Oh my lord, my head is gonna burst...

My body is so sore all over... What happened yesterday...?

Ah, whatever... I could just lay forever in this bed...

...

Wait a second...

BED?

Valufor's eyes burst open and he frantically clawed the blankets off and tried to push himself to his feet but only succeeded in tripping himself in the process, landing on the cold, wood floor. He spun around on the floor in panic and grabbed for his sword. Upon reaching thin air, his panic grew and he stood up, about to ram his way through the door before his conscience mentally punched his brain. If someone has me hostage, I should try and sneak out of the room...

Mentally face-palming himself, he looked around the room for anything that would help him get out of here. After minutes of painstakingly searching, Valufor gave up. This room was absolutely empty. He sat on the floor, like a helpless child, and stared at the white walls in the room. As the last resort, he tried turning the knob of the wooden door.

Oh. It's open.

Slowly penetrating his head through the door, he looked left and then right. Trying to walk as slow as he could, he glided over the floor across the hallway. He turned the knob and it swung open smoothly.

What kind of kidnapper leaves all the doors unlocked?

Peering into the room, he saw a table, a couch, a kitchen, a girl-

Oh my god. Valufor snapped his head back. That was too close.

He slowly peeked in again and saw that the girl was apparently over the stove, cooking something. Wow, she sure does know how to cook. It smells AWESOME. He felt his stomach grumble with hunger. Well, if she's trying to kill me, she would have done it by now, so... ah, why not? He slowly approached behind her.

"Hey, is that for m-"

The girl spun around screaming and promptly slugged him in the face.

The force of the powerful punch resulted in Valufor being spinning a full circle and crashing into the table, breaking it right down the middle. Stars and lights were blinding his vision and over the ringing in his ears, he heard a faint yelp and a loud "I'm so sorry". He felt her hands reach under his back and slightly lift him up. He felt a few pats on his face and his cheeks being squished together.

"Hey, don't black out on me! Don't you dare faint on me!"

Valufor went limp and blacked out.

"I told you, I'm sorry, okay?" the Fighter said. "It doesn't hurt too bad, right?"

Valufor sat pouting on a chair, holding a piece of ice to his bruised face.

"I mean, come on, I'm a girl! You're not that weak, are you?"

Valufor turned away and puffed out a breath. "You slugged me full force."

The Fighter widened her eyes. "What could I do? Maybe you were trying to take advantage of me!" she said, exasperated.

"Who would want to take advantage of you?" Valufor scoffed.

The Fighter waved her hand at him. "Ah, you must have bad taste in women, then." she said, swishing her black hair behind her shoulders. "You can't see beauty when it's right in front of your face."

Valufor tried not to chuckle. "Sure. Whatever you say."

The Fighter stood up, went over to the stove, and threw away the contents. "Look what you made me do. Now the food I prepared is all ruined because of your little prank." she said. "Oh, right! We haven't even properly introduced each other. What's your name?"

"Valufor. Yours?"

"Anna. Whats with your arm?" she asked.

Valufor stroked his hand over the crimson flesh. "I was cursed with it when I was seven. Ever heard of 'Kazan's dark blessing'?"

She stared at the red skin for a while. "So, your body is technically host for the demon."

"Yes."

"Oh." she said. "That's... dangerous."

Moments of awkward silence ensued. "Well, let's change the subject." she said. "Have you any family?"

Valufor stared at the wall for a while. Everything rushed back to him like a mental train wreck. With his head between his hands, he said, "Yeah."

After a moment of silence, Anna looked at him. "That's it? You're not going to tell me about them?"

"Why? I don't even know you that well yet."

Anna rolled her eyes. "Fine, then tell me why you were laying in the alleyway, half-dead."

Valufor rubbed his temples. "I don't know. Someone wanted me captured."

"Do you have any idea who it is?" she asked.

"I don't know."

"Why do they want you?"

"I don't know."

"What are you going to do now?"

Valufor shot her a tired glance. "You never stop asking questions, do you?"

Anna grinned. "Can't help it, I'm curious." she replied. "But, really, are you a criminal?"

"Nope, I haven't done anything illegal or wrong." he said. "You know what, now it's my turn to ask the questions. Who are you?"

"Anna. I thought we had that fact established already."

Valufor groaned and palmed his face. "No, idiot, who 'are' you?"

