Laurel believes the Fates hold the truth. They're the ones who willed and preordained what may happen in a person's life. It's only natural for them to know how and why she's here.

"Are you sure about this?" The kid asked, still following Laurel. The two of them decided to search for the Fates, but even the kid wasn't sure if anyone would respond to their call.

The Fate sisters rarely show interest in other beings. Even if they wanted to interact with the mortals, many feared them. The reason behind this is because of their appearance. It's also the reason why temples built on their behalf were not that many. Still, they're gods, they do what they're assigned, and if lucky they might respond to the prayers of the mortals.

Situated near a mountainside the nearest temple of Fates. It's away from the village and any current human settlement. But the offerings on the altar tell them that there were believers and people gathered on the spot. Laurel also offered a prayer and asked for their guidance, but no response. They waited for a few hours for any sign, but the results were the same. The Fates are not there.

"Let's go," says Laurel as she walks out of the temple. She knows the search won't be easy. Gods can be tricky and finicky. She has to be diligent and worthy enough to get their attention.

The search continues, taking the unbeaten path to where the river flows or the mountains go. Laurel still cares about her existence in ancient times. As much as possible, she avoids major cities for lesser interaction. At least that's the plan, but as people say, nothing goes according to plan.

On the way to the next temple, a ragtag group stopped them. They blocked their path, almost waiting for their arrival. Bandits, prisoners of war, and other outlaws were common in the area. It's an abandoned path, but also once a war zone for some religious cults.

"What do you want?" Laurel spat, not even fazed by the strangers. Trouble had followed the woman like a shadow for years, so she knows what kind of people she's facing.

"Give us your golds, woman."

"And if I don't?" She challenged, still on her guard. She knew whatever her response was, they'll clobber her and the kid.

"Then we have a problem." The man whipped his club to Laurel but she stepped back, dodging the attack. The man's no joke. He didn't hold back. Laurel could have her body flying if she wasn't alert.

Slowly, Laurel slid a foot back while instructing the kid to run and hide. On her cue, the kid ran, and she dropped a small smoke bomb left on her pocket from the time she's on her world for a cover-up.

The smoke did give them time to make a run, but it wasn't enough to get away from the bandits. Laurel didn't have a choice but to be a decoy for the kid to find safety. She faced her attackers with a knife and some poison herbs she juiced and prepared in case of emergencies.

Laurel kept her distance from the enemy. When the first charge strikes, it's from a person holding a spear. With reflexes, Laurel ducked and sent a left kick to the person's lower abdomen. As a result, the striker let go of the spear. Laurel took that chance to get a hold of a weapon, but that wasn't enough. The other members charged in, at once, making it difficult to land a direct hit. Laurel pushed through. She ran, dodged, and threw dirt and rocks from the ground whenever she ducked or fell.

Survival of the fittest has always been a rule of man. It's one of the codes that Laurel believes since she's in her world. It's a great reminder that she can die any time, hence why she's always alert and never shows empathy to her opponent. Even if there are people that can be casualties. But this time around, she lost sight of that code. When she heard the slight rasp of material ripping followed by an agonizing cry from the kid, she bolted.

Laurel knew the kid had been doing his best to hide. Laurel knows he's smart enough to stay hidden when surrounded by enemies. But she's also aware that if she couldn't find a way to lure her opponent out, they go for the kid and end him.

"Give up." One of the bandits locked his arm around the kid's neck while his other hand held a knife, ready to make a kill. "Or, I'll slit this kid's neck and feed him to the wild animals around."

Laurel freezes, not responding to the captor, but her eyes flare, and hands clench in a ball. She's thinking. Giving up isn't an option, so does fighting back. Either will only lead to slaughter, but one has a better chance of prolonging their survival.

"Forget it! Runaway. Save yourself. Forget about me!" The kid yelled, trying to fight back as much as he can.

Laurel did hear him, but the other bandits already surrounded them. She's not in the best position to fight an army of people with weapons while there's a hostage. She might be able to throw a few more punches and create a distraction, but with the kid, there's no way to defend escape. If she can't think of a way, that is. There's still an option. Limited but could work.

To kill or be killed. Laurel already made her choice. She quickly surveyed the area. She's searching for an opening to run before gripping the spear, ready to attack. But before she could even leap forward, arrows rained in the sky, taking down the bandits behind. As if on cue, in the midst of confusion, she strikes the kids' captor, knocking him down and freeing the kid in his grasp.

"Let's go!" Laurel didn't miss a beat and immediately pulled the kid and dragged him away to escape. "Hurry," she continued to call out. But even if she's breathless and in a rush to get away, Laurel didn't forget to look back. From above, in the direction of the arrows that helped them was their savior. A man, standing gallantly in his golden chariot afloat clutching a silvery bow and arrow. Apollo.

