In the midst of his confusion and as he braced for a counterattack, a surreal and gruesome scene unfolded.
The head of the man who had fired the weapon separated from his shoulders and hit the ground with a sickening thud, as if severed by an invisible blade.
Behind him stood a young man, distinguished by his luminous yellow hair that flowed down his back like a cascade of light, giving him an almost pale presence.
Before Ty or the remaining assailant could fully process the shock, the first robber’s accomplice, driven by confusion and fear, raised his firearm and fired next.
His attempt failed; the bullet split in two under a strike too fast to follow.
The swordsman stood between Ty and the second robber before anyone could track his path, mist-like sword lowered at his side.
"Sorry, citizen. I did not mean to alarm you or let these guys hurt you," he said softly, just as the second man fell dead at Ty’s feet.
Ty, reassured by the intervention, responded, "No worries, I had things mostly handled, but thanks for the help."
As the man carefully sheathed his blade, using a cloth to wipe off the blood, Ty noticed the swordsman’s eyes--white and devoid of any color, as if they were windows to an empty room.
The swordsman extended a hand. "You as well. Thanks for keeping your friend safe and holding out until I arrived."
With a smile, Ty accepted the handshake. "What is your name, sir? And, are you blind per chance? Sorry if that’s a bit rude to ask."
The swordsman introduced himself, "My name is Rusuf. It’s a pleasure to meet you and your date. Sorry your evening was ruined, but I hope it may begin to appear in a new light, and you both walk a closer line together."
Rusuf nodded, his expression still despite the revelation. "But, yes, my ordinary eyesight was lost at birth, but I see the world in a different way."
Ty, puzzled by the explanation, inquired, "Oh, and how is that?"
"I see the energy outline of every living being and the honesty and truth in their speech. I can tell you are both good people, though there’s something about you that I’m missing. What is your name?"
Ty hesitated for only a moment before responding, "Oh, it’s Ty Hockenson. And I know you might--"
Before he could finish, Ty felt the cold edge of a blade against his neck as Rusuf interjected sharply, "You’re the demon?!"
Ty, resigned yet calm, raised his hands slightly in a non-threatening gesture. "That’s right, I’m the ’big bad evil demon’ everyone is afraid of. But are you afraid of me?" he asked, half-jokingly, trying to diffuse the tension.
JJ, who had been silently observing the exchange, stood up. "Wait, it’s a misunderstanding! Don’t hurt him," she pleaded, stepping forward in an attempt to protect Ty and clarify the situation.
Rusuf studied Ty’s bare hands, suspicion sharpening his voice. "Both his hands are free. He has no stone cuffs on.
He could attack and burn half this countryside down right now if he wanted to," he said, moving the blade subtly closer to Ty’s neck.
Ty, facing the sharp edge with a calm demeanor, challenged Rusuf’s assessment. "If you can see past the flesh and all that stuff, tell me, do I have it in me to burn down an entire village and hurt people?"
After a brief pause, Rusuf reconsidered, his voice laced with uncertainty. "Are you sure you’re the demon?"
Ty affirmed, "Yeah, being locked up as long as I have been, they definitely believe I’m a demon. And I do tend to show what you people claim to be demon tendencies with my eyes and fire."
Rusuf’s curiosity then turned to Ty’s current circumstances. "Where is your mentor right now anyways? It is Lt Daemon, right? And why are you alone with this poor female?
Also, why are you, a demon, on a date with a female?" His voice was soft and calming, yet carried a strong undertone of confusion as he slowly withdrew his blade.
Ty took the opportunity to clarify the situation further. "Well, first off, he had an errand to run but he is close by, and I have earned his trust a bit.
The woman across from me is my friend, maybe my first sponsor. This was supposed to be business... mostly. We were getting to that before the two dead robbers interrupted everything."
JJ opened her mouth like she wanted to argue with the word mostly, then looked at the bodies and chose silence.
He added earnestly, "And I have no intentions of burning or harming anyone."
Listening intently, Rusuf seemed to weigh Ty’s words carefully. After a moment, he responded, "I feel no lies in your words, but it is still concerning to see the demon unchecked so casually this far away.
I will wait with you both until your mentor arrives, in case you have some technique that clouds my judgment."
"Sure, that’s fine by me," Ty agreed, nodding in understanding as Rusuf excused himself for a moment.
Rusuf approached the bodies of the fallen robbers in a motion that barely registered to the eye. Just as quickly, they vanished, leaving no trace behind.
Turning back to the patrons of the restaurant, Rusuf announced, "The problem has been solved. Please, go about your days, drinking and enjoying your life. Don’t let this shocking event ruin your future or your next days.
Let this moment be a turning point for something better."
With a respectful bow, Rusuf’s gesture elicited a light round of applause from those in the restaurant.
The atmosphere began to ease as patrons returned to their meals or quietly exited the establishment, the ordeal put to rest by Rusuf’s actions.
A waiter, approaching Ty, JJ, and Rusuf’s table with a slight nervous tremble, broke the momentary calm. "What can I do for you three today?" he asked, his voice betraying the lingering shock of the event.