Smiling, she replied, "I'm the girl who saved your half-dead ass."

"You-!" Valufor stuttered. After a loud puff, he said, "Forget it. Where's my sword?"

"Oh, about that. I washed it, since it was covered with blood and all. It's on the couch." she said nonchalantly.

"Thanks a lot, you just washed away the only blood sample I have of my kidnapper. Thanks."

"Oh, shoot! Really? Sorry." she apologized. "Hey, maybe I can help you find this person."

"Ha! You couldn't even defend yourself out there." he sneered.

"Hey," she threatened, "do you want another slug to the face? Besides, I knocked you out pretty good."

"Hey, I wasn't prepared for that, okay? If I was, you wouldn't have stood a chance."

Anna chuckled and shook her head. "Whatever. You just won't admit that you got burnt by a girl."

Valufor rolled his eyes, stood up, and grabbed his sword. It felt good to have his trusty sword back again. Who knows what would happen if he didn't have it? Just as he was about to sit down again, sirens blared outside in the city. "Everyone, please remain calm, this is just a mandatory police search." the speakers screamed. "If you have seen a Slayer in this area, it is highly advised that you contact the authorities immediately as he is highly dangerous and armed. If you are found housing this demon, you will be prosecuted and charged for housing a fugitive. Thank you, and have a nice day."

Anna shot Valufor a shocked glance. "I thought you said you weren't a criminal!?"

"What- I don't- I didn't do anything!" he stuttered. "For all I know, they should be tracking that Thief!"

"Thief? Oh, great, what kind of people do you hang out with? Quick, help me move the table!"

"Why should I trust you? I barely even know you!"

"Because I'm trying to help you right now. And because I'm the only hope you've got of getting out of this city alive." she replied. "Now, hurry, hide!"

Boom. Boom. Boom. The sound of mechanized feet stomping the ground reverberated throughout the small, bustling city. Children hid behind their windows and doors, witnessing something they had never seen before. Store merchants stopped halfway in talking with their customers. The bustling city made way for the robot and its controller. A tall man strolled in front of the mechanical giant, which was also followed by a squad of Gunners. Twirling his auto gun, the Mechanic muttered a command into a receiver and the robotic monstrosity stopped in its tracks. "Scanning." the robot stated. Rotating its human-like head, a yellow glow of light surrounded the entire town. Then a few moments later, it spoke again. "Scanning complete. Commencing search phase." It stomped its way to the first house, striking down the door with it's human-like appendages, one of which had an electric baton attached. As the door burst down, screams echoed within the house. A mother hugged her child as she hid in the corner of the room. The robot entered the room and scanned them both with a yellow light.

"Clear." it said. It continued to the other rooms, followed by other police officers. The giant blew down each door with a powerful punch of its fist.

The Gunner waited outside of the house, leaning against the wall and playing with his police badge.

"You can't escape me, Slayer! I will find you!" the Mechanic yelled. He then turned to the remaining squad. "Go into every house and search. No restrictions, do whatever you need to do."

"Yes, Captain Hiro." the squad replied in unison.

The squad nodded, saluted, and left, breaking down the doors.

The robot exited the house. "Dwelling cleared. No sign of subject." it said, starting its way to the next house.

"Rian! Don't worry, I'll get you out of this mess!" the Priest yelled.

The detective had left the room and only Jay and Rian remained in the gray room. Jay twisted in his seat and his muscles bulged as he tried to break out of the energy cuffs.

"Jay, please, just tell him where Valufor is...!" she sobbed, tears streaking down her cheeks. "It'll all be over!"

"I don't know! I don't fucking know where he is!" he cried. "I swear when I get out of these cuffs..." he said through gritted teeth.

"Jay, I know you love him like a brother, but he'll kill you if you don't tell him! And, he'll just find another way to find him again! Please, I don't want us to die." she wept.

"Rian... you have to trust me. I don't know." he muttered.

"You've got to know something about where he is! Maybe if you tell him something, he might let us go!"

"I don't have a clue. But don't worry, we'll make it out of this alive, I promise you."

Crash! The door of the room burst open and two burly men stormed into the room and grabbed Rian by the arms. "No, wait- Jay, please- help me!" she wailed, eyes wide open.

"Rian! RIAN!" he yelled as the door slammed shut.

Jay strained himself to the limit, but he was still stuck on the chair. "Rian..."

