~ Chapter 7~
The Anger of a Protector

Zora awoke, Ugh, what happened? Zora tried to get up but stumbled; oh my head, he thought as he stood up, Lilly! His mind suddenly clicked. He glanced around; the festival had cleared out, and it was about the middle of the night; he frowned, Damnit! He started walking towards the southern side of town, knowing that he’d make no progress tonight. He stumbled, his legs weren't fully back, and his vision was cloudy.
Zora stepped through the gate of the park; he glanced up and shielded his eyes with his hand, the moon is bright tonight, he thought, or maybe it's the drug, what did they hit me with? The streets were empty as he started down them, he passed the alley where he’d first met Lilly.
Lost in his thoughts, Zora was surprised when he stopped outside the guild ward; he frowned, looking up at the bounty board, many high-rank monsters. I can’t do a bounty right now, Lilly is too important, He thought, turning to head down Main Street towards the house. The marketplace was empty, the stalls closed up, who’d be open in the middle of the night? Zora passed it quickly; he suddenly felt an urgency to be back with his sister, pushing the house door open, he stopped, relief sank into his muscles. At least you're ok. His sister’s spellbook sat open on the desk, her head on one arm, and her other arm hung limply beside her. He smiled softly; she was really trying to learn that spell, then he frowned, she’s working too hard. Zora lifted Ashley into his arms and carried her to her room, setting her in bed; he pulled the covers over her. He then left, entering his own room; he collapsed onto his bed, exhaustion suddenly found his every limb, he was out in minutes.

Lilly sat up, looking around, "Hello? Zora, what happened." She looked around before getting up off the bed she was lying on; the walls around her were stone brick, a metal door was the only exit. Obviously, a cell, she crossed the room and checked the door, Locked. She stood up on her tiptoes and peered out through the barred window, a white corridor, one she recognized. She backed away slowly; her legs trembled, suddenly they collapsed beneath her, No not here! I’m back in the Institutes holding cells, the Aurora Project.
“If you’re still out there, Zora save me, and please hurry.” She whispered, fear seeping into every bone in her body. She'd gotten somewhat cocky recently, with Zora to protect her, allowing herself to stick out a little too much. This is my fault, she concluded. Suddenly a shadow interrupted the light from the hall.
Lilly cowered as the door rattled, then opened, a man stood there holding a leash. Suddenly Lilly became acutely aware of the collar around her neck; He attached the leash before dragging her into the hallway. No, no, no, she screamed in her mind. She was led down a white corridor; it had obviously been cleaned recently; she was yanked into a side room. Glancing around, she noticed several essential things about the place: a large control panel behind shielded glass controlled the machine at the other end of the room. A couple of screens, blank now, would show the mental journey she was soon to take. The whole room was a white that belonged in a hospital.

Zora awoke; he sat up in bed and looked around the dim room; Lilly was still missing. He hopped out of bed and stepped into the hall; Ashley was back at it again. He watched her try at the spell for a couple of moments, but when the runes sparked and shattered once again, he spoke up.
“Hey, I think you should take a break, I’m going to head out in a little while to hunt down some imperial officers.” Zora said, walking over to her. She nodded and closed the spellbook.
“Where’s Lilly?” Ashley asked, her voice strangely missing the hint of distrust it normally betrayed when she spoke of the young thief.
“Not sure, that’s what I’m hoping to find out.” Zora replied, “Get outside, eat something, or sleep. All that spell casting is draining, so get a recharge, please, I worry.” Zora said, affectionately, Ashley nodded, smiling a little. Zora crossed to his room, grabbed his armor, slipped it on over his current clothes, and then sheathed his knife in its pouch. Before heading out the door, he grabbed his bow, clipping it to his back, he pushed open the door, waving his farewell before closing it behind him.
Zora stepped out into the sunlight; Main Street was oddly barren, nobody in sight. He started down the street towards the guild ward, but today he wasn’t after a bounty.
Ashley followed at a distance; her brother was angry; she was worried that his rage would make him reckless.

Zora Pushed open the doors to the guild; an Imperial Soldier stood to the left of the door; Zora grabbed him by the shirt and slammed him into the door.
“Where is she?” He exclaimed angrily; the Soldier tried to reply a dazed look in his eyes.
“I-I don’t k-know what y-yo-” The Soldier began, but was cut off as Zora threw him to the ground.
“Liar!" He yelled; the Soldier stumbled to his feet, regaining his composure. "Honestly, we've been to busy dealing with Azerith's sudden murder to do anything else."
"Murder." Zora paused, "Azerith, you say, When was this?"
"That's confidential, now as it seems you're likely intoxicated. I'll ask you to leave."
Zora took that as an excuse to leave; he ran right into Ashley
“Hey, are you following me?” Zora asked; she sighed and nodded.
“Just wanted to make sure you didn't do anything too reckless; I was about to step in a minute ago if you hadn't snapped out of it.” Ashley replied, concerned, “Calm down, and let’s make a plan.”
“Ok, ok fine.” Zora said he was still upset, but he’d calmed a little. “What do ya got? He asked.
I know at least two of the new commanding Officers' usual routes.” Ashley replied Zora nodded approvingly.
“Ok, I like that idea, let’s do it.” Zora replied; Ashley frowned; he isn't going to stop until he gets her back; this could get dangerous. I guess it's a good thing he has such a competent sorcerer to back him up.
“Ok, I'll meet you in this alley at sundown. I'll leave the interrogation. to you.” Ashley said; Zora nodded and began walking back towards the Inn. I said that I’d protect you; I’ll never forgive myself if I don’t find you alive.
Ashley stuck around; she didn't return to the Inn till late that night.

Zora stepped into the alley; Ashley was leaned against the wall; she looked up as Zora entered. She'd been still out when he fell asleep and had already left when he awoke.
“The imperial will be here soon.” Ashley said, standing up straight and stepping over beside Zora.
“Good, now get out of my way.” Zora growled, Ashley frowned, his temper was getting worse, though she couldn't tell who he was angry at. She simply nodded and backed out of the alley.

Zora leaned against the wall and waited; a few moments later, a man rounded the corner. Zora made no move to intercept; the man was dressed in elite imperial gear, as he walked past though he glanced at Zora. Zora only nodded in response to him, and the imperial kept walking, but he didn’t get far because as soon as he passed, Zora leaped at him, slamming the man into the wall and putting his knife to his neck.
“What do you want?” The Officer coughed, glaring back at Zora, who tightened his grip.
“Where’s Lilly!” Zora snarled, but the Officer only smiled in response.
“Oh, that Lithian, I used to love watching her kick and scream as they dragged her to that machine every morning. Glad they caught her again, too bad I’m stationed here now.” He replied, a grin on his face. Zora angrily slammed his knife forward; it only stopped as it reached the Officer's spine. He blinked for a second, wiping the blood from his cheek, he let the dead man fall to the ground.
“If you kill them all, you won’t find the information you want.” Ashley objected, annoyed at his rashness, she was suddenly standing right beside Zora.
“I didn't mean to, he just, I'm so angry.” Zora replied, frowning as he shook the blood from his blade before sheathing it. He stood up and turned to his new partner. The Officer lay slumped on the ground, the pool of blood growing; Zora's crooked smile shimmered in the rising moon's light.
“He deserved it though, next officer.”

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