Help Me

Gina was a kind and pleasant woman. And she always tried to make Camelia feel at home in her house

Camelia tried to forget about Atherion, and kept herself busy by helping Gina, who turned out to be a maker of jewelry to sell at the market.

But Gina often received male visitors, sometimes in the middle of the night. They would chat in the living room, and leave before the neighbors woke up.

Camelia didn't mind seeing that. For her, Gina met the guests just to chat, and with Camelia's knowledge, so there was no problem.

One day Gina told Camelia about Atherion.

"I met Atherion four years ago. He was about sixteen years old. He was wandering alone at the time, and he didn't have good social skills," Gina said.

Camelia listened to Gina's story while making a necklace from a string of white crystals.

Gina continued, "He ended up staying with us for about two years. His ability to use a sword at a young age was very useful to us as traveling merchants."

"Unfortunately, when we decided to stay here, in Eldrida, he separated from us. He still wanted to be an adventurer."

Gina then smiled at Camelia, and said, "It seems like he changed when he met you. His gaze is no longer as bloodthirsty as before."

Camelia pensived after hearing Gina's words. That was the first time she ever heard about Atherion.

'So, I am older than him, according to my world's age.'

She didn't think that he was different from now. He was always a quiet person, and didn't talk much. But his attitude wasn't like a cruel person.

***

"Camelia, come here for a moment," Gina called as she arranged the jewelries she would sell the next day.

Camelia, who was washing tableware, answered, "Yes, Gina."

She wiped her hands and approached Gina in the living room.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"This is your share of the money this month," Gina said, placing a bag of money on the table.

Camelia stared at the money bag in confusion, "but I didn't do anything. I just helped you."

"No, it's your part in helping me make the jewelry. Your creations are also unique, so many people buy them," Gina said with a smile.

After being persuaded by Gina, Camelia finally took the money bag and thanked Gina.

***

The peace in Gina's house was suddenly disturbed by the arrival of a group of people dressed in white when Gina was with her guests as usual.

The men in white called all the guests at Gina's place 'rebels'.

Gina dragged the frightened Camelia to her room. Then she opened a secret hole under the carpet and told Camelia to go inside.

"Come in and wait for us here," said Gina.

"B-But, what about you? W-Who are they?" Camelia asked after entering. The secret hole was only big enough for one person.

Gina smiled, "I'll be fine."

She closed the hole and Camelia was left alone in the dark hole.

***

Camelia didn't know how long she had been in the hole. But she didn't dare go out even though the sounds of fighting outside could no longer be heard.

Finally, after waiting for a while, she came out.

Gina's entire house was in disarray. Broken flower pots were scattered on the floor. Chairs were overturned.

Camelia then decided to stay in the house. She then tidied up the messy house, and made jewelry while waiting for Gina.

And waited for Atherion if he came back.

***

After waiting for several days, the food supplies at Gina's house ran out.

Camelia went shopping with the money given by Gina. It wasn't much, only 500 zol. But it was enough for her for a few days.

On her way to the market to buy groceries, several unknown men stopped her on a quiet road.

"Hey, cutie," one of the men said.

"Are you alone? A beautiful girl like you shouldn't be alone," said another man.

Camelia stepped back slowly and tried to get away from them. "Leave me alone," she said, trying to look fearless.

"Come with us. We'll keep you company so you won't be alone anymore," one of them said, followed by laughter from the others.

Suddenly, something like black smoke appeared above the men's heads and had a pair of red eyes.

Camelia gasped. The black smoke floated without anyone noticing. And the pair of red eyes stared at Camelia with an evil gaze.

She was frightened and pushed one of the men closest to her, then ran as fast as she could.

She was really scared seeing the smoke.

The men chased her, and the black smoke was still hovering above the men, and seemed to be growing slightly.

'Atherion… Atherion… help!' Camelia called Atherion inwardly while running.

***

"Hahah… who do they think they are!"

"Come on, let's bet on who will win the tournament later!"

"That bastard is such a coward, how dare he play gangs!"

The voices of customers mixed with laughter, and the sound of wooden cups on the table. 

The bar was noisy with many customers.

Several waitresses came and went with orders, and occasionally screamed when customers touched their bottoms.

Atherion sat and drank his beer in silence. He paid no attention to his surroundings. His thoughts were on Camelia.

'Is she okay? It's been more than a month since we were apart.'

He took a sip of his beer.

'Surely she's fine. She is with Gina, and Gina is one of the female warriors who is skilled at martial arts.'

He took another sip of his beer.

'But why do I keep thinking about her?'

[Atherion… Atherion… Help!]

Atherion gasped and turned towards the entrance of the bar.

'Camellia's voice?'

But there was no sign of Camelia around.

He returned to his cup and took another sip.

[Atherion! I'm scared!]

Atherion stood up, grabbed his sword, and ran out of the bar. But there was still no sign of Camelia.

'Is she in danger?'

[Atherion! Help!]

Atherion jumped onto Storm's back and the two of them raced towards Gina's house.

***

Camelia continued to run in no particular direction.

Blugh!

She bumped into someone and fell. She lifted her head and saw an old man wearing a white robe. His mustache and beard were long down to his knees.

Surprisingly, the old man did not fall when Camelia hit him.

"Are you okay, miss?" he asked, extending his hand to Camelia.

Camelia shook her head and accepted the old man's outstretched hand which helped her up.

"I'm fine," she said.

"Hey! Come with us!" shouted the men chasing Camelia.

Camelia looked at them and still saw the smoke still above their heads.

She started to shed tears because of fear.

"Ugh, p-lease help me…" she mumbled.

"Do you need help, miss?" The old man who was hit by Camelia earlier asked.

Camelia immediately grabbed the man's sleeve, and said while crying, "Help me..."

The old man smiled and said, "Okay, stand behind me."