Fan Fiction ❯ The Birth Of Cain - Act I ❯ A Hard Day ( Chapter 2 )

Chapter II

 

"What do you want of me?" Cain asked, trying to remain calm and not lose his patience.

"I want you to die!"

"Why? What good will come to you of it?"

"Because then I will absorb you!"

Cain was shocked, his facial expression momentarily shifting from anger to disbelief and confusion. "...How? Among the youkai it is one of the rarest abilities But I've never heard of a human that can absorb... Who are you?!"

"Oh, well, I guess your geniality had to end somewhere. Of course a human can't use Kyushu Suru. But this isn't Jin speaking to you now."

"...Ketsueki Kiba..."

"There you go. Finally understand? The thing with you royals is that you think that everything is about you, that there is nothing you don't know or haven't seen or whatever. Well, that's bullshit. You? You're still just a damn kid. Me? I'm unique, and I've seen well more than you have. You probably couldn't even grasp everything about me until you're a part of me. And that..." Kiba laughed, "Well, that can be easily arranged."

Now Cain laughed, his white teeth and fangs showing. "You know, I don't like it when people talk a lot. Not to mention swords. And, in my honest opinion, you talk too much even for a human," and with a shout Cain attacked, but Jin dodged the first blow. Cain stopped, turned around and attacked again. Jin deflected the blows. "Uchimakasu!" Cain shouted and attacked Jin with the empowered swing. He deflected it, but the impact threw him back. Cain attacked again, but Jin kept jumping backwards, not fighting Cain. Cain was relentlessly advancing on Jin, who kept going back. He performed a Judai Toranpu, but Jin deflected it.

Jin was going backwards all the time, but suddenly he jumped forward, striking Cain's forehead with his knee. Cain fell on his back, but quickly jumped to his feet. "You know, I like your Judai Toranpu. I'll be sure to learn it after absorbing you, but for now, I'll just have to stay with this. Tsaranaku no Sakebu!" And suddenly a horrible, blood-curling scream filled the air. With it the blade began glowing green. Cain dropped his sword and tried to cover his ears. The deafening, piercing sound was burning in his mind like hot needles. Cain dropped to his knees. "Now, youkai, I say farewell... For awhile." Something shot out of the sword that was pointed at Cain. It was the red tip of the sword, only made of energy. Cain opened his eyes, just in time to see the blade pointed at him. He dropped on his back, letting the attack pass him overhead. The scream stopped. Cain looked up, to see Jin slowly approaching him, blade pointed at him.

"Tsaranaku no Sakebu!" The blade began glowing again and the scream returned, too. The blade fired another attack, but Cain rolled aside, and it missed. He quickly jumped up, as the scream had ended again and took his sword. "You're much more of a challenge than I''d have expected, especially after the tiring warm-up you had with your little brother. And I'm surprised at the strength you still have left, though years ago you stopped fighting. I now see that I couldn't have absorbed you that time... It's lucky for me you two had left," Kiba said and chuckled. Cain wasn't sure if he understood what it was saying. "Anyway, I WILL have your strength added to mine! Tsaranaku no Sakebu!" The blade began screaming and glowing again.

"SHUT UP!" Cain shouted and launched a Judai Toranpu at Jin. He fired, and, when the two attacks met, Cain's card cut straight through the Tsaranaku no Sakebu and almost cut Jin's right hand off. Blood spilled on the ground, as the card cut through most of his shoulder, but Jin didn't even wince.

"Oh, master Cain. You are truly amazing. When I absorb you, my power will double!"

"Bullshit, it WOULD triple. But you can't fight with a hand like that." Cain said.

Suddenly Jin began laughing. "What, this old thing?" he said. "I couldn't give a damn less about it. See?" Jin took the sword into his left hand and used it to completely cut off the right.

Cain couldn't believe his eyes. "Doesn't Jin have any mind of his own?"

"No, he became me. I became him. We are one."

"Well, then what kind of idiot tactics are you using? Cutting off your own right arm? You might as well give up now."

"Just listen..." suddenly the blade began screaming again, this time louder and stronger than before. Cain covered his ears again and Jin used the moment to run past him, hitting him on the temple and knocking him down when passing him. The blade kept up it's scream and Cain was paralyzed from it. Jin ran into the woods, which they had approached while fighting.

