CHAPTER 00006
Okiji traversed across the meadow once again, bound for yet another village that caught his eye. This time, he had no intention of fighting, instead he sought even a small amount of tranquility.
He passed by a tree, noticing the fruits it bore. Thus, he climbed up, retrieving something that resembled an apple from its branches. After jumping back down, he continued on, now nourished by the fruit he obtained.
He finally reached the threshold, the cross back into civilization marked by the start of a dirt pathway. The village was not large, but was certainly bigger than Bay Harbor.
However, to his utter shock, it was completely empty. Not a soul was out around the town.
As he bit another chunk out of the apple, he quickly scanned the next street he approached, but still only found a few people here and there. He decided to approach them with his question. He first neared a dark haired woman who was reading on her porch.
"Excuse me!" he cried, trying to grab her attention. "Ma'am, I need your help!"
She looked up from her book, bringing her glasses down her nose. She didn't say anything, instead just looked at him oddly.
Slightly altered by her lack of dialogue, he decided to take the initiative as he finally reached the porch.
"Miss, I don't understand - why is there nobody outside?"
She looked up once more, glaring at him, before finally deciding to speak. "Everybody's afraid of our new ruler." She immediately dove back into her novel.
Okiji was confused by her words. "Wait, wait. Ruler? I know I'm not from around here, but I'm pretty confident that this is an independent settlement that is not ruled by a certain kingdom or leader. So why do you use that term?"
She stopped reading once more, clearly annoyed by the constant interruption he was causing. "The man who calls himself mayor. He came to power just a few weeks ago."
"So what? Was he unfairly elected or something?"
"Well that's just it."
"What?"
"He was never elected"
Okiji was puzzled. "Never elected? Then how is he mayor?"
"He forced his way here. He killed our previous mayor, who was very respected by her people, mind you."
"He killed this innocent woman?" Okiji was disgusted that such a person existed.
"Yes, sadly. And since, he's just been ruling with a diamond fist."
"Don't you mean iron fist?"
"Diamond is harder than stone, is it not?"
Okiji shrugged, standing corrected. "So everyone in the village fears and despises this man?"
She turned away. "Every original citizen. The bastard planted some of his own in our village when he came."
"So, this… bastard. What's his name?"
For the entire time I've known him, he went by Hubok."
Okiji repeated the name to himself, trying to remember it. "Hubok. Hubok." He turned away, walking back out into the street.
"Hubok, this is your last day in office. Prepare to die."