[Garm] I ask that you listen to us now. We are here with this kingdom's royal knights to rescue all of you. We would greatly appreciate it if you could tell us if there are any others imprisoned down here.
Murmurs can be heard among the captured women. Some wondering if this is real. Others quietly celebrating at the thought of being freed. However, the young woman standing before everyone doesn't let her guard down for even a second.
[Woman] You don't look like knights to me. How are we supposed to trust your words?
[Garm] We are not knights ourselves, however, you can trust my words. We are here to save all of you.
[Woman] Oh, and I'm just supposed to believe the words of some pretty wolf and a child?
Sakyo can't help but let out a small chuckle at the woman calling Garm "pretty". He knows that Garm is quite the handsome young man, but to say it so blatantly was a bit surprising. Garm, on the other hand, doesn't react to the compliment.
[Garm] This child is my master and the one who brought the royal knights to this location. I would ask that you show him the respect he is due.
The young woman can't help but scoff at his words. A child, the master of a werewolf therianthrope, brought the royal knights to a hidden slave trade business. Such words are so absurd that no one would believe them.
[Woman] As if I'd believe something like that. You're probably just some thieves trying to make a quick coin selling us somewhere else.
[Garm] Such an infuriating woman. Perhaps once you're brought to safety, you will be able to learn some manners, but now is not the time for that. Please follow me and keep your snarky attitude to a minimum.
[Woman] Why you-
Garm attempts to grab the young woman's arm and drag her out of the cell. She tries to pull back, but her body is too weak to put up any real resistance. Just then, a small violet haired girl grabs Garm's leg.
[Child] No, let big sis Kaya go!
[Kaya] Ren, stop it. Stay back.
This child looks to be about the same age as his master, so Garm slowly stands down. He lets go of Kaya's arm and gently pries the child off of his leg, pushing her softly towards Kaya. The child clings to Kaya as if trying to protect her.
[Sakyo] That's enough. Garm, take these and gather the rest of the captives here.
[Garm] Yes, Master.
After being tossed the cell keys, Garm proceeds down the tunnel to continue opening cells. Sakyo turns towards the child and Kaya.
[Kaya] I'm ok, Ren. I can take care of myself.
Just then, the child named Ren turns towards Sakyo standing before her. As their eyes meet, a sudden rush of emotions fill their bodies. A familiar feeling, as if they'd known each other for their entire lives, takes over their minds. Both children feel drawn to one another for an unknown reason. Sakyo quickly composes himself before speaking once more.
[Sakyo] (ahem) Now then, shall we start this conversation over? We are here to help all of you.
[Kaya] How can we trust you?
[Sakyo] You shouldn't, at least, not yet. I believe my actions will prove my sincerity, but you'll never know if you just stay here. You seem like the leader here, so I won't ask for your trust. Instead, you can decide after everyone here is safe and sound.
Kaya wants to refute his words, but something inside her wants to trust this boy's words. He's not like the werewolf who demanded they be grateful for this rescue, but instead is someone who wants to earn their trust. Before she can respond, Ren speaks up.
[Ren] Are you a good guy?
[Sakyo] ...You'll find out soon enough.
The child doesn't understand why, but her entire being wants to believe every word that escapes this boy's mouth.
[Ren] Ok, I'll follow you.
[Kaya] You'd better be telling the truth, boy.
[Sakyo] I have a name, you know. Sakyo.
[Kaya] Alright then, Sakyo. You can just call me Kaya then. So, what'll we do once that wolf guy gets back?
[Sakyo] Once everyone's here, we'll lead you all to safety. There might still be guards in here, so stay behind me and Garm.
[Kaya] That might not be necessary. If we go further down the tunnel, there's a chamber where the big boss down here stays. He should have some kind of secret exit down there.
[Sakyo] (Makes sense, it wouldn't be a smart idea to have a tunnel with only one exit. If there's another way out of here, it's gotta be where the boss is.)
Just then, Garm returns leading a group of around fifty young women and children.
[Garm] Master, I freed all of the people I could find. Shall we head to the exit now?
[Sakyo] Good work, but we're not going back the way we came. The knights are probably still fighting down there. It'll be too dangerous to bring such a large group that way. We're going further in to find another way out.
