Arnimos moved through alleys until he was sure no one was pursuing him, he stopped and took a look around. He didn't know where he was in the city, nor where his allies were. He took a moment to breathe then continued down the alley. This section of the city looked rougher and seemed far more suspicious, it seemed like a place where crime was more common. He walked until he arrived at what seemed to be a main street, it was a curving and confusing thing that almost seemed more maze-like then anything people would normally live in. There were few people on the street, mainly some homeless and more unsavory individuals. Arnimos picked a direction and began to walk down it but he kept glancing around to make sure no one was following him, he had to be sure.

  After a short time of walking he saw a group of three of these unsavory individuals look at him then stop leaning on a wall and beginning to trail him. Arnimos picked up his pace and so did they, it appeared a confrontation was inevitable. Arnimos prodded his Dichotomies but they felt tired, they didn't want to produce more energy. Arnimos could probably beat the criminals but it might leave him injured, something he didn't want to be dealing with while he needed to flee the city.

  As they got closer and closer Arnimos spotted something, a small café nestled between 2 larger buildings. 'Might be safe,' Arnimos thought. He changed direction and went towards it, his pursuers seemed to hesitate as he entered.

  Inside was a small café with 2 or 3 tables and a small handful of chairs. There were only 2 other people inside, a Tyross who, based on his clothing, appeared to be the owner of this establishment, and an Arbeross?? who had had a strange suit that showed too much skin and white fur coat draped over her shoulders. The Arbeross was sat drinking a cup of something while the Tyross looked to be absent-mindedly cleaning dishes. As Arnimos entered the Tyross looked at him.

  "Ah, a new customer," The Tyross said. "How can I help you?"

  Arnimos walked over to the counter, passing by the Arbeross who shot him a glance and raised one of her eyebrows. Arnimos leaned towards the owner.

  "Can you call the guards?" Arnimos said. "Me and some of my friends were attacked and just now some men were following me,"

  "I mean i can try but they don't really-" The Tyross said.

  "Say," The Arbeross said.

  Arnimos glanced over his shoulder to see the Arbeross stood right next to him, he hadn't even heard her approach. He jumped back a bit, she just stepped closer, nearly pressing her body against his.

  "You got quite the strange look..." The Arbeross said. "You wouldn't happen to be-"

  "Nope!" Arnimos said. "People say I look like one but I'm not one!"

  "A shame," The Arbeross said. "Because I-"

  She pressed her body against his, his face flushed and would be turning red if the color of his skin could change.

  "Am looking for someone who matches your description," The Arbeross said.

  'Is she working with the Taniberas?' Arnimos thought. 'Maybe i should ask for- she is still way too close'. She placed a hand on an arm and gave it a squeeze.

  "Quite strong," The Arbeross said. "But if you're not who i'm looking for then-"

  "If I was then what would you do?" Arnimos said.

  "Well..." The Arbeross said. "I'd offer my services,"

  "What for, if i may ask?" Arnimos said.

  "To help you avoid capture and reach Paradise safely," The Arbeross said.

  "And why would you do that for someone you don't know?" Arnimos said.

  "Because there is a certain someone who is trying to intrude on our business," The Arbeross said. "And taking him down a peg is just good business,"

  "And that's the only price that I would pay," Arnimos said, then he stumbled over his words. "I mean that person would have to pay?"

  "That's all," The Arbeross said. "So, what do you say?"

  She removed her hand from Arnimos's arm and held it out to shake, he mulled it over in his head. More protection would be nice but he didn't know if he could trust her, she seemed to be working for possibly dangerous people. He did need to find the others and escape though and she might be able to help. He took a few more seconds thinking, sighed then shook her hand.

  "It's a deal then," The Arbeross said. "Name's Shi,"

  "Arnimos," Arnimos said.

  "Now why don't we get moving," Shi said. "And I'll get you to Paradise quickly,"

  "I still have to get my friends," Arnimos said. "We've been separated,"

  "Don't worry," Shi said. "We'll get them real quick,"

  She then pulled him in close, nearly making their faces touch, Arnimos pulled back.

  "What- What are you-" Arnimos said.

  "Always so funny to see people like you fuss," Shi said. "Now let's get a move, no need to keep everyone waiting,"

  "As long as you stop doing that," Arnimos said.

  "I'll consider it," Shi said.

