Fan Fiction ❯ The Birth Of Cain - Act I ❯ The Next Target ( Chapter 7 )

 

Chapter VII

 

"KIBA!" he shouted as he leaped at his opponent. Jin turned, smiled and said: "Nice to see you again, Cain," and their fight began.

 

--

 

Cain's Sabre smashed the nearby tree into splinters. It was already night. The forest was quiet; the surroundings were very similar to when Cain and Jin first met. Eerily, not even the forest creatures made any noise. It was like they knew that something quite serious was happening in their forest.

Cain stood motionless, only slightly and slowly turning his head. 'Dammit, where are you?' But then a twig snapped behind him, and Cain spun around.

"Damn," Jin cursed and barely deflected Cain's attack. Cain kept attacking, and Jin deflecting with one arm, feeling his way backwards with the other. Cain diagonally launched a Judai Toranpu. Jin jumped over it, but his left foot got cut badly by it. Jin jumped again, through the treetops, disappearing from Cain's sight again.

"Bastard..." Cain cursed and jumped too. Cain jumped very high, so he could see the whole black forest from above. Cain's eyes were shifting, searching, as he slowly descended. Then he noticed what he was looking for. A tree suddenly turned dark and withered, its leaves crumpling up and falling. Then another tree, right next to the first, and then another. "Found you," Cain said and jumped again in mid-air towards the withering trees.

 

Cain flew at Jin almost horizontally, breaking through the branches at a great speed. Cain swung at Jin, but he quickly dropped to the ground, Cain going over him. Cain turned around and landed on a tree, then immediately jumped back at Jin. Jin got up and parried Cain's attack from above. Cain jumped from yet another tree, still not touching the ground. Cain kept jumping from tree to tree, attacking Jin from above. Jin kept deflecting the blows and parrying them, but it was getting harder, as Cain's movements were very fast and his attacks strong, and growing faster and stronger with every attack. Jin then suddenly ducked, evading Cain's attack, and punched him strong in the stomach from below.

The attack stopped Cain's jump and threw him higher up, but Cain quickly grabbed Jin's arm with both of his and pulled himself onto Jin, wrapping his legs about Jin's left shoulder. Cain pulled hard and Jin's hand snapped, Cain had taken it out of its socket. Jin quickly kicked Cain's side, making Cain let go, but he landed on his right hand, raised himself up on it, and then turn-kicked Jin with both his feet. Cain jumped upright and, before Jin could regain balance from Cain's kicks, punched him twice with his right hand, once with his left, jumped and took hold of a branch overhead with his right arm and kicked Jin very hard with both feet.

It sent Jin flying. He smashed through several trees, disappearing from Cain's sight again. Cain quickly picked up the Sabre and without hesitation went in pursuit.

 

Just as Jin got up and wanted to absorb a tree to heal himself, Cain appeared out of the dark trees and tackled Jin with his full body, taking both of them out of the woods and down a steep slope. The two rolled down, rocks hitting them on the way down. Cain turned in mid-roll and jumped high, landing at the bottom of the drop. It was strange, that somewhat higher there was a large forest, but here it was like a wasteland. No life, only sand and rocks. Jin finally reached the bottom, his clothes and armor gray from the dust. The sky on the east was slowly turning red, as morning came near.

Shaking, Jin stood up, forehead and face bruised and cut. "Damn you! You wait, I'll heal and then kick your ass! You'll regret EVER messing with me!" he shouted, holding the Kiba in his right arm with difficulty, for it broke in the roll downwards.

Cain only smiled slightly. "First of all, it wasn't I, who messed with you, but it was YOU messed with ME, so don't get confused there. And second, who the hell are you going to absorb here?" Cain asked and opened his arms wide.

Jin looked around. "Shit..." There wasn't one living thing there.

"Did you honestly think I tumbled down that damned drop just for no reason? My father always taught me: be aware of your surroundings."

Suddenly Jin began laughing maniacally. "I'm sorry, I'm a horrible actor. Very well, but didn't your great father teach you not to underestimate your opponent?" he asked. "Watch this," and with that he straightened both his arms and the bruises on his face healed.

Cain suddenly felt a bit uneasy. "How?"

Jin only grinned wide. "That's for me to know, and for you to find out. As soon as I absorb you, of course!" he said and attacked. His speed was now much greater than before. Taking Cain by surprise, Jin knocked him over. Cain got up to deflect the next blow and attacked. Cain was also now moving faster than before, matching Jin's speed.