Soon the scream stopped and Cain could get up. He took his sword and quickly followed the trail of blood Jin had left behind. It was already dark outside, and even more so in the dense Hitotsu forest. Cain was lost and Jin was nowhere to be seen or heard. Cain concentrated his senses on locating an intruder in the legendary forest. Suddenly he heard a shout. "Kyuketsuki!" Cain spun around to see Jin jump at him from above, sword pointed straight for him. Cain moved out of the way and instead of hitting him, the Ketsueki Kiba got stuck into a tree.

'Now, before he pulls out the sword I have a chance to...' But something wasn't right. The blade began glowing, then shining. So did all the trees. The light blinded Cain, so he had to cover his eyes. 'What the hell is going on?'

"Tell me, Cain-sama, do you know of the origin of the name of the Hitotsu forest?"

"Educate me."

Jin laughed. "Ahh, master Cain, you are as dangerous with a blade as you are with your tongue... Very well. There once was a huge forest here, even larger than the one here now. In the very center of it, was one of the greatest trees ever to have grown, the forest king, Hando. But then humans came and began living near the forest, at the river. Like the plague they are, they began spreading. Their housings began reaching wider and wider, until they met with the forest. The humans had other needs for wood, too, so they began chopping down the trees. This angered Hando, and he cursed the humans, bringing terror to the people. But, when hearing of the terrible fate that had befallen their neighbors, other tribes soon came to Hando and attacked him. The entire forest was destroyed and only a bit of the root of Hando was left. This root remained unscathed in the ground and it soon began to grow once more. It grew and grew, soon becoming not one tree, but this entire forest! That's why this is the Hitotsu forest, the forest of One. Every tree is connected to one another through the roots. Do you know why I brought you here? Well, I'll tell you. When I watched you fight your brother, I saw that I alone could not beat you. So, I needed this forest's power. You see, my Kyuketsuki is different from your Kyushu Suru. You absorb those you have killed, but I suck the force out of those still living."

"So... you have absorbed..."

"THE ENTIRE FOREST!" Jin said and broke into maniacal laughter. The light disappeared and now the entire forest was withered and dead, but Jin had become larger, stronger and his right arm was grown anew. "As good as new! Now, to take care of the business at hand... Cain, I have grown a lot stronger. You can no longer fight me. Give in. Try to find solace in the fact that you shall become part of something better. Although I understand if that's little comfort to you. Now, will you go peacefully?"

As an answer Cain launched another Judai Toranpu at Jin, who moved out of the way. The card sliced through the tree behind him and broke into shards, as usual. "Should've figured as much... Very well," and suddenly Jin was already in front of Cain, ready to strike. Cain bent backwards, the blade going over him. The duel continued, but now on a higher level. Both Cain and Jin were attacking and blocking, and fighting at a very high pace. They were jumping from tree to tree, exchanging blows. Jin did a very fast attack, but Cain jumped over his head and Jin's attack only destroyed the already dead tree behind Cain. Cain landed behind Jin, and tried to strike, but before he could do that, Jin had already turned around and deflected the blow. And so they fought, the attacker changing from time to time, and, despite the Ketsueki Kiba absorbing the entire forest, their powers seemed to be matched. Cain matched Jin's attacks blow for blow, strike for strike.

'Dammit, I can't keep this up forever. I have to finish this soon!' "Alright, Kiba, are you ready? Uchimakasu Tosshin!" Suddenly Cain's blade began glowing again, like when using the Uchimakasu or Judai Toranpu, and Cain was moving as when using Tosshin.

"Here we go!" Jin said and grinned. "Tosshin!" he shouted and went straight against Cain with no less speed. Cain drew his sword back ready to strike. When Jin appeared in front of him, Cain swung at full strength, and, even though Jin deflected the attack, he was smashed through the nearest tree, reducing it to splinters. But Cain didn't stop; he jumped in the air and, still using Tosshin, launched seven Judai Toranpus downwards at Jin. Jin quickly got up, deflected the first three cards, then jumped out of the way of the others. He rebounded from one of the trees and went straight for Cain. They met in the air and Cain was struck to the ground. While still in the air, Jin fired a Tsaranaku no Sakebu, only without the scream. Cain rolled backwards out of the way and waited for Jin to land.

