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Now that Alaina had calmed down after seeing the sword transform into a man, she began to think the whole situation through. She wanted to run, to go somewhere else in order to find help. But what if he knew something about where they were? What if he could help her somehow?
“You- you were the sword.” She let down her guard slightly as she neared him. “How did you do that?”
Kaysen watched as her eyes darted left and right, looking as if she was ready to run, but finally deciding on staying. He was surprised she took that route, especially after the fright he just gave her. Still, he was glad he wouldn't be left alone just yet. After careful thought, she took a hesitant step in his direction.
"Um," he wasn't exactly sure how to answer her question, "Magic?" Suddenly, his stomach did a flip, and he swallowed, trying to breathe evenly. His thoughts wandered to the bottle still clutched in his hand, but he couldn't take a sip feeling as queasy as he was.
"Oh," he held the bottle out to Alaina, attempting a weak smile, "Here; I believe this is yours."
She took the bottle, twisting it in her hands. She wasn’t as nearly as shocked as most people would be if they saw a sword turn into a man, but that was only because Alaina had witnessed magic before. In fact, she had been born with abilities that no one knew about.
“Was that you reading my mind?” she asked, taking yet another cautious step towards him. “That’s pretty cool.”
She studied the young man for a few moments, her eyes filled with curiosity. He was like around her age— maybe 17 or 18– with dark hair streaked with a turquoise color that somewhat matched his eyes. He was a nice looking man. Handsome, even, but she would never tell him that.
“Do you know where we are?l”
(can I add a little action?)
She took the bottle and seemed less tense than before.
He looked uncomfortable at her comment on him reading minds. When she said it was cool, he gave a faint grin and laughed a little.
"Yeah, cool… I, um, yeah that was me. It's not really something I can control, but I promise I didn't invade."
Then she asked where they were. He had no idea.
"Another universe maybe?" He found the strength to stand and was surprised to find he was a good two-feet taller than the girl. He hadn't quite realized how tall he had gotten.
"Don't worry, this has happened to me before."
(( Oh yeah, of course! ))
She noticed how uncomfortable he had gotten and tried her best to laugh it off. Had she said something wrong?
“Oh, no. Don’t worry about it. You didn’t invade.” She gave a shrug. “I think it’s cool. That’s all.”
She stepped back with he finally stood up, a little intimidated by the man. She had always known that she was short, but he was huge. She felt tiny standing by his side.
“Another universe…?” She shook her head. “This can’t be real.”
Kaysen made a conscious effort to keep his hands in the open. He knew he was making her uncomfortable.
"Well," he looked around, trying to squint through the trees, "It's not impossible. The best thing we can do is um…" he tried his best not to sound awkward but it still sounded wrong out loud, "Is to stick together and maybe find some kind of civilization."
There was a sound off to their right, but the girl didn't seem to notice.
Alaina didn’t know how to feel about traveling with Kaysen. Sure, he was around her age, but he was still a stranger to her. She didn’t know what his true motives were, and she couldn’t but feel that there was information that he wasn’t telling her.
“Fine. We’ll stick together. But just until we reach the next town.” Alaina let out a sigh, crossing her arms over her chest. “Well, that’s if we can even find one.”
Kaysen chuckled.
"Right." The sound came from their left now, and he knew what it was.
"Get down!" He yelled, and out of instinct he pushed Alaina to the ground as an arrow wizzed over their heads. He rolled over and stood in one fluid motion, and used the river to spray water at whatever moved with high powered pressure.
She sucked in a sharp breath as she collided with the ground. She ignored the throbbing of her right shoulder and sat up just in time to see Kaysen spray water at whatever was there.
Alaina stood up, and her hands shook as she reached for Kaysen arm. “Kaysen,” she hissed. “What was that?”
"Get behind me," his voice was close to a growl as he steadied his hands for another blow.
His eyes roved over the trees, but they were still and quiet. Too quiet…
"Come out." He demanded. After a moment or two, a figure leapt down from the branches above. They were dressed in all black, with a mask to hide all but their eyes. They held a bow with an arrow at the ready, aimed right at Kaysen. The boy clenched his fists and water shot out of the river and formed sharp spears around him.
"Put the water down," the figure said, Kaysen realizing the voice belonged to a male, "And the girl doesn't get hurt."
Kaysen glanced back to see two more figures behind him had their bows trained on Alaina. There was no way for him to protect her from those arrows, they would shoot right through a wall of water. Glaring at the man who spoke, he lowered his arms and water pooled at his feet.
As soon as Kaysen released the water, Alaina began to slowly stand up, trying her best to keep her hands raised above her head. While the men were no longer threatened by Kaysen’s power, they still had weapons, and they could easily shoot her or Kaysen right in the heart.
