Welcome back to Lap of the gods, everyone I'm glad everyone enjoyed the chapter. Please remember to COMMENT and VOTE, it means a lot to me. Plus I like talking to you guys and hearing your opinions. Also, remember to watch the video it goes with the chapter. ~XOXO BUTTERBALL~

The song is Devotion by No Party For Cao Dong

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-Sorey-

I slowly opened my eyes, the sound of soft running water entered my ears as the smell of wet minerals entered my nose. Steam floated through the air wafting off of the enormous hot spring that sat towards the back of the room. A small waterfall flowed gently out of the wall and into the hot spring.

That's when I noticed Marta, she sat next to me in the hot spring a slightly shocked expression on her face as she stared up at me blinking slowly.

"What is it?" I asked frowning.

She looked down, a small sad smile on her face. "I...thought that you were still angry with me."

"Why would I be mad at you?" I asked confused.

She frowned as she leaned on the edge of the hot spring, just beneath her chest I saw the familiar ball of light hovering there. As she looked away from me it seemed to pulse slightly.

For a few moments she was silent then her eyes met mine again. "I...scared you when I used that spell. I didn't expect it to cause that much damage but it was the only option, if I hadn't..." she whispered, letting out a soft sniffle.

I opened my mouth to tell her that it was fine since it was our only option but instead I said something else. "I'm not mad that you used that spell," I grumbled the words coming out against my will.

My body felt odd like something was trying to smother my thoughts. I could feel a slight tug at the edge of my mind.  It felt like I was trapped inside my own flesh as my body continued to act against my will.

Marta frowned moving a bit closer as she stared at me. "You're trying to lie? To me, of all people?" Despite the tear streaks on her face, her white pupils seemed to bore into my soul.

I sighed. "I'm not mad...if anything I'm relieved. Honestly, when I found you out there in that crater I thought the worst. I'm glad that I was wrong. I'm glad that you're still here." I told her softly.

Marta's eyes went wide as she froze staring up at me, she blinked slowly but said nothing. She looked at me as though she almost couldn't believe what I had just said.

The world around me flickered as my vision spun making me close my eyes for a moment. A soft whimper entered my ears as I slowly opened my eyes, I found myself once again surrounded in a world of pure white.

I looked down as I heard the whimper again, Marta lay in my lap her body eerily still. Her skin was drained of color almost grey as the black veins seemed to pulse and twitch like worms beneath her skin. Black empty eyes stared back at me as I stroked her hair slowly.

Cold air brushed against my skin leaving behind a harsh sting as Marta's dress rustled slightly. I pulled Marta closer to me, wrapping my arms around her even more.

"Please...wake up. I need you..." I whispered as I hugged her.

However, I got no answer and I doubt I ever would.

~~~~

I woke up with a start my eyes wide and my skin slick with sweat as I sprung up, my head was throbbing. I saw something move out of the corner of my eye, and instantly reached for my sword but stopped as my vision focused a bit more.

Lila sat next to the fire the journal open in her lap as her shoulders shook silently, small sniffles escaping her. She sighed and rubbed her eyes in an attempt to stop the tears.

What's wrong with her?

I slowly got up and walked over to her. "Did you find anything?" I asked softly.

She jumped her tail standing straight up for a moment before she looked up at me with wide eyes.

"I did, but I don't think it'll do much good," she whispered and looked away from me.

I let out a sigh sat down next to her laying my sword across my lap, one glance at the sky told me that it was late into the night. "You were supposed to wake me up when it was my turn to keep watch," I reminded her trying to ignore the pounding in my head.

Lila let out a soft humorless chuckle as she looked over at Alice who was sprawled out on her bedroll snoring. "I did plan on waking you up but then I started thinking about Fina, and all the other girls trapped in that cave. I couldn't sleep..." She told me softly trailing off as she scowled.

I ran a hand through my hair as I looked at her. "You'll get used to it...it's one of the worst things you can find in those godforsaken dens. But when you go through enough of them it becomes routine, save a few, burn the rest."

Lila slowly looked up at me as she bit her lower lip. "How long did it take for you to get used to it?"

I was silent for a few moments as I carefully stoked the fire. "I'm not," I admitted softly.

"But you just said-" Lila began a frown on her face.

"Apathy," I answered almost instantly. "Besides my sword, it's my favorite tool in this type of work."

Lila looked at me with wide eyes, her head tilted to the side as her tail curled slightly.  I couldn't help but let out a snort at her expression.

"I'm cruel but I'm not soulless," I told her.

~~~

It was a few moments later when Lila fell asleep, her body slumping over against me and the journal falling from her hands

"This is why I told you to wake me up when it was my turn to keep watch," I told her softly even though I knew she couldn't hear me.

Reaching over I picked up the journal only to freeze as I saw what she had been looking at. On the right page, there was a very detailed sketch of Marta.

She stood in front of Medoh's gate a grin on her face, next to her was a small boy holding her hand. The boy couldn't have been older than nine or ten, his hair was black as night and trimmed slightly short.

In the sketch, he was looking up at Marta in pure awe and admiration, a small smile on his face. I couldn't help but notice that Medoh's peach tree was missing and that instead of inhabiting Lila, Marta stood in her original white-haired form.

Underneath the drawing were the words, Marta and Mikhail 503 RC.

So this is what Mikhail looked like...

My head was still aching, as the pain seemed to increase I gritted my teeth. A cold bitter taste coated my tongue as my own heartbeat roared in my ears, my nose began stinging almost violently. I rubbed it feeling cold almost sludge-like liquid on my hand.

When I raised my hand I saw smudges of glowing black ether, it felt like I was choking on it. My limbs ached and felt tied down, I could barely move even breathing seemed like a struggle, my hand fell down into my lap.

The dark ether dripped onto my arms and hands leaving a trail of cold slick liquid that stained and burned my skin. "M...Marta," I rasped trying to wake her up.

What...what's happening to me?

Hushed whispers entered my ears before I heard a familiar male voice fading in and out as it spoke into my thoughts in a barely audible tone. "...heed...my...kill"

The voice felt like ice-cold fingers being run along my spine as I struggled to drag in air.

Suddenly all the pain stopped as warmth spread over me, I could help but gasp for air as I ran a hand over my face. I scanned the area with wide eyes one hand on the hilt of my sword, glancing down I saw Lila's tail wrapped around my wrist like she usually did.

Lila's body was giving off a familiar gentle white glow, the glow spread from my wrist where her tail was until it was traveling over my hand to my arms and finally the rest of my body. The dark ether being chased away and smothered within the white ether.

The white ether seemed to instantly relax me, my shoulders slumping slightly as warmth bloomed in my chest, it felt as though I had taken a nap on a nice warm sunny day. I looked down at Lila as I ran a thumb over her tail.

Slowly I reached over gently patted her head, I stopped for a moment as a familiar ache grew in my chest but I did my best to push it away.

Lila let out a soft trilling like noise, that I'd heard kindred make before in passing.

I think that means happy? Although knowing Lila it could mean anything.

I heard Alice yawn and saw her sit up slowly looking a bit dazed. She squinted up at the sky, some of her hair was hanging down in her face and she had a line of drool by her mouth.

"Glad to see you slept like the dead," I sighed.

She looked over at me and blinked slowly for a moment. "I drugged myself so I'd be able to fall asleep, I don't get enough sleep as it is I don't need night terrors keeping me up."

Alice stumbled ungracefully to her feet, she smoothed her hair back and adjusted her clothes. "You look like shit, you should've let me make you something for sleep too," she told me as she walked over to the fire.

"And let you poison me? I wouldn't trust you to put salt on my food," I grumbled.

She smiled slightly as she sat down across from me. "Considering what you eat, your food can season itself."

I rolled my eyes as I placed Marta's journal down.

"How long has she been asleep?" Alice asked her tone turning serious as she looked at Lila.

"She fell asleep a few moments ago, the little idiot didn't even wake me up when it was my turn to keep watch," I told her.

"I can't blame her, from the sound of it, she's never been in an Egaros den, at least that she can remember. Of course, it would shock her," Alice sighed.

I said nothing as I unwrapped a piece of colorful hard candy and tossed it in my mouth. The sweet smooth taste of cream spread across my tongue.

"Sorey," Alice said in a hesitant tone.

I looked up at her as I rolled the light blue foil between my fingers, turning it into a small ball.

I know that awful tone anywhere.

"Your cravings haven't been acting up, right?" Alice asked gently, genuine concern on her face.

I let out a huff. "Well aren't you disgustingly sentimental tonight," I mumbled.

Alice ran a hand down her face as she let out a very exasperated sounding sigh. "Sorey this is serious what if you-"

"I know," I said almost instantly. Alice looked at me with slightly wide eyes as I spoke, "I know Alice, I'm not a fool. The cravings are there, they've always been there nagging at me somewhere from the back of my mind. Lately, they've been getting worse," I told her.

For a few moments, Alice was quiet staring into the fire as she bit her lip. Slowly she looked up at me. "How much worse?" She asked me softly.

I couldn't help but smile slightly. "To the point that ripping off your face and eating it like a piece of jerky seems like a very appealing idea."

Alice flinched at my words her eyes narrowing into a glare. "I'm being serious Sorey you could end up eating Lila!"She snapped a little bit too loudly.

There she goes with that enormous mouth of hers.

Lila shifted a bit letting out a soft hum but didn't open her eyes. I said nothing as I curled my wing around Lila a bit.

Alice gasped suddenly which caused me to look back at her. She was staring at me with a mix of horror and shock covering her face.

"You weren't joking..." she said softly.

"Why did you think I was?" I sighed, this conversation was exhausting and pointless.

"Well, I'm used to you being awful. I'm used to you threatening anyone and everyone..." She told me, her voice oddly gentle. "What are you going to do when it gets to be too much? Marta might be able to help you, she saved you from death itself twice?"

"If it gets to be too much I'll take care of it myself, before it gets to that point," I told her.

"Wait, Sorey, you don't mean..."

