Anise practically wobbled towards Arin. Clearly she was somewhat disoriented from the running, which only seduced the now murderous mindset that was now running rampant. Against his will, the young mans eyes were wandering everywhere, searching for something he could use to attack the princess. He even considered using the lantern as a weapon but didn't want to break his only source of light, at least not now. As he looked around with ill intentions, something peculiar began to happen.
The lantern in his hands began to glow red. Had it happened earlier he would've found it strange but considering the rest of events that had already occurred, the light of the lantern changing colors wasn't too much of a surprise to him. Before he could examine the now red glowing lantern, Anise pointed a finger towards him shouting a question and barking orders.
Anise said
What's your name?
The young man hesitated for a moment, simply because he was slightly taken aback at the sudden energy in her voice. "My name is Arin. Arin Ackerman."
Anise said
We need to go back and help. I'll not have their deaths on my conscience. I'm Anise by the way.
Arin instantly grew desperate at her words, like a lion watching as it's meal sped off. He slightly cringed at her words but not enough to make it too noticeable. He did not want her to leave his sights, nor return to the other two so early. If he was going to end her life it would either have to be now or later, to do so would require the aptitude to knock her unconscious or injure. For some reason Arin lacked the strength to do so but certainty not the desire.
"Um, we shouldn't. We should stay here" A poor attempt at convincing the princess. With haste she sped off, back down the path they had arrived from. Arin bit his lip in frustration, but at least now he had a reason to return to where they had awoken. If Randold and Hania had been slain by the beast, maybe he could finish Anise there as well. All of the blame would go towards the beast. It was almost a perfect opportunity for him to finally satisfy his dark ambitions. None of their lives meant anything anyways, their battle for survival a worthless effort in his eyes. They would die. Someday.
By now Arin's sadistic side had completely overcome his thoughts. He couldn't help but recall the nights in Mayloom when his desires were just as strong and passionate as they were now. Except this time, he wouldn't be satisfying them by killing cattle. He was in the company of three complete strangers, in the middle of a dark forest, seemingly nowhere near Mayloom. What was at first a very unfortunate turn of events now felt like a godsend.
Then suddenly, a firefly.
"
Huh?" Arin muttered to himself. He curiously observed the flying insect hover behind him. To his amazement, more appeared seemingly out of thin air. He gripped the lantern tightly, his eyes glistening the red and yellow light that illuminated his face. He admired the sight of the insects, and couldn't help but grow fond of their presence. He was mesmerized.
Arin pulled his eyes away from the curious sight before him, laying them back on the path that Anise had bolted down. With a malevolent expression in his face and movements, he followed the princess.
