"THEY TOOK THE DISC!"
"What's a disc?" Wilhelm asked. "What happened to your f—"
"IT'S THIS— IT'S THIS, LIKE—"
"Whoa, whoa, calm down," Tyler's father said. Thomas took a deep breath, pressing his palm to his chest.
"It's this thing, like a metal plate that has my grandma's voice in it."
"What?"
"It's hard to explain, alright?! But it's real, and it's stolen."
"And this man was masked? You couldn't tell who he was?" Tyler's father pressed.
"Yeah, we couldn't tell. All we have left is this." He held up a severed finger.
"EW, WHAT THE FUCK, TOMMY?!" Wilhelm flinched, the rest of them gasped too.
"How'd you get that?!" Tyler asked.
"He cut it off the bastard." Thomas pointed at Alexander.
"Ijichi's already en route to New Angeles — we'll report to him there," Tyler's father said.
"Aw man, I'll fuckin' kill the bastard once I see him. He did this shit to me too." Thomas pointed at the cut scar on his cheek.
"You said it has your grandma's voice — why would anyone want to steal that?"
"I don't know, Will! Maybe it sells for a lot? I don't know! It sure as hell looked like a rare item that'd sell."
"Whatever it is, we'll be late for the event if we don't hit the road now," Tyler's mother said, climbing onto the carriage.
Tyler and his family headed to New Angeles by carriage, while Wilhelm, Thomas, and Alexander would ride on horseback.
"Alright..." Thomas frowned.
As they were preparing to head out, Tyler had his parents tidying up the carriage, checking all the necessary supplies of the trip with him while chatting casually.
Wilhelm also had Nicole's concerned banter, "Do you need any meat for the trip? Just carrots might not be enough. And—"
"It's okay Mom, it's a day trip."
Nicole smiled, "Right, my boy's all grown up." She tiptoes to pat Wilhelm on the head, her head was only at Wilhelm's chest for how tall Wilhelm was.
Wilhelm smiled back, "I'll be off then." He said as he got onto his horse.
"Be safe!" Nicole said with a warm grin while waving.
Thomas on the other hand, had a pink-haired stray with him.
Thomas looked at Wilhelm and Tyler, there was a smile on his face initially, but it gradually turned upside down.
"You alright?" Alexander appeared next to him.
"Of course I am, what the hell even is that question?" Thomas said with an exasperated expression, "Let's go."
———
On the long road to New Angeles, they passed by Lake Valentina.
"It's huge," Alexander commented.
"Yeah..."
"It's beautiful."
"That too..."
Alexander's sword stayed sheathed at his side. There wasn't a moment he wasn't wearing it. Thomas could swear he hadn't even cleaned it since last night.
"You're... really damn good with that sword."
"Thanks."
"...That bastard's still roaming but...," Thomas muttered. "At least now we have a clue where my disc went..." He stared at the severed pinky finger in his palm.
"Like I said, I'm good at hunting — and I bear no ill intent."
Last night proved Alexander's claim. Thomas trusted the lost fighter now.
"You still don't remember who you are? Or where you're from?"
Alexander stayed silent for a moment, then gave a subtle nod.
"Hmph. You just appeared in this world then... What are you going to do now?"
"I guess I'll... live."
"You'd be surprised how boring that is." Thomas hung his head.
"Is it?" Alexander retorted, drawing Thomas back. "I may only have two days of memory, but I enjoyed my freedom so far. I've run through the forest without limits. I've been chased — but it was thrilling. And I've fought." Alexander held the hilt of his sword. "And I was so... so entertained."
Thomas didn't quite understand him, but he listened anyway, face blank.
"I like where I am right now." Alexander's smile was faint, barely noticeable.
"Good for you." Thomas forced a smile, which faded fast. "I'll catch that bastard. I haven't even heard everything Grandma wanted to tell me."
"I'll help you," Alexander said. Thomas just gave him another forced smile.
"He's not the only one." Wilhelm rode up beside Thomas. "I don't know exactly what's been stolen — but it sounds important."
"It's my grandma's last words, man."
"Hmph." Wilhelm grinned. "Then let's catch this son of a bitch together! The three of us."
"What about them?" Alexander nodded at Tyler and his family in the carriage.
"Busy with the election. Don't mind them," Wilhelm said.
"You guys, don't talk like that, it's scary," Tyler called back. "Just report it — Ijichi will handle it."
It was the logical choice — but Thomas wasn't sure. He was ready to handle it himself — so were Alexander and Wilhelm.