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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living, dead or fictional, is entirely coincidental

This series is very graphic in nature and is intended for mature audiences as it portrays mental illness, violence, gore, and some sexual content, and may be disturbing or triggering to some. Viewer/Reader discretion is advised.

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Attention! Spoiler warning for Primogenitus series!

Chapter 1

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 My breath hung thick in the cold morning air as my eyes peeled upon my quarry from a nearby rooftop. He was of medium build, around 180cm tall, a little shorter than myself. His hair was unkempt, with soda bottle glasses perched upon a knobby little nose. He was nothing special but carried himself with an air of arrogance that caused me to tighten my jaw. He stood at the base of a lamp pole near a blonde girl who wore the same school outfit as he. This would complicate things.

 He turned his head, spoke to the girl, then gave a snotty laugh while he looked to the sky. She responded, but from what I could see, her response was not favorable. Within the blink of an eye, he approached her, and seized her wrist.

 

 I could hear her squeal from my vantage point. He must have underestimated her because she broke his grip with ease, and began to flee. It was as if he let her go.. My entire body coiled at the sight of her turning tail to run, just waiting for the moment. And just as I had anticipated, my target gave chase, little did he know, I had as well. Bolting along nearby rooftops keeping the pair in sight, especially after he activated his Sanction, and unleashed his Werewolf form. I didn't think he'd use it so early, what an idiot. I can't wait to cut him open.

 The chase was short lived as he had a significantly longer stride than her. He bounced from wall to wall in the alleyway during the chase, then leapt on her from above. The two tumbled, she spoke,

 "P-please" She pleaded.

 He reached a claw, pressing it to her lips as she shook in fear,

 "Oh we are well beyond that!"

I stood watching quietly. This was actually a pretty advantageous circumstance as she has already seen his normal face. Without her as a witness, my mission will have a higher chance of success. I'll let him finish before I pounce.

His claw slid down her lips, and gripped the cloth at her chest. With one swift movement he ripped her shirt off, exposing her breasts,

 "Daddy!!" She shrieked.

 I winced while the werewolf belted a laugh to the sky.

Memories came screaming from the depths, engulfing my mind. My muscles began to lock up, breath quickened. With every ounce I could muster during this battle of mind and body, I grit my teeth, and mentally swallowed. Forcing the intrusive thought back into the void from whence it came,

 

"Back down you go... I don't have time for you today.." I whispered to myself.

"In her darkest hour she cried for her father to come and protect her. JUST. LIKE. SARIAH."

The voice shrieked all the way back down into the void.

I gave another wince in my left eye and a snorted growl, then stepped to the ledge of the building. Rolling my right shoulder, it gave an audible click.  My cloak made a Whoosh as I dropped from the ledge, my hand gripping the building’s edge for a moment to slow my descent. I landed soundlessly next to a metal pole, stood with a straight spine, and lifted a foot.

 

BONG

 

The werewolf whirled around, peering at me over his left shoulder,

"You know. You're kind of a big boy. Why don't you pick on somebody your own size?" I taunted with a grin on my face.

"A hero have we? Sure, I've got time to add dessert to my breakfast!"

I lifted my arms in an invitation,

"Then come and take a bite, fleabag."

He turned and faced me, dropping to all fours,

 "Just you wait until I'm finished with you!!" He barked loudly.

We stood for a moment before he lunged towards me, bringing a claw down. I stepped aside effortlessly. He's slow, and for a moment in my mind's eye I could see Mama saying "Now Hon, don't play with your food." I laughed to myself, because sorry Mama, I'm going to play with my food. I want him to suffer. Suffer LIKE I DID.

He turned and swiped at me again, only to meet air as I ducked beneath his blow. With a spin he struck upwards, which I leaned back to avoid. Bouncing  backwards, I put some space between him and I.

He was persistent, I'll give him that; I thought as he leapt at me again just like before, with the same strike even. This time I didn't dodge. I caught him by the wrist, and dug my fingers into the meat with a gush.

His eyes widened as I lifted him over my shoulder, and kicked him across the vacant concrete lot. He rolled and scurried to all fours, his claws making a sort of nail on chalkboard sound, it was annoying.

He howled as he bolted towards me, barreling with wild abandon. Was he tired already? This was just foreplay.

The single moment before he reached me mid lunge, I leapt, rolling my back across his. This position was much easier to draw from than I thought.

We both landed with our backs to one another. He turned first,

 "What's the matter? Don't want to-"

 I lifted my arm out, dropping his furred left arm to the ground as it changed back to a more human one. I turned, pushing the edge of my cloak open with my sword's blade.

His eyes looked to the bleeding stump connected to his shoulder. The entire air of the situation changed while he gripped his stump,

"What's wrong? Bite off more than you could chew?" I asked humorously

 "L-listen! You can have the girl for yourself, j-just let me live!"

My face twisted into disgust. Just like that? He thinks it's going to be that easy??

"Oh we are well beyond that.." I used his own words.

I took a single step towards him before he bolted backwards in a futile attempt to flee. He was now prey, and he understood that. He acted with a panicked desperation, clawing for basic survival.

"Get back here!"

I swung my left hand, my enchanted chain with a dragon head ornament piece at the end came flying from the shackle on my wrist.

It wrapped around his neck twice before I yanked him backwards. His large body made a thud noise at my feet. Scrambling to his hands and knees, I wouldn't give him the inch. I yanked him forward, bringing him to land on his belly.

Dropping my sword with a clang, I couldn't help but laugh when he jumped at the noise. Stepping with enough force to pin him down on the head with my foot, a wicked grin began to crease my lips while I steadily pulled up on the chain.

 "Please!...*gack* I don't wanna die!"

His gurgles and pleas were like music to my ears, music that only made me tighten the chain around his neck tighter and tighter. The blood lust screamed in my veins; YES HAHA SUFFER AND DIE!

My chain's enchantment made short work of suppressing his Sanction until only a scared looking human with pointed ears flailed and cried beneath my boot,

"You're pretty stupid for an Elf. Insects like you disgust me. You should be grateful I'm ending your pathetic little life. You have no place in MY world."

With a swift turn, I sharply yanked on the chain,

SNAP

His body went limp, with only a frightened look remaining in his now dead tear stained eyes.

Kneeling down, I unlooped my chains from his neck, and whipped them back to retract the dragon head to the shackle. Rolling him over onto his back, I brought up my hand shoulder high, and formed a claw. A red glowing orb that looked like pulsating liquid formed at the tips of my fingers.

"I need your memories" I said flatly.

A white entity flowed from the Werewolf's mouth, and towards the orb. I gave a visible shudder as it entered, then lowered my hand.

 

His papers said that his name was Hiro Genji, but he wasn't a local by any means. He was from the Elven Kingdom that now resides in Eastern Russian. He had a transformation type Sanction, which are relatively rare and usually quite powerful. His knowledge of The Apostasy was base level, he knew that they were the origin of the Council. All he cared is they let him rape, murder, and then devour his victims..

"You're disgusting." I commented to the now deceased Hiro.

That confirmed it enough for me to see The Council as an enemy force. As if the Apostasy wasn’t bad enough, “Victory through any means” their maxim was.. Worms.

 I promptly began to rifle through his pockets. Jackpot. I lifted a student ID card with his ugly face on it. Bringing it into my cloak, I slid it hastily into my jacket’s right pocket.

“With this I’ll be able to assume his identity. That will give me some time until I find the whispers…” I said hushedly to myself.

A scared breath broke me out of my plans and schemes. My eyes lifted. Shit, I forgot about her.

With an annoyed sigh I stood and turned.  A tilt of my head was all it took for her to sharply gasp. Ambling next to my sword, I stomped on the tip causing it to spin through the air, and caught it by its handle with a reversed grip.

I began to saunter towards her, provoking her to scramble backwards until a steel fence barricaded her retreat. Her breath quickened with every step, her hands reached up gripping at the steel. In a single flash, I saw Sariah's face, making me visibly wince and tick again. With another sigh, I stood above her for a moment staring at her with a narrow gaze, while her shaky breaths created puffs that violated the stillness of the cold morning air.

I likened her to a scared and cornered animal. I had no intention of hurting her, but how would she know that?

A frightened and wounded animal must be dealt with by a gentle and unthreatening hand;

Luka's words echoed in my mind. I don't have a particular malcontent for humans, but they're like cockroaches. They're everywhere and get into everything much the same.

However, she is an innocent. Just like Sar-

 I knelt down, and lifted a hand in front of my face in a prayer format. A pleasant and friendly smile on my face,

"No one is going to hurt you, you're safe now."

 We shared an awkward silence for a short time where her breaths that slowly began to calm were the only sound. Her eyes unlocked from mine, and looked down at her own chest. They widened while they began to become disheveled, it seemed some sense had finally returned to her as her face turned a deep red, and her hands hastily lifted to cover her nudeness,

 "I-I-I-I..." Was all she managed to stammer out.

An annoyed pit found its home in my stomach, but a pleasant smile remained on my face while I stood  and gripped my cloak at the shoulder. With one swift movement I pulled it from my back, and threw it onto her.

Without another word I turned and began to walk away while sticking my hands into my pockets. For a moment though, I stopped and looked back,

"You should get out of here.. Before the "Authorities" show up." I say with a certain distaste.

If the Council caught wind of this, she'd never be heard from again. But  who knows, maybe that's a good thing for me..

Her eyes shimmered while she clutched my cloak around her body,

 "Okay.." she said with a dreamy tone.

"Ugh.." I responded and turned, walking my way.

Thankfully the Student ID also had the school's name on it because I hadn't thought that far ahead.

Jace was right, I really should plan further..

Chapter 2

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 The weather was particularly gorgeous that day. Clear blue skies with splotches of white clouds hanging lazily without a care in the world. The hallways of the school were void and quiet with an almost eerie silence. Maybe I shouldn't have gotten here so early. I just want to get this mess over with. I sighed softly, gazing out the window,

My name is Hiro Genji. I’m an 11th year student at Takamura Highschool. That’s what I’ll tell the Mortals. My real name is Maielk Kammael, I’m a monster hunter of sorts, and I’ve been drawn to Japan by beings known as Whispers. Loyal servants who wish for the resurrection of Xanros the Elder, Deity of the now extinct Dragon Race.

I looked out to the horizon beyond the city, sensing the Whisper's pull,

And if I have anything to say about it, that bastard will never see the light of day again..

A picture of Sariah appeared in my mind. She was 10 winters, average height for her age, with hair that was a mix between her mother’s blonde and my blood red, giving her fiery red hair, my horns, and a defiant look in her eyes. The apple didn't fall far from the tree.

Not after what he took from me..

 For now though, I'm in disguise. I've used a spell to hide my horns and pointed ears, so I appear human. Makes infiltration easier, so I don't attract unwanted attention to myself.

 My phone dinged, drawing my attention back. I lazily scrolled through the notifications, only to find a headline in a local news article that made my heart jump into my throat.

"LOCAL UNIDENTIFIED STUDENT FOUND DEAD"

 It wasn't the girl.. shit. It was the werewolf.

I reached a hand up and pinched the ridge of my nose, and gave out an exasperated sigh,

"This is going to cut my time in half.."

 I was interrupted mid grievance by the sliding door to the class opening, and closing. It was the teacher. He was short, or at least shorter than I, a little chubby and had a buzzed haircut with thick rim glasses.

 When he found me sitting in my seat, the last desk second row to the window, he jumped, clutching his briefcase to his chest. I watched him intently, head slightly canted; He recovered and adjusted his glasses with an *ahem*,

 "You're my new transfer student Genji Hiro, yes?"

I went back to minding my phone,

"Yes sir"

He let out an annoyed sigh, still holding the arm of his glasses,

 "Ugh.. another one of these??"

I glanced back up to him from my phone with an air of disinterest,

 "I will have Tetsuka Ayame introduce you to the class during homeroom. Until then, just stay out of trouble."

I went back to my phone once again, already bored of this conversation,

"Duly noted."

and ignored

It wasn't long before the front and rear doors opened, allowing students to pour in. I eyed every one of them. They were relatively plain, no one I would look twice at. Of course, in this world of monsters and magic, plain was best. Humans outnumber us these days, so if our survival is to be assured, we have to play nice and stay hidden.. How annoying.  

 Most magical beings, myself included, have adopted a sort of illusion spell. It makes us appear human so as to not rouse suspicion. I'm sure Human governments would love to pull us apart to find out what makes us tick. Cockroaches, every one of them.

Of course, for the longest time, my magical capacity was nill.. until that night.

 The blaring purple brightness from my shackles blinded all who laid eyes, while I howled in lament, clutching her still warm cloak. Rain poured down my face, mixing with the tears off my chin. My right hand reached to the heavens, and there was a flash

 I blinked several times bringing my attention back outward. I found my left hand clutching the side of the desk, cracking the top, while my right hand gripped my phone shaking nigh uncontrollably. My breaths were shallow and ragged gasps in desperation, while my heart pounded in my chest.

 Just focus on your breaths. Breathe deeply, it will pass. It always does. The emotion welling up inside of me cracking my calm composure just a bit. And while I worked, my breath soon became calmer and calmer, as the drum in my chest began to settle. I've killed gods, devoured a great, and many souls, my power overflows. Yet here I sit prisoner of my own pain... All I want is to hold her in my arms again.. I hate this..

Exhaling a final deep and relieving breath, I heard someone speak.

 "You okay?"

I jumped as a knee jerk reaction, but this voice seemed familiar. Like I knew it well. Thoughts of an old friend were a welcomed distraction.  

 He was a large Demi-human, standing at a staggering 213cm high. We had always theorized he was a throwback to the primal ancestors of the Dragons since he was so large, covered from head to toe in thick plating scales, and bore a heavy great axe on his shoulders. But his smile and kind nature assured you that he was a gentle giant, unlike the carnal ancestors. Or at least Gentle until he wasn’t.

 I clunkily turned my head, a look of shock on my face. My mind was unsure whether to be disappointed, or relieved that the visage I found was one of a soft fleshed human. A large human, but a human nonetheless,

 "You look like your blow up doll deflated mid squeeze. Y'alright?"

 I paused for a moment. 

How did he get past me.. must have been during my episode.. What did he say??

I gave an almost abrupt laugh as his words finally registered,

 "Yeah you're gonna be fine." He chortled

"You're alright. What's your name?" I said humorously.

He outstretched a large hand, offering it to me. Placing my phone down I gladly shook his hand.

 It was a trap! His hand clamped onto mine with the force of an angry god. The internal screaming filling my head was deafening as I tried to maintain an friendly unaffected smile,

 "Skylark! What's yours?"

"Hiro Genji!" I said through clenched teeth.

 

 When he released my hand there was a wave of pure relief over my entire body. 

What the hell does this kid eat?? With that gods damned grip? Probably anything he wants..

 With a little shake of my hand, I met his gaze and matched his friendliness,

"I'm excited to see what I find in this school."

With a sly smile he pointed at me,

 "You said that really weird, but I completely understand!"

