Asukem rolled his eyes at Bob's comment. Bob looks around the room at everyone with confusion, "what are you all waiting for?" he slams the table. Dust kicks up as he adds, "Go steal our stuff back from the nobles." the others from the orphanage hurried outside in fear.

As everyone scurried out of the orphanage to their jobs, Asukem strolled by the door, leaned on the building, and scanned the area. The scenery was loud, with townfolk, merchants, and nobles yelling, and horses naying. The smell of horse dung filled the air with food, making the scenery nauseating. The buildings were made of wood and stone, with alleys leading into dark areas of the town, which had wells and just resting places. Asukem played with the dirt and gravel with his feet that made the roads, and the taste of dirty chalk from the road as dust blew in the air and caked his lips in dirt and dust. Asukem signed in disappointment as he realized the orphanage was the only worn-out thing in Kimbra.

However, all that changed, and Asukem was left in a state that he didn't care anymore. That is when he saw her, the noblewoman. She looked like she was in her twenties, and her Black and purple fabrics highlighted her porcelain-colored skin. She had hair black as night and was tied up in a bun. She held an umbrella in her left hand and spun it on her shoulder while walking down the road. In the distance, her eyes looked brown, but they were an exotic and rare eye color, which was ruby-colored. She had fishing net stockings on her legs and arms and wore fine black gloves and high heels.

Asukem thought she was the most beautiful woman he ever saw. Clair left the orphanage and saw Asukem blankly staring at the noblewoman. A shocked look formed on her face as she was disgusted at the actions of Asukem. She quickly Stormed over towards him and slapped him across the face as she angrily said, "Will you get your head into the game already!" Asukem was shocked by Clair's reaction, his eyes squint in pain, "alright, damn it." he walked away while rubbing his cheek as he said loud enough that Clair had heard it, "You don't have to be so physical." Clair Grumbles in anger and stomps off as Asukem navigates through the crowds, pickpocketing nobles without being noticed.

Asukem and his foster family moved in silence and organization, switching out barrels and crates with careful execution. They traded filled crates and barrels for empty ones or exchanged them for metal scraps. They kept a hawk's eye out for the guards, knowing that being caught was a death sentence. However, despite the dangers, they worked together to help each other.

Asukem spotted Isabella at a nearby vending stand, attempting to steal some fruit. His eyes widened in fear as he rushed over to help her. He reached into his pocket and pulled out some coins he had stolen earlier- a few copper and silver pieces. It was small but enough to show he was there to do business.

The vendor grabbed Isabella by the arm and slammed it down on his stand, making a loud thud. A glimmer of light shined off from a butcher knife that the vendor lifted in the air. A snarl formed on his face, filled with rage. His eyes were cold and sharp like daggers. He warns her with a sneer, "I'll teach you not to steal from me, filthy rat!"

Isabella eye's widened in fear as the glimmer of the butcher knife caught her attention. Tears ran down her cheeks as she started to cry, trying to plead for forgiveness. "No, please! I am sorry!" she struggled to break free from the vendor's grip, only causing him to tighten his grip in rage.

That is when Asukem came in the nick of time, his eyes narrowed in rage as he saw the vendor holding Isabella and threatening her with the butcher knife. Without hesitation, he grabbed the vendor's wrist, held the blade, and squeezed it with all his might, disarming it and causing him to wince in pain. The vendor removed his grip from Isabella, and the grip on the knife loosened, causing Asukem to switch out the blade for coins and remove Isabella from the vendor's grasp.

The vendor held his wrist in pain as he studied the coin Asukem gave him. He looked up at Asukem, scowling in anger and pain. Before he could do anything, Asukem Swung the butcher knight at the pillar of the stand, making the vendor flinch in fear as he thought he would attack him. Asukem glared at him angrily and warned him, "You're lucky I don't kill you. Take that coin and shove off!" Asukem and Isabella quickly left the scene.

Asukem's heart fell as he saw Isabella in tears as they walked away. "I am sorry, big brother Asu-su," she said, her voice cracking and barely above a whisper. "I should have asked for money first." Asukem softly stroked her hair and reassured her as he said, "That is okay, Issie, everyone makes mistakes." His gentle smile formed on his face.

