Spirit Animals - A Thief's Quest, A Warrior's Mission

Chapter Twenty Eight - Failed Escapes

"I liked you better when you were unconscious."

"So I've heard that many people admired me-"

"Abeke, we're switching duties!"

-Shane-
-3 Years Ago-

Shane had bursted into his younger brother's room, finding him all the way on one side of the room. His spirit animal was laying bored on its side on the opposite side.

Reynald looked up sharply only to relax at the sight of his brother, "Oh. Hey."

"We need to get you out of here," Shane told him urgently, quickly closing the door and heading over to the window.

It was still dark. He and Drina had just came back from their trip to the library, the 'Great Beast' book in his hand. Looking out the window, he could see the horizon starting to get lighter. They'll have to move quickly.

"Wait, why?" Reynald's blue eyes furrowed in confusion.

"You're not safe here," Shane explained to him quickly, "Apparently you summoned an important animal, one that shouldn't have been summoned. A guy came here this morning, asking father for something. I think he's hunting down kids like you."

"Yeah but how would he know?" Reynald asked as Shane began to take out his backpack, "I summoned him inside the room." The spirit animal drowsily raised its head before slowly lowering it back on its paws.

"I don't know, Reynald," Shane gave the backpack to him, "I just have a feeling that you won't be safe here. I'm getting bad vibes about the guy. We have to get you out now so start packing."

Reynald hesitated before nodding as he began running around he room, packing up a few clothes and other things he would most likely need. Leaving him to it, Shane quickly crept out the roof before heading downstairs to the small kitchen. He grabbed some bread and some meat jerky, filled up a water bottle with water, then headed back up to his room where Reynald was just finishing up.

"You got everything you need?" Shane asked as he placed the food into the bag. Reynald nodded in response.

Shane glanced over to the spirit animal in the corner, "Hopefully he'll be able to cooperate."

"Wait, I have a better idea," Reynald said, walking up to his spirit animal. As he approached, the creature raised his head again. They made eye contact as Reynald pulled up his sleeve and stretched out his arm. In a flash, it appeared as a tattoo on his hand.

Shane watched with wide eyes as he pulled his sleeve back to cover the tattoo, "How'd you get him into passive that early? That was quick!"

Reynald was looking at the spot where the tattoo was, "I guess our bond was strong enough."

It seemed too quick to Shane since he'd summoned the animal at the same day but didn't dwell on it as he began heading towards the door, "Stay close to me."

Reynald following close behind him, Shane kept to the shadows of the walls, crouching low and stepping lightly as he led them down the stairs. Instead of heading out through the main entrance, they went through the back where it opened to their royal garden. They broke into a sprint before reaching the wall.

Having done this plenty of times, Shane run up to the wall, barely managing to grab onto the ledge. With much effort, he pulled himself up till he was sitting on it, glancing around to see if there was anyone in sight. He turned to Reynald who looked doubtfully at the wall.