"Concerning your question before no, he didn't. But my father did teach me to always keep something behind to gain the edge over my opponent, just in case he puts up any kind of fight at all."

Jin evaded and parried several of Cain's attacks. "Your father is my kind of man!" Jin said and suddenly the Kiba began glowing. "Let me show you what I've learned during your absence!"

Suddenly Jin flew at Cain. Before he could react, the Kiba was stuck into his chest. "Shit..." Cain swore and fell to his knees. "Bastard... this... this isn't over."

"Oh, yes, it is. Kyuketsu..." But something happened. Cain heard a strange whistling sound and a white arrow pierced Jin's hand. Cain suddenly dashed backwards, getting the Kiba out of his chest. Then he went straight back at Jin and cut off his right hand. The Kiba fell on the ground. Cain immediately tossed it up with his foot and caught it in his left arm.

He could hear the Kiba talking to him, and could feel it trying to take over his mind and body. Then the orbs of the Sabre began shining. He could hear the Sabre's voice now too.

"Blood Fang, huh? Let's see if you bleed," Cain said and stuck the sword in the ground. Instead of letting go, Cain crouched and began bending the Kiba. Slowly, slowly, the blade began giving way. Cain could hear it cussing, cursing, swearing and begging in his head. Then electricity began flowing through Cain's body. The Kiba was fighting for its existence, but Cain was determined to destroy it. Finally a crack appeared. It was bright red, beams of the same light coming from it. Cain yelled, and the Kiba broke. Suddenly a huge wind arose almost blowing Cain away. He covered his eyes from the dust, but still was trying to observe what was going on. Suddenly horrid shrieks filled the air. Countless screams of both women and men resounded. Cain had to cover his ears, too. Hundreds of captive souls were suddenly released. Different faces. Young; old; boy; girl; beast; plant. Any living thing large enough imaginable came from the broken sword. Suddenly Cain noticed something that made his feet go cold. The wind finally ended and the souls were freed, but Cain just stood there, motionless, his face flushed, hands shaking.

There was some noise behind him, several stones rolled down, and there was a quickly silenced scream. A young girl soon reached the bottom, landing upside down. She got up, brushed the dust off her clothes and looked around. "Well, that was unnerving..." she said. "Oh, hi, I've been wanting to talk to you for some time now!" she spoke to Cain, but he still didn't move, and the expression of terror and fury on his face didn't change.

Suddenly Jin stirred. Only then did Cain move, raising his head to look at him. Jin shook his head slightly and yelled, when he tried to get up with his right arm, the hand of which was cut off. "Oh, SHIT!" he swore and grabbed it with his left. He opened his eyes and through tears of pain looked at Cain.

Jin smiled. "Thank you! Thank you so much! I was foolish to listen to the Ketsueki Kiba, I lost myself to it... I did many awful things by its orders." Jin said, his voice now finally normal, not the double-voice he had before. "But now, that I am in control over myself again, I can make things better. Thank you, Master Cain. I am my life in debt to you!" Jin said and got onto his knees.

Tears burst through Cain's eyes. His breathing grew heavy and his eyes twitched. Once again something about Cain had become different. He was furious. Cain grabbed the Sabre and approached Jin. The smile from his face slowly disappeared as the sun appeared and Cain's shadow fell on him. "Wh-what..." but in a second Jin fell dead at Cain's feet, his chest cut open, the look of fear and terror frozen on his face. Cain sheathed the Sabre, swallowed the terrible pain in his throat and wiped the tears from his eyes, though they still remained red.

Now the girl froze, a look of shock on her face. "B-but why did you... He was harmless..."

"It's none of your business," Cain said, still looking down and not even at her. Cain took a deep breath and only then looked at the girl. "And what the hell are *you* doing here?"

The girl finally smiled. She was a young girl, probably no more than eighteen years old. She was very beautiful, with deep, blue eyes and a disarming smile. She wore a sand-brown leather jacket, decorated with many different symbols, which together had an interesting mosaic-like effect. She also wore boots of the same material and design, reaching to her knees. She also wore a tight white skirt, so that her knees were the only uncovered part of her legs. On her shoulder she carried a large quiver, full of white arrows, and a bow, the ends of which were made like Tenshi wings. Her perfect face was framed by beautiful blonde hair, completing the look of an angel.

