Chapter Text
One foot in front of the other.
That was all that mattered.
Katana's steps remained steady across the sand, a line leading straight in a single direction. She was vaguely aware of the changing time, the night having long faded and the sun's rays now relentlessly beating upon her body.
One foot in front of the other.
Distantly, she could feel the light trickling of blood still seeping from the open wounds unable to close from the constant movement. The others had crusted over at some point, discomfort as muscles pulled against what had been wielded shut. All she could taste was copper. Wind whistled through her newly forever exposed teeth.
One foot in front of the other.
Disgraceful. That's what she'd been to deserve this. Dishonorable. Expected to stay kneeled and accept it. Disgusting. Bile that had brewed for so long had finally come out, vengeance dealt in turn with her gear's swift summoning. A single slash. An act repeated over and over to all that foolishly stood in her way. She had never felt as clear minded as she turned the blade against those who falsely called her 'family' in the same breath they scorned her with, an exit paved with crimson red.
One foot in front of the other.
It had been worth it. This freedom had been worth it. Her stride remained unbroken, fueled solely by her grim determination. She would not die among their ranks. If she were to die within this desert, so be it. The tales she'd heard of Thieves' Den would remain as nothing but.
One foot in front of the other.
... It was less than favorable. She wished to at least fall there, among the greenery spoken of so highly of.
One foot in front of the other.
Would she permit herself to believe survival even further was possible? She knew fully what she would do with it. Every waking moment would be spent purging that corruption from the world. That force she once lent to them willingly would be turned tenfold against them.
One foot in front of the other.
For now, that perseverance was spent on her current situation. She remained ever vigilant for the threats of Lost Temple. She told herself she was, even if her sight remained set forth.
One foot in front of the other.
She did not process the brief moments the sun's rays would be lifted from her body from the mercy of shade cast from something far above.
One foot in front of the other.
She heard when it landed, a fair distance from her. Far enough that she would not reach with the cracked sword still clutched tightly in hand.
One foot in front of the other.
She did not turn.
One foot in front of the other.
She did not falter.
One foot in front of the other.
Next to her, it followed without a word. The steps were clear enough- A vulture. That it did not attack made the fact it was being ridden clear, even if the rider had not spoken yet.
One foot in front of the other.
"... Ye look like shit," came a voice after time. Or had it been sooner, and she had failed to register it?
One foot in front of the other.
It did not matter either way. This was a paltry distraction from her path.
One foot in front of the other.
"Not often one of your number makes a lil' trek all alone," the voice continued, sounding rather amused. "Somethin' happen to that 'family' of yours?"
One foot in front of the other.
"Jeez, can ya even hear me?"
One foot in front of the other.
"Lost or somethin'? I doubt that cult's base would be anywhere approachin' the border."
One foot in front of the other.
"Eh, all good with me. You'll lead me right to 'em, yeah?"
One foot in front of the other.
"You're goin' back, right?"
Something in Katana snaps at the question.
"Never," she snarls as she finally turns to face the one pestering her, ceasing her steps as she does so.
Before her is a wrangler seated upon a vulture's back. At least, she can tell they're a wrangler by the blurred colors of their clothes. When had her sight gone so much? Blinking barely rectifies the fact she had hardly done so for hours.
Like a spell broken, the haze that'd been keeping her from reality began to fade as all ailment hit her. Every wound's ache began to scream for attention, her mouth was devoid of moisture, her head spinning from the heat, her stomach hungered, her exhaustion finally setting in-
She turned back to the horizon, determined to regain focus on the path.
One foot in front of the-
Her leg proved traitorous as it failed to uphold her, sending her to the ground below.
'What an upsetting way to end things,' was the last thing she thought before the collision, and consciousness was lost.