Human? No, that couldn't be right. Gavin had seen the way she'd filled a room with flame in instants, the way she'd danced on stepping stones of fire across the sea. Aoife had magik, and Humans didn't have magik. That was simply how the world was.

His hands clenched tightly around his bow. The arrow was out of its quiver, notch finding the string with ease. "So you're lying to me. You tricked me."

His heart leapt in his chest, and he glanced around the room, taking in each person's position. Five. There were five of them, all looking at him with wide eyes and nervous glances. He should've known. He should've known from the second she'd been placed in the cell next to him. No one but Eldrazi could be trusted, and now he was surrounded.

Closing his right eye, he lined up the arrowhead with Aoife's neck. It would be difficult, given how many of them there were, but he would get out of this. He didn't escape Malin just to die here.

"Hey!"

Selatan stepped in front of the bow, chest only a foot away from the point. "Put the bow away. Now."

"If you don't want her shot, then let me leave unscathed," Gavin hissed, taking a step back. He didn't want to hurt him, or anyone for that matter, but if that's what it took to live, he'd do it. His eyes met Selatan's and he glared, settling his resolve.

"You're not trapped," Rohain chimed in, looking between them with worry. "You can choose to work with us if you wish, but—"

"No!" Gavin wheeled on him, the arrow moving with it. "I don't work with liars. Never again!"

"Funny how when you get the truth, now you want to call me a liar."

Aoife stepped forward, pushing Selatan aside to stare down at Gavin, far taller than either of them. A fiery rage still flickered in her violet eyes, but now the look was cold. "Can you blame me for telling you I was a Halfbreed? If anything, this just proves that you wouldn't have believed me the first time."

"Because you aren't telling me the truth! Humans can't do magik!" Gavin cried.

"Well I can!" Aoife shouted back. Instantly, her hands were raised, palms cupping purple flames once again. She brought it close to his face, letting the blaze burn higher. "Does this look like a lie to you?"

Panic seized Gavin's lungs as the heat wafted against his skin, his fingers itching to release the string. If she was hit with the arrow, the others would rush to rescue her, distracted while he could escape. And yet, his fingers were clutching the feather too tightly, fighting against his own will.

Eldrazi? he asked warily. Why are you stopping me?

"... 'cause she's right."

What? Gavin asked, struggling as Eldrazi continued to hold the string. What do you mean?

"'Er energy. Does it feel like an Eunsi's to you? Or a Demon's?"

Gavin's tongue flicked out of his mouth, tips tasting the air for a better grasp of his surroundings.

The room suddenly became more vibrant, warm colours brighter, shadows deeper, and Gavin knew if he closed his eyes, those same hues would continue to paint out each detail of the room all against a lifeless black. Even without that though, he could feel their magik: Lynette with a soft, soothing airiness gifted from the god Eór, Róhain and Selatan each with their own solid, confident one from Uldyŋ, the Demon god.

But, past that was Talus', his energy faint, elusive, and almost completely lost to Aoife's— burning, passionate, brilliant in its power, yet tinted with the flavour of ash and dried mulberries. It was unlike anything Gavin had felt before.

A short cough broke through his thoughts. "More often than not, you'd be correct here."

He turned to find Róhain leaned back in the corner of the room, looking between him and Aoife with wary disappointment. Gavin had almost forgotten he was there.

"But," Róhain continued. "-As I believe you put it, everyone here is a bit special."

Gavin glanced around to look at the strange cast of people once more. Dávolns, half- Shar Drak'na... They were all admittedly strange, but at least possible, whereas a Human with magik—

"She's different, Gav. I know it doesn't make sense, and honestly I 'ardly believe it myself, but there's nothin' else she could be."

He gulped, lowering his weapon as Aoife continued to stare him down.

"Finally putting it together?"

"I- yes, but..." Gavin had been born in Durne, the Human empire, in a Human village, with a mostly Human family. Never. Never had a Human been able to do magik. It was why the goddess Akasha had given birth to the other races after them, to use what they could not. A tremor ran through him, followed by regret as he slipped the arrow back into his quiver. "It doesn't make any sense."

