*Pant, pant ......*
The only sound echoing through the endless woods, sweat dripping through his skin. His heart beating fast as the adrenaline surged within his veins. It was ingrained with the only thought racing through his mind
"Run"
As Arthur ran, he did not bother looking back. The endless voice screaming his name were just echoes which made his blood pulse go higher
'I need to escape; I really need to escape' that was the only thought running through Arthur's mind.
Arthur ran through the thick forest dodging the plants as the trees and leaves camouflaged his identity.
"Arthur, stop running!" Muichiro and Rika's voices echoed as they pursued Arthur through the woods.
"He is fast, really fast"
"That was why he was on the athletic department back home" Muichiro said with a chuckle
Rika and Muichiro had continuing running with Sayo, Kiyo, Lancaster and Shiro trailing behind them slightly
Thud
Everyone turned to see Muichiro on the floor struggling to stand
"Don't push it Muichiro" Sayo said going to his aid and Rika followed slightly after
"Yeah, I know!"
"I am just tired, at my fullest; I can keep up with Arthur"
"Yeah, we understand but you need to rest and you two follow him" Rika said in a firm tone.
Arthur kept running, he was not sure of where he was going but one thing was clear: He had to get out of here.
As Arthur saw a cave, he slid into it which Kiyo and Lancaster ran by after unaware of Arthur who was in the cave.
Arthur lay back to rest his head on the wall. His heart was still beating hard and adrenaline had begun to go down.
Arthur breath a sigh of relief but that did not last as a hand tapped him on the shoulder.
"Jes—"
The hand covered Arthur mouth quickly preventing Arthur from making any noise.
"What, do you want them to find out where you are?" the figure said in a harsh tone
"mmmmm,mmmmmmm" Arthur responded
"I know you are mad and this is not what you expected but the moment I release my hand from your mouth, you are not going to make noise because if you do, I WILL KILL YOU"
Arthur nodded in silence as the figure slipped his hand away from his mouth.
Arthur spun holding his sword ready to strike him down but the figure was faster and, in an instant, used the scabbard to knock Arthur out
"I warned you Idiot"
*OUCH*
Arthur woke up to see a man, in his late thirties, his shirt removed showcasing his back. Arthur could see the scars, they were not your typical scars from injuries or being beaten up but the scars were from battles, long enduring battles.
Arthur was nothing but just mesmerized seeing them.
"You awake, lad?" the figure spoke still tending to his wounds
Arthur took a steady step holding the sword in his hand firmly. His mind was foggy but an ill intent still surfacing in his mind
"Kill Him"
"I won't consider that option right now, you know your intentions are over the place"
Arthur stopped in his tracks
"You know what my thoughts are?"
"Yeah, kid, I can even practically taste them"
Arthur shrieked at that thought. His mind raced with questions but his lips kept themselves shut tight.
"Um kid, I got to ask; why are you being chased around like a wanted man?"
"Um, I don't understand"
"Don't bullshit me, I can sense you are lying and I don't know for what particular reason but you got to tell me the truth especially if money is involved"
"I am sorry, I escaped from my friends because they wanted me to do things their way, and I wanted to do things my way"
"I----"
"Don't explain further, I don't want to be wrapped up further in this madness"
"So, where are we, sir?"
"We are still in the cave kid"
"I know you are running from your classmates but I can also assume you plan on heading somewhere"
"Yes, exactly; Gandogo"
"Gandogo, the place swarming with monsters all over"
"Yeah, pretty much"
"Do you wish to get yourself killed?"
Arthur's sober expression turned grim
"That is what everyone has been saying, I lost three classmates to that freak show and I could not do a damn thing. For once, I mean once, I want to put the nightmares to bed but no one wants to let me, everyone saying that I am acting like a screw loose"
*Sniff*
"My friends, the one I trust don't see what I see and for that, I need to change"
"I need to be stronger, far stronger to protect them, no matter the cost"
The figure which had been quiet for so long just let out a chuckle as if mocking Arthur which only infuriated him
"You think it's funny?"
"Sorry, I don't but I can say one thing: Your burning desire to protect makes you both strong and weak".
"I don't understand"
"You don't need to understand now"
"Let me ask: do you know why I know what you thinking?"
"No"
"Do you know anything about chemoreceptors?"
"No sir"
"Please drop the 'sir' stuff; it makes me feel old"
"Okay"
"Call me Nagumo"
"Alright"
"I want to make one thing clear, very clear"
"You are going to die as you are in Gandogo"
"Seriously trying to talk me down"
"Let me finish kid"
"I can't ensure your safety but I will make one thing clear- I will train you until you become stronger in exchange for one thing"
"Which is?"
"You will cut off from the whole world,I don't know how long, but one thing is clear: you will be back once you are ready and stronger"
"A devil's contract," Arthur muttered
"Yeah, basically"
"If it will mean that I would become stronger in order to kill that bastard"
"So, what are you saying kid?"
"I am saying: I agree"
Few Hours Later
"The target has been acquired; he will cut off from the world and also he will be in custody from now on"
"Understood, train him; he will be perfect for the upcoming war but one thing; don't let him break in the process"
"Understood Rena"
Nagumo cut off the mind transmission and as he stared down Arthur, one thought crossed through his mind as his faint lips curled in amusement