"Okay, time to end things. It has been a lot of fun, Cain, don't misunderstand, but I have business elsewhere." The blade began screaming again, louder than ever before. Cain fell to his knees and covered his ears, dropping his sword again. Jin slowly approached him. He put the tip of his sword at Cain's throat and sighed. "This is where it ends, Cain-sama. It has been an honor." Suddenly Cain noticed something and dropped flat on his back. A Judai Toranpu sliced through Jin's hand all through.

"Dammit, not again!" Jin swore and growled. "Who wants to end his life today?"

"...I ...I will be... the one to kill Cain!" Abel said, coming out of the shadows into the clearing formed by the battle. "I will not let anybody else do that!" he said, but then fell limp, holding onto his sword.

Jin smiled. "Hah, you puny youkai kid. You're not like your brother. He's young and strong, you, on the other hand, are just young. What's wrong, can't take the heat of battle? Fine, I'll relieve you of your suffering as soon as I deal with you br..." But Cain wasn't there anymore. He was behind Jin, holding his sword in both hands, pointed at Jin, his legs apart. The fight had taken its toll on him. Cain couldn't see with his right eye, due to a deep cut over the eye from Jin's kick. And even though Cain had gone otherwise unscathed, his black robe was cut all over. "Come on, Cain. Give it up! You can't continue like this anymore. I can. It's pointless."

"No... I have... enough left in me... for one more attack. It will be your demise."

"Really, what could you possibly do to ME that could be lethal? That, albeit impressive, Judai Toranpu? You know you'll have to do better than that or you won't even touch me, but I know you don't have any more strength left in you. Tell me, what do you have to offer?" he said in a mock interest.

"Why don't you stick around and find out?" A slow wind rose, as Cain began gathering energy for his last attack. Electricity, the color of Cain's energy began surging through his body, growing larger and stronger. "CHI-KA-RA..." Cain was saying, the electricity becoming stronger every moment.

'U-Unbelievable... Even now he has so much power left! He truly is a son of his father's,' the Ketsueki Kiba thought. 'But what attack is this?'

Abel shifted and raised his head. He hadn't yet lost his consciousness. 'No... the Chikara no Shiro Ryu! It can't be! How can he be still strong enough to perform it? After all this time... But if he does, he truly is far stronger than I... I better get out of the way, so I'm not caught in the blast!' Abel thought and tried to rise up, but he couldn't. 'Shit...'

"...NO SHI-RO..." now the electricity was surging through the blade also and was forming an energy ball at the very tip of the sword.

'What? The Force of the White Dragon? It can't be! I guess I have underestimated Cain. I must NOT make the same mistake again!' "Hmph!" and with that Jin escaped.

Cain, seeing that Jin is gone, loosened his grip on the sword and the electricity subsided. He was breathing heavily. 'Such a foe... I must be more careful. I must be stronger the next time I meet him... The Ketsueki Kiba... I remember my father speaking of it... The Blood Fang. DAMMIT, Abel!' Cain thought and looked at his brother. Cain sheathed his sword, crossed his arm like before, and left the now dead woods.

 

--

 

Cain entered the city of Kinu. Kinu, the largest trading city in the northern part of Teikoku, was placed on a crossroads of two very important roads. One is a traveling road, reaching from Gake, the city of chronicles, on the East, to Tengoku, the seaside paradise, on the west. The other is the greatest trading route in the continent of Teikoku, called the Kinu road, or Silk Road. The city was named after it. Many travelers from all over Teikoku come and stay in Kinu. And while visiting another city, many found it easy to sell goods for a high price that were common where they came from. And so, as years passed, a great market was formed. At the time when merchants began coming to Kinu, it had a great mayor, named Garret. He thought of putting taxes on all the goods sent through and sold in Kinu. This way the city prospered and became the metropolis it was now.

Cain walked through the city, until he found a tailor that was still working at night. He knocked at the door and a little girl opened the door.

"I'm looking for the tailor. Is she here?"

"Yes, mama's here."

A short moment of silence ensued. "Would you please call her?"

"What do you want from mama?"

"I have a job for her to do."

"Can we trust you? You have strange eyes. Oh! I didn't see the cross on your face. You must be a Kaito! I'll call mama in a second." The little girl ran back into the house. Cain couldn't help but roll his eyes.

"Mama, there's a Kaito at the door!"

In a moment a woman in her mid-thirties peeked through the crack of the door. She looked at Cain's face and slowly, reluctantly opened the door. "Can I help you?"

