"THEY TOOK THE DISC!" Thomas yelled, even though everyone was already close enough to hear even a whisper from him.
"What's a disc?" Wilhelm asked, squinting his eyes at the cut scar of Thomas's face "What happened to your f—"
"IT'S THIS— IT'S THIS, LIKE—" Thomas's face twisted, his arms geatured everywhere and nowhere.
"Whoa, whoa, calm down," Tyler's father said, waving his hand. Thomas took a deep breath, pressing a palm to his chest.
"It's this thing," Thomas's voice was more composed now, but still carried a hint of urgency, "like a metal plate that has my grandma's voice in it."
Almost everyone shook their heads in confusion, "... What?"
"It's hard to explain, alright?!" Thomas's arms started flailing again, "But it's real, and it's stolen."
"And this man was masked? You couldn't tell who he was?" Tyler's father pressed with a stern face.
"Yeah, we couldn't tell. All we have left is..." He reached into his right pocket, then realised thats the wrong one and reached into his left, "... this." He held up the severed pinky finger, wrapped in paper like a burrito.
"EW, WHAT THE FUCK, TOMMY?!" Wilhelm flinched and whipped his head to the opposite side, the rest of them gasped too.
"How'd you get that?!" Tyler asked, stepping forward to inspect the pinky.
"He cut it off the bastard." Thomas pointed at Alexander, who simply nodded with an emotionless face.
Tyler's father sighed, "Ijichi's already en route to New Angeles, we'll report to him there," he 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, his face clearly furious.
"You said it has your grandma's voice," Wilhelm raised an eyebrow, "why would anyone want to steal that?"
"I don't know, Will! Maybe it sells for a lot?" Thomas performed an exaggerated shrug, "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, a woman pushing 50 but doesn't look a day over 30 said, climbing onto the carriage.
Tyler and his family would be 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 literally just a day trip."
Nicole smiled, "Right, my boy's all grown up." She tiptoes to pat Wilhelm on the head, her height was barely even at Wilhelm's chest for how tall he was.
Wilhelm flashed his teeth back, "I'll be off then." He said as he got onto his horse.
"Be safe!" Nicole said with a warm grin while waving, Wilhem waved back.
Thomas on the other hand, had a pink-haired stray with him.
Thomas stared at Wilhelm and Tyler as they chatted with their respective families, happily. 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. A lake so vast they couldn't see the other side from where they stood. A lake so calm, clean and clear, it appeared like the blue sky it's reflecting was on the ground.
"It's huge," Alexander commented.
"Yeah..." Thomas replied lazily, his vibe gloomy.
"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. He'd probably assume Alexander slept with the sword if not for the sleepless night they both experienced yesterday.
"You're... really damn good with that sword." Thomas remarked, his eyes on Alexander's sheath.
"Thanks."
"... That bastard's still roaming but...," Thomas muttered, head low. "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 warrior now.
"You still don't remember who you are? Or where you're from?" Thomas asked, not with curiosity.
Alexander stayed silent for a moment, then gave a subtle nod.
"Hmph. You just sort of... 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." Alexander's gaze went to the lake beside, "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, nearly apathetic.
"I like where I am right now." Alexander turned back, his 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, and 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.