~ Chapter 4 ~
Secrets shatter, Bonds forge

took the stairs two at a time, the sound of sword against sword from below cut like knives into her conscience. She dashed down a stone passage, leaping out of the way of an ant, she took a side path. Lilly followed the corridor for a while before coming out into a large cavern, and suddenly a giant snake appeared, a level fifteen creature; what the hell is it doing up here!?
She dashed along the wall and ran down another path, taking a different tunnel, suddenly the snake cut her off. Lilly spun around and ran back the way she came, slipping down the first path she saw. It wasn't long before she was cut off again, turning down a side path as the giant fangs bit at her again. After a while of not seeing it, she slowed down, gasping for breath; Lilly leaned against the wall. She looked to her left and almost screamed; the massive head of the snake was coming fast. It’s yellow eyes, with black scars through them, stared directly at her. Its scaly skin was mostly tan with black and gold diamonds speckling its surface. Lilly slipped as she pushed off from the rock, pedaling her hands on the ground as she pulled herself to her feet and ran as fast as she could. She turned down several different paths, but all the while, the scaly scraps, and hissing, hot breath on her heels. Suddenly she leaped into a side hole, the snake slipped past, glaring at her in annoyance. Lilly was once again pretty sure she’d lost it, but that was when she realized she didn't know where she was. Frowning as she gazed around, Lilly walked through a cavern she'd never seen before. Tunnels in every direction. There was an odd sound, like the ticking of a clock.
"Hello!" She called, "I'm lost." Suddenly the ticking grew in strength till thousands of giant ants appeared, crawling from each hole, she reached for the knife, but an ant ripped through her backpack, spilling the contents everywhere. She watched the knife skid beneath an ant's legs. She dropped her bag and ran down a cavern, the skittering of thousands of legs echoing behind her. Please! I don't want it to end here; I know I've been bad, I've done things, gotten people killed, ironically in this exact same way. But I almost have what I need.
Suddenly she skidded to a stop, her soul filled with dread, no, no no no NO!! A dead-end, she turned to watch the ants crawl in after her, she backed against the wall. This is how it ends? I guess I deserve this though. I'm sorry I couldn't be a better friend Zora. One of the ants lunged at her, pincers dripping with poisonous saliva, and in her fear, she released her magic disguise. Her ears reappeared, popping from her hair, and her tail shimmered into view between her legs. Lilly closed her eyes as they got close, closing off any hope of escape; she could hear its breath and feel it on her face. Suddenly one of the ants screeched, and something dropped into her lap. She opened her eyes and looked down; a queen ants head lay in her lap. Upon seeing the death of their queen, the other ants scattered. Zora stood in front of her; hand held out to help her up.
“H-huh?” Lilly asked, “but, I stole from you, led you into a trap, I even lied to you about being human?”
“Yeah, so and you almost got eaten by ants.” he smiled, “I'm not going to abandon you, and I'm definitely not gonna let some stuck up bastard buy you from some slave trader. I'll protect you.” Lilly began to cry; she leaped forward and wrapped her arms around him. He pressed his sleeve to her eyes, drying her tears.
“W-why are you so n-nice to m-me?” She asked through her sobs, “I don't understand.”
“Because you still owe me a date.” Zora replied, a stupid smile on his face. Lilly looked up at him, tears scoring streaks in the dirt on her face.
“You’re stupid.” She whispered, smiling softly. He pulled out the bounty and broke one of the pincers off the ant; he rolled the bounty around the pincer and stuck it in his bag. Lilly handed him his knife back; he smiled and said, “your quite the thief, come on, let’s go.” Lilly nodded and stumbled forward, suddenly all of her troubles and exhaustion fell on her at once; she fell forward as everything went dark.