"Are you the tailor?"

"Yes, I am. Are you in need of one?" the woman asked, still looking at Cain with distrust.

Cain took off the top of his robe. Cain was thin, but not bony. His build was slim, but muscular. Even though he wasn't massive, his strength could somehow be seen, he looked strong. His lower abdomen was bandaged, yet it wasn't because he was wounded there, he usually had it bandaged, it was a trait. He handed the robe to the woman.

"This robe... what..."

Cain interrupted. "Can you mend it? It needs to be like new. It is very important and precious to me. If you can't..."

Now the tailor interrupted. "I can do it. And it'll cost a lot. A job like this... It's difficult. A material like this..."

"Money is not a problem. I'll pay whatever the price. You see, the robe is a family heirloom. It is very dear. Can you have it ready by tomorrow morning?"

"Tomorrow? You're not serious, are you? A job like this can't be done THAT quickly. And I have other requests waiting also."

"I'll pay you double whatever you ask."

"I haven't even named my price yet," the woman said, taken by surprise at Cain's offer.

"Listen, can you get the job done, or do I have to take my business elsewhere?"

"Come back tomorrow morning, an hour after sunrise. It'll be done."

"Thank you... By the way, do you have a straw hat I could buy?"

The tailor smiled. "Yes, sure. I'll go get it."

 

--

 

Cain found a small inn and entered. It was pitch black outside, but the dining room in the inn was so well lit, you could think it was day. As usual, the people there were loud and cheery. Possibly because most still awake and even more those already asleep were drunk.

Cain approached the innkeeper. "I want a room and a table in the corner."

"Yes, si..."

But before she could finish, a large group of men burst into the inn. They were shouting, laughing, cussing, and swearing. The noise died down all of a sudden. Only the group that had come in was making any sound. They came into the dining room and started ordering everyone around. Quickly all those still conscious left the inn, obviously having met this band before. "I'm sorry, but there won't be any free rooms. There are other places where to find food and rest. For your own comfort, please, leave."

Cain turned and looked at the men. It was obvious they were bandits, probably often harassing the city. It was a mystery why they didn't just hire a band of mercenaries to take care of them They had enough money. And why wouldn't the Emperor simply send his army to kill the lot? If it wasn't for Cain's hat covering his eyes and forehead, it would be seen that his eyes and the cross shone dark red briefly. "Are these men bothering you?"

A look of mixed fear and confusion was etched on the woman's face. She just shook her head and managed a fake smile. "No, not at all! You see, they are regular customers here. They always take up the entire inn and don't like being disturbed. I'm sorry if this has proved inconvenience to you, sir, but they are important men."

"I can tell when men lie... And I see the evil in their hearts. All you have to do is ask and I will remove them from this world."

Now clear fear could be seen in the woman's face. "No... Sir, please, do not trouble yourself over us! They once relieved our city from a terrible group of bandits, who were constantly harassing it. This was right when Kinu was beginning to grow. It was a hard time and they were a great nuisance. Then Garret, our great forefather, hired Kimari and his band to fend them off. He did and only thanks to him our city is what it is now. We are forever in debt."

"And who are these men? If I am not mistaken, Garret ruled over 300 years ago. The same men cannot be still alive."

"Hai. The whole group has long since passed away, all except for Kimari himself. That's why we believe him to be a Tenshi."

"Kimari... Is that the largest one with the enormous sword?"

"Hai... The Kyojinken. It is always with Kimari. He is unbeatable. He must be a Tenshi, for no man can live as long as him... Or be as strong as him."

"A Tenshi... Tell me, how many Tenshi have you encountered?"

"Well... Except for Kimari... none."

"I thought so. I have had several more encounters than you, and, believe me, none of them have pointed ears or sharp nails, OR fangs. My time isn't worthless. If you are in need, I shall help you. All you need is but ask. If not, I will leave your city to its sorry fate with Kimari."

"No, sir it is unnecessary. I wish you a pleasant night," the girl said and bowed.

Cain took one more look at Kimari and his band.

"Hey, girly! Get over here, it's been a long trip and I need something to forget my pain!" The innkeeper went pale. Her bottom lip began trembling and her arms began shaking. "COME NOW!" She slowly approached Kimari, who took her into his arms and began caressing her all over and laughing.

