{Two days ago}
After his easy escape from the mansion-turned-prison, Bane parted ways with Chelsea and strolled down a muddy path, the chilly spring breeze ruffling his leather coat.
The familiar bandages criss crossed his wrapped face, faintly moistened by the mist in the air.
The trail cut through untamed terrain, thick clusters of trees spread on either side, their branches loaded with fresh spring blooms.
The ground was damp and soft underfoot, the kind that stuck to boots and sucked slightly when you lifted your foot.
The air smelled softly pleasant, with undertones of moist dirt and the crisp, verdant aroma of budding flora.
Afar, the faint sound of birdsong mingled with the hum of invisible insects, giving the environment an unusually tranquil feel despite its solitude.
He exhaled softly, his breath faintly misting in the cool air.
However, the earth underneath him trembled violently.
Bane took rapid steps aside, just as the ground exploded behind him in a thunderous blast.
Mud and pebbles erupted into the air as a giant form burst upward, revealing a monstrous, worm-like beast the size of a two-story building, its slimy, glistening body writhing as it surfaced.
Its pale, segmented flesh pulsed uncomfortably, with areas of hard, bony armor protruding along its length. Rows of sharp, uneven teeth ringed around the mouth that gaped open and shut, covered in a thick layer of mucus.
Uneven, stubby limbs protruded from its body, twitching intermittently as it let forth a guttural, vibrating roar that shook the earth.
Bane looked up at it, his eyes motionless.
"A high-rank ground type danger beast, huh," he murmured flatly.
He reached back and removed a dagger from its sheath in a comfortable manner, only to have his brow twitch slightly when he noticed the thin blade glinting in the light.
He cast a peek at the massive beast and took another look at the little dagger.
A sigh slipped from his lips.
He bit down on the dagger's hilt and clenched it between his front teeth.
"I guess I have to do this the hard way," he grumbled around the grip.
The beast gave out another rumbling roar and pounced ahead, its enormous body rushing forward.
Bane sprang aside with rapid motions, pivoting in mid-step and sliding across the muddy ground to avoid the creature's crushing onslaught.
The ground shook as the beast skidded by, mouth lashing at empty air.
Bane dodged again, narrowly avoiding a snapping bite by twisting low and rolling, his coat snagging on the edge of its slimy body but ripping free.
Another dodge followed, this time a quick vault over one of the creature's flailing limbs before landing lightly on its back.
The worm-like beast let out a guttural cry, its entire body twitching furiously as it attempted to push him away.
But Bane pushed his feet into the bony ridges that lined its back, crouching low, yet the beast launched him high into the air with a sharp whip-crack.
But before he could fully spin in midair, the creature's huge maw sprang open and swallowed him whole.
For a brief moment, everything was still.
Then monstrosity let out a faint, strangled sound. Its huge body thrashed and spasmed violently.
Thick, black blood began to burst from its guts, splattering the mud below.
With a loud thud, the massive beast tumbled onto its side, shuddering once before falling still.
A sluggish, moist tearing sound followed.
A jagged incision developed across the beast's swollen, bloody gut, gradually enlarging until a fatal slice.
Bane forced his way out, unscathed, nonetheless covered in gore and clutching a little blade tightly in his arm.
He stepped out into the blood-soaked ground, spitting out the taste of blood.
He murmured, "Tch… revolting," shaking off a bit of stomach tissue from his sleeves.
He shook his head, trying to get rid of sticky substances from his pupils.
And, without warning, a little bird flew about him, tweeting happily as if laughing at his misery.
After removing some sticky mucus from his eyes, he looked up with a sardonic expression and flicked some mucus at the bird with two fingers.
However, the bird immediately evaded it.
Puff!
A burst of smoke flared squarely in front of him, and as it cleared, Chelsea stood there, arms folded, a teasing sneer pulling on her lips.
"You look good." She teased with a giggle.
Bane gave a long, exhausted sigh.
"Why are you still following me?" he muttered, voice flat.
"You guys have repaid your debt. Now you can go. I've got things I need to attend to. You don't need to follow me."
Chelsea parted her lips slightly, tilting her head.
"Why? Can't I accompany you for a little more?" she asked, her tone light but her eyes filled with curiosity.
Bane shrugged with a halfhearted motion.
"Why do you want to?"
For a moment, Chelsea didn't answer.
She glanced away.
Then, in a quieter voice, she asked, "You are going back to Capital?"
"Yes, I am." He replied back.
"Why are you going back? Don't you know its dangerous because of the mayhem you guys have caused a month ago."
"I know."
"Then why?"
Bane fell silent, and looked at the path he had been walking.
Slowly, his gaze dropped to his arms, still sticky and bloodied from the earlier fight.
He moved his fingers once, then murmured, "To see them for the last time."
"......."
Chelsea's eyes softened, but she quickly masked it with a grin.
"....Then can I come? I'll be helpful! I can even disguise you."
Before Bane could protest, she took out several brushes and powders from her cosmetics kit and masterfully twirled them between her fingertips.
She dusted over his clothes and bandages in quick, precise strokes, and with a subtle shimmer, Bane turned into an ordinary, slightly muddy villager.
Bane examined himself, raising an eyebrow, clearly impressed. "Since when can you disguise others?"
Chelsea puffed up triumphantly, hands on hips. "Hmph! Since one year ago."
She leaned forward with a taunting smirk.
"However, you'll still have to wash yourself in a water basin. My camouflage can't hide that odor."
Bane halted, sniffing at himself, and then recoiled, his face twisted with revulsion. "Ugh… seriously?"
Chelsea let out an upbeat chuckle, whirling on her heel and motioning for him to follow. "C'mon, stinky snake. Let's find you a wash before you scare off the entire town!"
Bane grumbled under his breath, but with a resigned shake of his head, he fell into step behind her.
—---
Author Notes:
Yup, guys this chap and the upcoming one are flashbacks. But, what many readers want is coming closer, don't worry! I'll try (keyword: try) to wrap up this arc in, oh… 15, 20, maybe 25 chapters? Yeah, probably somewhere in that ballpark. Gotta cover all the chaos properly, right?
Get ready for a full-on emotional rollercoaster. Ups and downs and twists and turns and yeah, a few surprises sprinkled here and there. Sure, some of you smart readers might already predict a few things… but that's okay! Because guess what? There are surprises you can't predict. Why? Because I'm the author, of course. Mwahahaha! Cough! Cough! Ahem!!
Now where was I?
Ah yes, yes, I know this chapter's kinda short, but I dropped it just a day after yesterday's, okay? Writing takes time! Be gentle with me. 😤
Alright, good day, you little gremlins. See you in the next one! 😎✌️