Primordial Expanse: I have the Strongest Talent!

Mira stopped, glancing over her shoulder to see the girl standing there, with her small frame trembling like a leaf in the wind.

Tears welled up in her eyes as she took a hesitant step forward.

"Please… please, don't leave me alone! I-I'm scared… I shouldn't have told you any of this! I-I just… I felt like I had to say something, but now… now they'll know it was me! They'll have people listening everywhere!"

She hugged her arms around herself, her voice barely able to keep steady as she spoke.

"I'm being watched, I know I am! Everywhere I go, I feel like there are eyes on me… What if they come for me, too? What if they… what if they—"

Mira's heart twisted painfully as she listened to the girl's frantic pleas. She turned around fully, stepping towards the girl, while Alex sighed softly, rubbing his forehead at the trouble that they had suddenly come upon.

"Mira, we can't just—"

"I know, I know."

Mira interrupted softly, crouching down in front of the girl and gently placing a hand on her shoulder.

"But we can't leave her like this either, Alex. She's terrified, and she has good reason to be. I… I can't just walk away and pretend she'll be okay!"

Alex could only sigh once again.

'She sees too much of her old self in this girl to leave her like this.'

He knew that there was probably no convincing Mira otherwise, though he did feel a little sorry for the girl himself.

But in a world like this, one had to make cruel decisions that could rip a normal person's emotions to shreds.

The girl sniffled, looking up at Mira with wide, tear filled eyes.

"Please… I don't have anyone else! My parents… they're gone. It's just me now. I- I don't want to die… I don't want to—"

Mira gently pulled the girl into a soft embrace, her heart aching as she remembered a time when she felt the same way, but had no one there to comfort her when she needed it the most.

This girl was just like her, but without the fortune/misfortune of being given the opportunity to make a life for herself as an awakened.

"It's okay, it's okay…"

She murmured soothingly.

"We'll figure something out. We won't let them get to you, right?"

She purposely looked up at Alex and gave him a stern look during the latter half of her sentence.

Alex sighed again, shifting his gaze to the mouth of the alley.

He knew Mira was right, but he also knew the reality of the situation they were facing.

"Mira… if the city officials were really behind this, then nowhere would be safe for her. Not in this city, at least. We can't keep her hidden forever. If they want her, they'll find her, eventually."

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Mira tightened her grip on the girl protectively, her jaw clenching.

"Then I'll get her out of this city. Find somewhere she can lay low until this blows over."

"That's easier said than done." Alex spoke grimly. "And it'll draw even more attention to us since they know we'll be onto them."

Mira looked up at him, her eyes filled to the brim with determination and rage, probably directed at the people who had put her in this situation and taken Rothwind away.

"I don't care, Alex. She took a huge risk by telling us this, all at her own expense. We owe her. I'm not just going to turn my back on her."

Alex glanced around the alley once again, aware from Mira's non verbal communication with him that they were, indeed, being watched, but not having a single clue as to where from.

The gears in his mind turned rapidly.

The girl's presence was a complication they hadn't planned for, but then again so was Rothwind's sudden 'abduction'.

He knew Mira wouldn't let it go, and deep down, he didn't want to either.

But with the city officials possibly involved, there was a high chance that staying in the city would just put the girl at greater risk.

Taking a deep breath, he spoke in a measured and calm tone.

"Mira, I think we should split up."

Mira looked up, her eyes widening slightly.

'Is he breaking up with me!??'

"Listen, you're right. We can't leave her here. So you should get her out of the city. Find somewhere safe. I'll stay behind and keep digging around for Rothwind."

'Oh.'

Unbeknownst to Alex, he had just dodged a shitstorm by continuing his speech faster than Mira could respond…

Mira looked up, her eyes widening slightly, but there was no surprise in her gaze, not anymore at least…

Instead, just a hint of acknowledgement. It was almost as if she was considering the same thing.

Alex continued before she could speak.

"Listen, you're right. We can't leave her here. So you should get her out of the city. Find somewhere safe. I'll stay behind and keep digging around for Rothwind."

"Alex…"

Mira began, her vice hesitant. But he held up a hand, his expression remaining firm.

"It's the only way, Mira. If these people are as powerful as we think, you'd be in more danger staying here than I would. You know that. And if something happens to you…"

He trailed off, his gaze softening.

"Look, I'll be fine. I'm used to this kind of work, and I don't have to worry about protecting someone else if it's just me."

Mira opened her mouth to protest, but he pressed on.

"You know I'm right. If the culprits are as strong as Rothwind… I'm probably the only one who even has a chance of surviving against them. I don't mean to demean your abilities, but it's just the truth."

He forced a small, humourless smile.

"Not that I'd be able to win against someone on his level, but I'd last a bit longer than you would. And without you two in the mix, I'll have more options. I won't have to worry about you."