"I am aware of how little sense it makes," Róhain went on, adjusting his spectacles slightly. "Imagine my confusion when I found her so many years ago. However, that's why we're here: to live safely, figure ourselves out, and perhaps one day overthrown the Cearte and achieve peace."

Gavin frowned, fighting stance deflating as he plopped down onto a pile of books. Part of him still didn't want to believe them, but if he had to sit here, and the worst threat was a ticked off look from Selatan and Aoife's hands on her hips, then he supposed he would live for now.

So he leaned forward, focusing on what Róhain had said. "And how do you plan to do that?"

Instead of Róhain answering though, Selatan crossed his arms. "Considering the little stunt you just pulled, I don't think we have to disclose anything to you yet."

Gavin only shrugged. "Then you'll be hard-pressed to find me helping your cause anytime soon." Really, he'd been the one to invite himself here, but, as far as Aoife had introduced him, he had essentially saved her, so he doubted anyone was going to point that out.

"Ah, come off it Selatan."

Gavin nearly shuddered at the silky tone of Talus' voice as he onced again eased himself into the argument. "You can't blame him for not trusting her. I bet this is all a lot for him to take in and besides—"

Cold claws clutched at Gavin's shoulders, and he flinched as the Shar Drak'na held him, tipping to the side as if to show Gavin off with a smile. "Don't you remember the spats Aoife and I used to get into?" The blackened tips of his pointed ears flicked up in amusement. "Or the ones that her and Lynette still do?"

As if on cue, Lynette signed something, but it passed by Gavin, leaving him to only guess that it was an insult based on Aoife sticking out her tongue.

"-As I was going to say," Róhain continued, the slight twitch to his eye being the only sign of him being ticked. "We occasionally go out, repossess taxes from the Cearte, fight them, hold riots... small acts against their reign. I did have other ideas planned for the future to hopefully take down the Cearte one day, but they simply weren't plausible with Aoife taken and how small the Eirímach already was. Now that you're here though, perhaps they are more feasible."

The room fell into silence after that, Gavin only able to blink at the man. Repossession? Riots? This was the rebel uprising Aoife had sworn by? How were random bursts of insolence of any help? The Cearte hated any race outside of the gods' Wills, and they believed sinning would put themselves in their favour?

'Take down the Cearte.' Gavin tried not to scoff. No wonder Aoife had been thrown in prison. The whole operation was naive. He might as well push himself off the books he was sitting on and head out the door now rather than waste his time.

"But you know we'll never be able to find the Relics that way, and who better to 'ave on our side than a bunch o' people with unpredictable magik?"

I know, Eldrazi. I know!

Scrubbing his face with his hands, he finally focused on Aoife. He stepped forward, meeting her eyes. "Fine, but no more lying to me. I've had enough of that."

"And I've had enough weapons pointed against me to last a lifetime." Her foot tapped against the floor. "Don't threaten me again, got it?"

He closed his eyes with a sigh. "Got it."

"Huzzah!" Talus shouted, arms raised to the ceiling in thrilled celebration. "Now that we're done with the lying and the drama and the threats on each other's lives, can we get Gavin settled in? I mean, he oughta have a room since he's staying with us, right?" He leaned back, staring intently at Róhain with his mismatched eyes.

The man gave him a curt nod, pushing himself off the counter. "So long as that's what he would like. I'm afraid I don't have much space available but..." His gaze settled on Gavin. "You could share with Talus."

"Yes!" Talus cheered. "I was hoping you'd say that. Sorry, everyone. You simply don't have the amount of sheer excellence required to share a room with the most wanted man in Esternia."

Gavin took a step back from the excited, shadowy teen clasping his claws in front of him. Not that Talus seemed like a bad person, with Eldrazi's magik continuing to pick up each positive, unconditional emotion. No, he was just friendly, very much so, and that wasn't what Gavin was here for.

Róhain took a deep breath. "Self-proclaimed excellence or no, it isn't up for you to decide. Gavin?"