***

Run. It's all they could do to escape. Laurel needs to get the kid to safety. She dragged him into this mess, so the least she could do is to protect him and keep him alive. They continue to speed up until the place's out of sight. They reached the foot of the mountain, a few kilometers from the nearest village beside a riverbank. It's the farthest they could run until their legs gave out and exhaustion caught up to them.

"You good?" Laurel asked, trying to steady her breathing. But the kid could only answer in a light nod and dry cough. He's already slumped on the ground, panting heavily and pulse beating in his ear, blocking all sound. It's the first time he got caught by bandits with his life hanging on the line.

"We have to go." Laurel stood up, extending a hand to the kid. She knows there's a chance they could encounter another group of bandits once more. There's no telling what would happen. If she was in her world, she could have fought more without hesitation. In the ancient world, there's a limit to what Laurel can do. She doesn't want to raise suspicion and change the present. She has to be careful.

"Where to?" The kid responded before reaching out. Laurel saw fear in the eyes of the child. She saw how his hand trembled in fear and how his cold hands felt when she helped him stand. It's only natural. Even if the kid said he's a slave, he's treated well and never placed in that kind of situation before. Laurel knows that much.

"I'm taking you home," she replied. She can't put the kid in any more danger. It will only get worse from here on out. No one knows what could happen to her or the kid, so before they both get killed, she decided to send the kid back home.

"B-but why?" His brows furrowed.

"It's better that way." Laurel fixed her chiton, wrapping it tightly and covering the ripped parts from her fight. "Take this." She gave the akontia to the kid to protect himself.

"I...I don't know how to use a weapon." He shoved back to Laurel.

"You don't have to. It's only for show and in case of emergency. If ever we get caught in another situation, use it to protect yourself."

"But..." There's hesitation in the kid. He never handled any warring weapon before, but he does understand Laurel's point. He doesn't want to be useless and a burden to the woman. The javelin could help him. "T-then what about you? How will you fight?"

"Don't worry about it. Let's go." Laurel started walking, following the river that gives off a familiar scent. It's strange how the sound of the flowing water calms her as if guiding her the way back home. When they were running, it's the sound of the waters that lead them to this point.

As the two head their way back to the forest, Laurel's preoccupied. Her mind wanders about ways to survive attacks, how to find the Fates, and at some point, Apollo. Although, she always brushes off the last thought whenever the god appears on her mind. Ugh. He's not one of my concerns.

"Are you okay?" The kid asked when he saw Laurel waving off the air and shaking her head out of nowhere.

"Y-yes, of course, why could I not be," she replied, moving ahead to hide the pink tint on her cheeks.

When the two reach the forest, the sun has long set. The day has ended, and the moon that shines bright in the cloudless sky's the only one that serves as their light.

"Today's the last time I'll ask for your help, take care of yourself," Laurel said, as she sent the kid home.

"Why?" The kid frowned, not understanding what she meant. "I can help," he argued.

"Yes, but no. It's going to be more dangerous from here. I don't want to be responsible for your death if things don't go well. It's safer if you stay with your family."

"But -"

"No buts," Laurel raised her hand, "or else I would curse you," she dared say. Not that she could do it for real, but it shut the kid up, so it works. She can see the disappointment in the kid's eyes, but she has to do what needs to be. The kid has more things in life than being her shadow. She can't mess up his future.

"I understand," he sighed. "Will you be okay on your own?"

Laurel smiled, patting the kid's head. "I'm not a child anymore. I'm an adult. I'm capable on my own."

Laurel watched the kid in silence until he said another word. "Thank you for saving me, Laurel."

"I should be the one thanking you. I appreciate all your help. But you might want to offer something to that god whom we run away from tomorrow." Laurel didn't mean to ask the kid for a favor, but they owe him their safety. Even if her plan could work, the god's intervention was a big help.

The kid nodded. "I will ask for forgiveness for the god Apollo for endangering his beloved. I will also pay my homage to him for saving me as well."

"You don't have to go that far." Laurel reasoned out. She doesn't need Apollo to annoy her more than now, just because he saved them. A simple thanks and offering should be enough.

Laurel didn't last long after the kid gave her food and water. She told the kid to go. The kid waved at her before heading back to the village. Laurel watched his back until he entered his home before heading her way back to the forest.

Today's exhausting, but she's glad for the kid's safety. She never thought a day would come she'll care for someone, but today's the only time to feel empathy for another soul. The next time she's cornered or in an enemy's territory, she will show no mercy. To kill or be killed? I chose the former.

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