[Fred] Chapter 2: Civil War

[Throndir]

"A-ah... It is customary for my people to respect the Summoned Hero... You are of a status on the same level as the emperor... Forgive me, is this wrong of me?" Lai Ju asked, she hesitantly looked up.

Surprisingly it was Lai Fen who responded. The girl managed to wipe her tears, she forced herself to speak, and to keep her tone light.

"You dolt. With how Fred was moving when he first appeared, you could tell something was off. He even asked what a gold coin was. He probably doesn't know he's as important as we all think he is..."

Letting go of Fred, Lai Fen then looked towards the child who was now without a mother. Her expression as unreadable. She first took a step forward, as if to reach towards the child who was oblivious to her presence, but then she stopped. Letting her hand fall back to her side she only looked upon the child somberly.

[Linwelin]

"Wait, I'm important? Can someone please just explain what this hero thing is all abou-" Fred starts asking for more information, but shuts his mouth as soon as he notices Lai Fen walking toward the child. "Ah...that's...difficult." He walks up beside her as she lowers her hand, placing his own on her shoulder. "I imagine she'd rather not deal with anyone right now. And with your place in the situation, directly reaching out will be troublesome." Fred thinks for a moment. "But I imagine there are ways for you to make a difference in her life for the better. She's sure to hold a grudge, which you can probably relate to, but you're not the former emperor. I'm sure you'll think of some way to make amends."

Fred gives a couple more pats to her shoulder before turning a bit to address them both. "Now, would someone mind explaining what I'm doing here? All I know is I'm alive, and seemingly important to this world. What do I need to know?" Fred pauses, before thinking of the kneeling Lai Ju from a moment before, "And please, call me Fred, and treat me like you would a friend. No kneeling." He smirks in Lai Ju's direction.

[Throndir]

"A friend...?" There was confusion on Lai Ju's face. "No kneeling... Very well then hero Fred."

Hesitantly Lai Ju stood up. Lai Fen, who was still staring at the girl shook her head as if trying to shake away some thoughts. But she then turned towards you.

"We can explain everything, but it's not the safest here yet either... It wouldn't surprise me that one of the sects already found the emperor was just now killed. Even if they didn't know, it was fairly obvious that something was afoot tonight. Meaning that we either will have a mob of vengeful fighters on our hand, or another mob willing to support the emperor if only to curry favor."

[Linwelin]

Fred wore a rather hopeless smile at Lai Ju's reaction. At least there wouldn't be more kneeling. "Sects? Looks like there's a lot for me to learn. But as you said, no is not the time. I don't know how many time I can use this ability of mine. Most likely not enough to disable an entire mob. Lead the way!" Fred was ready to run, before realizing one important thing.

"Wait, what do we do with all the captives?"

Continue to Chapter 3: Escape