Gavin perked up at his name, anxiety causing him to jolt. "Y-yes! Anything you give me I'd... It would mean a lot to me." He dipped his head slightly in respect. "Thank you."

"Someone sure changed their tune quickly, didn't they?" The Tiger Demon's growl wasn't hard to miss.

"Selatan, we made up." Aoife put a hand on his shoulder, shaking her long, dark hair with a smile. "Don't be too harsh on him. It's a scary world out there. Honestly, with how things are, he has a right not to trust everyone, and in all fairness, I did lie a teeny, tiny bit. Now come on."

She went to tug his hand, but he stayed put, stance rigid. "Talus can show Gavin his room and we can help Róhain make dinner and catch up! I'm sure you have great stories for me."

With a sigh, he finally let himself be pulled, only stopping once to bring his mouth to Gavin's ear, and the intensity of his words made him freeze.

"Aoife's a smart girl, you know. Not everyone should be trusted right away, and she's right. World's full of scary people, isn't it?"

Selatan stepped away, switching out of the whisper he'd been maintaining. "Watch your step."

☽◯☾

"Well, here we are!"

Much like the shop downstairs, the room Talus showed him was warm, dimly lit, yet comforting. Despite the sparse furniture, Gavin's only issue was the small candle flickering on it. He leaned next to it, blowing it out.

"Oh, do you also prefer the dark?" Talus asked, his voice gaining the same, breathy allure to it as before, when he'd last blended into the shadows.

Gavin looked for him, although the only part he could make out in his Human form was the white ring of Talus' iris glowing in the dark. He stared into it. "It's more that I hate fire."

Even now, without any sign of Eldrazi displayed save for the ever-present fangs in his mouth, Gavin could feel it: the fear that danced along their bond, singing of singed and melted flesh.

"And you chose to travel with Aoife?" A chuckle broke out of the darkness, the soft, white light blinking out of existence as Talus closed his eyes in laughter. "Bit ironic, isn't it?"

Yes, but it's exactly what I need. Gavin kept the thought to himself though. These people were strange, but powerful. Enough to require him to hold his tongue, but not enough to make him reconsider the plan that had consumed his mind ever since Aoife had offered him an escape. No more prisons, no more Cearte trying to stop him. That had gone on for far too long. This time, the three Relics of the empires were his and Eldrazi's, and no one would be getting in their way.

But Talus was still waiting on an answer, and that wasn't one he could give him, so he settled for a shrug. "Sometimes you have to face your fears, I think. Otherwise, you'll never grow as a person."

"See? That's the spirit!" A claw clapped him on the back, the strength behind it nearly knocking Gavin over. "I like you! So much more pleasant than Lynette and Selatan always brooding around here."

Silence filled the air as he seemed to think. "Well, like Róhain said, this is our room for as long as you'd like to stay, and I do hope you'll stick around. I know everyone is very... themselves, but we're fun, I promise."

Another pause. "You know, I wasn't kidding when I said I was lucky Róhain found me. We really are just one big family, ready to do anything for each other and, if you're like me, you'll fit right in. I have no doubt about it!"

"Oops. There I go, rambling again." He laughed. "Well, I'll give you some space to settle in, and I'll see you when Róhain calls for dinner."

Then the door shut, and it was Gavin and Eldrazi, in the room, alone.

Immediately, Gavin was coaxing their bond out of the tight knot he'd been holding, easing into his far more comfortable half-form. The room slowly became easier to see, Gavin making out another shelf filled with small, carved statues, a sleek rapier leaning against the corner, and a mirror.

He focused on it, glinting, yellow eyes staring back at him. They were the eyes of a Demon, watching from a round, Human face. His ears, only partially-pointed, twitched down slightly, and an urge to curl up onto the second bed and sleep hit him.

"I do hope you'll stick around."

It was faint, the flicker of regret darting around his chest like a scared animal, but if anything, the weakness of the emotion only made him feel more heartless. Wrapping his fingers around the mirror's edge, he sighed. "Is this really a good idea, Eldrazi?"

"That's up to you to decide." A shrug pulled Gavin's shoulders up before Eldrazi released their muscles, letting them fall. "I'm just along for the ride; you know that."

