Bounty Bond

Casimir and Kanako spent the next two days together, each preparing for the challenging task ahead. They shared quiet moments, talked about what they might face, and worked on their plans. The air was tense but also filled with a sense of purpose. When the time came to leave, Mari approached them with a calm but serious expression. She carried a small, weathered bag filled with supplies meant for their journey. Inside were items carefully chosen to help them survive rough conditions and long marches. She handed each of them a sturdy cooler bag—these weren't ordinary coolers. They had the remarkable ability to keep perishables from spoiling, regardless of the weather or how long they stayed out. For travelers like them, that meant being able to carry fresh food, medicines, or even small plants that needed to stay cold until they could unload at a safer place.

Mari then revealed an unassuming but incredibly useful item—a portable shelter, which she called a "portable home." It looked like a small box at first glance, but when placed, it becomes a small, cozy space offering protection from the elements. Its setup was quick, designed for situations where they might need a safe resting spot, even in the middle of a dangerous terrain. However, she warned them that it could only be placed in suitable spaces—flat ground and enough room for it to expand. Moving on, Mari handed Casimir a sword, but this was only a temporary placeholder. It was more than just a weapon; it symbolized readiness and hope for better tools ahead. It was sturdy, reliable, yet clearly not the final blade he would carry in the long run.

Then, she reached into her satchel and pulled out two strange, dark-looking bags—the void bags. Their sleek, black surfaces shimmered with a faint, swirling darkness that seemed to draw in the light around them. Around each bag, a thin wisp of smoky black mist curled upward, giving the eerie impression of shadows wrapping tightly around the storage containers. Mari explained that void bags were known to be nearly limitless in size, capable of holding almost anything—clothing, weapons, food, even larger objects. They were prized for their ability to evade space limitations and could pack more than they appeared to hold. These bags originated from the Sea of Burden, an infinity sea of water with just one edge. The only light source in the Sea of Burden is a mysterious blue moon that appears during a certain time and the lights that flicker at the edge, other than that, it's completely dark. The bags also come from "the Void," a place shrouded in mystery and danger. Few knew how they were created or where exactly they came from, making their rarity even more coveted.

As Mari handed the bags over, Kanako's eyes widened in shock. She hesitated for a moment before gently reaching out to hold her own void bag, visibly amazed by its weightless, almost magical quality. Casimir, meanwhile, took his with a calm expression, though a flicker of surprise crossed his face. He had felt the weight of the bag, but it was nothing compared to its vastness, and he studied the dark smoke that drifted from the opening—almost as if the bag contained a small, swirling galaxy of darkness.

"Mari?" Kanako's voice was soft, filled with wonder. "How did you find these?" Her eyes locked onto the void bags as she examined them closely, tracing the smoky tendrils with her fingers. Her mind raced, wondering about the origins of such a powerful and mysterious item. She felt the weight of what this meant—an almost infinite space hidden within these small pouches. How could something like this exist? Her astonishment was plain, eyes wide with curiosity and a touch of awe.

Mari simply smiled, a hint of pride in her expression. "They're rare. Only a few have seen or even heard of them. They come from the Sea of Burden," she said softly, "where darkness rules and huge terrifying creatures dwell. Nobody you meet will have these unless they've earned them—either through sheer luck or great risk." Her words carried a weight of their own, revealing just how precious and dangerous these void bags truly were. They symbolized an immense power in the wrong hands but offered hope and safety to those equipped to wield them properly.

Both Kanako and Casimir understood—these weren't ordinary supplies. They were tools with secrets and potential that could turn the tide of their journey or spell disaster if misused. The two looked over at each other, recognizing that these gifts weren't just practical—they were symbols of trust, of hope, and of the uncertain path that lay ahead. Their preparations completed, they tightened their gear and shared a brief nod, knowing that the next step was to face what awaited them, for this will not only be Casimir's first bounty but also his first kill.

Casimir and Kanako walked away from the academy, their figures gradually shrinking into the distance. They waved briefly in farewell to Mari, Muzaki, and a few other trainees who watched them go with mixed expressions—some curious, others uncertain. As their figures disappeared from sight behind a bend in the path, Casimir suddenly broke the silence, his voice softer than usual. "I never got to thank you for what you did for me," he said quietly, turning his head slightly towards Kanako. "Thank you, Kanako." His words carried a rare sincerity, an acknowledgement of the help she had given him during their time together at the academy.

Kanako's cheeks warmed just a little, and she looked down, a slight blush forming on her face. Her voice was gentle but tinged with a hint of embarrassment. "Well," she replied softly, "you can make up for it by not dying against that bandit leader." There was a faint smile in her tone, but beneath that, her words held a genuine concern. "My journey won't end anytime soon, so you have my word. I'll do everything I can to stay safe." Casimir responded. Their steps slowed as they continued walking in silence, each lost in their own thoughts, until Kanako broke the quiet again, her curiosity getting the better of her.

Looking up at Casimir with a mix of curiosity and friendliness, she asked, "What made you want to become a bounty hunter?" Her eyes searched his face for clues, hoping to understand the man behind the stoic exterior. Casimir hesitated briefly, then responded more cryptically than before. "It's... it's a long story," he said softly, "many factors in my life played a role in pushing me onto this path." He kept his gaze fixed on the road ahead, voice a little distant, as if weighed down by memories.

Kanako raised an eyebrow, sensing there was more beneath his words. "Okay?" she prompted gently. "So… what are those factors? What's behind your decision?" Her voice was steady, eager to learn more. Casimir drew a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. His next words came slow, carefully chosen. "My mother… after she died, I was left completely alone." His tone remained calm, almost unfeeling, as he revealed the personal pain behind his choice. "She was so important to me, it felt like a part of me had died that day. Losing her left a void that has never truly healed."