 We shared a laugh that felt like we had been friends for eons. He scooted closer to me, and leaned in putting his arm over my shoulder,

 "So, have you had a chance to see any of the ladies yet?" He whispered.

"A few, but they're honestly not my type." I nervously scratched my cheek.

 "Oh man, just wait until you see the Prez! You'll love her! Everyone does! That girl gets so many confession letters she doesn't know what to do with them all!"

 I laugh, and nudged him,

"Sounds like you got a thing for herself if you're keeping track of her love letters!"

 He gave a hearty laugh, and shook his head near the end of his laughter,

 "Nah nah nah, I'm in the student council, so i hear about every one of them haha! Speaking of hearing about things, we've been expecting you for quite some time! What kept you?"

 Shit. I couldn't tell him the truth. Especially since the real Hiro was too busy with his, shall we call it, appetite. I shuddered at the thought, but I had to come up with something fast.

"Delayed paperwork. Shit was a pain in the ass."

 "Aw man, they made you do your own paperwork? Bad luck. No wonder it took you so long to show!"

 I laughed nervously, but my poker face was unshakable. Although he seemed to have bought it, I could relax just a little. Or so I thought.

Shortly after our jokes and laughter, the teacher spoke,

 "Everyone settle down, class will begin shortly!"

​

The atmosphere of the class changed, it went from a room full of laughter and life, to almost cemetery quiet. It was unnerving.

Then She entered. The mere sight of her brought my jaw to the floor. When she approached the teacher, he handed her a stack of papers. Her delicate fingers flipped through them for a moment before she offered the teacher a nod that was accompanied by a friendly smile.

 She was 152cm tall, small bust but where she lacked bust she made up for with her hips and the region surrounding. My eyes grazing at just the surface of her skin caused my body to ache. Her hair was waist long and a light blue hue. Large bright heterochromatic eyes, one purple one pink bounced around the room and locked eyes with me for a moment. Watching her intently, I noticed her knees wobble just a little when our eyes met.. Her face was slender, and accentuated by her hair that was worn down but still kept in a certain elegance.  

 My heart began to pound, my breath caught, but before I could respond I saw she was flanked by another.

 The one who flanked her was roughly the same height as me. His build was similar to mine as well. If our hair color were the same you’d swear we were brothers. His slicked back blonde hair which had curious black streaks through it, topped his face that appeared to be of European descent with a chin narrowing to the bottom, but had a strong jaw and cheek bones to match. His sharp and piercing yellow eyes possessed the same curious black streaks through them as well.

 I stood abruptly, my chair falling backwards with a clack. The sight of these two took me back to a time when life was simpler. Before Sar-

 I winced again, my breath began to quicken.

No, not now!! 

 My heart pounded as I locked up. Every muscle seized while I gripped the edges of the desk.

 I could feel the eyes of not only the teacher but all in attendance on my skin. I was drawing attention to myself with this sudden outburst.

 "Is everything alright, Mr Genji?" The teacher broke the crowded silence.

 MOVE!  I screamed at my body in my mind. Jace and I locked eyes for a brief moment before he lazily blinked, looking away. I felt a sting in my heart making my blood begin to boil. I hadn't noticed I stopped breathing during all of this, forcing myself to take in a sharp desperate gasp, and began to try to calm myself. Shaking I looked at the teacher, who had been waiting for an answer,

"I-I'm… fine.." I forced out with clenched teeth.

 Skylark picked up my chair and set it behind me from his seat. With a swift push, he forced the edge of the seat into the back of my knees, which led to my butt hitting the seat. Skylark pat me on the shoulder,

"You're gonna be alright, Little Bro."

 I slowly but surely began to calm, swallowing mentally. I forced my body to relax, focussing on my breath.

You're gonna be okay… it. Will. Pass. Let it pass over you like wind on a field of grass..

 Removing myself mentally proved helpful as I approached a "normal" state. Still on edge, but functional. It was the best I could ask for.

I blinked a few times, and made a phew noise,

"Wow, hey sorry about that! Must be a bit of jet lag!" I gave that same fake smile. The one I spent so long perfecting. I still had debts unpaid, so I needed it in my arsenal.

 The teacher clapped his hands together taking the attention off of me,

 "For those of you who do not know, this is the Student Body Council President Tetsuka Ayame, and Vice President Jace Storm. Tetsuke, please introduce our new transfer student."

 During my episode, Ayame had been staring. I only noticed as the teacher nudged her with his elbow. She blinked a few times and smiled warmly with a tilt of her head,

 "Genji, please come to the front!" Her cheery, but professional tone was accentuated by a lovely Irish accent.

 I stood, hands shaking as I wiped them on my pants. I looked back to Skylark who I had for some reason latched on to. We had only just met. It was insane that I trusted him so quickly. But when I looked at him, all I saw was my old friend, who I trusted with my life. He gave me a grin and a thumbs up.

 Ayame and Jace both step aside as I join them, with Ayame on my right. I glanced over to her as she ruffled through papers. Looking up she addressed the class,

 "This is Genji Hiro , please make him feel welcome in his new school!"

 Everyone in the room performed a clap, it was in a pattern or tune that I didn't recognize. I figured it was unique to this school as a sign of student solidarity.

 At the end, Ayame turned to me and offered her hand,

 "It was nice to meet you, but i have Student Council-"

 I took her hand and pulled her into my arms. A hand reached up to the back of her head. I fought with everything inside to keep composed, this was the woman I saw only when I closed my eyes, there was no mistaking it…

"I'm… So glad to see you."

 Her hands slid to my chest, and with a voiced effort, she shoved me off of her, then leaned forward her fists on her hips. Her expression was one of genuine anger as the entire class erupted

 "What's your problem?!" Her teeth bared towards me

"I..I…" I froze.

 "Ugh, I don't have time for this. Come on Jace, we have duties that need our attention."

 She stepped past me, brushing out her long hair with a single hand. I was completely and utterly confused. There was absolutely no way I mistook her for anyone else.

 Jace turned, and locked eyes with me. He clapped me calously on the shoulder,

 "Welcome."

Turing he left right behind Ayame. I stood there dumbfounded as the Teacher tried to get the class under control. Did.. something happen?

 Without any prompt I returned to my desk, and interlaced my fingers and put them under my nose, resting my weight on my elbows in thought. What could have-

 A large hand patted me on the shoulder. I turned to see that it was Skylark,

 "Man, that's a record! Not even the first period in and the whole school hates you!" He laughed a hearty laugh.

I honestly didn't think it was very funny, but I also couldn't care less what the humans thought of me. Whatever they think, they're probably not wrong..

Chapter 3

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 The cool air felt good through the fences on the rooftops of the school. With each drink of canned coffee, the wind and air felt just a little fresher.       

 The inside of the school was relatively stuffy, especially in the ridiculous uniforms.

They expect kids to wear these all summer?  

 Black slacks, and a black top with a button up undershirt and tie. Not only are they uncomfortable but they're hot. Goes to show why I elected to wear my sleeveless black shirt beneath, instead of the button up one. I had unbuttoned my top to let fresh air in when the door leading to the roof rattled open.

 My cold stare was met by Jace. When our eyes locked and in an instant, I knew. I stood, setting my empty can of coffee on the concrete ledge inside the fence. He and I met near the center of the roof.

We immediately began to circle one another before one spoke,

"I have several questions for you." I started

 "Likewise. That was pretty fuckin bold of you for your first day. But you already knew that." his response was sharp

"What can I say? That's just always been my MO hasn't it?" I said, smothering my taunt in arrogance.

 I reached up my right hand and began to slide off my jacket, watching Jace unbuttoning his to do the same. The sun felt good on my bare muscles. I had forgotten what warmth felt like from the isolation of the frozen north.

If only to keep one monster contained.

 My episodes were easier to avoid if I had a physical distraction to focus on, so I could keep up my collected appearance.

 We threw our jackets aside, then remained still in our little standoff. Jace assumed his fighting stance while I rolled my right shoulder which gave a sickeningly loud click

 With the shadow of a bird flying over us, I bolted in.

 My first punch was a jab. It was used as a rough gauge of his strength, because i didn't want to just start out-

 Jace kept up with my stride staying just outside of my striking range then spun in a pirouette, bringing his left heel to my cheek.

I spun backwards, and landed with my left hand on the concrete of the roof, and my right shoulder propped up by my right knee, golden ichor splashed in an arch as I spun to a stop.  

 Standing I turned back to Jace, spitting out golden ichor, and a tooth. Jace glanced at my spit several times as the sun caught and reflected the golden flecks on the rooftop. My tongue flicked the empty spot on my gum several times.

 "Come on Maielk, I know you've got more under the hood than that. You keep holding back, I might accidentally kill you."

 I spit again,

"Yuh. I knew I shouldn't have soft pawed you off the bat."

 Jace gave a playful shrug from his fighting stance with his fists about chest high, his left further than his right.

 Alright you little shit.

 The speed at which I bolted this time was near blinding, the concrete beneath my feet cracked from the launch of my movement.

Before he could react I brought my knees to his gut, he doubled over it while vomit and spittle ejected from his mouth when he flew backwards. 

 Jace was caught and barely returned by the chain link fence. Bouncing forward, he landed on his hands and knees gasping,

 "This is different… This is different!" He spoke excitedly between gasps.

"Come on Jace, get back to your feet. I didn't hit you that hard."

 "Says…gasp... You!" He proceeded to suck wind like he owed it money.

"You knocked out a tooth, I don't even wanna hear that!" I pulled back my cheek for him to see.

 We both laughed for a moment while he wheezed. After a short time he stood, and returned to his fighting stance.

"You good?"

 He came at me as his response. He led with a right hand haymaker, a left jab, and finished with a right elbow. I blocked each attack, the air displacing around each blocked blow due to the force behind them. I blocked his last blow with my forearm crossing his.

 Shoving him back, I spun on my heel, attempting a roundhouse kick. Ducking below, he rose with an uppercut. His attack staggered my stance, and with my feet trying to re-secure he spun mid air with a jump, and brought the top of his foot straight to my face.

I bounced off the ground, but swung my feet backward over my head, recovering and landing on my feet with rapid succession. I darted right back in with golden ichor now leaking from my mouth and my nose. Left jab, right cross, each attack blocked, but just barely as I increased the power with each successive blow.

 My final attack took him by surprise, I delivered a headbutt directly to his nose, blood gushing. He stumbled back a little dazed while holding his nose, but I would not yield.

 Several punches were delivered during my approach, but he was quick to recover. I absorbed several of his blows until he delivered an elbow, which I blocked much like before. While I was focused on his elbow he swung his left hand up, but it wasn't in a fist, more of a claw. As if it were in slow motion I noticed a golden ring form on his left forearm.   

 Cheeky bastard.

 The only sensation I could liken the Aether to, is like reaching your hand into a sauna, making the dark expanse of the Aether warm and relaxing. Which was the opposite of my current predicament. Gripping my sword's hilt, I drew. The armored palm of Jace's gauntlet gripped at my sword's blade.

 Our exchange, I had hoped would have been a humorous one, but there was a slight edge in his eyes when he shoved me backward.

 Without a single word or even a voice of effort, he drew his sword from the enchanted cuff of the gauntlet. The weapon he drew with his right hand was a black, red, and gold Dragonic gladius, only matching the Dragon artifact that sprouted the red tsuka-ito wrap styled handle.   

 Jace bolted in while I grinned to myself, as he had just stepped into my office. It wasn't very often I crossed with a formidable opponent, so I knew I'd at least have fun. Our open hand fighting style was similar, but our sword fighting skill was significantly different.

 The clang of metal on metal rang loudly above the wind, our blades meeting again and again. My blade received several deep gashes in the edge of the blade from his. I kept Jace at a certain distance to maximize the effectiveness of my sword, as its reach was greater than his.  

 If Jace closed inside my striking range it would put me at a severe disadvantage, however my cutlass's handguard doubled as a knuckle duster, so I wouldn't be helpless.

 Feigning a broad chest high stroke, he spun redirecting the momentum into a stab. As soon as he turned I saw it coming from a mile away. Shifting my sword handle in my hand I raised it, and caught his sword between my Cutlass's handguard and my hand. Leaping over him, I snatched his sword right out of his hand, then threw both our weapons to the side.

 I bolted at him, and tackled him. We tumbled and rolled delivering several punches, knees, and headbutts followed by insults,

"Fucking knife-ear!" I yelled

 "Handle head!" He responded

 This continued with each blow until I finally pinned him to the ground by his collar. I reared up my fist, with teeth completely bare, and at my fists height I heard an audible click. Looking down I saw a literal revolving handheld cannon pointing up at my sternum. We were both stilled and panting.

"Pulling a gun? How very human of you."

 Jace lifted his shoulders dismissively. With an "ugh", I rolled over his head onto my back caddy corner from him. Jace was the first to begin laughing, until I joined in. And for a moment we lay there laughing like idiots.

 The ways we fought were similar in that our attacks and moves were readable to each other, however Jace had much more finesse than I. Which is why more often than not he'd win our little empty hand spats. So each victory against him was to be celebrated for me.

The cool air felt good as it blew over us, sweaty and bloody. After setting his revolver on the ground, Jace reached his hand up and covered his eyes,

 "What percentage was that?"

"I don't know, point two or so?" I shrugged

 "That was point two?!" He shouted.

"Ow.." I responded

 "That was the roughest fight I've had in years!!" He continued.

 Lowering his hand over his nose while he stared at the blue sky, his sight narrowed.

 "How did you become so impossibly strong? Be honest with me." Jace asked, almost reverent.

"Have I ever lied to you? People change Jace."

 "That's not helpful."

"Wasn't trying to be" I snorted.

 In my head I weighed my options. If anyone would understand, it was Jace.

I knew this man well. He was the closest friend I had ever had, I knew that if I could trust no others, I could trust him. Especially after that decisive battle with the corruption eons ego, where he sacrificed his Sanction to save my life.

"After what happened the night I left... things that were once off limits, aren't anymore."

 I heard Jace trying his best to formulate a response, but inevitably he gave a defeated sound and became quiet.

"I have a Sanction now, Jace.."

Jace nearly jumped as his tone and demeanor changed to a more positive one,

 "Bullshit. I know for a fact those shackles of yours suppress any sort of Divinity they come into contact with, that includes yours genius."   He doubted so wholeheartedly.

 I lifted a hand, and formed a claw. The same red fluid-like orb formed  at my fingertips. He cranked his neck to look, and the resulting awestruck expression smeared all over his stupid face was just delicious.

"Proof trumps all, Bro."

 He reached a hand up and attempted to touch it. The orb shied away from his finger and indented to avoid his touch.

"You're alive so it won't affect you."

 "Your Sanction only works on the dead?? What's it do?"

"I call it Devour. I can absorb the souls of the recently dead.."

 Relaxing my hand, I rested for a moment. Many of the souls I had devoured up to this point had given me passive abilities such as speed, strength, etc. Most however had to be activated, a task I do not use lightly.

How would I tell Jace that? I hate to admit it, but I'll have to have secrets even from him..

"What happened to Luka..?" I asked near abruptly.