"I know."

Gavin bit his lip, mulling it over. For four years, he'd paid for his mistake. He'd set his sights high, and the price had been far higher. The image of long, light brown hair and a coaxing smile floated through his mind, but he pushed it away along with the sensation of knives carving up his flesh. That was what he got the last time he'd trusted anyone. Why would these people be different?

His gaze fell back upon the wooden figures along Talus' shelf. He picked one up, finding a small fox running free, clearly happy despite the occasional, crude nicks of it being carved by a loving hand.

"They really don't seem like bad people, Gav."

"Again, I know." He set the statue down. "And if what they're saying is true, and they really just want to take down the Cearte... it's a noble cause."

"Yes, but where does that leave us?" Eldrazi asked, his voice continuing to spill out of their shared lips.

"Eventually?" He turned to the mirror once more. It only showed one thing: A boy, standing there in a dark, empty room, talking to himself. "Alone."

Under the Cearte's rule, friends were impossible for him, and his family was gone. Slain. The only two left were his father, which he knew nothing of anymore, and his brother who'd left years ago without a word. Granted, there were whispers amongst the countless cells he'd rotted away in of a wolf Dávoln ravaging the lands, but nothing more. Cynwrig was out there, suffering more and more the longer Gavin took, and in a way, weren't others also suffering for his Demon's wanton destruction?

"I can't ignore it Eldrazi. I need to save them. I need to save him."

A knock sounded at the door. Gavin moved to answer it when the darkness in the room twitched, a head of raspberry red hair phasing through the shadows to appear in front of him.

With a short cry in surprise, Gavin took a step back, which only made Talus laugh. "Whoops. Sorry to startle you. I just wanted to let you know to come eat whenever you're ready." Then his eyes lowered from Gavin's, his face lighting up as he noticed the rest of him. "Nice tail, by the way."

Clenching his hands into fists, he released a deep breath. "... thank you. I'll be right behind you."

Another smile from the Half Shar Drak'na, and he was following the wispy, almost incorporeal form down the staircase. Though even Talus continued to speak, only about half the words reached Gavin's ears, his mind elsewhere.

I think I'm going to do it, Eldrazi.

A pleased feeling dashed through him, though it was far more potent than his own emotions. "Oh, really?"

Yes, he replied as the kitchen came into view. The scent of cooked cabbage hit his nose– which he wrinkled in disgust– right before the light of several lanterns. Behind a table, Aoife was setting plates with meat and potatoes next to Selatan, Lynette and Róhain right behind with utensils. Here, outside the room, where they couldn't see him, they were laughing, joking, with smiles on their faces and love in their eyes. It was a warm sight, just not one that he would let fully reach his heart.

I have to.

"See? What'd I tell you?" Talus pointed a claw at them, although Gavin noticed he was sure to keep its darkened edge out of the flickers of candlelight. He also flicked the eyepatch down as he walked further in, and with his hands clasped behind his head, Gavin could've easily taken for a Human if it wasn't for the black tips of his ears flicking up with a smile. "Just one big family."

At the sound of his voice, Aoife looked up, shooting them both a grin followed by a waved. "Come on in! I already forgave you, so there's no need to stand around in the hallway. The food's getting cold."

"R-right!"

Gavin scampered into the room, pulling back a chair and taking a seat. The plate of food stared back at him, boiled mush of leafy greens broken up by only the slightest strips of pork, also cooked.

A frown pulled at his face at the sight of all the green as he reluctantly picked up a fork. I never thought I'd miss the days of catching prison rats.

He was about to start eating when he noticed Aoife and Selatan carrying their own dishes out of the room, whispering to each other. Glancing over at Róhain, Gavin gave him a confused look, letting the question go unspoken.

The man only shrugged. "They haven't seen each other in a year. If they want time alone, I'm not going to stop them."

"That makes sense." Gavin nodded, shoving yet another piece of cabbage to the corner of the dish, untouched. His tongue ran over the points of his fangs, as it usually did when he was debating something.

"Did'ja change your mind?"