I gave her a small humorless smile. "Dying by my own blade wouldn't be so bad."

~~~~

"Let's see after we pass through this small town we should be able to walk through the Natia forest to reach, Olakator," Alice said as she showed the map to Lila.

"Did you draw this yourself, Alice?" Lila said in awe her face was lit up like an excited child's.

"I managed to do half of it myself, the northern areas and southern areas were the easiest. I even managed to do some of the more dangerous sections on my own. However there were quite a few places I couldn't venture to or I would drop dead in seconds," Alice explained, a grin on her face.

"Well aren't you two children excited," I grumbled as I chewed on a piece of smoked meat.

My stomach was aching and felt incredibly empty, I had tried ignoring it but was becoming more annoying and unbearable with each passing moment.

I wish I was drunk right now...

"I'm not a child," Lila said instantly.

"I'm twenty-one years older than you Sorey," Alice muttered.

"And Lila is seventy-five years older than me, look how she acts," I reminded Alice.

Lila's eyes narrowed as she playfully stuck her tongue before giving me a grin.

"Filling out this part right here was especially hard," Alice told Lila tapping to a spot on the map. "The dark ether here can cause a human to go insane within seconds. After a few minutes if you haven't clawed out your own eyes or throat out from the horrific hallucinations then you start to look like the Medoh peach tree before Marta restored it."

I let out a chuckle as Lila's eyes went wide at Alice's description. "How exactly did you get a sketch of that part?" Lila asked hesitantly

"I paid Sorey to do the first half of the sketch. Demons can't use magic due to an inability to appropriately absorb enough ether, so they have a higher resistance to all ether. But since Sorey is a mutt I was a bit worried," Alice said cheerfully. "For such a brute he's surprisingly talented at art."

"Sorey, I didn't know you could draw like this," Lila said looking up at me with a smile.

I shrugged. "Unless I'm scouting something for a mission I don't need to use it. There's no point honestly."

Alice smirked slightly before turning to Lila. "Sorey can bake incredible desserts also, especially these really soft and squishy small pouch-like things with fruit paste inside."

"Alice, I swear to the Maker that if you can't learn to be quiet I will take your skull and use it as a soup bowl," I growled.

"You'll only use my skull, well aren't you wasteful," Alice said as she went back to reading the map.

I don't even know why I agreed to bring her along.

"The town we're passing through is Trenna, right?" I asked Alice.

She glanced up at me, a frown on her face. "Yeah, why? While it does have a checkpoint, the town itself isn't affiliated with The Church of the Sacred Wing. The town is under a guild's protection though."

"One of the thieves guilds or Merchant guilds right?" I asked as I uncorked my waterskin.

My throat was so dry it ached every time I swallowed. The throbbing in my head had settled down slightly turning into a dull yet annoying ache.

"No, it's one of the creature hunting and taming guilds. Monster's Vein," she informed me.

"Oh, those fools. I worked with them once, it was one of the worst experiences I've ever had with a guild. It's one of the reasons I hate working with humans," I mumbled.

That letter I was expecting should be at Trenna, it hasn't been that long since I sent the letters and maps from Medoh.

"Was it really that awful or are you just exaggerating?" Lila asked her tilting her head to the side as well as her tail.

"The first time I worked with them because they needed a mercenary for protection and Vale recommended me. Apparently, they wanted to catch Mulue-"

"What's a Mulue?" Lila asked scowling, she blinked slowly and I saw her eyes flash violet for a moment.

Right, she's never seen one as far as she remembers.

"I keep forgetting that you don't know much about Adonis outside of your small village and Via. I mean you're or rather you two are the Maker," Alice said, a smile on her face as she watched Lila.

"I do know certain things. Although the village was mostly human there was a doctor there that I used to help quite a bit. He taught me a lot of things although he possibly wasn't as sane as I was led to believe" Lila told her with a smile, as her tail waved lazily in the air.

"I have a feeling I don't want to know what you learned from him or what you may have seen while working for him," Alice told her.

"What's a Mulue? Marta said that it looks like a thorn rabbit," Lila asked again.

"She's mostly right. Mulue are these little rodent-like creatures with a lot of white fur covering them. The fur makes them look like a snowball with black eyes, enormous ears, and cloven hooves. Since they are only found in places with snow it makes finding them near impossible unless you have a good eye and good nose," I explained.

Lila frowned a look of confusion covering her face, "They sound as harmless as thorn rabbits. Unless they get bigger and violent, so what was the problem?"

"Since a lot of things like eating Mulue when they get startled or captured they let out this horrendous screech. When I helped out the guild that day, I had the privilege of hearing that screech all day because one of those fools didn't bring the correct bait. The bait that the idiot brought was meant for skyfish, however, since skyfish dislike the cold it attracted hungry predators. My ears still ring just thinking about it," I grumbled.

I felt uncomfortably hot and the headache had returned with a vengeance, I could feel the throbbing in my gums. My throat was dry every time I swallowed it felt as though my throat were sticking together. I went to take another drink of water but my water skin was empty, I let out a small huff as I walked off of the pathway.

If I remember correctly, there should be a small freshwater stream nearby.

"Sorey where are you going?" Alice asked me instantly a scowl on her face. I must've had an odd look on my face because Alice was looking at me with a mixture of pity and concern.

"I'm going to refill my water skin at the nearby stream," I said as I walked through some nearby bushes.

"Sorey are you okay? You look kind of pale," Lila asked gently.

"I'm fine. I'm just going to get more water," I said dismissively.

Behind me I heard Lila try to follow me but then Alice spoke to her drawing her attention. "Lila, you never showed me the journal that Nimiss gave you. Can I please take a peek?"

Thank the Maker, Alice is quick on her feet.

When I reached the stream I knelt down and began filling up the water skin. A soft rustling sound came from the bushes on the other side. I placed one hand on the hilt of my sword as I silently stared ahead.

I sniffed the air catching the soft scent of flowers. The first thing I saw was blue and green emerging from the bush, I drew my sword as the man stumbled forward.

He let out a soft hiss running a hand through his dark blue hair before looking at me. His right eye was covered with a white eye patch, his left eye was wide staring at me.

Green horns and a green tail? A kindred demon mix? It's rare but not uncommon.

"Twze mal rou shal mi?" The man said although his tone made it sound like a question.

Lowering my sword I let out a sigh, "I don't speak the fae language."

Sheathing my sword I began to gather more water every so often glancing at the man's hands.

If he's a half-demon I don't have to worry about magic. Then again...

"You wouldn't happen to know where Medoh is? I got a bit turned around," he asked with a slight smile on his face.

"So you can speak the human language," I said standing up as I put the cork into the water skin.

My headache had started to die down my mouth was still dry, but I wasn't going to risk taking my eyes off the man in front of me.

The man looked at me with a wide eye for a moment, it seemed like he was shocked that I responded to him again.

I don't see anything on him that points to being with The Church of the Sacred wing. He doesn't seem to recognize me on sight since he didn't run away screaming or tried to take my head.

I saw him stare at the markings on my skin, before he looked away.

"Medoh is back that way, you'll know the moment you see the enormous peach tree," I told him as I gestured to the area upstream.

He let out a soft chuckle. "I had a feeling I was going the wrong way." The man began walking off but stopped.

"Now that I think about it you do look familiar..." he began as he spoke my hand instantly began reaching for the hilt of my sword.

I can stab him right through his throat, he won't have a chance to call for help.

My body tensed up as I stared at the back of his neck the world around me faded into the background, a small part of me that I'd tried to ignore wondered if I could snap his neck with my jaws.

Kindred are fragile, one snap and they're helpless.

"Oh, I know!" He suddenly exclaimed. "You look a lot like the Marchen imperial prince Yuma Rangetsu."

I froze for a moment when he spoke, "What?" I said instantly as the tension seemed to slowly fade away.

This man is a fool.

The man turned to me, a grin on his face as I watched him. "Yeah, I think it's your horns and eye color. Although it's also the shape of your eyes I suppose."

I was silent as I continued to stare at the man my claws tapping along the hilt of my sword. "The imperial prince has white hair, everyone in the imperial family has white hair. The imperial prince, in particular, has grey horns. What in Maker's name led you to that conclusion." I asked slowly.

The man's face suddenly turned blank and his eye narrowed, I saw him briefly glance at the marking before his eye went to my sword. "You do resemble him a bit. The air you give off I suppose, although doubt that the imperial prince is as...unapproachable as you seem to be."

He shook his head and shrugged before he began walking away once again. "Thank you for your help," he called out as he disappeared.

As his footsteps faded away I couldn't help but give a quick glance around. I waited a few moments after his footsteps had faded away before I headed back to Alice and Lila.

When I came back, Lila was showing Alice pages in the journal as Alice leaned over it urging her to flip the pages. "I wonder just how old this journal actually is. I mean it doesn't use MA or BHW on the dates," Alice said, her voice full of excitement.

Lila closed her eyes for a moment as her tail lifted up and curled slightly. "MA is Maker ascent right?"

"Yes and the other one means Before Holy War, the previous Mem Aleph assigned it before he died," I told Lila as I took a drink. I resisted the urge to let out a sigh as the ache in my throat seemed to stop.

"Oh yeah, I've seen it before..." Lila said I could feel her watching me.

"At least you didn't come back covered in someone else's blood this time," Alice sighed a slight smile on her face that didn't reach her eyes.

"If you want, I can change that," I offered stretching my wings out. As we continued walking Alice once again stared at the map.

When was the last time I flew? The morning we left Medoh, so almost two days.

"Please don't," Lila said quickly.

I chuckled, "Don't worry I won't. If someone wants to try their luck though that's a different story." I reached out to pat her head almost out of reflex but I froze and drew my hand back.

Lila frowned as she watched me. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"I'm fine. Why are you asking?" Despite my answer, I saw Lila glance away an odd look on her face.

"Well, I gave you more of my blood and I was just worried..." Lila whispered.

"If you gave it Sorey before it shouldn't hurt him now right?" Alice pointed.

"Yes but still-" Lila began.

"You gave me your blood after that beas- after Varuun killed me. So I doubt that it would cause an issue now especially considering I'm your familiar," I reminded her.

Lila's eyes flashed purple for a moment before she looked up at me. "Just...if something goes wrong or doesn't feel right please let me know," she told me practically pleading.

The look on her face told me that she wouldn't take no as an answer. I sighed and ran a hand through my hair, for a brief moment I saw Lila's hands disappear as the camouflage rolled over her skin.

"Look, kid, I'm fine just a little tired. When we get to Trenna I'll go flying for a bit," I assured her.

"Can I come with you? I haven't really had the chance to fly either." Lila asked a small smile on her face.

"Sure you can," I said.

Lila's tail began waving as she walked ahead of Alice and I humming, with a noticeable bounce in her step. "It's probably not a good idea to lie to her like that," Alice warned softly.

"I don't need your pity, Alice. Besides considering what she told me last night you didn't follow your own advice," I hissed as my headache returned.

Alice glared up at me. "Sorey, do you know what she told me when I tried to tell her who you are and what you've done? I told her the horrific things you did to those villages and do you know what she told me?"

"What Alice?" I snapped a bit louder than I would've liked.

Lila jumped and looked back at us, I shook my head dismissively. "Alice is just being annoying," I told her rolling my eyes.

Seemingly satisfied with my answer Lila turned around and continued walking.

Alice grabbed my wrist tightly as she leaned closer to me, her face red with anger. "Marta and Lila both told me that they would trust you and that they always have. Somewhere in Lila's life, she has met you before-"

With each word she spoke, my headache seemed to get worse as a muffled buzzing noise seemed to fill my ears almost drowning her out. "Alice, let me go I am fucking warning you," I growled, that awful bitter taste coated my tongue.

That voice from last night seemed to whisper into my mind again. "...know...humans..."

Shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up!

"Relvi...would hate..."

"Or you'll what? I know you, Sorey, you wouldn't-"

I snarled loudly baring my teeth at Alice, she flinched back with wide eyes her face pale as her hand fell away from my wrist." You..." she whispered.

Suddenly the world snapped into focus, the buzzing seemed to fade away as the tension seemed to leave my body as it did my headache seemed to fade away.

"Marta?" Alice said softly.

I looked at Lila to see her standing behind me, her eyes violet and her pupils white. She wordlessly reached out and placed a hand on my right arm right over the markings there.

Black ether rose out the markings coiling around Lila's fingers and hand. It snapped at her skin leaving black and purple splotches as it seemed to slither around her fingers. After a moment or two, she drew back her hand and began looking at it turning it this way and that. Her expression completely blank, unbothered by what the dark ether was doing to her skin.

Those pupils...another memory? Last time her eyes looked like that Marta collapsed.

"Lila-" I began slowly.

Lila looked up at me briefly before she began speaking her voice sounded odd and stilted almost lifeless, "Unit vessel 000 codename: Lila, status active. Unit familiar 004 codename: Sorey, status: active. Unit familiar 003 codename: Elfine status: hibernation. Unit familiar 002 codename: Mikhail, status: hibernation. Unit familiar 001 codename: Ion, status: Unknown."

"What is she doing? Is she okay?" Alice asked frantically she reached out to Lila. I couldn't help but notice that she was shaking slightly.

Lila looked down at the black ether on her hand her face still blank, her stare vacant it was slightly unsettling. "Unit Familiar 004 dark ether levels at 0."

"What do you mean corruption? I haven't been near any dark ether," I asked Lila frowning. Although I knew that the chances of her answering my question while in this state were low.

I didn't sense any magic either...

"I wouldn't be surprised if you just attracted it by being the bastard you are," Alice grumbled under her breath. She glared up at me from the corner of her eye, her face still pale and hands shaking.

Lila lifted the dark ether up to her mouth and took a deep breath. The ether flowed into her mouth like smoke.

Alice gasped and Lila stared at her for a moment, muttering unintelligible words under her breath. "Th-that's not going to hurt is it?" Alice asked frantically.

I carefully reached out to Lila the same way most would reach out to a frightened animal. Lila looked at me, a chill rolled over my skin as I forced back a shudder. It was as though her eyes were staring straight through me.

That blank empty look she has is a bit unsettling.

Lila slowly placed her hand in mine, and a small smile spread across her face. "Sorey..." she paused, frowned for a moment, and shook her head. "Chikage." She said warmly her smile returning.

Wait, she...

"Sorey, did you tell her-"

"I didn't," I said instantly.

Lila let out an odd sound her hand leaving mine as her eyes squeezed shut. When her legs practically collapsed beneath her I almost lunged forward in an effort to catch her. When my arms wrapped around Lila, her body folded back suddenly as though she had been snapped in half.

Dammit, this is-no last time this happened to her...how did I get it to stop?

I let out a small huff as I pulled Lila closer to my chest, doing my best to ignore my heartbeat thundering in my ears. As Lila's scent enveloped me I clenched my teeth my stomach twisting in both hunger and disgust.

Sweet...has her scent always been like this?

Lila was muttering under her breath like a madwoman, occasionally I would hear a word she had used before in her spells.

"Sorey, lay her down so that I can examine her. She really doesn't look well," Alice told me.

Her tone told me that she wouldn't take no for an answer. I was in no mood to argue with her so I ignored her focusing on Lila.

Her eyes hand opened slightly as glowing white ether trickled out of her mouth, eyes, and nose. She gasped silently in pain before letting out a soft whimper. Lila looked at me and spoke softly, "Goddess permissions active..."

"Sorey, I don't care how pissed you are at me or how much you want to tear me to shreds! Something is obviously wrong with Lila! So for-"

"New memory detected. Permitting access to vessel codename Lila," Lila said suddenly causing both Alice and I to freeze instantly.

Her eyes opened wide and as her pupils returned to black she flinched. Lila stood up, trembling slightly as she gripped my arm with one hand. She coughed softly as she rubbed at her face even though the ether had already started to evaporate.

"Lila, come here. Let me make sure you're alright," Alice said gently a small strained smile on her face.

"Alice...why are you looking at Sorey like that? Is something wrong?" Lila rasped as she cleared her throat.

I glanced at Alice to see her looking at Lila with wide eyes, her mouth open as though she wanted to say something but didn't know how.

I took a deep breath and sighed as the tension seemed to bleed out of my limbs. Folding my arms I gave Lila a small smile."It's nothing kid, Alice was just worried about you. She's only seen you recover a memory once and it was nothing like that," I told Lila trying to reassure her.

Lila frowned as she stretched slightly her tail curling up before flicking out. "Huh? I...recovered a memory? What are you talking about?" She asked her head tilted to the side.

Wait, is it possible for Marta to recover a memory Lila wouldn't have the ability to see? No, of it's possible they share a body but Marta came before Lila even existed.

"I'm really sorry if I worried you both, but I'm fine, honestly." Lila insisted.

Alice walked over to Lila and leaned forward staring into her eyes for a moment. Lila stared back with wide eyes, "Alice?"

Drawing back Alice let out a sigh. "Alright, but let me know if you start feeling odd okay? I'm a better alchemist than a doctor but I could probably make some medicine for you."

Lila knows how to treat wounds better than either of us.

But I held my tongue. Lila grinned her tail wagging slightly, "I will, although you don't have to be that worried about me. I'm more worried about you honestly Alice, Sorey, and I aren't human so trying to keep our pace must be tiring you out, right?"

Alice let out a small snort as she walked ahead of Lila and I. She looked over her shoulder at us, a small smirk on her face. "Don't worry Lila, I've outrun quite a few beasts faster than you two."