"What!? Even with that performance, he didn't flinch?" the detective asked with disbelief.

"Nope, I tried all the tactics I know." the girl said, flicking away the tears emotionlessly and pulling the wig off her head, releasing a cascade of silky brown hair. "He's not budging."

"I'm gonna torture it out of him, I swear, he won't even recognize himself after I'm done." the detective seethed banging the table with his fist. "I should've just let you kill that Slayer."

"Calm down, Isaac. He's not going anywhere." she purred. "He's going to break. I can see it, and besides, I can't take on a Monk and a slayer at the same time."

"Huh. Maybe you're right. Well, let's leave him alone for a bit. He can't last forever." Isaac said. After a moment, he chuckled a bit. "But really, of all the names in the world, why would you choose Rian? I'm getting goosebumps already."

"Oh, be quiet." the blonde girl said. "He fell for it, didn't he? Oh, I almost feel sorry for that gullible idiot."

"Ha, you? Feel sorry? Real funny." Isaac said sarcastically. "He's really in love with you, Sierra. You're just going to break his heart like that? That's cold." he said, wagging his finger.

"You know that I love you and only you, babe! Don't be silly!" she said seductively. She glided over to him and placed her lips over his. "Don't worry, we'll get justice." she said after lifting her lips from his. "I've sent Hiro to track him down. He's the best Mechanic in the continent."

Isaac scowled and spit on the ground. "Ugh, that guy. He's so dark and creepy. Does he have a robot fetish or something? He always walks around with that mechanical Frankenstein."

"Well, it doesn't matter, seeing that he's one of the best trackers and bounty hunters."

"Hmmph! I guess. He'd better get me some results or he can kiss his sorry ass goodbye."

He stood up and watched through the mirror window at the Priest. "I'll squeeze that information out of you, Priest. Just wait. You'll break eventually. Everyone does. Not even God can protect you from ME."

"Uhh, no, of course not, sir! I haven't seen Valuf- I mean, a Slayer around here! You don't need to search my house! Nope! I mean, why would a Slayer come around in our town? Haha...ha." Anna stuttered peevishly, rubbing her head with a child-like grin.

The police officer looked at her dully. "Please just move."

Anna leaned against the doorway. "Hey, so...uh, how's your day been so far? Its really hot outside, huh?"

Valufor face-palmed himself inside the wardrobe closet. He cursed silently for ever believing in her acting skills. He slowly reached for his blade as a precaution.

"Please, ma'am, move out of the way or I will have to use force." the police officer said in monotone. Anna's face changed instantly.

"Oh, force? So now that's what the law enforcement will use on innocent civilians? We have rights and freedoms, you know!" she said, raising her voice. "We village people don't deserve to be pushed around by some fancy-shmancy asshole with a badge! And what does that badge give you the right to do anyways, huh?" By now, her voice had escalated to a high pitched yelling. She ripped the badge off the officer's uniform and threw it on the ground. Raising her foot, she repeatedly started to stomp on the gold emblem, flattening it with every blow.

The villagers stared in dead silence. No one had ever had the courage to even talk back to the police force. Mothers shielded their children's eyes, for they knew it was about to get violent.

The police officer calmly whipped out his baton and raised it above his head. A few seconds later, the officer flew off of the porch and somersaulted a few times in the sandy road before laying in the gravel, unmoving. Anna retracted her extended arm and brushed off her fist. The surrounding police officers turned her way. Then they looked back at Captain Hiro. He gave a little nod and the squad advanced towards her, cracking open their batons.

Anna flipped back her hair and tied it up quickly. The squad cautiously approached her, aware of what happened to their comrade. The first charged in and swung at her legs. She jumped and rolled across his back, promptly picked him up by the waist and bent backwards, resulting in his face to be smashed to the ground. She rolled back and roundhoused the second officer, a graceful punch to the third officer's face followed right after. The rest of the men backed away and looked nervously at Captain Hiro. Hiro frowned and cursed under his breath.

This will be harder than I expected. Hiro thought. No matter. There won't even be a trace of this town after I'm done with it.

OH MY GOD. DFO IS BACK. IT'S A DREAM COME TRUE.
BACK TO WRITING THIS FANFIC. THANK THE LORD SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF. BLESS NEOPLE WITH ALL MY HEART.