They continued to walk down the gravel dirt road, and he noticed the apple in her hand. He smiled as her tears dried up and asked her, "So you going to eat that all by yourself?" she looked up at him and shook her head. Her face turned red as she answered shyly, "No, I wanted to share it with you and big sis Clair." Asukem laughed as he was filled with joy as he replied, "Look at you, thinking of your big brother and big sister." a huge grin formed on Isabella's face as she saw Asukem so proud of her. Still, she added, "But I wish I had a mommy and daddy to share it with." she looked back up at Asukem with cuteness shining from her eyes, "But, you and big sis Clair have to do." as she looks away and giggles.

Asukem got a weird look as he faced Isabella and asked with confusion, "Now, Issie, who gave you that idea?" she just giggled as he knew something but wasn't telling him. he continued to question her, "Did the others from the orphanage put you up to this?" she shook her head as she stated with a bit of playfulness, "No~." he then explained to her with a frown on his face as he was little annoyed, "Issie, me and Clair are only friends and foster siblings, okay, nothing more."

Isabella stops in her tracks with a frown on her face. She crosses her arms and stomps her foot. Isabella was clearly not buying what asukem said. She snaps at him in disagreement, "Nah-ah! Big brother Asu-su, you and big sis Clair are more than that, and I'm not going anywhere until you admit to it!" Asukem sighed in disappointment and frustration that he was forced to do what she said, "Fine, Issie. I love big sis Clair and always want to be with her." Asukem rolled his eyes as he was annoyed at the situation he was put in. he groaned in frustration and asked, "Can we go home now, Issie?" she smiled, happy with him, but not knowing if she took it seriously or not and nods her head, "yep!" Asukem lent her his hand as they continued on their way. Still, the flustered look on asukem gave away that he felt uncomfortable.

As they walked away from the vendor, the vendor waved down the guards and told them his side of the story: lies. The guards were glancing at Asukem and Isabella and listening closely to the vendor and his lies, but they didn't know better. They believe him.

As the vendor continued lying to the guards, their captain waved to the rest of his men, who then signaled toward Asukem and Isabella. With a yell and a rush, the guards race after Asukem and Isabella, who are minding their business and peacefully walking home.

In seconds, Asukem was spun around by one of the guards at the word "stop" and was startled as he felt a hand grab his shoulder. The guard yelled, "Stop in the name of the law, street rat!" with a voice of harshness and filled with authority.

As Asukem put out his arm as if protecting Isabella, he looked at the guard with a puzzled but innocent expression. "What, exactly, did I do?" he asked. Isabella looked between them, confused and worried, as she looked back at Asukem and asked, " Big brother Asu-su, what is going on?" Asukem gave her a comforting smile and reassured her, "I don't know, but it's going to be okay, Issie." Isabella continued to look at Asukem and stayed close to him out of danger.

Once the guard grabbed Asukem, a crowd of ordinary people and nobles quickly swarmed around them, creating a small commotion. Isabella promptly took cover behind Asukem as everyone watched the situation, including Clair. Seeing what was happening, Clair quickly left to go get Bob, not wanting to leave them in such a dangerous way.

Clair quickly dodged her way through the swarming crowd of people. Her pace steadily increased out of worry and urgency. She nearly bumped into an old man but swiftly weaved past him. The old man watched as she continued and exclaimed, "Sorry!" without looking back. The old man chuckled, thinking, "She must be late for something to be such in a hurry for a girl her age."

Clair quickly made it to the orphanage, looking around with fear. That is when she saw Bob at the counter of the orphanage's kitchen, having a mug of ale, not a care in the world, and enjoying himself.

However, that all changed when she stated in fear, "Asukem got caught!" Bob sighed as if annoyed and unconcerned, "Not my problem." he shrugged at the situation. 

Clair then snapped, forgetting who she was yelling at, "It will be if he kills someone!" Bob glared at her and slammed down his drink, causing it to make a loud thud, and ale splashed out of the mug.

Bob saw the seriousness in her eyes, sighed, and spoke with a hint of annoyance, "The boy just had to pick a fight!" with a shrug, he got up, leaving his ale behind but resituating himself. Clair averted her eyes quickly, not wanting to see what he did. Bob's footsteps filled with anger and annoyance, thud on the floor. Clair's heart stopped as she realized what she had done, and Bob's footsteps made her tremble in fear. The closer Bob got, the more she cowered and hoped he would not punish her.

