Goodbye Lue

"Out of all the people we could've found ourselves in company with, it happened to be the most wanted man in the world," Taishu said. He rubbed his chin in amusement. "It's amazing you're still a boy,"

The three were casually walking through the town. Their voices were low, and nobody was near, so it was safe.

"Not to mention, it's something out of your control. You weren't kidding," Kosha said.

"Now that I told you, you still want to travel with me?" Ryuma asked. It was a lot to take in when he was going through it himself. Telling Taishu and Kosha about it was a world away.

He'd understand entirely if Kosha wanted to back out. If they were so spotted together, he'd be going down as some sort of co-conspirator. Whichever the case, Ryuma still had a goal he needed to accomplish, and it had to do with Erin's true origin.

"That doesn't matter. On the contrary… I think there's something about you. Something I can't explain," Kosha said.

"Ugh, yeah. I'm marked for death," Ryuma looked forward. "I'm not going to lie. The path I follow is a fool's path. The probability of me accomplishing anything is near impossible,"

Kosha shook his head. "I don't think you're marked for death. When I look at you, I don't feel like everything is set in stone,"

"Well… I tried. I don't know where you're getting this confidence about me from but whatever happens is all on you,"

"Well you might not like it but as his master, I'm glad this is the path he's chosen to follow. To be honest, I think a separation from me is what you need. I look forward to seeing how far you get when next I see you,"

Kosha gave a short bow. "Thank you master. I won't disappoint," He turned towards Ryuma. "Whenever you're ready to leave, let me know,"

Ryuma blinked with a blank expression on his face. And just like that, he had a follower. "We leave in the evening then. Meet me by the west gate," Ryuma turned and began walking away.

In this way, he could at least spend some time with his master before he says goodbye to him. Kosha looked at him. He didn't say anything, but the way his eyes stared at him, he could tell his intentions.

"I see. I'll be sure to be ready by then. Until then, what're you going to do?" Kosha said.

He lifted his hand and waved him away. "Don't worry about it. I got my own pastime to worry about,"

The day came and went. Ryuma spent his time watching over Maruna from afar. The girl was out, enjoying herself playing with her invisible friends. At times, she'd look sad over something, but then she'd soon go to play with them again. Most just assumed she had an overactive imagination. Though Ryuma still couldn't see them, he knew otherwise.

"Please protect her while I'm gone," He whispered to himself. He could only leave her here for now.

Once it came time to go Ryuma was upon the front gate. In contrast to how he first showed up, he no longer dressed like a bum. Kosha and Taishu were on the side saying their goodbye's.

"You think you can catch him? The priest killer I mean," Kosha asked.

"I hope I can. To be honest though, this guy didn't allude capture so long for nothing. He's crafty. I might not be able to narrow down who it is," Taishu said.

"If your detective skills could match your sword skills, he's caught. I think you can do it," Kosha said.

Taishu shook his head. "You should no longer concern yourself with me," He put a hand on his shoulder. "You have more pressing issues and an even greater challenge then myself with your new friend. I'll look forward to the world you kids try to create,"

Kosha nodded his head. "Goodbye master Taishu,"

The two said their farewells and had finally parted ways. Kosha finally turned around and began walking towards Ryuma.

"Finally done?" Ryuma asked.

"Yeah, let's go," Kosha said.

Ryuma looked at him. He had a bag with God knows what in it. To save him the effort of lugging all of that around he thought about putting it in his ring for him. Thinking about it some more, it wasn't a good idea to bring that ring around. An item like that was rare for someone from the Skylands. For a surface dweller to have one would be just asking for people to make the connections.

"So Ryuma. Where were we going again?" Kosha asked.

"There's something in Naru I must find out. We'll be heading northwest from here," Ryuma said.

"Naru hughh? We'll be taking the underpass then, right?" Kosha asked.

Ryuma gave him a confused look. "Why would we take a route other than the normal one?" Ryuma asked.

Kosha looked at him with a wide expression. "I mean, I figured you'd want to if you wanted to avoid the checkpoint,"

It became silent. "The… what…" Ryuma said.

"You know… the checkpoint… that thing they ask for identification and everything," Kosha said. His face now carried one of disbelief.

Ryuma didn't even think about the possibility of checkpoints. Sure a disguise helps people not focus on him, but in a situation where he needs documentation, this whole identity scheme would crumble instantly.

"Don't you dare tell me you didn't even think about this. You can't possibly take the normal road," Kosha said.

"What the fuck! There was no checkpoint between Lue and Hestia!" Ryuma argued.

"Who the fuck goes to Hestia except tithe collectors?" Of course they wouldn't establish a checkpoint between those two locations," Kosha said.

Ryuma thought about it. It was a good thing he brought Kosha along. It would spell trouble if he walked towards the checkpoint only to turn it down whence he realized what it was. That would look too suspicious. The way it looked, taking formal routes was going to be a no go.

"If documentation was such a problem, why didn't I get documented when I came to Lue?" Ryuma asked.

"Not all towns or villages do that," Kosha said looking back in the direction they left. "A village like Lue is in financial straits. It wouldn't do for the priest to hassle everyone that stops by it. Services like that is usually reserved for the cities,"

Ryuma sighed. "Guess it can't be helped. We'll go your way,"

A vein popped into Kosha's face. "So in other words, you really didn't think about this," They continued down the road. "You better be re-evaluating my use here,"

"Ok, I get it. I'd have been in trouble if you weren't here," Ryuma said. "Speaking of what about this underpass that you were thinking about?"

"Well, there's a large underground tunnel we can use to subvert the checkpoints. I assumed you knew about them and were travelling that way," Kosha said.

"Good. Now that I know about them, that can be our main way to travers from now on," Ryuma said.

"Yeah, it's not as simple as that," Kosha said.

Ryuma sighed. "So, what's the catch? There's always a catch,"

"The catch is that these tunnels aren't exactly known for how many people make it across… alive. If you're not skilled enough to take on field beast, then you go missing,"

"Hmm… The entirety of the Order descending on our faces, or a few field beast. Decisions, decisions," Ryuma said.

"Hey, I'm just informing you of the danger. Those only with the skills should be able to take the underpass,"

"I take it you and your master used this method a lot during your travel's,"

"Mehh. When we needed to. Though whenever the places were swarming with apparitions, we dare not go,"

That at least made sense. No matter how good their skills were, hitting something that was pure spirit was impossible to do. You'd need a priest to combat those things.

"Well it's a good thing I'm here, right?" If it's just field beast, then both could handle however many there were. If apparitions showed up, then Ryuma would be the only effective combatant.

{I wonder how they could travel under conditions like this}

"Though you're right, I wouldn't underestimate field beast as well. Just because you can kill them, doesn't mean they can't kill you either. Not all of them are just a walk in the park to fight,"

That was true. Apparitions weren't the only danger they had to worry about. Apparitions suck the spirit out of you to gain more power. Field beast will just maul you to death. They at least followed the laws of nature.

"You have a point. Still I'd rather see them than be swarmed by apparitions with dead weight on my shoulder," Ryuma said.

Kosha lightly punched him in the shoulder. "Don't you go worrying about me. I got a trick of my own up my sleeve. It's like master Taishu taught me. Always have an out for whatever situation you find yourself in,"

Ryuma smiled. Maybe this journey won't be so bad.