~~~

"I can't believe how long this line is!" Alice whined as she let out a soft groan.

Lila let out a small chuckle as she held out her waterskin. "Here, drink some water Alice," she urged her.

I rolled my eyes, "You were the fool who said that you could keep up with us." I reminded her.

Alice's eyes narrowed in a glare. "Oh shut up you half-breed monster, I'd rather be slow than be like you," she grumbled maliciously before taking a drink.

Lila flinched. "Alice, isn't that going a bit far? Sorey's rude but he's not a monster." She said softly, also noticing Alice's tone.

"It doesn't matter, just get your travel permit out so we're not out here any longer than we need to be," I sighed.

Compared to other things people have said about me, that was on the same level as a child's insult.

Currently, we were in line, standing on a stone bridge that led to Trenna's large stone and metal gate. Just above the gate and town walls, I could see the telltale sparkle of an ether barrier. Beneath the bridge was a somewhat sizable light blue river. On both sides of the bank was lush green grass that was slightly taller than usual.

"But I don't have a travel permit Sorey," Lila reminded me, a scowl on her face as she fidgeted with her collar.

"Don't worry just let them get a good look at the collar. It works just as well as a travel permit," I informed her.

I could feel my headache slowly coming back, while not as bad as before it was annoying.

If I remember correctly Goldhorn tea is good for headaches but the herb needed for it doesn't start growing until the middle of spring. There's always oklird flowers but they're disgustingly bitter.

"It does? Actually, that makes a lot of sense," Lila muttered. She brushed her thumb over her collar and let out a low hum.

"Don't worry, I have your other collar," I reassured her as I took my travel permit out.

Since Monster's Vein is the guild overseeing this town I should use my standard one. No point in calling attention to us for no reason.

Lila smiled at me. "How'd you know what I was going to ask?"

"Your face tells everything, unlike Marta. I'd have to be blind and a fool not to see it," I told her.

"You could do Adonis a favor and cut your eyes out for the good of everyone," Alice mumbled as she dug through her knapsack.

She let out a huff as she pulled out her travel permit. Alice glanced at it quickly before she put it in her cloak pocket.

Lila's tail lifted and curled slightly as she looked around with wide eyes, a slight smile on her face.

She looks excited, Marta probably is too.

As if she heard my thoughts, Lila looked at me, her eyes violet.

"I faintly remember when this town used to be only a few houses. It's nice to see how much it has flourished," Marta told me, her eyes going to the gate.

She stood on her tiptoes slightly trying her best to see into the town, over the small crowd ahead of us.

"Trenna used to be a farming village. Let's see...if I remember correctly after the war the Mem Aleph gave them some land as well as the ability to expand their village. Both were a reward for their contributions during the war." Alice told Marta which caused her to frown slightly.

"Ah...that's right. They gave food to many of the soldiers. Since the food was good and well made it helped keep morale high. Especially as the war dragged on," Marta said matter of factly, her eyes closed.

"Keeping morale high during battle is a delicate task and an incredible obstacle. While it's one of the most important things at the same time it's incredibly hard to manage." I sighed to which Marta nodded in agreement.

"By the way Marta, what memory did you get back?" Alice asked her voice brimming with excitement.

At her question, Marta frowned her tail tilting to the side. "Umm...Alice?" She said slowly.

"Yes?" Alice asked, a large smile on her face.

Marta was silent for a moment as she briefly glanced away. "What are you talking about?"

At her words both Alice and I froze, my eyes going wide as I looked at Marta.

"Lila said that you recovered a memory earlier," Alice told her trying to remind her.

Is one of them lying, or is the memory just too horrific for Marta or Lila that they don't want to talk about it?

"Give me a moment to ask Lila," Marta said. For a moment or two, she stared down at the bridge a blank expression on her face.

Marta shook her head, a look of slight confusion on her face. "Lila has no new memories at the moment." She informed us.

Alice looked slightly disappointed for a moment but smiled. "It can't be helped. If either of you remembers something let us know."

Alice, should've come to the same realization that I did. She's a fool but at least her common sense never fails her.

"I will," Marta said with a smile. Although it did look a bit strained.

"Hopefully we'll be able to get a room at the Inn. But with people panicking due to that tree in the sky, and the church of the sacred wing on high alert everyone's on edge. So it may be a bit harder to get a room," I sighed.

"We better not be sharing a room, if so, I'll just sleep in a fucking alley," Alice huffed.

I chose to ignore her focusing my attention toward the front of the line. We were the second people in line with a man and his horse-drawn carriage ahead of us.

I recognized two members of Monster's Vein ahead, they were the guards stationed in front of the gate.

Hopefully, they'll ignore me, dealing with Alice is already trying my patience. Not to mention my head is killing me.

As our turn came I stepped forward along with Alice and Marta. Before I could even show my travel permit the guard to my left gasped loudly.

"Sorey? Alice?" The guard nearly exclaimed.

I sighed before I turned and looked at Marta. She frowned as she looked back at me. "Sorey, why are you looking at me like that?" She asked slowly.

"Why do you hate me?" I asked her.

"Huh?" Marta asked her eyes going wide as a mixture of shock and confusion covered her face. Moments later I saw the realization on her face. She playfully slapped my arm with her tail a smile on her face. "Oh quiet you," she said letting out a small laugh.

"Sorey, who's this? I don't think I've ever seen you travel with a Kindred before," The guard asked as he removed his helmet.

Instantly I recognized his face. The short red hair and the jagged scar running across his nose.

"She's only a client, Briar," I sighed as I handed him my travel permit. I could feel the other guard's eyes on me, I glanced at him.

The other guard turned away quickly, almost frantically his grip tightening on his spear.

That's an ether spear, wonder where he got that. Probably from a job or helping out one of the better thief guilds.

"She's a client..." Briar repeated slowly as he looked Marta up and down. For a few moments his gaze lingered on her collar, I could practically see the gears turning in his head. "Are you visiting Vale? She has been complaining about Skyfish lately." He asked me suddenly.

I nodded slowly. "Yeah, I don't know why she asked for me when your guild is closer. Since my client is headed in that direction I figured why not, after all, Vale said she'd pay well."

Briar's gotten better at using his guild's code. He knows I'm headed to Olakator, and Vale complaining about Skyfish means we have a traitor in our misted that reports back to the Church. Shit, I knew the Church was desperate to find Marta but I didn't think anyone in Olakator would be foolish enough to side with them.

"How bad is the Skyfish problem anyway?" Alice asked catching on to what Briar and I meant.

Briar let out a rather convincing laugh, "It's only one actually but it's big and vicious from the sound of it." His tone was slightly dismissive.

There's only one traitor causing problems but that traitor is important and has a lot of reach in Olakator.

"Did Vale ask for your help too? I mean I figured she'd give the monster hunting guilds a chance to prove their worth." Alice asked.

Marta was staring at the other guard with interest, but from the way, her tail was moving she was definitely listening to us.

Briar shook his head as he handed me my travel permit back. "No, our guild master said we should stay here to watch over Trenna since it's under our protection. Although Vale did tell us to let her know if we see anything odd out here as well."

Vale told the guild master to stay here because the traitor is headed this way or may already be out here hiding in Trenna. And for us to be careful because while Monster's Vein is overseeing Trenna there are eyes and ears everywhere.

"Thanks, Briar," Alice said as she took her travel permit back.

Briar nodded as he attempted to give Marta another once over while she was looking away. His face turned red slightly as he rubbed the back of his neck and looked away. "...really adorable," he whispered.

Alice smirked as Marta looked at him, letting out a small giggle. "You're adorable as well, little human," Marta said slyly.

Briar's face turned a brighter shade of red. "Oh right, you guys can pass on through. I'll be at the tavern tonight if you need anything."

Strix tavern...a good drink sounds amazing right about now.

As my headache increased tenfold I bit my lip. My stomach twisted as I walked past Briar, with Alice and Marta following close behind. My stomach growled softly as I caught Briar's scent, however, I ignored it as well as pushing back the thought of what human meat may taste like.

"I knew you loved humans Marta, but I didn't think you enjoyed their company like that," I said as I massaged my temple. The bustling noise of the town seemed to grate on my ears.

"I don't particularly like humans in that fashion," she said quickly as she looked away, her face slightly red.

"Could've fooled me, but if you do want to take Briar up on his offer Trenna's red-light district is on the south side of town," I informed her, a small strained smile on my face.

"Oh okay," Marta answered almost instantly. Seconds later, however, her eye went wide, "Wha-wait how do you know that?" Marta exclaimed. At her outburst, I had to force myself not to flinch.

"Please don't ask him that Marta, I'd like to avoid throwing up thank you," Alice muttered.

"Both of you are heathens," Marta sighed. "Briar just reminds me of someone."

"Have you met him before?" Alice asked her face lighting up.

Marta shook her head a small almost sad smile on her face. "No, definitely not but I did know someone who had a personality similar to his. Although a bit rougher around the edges I suppose, now that I think about it, the person I'm thinking of was a brat." She told Alice.

"Do you remember his name?" Alice asked her eagerly with wide eyes.

For a brief moment, an odd look passed over Marta's face. "Sorry Lila," she whispered, her voice was so low that I was sure Alice couldn't have heard. Marta closed her eyes briefly and when she opened them Lila looked around a frown forming on her face.

"Marta wants to know if you saw it?" Lila asked me.

What is she talking about?

I frowned, "No, what was I supposed to see?"

"Your conscious probably," Alice huffed.

"If I wanted something unnecessary I'd just eat you," I grumbled.

Alice glared at me. "Try me you fucking monster, I'll blow you up so fast." She growled her hand going to the knife she kept in her cloak.

I squeezed my eyes shut for a moment as I tried to stop my head from throbbing as well as hold myself back.

I can't risk losing control like I did earlier, that was already too close for comfort.

"I don't even know when I'm giving you the option when I can do everyone a favor kill you myself," Alice snapped continuing her threats.

"W-what happened?" Lila asked, sounding worried and confused.

What was it my mentor always told me? Ah, right...

Taking a deep breath I opened my eyes and looked at Alice. "I'm sorry that I snapped at you like that. It was more of a warning bite but still, I scared you and I was wrong," I told Alice, allowing sweetness to leak into my voice.

When threats no longer work then you need to throw out the bait and tempt them.

I used the same tone I used in Marchen when dealing with nobles.

Charm and trap them before taking a knife to their back in the dark.

Alice looked stunned, her tirade stopping as she stared at me with wide eyes, her cheeks slightly pink.

"I'm just tired and irritated I suppose. I already have a headache and well humans try my patience more than most," I continued as I ran a hand through my hair.

Alice has always been a hopeless romantic even now.

"Sorey?" Lila said hesitantly, her face slightly pale as her camouflage rolled over her hands briefly.

