The Laughing Swordsman

Beads of sweat formed on Apollo's forehead.

His body began heating up. Any snow that got near his body would melt to water.

Apollo peered over his shoulder.

The little girl was still chasing him with a blissful expression on her face. It was as though she was going for a casual jog.

Apollo was bewildered.

Who the heck was this girl?

And why was she so persistent?

Although Apollo was by no means running the fastest, he was not slow.

He did not want to delay his request. As such, he was conserving enough stamina to maintain a high overall speed.

Apollo came to regret that decision.

At this point, he was too tired to go at his top speed. He doubted he could shake her off even if he ran a little faster.

Apollo was about to give in and try to talk but came to a sudden realization.

He could step into the shadow world.

Apollo turned his head around and flashed a smirk.

"See you."

The little girl tilted her head to the side and raised an eyebrow.

"I see you too!"

Apollo ignored the girl's remark and stepped into his shadow.

Apollo opened his eyes with a serene calm. As jarring and uncomfortable it was to be in this place, he was used to it.

Apollo looked in the direction of the red waves.

He had gone off course but was still close by.

Apollo got back on the path and walked as fast as he could down it.

His lungs asked him for oxygen, but he resisted.

Apollo didn't want to meet with that strange girl again. As such, he endured the suffocating feeling to walk a few more steps.

When Apollo felt like his consciousness was about to disappear, he raised his bokken.

And left the shadow world.

Apollo collapsed onto the snow, desperately taking in breaths of air. His vision was blurry but it cleared rather quickly.

Apollo was prostrated on the ground. He used his shaky arms to lift himself up.

"Wow, that was so cool!"

Apollo froze.

...Whose voice was that?

He slowly turned his head to the side. To his dismay, he saw the little girl.

"...You ...How did you find me?"

The little girl tilted her head to the side.

"Hehe, you are so silly, friend. I just followed you!"

Apollo smiled bitterly.

It seemed some things just couldn't be escaped.

Apollo sighed.

"...Well. My name is Apollo, what is yours?"

The little girl giggled.

"Hehe, friend's name is Apollo!"

She proceeded to purr.

"Apollo... Apollo!"

As for Apollo, he could feel a headache coming on.

"What is your name?"

The little girl tilted her head to the side.

"Oh!..."

At that moment, a tail unfurled from the little girl. It started to sway from side to side.

Her tail was purple like her hair but had a white tip. Attached to the end of her tail was a small bell that let out soft ringing noises.

Apollo blinked a few times.

...This wasn't a human.

The little girl continued to sway her tail around, causing gentle jingles to fill the air.

Apollo furrowed his eyebrows.

He was already getting tired of the incessant chimes.

"You forgot your name?"

The little girl giggled.

"What? No, it's Layla silly. How could you think I forgot my name?"

Apollo clenched his fist.

He opened his mouth but closed it shortly after. It was not worth the effort to argue.

Not with someone like this.

Apollo sighed.

"...So why are you here, Layla?"

Layla's fluffy ears curled down.

"Hmm... it's because my friend is here!"

Apollo blinked a few times.

Was this the definition of a free spirit?

"Well... It was nice meeting you, but I have business to attend to. So we must part."

Layla raised an eyebrow but smiled soon after.

"Ok, let's go!"

Apollo was surprised.

She agreed so easily?

He continued walking towards his destination.

Apollo ignored the sounds of bells behind him for a few minutes.

...Then, he spun around, filled with annoyance.

"Why are you following me?"

Layla giggled.

"Because we are off to business!"

Apollo facepalmed.

"Not WE."

He pointed to himself.

"I am off to business. Not you!"

Apollo couldn't help but heave a sigh.

"Understand?"

Layla smiled and nodded.

"Yeah!"

Apollo did not feel assured when she said that.

...But surely she would have gotten the message by now?

He resumed his journey.

A soft jingle rang out behind him.

Apollo slowly turned around.

"...What are you doing? I said it was not you, remember?"

Layla nodded excitedly.

"Yeah! Yeah!"

A shaky smile forced its way on Apollo's face.

He was losing it.

"So... why are you still here?"

Layla turned her head to the side.

"Hehe, you're so silly! Did you think my name was you?"

She grinned playfully.

"It's Layla! How did you forget already?"

Apollo's knuckles became white. He was clenching his fists hard.

Then... he let it go.

Not because he wasn't mad.

Not because he was a nice person.

But because it was easier to go with Layla than try to make her understand.

Apollo turned to Layla.

"I'm going somewhere dangerous. I won't protect you, so follow me at your own risk."

Layla nodded enthusiastically.

"Yes! I will be careful!"

Apollo shook his head. He was resigned to this fate.

With that, the two of them set off.

Apollo walked briskly while Layla followed. She was bobbing her head from side to side.

Layla had a dreamy smile on her face.

"Hehe... friend."

Apollo clicked his tongue.

"Why are you so excited to have a friend?"

Layla raised both hands in the air.

"Because friends are best!"

Apollo shook his head.

"Why does it have to be me? You have other friends too, no?"

Layla pouted.

"Mmm... but they won't play with me anymore!"

Apollo raised an eyebrow.

"And why is that?"

Layla tilted her head to the side.

"Well, that's because-"

A thundering boom interrupted her.

A massive lizard landed on the ground next to them.

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