Andy melted the iron and freed Julia of the shackles that bind her. He took her to northern end of the Cut city. An area engulfed by dry hills yet not as dry as Andy's throat that uttered no word. Julia stood infront of him, frowning. While Andy's gaze was fixated on the ground, perhaps he also needed some closure. For even the Strongest can feel hollow and empty like a void.
"I-i am Sorry. Julia"
His voice broke. The weight of his body, the shame perhaps was so great that he couldn't move a muscle.
"You think it matters? You left me to die, Andy! We lived together for almost all our lives. It wasn't You!"
Julia said, as the pain of betrayal abandonment couldn't be just vanished.
"You're right. It wasn't me! But now, Its me. The Andy you know! I am Sorry. Please forgive me, Juli. I promise you that i won't be affected again!"
Andy begged. For he was all alone. He needed some support.Julia held her tears aswell, for she too wanted support. She was all alone aswell. Yet she couldn't bring herself to trust again. The thoughts in her head clashed.
The man who saved me, protected me and saved me all my life. Just abandoned me without a thought?
No it wasn't him. That day, it wasn't Andy! It was something else.
The thoughts in her mind broke her down. So she cried, loudly. Like a baby, tears and snot filled her face. It made Andy move, he grabbed her and hugged her tightly. For Julia was Andy's all and he made sure to hold onto his everything with all his might.
Yet as Julia crossed her arms against Andy, he started to cry aswell. The childlike cry, filled with regret and shame. The strongest one cried. For even they do, as the pain of loneliness and longing surpasses all pain.
——————
On there way to the Fade City—the city where the Diocese of the province was along with the execution ground, Eiser's pack was ambushed by group of Thieves. Those appeared from the branches of the long trees and surrounded each member. Those middle aged robbers, robbed people that entered the Fade City as some sort of a tradition.Their jaws were covered with some sort of cloth tied behind the back of their heads. All of those bald robbers, holding daggers in their hands, had no leader among them it seemed. As they quarreled amongst themselves for it.
Their quarrel got on the nerves of Arkas quickly as he created a fire whip from his hand and quickly got hold on all four of them. Even after being caught their quarrel continued and they blamed eachother for being caught.
"Aaaaahhhhhhhh!!!!! Would you guys Shut up already. Huhhh??"
Arkas finally spoke up.
The so called robbers finally settled down as Arkas shouted and got startled abit.
"Who are you guys? Why did you try to steal from us?"
Sandy said developing some sort of dominance on the robbers aswell. To which they looked with disgust as if they telling Sandy to quietly back down. Sandy got scared aswell and while laughing embarrassingly he got behind Anastsia.
"Hmm... So then? What is the answer to the boy's question?"
Eiser finally spoke as he sat right infront of the robbers, silencing everyone.
The robbers explained that they have been doing this for the past 3 months since they got in the Fade city. They just stole from every man that got to the Fade city as they were entitled to do so by their boss. Upon further pressure they also agreed to take Eiser and his pack to their boss. So then they went ahead with the theives to their boss's place.
While in the way, Sandy, who seemed abit curious, expreseed his intentions and asked Ana.
"Why are we going to meet there boss? We have no reason to do that? We are here for our business you know!"
He said, as he was surprised about Eiser's decision.
Anastasia smiled a bit as he asked that. As it came to him as a shock of why would they neglect their own business to take care of something else first?
"Who knows, She started, what kind of other acts their boss is involved in you know? Eiser just wants to go and make sure he stops his actions."
She explained as they walked.
"Exactly! And why do we have to do that?
Sandy's voice got louder with his suspicion.
"Well.... That's because, he just cant see evil things happening. You can't imagine how angry he must be feeling inside. For all those people that have been robbed off of their belongings by those theives. Besides that's the kind of man Eiser is. He puts other's safety above himself!"
Ana replied in a proud manner as her face grew excited as she spoke.
While Eiser and Arkas held the gang of Thieves ahead, behind them Anastasia cleared the suspicions of Sandy.
After walking for about 20 minutes, they entered some backward and sluggish area where they had to go tiny alleys and pathways. Arkas doubted and pressured them abit as the path got rough.
"Geez why do you live in such a tidy place?
Arkas said.
And they started to quarrel amongst them again to decide which one of them will answer. The constant quarrel now became annoying so Arkas spoke up and chose from them the one who will answer.
"Heheh (he mocked the others). Well there are other guys here. Who don't want us here. You see. So we have to hide."
The man said.
"Who are the other people who don't want you here? Arkas inquired. Curious.
"They call themselves the Chained Dogs i think. We often fight their members ever since we got here."
The man's words raised suspicioun amoung the Pack as then Eiser joined the conversation.
"Why do the dont Chained Dogs want you here? Is it because they want the whole area for themselves?"
He asked.
"Maann you don't know what those people are or what they want! You Don't Want to Mess with Them!"
The man replied.
Suspicioun grew with the man's every word and everyone started to really question their motive behind their robberies. While everyone's face was puzzled, they finally reached their base.
The base was like an old building with broken windows. As they reached, Arkas released his hold and the four theives were finally freed. Three of the four rushed inside the building. As Sandy said:
"Wait! Aren't you guys evil?"
The question everyone had on their minds after listening to the man's talk.
To which the man replied :
"Who said anything about Evil?"
The man had large smile om his face as he welcomed the Pack into their sluggish base.
While the Pack, each with their unique expressions of Surprise on their faces entered the building.
From the inside it seemed well maintained with all the bald men working to take care of all the orphan children they had snatched from the Chained Dogs to raise them in a hidden place.
********
Tips:
The Bald Thief gang originated in Fosch Bevite—The country where the Phantom Troop currently are.