"What is it? Are you hungry?" I asked.

She shook her head. "No, well kind of, but that's not important right now. Marta said that the first guard that almost took your travel permit, before Briar did, is a member of the Church of the Sacred wing," she informed us, her tail lowering.

"Wait, really?" Alice almost exclaimed causing a few people to glance over at us.

Lila nodded. "We're sure, his spear and armor are covered in black ether. It's almost oppressive," Lila said, shuddering, looking slightly ill.

Turning on my clairvoyant eye I looked back toward Trenna's gate. My eyes went wide as a large black glow flared to life nearly engulfing the small balls of white ether near it.

"How in the Maker's name is he even alive," I whispered as I returned my vision to normal.

"I don't know, he should be an unrecognizable creature with how much dark ether is on him," Lila whispered.

"Is it really that bad?" Alice asked slowly as she looked between Lila and I.

"You know what tree bark from the frozen forest looks like before it's blessed right?" I reminded her.

Alice nodded her face pale. "But how? Anyone who's not Marta or Lila isn't made to survive pure dark ether like that."

"You're right, no one other than those two can survive it, at least not without a lot of difficulty. But, corpses can be filled with ether. In fact, it was a popular tactic used by Fae mercenaries and soldiers in the past. They'd temporarily bring a corpse back to life and fill it to the brim with dark ether, then control it and make it walk into the enemy stronghold. Of course, the enemy guards would come and surround the intruder then well..." I explained trailing off.

"The corpse would explode tainting people with dark ether causing madness and death," Alice finished.

"Why would they do that?" Lila whispered in horror.

"Convenience," I said instantly. "Why risk your life or the lives of your men in an unnecessary battle when you can do some magic at a distance and cut down your enemies' numbers significantly."

"The Icralous used to do it too," Alice pointed out.

I nodded, "True but it was sloppier, Kindred mercenaries are less common than they used to be. Nowadays most Kindred work as scholars, merchants, farmers, doctors, herbalists, and scouts. The ones who still want to battle though end up as dark mages while the rest become mercenaries," I reminded her.

"The Fae used to be divided into two clans right?" Lila asked frowning. Her tail was raised, the tip curled slightly.

"Yeah, way back before the Holy war started. One clan were Kindred who would help outsiders despite their dislike for them, while slightly mischievous they weren't malicious or destructive without valid cause. The other clan despised outsiders, to the point of taking anyone unfortunate enough to stumble into their territory, dragging them into the air and lynching them. Even with iron weapons stopping them from killing people was a challenge. During the course of the war however something strange happened, no one except the two rulers of the clans know but the clans merged and have stayed that way until this day." I explained.

"Could it be that the same thing that caused them to ask for protection from the demons is the same thing that made the clans merge? Marta told me that the Kindred became afraid of non-magic wielding because those humans had started turning to things like alchemy," Lila suggested.

My mother showed me a book from the Church's sacred library. If I remember right...

"That doesn't make sense, the Kindred and demon kingdoms were at each other's throats. Even with magic, humans were no match for the Kindred's magical ability. As for alchemy, it was still in its early stages so most didn't use it on the battlefield due to lack of predictability," I sighed.

So why did Marta tell her that?

"Any idea of what we should do about the dead guard?" Alice asked me as she bit her lip.

"I'm wondering why he hasn't exploded yet especially when he's right in front of the entrance," I told her frowning. "If he did he'd take out quite a few people right now while also taking the gate with him. The dark ether would damage that part of the ether barrier as well. From there the traitor would be able to make an argument to the Church and Vale that Trenna doesn't need Monster's Vein since they couldn't even protect against something like that."

"True..." Alice sighed. "I keep forgetting how knowledgeable you are about things like this. It's frightening. Relvi was always one step ahead of everyone in terms of magical ability and knowledge. Seeing her knowledge in your hands makes me thankful that you can't use magic."

I let out a sigh as I rubbed the back of my neck.

I have work to do here plus I need to talk to the guild master to get a better grasp on what's happening.

"Guild master Dalton is probably in the red light district, besides the walking ether bomb and the traitor, everything seems to be under control. Still, as a precaution, we shouldn't stay here too long. We'll stay the night and then, in the morning we'll continue to Naita forest. Once we get through there it's a straight shot to Olakator," I told them.

"That means we'll get a chance to try the restaurants here," Alice said excitedly as she licked her lips.

"Do they have really good food here?" Lila asked as she looked toward one of the merchant stalls with interest.

Alice nodded a smile on her face. "Yep, really good. Their grilled thorn rabbit meat wrapped in lemongrass with smoked mushrooms on the side makes me drool just thinking about it."

"That really does sound good now that you mention it. I can learn how to make it while we're here," Lila suggested, her voice tinged with slight awe.

"Please do," Alice pleaded. "Briar did say he'd be at the tavern tonight,   I'm assuming it's Strix tavern since the Everblue tavern doesn't allow anyone other than kindred."

"He seemed more interested in having dinner with Marta rather than me," Lila chuckled.

"Now that I think about it, that fool does love older women. One time, a while back he wanted to marry a kindred that was his age hundreds of times over," I told her with a slight smile. I glanced around quickly to see if I noticed anything odd or strange.

The scent of all these humans is making my stomach ache. We're not being tailed or watched, at least for right now. The post office is located down from the inn, but across from the theater.

"And you wonder why I say you can't call me a child," Marta and Lila grumbled in unison.

"Age-wise you're older than time itself, personality-wise though...well that's another thing." I reminded them.

"I hate to agree with Sorey, but he's technically right. Sorry you two," Alice told them with a small smile.

