Chapter 4: No more Fooling Around

Alexei woke up in a small room. His vision was blurred, seeing doubles. As he tried to focus mana, his head started buzzing, causing a devastating headache. He let his head drop to his chest and breathed calm breaths. He heard a moan next to him and saw that Josh was likewise tied up next to him. He tried to move his hands but they moved barely an inch. His wrists started to hurt as he struggled more and felt blood slowly slide down his hand. He grimaced at the sight and turned his head up. The light was dim one second and the next flashed bright white. It was too much for him to take, as he shut his eyes drowsily and fell asleep moments later.

Jake opened his eyes weakly. His instincts took over his mind and before he knew it, he had a Steely in his hands and started to cut the rope binding his hands. It took a few minutes but in moments, he freed himself and took a vial of All-Cure Liquid. As he finished it, his drowsiness was washed away and he had control of his body functions. He saw Rose tied up next to him and freed her as well.

He lightly jabbed at her face. “Rose, wake up.” Her eyes opened fraily as she looked up. “Where are we?” she asked as soon as she noticed her surroundings.

“I’m not sure but by the looks of it, it seems we’re in some sort of tent,” he said as he felt the cloth held up by the support. He took his Kandine and tried to slash at it but bounced off weakly, “It also seems they want to keep us as their guests.

She had taken a vial of All-Cure Liquid as well and whacked the cloth with her bow. Luckily it opened a small hole, shining daylight into the dim lighted tent. He looked at Rose confused and then brought his Kandine up to it. Just before it touched the light, an arrow peirced his finger lightly. He shut one eye with a grunt. Rose took an arrow and shot it out the hole. She heard a man fall to the ground before taking Jake’s Kandine herself and split a hole from it. “Not very ladylike but still works,” commented Jake as he stood up.

“Are you all right?” she asked, a hint of concern in her voice. “Yeah, nothing more than a scratch,” he replied.

“Despite the huge amount of blood leaking from it?”

He let out a sigh. “All right fine. I’ll bandage it up.” He felt around for his pack, “If my pack were here. . .”

“All right, we’ll find the others first then bandage you, deal?”

“Fine, but I do the work next time.” They dashed out the hole, hastened and ran for two miled before he saw another tent with the same outlook as the one they had came out from. They ripped open the tent easily and saw Alexei tied around a chair with thorny vines, Josh the same.

“Oh my god, Alex!” Rose screamed as she ran towards him. His arms were bloody as well as areas where the thorns had punctured his Dark Ades. Blood streamed down to the bottom of the chairs, creating a small puddle. Rose untied Alex from his binds and saw what his carelessness had done to him, blood poured out continously. She looked to the side. “Look! They put all our stuff here!” She ran up to her bag and pulled out a roll of bandages which she tied around each of Alexei’s hands. His breathing was heavy and ragged and Jake held him over his shoulder, he had freed Josh from his vines and he helped carry the bags.

“We need to get him to a safe place to rest,” Jake said, “judging from the amount of blood on the floor, I’d say he needs medical treatment straight away!” His normal casual face had turned into a frown, seeing his best friend hurt. You helped me in the past, now it’s my turn to help you my friend. He hasted the entire group and they all ran out the hole they made, only to face two Hero’s Gladius and five Golden Crows. He tightented corners around his mouth.

“Drop him,” one of them said. Jake reluctantly put Alexei down and in a flash, drove his Kandine into the last soldier’s neck. Josh smirked and said to Rose, “Well what’re you waiting for? Let’s go!”

Her surprised expression didn’t let her do anything but nod and continue running. Soon afterwards, they stopped for a break. Jake surveyed their distance.

“We must’ve gone pretty far, seeing as my sight of the tents have disappeared,” he said as he even tried squinting.

Alexei let out a moan and slowly opened his eyes. His first sight was Rose’s distressed face. Then he realized that he wasn’t in the dim room he had been in before but in the Ellinia Reigon.

Rose saw Alexei open his eyes and kneeled down beside him. “Are you all right?” She put her hands around his as he smiled, “Yes, thank you for helping me Rose.”

“So, sleepyhead’s finally awake,” Jake said as he walked over to the commotion. Josh remained silent as well as motionless, staring at the blue sky. “What happened? Where are we?” Alexei asked as he held himself up.

“. . . .I’d rather not talk about it. . .” he said. Alexei decided not to press on the topic and looked around. “Have you guys seen my bow?”

“Yeah, about that. . . We didn’t see it near you or our packs. You must’ve forgotten it somewhere,” Jake replied as he recounted his sight. “Yeah, he forgot it in my chest,” Billy came up from behind. He held a splintered Dark Arund in his hands and threw it on the ground in front of him, “Nice shot by the way. Not many people could’ve done what you did to me.”

“Yeah if you still wanna fight,” Alexei pulled out a Blue Screamer, “You can bring it.”

“Not with those wounds of yours,” Billy said as he pointed to the once blood gushing wound, “hmm, quick rate of recovery. Very rare innate ability among us humans.”

“Alexei, I don’t think you should be fighting, your wounds could open up any minute,” Rose said with a concerned look. Jake stepped in front of Rose, “Trust me, he’s fine. . . His inheritance is unique.”

“But how is he supposed to weild that sword!? He’s a Ranger!” she argued.

“You’ll see what’s actually going on in a moment. . .” Jake said, smirking, “and you’re going to be surprised.”

Alexei stood in his Melee Combat position. His armor glowed and shifted into a White Undershirt along with a pair of Cargo Jeans. “Let’s rumble,” he said and leaped at Billy.