"You mean you know who I am?" the girl said, the thought obviously made her feel better.

"Of course, my memory is fine, as is my eyesight. Now what do you want?" Cain asked, irritation in his voice. Something wasn't right.

"Well, I wanted to thank you for what you did back then, it... it means a lot to me."

Cain looked her in the eyes and held her gaze for a moment. He then looked away. "No need to thank me. I'm just doing what I have to."

"No, but not many would have done that. You were brave and did the right thing. It's obvious, that God put it in your heart to help me that time. For what other reason would you have helped?"

Cain smiled. "Trust me, even though He may be involved, God hasn't put ANYTHING in my heart, if I, for some miraculous reason still have one. And now, if that is all you wanted, I shall go, for I have business elsewhere," Cain said and turned to leave.

"...Really? A-are you busy now?" the girl asked, her voice slightly trembling. She seemed disappointed and scared now.

"Yeah," Cain said, "Will that be all?"

"Sir... I have a mission, but I can't do it alone. And... I... uh... wanted to... er... ask if you... would come with me. It is a matter of great importance. If I don't do what I'm supposed to, I will be banned from the Seikaku na Ite. It is my whole life. I have to do this, and I need you to do it."

"I'm sorry, but did you expect me to give a damn? I care not for you, and even less for your order. Besides, giving someone like you a tough mission seems like the dumbest thing I've ever heard. You're no warrior."

"Yes, well, that's why I need you!"

"I don't care. And what kind of idiots do you have for leaders there? How can they give you missions you can't complete on your own?"

"..."

"Whatever, I'm leaving," Cain said and began his way. His Sabre's orbs began shining again, but this time he looked sternly at it and the glow ceased. Only a few steps further he heard sobs. The girl was now crying. Cain turned around and looked at the girl. She was on her knees, crying. 'Oh, please...' Cain thought and rolled his eyes. He turned to leave again, but the girl was saying something. "What?"

"P-please... sir... help me... there is... nobody else... I NEED you. Please, sir, help me."

Cain stopped and dropped his head. 'Kyle, I am going to KILL you someday!' He thought and spat in anger. He turned and looked at the girl. Her eyes were closed, tears rolling down her cheeks. "Come on, get up! Let's go," Cain said to her as he approached.

She suddenly looked up to see Cain's face right in front of hers. Soon a smile broke onto her face and she squealed with joy, jumping at Cain and holding him tight around the neck. "Oh, thank you so much!"

Cain winced. "Yeah, whatever, just get off me!" he said and took her arms off him.

She seemed startled for a moment. "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean anything! I... uh... sorry," she murmured, looking at the ground. Her face turned red, and she began turning the ring on the middle finger of her right hand. She looked back at Cain and seemed to be startled again. "Oh, no! You're bleeding. Here, let me take a look at it!" Cain's entire chest was red from the stab wound Jin gave Cain.

"No," Cain simply replied.

"It's okay, I know how to treat wounds, just let me!" she said and tried to take off Cain's robe to look at the wound. But Cain took both her arms and firmly and moved them away.

"No. Now let's go. I need a rest. After we stay at Shadi, we can go wherever we need, but now I WILL go to Shadi for a rest. You can come or stay. I don't much give a shit."

The girl became quiet and seemed to feel uncomfortable. She wasn't used to swearing like Cain was. He began walking, but then noticed that the girl didn't move. "WHAT?" he asked, very annoyed.

A slight breeze blew, blowing the girl's hair, revealing the cross on her forehead. It was just like Kyle's. Cain smiled. "That explains it. You're a Kaito, right?"

The girl nodded.

"You probably haven't ever been in the outside world before, have you? Only seeing it through the window of your monasteries."

She hesitated a bit, and then nodded again.

"And, you probably don't like my swearing, right? And this whole affair has got you confused, huh?"

She nodded again.

"Well, this situation is simple. You can come with me, do whatever you need, then part ways and never see me again, or you can stay, find your way in this world alone and get raped, beaten and killed by some thugs. I really do NOT give a damn what you choose, so, if you need me, I'll be on my way to Shadi," Cain said and left the girl, obviously pleased with himself.

The girl again hesitated, thinking everything over, then looked at Cain's figure, that was slowly shrinking. 'Oh, God, please watch over me!' She prayed in her mind and ran after Cain. She caught up to him soon after and began walking in his pace.