Kanako's eyes softened. She tilted her head slightly, her voice gentle. "I'm so sorry to hear that. What happened to your father?" she asked, genuinely concerned. Casimir paused, then answered with quiet clarity. "My father... I haven't seen him since I was twelve." His face remained stoic, but a flicker of pain flickered in his eyes as he went on. "He and my sister left the village after she was diagnosed with a rare disease that couldn't be treated locally. My father loved us all, loved my mother, and hated the thought of losing his only daughter so young. So, he set out on a journey to find a cure, to find a well that was said, it's water could cure anything or some kind of cure-all for rare diseases." His voice was firm, yet there was a hint of sadness in it. "He believed that somewhere out there, a solution existed, and he was willing to risk everything to save her, even if that meant leaving us behind."

Kanako absorbed his words thoughtfully, understanding the depth of his pain. Then she pressed further, softening her tone. "That's a tough story. But I get that it shaped who you are." Her gaze sharpened slightly as she added, "That's not the only thing, right?" When Casimir hesitated, she prompted again. "What else factored into your decision to become a bounty hunter?" Her curiosity was genuine, driven by the sense that his past was full of unanswered questions and unresolved feelings.

Casimir took a deep breath, gathering strength from within. He looked straight ahead, clarity in his eyes. "It's not just my mother's death or my father's absence," he admitted. "There's another pain I carry." He paused, then slowly revealed, "I was betrayed. Betrayed by the two people closest to me." His fists clenched tightly, knuckles white with tension. His voice grew cold, filled with a simmering need for justice. "They weren't just acquaintances—they were supposed to be my family. And they turned their backs on me, stabbed me in the back when I needed them most. That betrayal broke something deep inside me." His words carried a weight, a desire for revenge that kept him moving forward, fueled by the sense of injustice and loss.

Kanako looked at him with wide eyes, overwhelmed by the raw honesty. Her voice was almost a whisper. "Wow… I don't know what to say. I… I can't even imagine going through something like that." She reached out slightly, her heart aching for him. "That's a lot to carry." Her words expressed sympathy, but also reverence for the strength it took to keep going despite all that pain.

The pair kept walking for hours. The sun moved across the sky, shadows stretching as the hours passed. Finally, they found a quiet spot to set up camp. They both found a suitable spot for their portable home and when placed forms into a small but nice and cozy cottage. It has all the bare necessities; a bed, bathroom and kitchen. They prepared a meal for themselves before heading to bed for the night. Though their journey was far from over, in that moment, they shared a quiet understanding of each other's hardships. Their conversation had deepened their bond, offering each other a small refuge from the heavy weight of their histories.

In the quiet of the morning, Kanako carefully packed away her belongings and reclaimed her portable home. Casimir watched her with quiet curiosity as he did the same. Once ready, Kanako pulled out a folded map from her satchel and held it out to Casimir, unrolling it on a nearby flat rock. Pointing with a finger, she traced a route across the parchment. "This is the area where the bandits are hiding out," she explained, her voice edged with a mix of caution and determination. Her finger hovered over a dull, vaguely circular patch on the map, an area not too far from Delavar but not too close either—a place with tangled woods and rocky outcrops that made it ideal for hiding. "It's roughly a day's walk from here," she said. "There's a small village nearby, just a short travel from this spot, where we can find an inn. We'll rest there tonight, and then tomorrow, we should be able to track down your things and get them back." Her voice carried a tone of confidence, rooted in experience, and her eyes sharpened with resolve. She paused, allowing herself a moment to look at the map, then added, "Once we're there, it should be a straightforward matter to find your belongings."

Casimir nodded quietly, soaking in her words, but then he looked at her with a curious expression. His brow furrowed slightly as he asked, "What made you become a bounty hunter?" The question hung in the air. It seemed simple, but the surprise made Kanako lift her head from the map. She hesitated just a moment, caught off guard by the suddenness of the question. Then she gave a small shrug, as if brushing off an old memory, and said, "I guess I should've told you this since you shared your reasons earlier." Her voice softened. "My older brother and sister started out as bounty hunters, but they only did it temporarily. They needed money—fast—to help support our family. Bounty hunting was a quick way to earn some cash, and it seemed like the best choice at the time." Her eyes flicked to the ground, and her voice trembled slightly. "They went out one day, and they never came back." Her story hit a quiet, heavy chord that lingered in the air. She paused, trying to regain her composure, then continued, "My mother and I were really worried. We waited for news, hoping they'd return or at least send word, but there was only silence." Her fingers clenched the edge of her coat. "My father, overwhelmed with grief and worry, decided to go look for them, but he got hurt badly doing so. His work as a blacksmith and fisherman had left him disabled, and after that, he couldn't go after them anymore." Her voice cracked slightly as she finished, "So I decided I had to try—no matter the risks."

Casimir listened quietly, the respect evident in his eyes. Before he could say anything, he interrupted gently, "So you snuck out? Without telling anyone?" Kanako nodded, her face set in a firm line. "Yes. I figured if I didn't leave on my own, I might never see them again." Her words held a strong resolve, born from years of holding her fears inside. Casimir's shoulders relaxed slightly, and he responded simply, "I would've done the same thing." His voice came with understanding, as if he knew exactly what that kind of courage meant. Kanako's reason for leaving were born from a need to protect loved ones, while Casimir's reason was to find hope in impossible circumstances and seek revenge. Their shared understanding built a silent bond, forged through the trials they'd faced and the dangers still ahead. They knew the journey wouldn't be easy, but with shared purpose and a sense of resilience, they pressed on towards their uncertain but necessary goal.