 The sound he made in response unnerved me. It said "fuck me i don't want to answer this question". Sitting up, he gazed out at the sky beyond the school. I tilted my head to look at him, he was gilded by the bright midday sunlight, his hands resting on the concrete between his legs. His face was sad, which was not an expression that Jace wore lightly,

 "I don't know." He said with a confusing flat conviction.

I sat up, mirroring him for the most part, except my eyes found my hands in clenched fists,

"That's not helpful."

 "Wasn't trying to be.." he retorted.

He looked back, and our eyes met. Did he really believe that? I'll need to press,

"What do you know?"

 "She disappeared one day. When we found her, she was Ayame. I don't know anything more than that."

"Where is everyone else?"

 " Hiding around, if that makes sense to you."

"Well it-"

BONG BiNG BONG BONG, BONG BiNG BONG BONG.

 The school played a chime over the intercom. Jace stood, and patted himself down and retrieved his jacket, and weapons.

 "Come on sulfur breath, lunch is over"

"Shut up, you stupid bitch."

 "Nice."

 I jumped up and followed him inside.

We bandaged ourselves up just in time to make the second bell to class. I patted myself and realized I forgot my jacket. Ah screw it. I'll grab it later.

 As soon as we got to class, Jace excused himself almost right away, leaving the room with a smug smirk that I'll need to wipe off his face later.

Chapter 4

​

 My head pounded, my sinuses ached, and I hated to admit it, but Jace put me in a pretty painful state. 

Remind me to let out a little more next time.. gonna beat his ass so bad.. though really i should be thankful. Gives me a lot to distract myself with… 

I reached a hand up and lightly pinched the ridge of my nose and closed my eyes,

"Ssssss" I inhaled through my teeth.

 The teacher droned on inaudibly for some time as I licked my wounds. 

Why, why did I choose a school to be my hunting cover..? 

 The rest of class was listening quietly and paying attention when the teacher stopped his lecture.

 "Yes Ayame?"

 My eyes shot open, to find Ayame pointing a thumb at me, trying not to be impolite I assumed,

 "It would seem that our new student needs a trip to the nurse. May I escort him?"

 Why would she want to do that? I thought I offended the hell out of her earlier. What is going on inside your head girl?

The teacher waved his hand dismissively turning back to the chalkboard,

 "If you deem it necessary. Just read pages one 'o two, through one ten while you're down there."

 Ayame canted her head and smiled brightly at the teacher before he turned.

Man could she sway a crowd

 In my head I could see her tail swishing side to side with pure delight when she grabbed her book, and approached my desk to offer me a hand. Leaning in she blocked the side of her mouth with her book, as if to hide her words,

 "And no hugging this time…without my consent."

 With a happy smile and a wink, we were walking down the hallway. I held my book loosely while she held hers to her chest, but doing nothing to hide the sound of her heart thumping against the book. I glanced down to her, only to find her staring almost impolitely at me,

"What?" I sneered.

She jolted and looked away, a little embarrassed that I had caught her.

 "N-nothing… It just seems like this isn’t the right place for you."

"What makes you say that?"

 I lowered my arms and leaned towards her to invade her personal space a little. I could tell it unnerved her from the sound of her heart thumping a little louder. And truth be told? I liked seeing her squirm.

 "Well… You’ve already been in a fist fight with my vice president for starters. Most students barely say two words on their first day, but the whole school knows about you already… And the day is only half over.."

 She leaned a little closer to me, and put a hand next to her mouth as she whispered,

 "Plus, Jace says you're a creep."

 I abruptly laughed out loud and reached up I tapped my nose while closing one eye,

"Yeah? Well Jace got his ass beat on the roof for lunch. So he can eat a dick."

 Ayame laughed cutely with the back of her free hand covering her mouth,

 "You know that's bad right?"

I stood up right when we continued walking, a look of confusion sliding over my face,

"Really??"

 "Yes!" Ayame laughed

Scratching the back of my head while leaning forward

 What the hell kind of place is this where a guy can't beat his bestie’s ass? Are humans that soft? I thought to myself.

"That's just.. different from how I grew up I guess."

 "So where are you from then?"

"My family traveled a lot when I was growing up so I'm not really from any one place. But for the last several years I've lived in the north pole."

 "Brrr! sounds cold!" She visibly shivered while holding her arms.

"It was.. but it was probably for the best.." I said solemnly.

 We had reached the stairs that spiraled down in a square shape. Human architecture still to this day confuses me, it's so varied and some of it can be really nice. Even this school could be considered nice although contemporary isn't my cup of tea, it's clean, streamlined, and functions as intended.

 Walking down the stairs Ayame had this hop in her step, allowing her to skip the last few stairs at the level we were traveling to. She brushed down her skirt from her jump, and for a moment I couldn't help but stare at her, my heart pounding a little heavier in my chest.

She turned and looked up at me as I gained on her with every step of my descent until I reached her, allowing us to continue side by side.

 "You're blushing" she leaned closer to me,

"No I'm not. Shut up." I leaned away my eyes looking toward the ceiling with an annoyed expression.

 "Yes you are, look!" She hopped and grabbed onto my arm, and lightly pressed her chest to it.  Her finger in my face while she laughed mockingly of course made the problem worse.

"I'm NOT!!" I finally shouted and stormed on ahead while she hung back laughing.

 Turning around I could almost feel the hot steam coming from my ears as I grit my teeth,

"Ayame where are we going?!" I shouted again, a little quieter.

 Turning towards a door I had already passed, she did a sort of double jazz hands towards it.

 The door read NURSE right over it, which caused my blush to brighten from embarrassment. Growling, I stomped passed her and flung open the door,

 "By the way.." she almost whispered

I looked back with that annoyed look still on my face,   

 "You're really cute when you're flustered." She teased.

"AHHHH" I exclaimed as I stormed into the door and slammed it shut. I could hear her laughing until the door sealed.

 

 Turning from the door I found myself in a rather large room. It appeared that it had been a classroom converted into a sort of Doctor’s office, complete with examination table, jars of disposable utensils, and boxes of gloves. Everything a Doctor might need to care for a patient.

 Upon further inspection I found a giant man sitting on a rolling chair with his back to the wall, reading a newspaper beneath a window.

He folded the paper back to peer at me over it.

 "Ah!" He exclaimed with a pleasant look on his face.

 Folding the paper, and setting it on the counter to his right, he began to stand. The matter of him unfolding was a sight to behold, he just kept going. By the end of it I had a crook in my neck from looking up at him, he was even taller than Borthal.

 I sensed no malice from him but kept my guard up so that within a moment's notice I could sling my sword from the Aether. But just like with Skylark there was an odd familiarity, these feelings were starting to wear down at me to be honest.

 "You must be Hiro! I've heard quite a bit about you from Jace. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance! My name is Corvid, but most of the students just call me Nurse."

 He stood at least 220 cm tall! His body was like that of a bodybuilder, muscles in every direction. The heads of his shoulders alone were bigger than my whole head! His hands were like bear paws, huge, powerful, but gentle too. Balding had overtaken this man’s head, and had a skin of a darker hue. Wearing a pair of what looked like custom fitted khaki pants supporting a white button up t-shirt with a green tie. Against the wall to his right rested a cane with a large crystal blue orb atop it. Corvid’s smile was as warm as the morning sunlight, and felt just as pleasing to bask in.

 He motioned for me to take a seat on the examination table. Looking at it I honestly had no idea how to approach it. The longest I had ever stayed in a doctor's office was when I was hunting and the fight happened to go through one, it's the only reason I recognized any of the tools and utensils, what they are for though I couldn't tell you.

 He was quite patient with my apprehension of the table, yet patted the part I was supposed to sit on, I assumed to try and reassure me.  

 Hesitantly I took a seat where he had patted and rested my hands on the tops of my thighs.

The entire experience made me feel alienated and isolated. It was reminiscent to my time separated from my friends,

A memory came crashing into my mind with no warning, leading me to instantly lock up,

 

 I stood in the center of a stone home, covered in blood while two bloody mangled bodies turned to ash at my feet. White knuckling a bloodied candlestick in my hand, my breath shook during the act of absorbing their souls.  As the red glow dulled to darkness, an infant's cry cracked the quiet calm of the darkness. My bottom lip quivered as the shame overtook me, I turned my head and followed the sounds of the cries. My hands didn't let go until there was nothing but silence and ash..

 

 When I came back to, Corvid leaned forward with his hands out as if they were to grab me. My face wetted with tears while my breath was ragged.

"Nngh" was all I managed to say before the anger welled up in me.

 Swinging my hand I brought my sword from the Aether with a honed slash, yet clanged and deflected as if it had met stone. The blade sheared and flung through the air, stabbing into the adjacent wall. Corvid took a single large stride forward, his hands out,

"DON'T LOOK AT ME!" I shrieked and growled as I fruitlessly swung the sword hilt at him.

 His hands were strong, yet gentle as they seized me. Pulling me into his arms he forced my left cheek to his chest with a hand comfortingly petting the back of my head as I began to break down. Even with all the might I could muster, I could hold back the sobs no longer. He hadn't looked at me, not once, but I could feel he was almost as distraught as I.

 "You've been through so much alone, old friend.."

 A green aura engulfed both of us, lining us with a beautiful light that radiated a pure life essence,

 "Inspire thy Divinity, swifter than the dampened earth who hungers for thy bones

Join forth spry axon; Restorel." he whispered.

A warmth ran through my body, a warmth that I was familiar with, a warmth that eased every ache, and every pain. The noises and shrieks in me went silent. My thoughts that usually ran rampant, now lay as still as a calm pond. The warm comfort of his embrace caused my body to relax, giving several sharp breaths before I slumped against him. If he were to kill me, now would have been the time. Yet his tender support continued as he softly petted me. It was only then I realized that a new tooth had sprouted to replace the one missing in my gum.

"Oururuu…" I croaked out before tears flowed again.

 The minutes felt like hours until I had finally calmed down to the sound of his heartbeat. I slid my hands to his chest, and gave a soft push. He stood and retracted without resistance,

"I'm.. I'm okay now.." I refused to meet his eyes.

 I felt weak. I couldn't even control my own mind, not only that, if he hadn't been an ally I would have been dead and my debt to the Seedless would have gone unpaid. Setting the stage for the end of not only  this world, but countless others.. 

How could I have been so reckless and let my emotions spill over like that? I have to do better. Harden up Maielk, that will be the only way it’s safe. No one is more powerful as you, not even Oururuu. You can't relax around anyone..

 "Is there anything I can do for you?" He asked in earnest.

 In a short shake of my head the hair dangling over my eyes danced to and fro, as if to try and hide from the shame I felt. Sliding from the table I leaned back against it but maintained my palms against its edge.

"You tell anyone I cried and I'll kill you."

 "Your secret is safe with me, old friend." He said warmly.

 My mind began to race. My thoughts were ripped from my own misery, to that of Ayame. If, for no other reason, I needed to know what happened to Luka. What happened when I left.. what happened when the fire inside died out.

"Oururuu.. what happened back then? What happened to her..?"

 "That's quite a long tale Maielk."

"Unfortunately I don't have a whole lot of time. Abridge it."

 

Four thousand years prior

 Luka slammed her hands on the tactical map, bringing the pieces scattered around its topography to rattle and come to a still.

 "We need more forces to broaden the search area!" she spoke forcefully

 "The dragons advance on every front! We don't have the men to spare searching for your pet!!" The general managed a vehement rebuttal

 "Lest you forget, he helped bring down the beast of corruption! He deserves our support!"

 "My decision stands, Luka!"

 Luka showed her teeth, and just as she began to open her mouth, to pour out venom no doubt, a scream was heard outside. She turned her head to immediately follow her perked foxen ears that faced towards the exit.

 Hastily they stepped through the soft leather door of the war meeting tent, finding ash falling from the sky. Oururuu lifted his hand, catching a small amount to pinch between his fingers. The ash smeared green onto his digits, a panic began to rumble in his heart. Turning back he met the gaze of not only the group but the war council,

 "This meeting is adjourned. Luka, Jace, Borthal, let's go." He spoke with a commanding tone.

 Making way to their wagons with much urgency, the ash fell and coated everything it touched with its green slick.

 "What is this stuff?" Jace asked while they hastily packed the wagons with fresh supplies.

 "It’s-"Oururuu was cut off

 "Only ash from the World Tree leaves a green residue." Luka spoke sharply, as if Jace should have known that while her hands busily stuffed cloth into a sack.

 The group's wagons raced for three days, stopping only to let the Equinisaur rest for the night.

 When they arrived the smell of smoulder was so overwhelming they could scarcely breathe.

 The Seedless village was always a bustling town, with Humans, Blooded, and Beastmen going about their new lives in the shadow of the World Tree, as if it stood staunchly as a promise to be their guardian. It was here that the new Concord Legion staged, with the Seedless training new recruits daily. 

 That all ended today. The wagons came to a creaking stop in an ashen shadow of that beautiful town. Buildings still smouldered and smoked. Bodies lay in every direction, covered in a thick layer of ash.

 The moment the wagon came to a stop, Luka leapt off at a full sprint towards the main gates to the Seedless Kingdom. Jace bailed from the wagon heading directly for what used to be the Seedless Inn.

 "SHARA!!" he shouted.

Hurriedly, Oururuu and Borthal both dismounted the wagons in suit. Oururuu pointed at Borthal,

 "Stay with Jace!"

 He turned to pursue Luka. The ground thundered beneath his large quickened steps. Oururuu, not being as agile nor lithe as Luka had eventually caught up to her. She stood at the threshold of the main Gate to the Seedless Forest, holding its charred frame, her other hand placed over her chest as she heaved heavy breaths that shook with fear.

 She wavered, and buckled. Dropping to her knees, she leaned forward clutching her chest. The sob she cried out left a scar in Oururuu’s mind with the pain, agony, and turmoil that echoed through the wind. Her wails grew as he approached, coming to her side to place a hand on her shoulder in support.

 After a time her wails became deafened by the sorrowful howl of the wind until she grew still and silent. Struggling, she lifted herself to her feet. Oururuu attempted to assist but she chased away his hands.

 Holding herself tightly, she began her silent trek into the forest with ash crunching underfoot akin to freshly fallen snow. Their search for survivors took them to every corner of the Forest, finding nothing but death and ash.

 Her home, the place she grew up, the paths she ran as a child, even the safety of the canopy overhead, all charred and burnt. Their path littered with the bodies of Seedless, her people, and hollow armor of the enemy, Dragons who's ashes spread in the soft wind.

 The forest’s maw opened wide to the blackened grass of the prairie before the palace. Mounds of dragon armor lay scattered almost joyously. The body of a single Seedless laid prone surrounded by the only things left as proof the Dragons had finally broken through to the Forest, and in a split second,

 "Queen Isla!!" Luka raced to her side, sliding to her knees.

 Blood streaked across Isla’s cheek and down her neck, but wasn’t hers. Luka brought a hand to Isla's neck, but darkness quickly overtook her as tears slid down her cheeks. Clenching her fists she placed them atop her thighs, her tightened grips wetted by the drops of her tears.

Oururuu's gaze surveyed their surroundings.   