Sakyo leads the group of women further into the tunnel. Garm stands at his right side, and Kaya at his left. Behind them, Ren follows closely and quietly, her eyes never leaving Sakyo. She doesn't know why, but she can't get this boy out of her mind. She's been a slave here for so long and had never seen a boy her own age. Meanwhile, Sakyo can feel her eyes on his back.
[Ren] Staaaaaarrrrreeeeee~
[Sakyo] (What's with this kid? She's been staring daggers at me this whole time. She's got such an emotionless face, it's hard to tell what she's thinking. What was that feeling earlier? I've never met this kid, but something about her felt familiar. Maybe we knew each other in a past life or something. I'll think about it after this is all over.)
While lost in thought, the group finally reaches the chamber at the end of the tunnel. There stands Raven, the middle-aged man, donned with armor and his sword.
[Raven] I see, so you're the ones responsible for all this... Wait, what?
Raven can't hide his surprise at the ones who stand before him. He had expected the royal knights or even their knight captain, but the ones leading this group are nothing more than a simple child and a one-legged werewolf. Processing this revelation, Raven's fury and annoyance grow exponentially.
[Raven] You've got to be kidding me! How far have the royal knights fallen to send a child to do their dirty work.
Sakyo unsheathes his short sword, slowly walking toward the center of the chamber.
[Sakyo] Kaya, make sure everyone stays together. Garm, watch my back.
[Garm/Kaya] Right.
Despite both agreeing to their given orders, both Garm and Kaya can't help feeling annoyed by their sudden unity.
[Raven] Heh, if nothing else, I commend your bravery, but you should've come more prepared. Maybe a few knights would've made this more fun, however, you may rejoice knowing you'll be slaughtered by Raven the Slayer!
Raven rushes toward Sakyo, believing him to be the weakest of the two. One thrust, that should've been enough to end a small child like this, but Raven finds his sword blocked. Not by a shield or armor, but by the point of this boy's short sword.
[Sakyo] I guess I'm not strong enough to split your sword. You're quite smart, though. With such a big sword, a wide slash would most likely be met by the walls of this cramped chamber. You're the perfect type of warrior to test my training on.
Raven can only jump back as Sakyo's blade shears the edge of his own.
[Raven] (This is no ordinary child. Looks like he has quite an unusual amount of power, but this is probably his first real battle. I'll show him that you can't win a fight by scoring a point.)
Swords clash in an exchange of thrusts and slashes. Raven's sword style is aggressive, each attack followed by another. It's clear his experience has shaped him into a strong warrior. Sakyo, on the other hand, seems almost disappointed.
[Sakyo] (He's so slow. What is this? First the guards and now this guy. Compared to Mom's attacks, he's practically moving in slow motion.) Come on, you must be able to do better than this.
Raven's fury only grows at the boy's taunt. How can a mere child have such skills? Even in this exchange of blows, the werewolf never leaves the corner of Raven's gaze.
[Sakyo] Maybe you need a bit more practice with a sword. Your movements are a bit sloppy.
[Raven] Shut up, you stupid brat!
A wide downward swing that slashes through the cavern ceiling. Even in the face of such power, Sakyo manages to parry it to his side.
[Sakyo] I guess I'll have to teach you a bit of what I know. Lesson Item #1: All your power means nothing if you can't land a hit.
Raven's assault continues as his rage grows to new heights. His blade slashing and thrust towards the child warrior who stands before him. His strikes getting faster and faster, but still, none land.
[Raven] (Why? Why can't I hit this kid?!)
[Sakyo] Lesson Item #2: Even if your speed increases mid-battle, your attacks can still be predicted if your opponent studies your style.
[Raven] Shut up!
Raven's attacks grow more desperate as his flurry continues. It's not long before Sakyo knocks him off his feet and he hits the ground. Without another word, Sakyo turns around, slowly walking towards the group once more. Seeing his chance, Raven charges at the boy with tremendous speed.
[Raven] Bad move, brat! Die!
[Sakyo] Lesson Item #3: Don't yell when trying to launch a surprise attack.
Before he can react, Raven feels something stopping his movement. A fur-covered hand pressed against his armored chest, holding him back as his blade is knocked out of his hands.
[Garm] Forgive me, I could not help noticing that your armor is quite well made. I hope you do not mind if I borrow it.