Suddenly Cain spoke to her. "So, do you have a name? Or should I call you 'Sister'?"

The girl finally smiled. "No, of course not. My name is Artega. And what is yours?"

Cain was silent. "Uh... sir? Would you mind... uh... telling me your name?" Still Cain didn't answer. Artega looked down again and began pondering if she had done something wrong again, again turning her ring on her finger.

"Excuse me, sir?"

 

--

 

The two finally reached Shadi city and soon found an inn to stay at. Cain gave his robe to the servants there for mending and cleaning.

They sat down at a table and Cain ordered food for both of them. He took his sake dish, poured some in and drank, both sitting silently for a while. Then they ate, still neither of them attempting any conversation, but the girl was almost constantly looking at Cain, obviously waiting for something. They finished their food and Cain lit his pipe, finally speaking. "So, tell me, what is this all about?"

"Oh, you mean my mission?"

Cain nodded. "Well, I was entrusted by the leader of our order himself to destroy a great evil, which is expected to soon return to power."

"...Could you be a little more specific?"

The girl looked away. "I-I'm to destroy Meijin Akurei."

Cain was still for a moment. He inhaled through the pipe deeply, then slowly blew the smoke out. He laughed quietly. "You're kidding, right? What in hell kind of shit do they teach you at that damn monastery? And how could they possibly get the idea of sending YOU ALONE to defeat Master Demon? You know, that's messed up."

Another uncomfortable silence ensued. It was obvious that Cain didn't much like Artega, and she didn't feel too comfortable around Cain.

"And I don't really get it. You Kaito always go around preaching love and peace, teaching of your God's immeasurable power and unconditional love. And then you have an order of archers that are given missions to destroy. Now how does that go together?"

"Well... I can't say I completely understand..."

Cain interrupted. "But how can you teach others something you don't understand yourself?"

"I mean... God works in mysterious ways and..."

Again Cain interrupted. For some reason he enjoyed teasing Artega, but quickly this teasing grew into more. The youkai side of Cain was now showing itself fully. "Oh, that's bullshit! That is the dumbest excuse you "preachers" have ever thought of. Huh... "mysterious ways"... how nave..."

Artega tilted her head and looked at Cain with certain sadness in her eyes. "You don't believe in God, do you?"

Cain smiled again. "Oh, Sister, absolutely KNOW that God exists. My kind knows our own heritage and we REMEMBER what and how it happened. We all know there's a God, you can't possibly deny THAT. But... admitting His existence and LIKING Him is in no way the same thing."

"...Why? Why don't you like God? He loves you, He..."

"Okay, let's get one thing straight here and now. I know, but there's a bit more to it than that. Now, you asked me to help you. Due to certain circumstances I have agreed to assist you in this suicidal affair, BUT if you keep on preaching like this, I will kill you. Understand?"

Artega sat back and became quiet.

"Now that we have that out of the way, there are things to discuss concerning the matter at hand. First, how are you going to find Meijin?"

"Well... It is...kind of... a bit more... complicated than that..."

"Dammit, do you have some speech problems? Can you speak normal and not stretch your damn sentences?" Seeing Artega's facial expression change, he got even angrier. "And quit shrinking in your little head, dammit! Shit, can't you just keep talking no matter what I say? DO-NOT-BE-SCARED! Okay? Just because I get irritated doesn't mean I'm gonna hurt you. Stop with the mood swings!"

"But you said..."

"Forget what I said! And just act normal, not like you're trying to negotiate a deal with an annoyed youkai."

Artega looked at Cain with slight confusion, then she understood the joke and smiled, obviously relieved. Cain couldn't help but smile too.

"Listen, the quicker you get used to my manner of communicating, the quicker we get clear with what we need to do, the quicker we can do what is needed, and the quicker you can return to your damn monastery and forget all about me, my swearing and how much you hate being in the company of a youkai, okay?"

"...I don't mind you company... just some things... You're not a bad person, you know?"

Cain had to laugh at that. "Oh, really? How could you tell?"

"I can see these things. Your eyes... they..."

"Just... forget it. So, what's this about finding Meijin that's more complicated than that?"

"Well... he isn't assembled yet."

Cain looked at Artega with strange expression on his face. "What the hell are you talking about? ASSEMBLED? Meijin isn't furniture, you know."

"Yes, but... it's a long story." Artega said and looked away, seeming to want and avoid the subject.

