Re: Freedom: Regaining Freedom In Another World

FYI

Scene/ POV

: Speech

- Thoughts

[Flashback]

"Quoting"

(Author Note)—————————————————————————————————————

Lugonica Capitol City-Ayanokoji POV
I had died.
Vendor: Hey brat what do you want?
Koji: I'm sorry. I have to go.
I walked away.
Koji- I need to stay away from Satella. I can find someone else to help me find my bearings.
[Horikita: Why don't you care about anyone more than yourself? Why are you like this?]
Koji- Damn it.
I sighed as I went looking for her.
Koji- If I can catch that girl then everything will solve itself.
I found her but before I could act a girl took an insignia and left.
Koji- Too late huh?
I walked into an alley as the three thugs from before approached me. I took a deep breath.
Koji: Guard help me!!! I'm being mugged.
The three became hysterically angry but before they could do anything a knight appeared who had red hair.
???: Well hello.
The three ran away quickly.
???: You made the right choice calling for the guards.
Koji: Thank you.
Koji- If I can inform the guards then she's be saved without my involvement.
???: My name is Reinhart Van Astrea. Your's is?
Koji: Ayanokoji Kiyotaka. I also have to report something else.
Reinhart: What is it?
Koji: I saw a girl steal from a woman who looked important. It was some sort of insignia.
Rienhart: An insignia?
It seemed to register with him. The insignia was clearly important in some way.
Reinhart: Could you give me a description?
Koji: She was female. Blond hair in a ponytail. Short stature. She seemed young. She wasn't well dressed either. Most likely from an impoverished area.
Reinhart: I see. I'm afraid I have other duties to attend to right now but I'll try to get it and have it returned as soon as possible.
Koji- That's not good. He won't make it in time.
I turned around.
Koji- I shouldn't involve myself further. There's nothing more I can do without putting myself in unnecessary danger.
I hesitated. Horikita's words still found their way into my thoughts. Was indifference any different to the life I was living before? I wanted a different life, right? Something I could feel excitement and satisfaction from. That killer was dangerous. There was no telling how strong she truly was and it was unlikely I could beat her even with a weapon. There was also no guarantee that the miracle that saved me would occur again if I died.
Koji- Since when have I been afraid of death? I've faced it so many times when I was younger. Death is an old friend.
Reinhard: May I ask where you're from?
Koji: I don't remember. Memory Loss.
Reinhard: I see. Maybe I can find someone to help...
Koji: No. There's no use in that. My focus should be surviving in this world.
Koji- He's trying to catch me in a lie. So he could tell I was lying? But still I think he can tell I'm not here to cause unnecessary trouble.
Reinhard: I see. Very well.
Koji: I will see you there then
Reinhard nodded.
Reinhard: I'll get there as soon as I can.
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Loot House
I walked towards the impoverished area and towards the loot house where I found Satella.
Satella: Who are you?
Koji: I notified the guards about this situation so return what was stolen.
Felt looked at me with anger.
Satella: You came all this way just to help me? Someone you don't even know?
Koji: I'm a good judge of character.
Satella was a bit shocked at this as if no one had inferred good nature to her in the past.
Then the killer from before entered the room. I walked over to Satella.
Koji: We need to leave. Now.
Satella: I can't.
Koji: Then be ready to give me a weapon.
Satella looked at me perplexed but nodded her head.
???: I'm here to buy that insignia.
Felt: Sure.
??? took one look at Satella.
???: So you're all working together?
Koji: Now.
Satella formed an ice sword and handed it to me
The grip wasn't good. It was solid so it wouldn't exactly slip out of my hands but it required more grip control than was practical. I blocked an attack from ??? as I dragged my feet on the ground to a stop.
Koji- Such force.
Rom springs into action as while he had the upper hand for a second I had to step in to block an attack that would have taken his arm. We were both thrown back because of this.
Koji: Give me some cover fire!
Satella summons icicles as she launches them at ??? who cut them up with her blades and jumped back.
???: I'll enjoy gutting all four of you. 
Koji: Who are you?
???: I'm the Bowel Hunter. Elsa Grainheart.
Koji: Ayanokoji Kiyotaka.
Elsa: I'll have fun gutting you!