  The two exited the café and the three men who were following Arnimos had disappeared.

  "The people who were following me," Arnimos said. "They're gone,"

  "Probably got cold feet," Shi said. "Let's find your friends,"

  John slid behind a crate and pulled the Vishashi close so he couldn't be seen, he glanced around the side of the box and saw a group of 3 men rush past the alley he ducked into. He had gotten a good lead at the start but his pursuers were catching up quick, he needed to find Arnimos then get out of the city. John looked back at the Vishashi, he was still unconscious. It was gonna be hard to find Arnimos and get out of the city.

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  John picked up the Vishashi and took a deep breath, he then rose and sprinted out of the alley. He got onto the main road and kept running, he heard a faint shout behind him but he kept moving. He ducked into an alley then slipped through a handful more then back onto the main road, he needed to keep them off of his trail for as long as possible. As he cut through another alley he saw someone blocking his path, a Taniberas wearing a red suit. John knew this man, he was a criminal from Paradise.

  "Mind gettin' out the way, Kagu?" John said.

  "'fraid i can't do that," Kagu said.

  Kagu raised a hand and a ball of fire formed.

  "You mind surrendering?" Kagu said.

  "You already know the answer," John said.

  Kagu grew a small grin.

  "Your choice," Kagu said.

  John focused on his Dichotomy and turned his body to water, he shifted himself out of the way as the bolt of fire shot past him. He drew his Fear-Made revolver and fired a shot, a hole appeared in Kagu's chest that quickly began closing. Kagu stepped forward as his fist became covered in fire, he made an arc with his hand and a slash of fire flew down the alley. John focused on his shifting body and moved some of the water to take the hit, he felt burning as some of it boiled. It was not the best method of defense but it was better than taking it directly. He fired another shot which made another hole then he holstered his revolver. He changed the form of his body, growing a thin tendril of spinning water then whipped it at Kagu, he ducked back but a gash formed on his arm.

  Kagu raised a hand and fire began to collect, John heaved the Vishashi and changed the pressure of the body parts holding him to throw him high into the air then John turned into a puddle. A beam of fire shot down the alley directly where John was standing a few seconds ago. John then surged forward as he reformed his body, he turned one arm into a tendril and swept Kagu's feet from under him. Kagu tumbled to the ground as John caught the Vishashi then sprinted past while he had the chance. A bolt of fire shot past him as he ducked out of this alley.

  That bastard Alex was really determined to get him, had to be spending large sums of what the Page is worth to afford this. 'Wait a minute,' John thought. 'Kagu is a member of a crime family, he isn't just some random bounty hunter. Are we-'. His thought was interrupted when he saw a group of figures on the road in front of him, so this was what was happening. John stopped and looked at the men then looked back as he saw Kagu coming into sight out of an alley.

  'Of course this is their plan,' John thought. 'Should've considered it as an option more. Too many of them here to escape, too many to beat without the Vishashi's help.' John looked back at Kagu once more then back at the men in front of him. 'Arnimos,' John thought. 'Seems we'll be split up for a bit, hope they don't catch you as well.' John reached for his Fear-Made revolver then...

  Arnimos followed behind Shi as they walked the streets, there were very few people in the streets. He looked around, a few people seemed to watch them through their windows as he passed. Shi seemed to know where she was going and only intermittently glanced back to Arnimos to check if he was following. He followed her as she cut through another alley, it was cramped and forced them to walk single file. As he followed his hair stood on end, something was coming.

  Arnimos was no fool, if there was one thing Shil-Kas had given him it was the ability to react quickly to threats. Arnimos grabbed his hammer with both hands and raised it to block, Shi spun around and swung but her force only met the obsidian handle of his Fear-Made hammer. The force pushed him back a few inches, if it had struck his chest even his Fear-Made armor would have only been some help. Shi had a small grin.

  "Good instincts you got there," Shi said. "I was worried you'd be taken out in one hit,"

  Arnimos steadied his footing and pointed his hammer at her without saying a word.

  "Who do you work for?" Arnimos said.

  "Does a lady need to spell everything out?" Shi said. "Who my employer is doesn't really matter, you should be focused on the situation at hand,"

  Arnimos brought the hammer back but then Shi lurched forward with explosive speed, he tried to bring the hammer down but she grabbed his arm then delivered a punch to his chest. He felt the air driven out of his chest and his grip weakened, she tore the hammer from his hand and threw it behind her. She swept out his legs and slammed him into the ground.