Cain sighed and turned to leave. He approached the door to exit, but in front of him were three men. They were all a bit taller than Cain, even though he was about six feet tall. They were also very muscular and rather nasty-looking. "Hey, gramps, where do you think you're going?"

"Yeah, just because your hair's already gone white doesn't mean you can't take part in the fun!"

"What's with the bandages? Got in a catfight?" The three drunken men burst into laughter over the joke.

"Let me leave, and I won't kill you."

"Kill us? You might be rather big, but we isn't no "delicate chicks" either. Look, the boss and his closest have taken all the girls and we are left with whatever we find. We found you!"

"So put that toothpick of a sword you have there away, and I'll give you something to grab a hold of..." The screams of the innkeeper being raped could be heard behind Cain. "Man, that looks like fun! Come, now. You might enjoy it."

"Some have called me a monster for what I am. But you... There is no place in this world for the likes of you." Cain suddenly put right his arm at his side and put his fingers together, then thrust his arm through the chest of the man standing in front of him, his hand coming out on the other side. At first the other two guys didn't move at all, they just stared at the two with confusion.

Suddenly the bandit on the left seemed to snap out of a trance. "Shit! You bastard!" With that he tried to punch Cain, but he easily caught his hand with his left and pressed so hard, the man's palm broke and he fell to his knees in pain. A cry of pain came from him. Before the other could react, Cain took his right hand out of the first guy and slashed the other man's face, killing him in an instant. Then he took the last man by the throat with his right arm and broke his neck, snapping it like a twig.

"Piece of shit," Cain said as he cleaned his fingers with the slain foes' clothes.

The commotion in the background had gone completely silent. Cain turned around pointed at Kimari with his finger and said: "Kimari, let her go!" At first nobody moved, confusion and anger on everyone's faces. Kimari, the largest of them all, let the woman go and stood up.

"Go to your room and stay there!" Cain said to her. She nodded, tears on her eyes, and ran off to a nearby door, covering herself with the torn clothes.

"So, hanyo, you once saved this city and now you're making everybody pay for trusting you. That's pathetic. At least you could conquer this city and then harass the women and take unfair advantages. But like this... Just like the other youkai, you have no moral code at all."

Kimari smiled. "Well, this is a lot easier and more fun, too. I do whatever comes to my mind at any moment, and they love me for it! And why did you call me a hanyo?"

"I'd have sensed you approach if you'd be strong enough to have a human form. Many ordinary youkai are stronger than you, too. And men don't live 300 years. And, if you're a Tenshi, I'll wear pink."

"Very well, I see you have been around. Yet, make no mistake, I am not weak. I can hide my true strength until it is needed. Oh, and one more thing, you shall die here and today."

"I've heard that too many times today to believe in those words anymore. Can't you fools think of any other sentences using that pathetic vocabulary of yours? Seriously, if you listen to one youkai, you know what the next one's going to say. It's pathetic, really."

"Oh, don't take my word for it! Just watch! GO!" Suddenly the two dozen men jumped to their feet and rushed at Cain at once. All Cain did was sigh.

 

--

 

The last one flew straight through the wall, landing over nine feet away from the inn. The roads were completely empty. That was probably because now everybody knew that Kimari was here. Cain stepped out through the large hole and went onto the street. He looked around and saw that the city was like a ghost town. There was no light, the silence was deafening.

"YOU BASTARD!" Kimari shouted from behind him, his silhouette standing in the hole, casting a long shadow on Cain. "I'll just have to kill you myself." Kimari stepped out and stood up straight, showing his full size. He was not only taller than any of his henchmen, he was extremely muscular, somewhat a giant. He had long black hair and a long beard. His hair was straight and not curled at all. His face was rough and hard. It was obvious he had been through much, it could be seen in his large green eyes, which were peeking through black strands of hair on his face. His sword, Kyojinken, when compared to other swords, was similar to Kimari, when compared to men - both were enormous. The Kyojinken was about 4 feet long, double edged and wider than Cain's chest. But despite its incredible size, Kimari held it with one hand. This proved that his size wasn't just for look.

"So, are you going to stand there all night, or are you going to kill me?" Cain asked. He stood up straight and drew his sword with his right arm, pointing its tip at Kimari, left arm at his side. Kimari started at Cain, swung the Kyojinken over his head and slashed at Cain. Cain jumped back several steps and the attack missed. Kimari swung again, but Cain just evaded.