 Pieces of armor had been split, not sliced. As if it had been hit with a blunt object at high speed. Several breastplates pinned to nearby trees with swords and spears.. Even the earth around Isla was lashed with deep and blunt gashes. Earthen walls formed, likely by Isla’s Sanction, suffered similar gashes. The entire area breathed Maielk's offensive capabilities and methods.

 Oururuu brought his attention back to Luka, as she wept over the lifeless form of Isla, who still tightly clutched the hilt of her sword.

With a reverent and gentle touch, Oururuu brought Isla's hands to her own chest, one hand overlapping the other. Isla now lay in a peaceful manner,

 “Your service has now come to an end, Your Highness.. May you find rest in the Matron’s embrace.”

 “In the Matron’s…” Luka stopped, her mouth hung agape as her lips quivered, turning her eyes to fall onto the palace.

Stumbling to her feet, her shoulders slumped while her arms dangled as her emotions even displayed through her ears and tail both that lay helplessly weaving to and fro with her scuffled steps along the ashen ground towards the palace.

 "And now?" Oururuu asked in somber.

 "To the Matron.." Luka said with a flat and hollow tone.

 

 The white marble walls of the palace were splattered with blood, each edge blackened with char and soot. The shuffled clicks of Luka’s heels rang a haunting song through the still, and death-ridden hall. The sight of the black hole burnt through the tall oak doors behind the throne caused her to quicken her pace. She passed through the hole without effort, Oururuu however was forced to shoulder past to keep up with her. The two walked through into the Garden of the Inner Sanctum, where fire and death did not spare even this most sacred place.

 Planters ran each side of the room to a fork, each which would have, and should have held flowers of every breed and hue. The twisted vine statues bare nothing but ashes in their place. Stone floors that once speckled with blue and lit with each step lay dead and quiet.

She climbed those blue stone speckled stairs with Oururuu in short tow, but before he could clear the top step after her she belted out a shriek.

 Rushing to the top, he witnessed Luka sprint to a giant tree in the middle of this place. Its roots were surrounded by a crystal green, what Oururuu assumed to be water. This tree looked as if it had been dead for ages. Withered and dry, crumbling and toppled over. Dropping to her knees, she pressed her forehead to the tree, and lay her hands upon it,

 "No Matron.. not you too.." Luka whimpered.

 There was so much that littered this place, fallen branches and blood abound, but curiously not a single piece of dragon armor to be found.. a pile of cloth stirred in the shadow of the Matron. A form lifted from the tattered remnants of what were once cloaks belonging to Maidens of the Green. Before it could even attain full height, and before Oururuu could draw his Staff, Luka was already upon it with fangs bore in full. Her knife already drawn, tears in her eyes she pressed the blade to this person's throat. Her eyes suddenly softened,

 "H..Healer?"

 "The very same.. more or less." Her voice a jagged rattle.

 Overjoyed Luka pulled her into her arms and cuddled her closely. Though upon closer inspection there seemed to be branches and leaves that sprouted from Healer's flesh, almost like hair. Luka pulled back Healer’s hood, getting a good look at her. Her form was twisted, as if one took clay of several types and mashed them together. Four eyes, three ears, she barely even appeared Seedless at this point.

 "What.. what happened to you?"

 "Our Matron saved me from the brink, after I was murdered..."

Luka's ears lay flat, as her lip lifted while she spoke,

 "Who did this...?"

 "...The Seedless Demon."

Oururuu could nearly hear Luka's heart drop and shatter, while its loud thudding vibrated the calm quiet of the Inner Sanctum. Her mouth opened but no sound came out, her eyes bouncing around in disbelief. Taking in a several shaken breaths she attempted to compose herself,

 "That's not... He would never do this.."

 "We all have a share in the fate of Alluriah."

Luka crumpled with Healer in her arms. For a moment, there was only the sound of the ever present hound of the wind’s sorrow. Tears in her eyes, she forced a weak and pathetic smile looking back at Oururuu who only shook his head looking away.

 "Oururuu.."

He finally met her gaze, and the emotion that over flowed in her eyes caused his heart to weep,

 "Buckets... As many as you can find.."

Oururuu's brow furrowed as he nodded and turned from her.

 

 He soon rejoined Jace and Borthal. Jace held the charred hand of a female's body, one that still bore a matching golden ring. Oururuu stood before Jace for a reverent moment before he spoke,

 "I'm so sorry this happened.. I can help prepare her grave if you'd like.." He attempted to be supportive.

 "I'll do it by myself." Jace responded scornfully.

 "Very well.. then if you'll excuse me, I must inform Borthal of our Seedless parent's fate.."

 To witness such a large, and intimidating creature weeping must have broken Oururuu's heart. Let alone the torment, and pain he himself felt inside, yet stood to be the strong pillar of support that his friends now needed.    

 He would push down his own needs for the needs of his comrades.

They prepared graves for every single body they could find. Every Seedless received a splash of water from the Matron's pool before burial.

 "This isn't usually how this is done.." Luka stood holding a bucket handle in one hand, and a ladle in the other.

 "How is it normally done?" Oururuu asked in a quiet respect, continuing to prepare the ground for graves,

 "Seedless don't die very often.. but when they do, the body that the Matron gave them would be given back. Placed tenderly into her pool, to be absorbed, and made anew. Their bodies go on to nourish the earth.. the trees.. And all plant life in the Forest. Or given back as a new Seedless, at the Matron’s discretion." She spoke with reverence for this sacred act.

 “But with so many.. And the Matron..” she paused while her eyes filled with tears once again, hurriedly she buried her eyes into the crook of her elbow as her hands still bore her tools. Oururuu reached out and placed a gentle hand onto her shoulder.

 It took four whole days to bury all of the dead.

They abandoned one of their wagons when they left the Seedless Forest to lighten their travels. Oururuu, Borthal, Jace, and Luka set out to find answers.

 Ten days had passed. Word of Dragons spread fewer and fewer, until all fronts stood with no opposition left. It was as if the Dragons just disappeared.

 The wagon they kept was a little creaky, and had seen many stretches of roads in better brighter days, but had been specifically built to haul both of the large frames of Oururuu and Borthal. Reinforced brackets, wheels, and seats that were sturdy enough to last several lifetimes. Even now, this special wagon could withstand the frigid cold of the tundral north.

 "This is pretty bold you know.." Borthal warned quietly.

 "I am aware, thank you for your input" Oururuu responded with a certain edge.

 Reaching the end of the forest of pines, the expanse revealed itself with kilometers upon kilometers of uphill treeless floraless ground. A single serpentine road sinuously ascending the side of the winding mountainside. Gargantuan walls made of carven stone and reinforced with metal crested the top half of the mountain. Spires towering above this wall irregularly following the mountain range, in sharp fabricated architecture cleft the sky to peer down upon them in their approach. 

 Banners waved in the cold tundral air on their advance to the first checkpoint. Not one person to be found. 

Abandoned? Dragons do not abandon their post.. No something else happened here.. 

 Oururuu stole a glance into the checkpoint shack to reveal only several pieces of Dragon armor strewn about within as a bloody handprint running down the window of the shack being the only offered evidence of a struggle. Oururuu's hand released a reign to rub at his own chin, giving a profoundly confused and thoughtful “hmmm” to himself.

 The group passed through three more check points without resistance, and like the first, only armor and ash lay within.

 

 Jace's piercing yellow eyes surveyed the mountain range from the tallest spire, his armored claw held tight to a dragon fleche ornament while the cold mountain winds whipped at his face.  

 A loud caw range clear as day over the sound of the wind. Jace released his grip, and began sliding down the clear windows of the spire, his claw dug deep into the metal frame in his descent. Leaping to the next closest spire, he alternated between the two several times to slow himself for a safe landing. His feet padded ash upon landing, but did nothing to prevent the ash rising and blowing with the wind. Jace opened out his left arm just in time for a large black bird to land on it.

 This bird appeared to be a large raven possessing six eyes, six wings, and a serrated beak. Jace dug into a pouch and retrieved a piece of jerky, tossing it up for the bird to snatch mid air and gulp down. Jace's unarmored right hand petted the feathers on the bird's head while it leaned in, and nodded several times with the bird chittering to his ear.

 The sounds of the large approaching feet of Oururuu were heard just as the bird ended its chittering,

 "What did Muninn see?" Oururuu asked

 "Nothing." Jace said with a sorted concern

 "What do you-"

 "Literal nothing.. there isn't a single soul on this mountain range..Only ash" Jace interrupted, clarifying himself.

 "Return before sun down. Until then continue searching. Find me anything.''Jace said, pulling up another piece of jerky to Munninn’s beak, then launching him back to the sky.

Oururu paced with a hand on his own chin in thought,

 "How can this be.. this is the Dragon Capital of Cynthera. Lord Xanros’ Fortress city! We should not have been able to enter the city unhindered.. let alone on foot!" Oururuu spoke with a frustrated tone.

 "Something weird is going on here. And I don't mean Jace's night moans weird."  Borthal kicked at the ash that coated the ground.

Luka knelt pushing her knife through a small pile of ash,

 "Whatever happened to the Forest.. Happened here too.. What if Maielk.." she trailed off with a concerned tone. Oururuu could see the muscles in her jaw tense up, holding back her emotion.

 Oururuu turned to her, and placed a giant hand on her tiny shoulder,

 "Without more information, we can only hope not." Oururu spoke softly, it had been an attempt to reassure her. He knew he had failed when she turned sharply from him to inspect other piles of ash ,

 "What we do know is that we will need to find a place to hold up for the night. The nights are lethally frigid here. We should not stay outside."

 

 The entire city seemed to function autonomously, even heating and water continued to freely flow. The group sat in the warmth of a spire's base floor lounge. The base of the spire was in a decagonal shape, with stairs that spiraled its circumference, climbing the entire height of the spire. 

 Each level consisting of different rooms, with the master's quarters being at the peak.

All rested, save for Luka who silently hugged a pillow to her chest, her head turned sideways against the soft fabric. Black bags beneath her eyes from the tears that still stained her cheeks were the evidence of her sleepless nights.

 Petting his fingers through the feathered mane of Muninn, who rested happily on his chest, Jace stared at a red ribbon that Munninn had retrieved. Oururuu knew that Jace recognized it as the same ribbon Maielk kept on his person in the very beginning, something that had been tied to Sariah. Jace's eyes went to the golden ring on his finger but looked away when he finally spoke to break the awkward silence they found themselves in,

 "So this is what Dragon Architecture looks like from the inside.." a certain numb scorn still rested in his heart from his recent loss.

 "Indeed, typically the size of a spire indicates status in Dragon Society." Oururuu responded while hastily scribbling in a brand new journal.  

 Borthal had been leaned back nearly absorbed by a mountain of the same soft pillows

 "Man, this guy must have been a king! This is the most comfortable I've been since Maielk took a three day nap at the Seedless Inn!" he completed his sentence with a laugh.

However Luka and Jace hadn't found it as humorous as he did. Burying her face into the pillow, Oururuu shot a look over the journal at  Borthal, who looked away,

 "Listen, we've all lost something.. but I'm not gonna let his name be a bad word for us. I want to believe he isn't dead." Borthal snorted.

 "Me too.." Jace added.

 "I as well," Oururuu chimed in.

Luka's ears perked, quickly lifting her face out of the pillow,

 "But what if he is?!" She shouted.

Her shout rang through the height of the spire until silence regained its dominance. Oururuu closed his journal, and set it aside from his cross legged position,

 "What if it rains apples and oranges tomorrow?"

 "I don't.." Luka's ears laid flat,

 "Then you'll recognize what little control you have, and come to terms with it"

 "That's rich coming from a body snatcher!" Luka bore her teeth, lashing out at Oururuu.

 "Luka, I do not take that barb personally. You are currently bereaved. I understand how you feel, and share in your burden. We all do." Oururuu tried to give her hope.

 “Bro.. What do you think happened..? Whatever it was, it's all gotta be connected right?” Borthal spoke, sitting up from his luscious position.

 “I don’t know.” Oururuu said shortly, picking up his journal once again.

 “Then what do you know?!” Luka interjected sharply.

 “That some sort of cataclysmic event allegedly killed TWO GODS, and wiped THREE SPECIES FROM THE FACE OF THE EARTH WITHOUT SO MUCH AS A TRACE. THAT, I KNOW.” Oururuu shouted. His chin quivering as he abruptly stood and leaned forward.

 Jace, and Luka were taken aback as Oururuu was well known for his mild manner, and calm collected intellect, but this was a side that despite having been a group for a very long time, they had never seen.

Oururuu looked away in shame, and sat back down,

 “I… I apologize. I did not mean to lose my temper. With current events I can not help but feel shame wave over me like a sour wind. I had always thought that hearing of the Dragon’s extinction, I would smile. But now, all I can feel is a cold regret. If they had only had a gentle guiding hand, the Dragons could have done many great things that would benefitted all… like Maielk..”

 Oururuu clutched his journal so tightly that his thumbs pressed into the leather that bound its cover. His eyes met Luka, who held a tear filled defiance, her ears laying flat once more under Oururuu’s gaze.

 “Luka.. I believe that Maielk was present for the fall of your kin.”

 Luka's only response was to slump over, and roll to her side with her back to the group.  Her sniffles and muffled sobs were still audible despite her best efforts. Giving a soft inner sigh as a deep sadness took over the darkness of his mind, Oururuu attempted to distract himself, and returned to his journal.

 

 "After the fall of the Seedless kingdom and their Deity the Matron, the Dragon menace seemingly vanished overnight, along with every trace of the Lord Xanros. The entire Concord Legion was at a loss as to what to do."

 Oururuu pulled up his doctor's stool. Something tells me he had no intention of telling the short version. 

Well, he does like to be thorough.

 "We spent three long days in Cynthera, trying to find anything of note. To make matters worse, Luka, not only now being the last of her kind, believed you dead. Many pieces of evidence brought us to the same consensus."

 I twitched visibly as I began to rub the cloth on my shirt to give me a physical distraction, though did little to ease the symptoms as they arrived. Oururuu had noticed but pressed on.

 "Even after we found the withered corpse of the Matron, Luka persevered in your search-"

"Can you cut to the chase?" I attempted to interject as my foot tapping was the last thread holding me together.

 "All things are connected, and serve a greater purpose. This is no different." He chided.

 "We traveled all of Pangaea, from the now ghost hollowed Dragon cities of the frozen north, to the damp Beastmen Jungles of the south. After such a long and arduous task, Luka began to grow weary as her confidence and faith wavered. Then one day, she too vanished."

 

 "She's just up ahead!" Jace called over the wind in his ears.

Oururuu, Borthal, and Jace came to a screeching halt at the edge of trees that was cleaved in two by a large creek. A look of complete, and utter confusion came to their faces in unison.

 "Is she..?" Oururuu began.

 "...yep." Jace continued.

 "I've seen naked people less naked than her.." Borthal said raising a hand to cover his eyes.