"I guess it's fine," Lila huffed pouting slightly.

~~~

"Good, we managed to get two rooms," I sighed as I stretched. My wings were cramped and aching, as I flared them out pins and needles shot across them.

I'll pick up that letter from Marchen, then go flying for a bit. I should try tracking down Dalton too, I doubt he knows that one of his men is a walking corpse.

"I'm not sharing a room with you," Alice said, her face twisting with disgust.

"Lila and I are sharing a room," I told her. "I'm more concerned as to why your first thought was you and I sharing a room."

"Y-you-" Alice began to splutter her face turning red.

Looks like I found a new toy.

I smirked slightly. "Is there something you'd like to tell me, Alice? Perhaps you've discovered an odd fetish?"

She glared at me, her cheeks still slightly red. "I really hate you," she mumbled.

I couldn't help but smile. "I know, and that brings me great joy."

"Sorey, I'll be right back," Lila told me abruptly.

Before I could say anything she ran off disappearing into the crowd.

"Where is she going?" Alice nearly exclaimed.

"I don't know, she usually doesn't do that," I replied equally confused.

"Should we be worried?"  She asked, looking at me with wide eyes.

"If you see lightning come down from the sky then yes. Those two can technically handle themselves, still..." I told her my eyes squeezing shut.

My head is killing me, and this noise isn't helping one bit.

When Alice suddenly let out a small yelp I flinched opening my eyes slightly.

"Why did you scream Alice?" Lila asked slowly.

Lila had come back, her hands were lightly streaked with dirt, and she held a familiar yellow spiral-shaped herb in her hand.

"You just appeared out of nowhere," Alice pointed out with wide eyes.

Lila shook her head with a slight smile. "No, I didn't. I had my camouflage up just in case there were Church members." She closed her eyes for a moment scowling. "Now that I think about it only Sorey has seen me in full camouflage."

"Why in the Maker's name did you just run off?" I snapped only to wince as my head throbbed viciously.

The one time I wish I could just go to get drunk and fall asleep, most of Adonis decides to fall apart.

Lila walked over to me and held out the herb. "Here eat this. It may not be as sweet as it usually is because I forced it to grow early, but it should help with your headache for a bit."

"Ah, I didn't even notice! That is a Goldhorn plant," Alice said as she leaned closer for a better look.

"How did you know I had a headache?" I muttered.

"I was a doctor remember? I know a headache when I see one," she reminded me. "I prefer to take a preventative approach, but that doesn't mean I don't know how to cure certain ailments."

I looked at Lila for a moment, truly looked at her. She was smiling softly at me as she held out the herb, she had an almost older sibling air about her at the moment.

She acts so naive much of the time that I forget that even without Marta's help she knows quite a bit. Not to mention she had the forethought to use her camouflage before running off alone.

I took the Goldhorn plant from her, it was slightly wet.

She even washed it...

Lila watched me expectantly, however, she let out a squeal when I shoved the plant directly into my mouth.

"Sorey, you're supposed to make that into tea!" Lila exclaimed.

"I mean you already washed it, besides it works either way. The tea just makes it easier for humans to swallow because their teeth can barely pierce the plant." I pointed out.

As I chewed the plant a warm syrupy sweetness coated my mouth, the warmth seemed to travel throughout my whole body soothing it. Slowly my headache began to fade away some of the tension leaving my body, although my gums still ached.

"I can't believe you're still like this," Lila mumbled her tail drooping slightly.

"I've always been like this," I said dismissively as I ran my tongue over my teeth.

Lila smiled warmly at my response. "I know, you were born a brat."  Her tone was strangely familiar and soothing.

At her words, I almost froze.

That...Cheria used to tell me that a lot. Lila, no I shouldn't even be thinking like that. After all, I put Cheria down myself...

"We might as well get some food while were out here. Besides I'm hungry," Alice suggested.

Lila let out a small chuckle as her stomach let out a low growl. "Now that you mention it, Alice, I am too." Lila looked around, her eyes settling on a nearby merchant stall.

Her eyes widened as her tail began to wag, she sniffed the air slightly and her tail curled slightly.

I let out a chuckle. "Go ahead and get some food.

Lila grinned at me. "Do you want anything?"

I am feeling better than before but it's best to be careful.

"A slice of cake if they have some. If they don't then just some fruit bread." I told her, my tone slightly dismissive.

Just the thought of eating something sweet at the moment made me feel sick to my stomach.

"Can you get me a grilled thorn rabbit skewer with some Sazalic oasis peppers? Those are the green ones," Alice asked as she sat down on a nearby wooden bench.

"Be careful," I warned Lila as I handed her the gald.

Lila nodded before carefully making her way over to the line at the merchant stall.

"I'm surprised that you didn't want any thorn rabbit meat or skyfish tail," Alice said suddenly as she glanced up at me.

I let out a sigh as I sat down beside her, stretching my wings out so that they were draped over the back of the bench. "I'm being careful, no point in risking it."

Alice chuckled a slightly smug look on her face. "I can tell. You look like you were ready to throw up when you told Lila to get you that cake. Something really must be wrong with you if you don't want any sugar."

"Don't push me, Alice," I grumbled as I leaned back.

"Fine, fine I'd rather keep my neck anyway." She replied dismissively. "One more question though."

"What, Alice?"

"You didn't mean it when you apologized to me did you?" She accused, although she didn't sound too angry.

I shrugged slightly. "Who knows," I muttered as I slowly tapped my claws on the hilt of my sword.

"Well, you are a bastard so I'm not surprised. After all, you chose to live in Olakator of all places, I've never understood that when you can just go back to Marchen or better yet Kimlasca. Hell, from what Rise says the demons in Marchen's lower quarter love you," she said in an exasperated tone.

A loud cracking noise entered my ears as my hand tightened slightly on the edge of the bench, I felt a small sharp sting as splinters embedded themselves in my hand. Alice flinched her face pale as she looked at me with wide eyes.

"I...I'm sorry Sorey. I just-"

Silently I lifted my hand and looked at the splinters, surprisingly there were a lot less of them than I'd thought there'd be. Slowly I looked back at Alice.

"You of all people should know why I can't go back to Kimlasca," I reminded her. My voice sounded strangely hollow.

Alice shuddered slightly and looked away. "I-I know...I just...forgot." She whispered.

"I told you how my mother was tortured and burned at the stake and you just...forgot?" I said slowly, my voice sounded odd, not like my own.

I felt something snap at my skin, glancing down I saw a thread of dark ether snapping at my injured hand. The small tendrils nearly lapped up what little blood was there.

Turning on my clairvoyant eye I followed the ether thread, the black glow standing out among the white threads in my red-filled vision.

Ah...it's coming from me. One of the threads that were white earlier turned black...

"Sorey?" Alice whispered hesitantly.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

Calm down...ignore her. If I let the dark ether spread and control me I'll end up going feral. The last thing I want is Lila having to put me down.

For the briefest moment, Lila's face appeared in my thoughts her expression filled with horror and despair but worst of all loneliness.

"Shit," I muttered, slowly I began plucking the splinters from my hand.

"Ah, here use these," Alice said as she offered me a pair of tweezers.

I glanced at them noticing that her hand was shaking slightly. I carefully took them from her.

"Thank you," I said softly.

Alice nodded watching me carefully as she picked up the book she'd been reading. That was when I noticed that it was Marta's journal she'd been reading.

"Any idea of what we should do about that dead guard?" She asked after a moment or two.

"Marta and Lila are the only ones who can do something about it. I'm their familiar so I could probably handle some dark ether but I can still be corrupted. I was thinking if I could find Dalton and see what he knows about the traitor," I told her.

"You know how Vale is. If there is a traitor to Olakator and we leave him alive, she would try to skin us before an audience to make an example. Remember what happened to the last fool who thought he could betray Vale to the church's knights?" I reminded her as I handed her back the tweezers.

At my words, Alice flinched. "While I'd absolutely love to see a battle to the death between the Monster of the East and the Thousand-eyed shadow, I would prefer if I'm not involved," Alice said as she closed the journal.

I let out a small chuckle as my wounds began to heal, the skin knitting back together. "You don't have a choice, remember you bought a merchant license from Vale."

"Right," Alice sighed.

"Did you find anything in the journal," I asked as I watched Lila. She was coming back but had stopped for a moment her eyes focused on the front gate.

I saw her say something probably to Marta, before a look of dark rage briefly passed over her face sending a slight chill down my spine. Lila sighed and shook her head before she plastered a smile on her face and continued walking toward us.

"No, there was a phrase written in the demon language but I'm not exactly fluent in it," Alice sighed with disappointment.

"Dinti? What did it say?" I asked as I looked at her in surprise.

Dinti is the demon language that's used now, but before that Akusa was used back when Via was still the demon capital. Just how old is that journal exactly?

"Seken ranen igo pi itun siruri baruta sidi bane agupe ida. Kirin montonin sidi dzengko ben sidi dzandungku," Alice said slowly and carefully, her eyes narrowed as she read.

I let out a small chuckle as I stood up and took my fruit bread from Lila. "Your pronunciation is as shit as always," I said before taking a bite of my food.

The sweet yet tart taste of warm jellied oranges and honey filled my mouth, the flakey and soft bread nearly collapsing under my bite.

I'm surprised Marta remembered what fruit I liked in my pastries.

"Who's pronunciation is awful?" Lila asked as she handed Alice her food.

I ignored the way my stomach softly growled as the crisp, hearty scent wafted into my nose.

"If my pronunciation is so awful then please teach me how to pronounce it," Alice huffed.

"There are demons everywhere on Adonis you don't need me to teach you," I pointed out.

Lila looked at us curiously as she carefully took a bite of her own food, which appeared to be roasted and salted mushrooms wrapped in a plant leaf. She let out a small hum, her tail wagging as she smiled.

"It's structured like a song, a children's rhyme to be precise although it's a pretty old one. It says, one soul per day now to bind, the mists rise away again. So is the call of the void," I explained.

I don't have my mother's voice, so singing it would do more harm than good.

"One soul per day now to bind the lonely beast, the mists rise away again. So is the call of the void," Lila sang softly.

"Exactly, although I don't know where you got the lonely beast part from," I said as I took another bite of my food.

For a second Lila frowned. "Isn't that how it's sung in Kimlasca?" She asked, looking confused.

Both Alice and I looked at her equally confused.

Kimlasca?

Alice frowned, "Can I ask why you think that?" 

Lila let out a low hum as she closed her eyes, her tail waving slightly."When I, no, when we were in the field of maltey flowers in Kimlasca we heard it. Every day the song would echo and Marta and I wouldn't feel as lonely. But eventually, it stopped, forever," she whispered as her tail lowered.

"I still can't get used to you or Marta calling yourselves we," Alice chuckled slightly.

"Sorry, I keep forgetting ghosts scare you," Lila said letting out a little laugh.

"There are quite a few half-breeds in Kimlasca but I don't know if it's sung like that especially these days," Alice told her, looking at me for confirmation.

Did my mother ever sing it like that? I don't remember her singing it...no she did sing it before. When she was comforting and caring for other half-breed children, it was sung by other priestesses too now that I think about it. At that orphanage, where my mother used to work.

"Sometimes priestesses from the Church of the Sacred Wing sing it. That version that you sang, Lila was typically sung to half-breed children in orphanages," I explained.

She says she's heard it a lot while sitting in that field of maltey flowers. Was that before or after she was abandoned?

"Lila..." I began, but the small ache growing in my chest stopped me.

Lila looked at me as she put the journal away. "What is it, Sorey?"

After a moment I sighed and shook my head. "It's nothing," I muttered as I finished my food.

There's no point in asking her anything. If I did she'd more than likely break down and start crying again...

Lila tilted her head to the side, her eyes wide as she slowly blinked at me.

But said nothing as she finished her food.

After we ate we stopped by the post office.

"A letter from Marchen?" Alice asked as she leaned over my arm to take a look.

I nodded as I glanced up at Lila. She was watching the Icralous mail carriers rush around, trying to keep everything quick, but organized. After grabbing their mailbags a few of the Icralous would fly upward leaving out of the open hatch in the ceiling.

Opening the letter I frowned my eyes scanning over it quickly.

Exactly what I thought it was.

"What does it say?"  Alice asked, her eyes narrow as she tried her best to decipher it.

"Po kinte, aruku besa po momukentento gopen dzi naga togo kakurete ha min sakana's mokuntu," I told her slowly.

"Uhhhh...well shit," Alice huffed. "Your accent doesn't help either, most demons who live outside of Marchen have lighter accents."

Alice closed her eyes, her face twisting as she focused intently. "Let's see...a pig follows...the-"

"That's wrong, do you even know the basics of the demon language? Animals, numbers, and simple phrases are the first things you learn," I asked looking at her in shock.

"I told you I was still a beginner, cut me some slack you ass," she huffed.

"Okay, first of all, kinte means bird, not pig. Muso means pig, I truly don't know how you mixed those two up. But whoever is teaching you probably shouldn't anymore," I explained, letting out a small laugh.

"Just tell me what it means," she mumbled, pouting slightly.

"It's a poem. It says, a bird walks down a moonlit path, its blue wings tucked in the fish's shadow," I told her.

"You're right, the poem is well known in fact. When my husband and I saw a play in Marchen last summer, that poem was its main theme." Alice said in slight awe.

"Did someone important send you that?" Lila asked me. She was standing on her tiptoes trying to look over my arm.

"Not really, I get these from Marchen every so often. It's more of a nuisance than anything." I said dismissively.

"Maybe your family finally found someone who would take you as a husband," Alice suggested with a slight smirk.

I looked away, "I mean...you're technically not wrong Alice."

For a moment Alice froze her eyes wide, then she bit her lip trying and failing to contain her laughter. "What poor woman agreed to marry you? Who is she? Oh, I need to tell Rise this as soon as possible!"

Lila frowned as she continued to read the letter doing her best to decipher it.

"Some noblewoman I helped a few years ago, well I helped her family as a guard when they traveled to Wraithlou. From what I remember the woman was annoying, she followed me around like a lost child and kept petting my wings and hair," I grumbled.

"And you didn't rip her arms off? Were you drunk?" Alice asked in between laughter.

"No, I had the Auju keeping me company. Not to mention Wraithlou's hot spring can relax practically anyone," I sighed.

"Are you going to keep it Sorey?" Lila asked me as she handed me back the letter with a smile.

"No, I was going to get rid of it. Writing this is a waste of paper." I told her as I began tearing it into small spaces. "I'll just scatter the pieces in Trenna's waterways or something. For now, though, I'm going to go stretch my wings, they're numb."

"Yes," Lila exclaimed loudly with relief.

Alice let out a small snort. "While you two are out I'm gonna stock up on alchemy ingredients. I'll see if I notice anything while walking around town as well."

"The traitor and church members?" I asked expectantly.

Alice nodded a hand on her hip. "Yep, not to mention if we're going to put down that guild member or any others it would be nice to have indisputable proof for Dalton."

"Right, the other members of the guild may not be as informed as Briar on the issue. A sudden attack without a solid cause from someone under Vale's command could be used by the Church as another excuse to stop the guilds from operating. Especially if Vale gave the kill order in the first place," I pointed out as I crumpled up the shreds of paper in my hand.

Alice smiled slightly. "Not to mention Marchen if you're involved."

I forced back a harsh humorless laugh at her words. "As long as I don't bring shame to my father's name he could care less."

Lila was watching our conversation with interest. "Sorey... is your family really that bad?" She asked hesitantly, her tone gentle.

I shrugged as I walked toward the post office's front door. "I'm useful to them and that's all that matters."

"We'll meet up at the Strix tavern okay," Alice called out to us as Lila and I stepped outside.

Lila stretched beside me as I opened my wings. Above us, quite a few Icralous and half breeds were lazily gliding through the air.

There's even a few Fae flying around today.

As I flapped my wings and lifted into the air Lila followed, staying a little bit behind me.

~~~

The sun shined down brightly sending a soft warmth over my skin. A light breeze brushed gently over my skin as I soared over Trenna.

"It's so beautiful!" Lila exclaimed in awe as she looked down at Trenna.

She let out a small squeal of glee and twirled in the air. The sunlight glinting off of her tail and wings, as she moved.

"You should see it at night. The light from the ether lamps gives Trenna an ethereal glow, combine that with the soft shimmer of the ether barrier and it looks like a town made by Kindred," I told her with a slight smile.

"Sorey, what is the Fae city like?" She asked me eagerly.

"I've never been, in fact nowadays if you're not a kindred or at least mixed with one it's hard to find. Before everyone knew where it was but didn't dare go out of fear. But there are many books of the lucky few who did make it back unscathed," I explained as I slowed down.

Carefully I landed on the edge of Trenna's white stone wall with Lila not far behind. I ruffled my feathers slightly trying to tidy my wings up a bit.

With that letter scattered across all of Trenna, trying to reconstruct it even with magic would be impossible.

"I wish I could see it. I bet it's beautiful," Lila sighed a slight smile on her face.

"Honestly you'll probably get to see it one day, after all, you're a Kindred. From the Kindred half-breeds and Kindred pets, I've spoken to, knowing where it is as well as being able to find it is just instinct. It's something that they're just born with," I told her.

Lila let out a small chuckle. "But I wasn't born Sorey, I don't know where I originally came from but I know I don't have anything like a mother," she reminded me although she sounded less melancholy than she did before.

I shrugged. "Who knows, maybe you're like one of Alice's golems," I suggested. "Either way you're still a Kindred it doesn't matter if you were born one or made into one."

Lila's eyes widened briefly at my words then a warm smile spread across her face. "Thank you, Sorey."

"It's the truth," I told her.

Her smile grew wider as she lazily swung her legs back and forth. Her tail slithered across the ground and coiled loosely around my wrist.

As if on reflex I reached out and patted her head, only to freeze and slowly draw back.

I need to stop doing that. She's not...she's, not Cheria.

"Is your head still bothering you?" Lila asked, leaning closer slightly.

"No, it's not. Although my gums feel odd?" I admitted.

Lila let out a low hum and reached out to me, her hand stopping in front of my face. "May I?"

"Absolutely not, it's too dangerous! I could bite you or-"

Lila giggled. "I trust you, it doesn't matter if you bite me." She said nonchalantly.

Before I could protest Lila stuck two fingers in my mouth carefully and gently opening it to get a better look.

Instantly I froze my eyes going wide as my instincts screamed at me to bite down, to break Lila's fragile skin and rip her flesh from her bones.

Sweet, she smells sweet.

For a moment I closed my eyes as her soothing scent seemed to chase the tension from my body.

"Wait...have your fangs gotten longer? Your teeth are sharper too," Lila informed me, her voice filled with awe. "When I brought you back to life and fixed you I didn't do anything to your teeth," she said more to herself than me.

"Fucking hell!" A familiar voice suddenly exclaimed.

Opening my eyes I looked up, Briar was standing ahead of us, his face pale and eyes wide. I couldn't help but notice that he was reaching for his weapon.

Ah right, this must look horrifying to anyone else.

Lila smiled and looked at Briar. "Hi, there. You're...Briar right?" She said cheerfully, seemingly ignorant of the situation.

"Yes, I am," Briar said slowly as he took a few hesitant steps forward. "Can I ask why your hand is in Sorey's mouth?" He asked his hand resting on the hilt of his sword, despite speaking to Lila he never took his eyes off me.

Briar's come a long way from the little fool who forgot to bring the right monster bait.

Lila removed her hand from my mouth. "Oh right, Sorey didn't tell you I used to be something of a doctor back in a very small village. He hadn't been feeling well so I decided to take a look," Lila told him as she smiled.

I didn't bother holding back a sigh of relief when Lila drew back. Although she kept her tail wrapped around my wrist.

"Wait, wait you willingly stuck your hand in Sorey's mouth. He didn't force you to?" Briar asked, his voice coated in shock.

