The Butterfly Effect

{-Brenan-}

“I think we’re going to need to go out and get a few things…” Ouka mumbled. She’d just gathered practically all of their belongings. “All of this isn’t going to last us a very long trip.”

“Do you think we have enough coins for it?” Brenan asked. “I can talk to that old lady again. It sounded like she had more work I could do, I just have to ask for it.”

She shook her head. “I don’t think we’ll need it, we’re just going to have to go shopping. We should have enough to get something we can stretch out until we get there.”

“I’m assuming you honestly mean buying something, and not using it as another term for stealing?” Mazel prompted. She’d been so quiet the past hour or so, he could’ve nearly forgotten she was there.

If it weren’t for the fact that she was the only reason they were doing this, that is.

“Of course I mean actually buying it,” Ouka remarked. “What do you think we intend to do, just go back on everything and probably ruin our chances of making this better?”

Mazel casually shrugged. “I’m a lot older than I look—I’ve seen and heard all sorts of things. I know how it only takes one little thing for a mortal to default back to what they’ve always known. I’ve probably seen it more times than I can count, actually.”

“Well, then, I guess I can just thank you for your honesty,” Ouka muttered sarcastically. She turned to Brenan and, casually, asked, “Are you ready to go yet? The sooner we get going, the sooner we can be done.”

Brenan nodded. “I think I’ve got what we need.” He glanced at Mazel. “Are you going to come..? You’ve wanted to be around us for everything else, I figured you’d want to be with us now, too.”

She considered it, but ultimately shook her head. “I think I’m going to stay here, get a little bit more rest for myself. I’ll be fine on my own, just make sure you have everything you need for your trip.”

“Then I guess that really is everything.” When he said it, Ouka was already heading out the door, but Brenan made sure to offer a quick wave goodbye before leaving.

Ouka was walking quicker than usual. While a part of him knew it could’ve just been the need to finish it, he couldn’t help but wonder otherwise, and after a minute he found himself asking…

“Are you alright?”

Of course, she gave the vaguest possible answer. “We can talk about it later.”

“But maybe you’ll feel better if you talk about it now..?”

“Absolutely not.”

“O-okay then, I guess I’m just going to have to take your w—“

Suddenly, she pushed him to the side of the wall and covered his mouth. It didn’t take him long to realize what it was for.

The thief and her leader were talking, just barely out of earshot. When it seemed like they weren’t paying attention, Ouka released Brenan, but she still remained tense.

“I think we should try to go a different way,” she said.

“But this is pretty much the only spot that’s not going to immediately arrest us,” he pointed out. “I don’t think we have a lot of options here…”

She might’ve said something else, but they both grew silent realizing something. As the thief was talking to the leader, she kept glancing over at the two of them. Eventually the leader must’ve asked her something, something she didn’t immediately want to comply with… but a dagger to the throat was a good motivator, and she pointed towards the two of them.

Ouka let out a blunt “Well, shit.” when their eyes met the leader’s. Brenan shared the sentiment.

The leader walked up to them calmly, but nothing could mask his menacing air. “So, the rumors are true—the two of you thought you’d make this place your hunting grounds. Did you really think you’d just slip past our notice? Must be pretty bold, too, if you’re this close to it…”

“Just let us go,” Brenan said, trying to stay as level-toned as he could. He’d learned a long time ago that the leader wasn’t someone he should show fear around. “We’re not doing anything to you.”

“You’re being the worst eyesore on this side of the damn continent,” the leader shot back. “I’d say that’s worth some kind of punishment.”

Ouka sighed. She was already pulling out her knife. “Come on, Brenan, this guy’s not going to give up. Wouldn’t be surprised if he wouldn’t get his people to corner us if we tried to leave. Let’s just get this over with.”

“But I don’t want to fight,” Brenan said. “We’re supposed to be better than this…”

“They’re not, though. And sometimes, the only time you’re going to get anything through a thick skull is to beat them at their own game.”

He wanted to argue—to point out this probably wasn’t what Mazel wanted them to do—but he knew he wasn’t going to be able to talk any sense into her. So he just nodded, revealing his own knife.

The leader laughed. “I would’ve thought you’d gone to someone that at least treated you better! The damn girl’s walking all over you. Maybe that’s exactly what you need—someone to give you directions, to command your every movement. Wouldn’t be surprised if you don’t have any free will of your own.”

“Just leave us alone,” Brenan said, almost pleading. “I don’t want to start a fight.”

“Then you should’ve never come here,” the leader responded simply. He drew a dagger, glaring at the thief until she did the same. “I need to let you know that I’ve never been a man of empty threats. It’s about time you pay for messing with us.”

He spared practically no time in rushing up to them. Unluckily for him, both of them had grown a fair bit of experience in these kinds of situations; unluckily for them, however, they were soon split up when the thief came into the mix.

Eventually Brenan had the leader pinned, but the thief had more or less done the same to Ouka. One move would determine the outcome of the situation.

And Brenan was the one who could make that decision.

“I bet you don’t have the guts to do it,” the leader taunted. “I’d like to see you try.”

“I can get myself out of this!” Ouka shouted. “If you can do it, Brenan, then no one’s going to come after us anymore! Those guys aren’t going to know what to do without their leader!”

Brenan looked between the leader and Ouka. He knew the leader was capable of giving out last-minute commands, and how likely those would be to be followed. There was no guarantee that, either way, Ouka would be allowed to be let go.

But he felt like he just had to hope for the best in others. Violence wasn’t going to solve violence.

So he stepped back from the leader, putting his knife back. “Please go. I don’t want to hurt you.”

The leader was already running off, with the thief glancing between them all in confusion before doing the same.

Brenan walked back to Ouka. “You aren’t hurt, right?”

“Of course I’m not. I would’ve been better if you’d ended it, though. Then no one would have to worry about that damn guy anymore.”

“Then that other lady might’ve hurt you. And if she didn’t, then someone else would’ve. It wouldn’t have solved anything in the end.”

“When the hell did you get so philosophical?”

A bird fluttered past them, before turning into Mazel. “Brenan’s right,” she said. “I was following you from the beginning. I wanted to see if he was able to make the right choice on his own—one that came completely from him, and not just because he knew I was there.” She turned to him and smiled. “And I’m proud to say that he’s passed this test with flying colors.”

“Wait, really?” Brenan paused, then dared to ask, “Does that mean what I think it does..?”

She nodded. “You’ve earned your redemption. A new future’s waiting for you—you’ve already accepted it. You know that there’s no going back, and you’re okay with that. So let’s get you both to the point where you can have your happily ever after.” She spoke to both of them when she continued, though her eyes were on Ouka. “If you don’t mind, I’m going to follow you around for the rest of the shopping trip. I think you should buy what you need, then go back home and rest. We can make our way to Qizar in the morning. There, Ouka will be able to find her redemption, too. Oh, and Ouka? There’s nothing to be worried about. I’m sure yours will go just as well as Brenan’s.”

Ouka mumbled something that made it clear she wasn’t so sure.