On all fours, rested Luka. Her backside in the air with her fox tail lifted in a high arc. Her lips dipped into the creek as she drank from the flowing water, her foxen ears flicking in each direction regularly. When her thirst had been sated she lifted her face from the water as her eyes looked downstream.

Borthal took a step forward, Luka’s right ear turning to face the snap sound his boot made,

 "Luka! What the hell are you doing?!" He shouted above the sounds of nature.

Luka's entire body turned facing the source of the shout. Her ears laid backwards, then bolted into the trees of the jungle behind her.

 "Shit!" Borthal began to make way for the water.

Jace snatched his wrist,

 "Stop! What the hell are you doing?"

Oururuu had remained quiet while Borthal and Jace bickered about giving chase to the naked Luka into the forest.

What happened…? Oururuu pondered to himself.

 The three sat quietly around a makeshift campfire. Although the moment itself was quiet, the jungle around them was brimming with life, and every sound that life made was in abundance. Oururuu had found himself wondering if the situation had gotten out of his control yet, though he would likely never admit when it was. It seemed that even someone such as Oururuu had some form of pride.  

 The Beastmen Jungles were home to a plethora of species, but obviously Beastmen being the dominant breed, however the group now made the most ripples in the local ecosystem.

 "Things just keep getting weirder… first Maielk vanishes.. then the Seedless forest falls, and the Dragons just disappear.. And now Luka." Borthal spoke from a relaxed position, his back to a large tree with his great axe rested across his lap.

 "Don't forget, the Blooded fell with the Seedless.." Jace spoke, sharpening his belt knife.

 "It is as if she has returned to the primal state of her ancestors…" Oururuu emitted, hastily scribbling in his journal to the soft glow of the fire.

His topic did not match the two but he needed to think out loud. Although his experiences varied greatly, he still appreciated a much.. simpler mindset. Perhaps the other two could give birth to an idea.

Jace's knife rang to a still. His and Oururuu's eyes met,

 "What do you mean primal ancestors? Like animals?"

 "Essentially. What they were before they were honed into the Seedless they are.. she.. is today." Oururuu corrected himself mid sentence with a look of regret in his eyes.

 Standing, Jace resheathed his knife in his belt. Dusting himself off, he began to stretch his arms across his chest several times then stepped a foot over the large root of the tree they sat beneath,

 "Where you headed? Gotta tinkle?" Borthal asked with a slight tease.

 "In terms of skill and experience, I can't even hold a candle to the sun that is a Seedless. But an animal… an animal I can track."

 "But it's night and pitch black out there."

 "Which is why it's the perfect time to start. If what your brother says is to be believed. Then she'll be bedding down for the night. And besides, I can see just fine in the dark."

 "If you need help, fire an explosive firebolt into the air." Oururuu had spoken with a tense resolve given Jace’s magically corrupted status.

 "You seem to forget, this is what I do best. Give me three days."

Stepping out into the darkness, he appeared to be swallowed by it. Those three days seemingly lasted eons. Perhaps it was boredom, or the apprehensive mindset Oururuu found himself in, but those days took years.

 

 And with a time that one could nearly set their watch to, Jace appeared within three days' time. He was battered, bloody, and exhausted. Luka was unconscious, and wrapped up in his doeskin tunic on his back as he stumbled topless into the campsite. Falling to his belly on the soft dirt below, he rolled her off of his back. A bandage wrapped around her left forearm was the only obvious sign of distress she had. Jace however was covered in cuts, bruises, and what was left of his clothing was near tatters.

"A cage… you have to.. you have to cage her…" Jace trailed off before losing consciousness.

Oururuu and Borthal looked at one another and got straight to work. Though it caused him great distress, Borthal dismantled the wagon for all of the reinforced iron fashionings. Oururuu laid out each iron piece side by side,

"Inspire thy Divinity, Torpor hath been thine only brother as quiet eons pass, shake off thy rust and harry forth, form thy will into a brand new casque; Transmute."

The iron pieces melded together, forming two iron plates, and several iron rods. With nimble hands, Oururuu constructed the iron cage with a locking door. Gently laying Luka within, he closed the door with a ginger hand that stemmed from the uncomfortable idea of depriving Luka of that which was so necessary to life, freedom.

Days passed as they watch over the two slumbering forms. Borthal seeing to Jace, and Oururuu seeing to Luka. She had slept for two whole days before she had stirred even a single inch.

Within a blink, she bolted to the bars of the cage, swinging her outstretched claw wildly, and gnashing her teeth against the iron bars. She acted as a cornered, feral beast. 

As more time passed though, she began to calm, with her ears constantly at attention she was less and less violent, yet remained on all fours. Pacing her cage for a short time, she eventually laid down, curling her tail around herself.

Oururuu had examined Jace after placing Luka in the cage. He had more than lethal doses of toxins in his system.  

 Thankfully Oururuu had been able to remove the majority of them before they were fatal, the minor remainder however, Jace would have to battle with. And battle he did, for 3 whole days while remaining unconscious. Sweat poured from him in fits like freshly fallen rain, while Oururuu and Borthal both cared for their comrades. 

Borthal had attached dried fruit and vegetables onto a stick, and offered them to Luka. She maintained a soft growl while she investigated the stick, sniffing at it repeatedly. One snort later she backed away from the stick refusing the food on it.

"You're a vegetarian.. and these are your favorites.. Luka I don't-"

Luka instantly limply dropped to a face planted at the bottom of the iron cage,

"Oh it's nap time I guess.." Borthal poked her several times with the stick.

 She recovered slowly, starting out a little dazed and stumbling. In seconds though she noticed the stick inside her cage and assaulted, shredding it and everything on it to pieces.

On the third day, Jace sat up with a groan, holding a hand to his head,

 "Jace!" Borthal exclaimed.

Jace's only response was to lift his hands and cover his pointed ears.

 "Ugh.. my head is pounding.."

 "Oh.. sorry.." Borthal whispered.

While Oururuu sifted through his bag for a jar with white powder in it, he noticed that Luka had come to the front of the cage. Her eyes were hard locked on Jace while she reached a hand through the bars towards him, gripping at the air in front of her. Oururuu popped open the jar with the powder, and dropped a small amount into a cup of boiled water.

 “Here, take this. It is Aspirium.”

Offering it to Jace, who thankfully, and readily gulped down the bitter concoction. The medicine relieved Jace’s aches and pains, allowing him to function as ‘normal’. Oururuu’s Divinity would have been much more in depth, however thanks to Jace’s Sanction, Divinity of all types had little to no effect on him.

Jace wasted no time in reaching for his belt, diving his hands into the same pouch he kept his jerky in.  

With jerky in hand he approached Luka's cage without a single drop of fear in his veins, and offered her the piece of jerky. She did not act in her beastial violent manner that Oururuu and Borthal had come to know for the last few days. She slowly reached up and gently gripped his wrist while she carefully took the jerky with her teeth, then quickly retreated to the rear of the cage to gnash her sharp fangs onto the dried meat.

 "It would appear that any reservations she had regarding her choice of diet is also absent.." Oururuu rapidly scribbled in his Journal while he spoke.

 "She loses consciousness when you use her name too.. I'm not sure why though." Jace spoke while cinching down his belt on his hips.

 "Yeah we figured that out the hard way a few days ago.." Borthal admitted with a nervous laugh, rubbing the back of his own head.

 "We'll need to call her something different at least until you can figure out her amnesia.." Jace had slowly started pacing.

 "Do you suggest a new name then?"

 "I was thinking something like Ayame."

 "And with the Apostasy in power . We ought to don cover ourselves."

 

 "Jace tracked her for three days. When we finally caught up to her, we found her stark naked and drinking from a creek like an animal. Unfortunately she startled just as easily.. I hate to admit but we were forced to confine her to a cage for some time.. When we attempted to remind her of her past she would simply lock up and lose consciousness.. Even the mention of her name, or our names were enough to cause this phenomenon."

 For the first time while he spoke, I met his gaze. His eyes were saddened by what befell Luka. It was hard to see someone he cared about go through something so extensive and in rapid succession.

"What did you find?" I asked with a straight to the point tone.

 "Your intuition serves you well to assume I examined her. Just like I examined you earlier."

He grabbed a piece of paper, and retrieved a pen from his white shirt's breast pocket. He drew a simple illustration of Luka, then drew a single circle around her.

 "This circle around Luka represents an impenetrable force around her consciousness. No matter the manner I attempted, I was unable to pierce this veil. There is a great force at work.."

My shoulders slumped, as my hand fell from fiddling my shirt,

"That's saying a lot coming from a man who can switch bodies, and conjure a black hole.."

 He folded the paper, and placed it in his breast pocket,

 "This is how it has been since."

"Is that what's with the cover names? And why doesn’t Jace use one?"

 "The cover names serve two purposes. Allowing us to function in conjunction with Ayame, or Luka, but also give us a sort of cover from the Council. The Apostasy rose to power in our absence looking for you."

 I looked away, feeling that same pang of shame as before. No matter what I did, no matter what I sacrificed, others always paid the price for my actions.. I gave a snorted growl.

"And Jace?"

 "Unfortunately I have no answer as to why Jace is able to operate as normal with his name.. I have theories but they will have to wait for another time. I now have a question for you."

His eyes slid to my left forearm that was wrapped with golden ichor stained bandages.

My hand instinctively reached over and attempted to cover it, while I looked away.

“I…” I began

 

The stench of smoulder stung my senses, while my eyes began to flicker open. The blurry state of my vision took a considerable time to clear, finding myself up to my chest in a crystal green water I've only seen once before. I took a sharp gasp as I attempted to stand, but was restrained by vines. Panic setting in, I tore at them. Yet the harder I struggled the greater they tightened.

 "Art thou within thine right mind?" A voice echoed with perfect clarity. A voice I recognized.

"Matron.." my eyes found her puppet resting against a root with it's feet in the pool.

This puppet was tall, unlike her daughters the Seedless, but she resembled them almost perfectly otherwise. Her beautiful long hair, 7 tails, and fox ears. The puppet was draped in a robe made of leaves that were orange and browned at the edges.

She looked sick. Was she on the verge of death? When her eyes met mine, she forced a weak smile.

"What happened.." I struggled to remember, bringing a hand to my now throbbing head.

 "When thou first camest to this place… mine Inner Sanctum. Thou were in a berserk rage. Not even my Maidens could stop thee."

My gaze moved to a small mound of green cloaks, upon closer inspection the cloaks still housed the mutilated remains of the protectors of the Tree of Life. My breath began to quicken, my mouth agape while my voice caught,

"Did..I…?"

 "They pleaded for thee to stop." This small lash was all the Matron could manage.

"This.. This can't be real.. I would never…" I began to panic, taking my head in my hands I began to rock,

"Please.. this has to be a bad nightmare… please.. please wake up…"

 "Now is not the time to be taken by panic and fear, for mine time runs short. Thou hath the greatest debt now, as mine entire kingdom now lay silent of the breath of mine daughters."

"The whole.. kingdom…?!" I shook,

 "At thine hand."

I stopped rocking, and looked at my hands to find they were bloody. I shrieked and clawed at my hands to remove the blood, only causing further damage. The vines lashed around me and pulled me back.

 "Thou will repay this debt Dragon. For retribution comes swiftly."

The vines lifted me into the air as one pierced my left forearm. A bulge traveled down the vine directly into the meat of my arm. I howled in pain, and then was dropped. Blood leaked from my arm into the pool while I lay still on its shore.

 "Thine wound will only heal when thou hast gathered all the souls of thine own kind. Until only thou remain, as a gift to the new queen. Then she must offer up her life. However she must be willing and able to gift it.. only then.. will.. the… new.. Tree… grow…"

The Matron's puppet withered, its hair falling from its body while the flesh turned to old dried bark as the entire inner sanctum shook. My eyes landed on the Tree of Life a single moment before she split and fell splashing the crystal clear water at her base in every direction.

 

By the time I had finished I was shaking, heart pounding in my chest, and lungs gulping down air. Streams from my eyes poured down my cheeks, as I turned away from Oururu and in shame I covered my eyes with a hand. He inspected the wound on my left arm. The wound was formed of small spine holes that surrounded the circumference of my arm four times in equal intervals with the sharpened spines still exposed through my skin, golden ichor slowly leaking from them.

 

"You have.. the SEED of the TREE OF LIFE?!" Oururu exclaimed excitedly.

Sense coming back to me I took in a deep breath,

"Please keep your voice down.." I spoke hushed but sharply.

"This room is a safe haven for us. It is surrounded in wards that hold Divinity derived from the suppression ability of your shackles. Even Ayame cannot hear us right outside the door."

 

I gave a breath of relief, then grit my teeth as I ripped my arm from Oururuu after he finished bandaging it.

"Maielk.. although I am overjoyed to see you alive and well, please sate my curiosity. Why only now have you decided to reveal yourself? After you have been presumed dead for so long."

I dug into my pocket, retrieving a small jar with several hundreds of precious stone chips and fragments. Offering it to him, he placed a pair of glasses on his nose and took it. He inspected it closely above eye level. Catching the light, they left a reflected beautiful light on his face,

"Are these what I believe them to be?"

"I think so. Shards of Xanros' heart-stone. Not every Dragon's heart-stone could survive this long.. I saw to that."

Oururu returned the jar to me, removing the glasses from his face with a solemn look,

"Guard this with your life, Maielk."

I smirked, with a touch of annoyance. Digging the jar back into my pocket,

"You don't have to tell me that."

Turning from him I walked to the door, took the handle and began to turn it-

"One more thing. You seemed to have forgotten this on the rooftop. Jace was gracious enough to bring it down for you."

He threw my jacket to me. Catching it with my off hand, I slung it over my shoulder hooked on two fingers. With one last look back at Oururuu, I opened the door and left.

Shit, I have to pretend like I've never seen Oururuu before..

Closing the door with a thud, Ayame bolted up in the chair outside, her book flying from her stomach. She quickly wiped away the drool from her face, and shot up to retrieve it.

Had she been napping right out here this whole time…? Remind me to thank Oururuu later for the privacy that room provides. Have to keep up appearances you know? If i show any signs of weakness, anyone could use that against me-

 "Hey Red." Ayame grinned

I gave a growled huff,

"You've been spending too much time with Jace, Napping beauty."

She gave a cute laugh, a laugh that said "I was caught red handed but I'm too cute to be mad at", I'd almost be mad if i didn't agree. So I let it go.

"Anyway, have you seen that guy? He's friggin huge!"

I spoke with feigned excitement whilst putting my black school jacket back on.

She laughed,

 "Yep! That's usually how people react when they first meet Corvid!"

She stepped closer to me, and reached up a hand. Her delicate fingers felt cool on the ridge of my nose,

 "Seems he patched you up right though."

I blushed, and from the sly grin that slid across her face, I guessed that was the plan all along. Reaching a hand up I batted hers from my face, and walked away from her,

 "See? Cute when you blush!" she called out behind me

"I'M NOT BLUSHING!'' I shouted like an idiot, which only caused Ayame to laugh harder.

She is gonna be a pain in the ass. Thanks Jace. 

 Stomping off, Ayame ran to catch up.