"Yes, although he did put up a fuss when I asked at first. But he didn't force me to, far from it in fact," Lila chuckled.

"I did that because it's dangerous, although considering you apparently climbed inside Varuun's mouth without worry I should've known what would happen," I pointed out.

Briar suddenly rushed over taking Lila's hands in his. "You're a Saint!" He exclaimed.

That fool is already in love. Then again he was always rather innocent in that aspect I suppose.

Lila let out a shaky chuckle as Briar suddenly scowled and leaned a bit closer. "Wait...weren't your eyes violet earlier?" He asked her.

"Briar, my client is a special case," I told him.

"Oh," he said softly. Then I saw the gears turning in his head, "Oh! I'm sorry." He apologized more to Lila than to me.

"It's fine," Lila said as she sat back down next to me.

Briar smiled as he sat down next to Lila and stretched.

After a moment or two, he spoke again.

"Guild master Dalton said that while he'll be a bit late he'll join us at Strix tavern tonight,"  Briar informed me.

"Let me guess, the old man is getting drunk in the red light district having fun with a Beast Skin," I sighed.

Briar let out a small chuckle, his face slightly red. "Yeah, a couple of the other guild members are with him, while a few more went to find a human brothel or went back to the barracks to sleep."

"Of course, Dalton has always had a strange taste in women but then again most of his guild does as well," I huffed.

"What are you talking about? Most Kindred women are adorable," Briar protested.

I let out a snort as I pointed at Lila. "She's at least a hundred. And you turned twenty last winter, right? She's old enough to be your great grandmother if not older."

"I don't care! She's still cute!" He disagreed wholeheartedly.

While I did agree that Lila was adorable, in a similar fashion to a baby thorn rabbit, I would be a corpse, again, before I admitted it to Briar.

"Sorey..." Lila said, she was looking out over Trenna specifically toward the center. Her tail had uncoiled from around my wrist and now stood straight up.

"What is it?" I asked, my voice becoming serious.

"The dead guard is moving around," she informed me.

"Can you tell where?" I asked instantly following her gaze.

"The center of town, there are three other people there too. One is normal, the other two have a few gray ether threads among the white ones. One of the people with gray ether threads also has green ones too," she informed me. Then she frowned, "There's an odd tower too. It's filtering out the ether around it but slowly."

"That's the device used to set up the ether barrier," I sighed before turning to Briar who looked confused. "Briar is something wrong with the ether barrier?"

"Huh, umm...yeah, it's running at half power while some maintenance is being done on it. Two Church members, a Kindred and an Icralous halfbreed are working on it while Aldreda and Pihex are supervising to make sure they don't pull anything." Briar told me.

Aldreda, right that female Phenric from the ocean.

"Pihex?" Lila asked, tilting her head to the side.

"Oh, that's the guard that was at the front gate with me," Briar told her. "He's been with us for about two years now. Poor guy went through one of the hardest guild trials ever. Sorey, remember back when Guild master Dalton asked for your help with getting ahold of a live Egaros and a Nuclo?"

I just nodded.

Dalton paid a large amount of gald for both. He even gave me the alchemy instructions to make the cage for the Egaros.

Briar grinned. "Guild master Dalton set both the Nuclo and the Egaros free in the Natia forest, and told the group of newbies to capture the Nuclo and bring it back unharmed before the Egaros could get it. And get this, that whole group was human, most were unable to use magic in fact. "

Lila looked at me with wide eyes as Briar spoke, before quickly turning her attention back to the center of town seemingly more alert than before. "Nuclo... two-legged cat..." she mumbled softly under her breath.

"You're not far off, they live in the desert and wear these odd little cones made of wood. They're adorable and harmless unless in a group," Briar told her, letting out a small laugh.

"One more question Briar, then I'll explain," I said, catching his attention once more.

Briar frowned and nodded as he noticed my serious tone.

"Where did your guild get those ether weapons, and when did you get them?" I asked him.

"Oh, those? We bought a couple in Yarrin from the Phenric merchant guild, after dealing some Elilbanes, you know those corpse stealing mimics.  The others were a bounty reward for taking down some Relgels going crazy in Noravahlis," he explained, gesturing to his own sword.

"There were Relgels in Noravahlis?" I said slowly making sure I heard him right.

Relgels are dangerous enough on their own, they're strong and nearly telepathic in the way they detect changes in the ether current. Anyone with enough common sense knows to just run or play dead if one finds you alone. They prefer to stick to less populated areas, Noravahlis is almost as large as Sanatoria.

"I was shocked too, those bastards are territorial beyond belief but there they were going berserk in Noravahlis. They weren't attacking each other either, I hate to say it but it was like they were working together," Briar explained letting out a shaky chuckle.

"Relgels are those big monsters with scaly skin and tendrils on the end of their tail right?" Lila asked Briar as she glanced at him.

He nodded. "Yeah, they can sense the changes in the ether current using those tendrils. They have them all over their bodies works even better than their eyes. Although, I don't think those weird monkeys even use them. Fighting them takes a lot of ether or magic."

Can the Relgels tell that Adonis is on the brink? I wouldn't be surprised if they did, still working together like that...it's gotten even more dangerous then I first assumed.

"Okay Briar, I need to listen closely," I informed him which made him nod. "I need you to tell Dalton that the Pihex is dead."

"W-what?" Briar blurted out after a moment his eyes wide.

"He's been dead for a while," Marta said suddenly as she looked at Briar.

"Your eyes..." Briar whispered.

Marta scowled, her violet eyes staring at Briar. "Mostly two perhaps three days at the most, without touching his ether thread I can't tell you the exact date or time. And well, he's dead with his soul gone, he no longer has any ether threads of his own," Marta said letting out a small huff.

She closed her eyes, placing her hands together, and muttered a brief prayer. "May the Maker be with you."

"What do you mean he's dead? I was just with him this morning! He's been talking normally and everything!" Briar protested vehemently.

"He's a walking ether bomb right now, I know it's hard to believe but trust me when I say Marta knows what she's talking about. If we don't tell Dalton about this and take care of it then..."  I explained as gently as possible.

"Trenna will be a crater," Briar finished his voice barely a whisper. He turned and looked out over Trenna with a pale face and wide eyes. "It'll look like the frozen forest...hundreds if not thousands dead. The land uninhabitable for years.."

He scrambled to his feet, but before he could bolt off in search of Dalton Marta stopped him, her tail coiling around his wrist and pulling him back.

"Let me go! I have to find Guild Master Dalton right now! This is a fucking emergency if there ever was one!" Briar snapped.

"Little human, listen to me. There is nothing you or your guild can do to prevent this. If you try to, it will be a fool's errand," Marta warned him, her real voice leaking through.

Almost instantly Briar's body seemed to relax all tension leaving his body. Slowly he looked down at Marta with wide eyes, she smiled and reached up her hands cupping his cheeks.

As she spoke she gently stroked his right cheek with her thumb. "I will stop this tragic disaster from happening. However I need someone to keep a close eye on the unfortunate guard while I prepare," she said softly as though she were talking to a child.

"Of course," Briar echoed his voice hollow.

So that's what it looks like when Marta actually acts like the Maker to people. It's oddly frightening.

Marta giggled softly, sending a strange chill rolling over my skin. "Thank you, you really are an adorable human."

Briar simply nodded slowly with a blank look on his face, Marta took a step back releasing him completely as she returned to her spot.

Briar shuddered and looked at me. "I'm going to notify Guild Master Dalton. We'll have to tighten patrols as well as keep eyes on the Church members and...Pihex." He informed me then he sighed and shook his head. "I don't know what to tell his sister..."

Briar gave me a slight smile. "Thank you for telling us, Sorey."

And with that, he ran off in the direction of the ladder.

Marta shuddered. "I dislike doing that, it feels wrong. Very, very wrong." She muttered as she looked over Trenna.

"I didn't think you would personally intervene. You always say that death is sacred," I said as I stared at her.

"Death is sacred, it helps keep balance when I can not. Accidents happen and sometimes many people die because of it," she muttered softly. Her hands balled into fists and a blank yet icy look appeared in her eyes. "I can understand death itself, I can understand that people make mistakes and said mistakes can cause people to die. However, I will not stand for some filthy mortal abusing the rules of the world."

I took in a deep breath as a shaky chuckle left my lips. "Well aren't you frightening today, you could scare an army of egaros with that look on your face alone."

She's always so close and within reach that there are times I forget...just how frightening God can be.

Marta pouted slightly, her gaze not moving. "I'm shocked that you have a fiance with how you treat women."

"If that foolish girl becomes my wife she'll be dead within a week," I mumbled.

"Lila and I will be back soon," Marta said as she stepped up to the edge of the wall. "Do you want anything?"

I shook my head. "No, but do me a favor and be careful."

She nodded, moments later she leapt off of the wall, her wings opening. Then she was flying away toward the center of town.

I sighed running a hand through my hair.

I have work to do tonight, I better start preparing.

~~~

"Maker help me I look like someone Dalton would fuck," I muttered as I looked at myself in the mirror.

Neither my face nor my voice was my own at the moment the glamour I'd used had changed my appearance drastically. My hair and horns were both black as night with my wings being hidden entirely. My face looked softer and my eyes wider, coupled with my already long hair I looked like a woman.

My skin ached and itched as though insects were crawling all over me, trying to burrow under my skin. As I put on the elegant dark blue kajime I winced as the soft fabric brush across my skin sending small shocks across my body.

I let out a soft huff as I carefully began applying the makeup I'd bought.

This isn't as difficult as it used to be, then again I did get some tips from Vale when I did this on one of my other jobs.

As I finished my makeup I smiled slightly. "Perfect, that Icralous I need to deal with should be wandering around the red light district," I muttered to myself. "The letter said fish's shadow so the Phenric brothel."

I headed for the bedroom door doing my best to walk carefully. I stopped glancing at the nightstand where two familiar porcelain combs sat.

I'm not going to disrespect them by letting them get tainted by that fool's blood.

As my head began to ache I let out a soft sigh ignoring the way my gums throbbed, my teeth feeling a bit sharper. I locked the room door behind me using the key I'd been given by the innkeeper hours earlier.

Once I'm done I'll join Alice and Lila at Strix tavern. I can't wait to finally get some rest.

When I descended the inn's staircase I could feel eyes on me, I waved at the staring innkeeper, a forced yet flirtatious smile on my face. The innkeeper's eyes widened as a perverted smile spread across his face.

He doesn't look like he might vomit so the glamour did its job well. I still have to be careful though, one perceptive Kindred would ruin everything.

Forcing down my revulsion I walked out of the inn and continued down the street well aware of the dagger hidden in my sleeve.

Despite the fact that my head was throbbing and my stomach twisted with that familiar disgusting hunger I felt strangely calm.

When was the last time I did a job for my father? Now that I think about it...the last job I took from him was about a week or two before I met Lila.

I couldn't help but smile as I thought about Lila.

"If, either she or Marta saw me like this they'd probably laugh," I chuckled to myself as I turned a corner.

I still can't believe she was foolish enough to just stick her hand in my mouth. She even said she trusts me as she did it...I'll make her a pastry or something to thank her.

~~~

As I entered an alley in the redlight district I couldn't help but grumble curses under my breath, already I was missing my wings.

The red-light district wasn't as active at the moment with a few shops closed up for the day. The normally crowded streets only had a few people walking around here or there.

Rumors spread fast out here, others can sense the changes in the ether.

Under the soft glow of the moonlight, I continued down another alley only stopping when I reached the area I was looking for. Looking around I spotted my target drunkenly stumbling away from the Phenric brothel in a huff.

Red in the face, the Icralous sputtered out curses as he pulled his golden and white robes closed. His bright yellow feathers were ruffled and dripping water, the jewelry on his bird-like feet jingling as he tried his best to retain his balance.

Grand priest Apont Lirrex, the overseer for this faction of the Church of the Sacred Wing.

Smiling, I stepped out from the shadows and beckoned him with one finger, he looked at me hiccuping before stumbling over a large grin on his face.

"What-what is your name, beautiful?" He slurred out between hiccups.

I let out a soft giggle, mimicking movements I'd seen Lila do. "Aimi, my name is Aimi. What is yours?" I asked, keeping my tone soft.

He stumbled back a bit before standing up as straight as possible. "I am Apont Lirrex, an Icralous noble." He boasted.

You said that without a problem didn't you, you fucking drunkard.

"Really? I haven't met an Icralous noble before," I said in mock awe. "Although, I have met demon nobles."

"Those filthy animals!" He snapped and if possible his face grew redder.

"Animals?" I said slowly with a slight smirk.