Zora set Lilly down on the couch, Ashley was checking her condition.
“She just collapsed from exhaustion; she'll be fine.” Ashley told Zora, before grabbing her book off the table and beginning to read.
“Hey, is that a new spellbook?” Zora asked, his eyes still on Lilly, sleeping soundly.
“Yes, I finished my old one last night.” Ashley replied, “So what's the story, since when is Lilly a Lithian?”
“Oh, she's always been Lithian, she was just hiding it.” Zora replied, “I figured it out earlier today when I met the Imperial Guard.” He smiled, “but I wanted her to tell me.” He continued, then he frowned, “I didn't expect her to try to get me killed, though.”
“What! She tried to kill you?” Ashley asked, anger rising in her voice, she turned to glare at him, “I thought I told you to be careful.”
“I was, I'm ok, I promise.” Zora replied, spinning around jokingly.
“Ugh, as soon as she wakes up, she's out on the street!” Ashley said, “I can't take her meddling anymore.”
“What!? No! She stays. I told you already I won't abandon her.” Zora exclaimed, furious she'd even suggest such a thing, his eyes blazed, and Ashley took a step back.
“Ok fine, when you’re done flirting, I'll be at the store buying some ingredients.” Ashley replied bitterly; she turned and left, the door closing hard behind her. Lilly's head popped off the pillow, her ears flicking nervously. Zora sighed; he wasn’t worried; she may be only ten, but she was capable; he turned to Lilly instead
“Morning, sleepyhead.” Zora said, patting her on the head. She smiled and tilted her head towards him, then suddenly, her eyes widened, and she moved away blushing.
“Y-yeah morning.” She stuttered, looking at his warm smile made her nervous, but she didn't know why.
“Hey, why don't we go out to eat, as I promised?” Zora said, smiling.
“O-ok yeah, l-lets go.” She replied stuttering. She took his hand as he led her out into the street; she instinctively hid her fox ears and tail.
“Awe, don't hide, I like seeing your fluffy ears and tail.” Zora said, chuckling a little as she blushed, but dispelled her human disguise anyways. Why do I trust him? Before long, they stepped into a café; Lilly looked around in awe as Zora led her to her seat.
“You can take off your hood now; you'll be safe from anyone trying to find you by my side.” Zora said, before turning to flag a waitress, who walked over and pulled out a small
Notebook.
“What can I get you today, sir?” She asked; Zora looked over at Lilly.
“What would you like Lilly?” He asked, the waitress looked on in stunned silence, for a lithian to be served before a human or demi-human was unheard of.
“I'm not too hungry, just a sparkling orange drink, and a Bacon sandwich.” She replied, Zora smiled, “and I'll have an apple cider and a salad please.”
“No problem, sir.” The waitress replied, frowning as she walked away.
“Are you ok with everyone looking at you like that?” Lilly asked, confused.
“Yes, of course, I don't mind at all.” Zora replied winking. “What everyone else thinks is of no concern to me.”

A man stalked down an alley, stopping as he reached a faded red stain. He growled, “I can't believe it; she managed to get away.” The man said. "I swear, I gave that man one job."
“Uhm, Master Azerith?” A young Lithian fox said, holding out a letter.
“Thank you, Gordon, she got away again; why is your sister so troublesome.” Azerith said, “It’s not like I want to kill her,” he sighed, and sat down, head in hands.
“She's rebellious master, and this world is no place for rebellious Lithians; it's sad, but sister won't survive much longer.”
“I will be the one to kill her, anyone else, and she'll be tortured. I'm the only one who'll show her Mercy.” Azerith replied frowning.
“I know, but we must go, you've been summoned.” Gordon replied, beckoning him to follow.
“I'm on my way.”