Chapter 5

​

The walk back was fairly quiet, though her smug aura wafted off of her in waves, and honestly ticked me off a little.

 I guess she likes watching me squirm too.

 The worst part about hunting whispers is they have a habit of hiding. They've gotten better at it over the years, maybe it was an evolutionary thing. I don't know. What I was sure of, is that most of the time I have to wait them out. This entire persona of Hiro really gave me the advantage. I could hide in plain sight, and be ready to pounce at a moment's notice.

Accidentally bumped into Ayame while I was lost in my head, my foot caught hers by the heel. She tumbled forward, my hand reached out to latch onto her elbow. Catching her before she could hit the floor,

"Sorry about that. Two left feet" I smiled genuinely.

Her eyes shimmered for a moment, a blush crawling over the ridge of her nose.

"Hey.. you're blushing" I teased, and gods damn did it feel good to get her back.

She stood with the speed of the wind and covered her face with both hands,

 "Shut up idiot!"

Damn did that take me back.

 Before I could even take a breath..

 

"Why don't you voice your discomforts..?" Luka said, her head turned against my bare chest.

This whole situation felt surreal for me. I didn’t exactly care for Luka, sure she was nice enough, but her personality left much to be desired. Honestly she was a little snob.

My thoughts bounced from my childhood, to my adulthood, and the time in-between. From the day I can remember, no one has really cared for me besides my parents. Though they weren't even my real parents, at least they chose me. The villagers scorned me, The Seedless tried to use me as a weapon, but the moment they found out I didn't function anymore I was cast aside.

Every thought caused an anguish laced pang in my heart, all I ever wanted was for someone to adore me, and for me to adore. 

Saraath.. Why did things have to end the way they did..?

 Luka shifted, putting her hands on my chest, looking me in the eyes. I began to shake trying to maintain composure, but Luka was one of the most grievous offenders in my past. Even if it was as innocent as heat sharing right now, I still held a grudge. My hand gripped at the hilt of my sword outside the blanket, while my other formed a tight fist.

I turned my head to look away from her, swallowing my anger. I suppose she wanted an answer..

"Why would anyone care how the Seedless Demon feels.." my response was laced with barbs.

“Idiot..” Luka replied sardonically

 

 My fingers had burrowed deeply into the stone wall, my other hand gripping my shirt at the chest. Sweat ran down my face, dripping off my chin with each ragged breath. I towered over Ayame, her back against the wall with eyes wide with fear,

 “M-Maielk you’re scaring me..”

My mind latched onto her soft voice, heaving itself out of the void, with her as it’s guiding light-

“What did… what did you just say?”

 “Hiro.. What's wrong?”

I looked to my hand, finding the crushed stone beneath it and slid my fingers from the holes in the wall that they had dug. I lifted my terribly shaking hand to look at it.

Her hand reached out, and touched the back of my hand, and everything all at once went silent

 “Are you okay..?”

I straightened quickly, feeling the comforting, and protective, wave of arrogance wash over me like a velvet ocean. I pushed the hair backwards over my head, and brought the same hand back down to give her a thumbs up. My pearly white teeth showing with my wide, false grin,

“Sorry! That jetlag is just kicking the crap out of me haha!”

I watched her physically relax, and brought her hands back to her center holding each other prim and proper. She tilted her head and smiled in response, a smile that brought her eyes to slightly close,

 “Had me worried there for a minute!”

I reached up and scratched the back of my head holding my fake smile,

“Sorry about that!”

 “Don't worry about it, come on we’re late getting back!” she turned and waved for me to follow.

On the way back, I couldn’t help but watch her intently. A certain sway in her hips with each step is what I focused on. A quiet echo rattled in my head, the night I left. I grit my teeth and turned my head away closing my eyes for a moment.

 No.. not right now. I need a distraction.

“Hey Ayame?”

She turned around, walking backwards with her hands behind her,

 “What’s up?”

I reached a hand up and rubbed at my own neck in a sort of nervous fashion,

“I was wondering, since I’m new around here, and you’re not. Would you mind showing me around after school?”

She stopped dead in her tracks, which I mimicked.

Her hands lifted up and started fidgeting, her pointer fingers tapping their tips several times,

 “Like.. Like… Like a… date?”

I furrowed my brow for just a moment. I hadn’t intended it like that, but the idea wasn’t purely functional either.

“I mean.. If that’s what you want to call it..” I looked away, with a nervousness that made me feel like a kid.

 She looked down as her heart pounded like a drum in her chest. We were silent for a short time while she decided. 

In all honesty, I wanted to spend more time with her. And JUST her. I didn’t want the stupid pretenses of the school, or of a culture I didn’t understand. I wanted to pick at her brain, and push the edge of this block around her consciousness. But I also needed to get a good feel for my surroundings given that the Whisper would eventually attack. So knowing where I can kite it to is useful information to have.

She looked up, and her eyes brimmed with tears, a small corner of her pupils had changed to green while she smiled,

 “I’d love to.. How does 4pm sound?”

I stepped forward with a hand towards her,

“Hey.. are you.. Okay?”

 “Of course, why do you ask?” She spoke normally.

“You’re.. Crying.” I lowered my hand.

She reached up and wiped at her face, then looked at the wetness on her hand,

 “I am..”

Her knees wobbled as she wavered a little. I saw her fall, and as fast as I could I lifted my hands up to catch her. Holding her shoulders, her head slumped against my chest for a moment. She recovered fairly quickly though, looking up at me, a blush shot across the ridge of her nose like a race car. 

 She stood, and righted herself and breathed a soft *ahem* into a delicate fist.

 “We.. We should be going..” She pointed in the opposite direction nervously, and began to walk in the same direction.

 I get the feeling I'm going to be doing a whole lot of following, especially while I try to figure this whole mess out. 

My mission had just gotten so complicated that I wouldn’t even be able to leave Japan anytime soon.

 There are more whispers out there, if I could only find a way to draw them in..

 My line of thought was interrupted as we turned a corner to find Jace leaning against the wall we walked along. His arms were folded, a foot backwards on the wall, but as soon as he saw Ayame he stood and turned towards her,

 “Hey Ayame. Are we still on for studying after school?” He offered her a sweet smile, causing my temper inside to rise a little.

 Ayame stopped, and I could feel the nervousness off of her. A darkness covered her eyes as she gave a proper bow,

 “I’m sorry I have to cancel with you. I want to show Hiro around the city. I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry!” she bowed with every apology.

 Jace looked at me with a sharpness I had never received from him before, being able to tell that this pissed him off was plenty for me to crack a smile, showing a few teeth.

 “Yeah.. It’s… Another time then.” With a huff he stepped past Ayame, clipping my shoulder with his.

 Turning I watched him walk away until he rounded the corner without looking back. 

 I looked back to Ayame, who had an apprehensive expression, I canted my head a little, a rock of jealousy and concern settling in my gut,

 “Are you and Jace… a thing?” My question was voiced in apprehension, like asking a question I didn’t want the answer to.

 She gave such a soft, and tender sigh while she turned and leaned backwards against the wall,

 “Our relationship is.. Complicated. As far back as I can remember, He’s always watched out for me. I love him like a brother. But the way I love him, isn’t the same way he loves me..” Her arms folded, holding herself.

 She turned and walked down the hallway towards our classroom again before I could pry any more questions.

 

Jace what the hell happened between you two…?

​

​

Chapter 6

​

 Taking our seats quietly, Ayame stared out the window more than anything else. We had missed the majority of History class, which was fine as I wasn’t interested in that anyway.. you can only live through so much "history" and still be interested in it.

This whole thing was just terribly boring, sure advantageous but boring. The way that humans taught and raised one another was such a wild, and foreign concept to me. It wasn’t anything like how I grew up. Of course I grew up in a different time.

 I eventually tuned out the dronings of the teacher, and in an itch to move I gave a mighty stretch. With my hands towards the ceiling I gave a soft and contented “ahhh”, but felt a sort of stiffness in my jacket near my peck. Lowering my hands, I brought one to my chest. There was something inside. Opening the jacket, I found an interior pocket. I fished my fingers into the pocket, and retrieved what was contained within. It was cardstock, like a business card. I found it blank, then flipped it over. A single hand written number, 686.

 I furrowed my brow with a touch of confusion. Was it a time? Maybe a year? No, that doesn’t make sense. My mind began racing trying to figure out why this would be in my pocket. Hm.. this school is big, but not 686 rooms big. Then what could… Lockers!

I raised my hand, and before the teacher could speak,

“Teach! Gotta pee!”

I stood and excused myself from the class. Glancing back, I saw Ayame and Skylark look over as I left the room.

 Now, let’s see where this leads. The hallways of the school were lined with lockers, which made this school feel like a maze. Glancing at the closest one I could find I found its number, 193. This was the second floor, so three more up?

I hastily climbed the stairs, sliding to the corner of the wall and peaked an eye around it. The hallway was empty, I treated it like an invitation to walk down its length. My finger trailed the numbers of the lockers, until, On the far end of the hall, I reached 686. This entire hallway was peculiar. On one side, it was nothing but lockers, not a single classroom to be seen, however the exterior walls went well beyond the lockers. My fingers pried the edges of the locker, trying to find any sort of lip they could make purchase. 

 Becoming frustrated when I could find nothing amiss about this locker, I lost myself in my temper and elbowed it, heavily denting it. This locker, and several others that all stacked together, formed a sort of door that creaked open from the wall.

 Opening it slowly, I peered inside. It seemed to be some sort of broom closet, nothing special hiding within.

Why though… Why would six whole lockers form a door to a broom closet..? That doesn’t make any sense. I reached a hand in, and was immediately assaulted with a shock to my fingertips in a sort of reactive purple force field. 

Ah! Divinity.

 I leaned backwards checking the hallway, to ensure I had no witnesses. My left hand gripped the dragon head ornament on my right hand’s shackle. With a swift pull, the enchanted chain materialized. While holding out one chain link, I touched it to the forcefield. Of course, I was shocked again, but only slightly this time as the chain absorbed most of the effect. Dragging the chain in an oval shape, I opened a hole big enough for me to get through. Stepping  inside,  there was a corner I pressed my back to, once again peering around it carefully. What I found was completely anti-climactic. The entire section was set up like dormitory living quarters. With mild irritation I invited myself right on in.  

 Directly to the left of the entrance was a small kitchenette, essentially a sink, countertop and cabinets with a plug in countertop range. This section was connected to a lounge type room, a large couch in front of a TV, and a wall lined with cases for media. Following through I entered a narrow hallway that was in an S configuration. Two doors on the left, one straight ahead. I began checking rooms. The first room was clean and completely organized, a clothes rack at the foot of a bed held school uniforms, but also a purple jumper next to a yellow hoodie. I leaned in and took a sniff. My entire body responded, this room smelled of Luka.. Slinking within, I investigated this first room. The size was small with only enough room for a bed, a hanging closet, and a small amount of walking room. Its walls were lined with the spines of colorful books that I ran a finger over the edge of. One title read “Detergent: Life of a bitter rival!”, what was this? At the foot of the hanging closet sat two drawers of stained wood with small embossments surrounding the black iron handles. Sliding my fingers under the smooth metal handle, I pulled opened the top drawer. There was a cornucopia of different folded colored fabrics, lined according to color I believed. I reached in and retrieved one of the folded pieces, and opened it. There in my hands sat a full, clean pair of white and blue striped panties. With a bright red face, I set the underpants atop the rest of folded fabric and closed the drawer. What the hell was I doing?? Feeling like an absolute creep, I left the room. From here on, I’ll investigate with my eyes only.. 

What the hell..

 Turning left down the hallway, and slid open the next room. There was nothing but a made bed and an empty hanging closet. Nothing special jumped out at me so far..

 The next room was a bathroom with only room for a sink and toilet. The hallway continued and came to a right turn, with three more doors in regular intervals down that hallway to a dead end. I turned around confused. 

Was this student lodging or something??? 

The next three rooms were much the same, save for one of them that had several weapons on the walls.

 With a defeated sigh, I retreated from this place. 

 This winding up as a dead end caused me to frazzle my own head a little. What the hell was the point of this?

 I honestly have no idea what I had expected, maybe a boss fight or something??

 Letting myself out of the electric force field, I exited the “broom closet” illusion, then curled my fingers around the locker door and slammed it closed.

 “What did you think of The Council’s living quarters, old friend?”

 The abrupt sound of another living creature caused me to bolt backwards landing on one leg in a fright, standing in a sort of ridiculous karate stance. The gentle, but mocking laughter of Oururuu rang through the entire corridor. Setting my foot down I quickly recovered from the jump scare and pointed at him,

“Was it you that left that stupid card in my jacket?”

 “Guilty as charged.” he smiled, still laughing at my expense, causing my face to turn red.

“What the hell was the point of this, Ouru-” I was cut off by Oururuu lifting his own finger to his lips,

 “My name is Corvid, remember?” He said with a pleasant smile.

“Right… So Corvid, What was the point of the card?”

He turned from me and motioned for me to walk with him,

 “I had thought that if I could not convince you to stay, that this might.”

“Because you knew that once the Whisper is dealt with, I would leave to hunt more.” I thought out loud.

 “Precisely.” He stopped and turned to me.

I responded by folding my arms, looking up at him.

 “Hiro, For a reason I have yet to decipher, Dragonic beasts and creatures are drawn to this place.” He pointed a finger at me

 “And you are no exception..”

I had never really put any thought into why the Whispers go where they go, or why they hide where they hide. In my head I mentally plotted a route. It was more or less straight here.. But why here..? Why not the ancestral lands of the Dragons?

 I sighed with a slight huff, believing now that I had been led here. Were the Whispers more intelligent than I had thought?

 “With the beasts being drawn here on such a regular basis, I, and the rest of us, have been “stationed” here to deal with them as they arise. It is the perfect way to continue attempting to treat Ayame.”

Speaking of Ayame. I retrieved my phone from my pocket, it was 3:52pm.

 “Is something amiss?” Oururuu asked with a hand sliding into his pocket as the other idly pointed to my phone.

“Nah, Ayame is going to show me around town after school. So I gotta go. We’ll catch up later.” I walked away from him only to stop and look back with a grin and a thumbs up. He gave a gentle laugh while he shook his head and rolled his eyes. As I continued on he turned back towards the still dented door to the living quarters.

Chapter 7

​

 I waited patiently leaning against the pillar of the school entrance door. It was nice to be back in my street clothes. A red and black zip up hoodie, black jeans, and blue sneakers. The sleeves of my hoodie were pulled up until about mid forearm, with my left side showing a few wraps of my bandages.

Yawning a wide yawn I began to tap my foot, this was taking forever… I looked at my phone again, 4:16pm. 

Maybe she was wrapped up with student council stuff? 

 With the completion of that thought Ayame appeared.

She was sporting an oversized yellow hoodie that featured an image that said “Masayoshi” on a wooden board across her chest. I looked down to find only her red sneakers below.

 “Hey Red” she started off the conversation teasing me already.

 Leaning back, an expression of confusion smothered my face. She saw, and lifted up her hoodie above her hips, revealing purple shorts that were.. Honestly a little shorter than they should be, but they were connected to a jumper that ran up into the hoodie.

