Chapter 201 Yesteryear VI (1/2)
BOOK III
ORDER AND CHAOS
VOLUME IX
FROM ASHES
CHAPTER 201
YESTERYEAR (VI)
The silver moon hung seemingly loose on the high sky, surrounded tenderly by the swath of burning stars, some of which were hidden by a scarce cloud or two. The world was doused in silence in the hours of deep night, only occasional barks of the local dogs and local drunkards to be heard. Alleys spun around the small town in their narrow make, connecting the main streets often, and connecting one another even more so.
Slithering about the various alleyways was a short figure clad in tattered clothes, half his face hidden beneath a smudged piece of sheep's wool, his feet bare, eyes glistening in strange light. He was quick and nimble, occasionally even scaling walls and rooftops where possible to cross the main street undetected.
Lino landed silently into one of numerous alleyways, peeking behind the corner onto the main street beyond which lay a terribly fenced-off courtyard of to him a rather familiar building. Even now a single light flickered from one of the rooms causing his heart to contort viciously. Just as he was about to bolt out and forth, he felt a strong grip on his shoulder.
”... shit.” he groaned lowly and in defeat, sitting down as he looked back. There, standing above, was a girl slightly older than him, smirking while striking a victorious pose. Even in the deepest reaches of night her emerald-green eyes shone and her vibrant crimson hair streaked through glowing edges defiantly.
”That's... what? Fifty-sixth consecutive victory for me?” Hannah grinned.
”Fifty-fifth!!” Lino growled at her as he got up, retracing back his steps through the alleyways with Hannah quickly following.
”Oh, wow, I thought you said you weren't keeping the count...” Hannah said sheepishly.
”...” Lino suppressed the blush as his steps quickened, though he knew he couldn't lose her either way.
”Ha ha ha, come on, don't be like that,” she heaved her arm around his shoulder and forced him to slow down, a few strands of her hair hitting his eyes. ”It's just a friendly competition... in that you're trying to kill someone and me trying to keep you sane. You know, standard stuff.”
”... aren't you getting tired?” Lino rolled his eyes at her. ”You've barely had a whiff of sleep in the past few months.”
”Eh, sleep's for the pussies,” Hannah replied casually. ”I'd much rather see just how many exasperated expressions you've got.”
”Aaah... you're so goddamned tiring...”
”Aww, don't say that. Usually lads like it when a cute girl like me stalks them.”
”... there's so much wrong with that I'm not even gonna...”
”Anyway... what do you want for breakfast?” she asked.
”... can I instead ask for an early birthday gift?” Lino asked in return.
”Oh? What is it? You've never asked me for one before?”
”... I'd like you to leave.” Lino said, hiding his face.
”And miss out on your puberty?” Hannah joked. ”No way!”
”I'm serious Hannah,” Lino suddenly came to a halt, glancing at her. ”Do you really think I'm that much of an idiot?”
”...” Hannah stopped as well, letting go of him and facing him directly. ”Hah, I suppose you're not... but...” she added after a short pause. ”Do you think I'm one too?”
”... I suppose you're not.” Lino said begrudgingly, beginning to walk again with Hannah following quickly. ”Though, I can assuredly say your problems are much bigger than mine.”
”How come?” she asked.
”Well, for starters,” he glanced at her, grinning. ”I've seen you do some weird magic-thing, which I've never seen done before by anyone.”
”T-that wasn't magic, it was just, uh, you know, light acting and--”
”Hey, I don't really care,” Lino shrugged. ”It just means that whatever your problems are... they are actual problems.”
”Unlike yours, so to say?”