Finally I came to. My consciousness slowly returned bit by bit. After that crazy incident, I only remember coughing for a long time before everything went dark again.
"Where am I...?" I muttered to myself. This felt just like yesterday. This is the second time now that I've passed out and woken up somewhere unfamiliar.
My first thought was to check my body. My other arm... it's still there, right? I quickly raised my left arm to look. Yeah... still all there. What a relief. Thought I'd get screwed over again.
I slowly pushed myself up and shuffled out of what looked like a storage room. And yeah... I found myself in old man Vex's blacksmith shop. That foul-mouthed guy.
The sound of hammer on metal rang out - *clang! clang!* He was still working away diligently, not paying any attention to me.
"Hey! Now that you're awake, get the hell out! Go bring back my good-for-nothing son Sin!" As soon as he saw me, he immediately yelled in his usual style. Then he threw something at me. It landed with a thud on the floor. I bent down to pick it up... it was a scabbard with a familiar short sword sheathed inside. Yeah... it was the same short sword he'd just confiscated yesterday.
But this time he gave me a scabbard too.
"Take it for protection," he said curtly without even looking up at me. I stood there for a moment. This old man isn't going to explain anything? Father and son are really polar opposites.
"What are you standing around for?! Hurry up and go!" That shout made me jump. I quickly turned and walked out of the shop. Didn't want to risk getting kicked or punched again. That hurt like hell.
When I got outside, the bright sunlight made me squint. I realized it was morning of a new day. Shit... I was supposed to meet Sin yesterday. I totally stood him up. Better hurry over there.
Walking along, various thoughts battled in my head. What was that weird Soul Either talking about? "Will hunt you everywhere"... what did I do to them?
And that thing about "the more you use your power, the stronger we become"... what does that even mean? Am I not supposed to use my powers? Doesn't seem right... nothing but stuff to think about until my head hurts!
Better head to Sliver town. My cloak is all torn up too. I should probably buy a new one quick. If Kylo sees me like this, he'll definitely give me a lecture.
Oh crap! Speak of the devil! Kylo! I can see him walking not far away. I'm screwed! Better find somewhere to hide quick. That alley between buildings! If Kylo finds out my arm is really gone, he definitely won't leave me alone. Gotta be sneaky this time.
I carefully crept along the alley between buildings as quietly as possible. Stinks like hell... did something die around here? Oh... there we go. Dead rat carcasses scattered everywhere... better hurry through. Hold my breath. Safety first!
"Hah... hah... finally made it out," I panted, gasping air into my lungs like someone dying of thirst. Had to hold my breath the whole way through there. Are there any clothing stores around here?
There! The universe is still on my side. There's a clothing store right ahead! I didn't hesitate, ran straight into the shop, pulled money from my pocket, grabbed a new cloak that looked more durable than the old one, threw money at the confused shopkeeper, and immediately ran out.
"Hey! Wait! Rift!!" Kylo's voice shouted after me! Damn! He spotted me! But who cares! I'm not dealing with him now! I shifted into high gear and kept running.
"What the hell, where's he rushing off to," Kylo's voice grumbled behind me, but I didn't care anymore.
I'm a master of Stone City's routes! Turn left and keep running, turn right and run some more! There! Finally, after running for almost five minutes, I could see the sign pointing to abandoned Sliver town!
Wait for me, Sin! But wait... thinking about it, I promised to buy food for him too. Almost forgot. Better stop and buy some first.
"Hey, I'll take 5 grilled meat skewers!" I ordered from a roadside vendor. The guy looked at me for a moment before quickly putting hot grilled meat skewers in a bag.
"185 Credits." I immediately made a face when I heard the price. Expensive as hell! I only have about three hundred left in my pocket. If I pay this, I'll practically be broke. But whatever... I'll hunt some Soul Either for money later.
I quickly paid, took my change, and ran straight into abandoned Sliver town.
The atmosphere in this town was still eerily quiet as always. Still gives me chills. It's so quiet it feels like something could pop out at any moment.
"Sin!" I called out for him, in case he was around here.
And I saw the same ruined house... the wreckage where I'd fought Knight the dog. I figured he'd still be camped around here.
"There... found him."
Sin's condition that I saw in front of me didn't look good at all. He was sprawled out like a vegetable in front of the old house with Knight lying guard beside him, looking equally pathetic.
"You... you bastard! Where the hell did you disappear to for a whole damn day?!" Sin opened his eyes, saw me, and immediately started yelling.