The woman's name was Felisa Maria Cantor de Serrano. She was a recently married woman from the island. Her husband had been beating her for at least a couple of years. On the day she had been possessed, she had been searching for a way to end her life, going as far as leaving behind a note for her family explaining everything. It took almost the rest of the day working with the Sages for Akachi to figure that all out.

During the first hour after hearing the news, Josh had been torn between being grateful they could help her and furious at the piece of trash who would do such a thing. As time dragged on with Akachi and the Sage working with the authorities, his thoughts returned to what they had been when he first heard how someone became vulnerable to possession.

"He had bruises on his arms and around his collar bone."

Josh squeezed his eyes shut, but it did nothing against Hannah's past words. No, it was impossible. Darren was in football, a very physical sport that couldeasily result in injuries.

"You dumb brat, stop this!"

Such loving words from a father who looked seconds away from whacking his son. But Darren's dad had just been annoyed at him for attacking people. Saying angry words one didn't really mean was a naturalreaction.

Josh hadn't been tormenting a bully who actually needed his help. He would have somehow known.

Agonizing over it won't help, Boomer said, not for the first time. If you want to know, ask Mara or Cale. They would have had to handle things with him.

That somehow felt scarier than dealing with the bombardment of thoughts.

"You okay over there?"

Josh flinched and opened his eyes. He sat on the steps of the town hall, the light from the building providing his primary illumination. Still, because of the bond's benefits, he could easily see Cale standing in front of a colorful shrub. He'd been pacing in front of it the last time Josh glanced his way. Now Cale watched him, his head tilted to the side.

"I'm fine, just a bit tired." Josh managed a convincing yawn and stretched. It turned into a grimace when the movement sent a pang through his body.

"You need to be careful until we get to Hisato," Cale said.

Josh rolled his eyes as he massaged his right arm. The muscle still felt tense from all the blows he'd blocked. "Whatever you say, Mother."

Cale didn't seem amused, and an awkward silence settled between them. Josh squirmed, but he wasn't sure if it was from Cale's continued studying of him or his own indecision. Boomer was right. All Josh needed to do was ask Cale or Mara, and one of those two stood before him right then.

But what would he do if Cale told him exactly what he feared?

"Hey," Cale said before Josh could delve too deeply into the thought. He'd finally looked away, his arm-crossed posture stiff and uncomfortable. "So did you really—"

The door behind Josh swung open, cutting Cale off. Josh pushed himself up onto his feet. He didn't have to turn to know Akachi had been the one to leave. Even speaking Spanish, Akachi had a recognizable voice.

"Follow us," Akachi said as he descended the steps.

A man followed close behind him. He had to be nearing middle age, but the only sign was his salt-and-pepper hair. With his impeccable posture and strong build, he looked like he could give Cale a run for his money in any sort of physically demanding task.

When Josh heard about Sages, he expected them to beold, bearded men in robes and hats. Thisone, at least, looked more like a well-groomed businessman who coulddeath-glare someone into taking a deal.

Akachi and the Sage headed around the building toward a small alleyway. Josh followed, a slight limp to his step, with Cale coming up behind him. They stopped deep enough in the alley most peoplepassing by wouldn't notice them.

The Sage's sharp eyes passed over each of them before resting on Akachi. "I'll inform Joel about this as soon as I return. He will want to investigate promptly, I'm sure."

"As I am sure Xander will assist any way he can." Akachi gave a small bow of his head. "Thank you for coming, Omero."

Omero waved off his words, though his nose scrunched up. "You Paladins like to meddle in affairs that could do without your attention. If we didn't assist with the legal side, your lot would get in more trouble than we can afford."

Akachi chuckled. "Perhaps, but I am grateful regardless."

With only a grunt of reply, Omero stared off into thedistance. The sparkler effect of aportal coming to life appeared at his side. He gave the group a curt nod of farewell before vanishing through thecurtain of light.

When the portal vanished, the uptight, stiffly professional air that seemed to linger around the Sage went with it. Josh sighed almost at the same time as Akachi.

"I am starting to believe that Joel has something against me. Every time I request help, he sends Omero despite knowing he isn't fond of me."

Josh quirked an eyebrow. "Why would he not like you?" He couldn't imagine anyone not liking Akachi. Even while Omero made slight jabs, Akachi had been nothing but polite to the Sage. Josh could hope that his teacher had told Omero to take the stick out of his butt, but he highly doubted it.

Akachi shrugged, a small smile playing on his lips. "About eleven years ago, some Shadow Knights unleashed darkness-enhanced animals on a village. We stepped in to stop them. Omero wanted to put down the animals in case they had any lingering darkness in them. I had a different thought on the matter, and, well... Omero doesn't like to be argued with."

Josh could feel his own smile forming. "And did you guys put down the animals?"

Akachi's eyes twinkled. "Let's just say the one thing Omero likes less than someone arguing with him is losing the argument." Like Omero, Akachi grew distant a moment before a portal squirmed to life near him.

Josh went first at Akachi's insistence. He stepped out into the dragon's Sanctum. Jodas' resting form watched the group'sreturn off to the right. The Sanctuarymust have been a few hours behind La Gomera because the last fading rays ofsunlight barely glinted over the trees.

