Chapter 5
#6 of pixel shift
Zora awoke, Ugh what happened, Zora tried to get up but stumbled, Oh my head, he thought as he stood up, Lilly!, His mind suddenly clicked. He glanced around, the festival had cleared out and it was about the middle of the night, he frowned, Damnit, He started walking towards the southern side of town, knowing that he'd make no progress tonight.
Zora stepped through the gate of the park, he glanced up and shielded his eyes with his hand, the moon is bright tonight, he thought. The streets where empty as he started down them, he passed the alley where he'd found Lilly's body, or as it turned out her double's. A chill went down his spine, shivering he looked away.
Lost in his thoughts, Zora was surprised when he stopped outside of the guild ward; he frowned looking up at the bounty board, a lot of high rank monsters. I can't do a bounty right now, Lilly is too important, He thought turning to head down Main Street towards the house. The marketplace was empty, the stalls closed up, who'd be open in the middle of the night? Zora passed it quickly, he suddenly felt an urgency to be back with his sister, pushing the house door open, His sister's spell book sat open on the desk, her head on one arm and her other arm hung limply beside her. He smiled softly, she was really trying to learn that spell, then he frowned, she's working too hard. Zora lifted her into his arms and carried her to her room, setting her in bed; he pulled the covers over her. He then left, entering his own room he collapsed onto his own bed, exhaustion suddenly found his every limb, he was out in minutes.
Lilly sat up, looking around, Zeldren! I knew something was off, but where am I? She looked around before getting up off the bed she lay on, the walls around her were stone brick, a metal door was the only exit. Obviously a cell, she crossed the room and checked the door, Locked, obviously. She stood up on her tiptoes and peered out through the barred window, a white corridor, one she recognized. No! I'm back in the Institutes holding cells, the Aurora Project.
She backed away slowly, her legs trembled, suddenly they collapsed beneath her, No not here why Zeldren why!?
"If you're still out there Zora, save me and please hurry." She whispered, fear seeping into every bone in her body.
Zora awoke, he sat up in bed and looked around the dim room, Lilly was still missing. He hopped out of bed and stepped into the hall, Ashley was back at it again. He watched her try at the spell for a couple of moments, but when the runes sparked and shattered once again he spoke up.
"Hey, I think you should take a break, I'm going to head out in a little while to hunt down some imperial officers." Zora said, walking over to her. She nodded and closed the spell book.
"Where's Lilly?" Ashley asked, her voice strangely missing the hint of distrust it normally betrayed when she spoke of the young thief.
"Not sure, that's what I'm hoping to find out." Zora replied, "Get outside, eat something, or sleep. All that spell casting is draining so get a recharge please, I worry." Zora said, affectionately, Ashley nodded smiling a little. Zora crossed to his room, grabbing his armor he slipped it on over his current clothes then sheathed his knife in its pouch. Before heading out the door he grabbed his bow, clipping it to his back he pushed open the door, waving his farewell before closing it behind him.
Zora stepped out into the sunlight; Main Street was oddly barren, nobody in sight. He started down the street towards the guild ward, but today he wasn't after a bounty.
"Zora!" a voice called from behind, Zora glanced back to see Drake, waving as he ran over. "Seen Zeldren?" He asked as he skidded to a stop beside Zora.
"No not since he drugged me, and kidnapped Lilly." Zora replied angrily, he pulled his knife from its sheath and pointed it at Drake. "Where's Lilly?"
"Don't know, Zeldren disappeared on me, then Imperials showed up." Drake replied, holding his hands up in surrender, "think Zeldren working for em."
"That would put a lot of puzzle pieces in place." Zora replied, "Hey what's you and Lilly's history?" He asked casually, sheathing his knife.
"Was the one she lived with when she first out of the Institute." Drake replied, "What you planning on doing, find her I mean?" Zora frowned in thought before replying, "Hunt down some Imperial officers, Question them, then save her."
"You determined." Drake replied, surprise lit his face "I'll help, her safety, my priority."
"I'll be fine," Zora replied distrustingly, beginning his trek to the guild ward again, Drake followed at a distance.
Zora Pushed open the doors to the guild, an Imperial Officer stood to the left of the door, Zora grabbed him by the shirt and slammed him into the door.
"Where is she?" He exclaimed angrily, the Officer tried to reply a dazed look in his eyes.
"I-I don't k-know what y-yo-" The officer began, but was cut off as Zora threw him to the ground.
"Liar! He yelled, suddenly a hand grabbed Zora's arm. "Hey, Zora buddy, not him, she's at home remember?" Drake said, "Must be drunk you." he said, then he dragged Zora out into the street, before pushing him into an alley.
"Hey what the hell was that?" Zora exclaimed, ripping his knife out and waving it around, Drake backed away, "gonna get caught being reckless you are, just saved your tail I did." Drake replied, annoyed, "Calm down and let's make a plan."
"Ok ok fine." Zora said, he was still upset, but he'd calmed a little. "What do ya got? He asked, sheathing his knife again.
"Well, happen to know nightly patrols of officers, can just wait to ambush them." Drake replied, Zora nodded approvingly.
"Ok I like that idea, let's do it." Zora replied, Drake noted that his eyes looked glazed, like his mind was slipping, shutting out what it didn't want to believe.
"Ok, meet me in this alley at sundown, set up then." Drake said, Zora nodded and began walking back towards the Inn. I said that I'd protect you; I'll never forgive myself if I don't find you alive.
Lilly, Cowered as the door rattled, then opened, a man stood there holding a leash. Suddenly Lilly became acutely aware of the collar around her neck; He attached the leash before dragging her into the hallway. No no no, she screamed in her mind. She was led down a white corridor, it had obviously been cleaned recently, she was yanked into a side room. Glancing around she noticed several important things about the room, a large control panel behind shielded glass controlled the machine at the other end of the room. A couple of screens, blank now, would show the mental journey she was soon to take. The whole room was a white that belonged in a hospital.
Zora stepped into the alley, Drake was leaned against the wall, he looked up as Zora entered.
"The imperial will be here soon." Drake said, standing up straight and stepping over beside Zora.
"Good, now get out of my way." Zora growled, Drake nodded and backed out of the alley, Zora still wasn't level headed yet. Zora leaned against the wall and waited, a few moments later a man rounded the corner. Zora made no move to intercept; the man was dressed in casual imperial gear, as he walked past though he gave Zora a glance. Zora only nodded in response to him and the imperial kept walking, but he didn't get far because as soon as he passed Zora leaped at him, slamming the man into the wall and putting his knife to his neck.
"What do you want?" The officer coughed, glaring back at Zora, who tightened his grip.
"Where's Lilly!" Zora said angrily, but the officer only smiled in response.
"Oh, that Lithian, I used to love watching her kick and scream as they dragged her to that machine every morning. Glad they caught her again, too bad I'm stationed here now." He replied, a grin on his face. Zora angrily slammed his knife forward, it only stopped as it reached the officers spine.
"If you kill them all you won't find the information you want." Drake said suddenly being beside Zora.
"I know. I know." Zora replied frowning as he shook blood from his blade, before sheathing it. He stood up and turned to his new partner.
"Next officer."