"Is that all you've got?" Cain said, while evading another blow.

"I'll show you something! Kyodai na Furimawasu!" With that Kimari swung again, and even though Cain evaded the attack, the swing raised such a great wind, that Cain's hat was blown away, and Cain himself was almost knocked off his feet. The dust from the street rose and not much could be seen, but Cain heard Kimari attacking and jumped up just before the horizontal attack sliced through the air. Cain landed right behind Kimari and thrust his sword into Kimari's back, spilling blood on the road. Kimari yelled in pain then spun around, with his sword extended, so quickly, that Cain had to drop on his back to not be hit. Kimari raised the Kyojinken over his head and struck downwards, but Cain rolled sideways and the attack missed. Kimari wanted to strike again, but Cain rolled backwards and jumped up, so Kimari didn't even attack.

"Getting tired yet?"

"Not a chance, you little shit!"

"Mind giving me my sword back?"

"You mean that tiny splinter? Nah, I practically don't feel anything, let it stay there."

"Damn! What's everybody's problem with my sword today? This is a cursed day... Well, if you won't give me my sword back, I'm just going to have to kill you as it is."

"Yeah, right. Kyodai na Furimawasu!" Kimari shouted and swung at Cain.

Cain quickly put his right arm in front of him and bent his fingers, while parting them. With his sharp nails it looked more like the talons of a predator bird. In fact his nails were not only sharp, but now they were over an inch in length. "Uchimakasu," Cain quietly said and his nails began glowing like swords do when using Uchimakasu. He swung his claw to oppose Kimari's Kyodai na Furimawasu, and when the two collided, something like an explosion happened and all the dust was blow away with the wind wave that came from impact.

"Impressive, stranger. You indeed are a worthy opponent. Maybe with your sword you could even best me. But I don't think you can scratch me to death, although your talons are rather impressive, I'll admit. But I will kill you."

Cain had had enough. Anger was clear on his face and he put his right hand in front of him again, like just before. "Why does everybody keep saying stupid things like that when fighting? Now shut the hell up and die! Banshee Utsu Koto!" Cain shouted and attacked, slashing with his right arm. Kimari raised his sword to block.

At first nothing happened, Cain seemingly missed, but he just stood up straight and put his hands at his sides, the nails returning to their usual length. Kimari didn't move at all. Suddenly four lines appeared on his sword, close by each other, and the sword fell apart, the lines being where Cain had cut through. Cain approached Kimari from behind and withdrew his sword from Kimari's back.

"Shit. How? You bas..." but before he could finish, the same lines appeared on him and he soon fell apart, just like his sword. But he didn't become energy and disappear, he just lay there dead.

"Pathetic hanyo," Cain said and spat. In a moment the innkeeper came out the door.

"Sir, did you..."

"They won't bother you any more," Cain said and turned to leave.

"How can we thank you?"

"...Clean up this mess, you owe me nothing. But do try to avoid letting something like this happen again. Be more careful on who you pick as help."

"...Thank you!"

 

--

 

Cain was passing through the city, when he heard commotion somewhere further away. A woman's screams for help. 'Seems some of the scum are still around,' Cain thought, and in a moment he was gone.

The scream came from a dark corner in the central park. There were five men there and a young girl. She looked about eighteen years old. Because of the trees it was so dark, that you couldn't see two steps away. Two of the men were holding her by the arms, spreading them wide. Another was holding her by the waist with one hand and held a knife to her throat with the other. Two others were standing in front of her, smiling.

The one behind her back rested his head on her neck and whispered into her ear: "You'd do well to keep quiet. I wouldn't want to cut you up before were done..."

The two in front laughed quietly and began rubbing their hands. Suddenly one ran out of breath, his eyes shot wide open and he froze. He dropped to his knees, then on his face. The other one shouted a brief cry of pain, then was pulled into the darkness and silenced. Two Judai Toranpus sliced through the two thugs holding the girls hands and Cain's blade launched into the throat of the one behind her, missing her neck by just millimeters. This all happened in just seconds. Cain sheathed his sword and left. The girl quickly stood up, looked down at the dead bodies and quickly ran in pursuit of her savior.

"Wait, please, sir!" But Cain was already gone. The girl sighed.