Leaned against a tree the poor thief was vomiting his guts out behind the trunk after walking what felt like hours. At first he assumed the walk was boring since he didn't have anyone to talk to but he was soon proven wrong.
The forest was treacherous to wander through there was no clear path and whenever he thought he was following the sun he seemed to have fully turned around and it's gotten to a point where he started feeling sick.
His legs were shaking uncontrollably, finally meeting his next limit he fell on his knees beside his pile of retch.
I hate it.. I hate it. I hate it, I HATE IT!!!
Biting his nail while using his other hand to scratch at the ground beneath him he started holding back frustrated screams not wanting to lose face.
Clawing and digging into the dirt beneath him he felt his stomach heave for another round.
A little after effect from using your ability my ass…
Mikel gagged trying to let out the final bits squirming in his stomach yet it took too much effort.
His body finally collapsed under all the pressure and the man finally gave in.
"Fine…" He gasped out trying to ignore the churning in his stomach.
Nothing worked out, when he finally was prepared to settle down he got a bounty! When he decided to be nice he got kidnapped!!
WHAT'S NEXT!!!
Mikel could only curse in his heart while trying not to imagine how the merman feels during all of this.
Damn it… I said I'd be back…
Trying not to let the guilt consume him he kicked and rolled a few times with no success.
"I'm sorry.. That's what I get, I should've taken you with me…" He mourned trying to call out to a companion that won't hear him.
ILL BE DAMNED THIS STUPID KID BETTER GO HOME!!!
—
"Hello? Is anybody in there?" A boy called out into an abandoned home.
Its vines were beautifully distracting as he barely managed to unlock the door with his water abilities.
His kimono was torn by the edges and his hair stuck out everywhere in a mess. Breathing heavily he peeked inside only to find a large merman in the tub with pretty fresh water.
His head turned quickly when facing the child, his content smile suddenly fading.
"Ah, Merfolk." The child's voice suddenly rang loudly rattling the room.
"Prince Naia." A loud voice answered back causing one of the old homes beams to crack and fall into the ground.
The sturdy vines could not hold their own against the rattling and shaking of the home.
"Don't speak." A voice so loud it managed to echo through every room.
"I.." Despite the hesitation Naia's voice still managed to make the floor vibrate. "I LOST HIM!" With that loud confession the House almost crumbled in on itself, the beam crashing through the wooden floor almost piercing through the boy himself.
He took deep steady breaths, his heart pounding wildly against his ribs. "Your friend.." His voice suddenly sounded more human. "I believe.. That he was at least…" Tears began to well up the merman quickly pounced out of the tub, his beautiful blue fin transforming back into a pair of legs.
"So you're the reason he told me to wait…" Despite the creature's attempt to soften his voice it still managed to send a beam crashing into the others.
"Where is he."
"I don't know.."
With two powerful voices shaking the brittle home, its vines were the only thing keeping it together. Even as everything crashed and split the beautiful natural ropes might as well have held together the merman's self restraint.
His fists twitched eager to throw the little prince back to the ocean he came from but he knew it was not the child's fault.
But he was gonna find out who did.
"Tell me…" He suddenly spoke, causing the boy to flinch.
—
I'm done..!! I'M DONE I'M DONE I'M DONE!!
The thief's bounty finally caught up to him. He couldn't even move his body anymore and he was tied up nonetheless, thrown in the back of the carriage like a sack of fish.
Two men sitting at the front both speaking in another language he couldn't decipher while the trotting of a horse drove him mad.
As much as he wanted to scream and kick around in frustration his entire body was drained enough as is. He simply decided to look up at the sky.
There was nothing noteworthy up there but at that point his walk made his legs shake worse than any man so far could.
He was too tired to move but not tired enough to fall asleep.
One thousand… Maybe it's silver..
His eyes grew tired but every time he could feel himself dozing off the carriage would hit a bump causing him to jolt awake.
After what felt like hours the sound of laughter slowly began fading in. His ears buzzed trying to block out any further noise the back of the carriage shook along the brick pathway the horse slowed its stride and occasionally huffed with exhaustion.
