The alley was wet. The air was thick, it was full of the smell of rot and wood and earth. Emil was at the door, his heart was beating like war drums. In front of him, three hooded men were standing over a child who crouched against a brick wall, he was covered with dirt.
The lad could not have been more than thirteen years of age. His ragged clothing clung with the dust, and his stripped frame and face were pale and frightened. His shaking hands grasped his ribs, where they'd probably punched him before.
A muscular thug sporting a jagged scar on the side of his cheek jerked his chin in Emil's direction with a lazy gesture, eyes were shining with sadistic mirth.
"Eh, who in the devil's name are you?" he growled while cracking his knuckles.
Emil's fists tightened. His mind yelled at him to turn around. His inner soul was shouting at him "Get out. You're not tough. You're not special. You're nothing"
But his body remained still.
"I might ask you the same," Emil said, his tone was high, was attempting to be unafraid. "Three grown men attacking a kid? That's pathetic, don't you think? You geezers"
The thug with the scar blinked, then exploded into laughter. His friends joined in, their loud laughter was ringing out down the alley.
"Oi! You hear that? The runt thinks he's a bloody hero!" laughed a hulking bald man, while rubbing away a tear from his eye. "Cute, But I suggest, you should get the fuck out of here before it's too late, kids" He glared at Emil. "This ain't someplace for you to play hero, kid."
The man with the scar moved forward, throwing his shadow over Emil.
"You've got a choice, boy" His voice fell, it was low and cold. "Walk away before I break your legs and feed you to the monsters."
Emil swallowed hard. His instincts screamed. But something grounded him in place.
"Let the kid go," he said, his voice was steady now. "And I'll pretend I saw nothing. You get to leave too. It's a win-win for both of us"
The bald thug spat. "Oh yeah? And what if we don't? What are you gonna do, little brat?"
A sneer curved Emil's lips. "Then it gets nasty. So you better leave before that happens"
His heart crashed in his chest. He knew it was a bluff. They knew it too.
There was a moment of silence.
Then the grin of the scarred man contorted. "Okay, hero" he growled. "You first."
His fist came flying, it was directed at Emil's face
Move!
Emil winced, but his body acted independently. The punch passed by his ear
"Pure luck," he thought. No time to think. The thug's momentum kept him moving, and Emil kicked him in the stomach.
It was like kicking a rock.
The man hardly moved.
"Shit. That did nothing. This body's fucking trash" Emil grumbled.
But he wasn't finished.
His eyes scanned, there! A broken wooden branch was within his reach.
He grabbed it and swung it.
CRACK.
The wood splintered across the thug's head. He reeled back and started cursing.
"You little bastard, I will fucking kill you"
The bald thug charged forward.
There was no time.
Emil dodged and clutched the hurt boy's wrist.
"Run! Don't look back, just fucking run"
The kid hesitated.
Emil didn't wait. He pulled him forward and ran.
Behind them, the thugs roared, their boots were thudding on cobblestones.
They were slow
But so was Emil.
Breath seared. Legs shook. But he kept running, dragging the boy through twisting alleys.
Left. Right. Another right.
His eyes scanned the alleyway with pure perfection.
"There!"
A small opening between buildings. Just big enough for the kids to enter.
Emil's bulk pressed through, pulling the boy behind him. The bullies couldn't make it.
They burst out the other door. But they didn't pause.
Not until the yelling grew quiet.
Not until the city drowned out the sound.
Not until they reached the opposite end of town, now they both lost in the darkness of a vacant alley.
Only then did Emil let go of the boy's wrist and slump against the wall, his chest heaving, limbs shaking.
That was crazy. Too intense. Too quick.
He wasn't a fighter. He wasn't even brave and still he did it.
He thought "But I did it"
And he was still on his feet.
A soft voice cut through the silence.
"Why did you save me? Who are you?"
Emil turned.
The boy stood, bruised and battered. His lip was split. Arms were covered with purple flowers. But his eyes
They weren't afraid.
They were clean. They were Calculating.
Emil let out a breath. "Didn't like the odds. Three against one didn't seem right to me, so I just jumped in to help"
The boy said in disbelief "You knew you were weaker. You could have died on my account"
"Could've" Emil shrugged, started running his fingers through his hair "But I didn't. That's all that counts"
An awkward silence stretched.
Then Emil saw something.
A letter poked out of the boy's pocket. Golden wax sparkled in the light of the alley.
His breath was caught in his throat.
He recognized that emblem.
Carefully, Emil pulled it free.
The crest of the Empire Academy stared back at him.
His hands started to tremble.
He looked at the boy again, his stomach was twisting.
"You" Emil's voice was harsh. "Who in the devil's name are you?"
The boy's face faltered.
Then slowly, a small, knowing smile spread across his lips.