The Laughing Swordsman

Purple mist gathered around the little boy, growing in density by the second. The purple mist abruptly shot forward, slipping past the trees like a shadow.

Willow didn\'t have time to move to the side. The purple mist was simply too fast. It latched onto Apollo, prompting him to tilt his head to the side.

"Hm? What was that?"

The boy\'s purple eyes glowed. Then, his body morphed into a small green ball, rapidly approaching Apollo.

In just a second, the boy reappeared. He was clinging onto Apollo like a koala.

Purple mist once again coalesced around the boy. He raised his head into the air and opened his mouth wide.

"Raaah!"

Then... the boy froze.

"Shut up."

Willow held her black sword less than a centimeter away from the boy\'s face, prompting him to cease his actions and disperse the purple mist.

They were standing on top of a tree branch, as still as a statue.

The boy didn\'t know why, but he felt like if he continued, death would come right after. His ability to disappear into the shadows did not bring him any semblance of safety.

After all, Willow was well versed in the shadows.

Layla patted the boy\'s head.

"Hi friend!"

The boy frowned, displeased with Layla\'s actions. However, he did not dare move while the sword was right in front of his face.

Willow sighed.

"Are you going to continue assaulting us?"

The boy trembled.

"N-No."

Willow pulled back her sword.

"Why are you chasing us anyways?"

The boy rubbed the black blood off his face.

"Em... fast!"

Willow raised an eyebrow.

"Fast?"

The boy nodded.

"So fast!"

Apollo giggled.

"I think he followed us because he liked how fast we were!"

The boy nodded enthusiastically.

"Yeah, yeah!"

Willow\'s eyebrow twitched.

"...Anyways. Don\'t you have someplace to be? We have places to be, so we can\'t stay with you."

The boy rubbed the top of his head with his sleeve.

"Mm... no."

Layla\'s tail swayed.

"So friend follows us!"

The boy\'s eyes lit up.

"Follow?"

Willow furrowed her brows in frustration.

"Not having a destination does not mean he must come with us."

The boy let out a small whimper.

"No want... me?"

Willow sighed.

"Well... if you truly desire to join us, you can."

The boy rubbed the top of his head with his sleeve. He seemed to be deep in thought.

"...Me follow!"

Layla\'s ears perked up as she clapped enthusiastically.

"Yay! So many friends!"

Apollo laughed.

"What is your name?"

The boy looked down.

"Me... is Hex."

Apollo nodded.

"Ah, Hex! This is Layla and this is Willow. I am Apollo!"

Apollo pointed amongst the three of them, introducing the group to Hex.

As for Hex, he nodded in acknowledgment.

"Layla, Willow, Apollo!"

Hex lost all of his previous hostility. It was as if he completely forgot he attempted to kill the group just a moment ago. Not to mention the fact he almost died from their attacks.

Hex climbed onto Willow\'s head as if that was natural. His small stature allowed him to rest there fairly comfortably.

As for Willow, her eyelid twitched.

Hex could follow just fine before, so why did he have to climb on her head?

Willow opened her mouth to protest, but closed it before the words came out. She shook her head.

Whatever.

Willow continued to dash through the trees. The first step was a tad bit shaky, but Willow quickly got into the rhythm again. Hex was light, thus didn\'t shift Willow\'s balance much.

Hex had a small smile on his face. One sleeve held down his hood while the other rested at his side.

As Willow continued to dash through the trees, she began contemplating her life choices.

How did things end up like this?

She was an elite assassin that had killed countless influential figures.

So why was she carrying around three kids like a mother that had way too many children?

At this point, she may as well be a daycare worker, or even the daycare itself.

Willow pushed these thoughts aside. She decided to tell herself that there was nothing she could\'ve done about it.

And so, the four dashed through the snowy forest, on their way to The Obrad Empire.

...

The full moon hung high in the sky, gently caressing the ground with its shine.

Willow kneeled down on the ground. She was on top of a stone wall and in front of her was The Obrad Empire.

Willow panted. Physically, she wasn\'t that tired. However, she was mentally exhausted.

Willow knew that dealing with three kids wasn\'t going to be easy... but it was still more taxing than she imagined.

Her eyes closed as she recalled the nightmare.

"Waaaah!~ Go faster, Willow!"

"Swinging the sword while flying is so cool!"

"Rah! Me is king of forest!"

Layla, Apollo, and Hex hopped off of Willow. They ran towards the edge of the wall, looking into the empire.

The empire was larger than even the city of Evermore, spanning a great deal of area. Houses and establishments littered the lands, while a couple of palaces resided in the middle of the city.

Hex gasped.

"So... big!"

Layla giggled.

"But there are even bigger things!"

Apollo turned to Layla.

"Woah! Really?"

Layla smiled smugly.

"Hehe, of course!"

Willow walked over to the group.

"Alright. You two said you had to find someone, no?"

She pointed at Layla and Apollo.

Layla\'s furry ears perked up.

"Yeah! We both know you!"

Apollo rubbed his chin with his thumb and forefinger.

"Hmm... how do we find him?"

Willow smiled.

"That is simple. Just ask around at taverns and people in the streets. So long as you moderate yourself and state it like an offhand remark, you won\'t draw suspicion."

Hex raised his sleeves up.

"We find person?"

Willow chuckled.

"...You guys can go do that. I will meet up with you later."

Suddenly, Layla held onto Willow\'s hands with a pout.

"No leavingggg!"

Some guards woke up.

"What the- Who dares?"