"Not you, of course, you're nothing like those filthy bastards," he ranted his words slurring together so much it sounded like he was choking. "Most Demons are tainted and full of evil,, to begin with, but it's what they deserve for ignoring the Maker and-"

"I can help you calm down if you like Lord Apont," I suggested quickly.

If possible his voice was making my head throb even worse, as it grated on my ears causing my stomach to twist and turn.

For a moment he swayed in place, slowly blinking at me. "I-I would love to, it would be the best moment of-of my life right now. But I can't."

"Why can't you?" I asked, tilting my head slightly.

He looked around quickly before turning his attention back to me. "The Mem Aleph...fucking bastard...something about a Kindred." He grumbled. He let out a huff, "If I wasn't such an upstanding member of the Church, I would've told him to grab one of those little Kindred girls off the street. Those fucking bug-winged bastards are everywhere! But no it has to be this specific little bitch! "

Being an 'upstanding' member of the Church is what has you at death's door, you disgust fool. Getting rid of him gets rid of two headaches, however, it completes the job for my father and will make it harder for the church members to hunt down Lila.

Leaning forward I allowed my hand to slowly slither below his belt. "Don't worry Lord Apont, please, allow me to make your life easier. After all, it is your power and watchful eye that keeps Trenna at peace." I whispered seductively in his ear.

Apont looked at me with a wide grin, backing up a bit I gently grabbed his arm pulling him carefully into the alley. Too rough and the few people on the street might have suspected something, but hesitating or doing it too slowly might've caused Apont to suspect something and leave.

His type can always be flattered into doing something. Still, him being drunk does make things a bit more unpredictable.

I gently pushed him up against the alley wall, a small squawking noise escaping his mouth. I kept my hand on his chest for a moment before I began to trace down, kneeling down in front of him I smirked.

I began unbuckling his belt as slowly as possible, only for him to push my hands away frantically as he fumbled to do it himself. Panting and with his pants around his ankles, I chuckled.

Reaching out I grabbed him and looked up as a sneer spread across my face. "Well would you look at that, you're not as big as your ego led me to believe."

Instantly Apont glared at me. "What did you say you mongrel bitch?" He growled his hands clenched into fists.

Before he could do anything else I grabbed his face with one hand, covering his mouth and pushing him back slightly as I sprung to my feet.

"That you're a small pathetic little man," I taunted as he struggled his curses muffled.

Reaching into the Kajime I wore I pulled out the dagger I had strapped to my right upper arm. "Grand priest Apont Lirexx, your lineage will crumble to dust as your land is burned to ash. For spilling maggot laden filthy lies against the Marchen royal crown you have chosen your fate." I told him, my voice coming out as a low growl.

His eyes widened as he began struggling with even more effort, I could feel his teeth scraping over my hand in a feeble attempt to bite it. Carefully I brought the blade to his throat putting just enough strength behind it to allow the tip to break the skin slightly.

As a small droplet of blood welled up I couldn't help but lick my lips. "You should be very thankful you know," I told him softly. "The order was to eat you alive but I'm already on edge as it is. It was an order meant to torture us both but you're getting off very easily."

"Then bite me you piece of shit show all of Adonis your true-" Apont forced out his words muffled and slurred.

I punched him in the stomach, as he slid down the wall bent over and whimpering I grabbed him again. My hand over his mouth as I pushed him against the wall once more the area beneath him cracking slightly.

I delivered a swift stab to his stomach, my mouth watering as blood ran out of the wound. Its rich scent enveloping me.

My orders were to kill him...still...

No matter how much I tried to hold back, my instincts continued to scream at me as my head throbbed viscously.

"Don't push me Lirexx, I can always make your death a lot worse," I warned as he whimpered like a kicked animal.

Pathetic filth...

"Please..." he moaned softly. "Please...I'll give you anything." His eyes were full of tears as he slurred, blubbering like a small child.

I sneered as I stabbed his stomach again, blood trickled over the dagger running over my hands. "There is nothing you can give me that the Maker herself wouldn't." I hissed.

I dragged the dagger down slowly, his innard spilling out over my arms, my hand slick with blood. As he struggled, even more, his muffled screams vibrating against my hand I grinned and put a bit more strength behind my grip on him.

A small chuckle of glee escaping my mouth as a familiar yet satisfying crack entered my ears. "Oh my, would you look at that I broke that filthy mouth of yours. You should be grateful," I said as I tilted his face up slightly. "That mouth got you into this situation in the first place."

A soft gurgling whimper came from his mouth as his lower jaw hung down with an odd limpness. His bottom teeth were chipped and slanted slightly backward blood gathering around them.

As my knife stopped just above his crotch Apont began shaking his head back and forth unable to say anything in his current state. "Let's be honest Apont, where you're going this won't be necessary. We both know the Maker won't allow you into Elysium." I told him as a grin spread across my face.

Ignoring his feeble begging, I sliced downward before stepping back and watching as he slid down the wall. His body slumped over with his innards spilling into his lap, blood ran down his legs like a waterfall slowly pooling beneath him. His face was streaked with fresh tears, his bloodshot eyes nearly bulging out of his skull as they stared blankly up at the sky.

Once again the alley was silent. I tossed the dagger off to the side before kneeling down by the fresh corpse. Reaching out I plucked one of his smaller flight feathers, carefully I wrapped a piece of dark cloth around it before I tucked it in my kajime.

Proof of the completed job.

Biting my lip I tried to ignore the wonderful scent wafting from the blood but I couldn't stand it. It was as though I was locked in place.

He's nothing right now. Only meat...only...

"Food," I whispered as I struggled not to bite into the meal laid out before me.

I heard soft footsteps nearby and a gentle hum. As a figure appeared in the alleyway I snarled, baring my teeth at it. The figure was nothing more than a black formless shadow.

"Mine!" I hissed, drool dripping from my mouth. I could feel my wings raise as they shifted beneath the glamour sending that annoying itch skittering across my skin.

"You poor boy," the figure said as they approached me.

I saw something glint and I lunged, only to hit the ground seconds later. I struggled swiping at the warm slender arms that wrapped around me but the grip only tightened.

"This is my fault, I shouldn't have left you alone all those years ago," The figure said gently as it stroked my hair. I lurched sideways, my teeth latching into what I assumed was the figure's arm.

An odd tingling, almost numbing sensation ran across the right side of my face. Despite that, however, I lapped at the warm, sweet, glowing blood that leaked from the wound.

The figure did not flinch or even draw back, instead, it began to stroke my hair with its other hand. At that moment pins and needles began to run across my skin as my glamour began to slip.

A strange hollow screeching entered my ears, I saw a brilliant flash of white and black light before my world went dark. Moments later I felt nothing at all.

~~~

Cold, it was so cold. Letting out a soft groan I opened my eyes but saw nothing.

I lay on my back the world cloaked in complete darkness, with each breath I took the cold air raked across my lungs. I was tired, an odd heaviness had settled in my limbs making even the smallest movement a challenge.

As a soft dripping sound echoed out I looked to my left, a strange figure with black eyes and amber irises was walking towards me at an almost leisurely pace.

The figure stopped by my left side and looked down at me, now that it was close I couldn't help but notice that the darkness that cloaked its body was glowing. A soft almost welcoming black glow came off of the figure, however, it seemed completely unphased by the dark ether.

"So, we meet again," the figure chuckled. "Although, the circumstances have changed dramatically."

The figure sighed before sitting down next to me with its legs folded. It leaned back slightly using its hands to steady itself. "Well, what are you waiting for?" It huffed looking down at me.

It took a moment or two but eventually, I managed to speak. "What?" I rasped, then I was coughing violently.

As I panted softly trying to catch my breath, the figure let out a low hum. "I'm asking why you finally decided to give up?" The figure asked calmly.

"Give...up?" I forced out slowly.

The figure frowned and closed its eyes briefly, letting out another hum."I shouldn't phrase it that, after all, it is an instinct. No different than humans craving or eating food." Shaking its head the figure sighed, "Why did you allow yourself to lose control?"

Instantly I knew what the figure meant, it seemed to grow colder and colder. My fingers and face turned numb from the chill, my tongue heavy in my mouth, with my chest and throat aching I spoke. "I...don't...know. I just..." for a moment I closed my eyes, a strange floaty feeling washing over me, "stopped fighting." I whispered.

I forced my eyes open again as I looked up at the figure. It was staring at me with wide eyes.

Pity? Why does it look so concerned?

"I've done that in the past, stopped fighting, I mean. However, this would be the third time you've eaten someone, many more actually if you count the two villages," the figure pointed out. It frowned and looked me in the eyes. "In your opinion shouldn't you have been put down years ago?"

"Yes." I rasped baring my teeth. "But those...bastards deserved it, for what they did."

The figure sighed and rolled its eyes. "There you go being a feral little shit again," it muttered. "At least you're not denying the truth."

Rubbing the back of its neck the figure looked at me a deep frown on its face. "Still, when you massacred those two villages you willingly followed your instincts," taking a deep breath the figure tilted its head to the side. "So, why did you fight tooth and nail this time?"

At the figure's words, I allowed my eyes to slip closed but, no matter how much I searched for a reason I could only come back to one single thought.

"Lila," I said softly.

The figure looked confused for a moment. "Lila? Why her?"

I let out a small chuckle and instantly regretted it as the chuckle turned into harsh coughs, and the coughs turned into frantic gasps. My chest spasmed as sharp pains raked over it as though my body were punishing me.

"Poor kid is lonely," I panted. "I promised...I promised her that I would never abandon her."

When I spoke the figure looked at me, its eyes wide and hollow a slow mocking sneer spread across its face. I felt something cold and rough curl around my body, pressing down on my throat and chest making it even more of a tremendous struggle to breathe.

Glancing down, my eyes widened. Multiple spindly arms had risen from the black ground I lay on, they were cloaked in dark ether as a strange viscous black liquid dripped from their crooked fingers. The arms had wrapped around me like a serpent, the fingers curled inward as the tips of their curved talons pricked my skin.

The figure sprung to its feet with a noticeable bounce, a large toothy grin covering its face. "Of course you'd lay down your life and sanity for her, you are her mindless puppet after all." The figure leaned over me stroking my familiar markings letting out a low hum.

Gathering what strength I had I lurched forward in an attempt to bite the figure's arm or hand, however, I missed. The figure quickly leapt back a bit, cheerful laughter pouring from its mouth.

"For such a filthy mutt you're not trained as much as I assumed you were. Strange considering you taught Apont what happens when you bite the hand that feeds you," it said cheerfully as it approached me once more. This time it just leaned over me, its eyes running over my body as it kept its arms folded.

I glared at it, if I could've snarled I would have but that would be wasting valuable air which was pointless. Not to mention my body was screaming in pain from my previous attempt.

Clicking its tongue in disapproval the figure snapped its fingers. Immediately the arms tightened around me even further causing me to let out a strangled gasp. Slowly I felt myself being dragged back into the black abyss beneath me.

The first thing I felt was cold, a violent chill sending a violent shock through me as my limbs disappeared beneath the surface. My legs and arms grew heavy and numb as though they were encased in blocks of ice.

Although my teeth were chattering and my body was shivering I continued to glare at the figure which only made it laugh.

"Defiant to the end I see, I can't wait to write the words feral mutt on your grave. But let's be honest, no one cares about you enough to dig you a grave," It taunted sneering.

As my eyes slipped closed I could hear its mocking laughter ringing in my ears, echoing in my skull. The last thing I saw was the figure waving at me with a large grin on its face and then nothing.

I looked around with wide eyes seeing nothing but darkness as I choked and gasped. The chill spread down my throat, numbing it. I spluttered trying feebly to drag in air as drool dripped from my mouth, my gums felt raw.

I squeezed my eyes shut trying to calm down but I just couldn't. I flinched as an almost searing heat spread from my fingers across my body causing my skin to buzz and tingle.

As the heat spread to my throat I gasped, greedily breathing in as much air as possible. Flexing my fingertips slightly I felt no pain, strangely enough, the heat was becoming a soft soothing warmth.

I could feel slim, gentle fingers stroking my hair and, as my hearing slowly crackled to life once more I could hear soft familiar humming.

I opened my eyes slowly. The first thing I saw was a faint white glow that seemed to fill my peripheral vision. I glanced to my left, my eyes widening as I saw a field of Maltey flowers around me.  A single tree sat in the field, its vibrant green leaves shifting in the soft wind.

This place is...ah I'm starting to remember now.

Above me I heard a soft giggle, looking up my eyes met Lila's. She was wearing that familiar purple gown and the white streak was missing from her hair.

Her collar is missing too, but of course, it would be.

"Cheria went to go get some food, she told me not to wake you up because you don't get enough rest," Lila told me with a small gentle smile.

I let out a soft sigh as I propped myself up and blinked slowly. "You still should've woke me up. When did Cheria leave," I muttered as I ran a hand over my face.

Lila looked at me, her face naturally blank, her tail titled to the side. "I would have but I was worried about you as well."

Right...back then. When Cheria and I found Lila passed out in this field it was like she didn't have any emotions...I wonder if this is something caused by Marta.

"Let me guess Cheria told you something like my brother takes care of me all the time so let him rest?" I said a small smile spreading across my face.

Lila nodded her movements a bit stiffer compared to how they were now.

Her eyes suddenly looked behind me as the sound of gentle rustling entered my ears, following her gaze I almost froze.

A slight ache formed in my chest as my eyes trailed over the medium-length dark red hair, the small red wings with fuzzy feathers, the small and frail-looking face that was covered with a wide grin.

"Cher...Cheria..." I whispered, climbing to my feet. However, I didn't move.

That's right...Cheria has been gone for years. Nine very long years.

Slowly I turned back to Lila with wide eyes, she simply stared up at me.

She looked no younger or older than she was in the present, I could feel my stomach begin to churn as I realized something.

"I...I abandoned you...for years. I...forgot...about you...about everything," I whispered in horror.

Lila blinked slowly, completely silent as though she hadn't even heard me. If she would've yelled at me or hit me I would've been fine but instead, it was more like she completely shut down.

"Lila?" I said softly but she didn't even look at me.

Reaching out I grabbed her arms pulling her close. "Please say something!" I pleaded. "I'm sorry...on that day...I didn't want Cheria to meet the same fate as my mother," I whispered, my voice breaking.

Lila reached up and gently stroked my face with her thumb. A smile spread across her face. "Please don't cry Sorey, I hate seeing you cry, you know that."She said softly.

She wrapped her arms around me pulling me into a hug. Around us, the world began to slowly dissolve into white. I couldn't help but notice Lila's clothes changing, the white streak slowly appearing in her hair, and the golden collar appearing on her neck.

While she didn't change much I did, Lila had to stand on her tiptoes to continue holding on to me. As she let out a giggle she reached up and patted my head. "I'll be waiting, okay?"

I nodded as she drew back her face slightly red. "Good, it's a promise then."

As she disappeared into the white light that surrounded us I couldn't help the small but sad smile that spread across my face

I'm sorry I made you wait so long, Lila...

