Y/n POV:

  My limbs ached something horrible with a coming headache from all the strain. I know this isn't a good idea, I'm not stupid. But I've been responsible for these people's well being for the last 15 years. Like hell I'd leave them to defend for themselves. It had been at least 4 hours since I left Mateli, the moon high in the sky. Aphmau had been tailing me for a while but her horse was gradually slower than mine.

   I came up on the original Phoenix Drop gate, they made it look even better in the last few days. "Hey! Someone there? Hello?!" After a few seconds, Alexis came into view from the top. "Who goes there?!" I let my mind relax a little knowing she was at least safe. "Alexis, it's me Y/n!" She looked down at me with a confused expression.

   "Y/n? We weren't expecting you back for at least a few more day! Hold on one second and I'll let you in!" I thanked her before tying my horse up at a tree. "Y/n where is everyone else? Are you okay?!" I nodded getting my blood pressure down. "I'm perfectly fine. What about everyone here, are they alright?" Alexis was taken aback by how serious my tone was.

   "Y-yes everyone here is well and good! We had an issue with some demons outside the gate earlier, but we made quick work of them. Thank goodness the wall was here or we might have been overwhelmed by them." Demons? "What did they look like?"

    "T-they were... they were scary. They had yellow glowing eyes and were made of darkness that emotes a feeling so...unnatural. Even though they never made it past the ways, they..." Alexis' voice trailed off looking to be lost in fearful thought. I sighed and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "I'm gonna speak with Levin and Malachi and try to clear a few things up."

   I told Alexis that Aphmau was gonna be here in about 10 minutes, asking the same questions as me. She nodded and went back to her post. Once I got to the settlement my head was pounding. Even with how dark it was, the lights hurt my eyes. I wrapped a hand around my bandaged waist to ease at least a little. I caught Dante's gaze and he strutted over immediately.

    "Y/n?? Are you okay?!" Hell no. "I'm alright Dante. I heard what happened, are you guys alright??" He didn't look convincing since I definitely didn't appear in full condition. "W-we managed and no one was hurt. My apologies, it's just shocking to see you return this late at night. Where are the others?"

    "Aphmau is right behind me, but we came alone after being attacked in Mateli." Dante's voice and panic meter raised. "ATTACKED?!" I winced at his volume. "Yes, by the same things as you guys earlier. The short stick of it is, they are Shadow Souls of Shadow Knights from the Nether that don't have a physical form. They are attacking people and trying to get a new on."

    Dante told me how they had found and destroyed the portal they were coming out of a while ago before asking who could be the one opening the Nether portal. It was then that Aphmau had caught up to me and was listening in. "COULD IT BE ZANE?!" The question was directed towards her. "No. Zane is still in the Irene dimension with...Garroth."

   That set everyone in an even worse mood. I turned away and took a step back as they both began to have their own conversation over the topic of staying safe. Most of my weight was being put on my left foot, as I felt heavier than normal. Most definitely dehydrated, as a faint ringing caught my ears. The lights were still glaring in my eyes as everything felt bigger.

'This really wasn't a good idea.' The settlement was safe and there wasn't a point in my reckless, physical endangerment. "Y/n...?" I blinked, looking back over to Aphmau. "Are you feeling okay?" Dante was no longer there(probably went home) and she had concern written on her face. "Hm? Oh, yes. You don't need to worry about me Aphmau. It's just a minor migraine from the fall. Let's go see the boys."

We both went inside the house as Aphmau closed the door behind us. Malachi was sitting on the couch but immediately stood up looking frazzled. "Mom, Y/n? What are you two doing here so late?" I forced a quiet laugh and put my foot forward when the world took a nosedive. Everything around me became blurry as the ringing muted out any noise.

Everything including my injuries became numb as I could no longer move, loading consciousness.

~oOo~

Laurence POV:

I. Was. Livid. Aphmau and Y/n took off without telling anyone. They were stupid enough to go all the way back to Phoenix Drop in the middle of the night when those Shadow Souls are amuck. Not to mention Y/n is in no place to even be moving! Women sometimes... that was 2 days ago.
I found Lord Aphmau inside of the old guard station with... Sasha.

Tied up and in a holding cell, being interrogated. Sasha said how Zenix came through the portal into the Nether and went on a murdering rampage. Killing off the other Shadow Knights. Sasha was the only escapee and survivor. It is now apparent that she wants our help in stopping him. And that she was even willing to be our prisoner in order to do so.

This would need to be heavily discussed between everyone. It was then that Kenmur walked in. No one said anything at first before I spoke out. "Kenmur get out of here." He has bewildered eyes with a quickening breath. "...No... No, NO NO NO! YOU'RE DEAD! SHE IS SUPPOSED TO BE DEAD! SHE DIED IN THE NETHER!" Sasha didn't respond to him as streams fell from his eyes.

"YOU'RE NOT REAL!" Outright, genuine pain was being displayed. No r al way to discribe it. "KENMUR OUTSIDE NOW!" Oh how the tables have turned, the hypocrite I am. "SHE ISNT REAL LAURENCE! MY FIANCÉ DIED LONG AGO! THAT ISNT MY SASHA!" He looked like he was gonna hurt someone else or himself as I hand reacted. Hitting him across the face and back to reality. "OUT. SIDE. NOW."

Kenmur retreated out the door as I followed after him. Dante was posted out there as we both stood around to comfort him. No sooner than 5 minutes later, Aphmau came out to talk about what happened. "We can discuss with her later in a few hours. Right now we need to make sure Kenmur is fine, make sure everyone is fine." Something clicked in her expression as it change to a slightly giulty one.

"About that... Y/n's injuries were overwhelmed by all that was happening, and she passed out last night. She wasn't awake this morning but she might be now." I shook my head wanting to now go see her more than ever. 'That damn woman.' Dante said he would be staying to keep an eye on Sasha while we took Kenmur back to the settlement to reset his mental state.

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