The Familiar of Akira

Chapter 4: Unknown Powers

Inside an Inn within Desert's End

I see Akira as soon as i walk in the inn. Her right arm up in the air. I guess that is how she is projecting the triangle. I glare at her. I still can't believe she marked the inn with a magic triangle.

"Oh good you're here." Akira lowers her arm.

"Why?... Why couldn't you just stand outside the inn like a normal person? Why did you project a magic triangle into the sky? Do you even know what sort of panic you could've caused?"

"Oh... I didn't think of that. Thanks Ichirou!"

"Don't be so careless, Akira." I don't understand how someone can overlook the fact that people might see the triangle and freak out.

"What's the bag for, Ichirou?" Akira tilts her head in curiosity. Some of her hair leeks out from her hood.

"I told you that I was getting supplies, did I not? The bag is to carry all the supplies. I've got food, a map of the desert which shows a couple of suggested paths, and two compasses. One for Solitario Lupis and one for Ecotone."

"Why Ecotone?" Akira's eyes look frustrated.

"The store didn't carry compasses for Desert's End, and i figured we might need to get out of the desert so i decided to be safe and have a compass for another town."

"Good thinking Ichirou!" She turns and points to a hallway. Our room is that way."

I follow her through the hallway. But i can't help but think she said 'our room' and not 'our rooms'. Does that mean we are sharing a room? Isn't it weird to share a room with someone you only met hours ago? I couldn't possibly understand what was going through her mind when she thought this would be a good idea.

Akira stops in front of one of the doors. "This is it! Our room!" She opens the door to reveal a t shaped hallway. I walk down and look to both sides and realize that our single room is made up of two smaller rooms. "You can have the one on the left, and I will get the one on the right."

I nod and walk into my room. I set the backpack on a chair, leaning it towards the back of the chair to ensure that it doesn't fall.

I walk over to the bed and collapse. I am exhausted. The encounter with that nameless thief just angered me. Why was he telling me to leave Akira? I haven't been alongside her for long. Its been about three hours now since I woke up as her familiar. But i can still tell she doesn't mean to cause anyone harm.

I don't know how long I've been laying here. But it seems pointless i am not falling asleep. Can familiars sleep? I would think so.

A door creaks.

"Akira?" I wait for a response.

Nothing.

A resounding snore filled the rooms. Akira must be in a deep sleep. Maybe she was sleepwalking and opened a door.

I lay in my bed trying to fall asleep and right before i drift off to sleep a deep voice whispers, "Wrong Choice." I jolt up. There is a silhouette looking directly at me. The voice sounds familiar but i cant see the face to make out who it is. "You should've left. Can't say a didn't give you a warning"

The silhouette reaches out and grabs me by the neck. I am lifted off of my bed dangling in the air. I struggle. I squirm. Wriggle. I do everything i can to try to get free. It's futile. The silhouette has too much strength. But i can't give up. If i can't do my job as a familiar and get Akira to Atreus. Then what purpose do i serve?

The room lights up as I continue my futile struggling.

I saw his face. Well... His mask. But that was all i needed to remember who this was. That thief. Why is he here.