Yeah, I know. Of course you can't. Despite Boomer's words, his tone carried an obvious pout.

Cale appeared from the portal next, and then it closed after Akachi stepped through.

"Cale, you're free to go. Josh, can you follow me? I'll take you to Hisato," Akachi said. He shot a quick glance at Jodas. "And can you ask Xander to meet me there?"

The dragon's chest rumbled as he dipped his head. I will deliver the message, Jodas said.

"Thank you." Akachi smiled at Jodas, then gestured to the exit. "Then let us be off."

They split ways with Cale shortly after they passed the Agriculture Section. He turned left toward the housing quarters while Josh and Akachi proceeded straight on to the central courtyard.  

The smell of chicken wafted through the area. Josh inhaled deeply, and his stomach rumbled. He hadn't eaten much that day. The Darren thoughts had robbed him from his appetite, but apparently it could only last for so long.

"Are we eating before seeing Hisato?" Josh asked.

"Dinner won't be served for another half an hour," Akachi said. "We're going to find Hisato."

"Oh." Josh had assumed that finding Hisato would mean going to the grassy room where he held his lessons, but of course he wouldn't be there twenty-four-seven. Still, they hadn't gone to the residential area, and wherever Akachi was leading him had a stronger scent of chicken. Where were they going?

They followed a small hallway directly across from theone they'd come from. It led to swingingwooden doors featuring various dancing animal carvings on them. Voices and laughter drifted from the otherside, mixing with the occasional clanking metal and sizzling liquid.

Josh frowned. "The kitchen?"

"Correct," Akachi said, and he pushed through the doors.

Josh might as well have stepped into a cookingshow. Four different steel tables linedthe middle of the room. Stoves, ovens,and sinks covered the left and right walls. To each side of the door were fridges and freezers, while racks filledwith food and dishes hid the back wall.

A little more than a dozen people milled around the large space, some at the stoves, some chopping vegetables at the metal tables, and others preparing platters and any utensil the Sanctuary residents would need outside.

Hisato stood at an oven, flipping over pieces of chicken. The grease sizzled and popped as the meat flopped back down onto the pan. As if sensing their arrival, he turned to face the door. He gave them a quizzical look.

Akachi hooked a thumb toward Josh in answer.

Hisato's mouth fell open in a silent "ah." He called over someone else who took his place cooking the chicken. After taking a moment to wash his hands and deposit his pink-petal-covered apron at the end of a table, he walked over to Akachi and Josh.

"What went wrong?" Hisato asked. He shot Josh a friendly smile while his eyes examined every inch of him, pausing on any bruised spot.

Akachi started walking back toward the courtyard. Hisato and Josh fell in step behind him. "Josh found himself on the wrong end of an ogre's fury."

Hisato did a double take of Josh, his eyebrows vanishing into his bangs. "Do I get to hear this story?"

"If Xander shows up before you leave," Akachi replied.

Hisato glanced back at the kitchen doors and shrugged. "I think they will do fine if I'm gone a little longer than planned."

"If you say so."

Hisato beamed down at Josh. "Knew you'd be fun to have around." His eyes softened as Josh continued to limp. "Don't worry. I'll have you feeling better in no time."

"How?" Josh's leg twisted a bit when they stepped onto the courtyard grass. He winced. "Akachi said you could heal me better than he could. Why is that?"

"Sit," Hisato said, nodding to a picnic table. When Josh did as he was told, Hisato sat beside him. He placed a hand on Josh's shoulder. "Have you been told about Soul Skills in any of your other classes?"

Josh almost said he hadn't, but then he remembered what Boomer had told him about. His dragon hadn't used the same term, but it sounded similar enough. "Maybe. Is that when you're bonded and become better at something you were good at? Like when Akachi made those special birds."

"Correct." Hisato closed his eyes. "I also have a Soul Skill. I can channel my own energy into someone, mix it with theirs, and help guide it to do specific things. In this case, help mend your body. Most Paladins learn to heal themselves with their energy as they go, but even then, having two people doing it at once speeds up the process."

As Hisato spoke, he channeled his energy into Josh. It spread through him, easing away the aches and pain and—

Josh squirmed. His own energy swirled within him, trying to move without his input. It was almost like a twitch that Josh could feel coming but forced back.

"Relax," Hisato said. "You have to let me use it for me to heal you."

Taking a deep breath, Josh turned his thoughts to anything but the way the energy moved without his willing it. A moment later, a distraction stepped into the courtyard. 

Fun Fact: Like with Akachi, I had an alternative life job for Hisato, which is pretty apparent here xD Our boy likes to cook :D 

More Soul Skills! They're a fun little addition and something I really need to incorporate more of, not gonna lie xD And we get to meet our first Sage :D Isn't Omero such a delight? Also, considering Josh said distraction... I'm curious who all thinks Mara is appearing xD (P.S. I hate this split up spot, but... Nothing I can do to help it v.v)

Let me know your thoughts on the chapter down below, and if you enjoyed it, don't forget to vote and comment! I also have a discord open to anyone who wants to join, and we have a section there to discuss the book :D It's in my bio if you'd like to join!