Bob begins to walk towards the orphanage's door but halts as he turns toward Clair, scaring her to death. His voice is deep and rough as he demands, "Where to?!" 

Clair quickly rushes out the door and whimpers, "Follow me." Clair led Bob to where asukem and Isabella were at. 

They were not hard to find as the crowd grew and the situation worsened. Bob was shoving people out of his way as he was trying to get to them. The rumors and commotion from the crowd worsened and were straightforward now and hearable.

As the crowd swarmed around Asukem and Isabella, Asukem heard from a nobleman, "What disgusting sight. The harshness and coldness in their voice caused Asukem's blood to boil. He already knew how the nobles felt, but hearing it for himself pissed him off even more. 

The insults continued as his ears pricked up in anger as he overheard a townswoman say, "dirty street thug, he probably stole something." the unfairness of this comment filled him with more rage and a sense of injustice.

Asukem clenched his teeth as the insults continued, his raging building up as he overheard a noblewoman in the crowd speak, "They allow these filthy creatures to live, pathetic."

This time, another comment from a townsman caught the attention of Asukem. "The guards are probably saving that little girl from him." Asukem looked around with a look of rage, trying to find where the remark came from and clenching his hands into fists.

A nobleman's eyes widened in disgust, and added an insult, "Look, he is like a wild animal!"

A noblewoman gasped in fear and added, "Do us a favor and put these creatures down!"

Isabella grabbed onto Asukem's arm as she looked up at him with fear, "Big brother Asu-su, are we going to die? Why are they saying so many mean things about us?" 

Asukem growled as he gritted his teeth in response, "No, I won't let them touch you, Issie," He continued, his voice dropping lower in rage, "They're just a bunch of stuck-up pricks. To them, we're nothing more than trash, or worse."

The guard gets into an attack position with his hand on the hilt of his sword as he states in a stern voice, "You're under arrest for threatening a vendor!"

Asukem looks at him with disbelief and frustration. The crowd stood around, muttering amongst themselves in fear as they watched. The town guard stood there as if he was waiting for Asukem to give up, but still watching his movements as if he was going to attack. Asukem angrily said, "What in the Great Horrors?" he gestured to Isabella, trembling behind him. "Didn't he tell you he threatened her first because he didn't have the patience to wait for me to give him his money?" 

The captain crept out of the crowd of people with the rest of his men with his arms crossed. His head shaking in non-belief, "Please, you think anyone would believe you, you gutter rat!" 

Asukem's mouth drops in shock and disbelief at what he heard and snaps in anger at the injustice, "Oh, just because I'm an orphan, I don't have rights? He points down in rage, showing his frustration, "This is not fair!"

The captain of the guard approached Asukem, his face filled with confidence, "life isn't fair, Asukem." he stated flatly, "just come quietly and don't make matters worse." he drew closer with chains in hand as they jingled in his hands, and Asukem clenches his fists in anger. Isabella quivered behind him, and Asukem looked over at her. Her face was covered in fear and concern for her Big brother.

Asukem lets a sigh, trying to calm down. He then placed his arms out protectively in front of Isabella. "Stay behind me, Issie," he spoke softly but bravely. Isabella looked up at him with worry in her eyes. "Big brother, Asu-su?" she asked, her voice filled with concern. Asukem kept his eye firmly on the guards. He had to find a way to escape, but what could he do with Isabella at his side? He had already made his choice.

Asukem slowly reached for his sword, gripped it tightly, and unsheathed it, positioning it in front of him and glaring at the captain of the guard. "If you want me, Come and get me, I won't back down!" he snarled. His determination was palpable as he stood his ground, and Asukem protected his little sister against the odds.

The captain of the guards let out a chuckle and a sigh, shaking his head in disappointment. "I was trying to do this without making a scene," he said plainly. "But if you want to dig your own grave, so be it." he threw the chains to the side as they hit the ground. It made a jangling thud, and then Asukem saw the captain of the guard pull out one of his swords and point it at Asukem. The captain of the guard showed he was done being nice. Asukem's grip on his sword tightened, and he narrowed his eyes, prepared to face whatever came next.

Asukem let out an angry grunt as he lunged towards the captain of the guards, swinging his sword downwards with full force. The captain quickly put up his sword to parry the attack. The two blades clashed together. Sparks showered as they collided and scraped together.