Summons

Chapter 1: Crowe

        Nocturne city… It’s located in the middle of a barren wasteland. There’s not another city for hundreds of miles, not that there needs to be. The city itself stretches for miles and manages to hold up its own economy; and night, like the city itself, seems to stretch longer here than anywhere else around, and it’s almost perpetually cold. The residents of the city have either been here their entire lives or have somehow managed to immigrate in and never leave. It’s a cruel city… full of crime, corruption, and the most terrible people one could imagine. However… every coal mine has their shining gems…

        The classroom, even when lit seemed to be just barely bright enough to make out the professor standing at the front of the room presenting his lecture. Not that it mattered, Crowe thought, as he reached back and tightened his ponytail. He hardly listened anyway. He passed most of his classes by simply reading and researching of his own accord. This was just for something to pass the time. He sighed, arms crossed and his leg bouncing rapidly as he eyed the room. The class population had dwindled drastically since the first week of classes and only a few students actually showed up for lecture. He was pretty sure even the professor only showed up because he was paid to. The only student in the room that didn’t look dull and generic was Fiera, a girl he’d talk to only a few times before. She was nice, but he only ever saw her dressed in sweat pants and a hoodie, her blue and white hair always seemed to be tied up in a messy bun. She always wore reading glasses, the only reason he knew they were were from the few conversations they had when they helped each other on some homework; and at the moment she had her headphones actually on her ears. She was obviously as bored with the lecture as he was. 

        Crowe sighed again and looked at the clock. Time seemed to be moving so slowly tonight. Oh well, he thought as he grabbed his duster. Class will be over sooner or later. He leaned his head down and closed his eyes.

        “Hey.” Crowe woke up to Fiera’s amber eyes shaking him up. “Class is over, time to go.”

        He gave a nod and, standing up, slipped his duster over his arms.

        “Exhilarating performance from our dear professor as always huh?” Crowe smirked as he stretched.

        “You know it.” Fiera said returning a smile. “See you tomorrow snoozefest.” She mocked with a straight face and walked out.
       

 Crowe just smirked and shook his head. He collected his bag beside his seat and walked out.
The university wasn’t located too far from his apartment just a few blocks, even though the city blocks were quite large. A 15 or 20 minute walk was usually how long it took for the trip, but Crowe didn’t mind. He rather enjoyed the air and night sky. He looked up and started to look for constellations that he recognized, but the sky was clouded over tonight, so he shrugged and continued on, his hands in his pockets. He had been walking for a few minutes when he heard some commotion in an alleyway beside him. In Nocturne City, you don’t investigate anything if you value your life. He tucked his head down and continued on; until he heard scuffling of feet and a girl’s muffled scream. As much as his instinct was telling him to forget it and move on, even more was it telling him to investigate. He gave a disgruntled snort and dropped his bag, tightening his ponytail as he moved into the dark alley. By now he could hear the sound of tearing cloth and the girl’s muffled scream had now turned into a sob. He rounded the corner and saw three thugs reaching all over the girl’s body, perversely touching her and attempting to rip what remained of her clothes off.

        Instantly Crowe was filled with rage. He reached into the shadows and grabbed the first thing that his fingers could find. A lead pipe. Without hesitation and without warning he swung as hard as he could at the biggest thug and hit him square in the side of the head, knocking him to the ground, blood splattered the concrete. A second, follow-up, backhand swing found its mark on the cheek of the thug to his right. The third thug turned around and attempted a lunge at Crowe, but in the surprise he stumbled and Crowe saw his chance. Twirling it backwards while lifting both his arms up he gripped the pipe with his other hand before bringing it down full force on the back of the man, who then collapsed gasping for breath. With a scowl on his face, Crowe tossed the pipe aside and kicked the thug in his ribs, making him roll to the side.

        He surveyed the unconscious men, the only thing discerning about any of them was that they all had some tattoo of a griffin on some part of their arm. Probably part of some gang, he thought, before turning his attention on the girl, who barely got a chance to look at him with tear filled eyes before passing out. Crowe sighed and scratched the back of his head before shrugging and wrapping his coat around her. He picked her up and proceeded to carry her back to his apartment.
        

        Thankfully the rest of the trip back was uneventful. She was still passed out when he got up to his apartment so he set her down on the couch and covered her up with a blanket. Her clothes were all torn to shreds and they didn’t leave anything to the imagination. He sighed and searched around for anything he might have that could fit her smaller figure. He managed to scrounge up some sweat pants and a long sleeved shirt that he had outgrown but had never gotten rid of. He folded them up and set them beside her so she could see them when she woke up.

        Once he made sure she was comfortable he went to his bathroom and started running a shower. He examined his face in the mirror and considered himself lucky to not have been injured, however he did get some of the thug’s blood in his raven colored hair. The blue sheen mucked by the now dried brown blood. He stepped into the warm water and let it flow, making sure to get all the blood out. He wasn’t in for long, and when he came out and checked on the girl, she was still passed out.

        “Might as well get all the rest you can… you’ve had a long night,” he said quietly to himself as he went about making tea.
      

          As the kettle began to boil, the girl began to stir. She gave out a small scream as she jumped up.

        “Take it easy now, you’re safe. Just relax and cover back up for the moment… you’re clothes were pretty badly torn. Would you like some tea?” Crowe reassured and asked her.

        She looked at him timidly, but silently nodded and pulled the blanket back up to her chin. Crowe poured their tea and brought it over to her, setting it down on the coffee table.

        “Here, change into these so you’ll have something to wear and to cover you up,” he said patting the clothes he left for her. “I’ll go into the other room for a moment, just yell at me when you’re changed.”

        He picked up his tea and went into his bedroom, where he stood and sipped on it. Closing his eyes he hoped that she’d be ok, she did have a rough time… but I suppose it could’ve been worse, he thought to himself.

        “Ok, I’m ready,” He heard from the other side of the door.

        He smiled and bowed his head as he entered back into the living room.

        “Go ahead, drink,” he motioned at the tea. “It’ll make you feel better.”

        She nodded and picked up the little mug, taking a sip.

        “Why were you walking alone at night in this city?” Crowe asked, taking another swig of his drink.

        “I wouldn’t have but unfortunately I missed the bus, and I didn’t know what else to do… I figured if I could just get home I’d be safe…” she stammered as her eyes started to well up.

        “It’s ok now, it’s ok… I promise,” Crowe reached out and touched her shoulder, trying to comfort her.

        “Just stay here for the rest of the night, it only gets more dangerous the more the dark goes on. Even I don’t go out alone at this time.”

        She brought her tears under control and nodded silently.

        “Thank you…” she said. “What’s your name?”

        “It’s Crowe, and yours?”

        “Alira.”

        “Nice to meet you Alira,” He smiled and held up his tea. “You can have the bed tonight, I know it’s been a long day. And don’t say anything, I really don’t mind.”

        “You’re really nice…” Alira said, “You don’t see that very often anymore… Thank you so much for tonight… I think I’ll take up your offer. Good night,” She said as she went to the bedroom.

        Crowe finished off his tea in silence before washing the cups and laying down on the couch to rest. Finally there was something to break the monotony, he thought, too bad that doesn’t happen so often.