"Well, we..." but Cain was interrupted by one of the inn employees.

The young girl bowed politely and with a worried look hardly got the words over her lips. "S-sir... you are bleeding... it's disturbing the others..."

It was then that Artega noticed the fact that Cain's borrowed robe was soaked in blood, and it had formed a great big puddle under Cain's feet. "Goodness! You can bleed to death, if someone doesn't treat your wounds!" Artega said, obviously concerned for Cain's state.

Cain only sighed and looked at Artega. "Trust me, I'll be just fine by morning." Then he turned to the inn worker. "And if anybody has any kind of problems with me at all, let them come straight to me."

The girl bowed to leave, but still hesitated. Cain looked at her. "Did you want something else?"

"P-please, sir, do not fight. This inn was only recently opened, we cannot afford any damage..."

Cain only smiled. "Do not worry, I promise there will be no fighting."

For a moment the girl still pondered, but then bowed and left. Cain only laughed to himself and drank some more sake. Then he turned to Artega again. "So, are you going to tell me about Meijin or not?"

Artega didn't say anything, thinking something over, then said: "Well... I thought you knew... about Meijin. I mean... well, you ARE a... you know..."

"A youkai? I sure am! And let me tell you, it's the best thing to be. You can't imagine all the benefits!" Cain said and laughed, then drank some more sake. "But considering my... relationship with others of my kind, it's not surprising that I don't know all the top news. And besides, Meijin isn't a youkai, he's an Akurei. You should know their relations and differences."

"Sorry? I don't quite understand what you mean," Artega said.

Cain smiled to himself. "I see... so that's what you Kaito are all about. Teaching others to live the way God's son did, but you raise your children not telling them base truths about this world... How two-faced, don't you think?"

"But... they must have a reason for it..."

"Just forget it. Maybe I'll tell you sometime later. So tell me finally, what are we going to do?"

"We need to collect all the parts of Meijin, and then destroy them."

"...What? You're not making any sense at all. Why do we need to collect him... and then destroy him? Why can't you just leave him in pieces and that's that?"

"Because now his parts are calling out to people. Those whose hearts are weak succumb to his power and follow his will. Just like what had happened to that man today... the one..."

"Yeah, the dead guy. I get it. And how are we going to "assemble" Meijin?"

"Well, we must first collect the Armor of Artega, which can contain Meijin's parts."

"Uh-huh... And is that what you're wearing?"

Artega smiled and shook her head. "No, these are my clothes."

"And where is your armor?"

"I don't wear armor."

"Then what the hell are we going to "collect" Meijin in?"

"...The Armor of Artega."

"...Damn it, what the hell are you talking about?"

"I'm sorry, I guess I should have explained. My name is Artega too, but it is not MY armor. Before I was born a prophet told my parents, that I would once be like the great Tenshi warrior, Artega, and that I would fight a great evil and defeat it... With the help from an unexpected stranger... My whole life has been preparation for this. This is my fate. And I believe... that you are the stranger to help me."

"Obviously." 'Great... How I love these bullshit prophesies... feh...'

Artega laughed. "You don't seem to be worried about fulfilling your destiny."

"This is not my destiny to be fulfilled, but yours. And in truth I don't believe in a thing called fate. I believe that our lives are what we make it."

"Somehow that's exactly what I expected from you, not that it's bad. It's just... common among youkai."

"Is that what they taught you at your monastery? Because that's so wrong. Youkai don't believe in anything. Well, most of us. Youkai don't think of the future, of grand things. From birth they learn to rely on only their own power and live for the moment, not giving the future much thought."

Artega looked at Cain with curiosity. "Really?"

"Yes... it's rather annoying that everyone hates youkai and say that they're monsters, but never even stop to think of who they really are."

"Are you saying that youkai aren't evil?"

Cain smiled, slightly mysteriously. "No."

"You're teasing me again!"

"No, I wasn't lying. But we have other, more important things to discuss now. So where do we find the Armor of Artega?"

"Well, there are six items of power in all, each also as a seal for a certain part of Meijin. They are the bracelets, the belt, the brooch, the tiara and the ring of Artega. The ring I already have." Artega said and showed the ring to Cain. "With it I can find the others." The ring was made of yellow and white gold. It looked like Tenshi wings joined together.