 “I have clothes on under my hoodie, Pervert.”

I resituated the strap on my shoulder bag, and leaned away with the same annoyed look from earlier.

“Well hello to you too, Ayame.”

Despite her serious and professional exterior during school hours, she donned a bright, almost cheery smile. 

 We were just walking past the four planters in the front of the school when she stopped at the back two, and turned around. With a full arm, she waved back at the school. With bewilderment rolling across my face, I turned to see who she was waving at. Jace rested with his shoulder against a window on the second level. He waved with one hand while Ayame bowed a good full and proper bow. 

 As she turned her back, I gave Jace the middle finger, wearing a mischievous grin on my lips. He rolled his eyes and walked away from the window.

 "So where to?" Ayame walked at my side.

"Think of it like this. I'm the tourist, you're the guide. Just take me places you like." I gave a sort of dismissive shrug.

 The concept of seeing places she liked did two things for me. Not only do I get to peer into the mind of Ayame, but I'm sure that her tastes will be varied. Meaning I could see several different places and formulate a combat strategy off of that in the event I have to corner the whisper somewhere quiet in the city.

 We began our little adventure by cutting through an old vacant concrete lot. It made me think about the fight I had with the werewolf Hiro that morning. 

Fight..? That wasn't a fight, that was a mercy killing. He's nothing but worm food now.

 Ayame's path began to diverge and lead us toward an alleyway. Nothing good ever happens in an alley. My senses heightened ten fold as we entered. I could feel Ayame's heart beat ahead of me, and hear the electricity humming through the power lines above me, I would NOT be taken by surprise. 

Or so I thought.

 Ayame stopped abruptly,

"Inspire thy Divinity, cast aside the darkness that harkens unto thee, shine forth thy radiant gambit with truth as thy shepard; Dispel"

A golden ring around Ayame shattered, and dispersed in the air. Foxen ears and a tail began to materialize. At first they appeared to be made up of the same light material as the ring until the event was complete. The fur on her ears and tail were both the same color of her hair, save for the last third of the fur being white.

 She turned and smiled, her torso leaning to her left as her ears tilted in the same direction,

"Don't you think the humans will ask too many questions?" I asked cautiously

 "Nope! I have the perfect disguise!" She lifted a hand and did a sideways V over her right eye.

She turned and waved for me to follow,

 "Come on, I'll show you!"

 The large buildings that surrounded us while we were en route for Ayame's chosen first location were absolutely massive. I honestly hadn't seen buildings this big since…

 

His head dropped to the table splattering golden ichor in every direction like a fountain of blood. Before a single response could be mounted, I lifted my hand and summoned Devour and I tackled his body to the ground. His soul fought, tooth and nail to not be taken, but I would not yield! Weeks of planning, countless lives taken, all for this moment! The instant the soul wavered it was absorbed into the orb, and a shockwave of gold launched from me in every direction.

 My body began to exhume light out of every extremity as a roar erupted from my throat while my body began to change and morph to accommodate this new soul, each sense amplified ten thousand fold. The looks of shock and betrayal that surrounded me seemed to happen in slow motion. Standing in place I looked at my shaking hand. Emotions flooded my mind, loss, sadness, joy, and the chief among them was rage. My eyes turned to slits when I summoned my chain and swung it in a wide arch, cleaving every single body at my side of the long table in half. One scream caused a sick and prideful grin to slide across my face in a pure blood lust,

"BUTCHER!!"

Not a single soul survived my onslaught in Cynthera. Not one. With the soul I devoured, the soul of a G-

 

I stood there locked up, breathing deep lungs full, eyes widened with a thousand yard stare that said "lights are on but nobody's home." Ayame touched my trembling hand.

 The moment I became cognizant of myself, I looked Ayame directly in her eyes then looked away while my mind was still battling to come back to the present.

 "Hey.." she spoke softly.

Anger, and rage began to coat my heart as it always does at the end of my episode, and in reaction to it I pulled my hand away from hers,

"I'm fine, let's just go." I said harshly.

 "Okay.." she responded but had toned it in such a way that it said she didn’t believe me.

 She led the way, taking glances back at me almost regularly, as if to keep an eye on me. It made me angry to feel as if someone were babysitting me.

 I don't need to be babysat, I'm a full grown ass man.

 For the next few city blocks I had my eyes locked on her back, and I could only imagine what passerbys thought. Thank goodness I couldn't read minds because their faces said I was a creep..

 We eventually reached a set of stairs that went into a building's basement. There were flyers everywhere on the building, most of which I couldn't understand the context.

"What is this place…?" I asked much calmer than before.

 "..This is my favorite manga shop.." she said as if she were embarrassed to say it outloud.

"I don't.. I don't know what that is." With all the finesse of a bull in a china shop.

 "Just come on!" She grabbed my arm and dragged me inside.

 The inside of the building was fairly small. Narrow paths winded through the body of the shop, and led directly back to the register. There were stacks upon stacks of books that lined the winding path from wall to wall, at the base of bookshelves. Ayame let go of my hand in front of a specific shelf, and nabbed a book from it.

 "Look, like this!" She showed me the cover.

 "Twin fox maids!,"It was of two bipedal Seedless-like fox females, one of whom had a striking resemblance to Ayame, in details and choice of clothing.

"Is this the disguise you talked about earlier?" I pointed to the book.

 "Yup! It's called cosplay!" She said excitedly, her tail wagging to and fro.

 She then flipped the book towards me, revealing another, different title on the same book. "Detergent: A brother's cause", the cover had a man clad in a black and white ninja garb that covered his face save for a slit at his eyes, and was holding a black and white large four pointed weapon with white wrappings inside the ring of the weapon. I eyed the cover up and down, then leaned around it looking Ayame in the eyes,

"You like this stuff?" I asked, generally confused.

 She pulled the book to her, covering her nose as she blushed and gave a quick nod,

 "It's like getting to see a world where I can belong.. And even be celebrated.." her tone got softer and quieter the more she spoke, looking away from me with her eyes.

 Standing up straight, I dropped a hand on her head, and patted a few times,

"You’re celebrated more than you know… do your shopping, I'll just be over here okay?"

 I stepped away from her, and waited at the cashier. Reaching a hand over I poked a small toy hanging next to the register, then looked at the cashier,

"Neat stuff." While I waited patiently.

 

 After ascending the steps from the shop, Ayame pulled on my sleeve,

 "I don't have big enough pockets. Can you please carry this?" She held out the new book she had purchased. With a sigh, I took it, and slid it into my shoulder bag. My satchel. Then slid my hands into my pockets,

"So where to now?"

 "Hm… there is a really pretty place that I like to visit this time of day. That is when I can slip away from the school on my own.."

 How she hadn't been abducted yet I couldn't tell you in all honesty, she was such a meek, soft spoken thing when left to her own devices..

 We hadn't made it far from the shop before Ayame was abruptly approached by two boys, the mere sight of them caused her to curl her tail around her body and hold it to her chest.

 "Miss, are you dressed up as Kiurna from Twin Fox Maids?!" Both boys said almost in unison with an ecstatic tone in a way that honestly it made my skin crawl.

 "Um.. y..yes!" She tried to pick up the cheery tone, clutching her tail tighter.

 "Did you make the cosplay parts yourself or did you buy them??"

 "I..I made them!" She didn't technically lie. And according to some, that's the best kind of not lying.

 I could tell that she was getting uncomfortable, but she was the one who chose to go out like this, I'd let her flounder for a while.

 "Could we touch your tail? It looks so fluffy!" I gave a slight grimace while I turned my head, stifling a laugh.

 "O..okay.." now I'd be a liar if her response hadn't made me at least a little angry, how dare these humans think that touching her tail is just a normal thing!!

 The two pet her tail, but according to the way her ears reacted, she didn't enjoy it, not one bit. One of the boys noticed her ears moving,

 "Oh wow your ears move! Can I touch them?" This boy must have left his wheel barrow at home for the size of his fucking balls. I had begun to step up until Ayame put her hands over her ears, and shook her head,

 "No! They’re delicate! I'm sorry I have to go!" She gave a polite and rushed bow before jogging off on her own.

 I stepped up behind the two, and cracked my knuckles. They turned to see what the sound was, but what they found was a black shadow lurking over them with bright red eyes..

"You both have exactly 10 seconds to run." I counted down, but the two boys were long gone before I even got to 7.

 With a pleased laugh, I ran on ahead looking from right to left for the bright yellow sweater she wore.

I found her sitting with her hands still covering her ears, her knees to her chest, and tail curled around herself. She had sat beneath a small potted tree with her eyes brimming full of tears. Standing over her for a moment until she looked up, I held out my hand to her,

"Come on, I want to see that place you talked about earlier." I offered her a warm and genuine smile. 

 With a hesitant response, she reached up and took mine that I used to help her to her feet,

"You know, I said something like this might happen."

 "Yeah you did, you don't have to rub it in." She responded pointedly. 

Ooo I touched a nerve.

"I don't blame you though.. must be nice being free." I idly said as we walked.

Ayame's footsteps stopped,

 "What do you mean?"

"I don't wear these for aesthetics." Lifting my hand, I rattled the shackles on my wrist, the dragon head dancing with the movement.

She caught up to me with only a few steps, and continued pressing me,

 "What are those anyway? Where did you get them?"

"They're a grim reminder that I'm still my Father's prisoner.."

 I think the fact that she didn't remember hurt worse than the story itself. It wasn't a story I revisited often, and when I did it was usually against my will.

"Where are we headed now?" I diverted the question to avoid the story.

 "I want to hear the whole story some time then!" She ran ahead of me a little ways, and pointed between two buildings.

 

 When I was growing up, we lived inland. The place we called home was one of the Blooded villages that surrounded the Seedless Forest. A village known as Maritoume.

Given the place I grew up, I was already a man by the time I had seen the ocean. Yet every time I saw it, it still left me speechless. Every time.

 The expanse beyond the buildings opened to a boardwalk of sorts. The walks were mostly concrete until it met with the sand of the beach. Wooden benches lay a plenty down the stretch of sandy bay, people swimming, children playing, laughter and joy permeated this place in a serene feast for the soul.

 I stood with my toes off the edge of the concrete walkway above the sand. Looking over I saw Ayame slip off her shoes, then bounce over to me,

 "Hold these please!" She handed them to me before I could even answer.

Joyously she ran down to the water, and readily stepped into it until she was about upper thigh deep, holding her tail to her chest to keep it dry.

So that's the reason she wore the short shorts..

With a laugh inside, my heart felt the warm caress of joy that led to me slipping off my shoes and rolling my pants up until they were just under my knee. I joined her, or at least as far as I could, while I still held both of our shoes. She looked back, and gave me a toothy smile, her eyes closing.

 The light on her features, flared a small prick of sadness in my heart, forcing me to look from her to the blue endlessness of the ocean. The orange sunlight bouncing off of its waves in a beautiful waltz that was perfected by daily practice.

When I first saw the ocean, it was during a, shall we call it, 'forced vacation'. We were still recovering from the battle with Shattermane, and the loss of-

 "Hey let's get some ice cream!" Ayame had stepped lively to me and latched onto my arm before I even noticed.

 The past was such a painful place, so I tried not to think of it, but I've thought about it more in the last day than I have in a thousand years…

Turning to her,

"Yeah.. okay."

 The owner of the ice cream cart we approached beamed a bright smile on her elden lips,

 "Ayame! So good to see you! And what's this? Brought your boyfriend?"

 Ayame lifted a handful of her hair, and covered her mouth in a failed attempt to hide her embarrassed expression. Honestly the little smile she wore was cute, but when it changed to a mischievous grin, I knew she had something in store.  

 She immediately turned and latched onto my arm, putting her left temple to my shoulder while she spoke,

 "I try not to dote on him too much, to keep him from getting spoiled." The look of pure mischief she turned on me with, really, and I mean REALLY unnerved me.

 "We'll take two specials please." Ayame looked at the ice cream lady with a cute and disarming smile.

 "Ahh to be young and in love again! I'll get those specials to you right away!"

 "You'll be paying, won't you love?" Ayame turned that cute and disarming smile on me like a rabid dog. 

So that's what's up. Girl you better be thankful the real Hiro had a fat wallet, because I am usually B-R-O-K-E.

 I paid the lady from Hiro's wallet, and refused the change. Ayame bounced ahead of me a few feet-

 "I love you Daddy!" My entire body tensed up so tightly it shook, and with vibrating eardrums I turned to the source of the sound.

 There she stood, ankle deep in the sand, her arms raised. Her hair was long, curly locks of orange, a happy bright smile with her eyes closed. 

 My eyes filled to the brim with tears while my arms went limp, dropping the ice cream to the sand below

​

Dinner was finally ready after a long day in the field.

"Phew.. this was much easier when Siranna and Mom were still around. Not much I can do about that.." I thought to myself while wiping my hands on a cloth tied to my waist.

Lifting a basket of dirty clothes, I moved it to the washroom attached to the kitchen. I'd deal with them after dinner.

Sariah came bounding into the kitchen with all of the energy in the world. She leapt at me, latching arms and legs on my back, then rubbed her horns into the meat of my shoulders,

 "Got you Daddy!"

"You sure did little love!" I laughed and began to spin, feigning reaches for her.

She released and took off running, and of course I gave chase. She ducked through the chairs, and then slid under the table to the other side.

"Come here you little!"

I playfully, and carefully tackled her. We slid against the wall under a window next to the table, and while laughed I softly nuzzled her. We stayed like that for a moment before I sat up, and released her,

"Now go on, sit at the table, dinner's ready."

She did as I instructed, and within a few minutes she and I were eating happily together.

 A spot at the table sat empty, where Dad usually sat. He never missed dinner.. maybe he got caught up with something else, that man did love his projects.. 

I'll go see if he needs help after dinner.

Sariah sat on her knees while she chewed, happily wiggling from right to left. I simply smiled while I watched her.

Within a moment, the skies blackened, and a foul wind poured into the open windows, forcing Sariah and I to both gag.

"Yuck! What is that??" She asked disgustedly while holding her nose.

I stood, and moved to the window. That foul stench was one of rotting meat and death. A black cloud began to roll towards the house from Dad's cabin on the back corner of our 40 acres.

"Get to the basement now!"

I scooped up anything I could use as a weapon-

​

 "Hiro, it's just ice cream, we can get more!" Ayame put a soft hand on my wrapped forearm. Snapping back to reality, my vision was blurry from the tears that had welled in my eyes.

 "Daddy.. that man is staring.."

 "Don't worry sweetie, I'll protect you."

My jaw quivered, as I forced myself to mentally swallow. Without a word, I made my way to one of the wooden benches, rubbing my hands into my eyes trying to push out the tears. Sitting down I pulled my hood up over my head, and rested my forehead against the palms of my hands, with my elbows dug into my knees.

Ayame sat next to me, holding two ice cream cones,

 "Hiro.. I'm sorry I didn't.."

"It wasn't your fault… it was mine… if I had been more attentive, and careful.. things could have been different!" I said with a honed edge. As if this were something I told myself every day..

