"I don't know if it was you guys," Alfie muttered, his voice low but shaking with suspicion as he slowly rose from the ground where he'd been crouched all this time. His serious eyes burned into the group before him. "But they looked exactly like you. And if it was you… talk now."
The tone in Alfie's voice carried none of its usual humor. It was sharp, heavy, cutting.
"Hey kid, watch your mouth!" a rough male voice thundered from behind him. A tall man pushed through the crowd, his eyes fierce with arrogance. "Don't you dare talk to my son like that. He's a proud student of the Shinra Academy, one punch from him and you'll be out cold!"
The man stormed closer, his hand already extending to grab Alfie by the shoulder. Alfie's jaw clenched, his hand twitching, ready to block it. But before he could—
Grip.
Lucy's hand shot out, intercepting the man's wrist in an instant. Her grip was like iron. Her eyes, cold and unforgiving, locked on his. "I wouldn't advise you to do that, mister."
The man's face twitched. "What—?"
Lucy didn't let him speak further. With her other hand, she gently pulled Alfie by the arm, turning him away. "Let's go." Her tone left no room for argument.
"How dare you!" the man roared. His pride flared as he swung his arm back, preparing to slap Lucy across the face. But the moment he moved—his body froze.
"What the—?!" His eyes widened in horror. His entire frame trembled as though shackled by invisible chains. His arms wouldn't respond. His legs refused to obey. Sweat rolled down his temple as fear clawed at his chest. I… I can't move. What's with this woman?!
"You can't just leave like that, young lady!" another voice shouted. A mounted Shinra trotted closer on horseback, his blade glinting at his side. "We need to search the kid, make sure he didn't steal anything!"
But before Lucy could respond, a familiar voice cut through the tension like a blade of steel as he got close.
"Huh… it's you guys."
The Shinra who had once attacked them with clone spears the previous night rode into view. He no longer wore his hostility; instead, his voice carried warning. "All of you—step aside!" His glare swept across the gathered townsfolk and guards. "These people are not thieves. If they wanted you dead, they could wipe you all out in a single strike!"
Whispers erupted among the crowd. Some backed away in shock, others froze where they stood. The tension thinned into nervous silence.
Lucy finally released the frozen man's wrist. She turned her eyes to the Shinra boy on horseback. He was a lean sixteen-year-old, his white cape covering his face gone, his youthful face bared to the morning sun.
"What are you doing riding a horse through the kingdom?" Lucy asked sharply. "Shouldn't you be in class?"
The boy smirked faintly, his pride showing even through his unease. "I don't owe you an answer. But… I'll give you a hint." He tapped his sword against the horse's neck. "It's student week. We're on missions as the acting Shinras of the Celestial Kingdom."
Alfie, uninterested in the exchange, turned his back and began walking toward the motel. His silence was louder than words.
"Hey! You don't just walk away from a Shinra of the Celestial Kingdom!" the boy called after him, his tone biting. "Your friend might be strong, but you're not!"
Jackson, who had been leaning against the wall in the shade, pushed himself off and stepped forward. His eyes narrowed dangerously. "You moron… don't test him. Alfie's carrying enough rage to tear this whole kingdom apart right now. You taunt him, and you'll regret it."
The boy gritted his teeth, his pride clashing with caution. But Jackson walked past him, closing in on Alfie. His voice dropped low. "Don't respond to him. Don't give him what he wants. We can't afford more trouble before we leave."
Alfie didn't answer. His silence was deafening, his footsteps heavy as he entered the motel.
Lucy walked past the Shinra boy, her cloak brushing against his horse. Her eyes were calm, but her words were sharp enough to cut. "Listen carefully, boy. Watch your tongue around that kid. He's the total opposite of Jackson—when it comes to strength, you don't want to see what that means."
The boy snorted, riding off slowly. "Hah… you expect me to believe that? He's weak. Arrogant. He can't possibly be stronger than he looks."
Lucy glanced at him one last time. "Then let's just say… it's the other way around." She disappeared back into the inn.
---
Inside, Alfie sat restless on the bed, his hands gripping his knees, confusion and anger burning in his chest. Lucy took a seat beside him, her voice softer now.
"Calm down, Alfie. I'll explain everything."
Alfie's lips trembled. His eyes turned red with grief. "Where's Rebekah, Master? Why isn't she with us?"
Lucy's chest ached at the name. Her voice faltered. "…A lot happened while you were gone. Some men came. We fought them—Sasaki and I. I left Rebekah, Jackson, and the others behind a barrier, safe. Or so I thought…" Her head dropped, her fists clenching. "They schemed differently. While I fought, they struck from behind. To make it short… they took Rebekah in your place."
Alfie froze. His jaw dropped. "…What do you mean they took Rebekah in my place? Who the hell are these 'they' that wanted me so bad?! Why would they take her instead of me?!"
"Don't twist it, Alfie!" Lucy snapped, her frustration boiling over. "They wanted you! I fought the ones who trapped you in that hallucination. I didn't know they had backup… stronger Shinra who went after her while Lyon and Bash tried to protect. I was careless. Too careless. If I'd ended the fight sooner, if I'd gone back to her—" her voice cracked, her hands trembling, "—she'd still be here."
Her voice rose into a pained scream. "It's all my fault!"
"Calm down, Lucy," Sasaki's voice rumbled from the corner. He had been silent until now, his arms crossed. "It wasn't your fault. You couldn't have known. You can't be in two places at once. What matters now isn't regret—it's finding her."
But Alfie turned, his teeth grinding, his tears streaming down. He glared at Sasaki, his rage erupting. "Don't you butt in, you man-monster! If it weren't for you, none of this would've happened! I left Master and the rest because of you! If those men came while we were together, they wouldn't have taken anyone. It's your fault, Sasaki! I hate you… with everything I've got left!"
The room fell silent. His words struck deep.
Alfie stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
For a moment, silence lingered. Jackson turned to Sasaki. "…Don't take it to heart. He doesn't know you saved his life."
Sasaki's face was unreadable. "That's the problem—I couldn't care less what he thinks." He rose, his heavy footsteps leading him toward the bathroom. "My priority isn't him. It's Rebekah. We need to get her back. Fast."
Lucy's head hung low, her eyes glistening. Jackson touched her shoulder gently. "Don't be sad,Master Lucy. He's right. We can't waste time blaming ourselves. We have someone to save."
Sasaki's voice echoed from the bathroom door as he pushed it open. "…Then get ready. We're heading to Ashura."
HOLD ON,what are we going to do in ASHURA anyway?
Lucy exhaled, her mind heavy.