“We mean you no harm,” Alaina said, trying to keep her voice steady. “We’re travelers who are trying to get home. That’s all.”
Using her powers, Alaina was able to sense their surroundings use the trees and plants nearby. From this, she was able to affirm what she had been suspecting all along; these weren’t the only men. There were others nearby, and they were surrounding her and Kaysen.
“Kaysen, don’t try anything,” she hissed. “They aren’t alone.”
Kaysen glanced behind the three figures, trying to see through the trees but everything was dark to him. He trusted Alaina.
"I wasn't." He whispered back, but the hair on the back of his neck still prickled. The figure who spoke stepped forward, his bow still raised. Kaysen noted quietly that him and the man were at eye-level.
"One move and I'll release an arrow on you both before you can blink," he threatened. The two behind him and Alaina lowered their bows and pulled out rope to tie their hands behind their backs. Kaysen could still use his powers even with his hands tied, but he knew the stranger was being serious with his threats. The group was then led through the trees by the one in front while the other two guarded their escape from behind. They were going deeper into the woods, Kaysen realized, and he didn't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing.
They walked straight for about a quarter mile before the trees suddenly parted to reveal a stone wall. In the stone wall was a large, oak door that lowered like a drawbridge as they approached. Inside revealed somewhat of a courtyard, but there was no roof. All of it was overgrown with vines and shrubbery but was obviously refurbished for modern use. People milled about inside, but stopped and stared as Kaysen and Alaina came in. A few mothers even pulled their children from playing to stay out of their way.
"Do you have a plan?" Kaysen asked Alaina, not even realizing he was speaking spanish.
Alaina had stayed silent for most of the time, trying to think through their situation and formulate some sort of plan. She knew she would have to use her powers to get out of this, but she didn’t how to use them without getting shot by the guards.
“Plan?” Alaina snorted. “Maybe we should use our powers somehow. And I didn’t realize you could speak Spanish…”
"I don't want to use our powers," Kaysen shut that idea down quickly as the hooded men led them through the large refuge.
"Is this Spanish?" The boy listened to the words as they left his mouth, "This is what I get for reading your mind…" He looked around and could see many plants for Alaina to use, and there was even a working fountain in the courtyard. But they couldn't; he would not let Alaina get hurt. Yes, she can take care of herself and probably kick a few butts with deadly plants, but one wrong turn…
Kaysen's stomach twisted at the thought.
Alaina caught up with Kaysen, gently holding his arm as they walked. It felt slightly strange as they didn’t know each other well at all, but it also offered her a strange sense of comfort. They were in this together, after all, and while they may have been strangers, he was the only person she had to lean on.
“C’mon, Kaysen. It could be our only option,” she replied. “Do you have any better plan?”
Kaysen ignored the tingle his arm gave where Alaina touched him. He could understand why the girl felt the need to hold on. The two of them were the only ones out of this world so-to-speak, and therefore knew as much as the other did; which was little. He was kind of grateful for her touch, actually. It gave him something to stand on; a platform, a rock foundation.
Keep her safe. The thought was said in a way he had never used before, so he did it slower, Keep her safe, then, to the rhythm of his heart, Keep. Alaina. Safe.
That was enough.
"I don't," he relented, but the moment was cut off by the sharp voice of the lead, hooded figure.
"Quiet!" He barked, before veering the group off into a tunnel made of stone and vine.
"Alright," Kaysen whispered, still using the Spanish language, "Let's try it."
Her grip tightened ever so slightly on Kaysen’s arm as she tried to formulate some sort of semblance of a plan. She had never had to use her powers like this before; in fact, she normally avoided using them all together. But they were in danger, and the only escape option she could think of was to use her abilities.
As they walked into the cage, she used the vines around the entrance and caught a few of the men, wrapping them up with her powers. Their noise alerted the other men, but before they could react, plants shot up from the ground and wrapped around their ankles, pinning in place. Finally, as the men started to break out into a panicked confusion, Alaina took off running deeper into the cave.
( you can kinda do what you want with the environment now, I'll follow your lead ;))
As soon as all the men were wrapped in some sort of vine or plant, Alaina took off, yanking Kaysen with her. He stumbled, but soon matched her pace. Even though they were going fast, he knew he could overtake her with his long legs. Unconsciously he lagged a bit behind to keep himself between the girl and their captors. He noticed with a bit of unwanted worry that they were headed deeper into the tunnel.
"Where are we going?" Kaysen asked, seeing no reason to keep on talking Spanish, "Do you have a plan?"
(smol boop)