Chapter Two

  Time’s Embrace

  "Wait, it's that girl... What's going on? Wasn't I just dead?" I slap myself. "Snap out of it! I need to help her before that thief robs her again."

  I run toward her, pushing through the crowd. "Hey, you! Wait!" I yell out. "Please, just wait a second," I say, out of breath.

  The girl turns around. "Who are you?" she asks.

  "I'm Haruki Kisaragi, and I need you to listen to me. This isn't going to make sense, but a man will come to rob you," I say, still catching my breath.

  "But how would you know that? This isn't making any sense," the girl responds.

  "Damn it, I need to get her out of here fast. There's no time to convince her," I think to myself.

  "C'mon, let's go." I grab her arm, and we run into an abandoned alleyway.

  "Okay, we should be safe here," I say, still out of breath.

  "What is going on? What do you mean I'm going to get robbed?" she asks.

  "Alright, hear me out, I—" Before I can finish my sentence, I feel a chilling presence. That same man walks down the alleyway with the same sword he used to cut my throat.

  "Shit, how did he find us? Why is he here?" I say.

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  "Stand behind me," she says, putting her arms out.

  "Well, well, if it isn't the runaway princess of Elarion. You've got a pretty good bounty on your head," the thief says.

  "Princess? What is he talking about?" I ask.

  "I don't have time to explain right now," she says, getting ready to use her fire magic.

  I notice something above her head—an icicle ready to impale her. "WATCH OUT!" I yell, pushing her out of the way as it pierces my arm.

  "Ow, son of a bitch," I say in agony.

  "Are you okay? You saved me. Thank you," the girl says.

  "I'm okay, don't worry about me... WATCH OUT!" The robber kicks her into the wall.

  "Well, it looks like that's done with. Any last words?" He pulls out his sword.

  "Damn it," I try to get up, but the icicle is stuck in the ground through my leg. "Shit, I can't help."

  The thief gets ready to stab her when we hear a mysterious voice.

  "Hey, you there! What do you think you're doing?" the mysterious man says.

  "Who is that guy?" I ask, confused.

  "It can't be... that's Riruka, one of the strongest swordsmen and the king's first knight," the girl says.

  "I know you, thief—the Organ Harvester. We've been hunting you but could never find you. However, this time, it ends here for you," Riruka says, drawing his sword.

  "You look strong. I can't wait to fight you," the Organ Harvester licks his lips.

  "Let us begin." Riruka swings his sword, breaking the Organ Harvester's blade into pieces.

  "How could this be?" the thief says. Riruka stabs the Organ Harvester through the heart.

  "It's over now." The Organ Harvester falls to the ground.

  "Incredible, he's so strong," my eyes widen in shock.

  "Are you both okay?" Riruka asks.

  "Yeah, I'm okay. You really saved my ass," I say, smiling.

  "Yeah, I'm okay too. Wait, your leg..." She uses magic to heal me and fire magic to burn the icicle.

  "Thank you so much," I say, smiling.

  "I really owe you one for saving me. You could have died," she says with a worried look.

  "Hmm, I know how you can owe me one," I smile.

  "Oh yeah? How?" she asks, turning her head.

  "By telling me your name," I point at her.

  "Really, that's it?" She giggles. "It's Serphina," she says, smiling.

  "Good. I would also like for you to call me by my name," I smile back.

  "Wait a minute—Serphina, like the lost princess?" Riruka says.

  "Ye-Yes," Serphina says, worried, knowing Riruka will take her back.

  "Well, I'm off duty, so I never saw any of this," he smiles.

  "Thank you, Riruka. I owe you one," I smile at him.

  "Of course. If you ever need a hand with anything or help, don't be afraid to give me a heads-up," he puts out his arm.

  "Yeah, also call me Haruki," I smile and shake his hand.