She rushed at me attacking in quick succession. I was able to block most of her attacks but it was clear how much she was holding back while fighting me. It was like she was playing with her food. I swung my blade. There was nothing wrong with my form. The issue was that the gap in physical ability was just too large.
Satella: Puck!
She parried it and kicked me in the stomach sending me flying. She then threw one of her blades at me but a wall of ice blocked it. Puck was floating with an angry expression directed at Elsa.
Koji- If we don't deal with her quickly or find a way to escape we're all going to die. Though if we were able to buy enough time Reinhart might show up. I'm sure that he's the strongest person I've met so far but still that's a big if. However, escaping also feels just as impossible. Out of the two escaping leaves us vulnerable.
Koji: Everyone. Keep her busy. Don't over extend yourselves. Wait for the guards to back us up.
They nodded as I rushed in going on the offensive. As Elsa was about to slash my guts an icicle almost hit her forcing a retreat. I took advantage of this slashing her face as she licked the blood dripping from her cheek. The wound quickly healed.
Koji- Regeneration huh? This will be troublesome.
Koji: The enemy has healing abilities. It's most likely that they won't die unless they suffer a fatal injury.
Felt and I both rushed in. I noticed she was much faster than me. I adjusted my attack pattern to match her as we attacked Elsa from both sides.
She blocked a few of our first attacks but was impaled by icicles from Satella and Puck. Following this Rom charged forward swinging his club into her and knocking her through a nearby wall.
Koji: Keep your guard up.
I said this as I blocked an attack from Elsa. She was using the shadows to move. An assassin.
Koji: Someone destroy the ceiling!
Puck aimed an attack destroying the ceiling.
Puck: She's an assassin so nice thinking.
Elsa smirked.
Elsa: It's been so long since I met a man capable of keeping up with me to this extent. How entertaining Kiyotaka.
Koji: I'd appreciate it if you didn't use my first name so casually.
I blocked another slash and jumped back slashing at Elsa who retreated dodging Rom who slammed his club in the spot she was standing.
Everyone else kept attacking as I bided my time. When she lost sight of me and was busy fighting the others I came up behind her swinging my blade intending to bisect her. The Sword did cut hr but her skin was too resistant I only made it 15 of the way through.
Koji- Damn it.
I jumped back retreating as she slashed the spot I was standing.
Koji: Everyone. Just keep it up.
Koji- There is a huge issue with this though. It's likely those two will run out on empty soon.
Koji- That might just be enough.
We coordinated as we all attacked Elsa in intervals attempting to keep her off balance. I covered for their blindspots but after they were tired and honestly so was I. Satella covered our retreat. It was incredible how long she had lasted in the fight. Does Magic not have stamina restrictions in this world?
Puck: Lia. Time to get out of here.
Satella: No. I won't abandon them.
I could have easily taken Satella and run especially if the spirit agreed with me but Horikita's words kept ringing in my ear. If I ran here I'd return to the same person I was before. That wasn't what I wanted.
Koji- Tell me you're almost here.
Elsa closed in on us when a flash of light cleaved the area where she was standing. She jumped back to avoid it. There stood Reinhard Van Astrea with a sword drawn.
Elsa: Oh it's the Sword Saint. How I'd love to spill your guts.
Reinhard: I'll give you one chance to surrender.
Elsa: No.
Reinhard: Then on my name Reinhard Van Astrea. The Sword Saint I will execute you.
Puck rushed back into his gem as I saw all the little particles of mana in the air gather around Reinhard who swung his blade generating a slash of light that severely injured Elsa who in turn ran.
Koji- It's over.
Satella turned to face me.
Satella: Kiyotaka right?
Koji: Yeah.
Satella: Thank you for helping me but why?
Koji: Is it so bad to help someone?
Satella: But why me?
Koji: Why not you?
Satella: Are you not disturbed by my appearance at all?
Koji: Why would I? If you're worried about your looks I can assure you that you are quite beautiful.
Satella blushed for a second.
Satella: But I'm a half-elf.
Koji: Is that a bad thing?
Satella: How do you not understand?
Koji: Are all Half-Elves somehow inherently evil in the world or something? You didn't seem like that.
Satella: ...
Koji: Can I ask? What is your name?
Satella: Emilia.
Koji: Emilia... it's very nice to meet you. I'm Ayankoji Kiyotaka.
I extended my hand out to her and she shook it smiling at me.
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To Be Continued

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