but firm. His gaze darted between the n and won huddled together, his brow furrowing. “Where’s… where’s Old Man Jarred?”
The question hung in the damp air, heavy and laden with dread. A few prisoners exchanged uneasy glances, their expressions falling. One of the younger n, a gaunt figure with a bandaged arm, stepped forward hesitantly. "A few days ago, so guards took about thirty of us. For what reason, I'm not sure. The mines maybe?"
"There!!" A sudden shout had everyone flinching as Kaede flung her round shield towards the ceiling. The shield flew straight into the ceiling, but instead of crashing into it, it clashed with a blue barrier before rebounding onto Kaede's arm.
The blue light subsided and the entire group as one took a breath. "And here I was hoping to catch you by surprise." A smirking Razen looked down on the group as he hovered in the air.
Kaede smirked as well though her eyes betrayed her emotions. "Sorry not sorry."
"Just out of curiosity, what gave away?" Razen asked. 'She's a shielder and yet how did she sense ?' He floated above them, his smirk widening as his piercing gaze scanned the group below. His presence was oppressive, and the faint hum of magical energy around him made the air feel heavier. The prisoners instinctively huddled closer together, their fear palpable.
Kaede, however, didn’t waver. She kept her round shield ready, her stance firm as her eyes locked onto Razen. “You tipped your hand the mont you started stalking us,” she said calmly, though her voice carried a sharp edge. “It wasn’t hard to guess soone was watching when we passed those streets without any patrols suddenly showing up. That was too convenient, even with the decoys.” 'Actually, Artificia simply used infrared vision the mont I thought soone might be watching.'
Razen chuckled, the sound low and mocking. “Impressive. I underestimated you.” He gestured lazily with one hand holding his staff, his other resting behind his back. “It seems you’re not just a strange girl with a shield."
Kaede’s eyes narrowed, but she didn’t rise to his bait. “Why don’t you save the speeches? You’re not here to chat.”
“You’re right,” Razen admitted with a shrug, though his smirk didn’t falter. “I’m here to collect what belongs to the kingdom. You, and perhaps a few others. You’ve made quite a ss, and I intend to clean it up before anyone else gets ideas.”
His gaze shifted to Kirara. "Stand down Kirara, and return to your quarters." He stated with a voice that reeked of power.
Kirara smirked. "Suck it old man. Your stupid curse ain't working." She raised her two hands, giving him the middle finger with both.
Razen's smirk faltered and his eyes narrowed. 'The curse, is ineffective? When did this happen, how did this...' his gaze flickered to Kaede. 'Her?'
His gaze returned to Kirara. "Don't you want to return to your world? I promised to take you ho?"
Kirara's face twisted into that of rage. "Go fuck yourself. That's like the most clichéd line there ever was. I get that I was desperate and scared back then, but I can't believe I actually believed you. You probably brainwashed or sothing."
Razen’s smirk twisted into a sneer, his deanor growing darker as Kirara’s defiance echoed in the damp tunnel. “How disappointing,” he said, his voice cold and laced with venom. “I gave you a purpose, Kirara. Without , you’re just a lost little girl playing at rebellion.”
Kaede stepped forward, raising her shield defensively between Razen and the group. “If anyone’s playing gas, it’s you,” she shot back, her voice steady despite the tension in the air. “Your ti for manipulating people is over.”
Razen’s eyes flicked to Kaede, his expression unreadable. “You think you can protect them? You, who hides behind that shield like a child clinging to a toy?” He extended his staff, and a faint hum of energy began to build around him, the air crackling with magic.
Kaede didn’t flinch. Instead, she glanced back at Shifu and Kirara. “Get them out of here,” she said firmly, her gaze unwavering even as Razen’s power intensified. “Take the prisoners and go. Now.”
Shifu hesitated, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. “Kaede, you can’t,”
“I can, and I will,” Kaede interrupted, her tone leaving no room for argunt. “They need you to guide them. I’ll take him on.”
Kirara’s jaw dropped, her defiant bravado faltering for a mont. “Are you serious? He’s like… way out of your league!”
Kaede turned her head just enough to et Kirara’s wide eyes. “Trust . I’ve got this. Just head to the extraction point.”
Shifu stepped forward, his hand coming to rest on Kaede’s shoulder. “You’re sure?”
She nodded, her expression resolute. Her lips curved into a faint, determined smile. “I’m really good at not going down.”
Shifu’s gaze lingered on her for a mont before he finally nodded. “You better co back,” he said, his voice low but steady. He turned to the prisoners, gesturing for them to follow. “Let’s move.”
Kirara lingered, her face conflicted as she glanced between Kaede and Razen. “If you die, I’m gonna be so mad,” she muttered, finally turning to follow the group.
As their footsteps faded down the tunnel, Razen’s smirk returned. “Noble, but foolish,” he said, his tone dripping with mockery. “You’ve sent away your only allies. Now you’re alone.”
Kaede raised her shield, the faint glow of her magic beginning to radiate from its surface. “Alone? Nah,” she said, her voice firm and calm. “I’ve got all I need right here.”
Razen raised an eyebrow, the hum of his magic growing louder. “Bold words-"
Kaede’s smile widened, her grip tightening on her shield. “You talk too much.”
And with that, she charged.
[Magic Burst]
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