  His body ached and burned as he could taste iron in his mouth, Shi held him against the ground with one hand. She grabbed the Fear-Made breastplate he wore.

  "Having this on is a bit unfair," Shi said. "let me get it off for you,"

  Shi tore the breastplate off of him and threw it towards the hammer. She then lifted him up and slammed him into the ground again and again and again. He felt bones creaking and more blood beginning to pool in his mouth. Shi looked disappointed.

  "You looked so strong," Shi said. "Is this really all the strength you got?"

  Shi lifted him off the ground.

  "Because if it is-" Shi said.

  Shi slammed him into the ground one more time then kicked him with enough force to send him rolling for a few feet.

  "Then I'm sorely disappointed," Shi said.

  Arnimos laid on the ground clutching his chest as he coughed up blood, everything hurt. Again and again he keeps meeting foes like this, people who are stronger than him. He was an Archon, that meant he had to be strong. His vision began to grow blurry, he began to feel cold. He saw Shi slowly walking up to him, was he gonna die?

  Fear crept into his mind yet his Dichotomies sat not doing anything, why weren't they doing anything? Shi stopped right next to him and kicked him onto his back then placed a foot on his chest, he felt his ribs straining as she put pressure on him.

  "You were looking so good at the start there," Shi said. "Now you're just as boring as the rest,"

  He felt his ribs beginning to break. More fear flooded his mind but his Dichotomies did nothing. Again they did nothing themselves but as fear flooded his mind it refocused again, they were something that must be commanded. He reached out and pressed his mind into them and exploded.

  Energy swelled within him and his wounds began to fade, his vision sharpened and he stared up at Shi. Shi raised her foot ready to bring it down and cave in his chest, more fear flooded his mind. The energy swelled further then he focused his mind again, 'Follow the path that feels natural,' Arnimos thought. 'Let it do what it needs to before you try to change it.' He pushed the energy inwards and it flowed into his Taniberas Dichotomy.

  Energy flowed from his body and into the air, it formed intricate patterns and shapes as sandstone formed and took the strike. It cracked as Shi looked at Arnimos, he threw himself to the side then shot up to his feet staring at her.

  "Aren't you just a bag of tricks," Shi said. "Might be some fun after all,"

  Shi pressed a foot in the ground and exploded forward, his mind focused and energy formed patterns in the air. He stepped to the side as a lattice of obsidian-like stone formed and took a quick jab from Shi. 'She's too quick,' Arnimos thought. 'I can't beat her, I need to get away.' He looked at his Fear-Made weapon and armor behind her, he would have to say goodbye to them.

  Arnimos jumped back and thought of a wall, the energy changed its shape once more and formed a tall wall between him and Shi. Once it was formed he immediately took off in a sprint, he needed to get out of here posthaste.

  As he cut through alleys and streets he swore he could hear someone always nearby, she would likely catch him. Her physical abilities were far greater then his and she was more skilled, he had to avoid confrontation at all costs. He ducked into another alley and peeked out, he saw a group of men dragging a tied up John and Vishashi. 'They got them too,' Arnimos thought. 'I need to think of a way out of this.'

  Arnimos looked to the ground and saw John's Fear-Made revolver, if he hit some of the men carrying the two, formed a wall with the energy he had left and bolted then he might be able to escape. Arnimos steeled himself then dug a foot into the ground and dashed out.

  The men didn't notice him as he ran and slid forward then picked up the Fear-Made revolver, its grip was cool and almost sharp. He pointed it at a man and pulled the trigger, a dull, distant thunk resounded as a hole appeared in the man's chest. The man fell forward and the other turned back towards Arnimos, he pointed the revolver and fired another shot at the other man carrying the two and he fell with a hole through the head. Arnimos dashed forward and focused on forming the image of a wall in his mind. Energy surged forth and condensed into a wall between the two and the rest of the group, Arnimos slid to a stop next to the two and grabbed them. He didn't have time to-

  "Quick thinking," Rulst-Kal said. "Just not quick enough,"

  Arnimos glanced back and saw Rulst-Kal pointing at him, he didn't have the time to raise the revolver before his fist flashed forward and he was cast into darkness.