The hustle and bustle of civilization, it was a sight that was familiar to most but for some it was a sight that captivated time and time again. After days of traveling the trio of Cyrus, Sarah, and Henry had arrived at a small town on the outskirts of the Alabast kingdom. The once empty road that they had traveled was now surrounded by fields of bountiful crops and working farmers. As they approached the town itself a wooden archway greeted them, a rural town was laid out before them. Wooden houses stretched along the path, the streets lined with tall poles tipped with orange crystals, the crystals brimmed with traces of magical energy, flakes of mana dripping off of them as each of them were emitted a bright light that illuminated the main path of the city.
" This place looked a lot bigger and fancier on the map." Sarah whined as they walked into town.
" Because it's not Alabast you brat." Cyrus responded as he punched the top of the self proclaimed angel's head. " This is just Lexin, a farming town. I come here to sell materials sometimes. We'll rest here today and then get back to it tomorrow."
Hearing that not only were they not in Alabast but that they'd be getting back to traveling in only a day Sarah let out a heavy defeated sigh. " Fine, at least I get to sleep on a bed tonight."
Looking for any respite from the woes of a traveler Sarah clung to the prospect of getting to sleep in a proper bed for the first time in days. Letting out another sigh before the faithful companion Henry would rubbed his head against her leg in consolidation.
Making their way through Lexin the three of them came upon a building that stood out among the many wooden homes of the town. The building was much larger, majority of the buildings in town seemed to be one story homes that belonged to single families that inhabited the city, however the building they were in front of now was seemingly two storied, a set of stairs on the exterior leading to a patio, small orange crystals hanging off of the scaffolding and overhangs of the building. Cyrus opened the doors to the large building, guiding Sarah and Henry along inside the building seemed more like a tavern than anything. Round dark wooden tables, booths, and chairs were scattered about the floor, all manner of patrons drinking as the sound of hearty laughter filled the room. At the back of the room was a long wooden bar and behind it was a fair skinned heavy set woman. Long brown hair draped down her face, a white apron atop her blue dress. The woman would be serving a patron when she noticed Cyrus and a smile coated her face as she turned to him.
" Cyrus! It's great to see you again and you to Henry, what brings you in to town this late?" As she looked at Cyrus and promptly Henry she noticed an addition to what she knew as a duo. Her eyes went wide upon seeing Sarah, quickly she grabbed the collar of Cyrus's shirt and yanked him forward pulling him onto the bar table as she whispered into his ear. " Cyrus don't tell me you went and got yourself a kid!?"
Being accused of having a child Cyrus's eyes widened before a bit of a smirk appeared on his face and he separated from the woman's grip as he picked up the clueless Sarah. Making her sit on one of his arms taking advantage of her small child like stature. " Yep, you guessed it Laura. This is my pride and joy Sarah isn't she just adorable?"
Getting picked up Sarah was confused but as Cyrus began to speak her eyes went wide and her cheeks reddened in embarrassment, even the blue prism that floated above her head became crooked in bewilderment. " What the fuck!? Don't pick me up and treat me like your kid you weirdo!" In a fit of rage and embarrassment a series of strange markings appear in the air in front of Cyrus stamping themselves on his forehead.
" Huh? What is-" Before Cyrus could finish his sentence the strange markings glowed a orange and blue hue, a soft humming echoed out before Cyrus was suddenly sent flying through the air dropping Sarah in the process before his back slammed into a wall knocking the air out of him.
Falling back to the ground sarah brushed herself off and gave a huff as she put her hands on her hips. Gazing at the Cyrus that was now kneeling after having ricocheted off of a wall hard enough to leave a small crater she stuck her tongue out. " Hope you think twice about treating me like a kid again."
" yep.... yeah.... got it.... won't happen again."
Watching in bewilderment as Cyrus got flung into a wall and subsequently got helped to his feet by a duck of all things by what she thought was a small silver haired child Laura had more questions than before. " So, ummm... what the hell is all this?"
Staggering back to his feet Cyrus's chest was rising and falling with heavy breaths, a bit of blood running down his forehead as he grabbed the edge of the bar and pulled himself up. " Long story... bitchy angel lady... capital.... need room...." Cyrus pointed to Sarah when he referenced the angel lady, trying to catch his breath as he spoke his legs wobbled still recovering from the impact of slamming into a wall.
Sarah just let out a little huff and looked away as Cyrus struggled to explain their situation. Laura just let out a heavy sigh before turning around and grabbing a key off of a rack behind the bar. " I'll be expecting payment and a proper explanation in the morning."
She'd toss the key over the bar and before it hit the ground Henry caught it and put it in the bag on his back. After securing the key Cyrus would give a soft smile before his legs gave out and he collapsed onto the ground. With Cyrus laid out on the ground Henry hopped up on one of the bar stools gave a small quack towards Laura before he hopped back down and then bit the back of Cyrus's collar and started dragging him across the floor. Dragging him around to the side of the bar and up a flight of stairs, Cyrus not so pleasantly hitting each and every step as Henry hopped up and backwards to drag him up them. Watching Cyrus get dragged up a flight of stairs by Henry Sarah had a blank expression on her face, absent mindedly blinking at the absurd sight before her face fell a bit dark and she followed the duck up the steps and to the room they had been given.
After being dragged to the room Cyrus was asleep on the floor of the inn room when he felt a stinging pain against his cheek jolting him awake. " Shit! What the hell was that?" Looking around he'd see Sarah crouched down over him.
" It's here.... I can sense another core."