No, just trying to time it well. I wanted to try and get Róhain alone but... the longer I hesitate, the less of a chance I have of it working.

There wasn't time to wait for a more perfect moment. So he shifted more comfortably in his seat, choosing to close his eyes and take another bite of the food in front of him. It looked casual, natural, like there was no thought behind it as he finally asked the question. "So Róhain, where are you planning on sending Aoife and I first to find it?"

The man paused, brows knitting together in confusion. "...What do you mean?"

Then it was time for Gavin to tip his head. To look equally startled. "I thought..." He shook his head. "Well that's rude."

"What?" he asked again, putting his fork down. "You thought what?"

"I thought Aoife told you the plan, or... that it was at least discussed." He shrunk into his seat, looking smaller, like this was a matter over his head. After all, it would be. He was entirely new here. "Since I assumed you're the leader and all. I'm sorry."

"No, she didn't discuss anything with me." Now his fingers were drumming against the table, eyes boring into him intently. His voice grew more terse, filled equally with worry and annoyance. "What plan? What reckless endeavour is that girl throwing herself into now?"

Gavin darted his eyes to the floor, shoulders drawing in. Become smaller. Weaker. It always worked better that way. "I— I was told that we were going to take down the Cearte, and that perhaps, now that I was here, there were enough people to make a final stand. To steal the three Relics of the empires, and put them down for good."

There was a slam of hands smacking against the table, Róhain throwing his seat back as he leaned up to shout, "She what?"

Gavin winced at the volume. "I don't know. She just said that that was the best way to make sure everyone could live in peace. You're supposed to get a wish granted if you bring all the pieces together, right?"

"Oh yeah, sure..." Talus drew out the word, rolling a single, blue eye to the ceiling. "The magikal Relics of legend. Maybe they would solve all our problems, if they were any real. Sheesh. What faerie tale is Aoife on about now?"

Surprisingly though, Róhain turned his head to Talus, giving him a serious look. "They aren't a myth, Talus."

What? Gavin blinked, trying not to let the surprise show on his face. Granted, he'd known the Relics were real for quite some time, but Róhain? Why would a random shopkeep know anything more than whispers in the streets? That changed things.

"They aren't? Where'd you hear about that, then?" Talus asked, raising an eyebrow.

"That doesn't matter. I'm more concerned with where Aoife got the idea in her head. Gavin?"

He perked up at his name, giving Róhain a nod. "It... was just something one of the Cearte mentioned while we were imprisoned together." He widened his eyes at Róhain, trying to look shocked. "I could hardly believe it."

"So you're telling me that there are these massive power sources just lying about, and no one knows about it except the Cearte?" Talus crossed his arms, thinking. "Is that why only you knew about it?"

Gavin immediately snapped his head towards the Shar Drak'na. "What do you mean, 'is that why'?"

"Oh! Funny story actually. Róhain here used to be a Cearte in secret. He left his station years ago before they could find out he wasn't a Demon, but he remembers a lot of little ins and outs about them," Talus explained as if each word didn't send a chill down his spine at what could've been a threat so close by. "So you knew the Goddess' Relics, the wish-granting Relics were out there, and you never told any of us?"

A knock sounded from the other end of the table, making everyone look up to find Lynette still sitting there, hands and wings twitching to form one silent word, then another...

"Are you kidding me Róhain?" Talus cried, gesturing to her. "I've been here longer than she has!"

"And you run your mouth even longer."

A chuckle burst to life in the back of Gavin's mind as the two continued to bicker, and if he closed his eyes, he could see the Demon bent over in half in laughter. "Are you sure we have to lie to this one, Gav? He's pretty funny."

He used to be a Cearte, Eldrazi. He wished he could feel more angry about yet another piece of what he considered crucial information being withheld from him. Besides, it won't matter for long anyway.

After all, this only proved that getting the Relics hadn't been one of Róhain's horrible plans, which really meant that he was... borrowing their services, not taking from them. Speaking of, now that the shock factor had ended, he needed them back on track.

"So—" Gavin let the word hang in the air, catching their attention, Róhain's in particular. "Are you saying we can't do it?"

