In the few weeks we’ve been travelling with Atlas, this is probably the first time I’ve ever been alone with Hollow. Not that I mind that, no, not at all. He’s quite kind at times, it’s only that I’m not sure what to talk about with him. He can be a little… quiet.

  My attention focused on the cloaked figure blankly staring off at the crowded market area. If I didn’t speak up first, I was afraid he’d stand there like that all day. Which may sound like a joke, but with him, I couldn’t be too sure.

  “Where do you suppose we should start first?”

  The sound of his metallic steps continued, slowly moving forward as he kept his head aimed at a single point. I followed his gaze, and instead of an answer, he pointed out into the distance.

  “There.”

  Without waiting for a response, he picked up the pace and headed towards the street lined with market stalls and crowds of people. Fresh foods were on display on nearly every table. Warm, wavering pillars of steam radiated off of them.

  I thought spirits don’t eat food. I wonder if Hollow’s curious to try it, after seeing me eat all this time. I thought, as I watched him admire the different meats and fried vegetables along the tabletops.

  To my surprise, Hollow marched over to a table and pointed out one. His intimidating length caused the customers to back away, and even made the merchant behind the table raise a brow. He was quite a large fellow, but faced with Hollow's tall figure and deadpan silence, it was sure to rattle anyone.

  Oh no, this might cause a problem. I raced over, but Hollow had already grabbed the item he had his eyes on.

  It was a deep green root, twisted in on itself and curled into a ring. Holding it up to the merchant, he asked, “What is this? Does it heal voices?”

  “Huh?! Of course it doesn’t. That’s Gloutroot you’re holding– Hey!”

  Before the merchant could say his last piece, Hollow had already dropped it and walked away. Moving over to the next table, he picked up another weird plant and started interrogating the merchant.

  More and more onlookers gathered by the second as Hollow marched over to each stall, essentially scaring off the customers around him.

  “That guy’s weird…” One person added.

  “Yeah, let’s let the guards know.”

  “Totally.”

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  Oh no, at this rate, he’s going to get us arrested! Why did you have to leave me alone with him, Atlas?!

  I rushed over and grabbed Hollow’s hand, using all my strength to pull him away from the tables and people. He was surprisingly heavy, despite his lanky frame.

  “We need to go, now!”

  “Why?”

  “You’re making too much of a fuss– they’re going to call the guards on us! Hurry up!”

  Hollow finally put some effort into his steps and took off alongside me into a half-efforted sprint as we ducked into the alleyways. Coming out the other end, we tried blending into the bustling streets and kept our hoods low.

  “That should do it. Sigh…” Looking back at Hollow, he stood there watching me with a blank expression.

  Hollow stood upright, seemingly unbothered by the guards walking around us. I kept my head down and tugged at his hand, trying to get him to follow, but he seemed completely engrossed with the stalls and peddlers in the street ahead.

  “They appear to have medicine.” Without further warning, he approached the table.

  This went on for another hour or two. Each time I felt I had a handle on him, he'd go off running again. No warning. No excuses. He practically ignored me the entire time and caused more and more trouble with the people around him.

  “H-hey! Wait a second! Won’t you wait for just a second?” I practically screamed the thought across.

  “Why?”

  All the trouble he caused with nearly getting us arrested, and he was still oblivious to our situation. It felt hopeless, but Atlas left me to look after him. If I failed, then Atlas might never trust me again with important things. This was my chance to show I was useful.

  “We can’t stand out too much,” I answered. "You’re able to use that Stealth Step skill, right? Try going through the stalls while using that, okay?”

  That was sure to work. Hollow had gotten pretty good at erasing his presence with that skill, so I was sure he'd be up to it if I just asked.

  His motionless body suddenly picked up into a sprint again as his response entered my mind.

  "No.”

  “No? What do you mean- hey, you can't just ignore me?!”

  Most of the spirits I’ve interacted with haven’t been too chatty, but this is on an entirely different level. I was always nice to Hollow, so I had no idea what I could have done to make him upset with me. Maybe he wasn't upset with me.

  Could he just be totally unaware of how to talk to people...?

  Hollow's attention veered off to the side as he looked off and pointed, “Master is back.”

  “Do you mean Atlas? What would he be doing here?”

  Intrigued, I followed his fingers' direction to the cloaked figure slumped over at the end of the street. Sure enough, it was Atlas. “He really is back. Quickly, let’s go over and–”

  Before the thought could leave my mind, Hollow had already vanished from my side into a full sprint towards Atlas. I was left standing there in awe, with my brow twitching a bit.

  I held back the warmth of my eyes as a single tear welled up in the corner, “I can’t believe that stupid knight…”