One of the men stroked its neck and gave it a gentle pat while mumbling incoherent sentences.
Mikel's eyes finally seemed to flutter shut the rocking of the carriage sending him off into another world.
Just as he thought he could finally rest, the carriage came to a screeching halt sending him rolling.
With a bang against the carriage's wood he snapped wide awake pushing himself up to look around.
Well, who would've thought I'm in another city again…
His surroundings seemed much more luxurious; however unlike the diversity of the last city the lack of humans was clear. Most creatures had either wings or horns, whether it's bulls or bluebirds this place had it mostly narrowed down.
Unable to look around for much longer he suddenly felt himself grabbed from behind and thrown over someone's shoulder. The man's arms clutched around his waist in a tight lock as if the ropes weren't enough.
The walk seemed to be pretty short compared to the carriage ride, but truth be told Mikel felt a sense of relief knowing he didn't have to walk.
His captors were leisurely strolling through the city while dragging him along, occasionally waving hi's and hello's to the people passing.
Well one of them wasn't exactly a man… For a beastman he looked pretty human. One could mistake him as one from behind if not looking close enough.
At least I have an impressive bounty..
—
Mikel was avoiding eye contact as much as he could. Before him stood not just one but two familiar faces.
"Well.." A low voice hummed with disappointment. The other man instead could only stare blankly.
Among them was a third member who was arms crossed towering over Mikel's tied form.
Rough features, black hair tied back in a long, beautiful ponytail, leather armor, and a broadsword hanging off of his back. He was a total egoist. Mikel hates people like him!
"So this is the one the BOTH of you couldn't catch!? This hormonal little thing?" The general glared at the two failed men before him.
Mikel on the other hand made sure to look anywhere but the two men. One he betrayed the trust of and the other he kissed.
"I am General Kai. I train out of control animals and whip them back into shape! You're fortunate that I'm not the general under whose custody you'll be."
Crossing his arms over his broad chest he eyes Mikel up and down.
"We here in the Shibu nation don't tolerate small fries like you that are unwilling to sit through their punishment."
"However, getting to this nation for punishment in the first place.." He left his words hanging in the air, turning his heel. "GET HIM INTO A CELL! There's no need for a trial." With a final command he excused himself leaving Mikel and the men alone.
"Mikel.." Shi fei called out, making the other shudder. "Arlon, so his name has been revealed?" Coy asked while grabbing onto the ropes tied around the thief's wrist yanking him upwards onto his feet.
The man's knees almost immediately buckled under his own weight but he was quickly caught.
"I wish you listened to me.." The men sigh in unison when suddenly they both suspiciously glared at each other.
Not wanting to talk to the other, the two turn away as Coy leaves with Mikel.
Shi Fei watched in silence as his man was dragged off towards prison.
With heavy clunks and rattles Coy cuffed the man's wrists and ankles leaving just enough room to move his body without getting up.
Mikel's wrists felt heavy, too heavy. He immediately dropped them onto the ground with a tired yawn.
At least I can finally sleep..
Just as he was about to close his eyes Coy grabbed onto his chin slamming the prisoner's head into the wall behind him.
"Why did you run off you little rat? I put in a good word for you, for what!" He hissed his fingers intertwining with the thin strands of Mikel's hair.
Holy.. Shit!
The thief whimpered, his eyes fluttering shut between exhaustion and pain.
His head ached almost immediately not even remembering the last time he either ate or drank so this was the last thing he needed. Maybe some sleep by now would have been nice too.
"Ah… If you just listened, and didn't run off to your lover." The soldier's other hand raised to caress Mikel's face.
"I could have had so much more potential once I convinced them to lower your sentence to a week.. Running away with the man who broke your heart after crying into another." His fingers trailed down to rest on Mikel's cheek. "But alas.." Coy's fingers finally released the other's hair and stepped back.
Mikel's head dropped limply.
Enough.. I've had enough…
His vision blurred before it finally blacked out for good.