~~~

The first thing I saw when I opened my eyes were thick metal bars.  Instantly I tried to stand up only to realize I couldn't, I was tied up with my hands behind my back and chains wrapped around my chest pinning my wings to my back.

I tried opening my mouth as I saw movement beyond the bars, but there was a metal bar in my mouth effectively muzzling me.

My hair is still black, the glamour didn't wear off yet. Still, where am I?

As my world slowly crackled to life I could hear two familiar voices arguing.

  Alice and Briar? What are those two fighting over?

"We should just put him down! He's already too far out of it Briar! You saw how much blood he was covered in when Lila brought him back!" She snapped.

"That cage should hold him while we figure out what to do Alice! Besides, didn't Lila say to just leave him alone and he'll be fine?" Briar countered his voice shaking slightly.

"Lila said that not Marta! You know as well as I do that he's too far gone, hell he nearly ripped your hand off when you tried to give him those thorn rabbits!" Alice ranted, sounding exasperated.

That was when I noticed the bloody tufts of fur on the floor of the cage. Scattered around me were also shards of what looked like bone, streaks, and smears of dark red blood coated the floor of the cage. If I was able to flinch I would have.

Wait, where's Lila? From what Alice said she brought me here so where is she?

I closed my eyes trying to recall what had happened after I'd killed Apont.

Right after I killed Apont and snapped there was a figure. After they spoke there was a horrible screech and a bright flash...

A familiar hearty laugh filled my ears, glancing to my left I saw Dalton relaxing in a wooden chair. His dark green eyes watched Alice and Briar, a wide smile spreading across his tanned face. He rubbed his black beard for a moment before taking a drink from his wooden mug.

"Briar," he said after a moment, his deep gravelly voice filling the room.

"Y-yes Guild Master Dalton?" Briar asked, spluttering as he looked at him.

"Is that the cage we use to contain Regels or Egaros?" Dalton asked, I saw him briefly look at me however despite noticing I was awake he just smiled.

"It's the ones we use to contain the Egaros, the Regel cage would've been a bit much for-"

Before Briar could finish I strained against my restraints, breaking them with incredible ease, as I punched the roof of the cage with all my strength I could hear multiple footsteps scramble around frantically.

Letting out a muffled huff I punched the roof again, the metal screeching as it twisted. A moment later the top of the cage flew off and I carefully climbed to my feet.

Multiple guild members including Briar had surrounded me, their weapons drawn and faces pale. Alice glared at me down the sight of her crossbow.

Glancing around I saw that we were in what appeared to be a cellar, the walls were wooden and the floors gray stone. Multiple barrels were piled up in a corner next to the small yet long bar countertop.

This is their guild hall...

Dalton laughed loudly rising to his full height and began making his way through the crowd. The guild members looked confused as they allowed him to pass, although I doubt they could stop him if they wanted to. Dalton was a bit taller than me and built like a large sturdy tree.

Stopping in front of me Dalton tried to control his laughter. "Sorey if you wanted to be a demon escort all you had to do was tell me."

I glared at him as I removed the muzzle. "Fuck you I had a job to do," I mumbled tossing the muzzle off to the side.

"True, although considering the way that glamour suits you, I can see why Apont didn't expect anything," he chuckled.

Turning to Alice I frowned. "Where's Lila?"

Alice flinched as she lowered her crossbow, she and Briar looked at each other.

"Um...Sorey...Lila-"

"She's here but she's not coming out of the room. She says it's too dangerous right now," Alice answered quickly.

"What?" I growled.

Alice flinched again, her eyes not meeting mine she almost seemed ashamed about something.

"You're talking about that little kindred with the auburn hair and scale-covered tail right?" Dalton asked, his face was relaxed but I could see the serious glint in his eyes. "She's wearing a collar so I'm assuming she belongs to you."

"She doesn't belong to me, I belong to her," I said instantly. I was starting to lose my patience, it felt like Dalton was walking on eggshells around me.

At my words, I saw his eyes widened for a moment before he sighed. Closing his eyes Dalton stroked his beard, the pale scars on his arms glinting slightly under the low light of the ether lanterns.

"Go remove the glamour first then come back, a lot has happened while you were out," Dalton told me, his tone leaving no room for argument. He pointed toward a nearby door that was to the right.

I let out a soft sigh and walked into the small washroom. I was streaked with semi-dried blood, the makeup I'd been wearing was smeared and running creating a trail of black streaks that started beneath my eyes. My hair was a mess as well, my fingers getting caught by small knots and tangles as I tried to fix it.

No wonder they looked at me like a rabid beast. I look absolutely horrifying.

I began to wash up letting out a small hum as the lukewarm water chased away the slimy and gritty feeling clinging to my skin.

I don't have a change of clothes but it doesn't matter right now. Please be okay Lila...

Carefully I checked my arms for the telltale sign of red fur, letting out a sigh of relief when I found none.

I may have acted like a beast but I haven't completely transformed yet.

Once a half-demon gave into their instincts they would lose their form as well their appearance changing into nothing more than a violent beast.

After removing the glamour, makeup, and most of the blood on me I exited the washroom to see that the atmosphere had calmed significantly.

The cage I'd been held in had been pushed to the back of the room, the mangled top had been placed on top of it, the twisted metal doing little to cover the cage. The guild members had dispersed a bit with some including Briar staying behind, while others more than likely went to patrol Trenna or get some rest. On the wall behind the small bar was the guild's flag, the emblem on it was simplistic, an Egaro's head being cleaved in two by an ax.

Dalton, Briar, and Alice sat at the table in the corner each of them had a wooden mug in front of them. While Dalton was wholeheartedly guzzling his ale Alice seemed to be taking small sips. She was tapping a finger against the table, a scowl on her pale face as she looked around.

Briar was biting his lip and staring down at the table, his shoulders hunched over.

Dalton looked up at me as I approached, he gestured to the empty chair that sat between him and Alice.

When I sat down I couldn't help but notice Alice's hand tighten around the handle of her mug. "Talk Dalton, I want answers now," I ordered him.

Normally I'd show Dalton more respect, but from the looks of things, everyone including myself was at our limit.

Dalton sighed as he set his mug down. "Trenna is on lockdown and the Church's soldiers are on high alert. They don't know that Apont is dead yet because of how thorough you were with disposing of the body, but they're having their mages trying to reconstruct what's left of it." He told me. Taking another swig of his ale he mumbled, "That's gonna be a bit difficult though."

"Shit," I muttered then I frowned. "Wait, you said that Apont being considered missing isn't what caused Trenna's lockdown. So what did?"

What does he mean by it's going to be difficult to reconstruct Apont's body? Did...I really not leave a single piece behind?

I bit my lip as my stomach began to churn, taking a deep breath I scowled my eyes on Dalton waiting for him to answer me. However, it was Alice that spoke this time.

"We were at Strix tavern and Lila left to go look for you. Both she and Marta said that the ether threads felt odd. I started to get worried when she didn't come back..." Alice said softly. She shuddered and shook her head before quickly taking a drink from her mug.

Alice sighed. "There was this horrendous screech that shook the whole tavern, Maker, my ears are still ringing. Dalton was about to move every down here when Lila came back. She was carrying you, it took her a minute to convince me because you didn't look like you. She told Dalton and I to keep you safe." Alice closed her eyes for a moment resting her head in her hands. "She tried to leave again but when I went to stop her..." She trailed off and shuddered.

I frowned as I looked at Alice, truly looked at her. I could see dried tear streaks under her eyes, her fingernails were jagged with dried rust-colored flakes beneath them. Gray circles had started to form underneath her eyes.

Dalton glanced at Alice before he spoke. "Alice tried to grab the girl, but the Kindred, Lila wouldn't let her. When I saw why I'll admit I was shocked, that girl was coated in dark ether. It was streaked across every inch of her body, even the whites of her eyes, until Alice explained things I thought that the poor girl had ended up like...Pihex." He explained his normally laid-back voice had taken on a familiar edge I hadn't heard in years.

"Where is she now?" I asked softly.

Dalton gave me a small humorless smile. "When the girl came back she was holding this orb with swirling dark ether inside. It was coming over her in waves, but she kept her distance from us. When we got down here she ran into one of the bedrooms and locked the door, Alice tried to talk to her after we tied you up but she said that the girl didn't answer. She's been in there for three days, hasn't come out to eat or drink. If I didn't know what she was I'd already assumed she was dead."

I closed my eyes and ran a hand over my face. "So this is what Marta meant by her and Lila would take care of it," I whispered.

I should've known, it's what she did when Varuun died as well. She absorbed most of the dark ether then as well.

I got to my feet and briefly looked around the room eventually finding the door I was looking for. Alice's hand wrapped around my wrist. When I looked down at her, she was biting her lip, her eyes staring at the floor.

"Sorey if you go in there you won't make it back, you said it yourself that you can still be corrupted despite being their Familiar," Alice warned me although I could hear the pleading in her voice.

Now that I think about it...Alice tends to treat Lila the same way she treats her son.

Turning around I reached out ignoring the way Alice flinched away slightly. As I patted her head Alice frowned looking up at me with wide eyes. In fact, I could feel almost everyone's eyes on me as though I'd grown a second head.

A lot of the guild members know me pretty well, besides Cheria and my mother, Lila is probably the only one who's seen me act like this. They probably think I've finally gone mad.

"If you want to return home, to Sanatoria it's alright. I won't stop you, but I have to talk to Lila." I said gently.

Alice bit her lip as she struggled to hold back tears. "I'm not going home! Do you really think I'd abandon you guys like that! Even Lila said it was dangerous to come in! How are you so sure you won't end up just like Pihex," she snapped as she rubbed at her eyes trying to get rid of the tears spilling from them.

"If I keep Lila waiting any longer she probably will turn me into an ether bomb," I muttered smiling slightly.

"This isn't a joke Sorey!" Alice shouted.

For a moment I was silent as I watched her. She was glaring up at me, her face starting to turn red.

"Honestly I wish I was joking, I feel like a fool," I admitted.

"Wha..." Alice whispered frowning.

"I kept Lila waiting for thirteen years, I don't know how she ended up in  Kikewi village especially considering that Kimlasca is far north. But I'm not going to abandon her again. Especially not after all she's done for me," I explained softly.

Alice's eyes slowly widened, in fact, I could practically see the gears turning her head. Dalton seemed to be piecing it together as well a frown on his face.

Instead of waiting for them to piece it together, however, I walked away, going through the door across the room. As I stepped through the door into the hallway I closed the door behind me.

I'm coming Lila, I won't make you wait anymore.