Escape

Glass shattered as Nami barreled through the now broken window. On her landing she winced as several shards found their way into her skin, but the shouts of men behind her urged to keep moving.

She looked down the empty street, and with nothing to get in her way she ran. She ran past more houses, with each one managing to catch now some curious faces wondering just what the commotion was about. She didn't dare call for help however, her trust in these villagers now shaken. Her feet continued to sprint into what appeared to be the town square, a large monument in its centre, and before it some creature she had never seen before. The reason, she assumed, which why everyone was hiding indoors.

It stood easily eight feet tall, with four arms protruding out of its blue haired torso. Its face, while somewhat humanoid, was certainly not human as its eyes were slit like snakes and its head arched up into an odd diamond shape.

"My oh my..." it hissed, looking down at the lone girl. "I don't believe I've seen you in this town before."

Nami took a step back, not liking the way it was eyeing her down.

"I'm lost," she said with a nervous smile. "You wouldn't by chance be willing to help me find my way out, would you?"

The creature chuckled, its voice coarse. "I'm afraid it's my job to keep rats like you in line. It leaned down, its face now an inch away from her own. She could smell its breath, like rotting fish.

"I am the First Knight, Capilla. And you... ah yes, the Cat Burglar..."

As the monster inspected her, Nami then noticed something behind it. Bound to the base of the square's monument was a girl with blonde hair, her brown dress tattered and frayed.

"Hey..." she interrupted, "Who is that?"

Capilla looked back, following her gaze. "Ah yes, one of the sacrifices for the lord of this town." He turned back to the orange haired girl. "I was thinking you'd make a good offering as well... But on second thought, perhaps that would be a waste..."

Nami didn't like the look in his eyes.

"How about it, Cat Burglar? Come with me, and I'll grant you an audience with Lord Mont'd'Or himself. Who knows, he may even let you out back into the real world if you behave..."

It was a tempting offer, but at the same time the thought of leaving this girl behind as a 'sacrifice' didn't sit well either...