NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 12: The Encounter
'Wake up... Wake up... Wake up!!' A sound repeated in Leo's head.
"Ahh, what's that?" When Leo opened his eyes, he saw a spark of light.
It was Alice's tears.
Leo found himself sleeping on Alice's lap. The arena stood empty, only the sound of the wind remaining.
Everyone had left except them. Leo stared upward.
The only thing left was a broken cage with a subtle sparkle.
"You're awake!! Are you okay??" Alice said with concern, pressing her forehead to Leo's.
"Ah... my head. What happened..."
"Where am I?... Ah, I see... I lost." Leo covered his eyes, hiding his frustration.
"Thank god... Leo, I THOUGHT YOU DIED!!" Alice started crying again.
"Don't exaggerate. I'm still alive..
"and stop crying on me." A sigh escaped Leo.
'How many hours passed?' Leo asked.
'Ehh...' Alice started counting on her fingers, then stuck out her tongue. 'I don't know.'
Leo stared at the sun .. its color deep orange, as if about to set again.
'I slept too much.'
"So that's it... The winner must have claimed the prize already."
The arena ground lay more damaged than before. Epic fights had clearly happened.
'Let's get out of here, Alice.' Leo rose and brushed off the dust.
Leo was exhausted, barely able to speak or move.
"Leo, you seem really tired,"_Alice said, walking backward while watching him.
"Yes... let's go there."
"You mean our secret place?!" Alice smirked.
As they walked through the village streets, an old man holding a sword passed by.
Alice babbled about "a person who threw snakes in the tournament! "
Her voice caught the old man's attention. He stared .. especially at Alice.
"Is it my imagination?"
"Has the letter... been inherited?"
"Ew! What a weird old man!!" Alice stuck out her tongue.
"Is that poor fellow rambling?" she teased.
"A-Alice, stop!" Leo grabbed her hand.
"Sorry, sir. She's a bit naughty." Leo bowed, pressing Alice's head down to bow too.
"Eeee?! Naughty?!" She jabbed a finger at him.
"Oh, excuse me, boy. Children these days lack respect,they do not watch their mouths "
The old man's smile turned Sinister as he eyed Alice.
"Heheheheh..." She scratched her head nervously.
"That girl is wrong... The letter was inherited? And how on the earth did that boy get That sword?!"
'The letters always find each other " He said watched until their figures faded from sight.
As Leo and Alice walked:
"Alice, what 'inherited letter' was he talking about?"_
Alice raised her hands. "I really don't know!"
"Oh look a beautiful cat!"
She sprinted toward it
As Leo moved along , he stumbled upon a gang of bandits mercilessly beating a vagrant girl. Her cloak was torn, hair matted with dirt as she desperately clutched a small bag against her chest.
"I'm telling you, I don't have anything!!" she screamed, curling into a ball
"Ah, again..." Leo grabbed his sword and rushed toward the bandits.
"Leo, wait!!" Alice stopped patting the cat and sprinted after him.
Leo leveled his massive blade at the the bandits
"Three of you! Stop."