Darkis
A worn-out wooden gate, large enough to let two wagons pass through. The gate stands about three meters tall, and an old sign hangs above it that reads "City of Darkis" in the Thandic language.
They enter through the gate. The city atmosphere is gloomy, drunkards lie in the streets, and homeless people are scattered around. The concrete roads are cracked, making it difficult for the wagons to move.
Leem: (stopping the wagon) This city is just the same. It never changes no matter how many times we come here.
Leemti: This is the state of all the cities close to the wall.
Leemti looks toward Kalira, her face grim as if recalling a bad past and childhood in this place.
They stop the wagon at the city's entrance. Everyone gets off and begins walking. The buildings are worn down, none exceeding more than two floors.
A girl's scream is heard from one of the alleys: "Stay away from me! Leave me alone!"
Leem hears the voice and rushes toward it.
He stands before the alley—two men are there, one of them bulky and built like a fighter, and the other skinny but tall. They were trying to assault the girl.
Leem: (in a calm yet annoyed voice) What do you think you're doing?
Bulky man: (with a mocking face and tilted neck) Huh, what's your problem? Why don't you get lost?
Leem: (forms a fist and coats it with blood, hardening it) How about you let the girl go and we all go our separate ways?
Skinny man: (provoking voice) And what if we don't let her go?
Leem steps forward: (angrily, with a strange smile) Then I'll kick both your asses, simple as that.
Bulky man: (placing his hand on leem shoulder) You seem confident. Why don't you run back to your mommy and let her breastfeed you?
Leem grabs his hand and squeezes it so hard the man feels his bones crack from within. He quickly pulls back in pain. Leem glares at the other man:
Leem: You just ruined my mood.
Leem suddenly charges at the bulky man and punches him in the stomach, knocking him to the ground. He kicks him again, sending him flying backward. Then he turns to the other guy, grabs his head, and slams it against the wall.
Skinny man: (in pain) I'm sorry, sir!
Bulky man: (in pain and angry) You bastard, I'll kill you!
The skinny man helps the bulky one to stand:
Skinny man: Let's go. He's strong, and we can find another girl.
Leem: Get out of my sight, you filthy scum.
Leemti, Kalira, and Torans arrive.
Leemti: Where did you run off to?
Leemti looks around and sees two injured men fleeing and a girl lying on the ground, her clothes torn. She rushes to remove her jacket and cover the girl.
Leemti: Are you okay?
Girl: (soft and scared voice) Yes, I'm fine thanks to this gentleman.
Leem: (looking at her) Be careful when walking alone, young lady.
Girl: (stands up with Leemti's help) Thank you for helping me.
Leem turns around and walks away:
Leem: I'll wait for you at the wagon.
Leemti: Where is your home?
Girl: I don't live here. I stopped in the city to rest from my long journey.
Leemti: You should leave this city. It's not safe for travelers.
The girl removes the jacket and hands it back to Leemti.
Leemti: It's fine. Keep it. Your clothes are torn. Are you here alone?
Girl: There's another person with me. He went to get some things.
A man's voice yells loudly: "Lady Mary, where are you?! Lady Mary!"
Mary: I think that's him. Thank you again for saving me.
Mary (yelling): I'm here!
The man rushes toward her holding bags. He looks like a bodyguard, carrying a sword and wearing armor. When he sees Mary's condition:
Bodyguard: Are you alright, my lady? Were you hurt?
The girl starts yelling at him: "Where the hell were you?! Why were you late?!"
Leemti speaks to Kalira and Torans: Let's go. I think she'll be fine.
As they leave, Mary calls out: Wait a moment!
She walks toward them and pulls out some money, handing it to Leemti.
Mary: Give this to the man who saved me and tell him I'm thankful.
Leemti: (pushing the girl's hand back) We don't need your money, miss. He saved you because he saw you in danger.
Mary: He did it for free? No one here does something like that for free!
Leemti: You misunderstood us. We didn't do it for money.
Leemti walks away angrily with Kalira and Torans.
Mary: (muttering) What's her problem? Why is she mad? Nobody does anything for free these days...
Mary looks toward her guard:
Mary: I'll tell my mother what happened when we get home.
Bodyguard: It's alright, my lady. All that matters is that you're safe.
---
While walking back toward Leem, Kalira speaks:
Kalira: Why were you angry at that girl?
Leemti: Because she offered money for her rescue.
Kalira: I saw that, but you could have just taken the money?
Leemti: Leem would've been upset if I had accepted her money.
Kalira: Well, I don't exactly understand why, but okay.
Torans: Young lady, it's a man's honor. You wouldn't understand.
They reach Leem.
Leem: What happened to the girl?
Leemti: Another man came. He looked like her guard. He took her with him.
Leem: Let's finish what we came for. (looking at Kalira) Where's your house?
Kalira: Alright, follow me.
They walk a bit and reach an old-looking house.
Kalira: We're here.
Torans: This brings back memories, really.
---
General Information
There are many languages in this world. Thandic is spoken by most residents of the Beast Continent, but there are also several other languages.
People of the North speak Yutarnic.
More languages will be added as the story continues.
To be continued...