 With my fists clenched against my forehead, all I could do was focus on my breaths. A soft hand came to my shoulder, which I instinctively shied away from causing it to retract. Ayame sat next to me holding a cone in each hand as they slowly began to melt.

 "I don't know what you've been through to make you this way…"

"It's been over four thousand years… Why does it still hurt so much!?" I nearly shouted.

"But you're not alone anymore.." in my head I could see Luka’s loving smile.

Sitting up I pushed back my hood so that I could turn and look at her. She wore the same smile I saw in my mind, then offered me one of the cones,

 "Now, your ice cream is melting, and I promise it's better cold."

I gingerly took the cone. To be honest, I wasn't in the mood,

 "Just try it.. for me?" She asked cutely.

At least her ability to get into my head hasn't changed in all this time. 

 I gave the ice cream a lick, and found it was actually really tasty. One lick led to another, and before I knew it, she and I were enjoying this sweet, cold, soft treat together. 

Luka would have loved this.. I mean except the cream part I guess.

"Hey.. aren't you vegetarian?" I asked, glancing over to her mid lick.

"No? Come to think of it, Jace, Skylark, and Corvid brought that up when we first met too. What's up with that?"

"Did they? Weird.." I purposefully brushed off the 'coincidence', and looked out at the ocean, leaning back, my arm behind Ayame on the bench's backrest.

With a sideways glance at Ayame, I saw she had some ice cream on her face that she hadn't noticed. Reaching over, I swiped the knuckle of my right index finger onto the spot, then brought the knuckle to my mouth. She brought a hand to the spot where I swiped, and gave an amused giggle. And for minutes on end, we quietly enjoyed each other's company.

 Without thinking, I reached a hand and began to pet at her hair. Starting at the base of her neck and sliding my nails along her skin to the middle of the back of her head as I combed my fingers through her hair. She froze, but I hadn't noticed what I was doing until a soft moan came from her. I looked over to see the hand that had betrayed me, I quickly retracted,

"I am SO sorry I-I-I didn't even-"

 "I didn't say stop.." Her soft pants made embarrassingly lecherous thoughts trample through my head, my face turning almost the same shade of red as my hair. I attempted to distract myself from the awkwardness that I had accidentally created.  

 With our cone wrappers now empty, she looked over to me,

 "What do you say about grabbing dinner?"

"Was the ice cream not enough for you?"  I heckled her but honestly, I just wanted to keep spending time with her..

 "Ice cream isn't food, Stupid! It's a treat, and now I want real food!" she finished her sentence by placing her hands together at the side of her cheek, with that sweet disarming smile again.

"I mean.. Sure I guess." Hook, line, and sinker.

Chapter 8

​

 The restaurant's name was Wcmonalds. No that wasn't a stroke, you did in fact read that correctly. With a quick Gudgle search on my phone, while Ayame was 'freshening up', I found that these burger places were world wide and publicly accepted as good food. I slid my phone back into my pocket when Ayame emerged from the restroom. We had already ordered so we had some time until our food was ready. She had rested comfortably on her side of the booth, propping her cheek on a closed fist, with her elbow on the table.

 "You've learned a lot about me today.. but I haven't really learned much about you." I could tell she purposefully neglected the "except how much of a mess you are in your head" part. So I decided to humor her,

"Alright. What do you want to know?"

 "Ooo really!?"

I nodded, and motioned for her to start.

 "When's your birthday?"

"36th of Winter's Wane, Year of Aqua."

 "Winters Wane..?" She tilted her head, her ears cutely leaning in the same direction like a confused puppy.

I wasn't surprised that she didn't remember Winter's Wane, their calendars these days only have 30 or so days in a month. When I was born we had flat 45 days per month.

"We'll just say spring if you don't know when that date is."

 "No I know what Winter's Wane is, I just haven't heard of that term in a very long time. You're really old"

"Wow, thanks I guess?" I was mildly offended.

 "No, I didn't mean it like that!" She put her hands out in front of her, waving them frantically, a cute flustered expression on her face.

 "But doesn't that mean.." she touched a delicate finger to her chin in thought.

"Yes. My species is naturally immortal."

 "What are you then?"

This was a question I saw coming as soon as I opened my stupid mouth about it. I shifted uneasily,

"That's a delicate subject.. Let's just say I'm the last of my kind."

 "Probably the best of them too!" She gave a playful grin.

I had never really thought about what I was compared to my species as a whole. Typically I didn't want to be associated with them. But now.. being the last one? I was a reference for it, as if I represented everything that the rest of my species were. They were monsters, and it looked like I couldn't get away from that either..

 The counter folk were nice enough to bring our food to our table. I glanced down at it, and it honestly didn't look too bad. A burger and fries is what Ayame ordered for both of us, and of course I paid. 

I'm pretty sure she spent all of her money on that book.. 

 She happily nibble on a fry and still spoke,

 "You've been around since before the great shift huh?"

"The continental divide?"

 "Potato, Spud. Same thing."

"Sort of.. I was north, but yes, I was alive for it. What happened anyway?"

 

She pulled the fry from her mouth, and drew in a breath. Before a single word could escape her lips, her left ear visibly flicked. Her sight snapped to her left, and narrowed. Beyond the window, across the courtyard outside, a black haired female lowered her hand holding what looked like a whistle. She was flanked by Corvid, Skylark, and Jace.

I looked at Ayame, who’s ears had laid flat. Her lip lifted from her teeth with a soft growl. Setting down the fry in her hand, she slid from the booth,

“Ayame what's-’”

 “Hiro, go home. You shouldn’t get involved with this… At least not yet.”

“What are you talking about? I’m not going-”

 “Hiro, go home!” She looked at me with a sharpness that took me off guard.

 Without another word, she exited the building through a side glass door. I had followed, but stopped at the door and watched her interaction with this strange new person. I tightened my fist while I watched this person scold Ayame, who tried to rebuttal, but was shut down and looked away with a stomp, her ears laying flat once again.

 I gave a light snorted growl, and opened the door. The cool evening air hit me first, but then a different scent hit me, I gave a tick,

The foul wind that poured in through the open windows-

“Undead..” I whispered to myself.

 The strange person and I locked eyes, but just as I opened my mouth, my Dragonic sense shrieked. 

Shit!

 A plume of dust engulfed the immediate area, my hands holding back two large fangs. The creature itself was semi bipedal, walking on its four limbs by choice, each front claw covered in razor sharp talons. Two gnarled horns twisted backwards from its canine-like skull with facial bones exposed, connecting to its body with a long muscular neck.

 “Hiro!!” I heard Ayame scream.

I looked up, meeting the red glowing eyes of this abomination,

“It took you long enough to show. I thought I was going to have to bait you for a few more days. Thanks for getting my schedule back on track!”

With a single mighty step forward, I launched the beast backwards, creating a tunnel in the dust that I readily stepped out of. 

 Reaching a hand up, I pinched the zipper clip and pulled down, opening my jacket. My hands gripped the chest of the jacket, and pulled backwards. Exiting the dust tunnel with my jacket in hand, I threw it to Ayame, who fumbled but ended with it covering her head,

“Everybody take a seat. I got this.”

Circling the beast, it followed me with its red eyes, turning its body to follow my movements. Long puffs of smoke danced from its opening and closing maw while it breathed steadily.

“You know, I can honestly say, you’ve been the most pain in the ass out of any of your kind. It’s tragic really. Out of all the Dragons, you chose to obey the wrong one. Should have chosen the one who survived.”

It charged me, as if I had struck a nerve in its beastial mind. I honestly had no idea if it was aware or not, but I knew what it represented. A roar emanated from its gullet mid charge with such a power that rattled the buildings surrounding us. I took a quick step forward, and brought the top of my right foot to its left shoulder. It flew, and landed against an adjacent building with a boom. I hopped on my feet a few steps, as if to limber up, for my next attack.

 "Stop playing with it! You have to keep collateral damage to a minimum!" The black haired stranger belted a reprimand at me.

Without looking from the creature I pointed at her,

"I'm not gonna tell you how to do your job, so don't tell me how to do mine!"

 Without another word from either of us I bolted towards the beast. The Whisper had recovered back to its feet, and with its large front claws dug into the ground it flung itself towards me. A light pole on my left approached quickly, and with a fluid movement I threw my left chain, wrapping it around the pole in a blinding speed that left only a purple after image visible in its wide arch. As the Whisper neared me I came to a dead stop, while it leapt. With a feigned movement, I darted backwards, under the still arching chain. It made contact on the Whisper's chest with a whip-like sound.

Another boom rattled my bones as the beast made contact with the same crater as before. Falling from its back to its feet, it belted out another roar. This roar was different, it was frustrated. It's frustration bubbled a grin from my belly. 

 Stumbling a few steps it galloped towards me once again. 

It's like they never learn.

With a swift turn, I pulled the pole from the ground with my chain wrapped tightly around it, and flung it at the Whisper. My chain stayed attached to the pole as I didn't exactly have a weapon at present, since Oururuu's stone skin had been the culprit for my sword's bane.

 The pole sang true over my head, with the spirit of a javelin while I ducked backwards to avoid it. Right before impact, the beast spun its body to clamp its maw on not only the pole, but my chain as well, so that even if I had wanted to, I couldn’t withdraw my chain. 

 Typically my enemies tend to find too little too late that my chain's suppression ability does not only absorb magical power, but physical strength as well. This Whisper did not seem affected by it. Unfortunately, my chain's suppression ability was a double edged sword. I used it as a weapon, but even I was not immune to its draining effect, slowly sapping my strength with extended use.  

 When the beast spun several times, slamming me into the walls over the building surrounding us, I realized I had made a serious miscalculation. Never before had I encountered a creature that could overcome, let alone withstand the effect of my chains.

 The Whisper leapt overhead, still holding the pole in its maw, and dove nose first into the concrete below, burrowing through the stone and steel, dragging me along with it. Beneath the earth it made a sharp ninety degree turn, and with it I could feel my left arm snap. I had to figure something out, and fast. The beast once again surfaced above the concrete and rebar, flinging me high into the air.

 This is it, this is my chance! 

On my descent, I looped the chains around the backside of its head, hooking his gnarled horns. With a voice of effort, I flung it back with my right hand gripping the left's chain. At the same moment I sharply pulled the chain from its mouth, shattering out its front teeth. With the chain now safely retracted, the beast stood up straight on its rear feet, towering over me at nearly 400 cm high. Its large front claws gripped onto its own horns, and pulled them down with a crack, and threw them aside.

"Heh.. I should have figured you were intelligent." My left arm dangled helplessly, a cut on my forehead leaking golden ichor into my right eye, forcing it to close.

The beast tilted it's head, and gave a pleased growl,

"If you have the intelligence to understand. Then you know why your master is right to fear me. So as a boon, I will offer you an opportunity.."

I lifted out my hand in an offering gesture,

"Betray thy master, come and serve me under thy contract."

"O' Divinity.." the beast spoke with a rattling voice of broken glass.

 My reprimand was swift. My right hand chain flew rapidly striking the beast on the face, its head turning sharply as a result,

"Only the Ancients possess the right to command Divinity!"

It turned its head, glowing red orbs locking onto mine,

"And Lord Xanros? What of Madam Sari-"

I was no longer feeling generous while the blood lust boiled in my veins. I did not strike with my chain this time. I wrapped it around his long muscled neck, and drew him to me, meeting his forehead with my fist, and all the strength I could muster, causing its skull to crack in several different directions,

"Keep her name from your mouth, abomination.. You will not live long enough to make that mistake a second time!" I turned and with all the strength I possessed, I flung it against a building that had several I beams protruding its shell. As the beast landed against the building, the dragon on my chain released its clamp on lower links, only for it to clamp onto one of the exposed I beams. Several loops were maintained around the creature's neck, so that with a swift pull, I rent its head from its muscled neck.

Whipping my chain back to me, I turned to face the ones I had, once upon a time, called friends. My hands shook in anger, and pain-

 

I had never formally met an Ancient other than the Matron. Her kind disposition left many believing she was weak, but with the gift of the Bluefang, I knew better. She housed a terrible power that even Xanros was right to fear.. it was why Xanros had claimed the lives of all other Ancients during the Great Betrayal. To gather all their strength to bring down the Matron.  

 Every ounce of me wished that it hadn't ended the way it had, but with the seed, and the souls of my own kind, I knew that I could make things right-

 

 "HIRO!!" Ayame's scream abruptly hauled me from the void,

 "Don't turn your back on the beast!!" The stranger yelled.

By the time I had understood, it was already too late. The color left Ayame's eyes right before she fell to her knees, and then to the ground. Oururuu knelt at her side as the rest of the group ran towards me, my entire body wavering while I looked down. Golden ichor poured out in a waterfall from the gaping hole in my chest. I tried to breathe, but what was left of my lungs fluttered in vain.

 

"Worry not.. little love of mine.." her voice was ice cold while she dug her fingernails into the meat of my shoulders.

"Everything is going to be okay.. Mommy's got you.."

The single light that illuminated the darkness of my mind, became dimmed as she slid her hands over my eyes. And in that instant, my body felt like it was on fire. Breath returned to my lungs, and the drum in my chest now beat anew. And Ayame suddenly gasped, heaving heavy breaths while voices around her excitedly chattered indistinctly. All I knew was that Fury burned through my veins with all the wails and agony of hell fire.

Two distinct roars came from the Whisper in unison, then a rush of cool came over my body. My feet moved, turning to face the sound,

"Thou foul beast. Thy fire is as cool as the northern wind. Our turn." Our voice in unison rang as clear as the birds on a bright summer day.

A thunderous roar erupted from my throat, alongside a heat that was as pure and as cleansing as the light of the heavens. Then, everything lay quiet for but a moment. Smoke and smoulder were the first to hit my senses, followed by the sounds of sirens, explosions, and screams.

"I will leave the rest to you, my little love. I would not have myself burn down your new home.. like the last…"her tone was of a sorrowful regret.

"Be careful until I return.." her hands left my eyes in the darkness of my mind.. and with a perfect conscious clarity, I watched her horned frame retreat into the darkness, beyond the light.

Falling forward, and clutching my chest while I gasped desperately, Jace's hands gripped me at the right shoulder, lifting my right arm up and over his head to bear all of my weight.

"We have to go buddy, we have to go right now! Skylark, clear us a path!!"

"With pleasure!" Skylark drew his great axe, and with a single cleave, opened our narrow escape into a gaping passage.

In our retreat, my eyes bounced around the environment that I had created. Melted glass, bricks burning as if they were dried kindling, and buildings crumbling to the ground for a city block. My hand lifted to my forehead,

"No.. not again.." I said with an incoherent sob. My head lolled with each step, Jace yelling while the blackness danced closer and closer encroaching onto my vision, until it had finally taken me.

"What the hell was that?!-" was the last thing I heard.

 This was my favorite kind of sleep. The kind that Fury gave in exchange for the toll it takes on my body. No dreams. No night terrors. Only the Aether like warmth and the quiet peace of the crepuscular void.

 

Is this what it's like to be… dead?

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