"What are you? I mean I have heard about werewolves and even vampires, but Wielders?"

"Hey, can I answer this please,"asked Eugene.

Dane simply shrugged. Ahsid couldn't help thinking how distant he was. Eugene, she could feel, was warming up to her but Dane....She prided herself on her observation skills but figuring out Dane was proving to be quite a bargain.

"Think of us Wielders as witches, but we also use a weapon as an addition. So, we actually combine our skills with really powerful spells and one unique instrument of war."

"Wait, all Wielders have swords?"

"Nuh uh, it may vary. I use a bow."

Eugene immediately pulled out a long, fashioned bow, smiling.

"How do you just pull out stuff from thin air?"

"It's called 空間(kūkan). Sort of an empty invisible void where we can store our most valuable objects. Only I can access my personal 空間(kūkan)."

"That day in the bus..."

Dane nodded. He was feeling bored already, and he comforted himself by trying to concentrate on the conversation around the other tables. But only a few groups were around and Dane wasn't exactly a social butterfly. He was brought back by Ahsid who asked eagerly,"So, what is this place? We came in through a portal, right?"

Dane decided to explain. "All of the different races of creatures have a place where they can hang out, irrespective of the Coetus that they belong to, like the werewolves have this place called Disko while the vampires call it Bloody Heaven. We Wielders call this area as Yares, after the most powerful Wielder, Yannick Odes."

"Aren't other creatures allowed in here?"

"They are, but why would you hang in a place which is totally unknown to you, unless you have a friend by your side? There isn't any written rule, of course, that you can't go."

Ahsid nodded in understanding.

"Okay, so Iris said that you would teach me actual magic. How?"

Eugene laughed,"I have been learning this definition from when I was two. Magic is innate, you can only adjure it if you have the right temperament. The mana around us is equal, it does not give special privilege to anyone."

Dane nodded thoughtfully,"That was elaborate."

"I know, right. Our Master made us repeat it every alternate hour."

"Wow, so I really really can use magic!!"

Ahsid jumped up in joy, knocking over a waitress, hovering over the next table, with a jug, it's contents now spilt over the floor.

"дерьмо(der'mo),"growled one of the occupants in Russian.

He thumped the table with his hand, towering and glaring at Ahsid,"you must платить(pla'tit) for me."

He raised his fist to strike the stunned Ahsid when Eugene grabbed it. He was strong! The Russian was several feet taller and bulkier than him.

"Please keep your hands to yourself, Sir. Она не сделала это нарочно(ona ne sdelala eto narochno),"he replied fluently and rapidly.

The other occupant stirred,"Nikolai, please sit. Don't do anything hasty."

Suddenly, Ahsid noticed the quivering of Nikolai's body.

Dismayed, she yelled,"Eugene, watch out!"

Immediately, a grey wolf stood in front of Eugene and lunged at him.

Before Eugene could retaliate, Dane jumped up and flexing his fingers, bellowed,"Sleep."

Midair, Nikolai stopped, crashing to the ground and lay there, unmoving. There was a pin drop silence in the bar, what with hardly many people around. Ahsid felt the tears escaping her eyes. Why was she crying? Hadn't Nicolai tried to almost kill her?

Eugene groaned,"Hey, I was supposed to take care of this."

Dane rolled his eyes and picked up the jug on the ground, handing it to the waitress.

"Sorry, Jane, we will be gone in a few."

The poor waitress look amazed up at Dane.

"Dane, you don't have to..." but she was cut off by him placing his finger on her lips.
He did not smile but slipped some coins into her hand.

"Come on and drag that bum out please."

Nikolai's companion stumbled to his feet to grab and haul the fallen wolf outside. Eugene began to move out when he noticed the tears.

"Oh, Ahsid? Hey, don't you worry. He's only asleep."

Somehow that made Ahsid better, yet there was something nagging her.

"Oh man, I am not good at this. Hey, Dane help her, please?"

And sheepishly, Eugene rushed out, shy and red. Ahsid still had her head down, and suddenly felt two strong arms grasp her. Oh my God! Dane was hugging him. In any other circumstance, she would have slapped him and given him an entire lecture about invading one's personal space but this was different.

"Will I be expected to do this? Kill and...."

Ahsid sobbed into Dane's hard chiseled chest. She did not notice Dane's sad yellow eyes. He just exhaled heavily.

"Now, I want you to be strong, take your time and steady yourself. God gives his hardest battles to his toughest soldiers."

Somehow, his voice cracked at the last words. Ahsid had been clutching his white T-shirt and quietly let it go, mentally calming herself down at that. She was alone in this battle! She had to get a grip on herself. Dane did not release her, stroking her back and patting it ever so lightly.

"Dane, I'm fine,"said she.

"Nuh uh, you aren't," said Dane but released her nevertheless.

Gently, he took his arm and led her outside. The other man was weeping profusely.

"I owe Nikolai money. I am so sorry this had to come. I had no intention to pick up a fight with a Wielder like him," and here the man turned to Dane.

He only sighed and handed him a card,"There is an association exclusively for Wielders which lends you money by giving you work. Mention my name, pay off your dues and make sure you find better friends."

The man began to weep even more and taking Dane's hand, kissed it. Ahsid chuckled at Eugene who was making gagging sounds behind the man.

"Thank you, thank you, you will not regret it," and he took the card, disappearing in thin air.
Dane went forward and smacked Eugene on the head.

"Hey, what was that for?"

Dane rolled his eyes,"Making fun of tradition."

Then with a pause, he added,"Thank you. Not to mention that you handled today's incident with a lot of level headedness."

Eugene gazed up at Dane. Was that admiration and respect in his eyes?

"Call me if you need. Although I might visit your Coetus now and then,"and here he turned to Ahsid meaningfully.

Ahsid ruffled his hair, smiling. "Thanks for standing up for me."

Eugene gave a broad, genuine smile and walked a few feet away, disappearing just like the weeping man.

"So, shall we go home or to the Coetus?"

Ahsid smiled and answered,"Neither. Let's take a walk around."

Dane nodded and whispered,"Follow me."

Ahsid held on tightly to his arm as they readied themselves to journey through the portal.