"Well, no but-" Unease crossed the man's face, and he returned to his chair. "-I mean, is it a good idea? Yes. But there's a reason we've never gone after them. The Relics are the gods' gift to Humanity; their way of connecting their Will with ours. Do you think they're kept under light security?"

"Only the lightest 'undreds of guards, traps, and magik blockers you can find." Eldrazi snickered.

Gavin rolled his eyes. He didn't need to be reminded of their last futile attempt, nor the subtle scar beneath their chin. Things were going to be different this time.

As the silence stretched to a point Gavin could no longer answer, Róhain shook his head. "The whole purpose of the Cearte is to uphold the gods' Wills, and none of them want Dávolns, Shar Drak'na, or any godless race's getting their hands on power like that. Wielding the Will of the All-Mother..." He licked his lips, thinking. "That's the problem. It would work, far better than anything else we've done before, but it's too dangerous. I don't care how much Aoife wants to do this, or how many it could save. She just got back. I can't allow it. At least... not yet."

As the Goat Dávoln continued to stare at the table, Gavin grabbed at his own plate, all the meat picked off. With no more use for it, he dropped it in the water basin behind the man, moving to head out of the kitchen.

"Hey! Where are you going?" Talus called out after him.

Gavin glanced over his shoulder, meeting his curious eyes. "To let Aoife know what Róhain said, that way we all share the same understanding." He stopped in the doorway, staring down at his shoes.

"Oh, good idea! Good luck and don't get lit on fire!" Talus shot him a grin with a wave before twisting to poke a sharp finger into Róhain's face. "Anyways, what else are you not telling me then, huh? Huh?"

"Talus, stop touching me. Don't put your hands in my drink! What are you—"

"A Shar Drak'na whose wrath you've invoked. Now tell me what you're hiding!"

Despite himself, Gavin couldn't help but snort at that, making his way down the hall. Shar Drak'na were known to be chaotic entities, but something about Talus' friendly, yet wild demeanour reminded him of Eldrazi. It was... endearing in a way, as he made his way down the halls, looking around for Aoife.

A noise rose up behind him, but it wasn't bickering this time. Instead, this sounded like the light click of boots on the floor. It was a quiet sound, but apparently it was closer than it had sounded, because he felt a hand on his shoulder a second later. A jolt ran through him, and he whipped around to find Lynette watching him with icy blue eyes.

"Oh." He breathed out the word. "Hi Lynette. You startled me."

She made no response though, at least, not one he could put together as the sharp talons on her fingers curled, signing something once again.

He only gave her a sheepish smile. "I'm sorry, but I don't know Silenttongue, in any of the races' languages."

Frowning, she dug a hand into a pouch around her waist, pulling out a piece of parchment and a quill. She scrawled out a quick message, holding up a paper full of runes that spelled out... something. In Durnish. Which he couldn't read.

"Ah, thank you," he said, randomly guessing at the paper's meaning. "I appreciate it."

She slapped her face, dragging her hand down it in frustration.

"Well, d' you know what that one's gettin' at, Gav?"

He shook his head to clear Eldrazi's smug smirk away, focusing on Lynette. "I'm sorry. I... can't read. Not yet." His hands grasped at his tunic awkwardly. Whatever she wanted to tell him, it felt important, but the only literate one between them was Eldrazi.

"Wait! Do you know Tercian? You have an Eunsi soul, right?" It was rhetorical, the stunted wings on her back marking exactly what type of Dávoln she was. The real question was whether she could write in it or not. "Eldrazi– my Demon– had to study it for his job when he was alive. He can read it for me."

She gave him a nod, scrawling symbols on the paper again. This time, when she handed the paper back, the letters looked wispy, each word curling out from a single point to build out an entire meaning.

He eyed it, taking in every detail for Eldrazi. And? What does it say?

It took a moment, but finally, a sense of stunned recognition shot through the bond.

"Well, you're not gonna like this but—"

But what?

He found his gaze lifting to meet Lynette's, continuing to give him the same cold look.

"It says, 'I know exactly what you're doing, Snake'."