“I don't know what to say; you’re too kind, I don't deserve it.” Lilly replied as the waitress put her food down, followed by Zora’s.
“Don't say anything; it's ok, I despise lithian slavery.” He replied.
“She frowned; do you know what you’re fighting against?” She asked, tilting her head slightly. “There are some dangerous people in the slave business.”
“I'm fighting for Lithians.” he said smiling, “revolution. Ya know, nothing drastic.” He said, joking.
“Yeah, I'm all for revolution, but I'd rather keep my head down.” Lilly replied, taking a bite of her sandwich.
“Ya know, you're more educated than most Lithians, probably why you've survived so long on your own.” Zora said, taking a sip of his drink.
“Yeah, I decided I didn't want to follow orders anymore, so I left.” Lilly replied, finishing her sandwich.
“That's you, alright.” Zora replied, “You said something about dangerous people anyone specific I should watch out for?"
“Oh, um, not a specific someone. More like an organization, a couple of nights after I took off, I ran into them. I left rather abruptly, without even saying goodbye to. . . Never mind. It's a bad idea to get involved with them.”
“Now you've piqued my interest, I won't pry on this someone, but tell me about this program.” Zora said, a devilish smirk on his face, a chance to mess up a scheme of the imperials or even better, the slavers would be amazing, an opportunity I can't pass up, Zora thought.
“Not here, not now, I'm not in disguise; I'd rather not be recognized.” Lilly replied, her ears flicked nervously.
“Don't worry, remember I said I'd protect you, and I have no intention of abandoning you.” Zora replied as they both finished their food, stacking the plates in the center.
“I don't think you know what you've gotten into. It's going to get dangerous if they find out I'm not dead, and not just for you. The people that are after me are bad news.
“I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm worried about you.” Lilly said as they stood up.
“Don't worry, I'll be fine, it's you I'm worried about.” Zora said as they left the cafe.

Gordon walked down the alley, his metal collar rubbing the wrong way against his skin, he was passing a café. He stopped suddenly; he saw someone he never thought he'd see alive again, his sister Lilly. She was in the open; her cloak had a magical incantation; he could sense it. Why wasn't she using it; she apparently wasn't scared of being seen. Then he noticed the boy she was following; he kept turning back to make sure she was still there. He probably found out about her past and was blackmailing her, one enslavement to another. Gordon thought, don't worry sister, I'll take care of your captors. Gordon slipped in and out of the crowd weaving his way towards her. He slowed down once he got close and just followed at a short distance. He’d follow them all day if he had too.

Zora led the way into his house, and Lilly followed him down the hall. Zora opened the door to Ashley’s room; she was asleep, so he quietly closed it before opening his own door. Lilly followed him inside; she plopped onto the bed and let out a long sigh.
“That was good food.” She said happily as she stretched out, her tail curled. “thank you so much. I'm gonna enjoy staying with you!” Zora smiled and nodded.
“I hope so,” Zora replied, sitting down beside her, “so this program?”
“Um, well, it's where they take disobedient Lithians and put them in a virtual world, so they can manipulate them and break them.” Lilly replied.
“I'd like very much to destroy that program; there didn't use to be slavers here, it used to be safe here for Lithians. That program could be the start of returning that time” Zora said, annoyance glittered in his eyes.
“Yeah, I bet it was nice.” Lilly replied, falling back onto the bed.
“Hey, do you mind if I sleep with you?” I'd ask Ashley, but I keep getting the impression she doesn't like me.” Lilly asked, eyeing the sun, which was setting through the window.
“Well, I’m going to bed.” Zora explained, sliding under the covers. Lilly heard his breathing slow, and soon he began lightly snoring. She crawled into bed after him, curling up on top of the blankets, wrapping her tail around her for warmth.

Gordon walked up and down the alley beside the inn; his eye kept flickering back towards the sun. Finally, it went down; he smiled and began scaling the wall. He clung to the wall outside of the window, looking into the room his sister was in. It was dark, the light was off, but he could see her. She was curled up on the bed; the boy was beneath the covers. Using his knife, Gordon pulled the window glass from its frame and climbed in; the boy was asleep. Gordon silently crept over to the bed, his heart plunged as he stepped on a board, and it creaked. He stopped dead and gazed around; Lilly rolled over but didn't wake. Gordon stepped closer to the bed; he raised the knife over the boy’s chest and plunged it in.

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