Cain looked at it and laughed again. "Why didn't I expect anything else? And you know, that "Armor of Artega" sounds more like "Jewelry Collection of Artega" to me. Whatever. So, where are these armor parts?"

Artega looked away, as if ashamed. "Well... they used to be in temples... But recently youkai have become restless... And only two temples were left intact. All others were destroyed and the items of power... taken."

"I'm sorry, but for me it's kind of difficult to imagine a, say, pig-youkai wearing the Tiara of Artega. Youkai don't much care for Tenshi jewelry, you know."

"Of course, I know, but it's not just jewelry, they are artifacts of great power. And even if Meijin was already collected, I would need all of Artega's Armor to fight Meijin."

Cain sighed. "Who thought of this, anyway? I mean... why can't we just fight someone and that's it? No, we have to first travel all around trying to collect some dumb shit, only to be able to collect MORE dumb shit... I mean come on! What the hell is that?"

"...It's just the way things go... I'm sorry."

"Ah, never mind. Okay, so we collect the "Armor" of Artega. What do we do then?"

"They will guide us to the corresponding parts of Meijin. When we collect them all, we... must release him, defeat him and kill him."

"Well, that's interesting. Tell me, how are you going to kill Meijin? I suppose fighting him is a possibility, because I assume that he won't be simply a spirit, but killing him... With what?"

"With this," Artega said and put an arrow on the table. It was also made of white and yellow gold, with jewels on its entire length, and the feathers on its end were of a Tenshi, "Orion's Bolt."

"An arrow?" Cain asked.

"Not just any arrow. It was made with the purpose of destroying Meijin."

"...How cute. Well, I suppose that is all. I'm going to sleep. Just in case, I asked for another room right next to mine," Cain said and stood to leave. Suddenly somebody pushed him from behind.

"Hey, who do you think you are? Coming in here, and then bleeding on the floor. You know how disgusting that is?" There were three young men beside Cain, obviously they were the disturbed clients.

Cain turned to face his attackers and only smirked. "Get out of here kid, before I crack your skull."

"Go to hell!" the boy cursed and tried to punch Cain. Cain just leaned backwards slightly and the punch missed. In a flash the attacker was laying on the ground dead, four deep scars on his face.

"Oh, shit!"

"He's dead!"

"Let's get the hell out of here!" the two others shouted and left the inn running.

Artega was now standing too. She was looking at the dead boy at Cain's feet. "You killed him!"

"Well, get used to it, I do that a lot," Cain replied, his voice once again cool, even cold. Artega suddenly felt fear overcome her.

One of the inn workers approached Cain. "But sir, you promised not to fight!"

Cain looked at the worker. "There was no fight, I killed him before he could get a chance to fight back."

'Oh, God, who have I got with me? He's a youkai, a monster... He just killed that person! ...Lord, am I making a mistake? Is he not the one to join me? God, please help me..."

Cain was now gone, Artega heard footsteps on the stairs to the left. She quickly followed and caught Cain just before he entered his room. "Goodnight, sir!" Cain looked at her for a moment, then entered his room.

As he was trying to fall asleep, he could hear all that was going around in the inn. He always tried to listen for anything interesting or disturbing before going to sleep. Then he heard Artega's voice in the next room. She was praying.

"Our Father in heaven,

Hallowed be Your name,

Your kingdom come,

Your will be done

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our debts,

As we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation,

But deliver us from evil,

For yours is the kingdom

And the power, and the glory forever.

Amen.

God, please help me do what is right according to your will. All I wish for my life, is to accomplish what you have planned for me. In the name of our rise Lord, Jesus Christ, amen.

...And Lord, please help me and the sir helping me get along... I don't want him to hate me... Amen."

Cain stopped listening around and looked at the ceiling. "Whatever..." he just said under his breath and went to sleep.

 

--

 

Cain had finally gotten his clothes back.

"Sir... please try not to... bleed on your robe again. Uh... blood is very difficult to clean out. I'm sorry, but..."

"I get it," Cain said and turned to leave. Artega bowed and thanked the workers from the inn, and ran after Cain. As they came to the end of the city Cain stopped. "So, Artega, where's the nearest part of Artega's Armor?"

"Oh, it's the tiara. It's the one still in a temple. The temple is to the west of here."

Cain pondered a bit. "I think I know what you're talking about. Let's go! By the way, my name is Cain," Cain said, crossed his arms as usual and began his way west. Artega nodded, smiled and began walking with him.