《The Unknowns Embrace (GL)》


 Prologue

    Prologue:


    Beneath the bustling city, hidden in darkness and hushed silence, lay an ancient prison of unfathomable age. Enveloped in shadows that seemed to writhe and whisper, this cavernous space cradled an ethereal cell, a misty captivity encircled by towering, ancient pillars that stretched to the ceiling. Forgotten by time and lore, erased from the memories of all but the oldest of entities.


    A sudden earthquake shook the foundations, disrupting the millennia-old tranquility with a violence that threatened to tear reality asunder. In that subterranean chamber, the pillars stood resilient against the onslaught, their magic binding the stones with an unbreakable will, a legacy of a long-faded world. Yet, with time''s relentless passage, even their formidable strength had begun to wane, and a minuscule fissure appeared in the once-flawless barrier, a hairline crack in the fabric of eternity.


    Something within awoke, stirring from a slumber so deep it defied comprehension. A faint glow, a droplet of luminescence no larger than a tear, strained against the frail barrier. It persisted, probing and pushing, finally slipping through the crack and descending like a fallen star into the abyss below, a pinprick of hope in an ocean of despair.


    Upon landing on the cold, unforgiving stone, the light quivered and transformed, taking on a slender, undulating form that pulsed with an inner radiance. It inched across the cold, stony ground, leaving behind a faint trail of ethereal luminescence. Aimless yet purposeful, it embarked on a quest, its destination unknown even to itself.


    Quake and Tremble:


    Emerging from the sewers, the fox girl blinked rapidly against the sudden brightness. The cold, damp air of her previous world clung to her skin like a second layer as she carefully climbed through the jagged hole that had been created by the recent earthquake. Her vibrant red hair, now streaked with grime and debris, caught on the rough edges as she pulled herself up with determined effort. The sight that greeted her was one of utter chaos and widespread devastation.


    The street before her was a scene of complete destruction, stretching as far as her keen eyes could see. Once-proud buildings lay in ruins, their skeletal remains jutting out against the smoke-filled sky like broken teeth in a giant''s maw. Dazed people wandered the streets aimlessly, their faces a haunting mix of shock, disbelief, and raw fear. Emergency vehicles raced by at breakneck speeds, their sirens wailing urgently, while volunteers hurried to aid those in need, their faces set with grim determination.


    Taking a deep, shuddering breath, the fox girl tried to steady herself against the overwhelming sensory assault. The air was thick with dust and the acrid smell of smoke, making her nose twitch involuntarily. Her sensitive fox ears twitched and swiveled as they picked up the myriad of sounds¡ªheart-wrenching cries for help, the persistent hum of rescue vehicle engines, and the ominous, distant rumble of aftershocks. She knew she needed to move, to leave behind the worst of the destruction before it consumed her.


    As she walked through the devastated streets, she saw the raw pain and confusion etched deeply into the faces of those around her. Some clutched desperately to loved ones, while others sifted through the mountain of rubble with bloodied hands, hoping against hope to find something¡ªor someone¡ªthey held dear. Her heart ached for them, a feeling of empathy welling up inside her, but she hesitated to get involved, unsure of her place in this chaotic new world.


    The fox girl wandered through the winding streets, gradually leaving behind the shattered remnants of the disaster zone. As she progressed, the cityscape began to change noticeably. The buildings here stood tall and proud, only lightly scarred by the quake''s fury. Life persisted with an eerie sense of normalcy amidst the backdrop of destruction, as if two different worlds coexisted side by side.


    Suddenly, a bright glint caught her eye¡ªa mesmerizing display of electronics in a nearby store window. She paused mid-step, utterly fascinated by the array of gadgets and blinking lights that danced before her eyes. What were these strange devices? How did they work? Her insatiable curiosity drew her inside the shop like a moth to a flame.


    Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    "Hello there!" A warm, welcoming voice greeted her. The fox girl turned swiftly to see a woman with short, neatly styled brown hair and light green eyes peering at her from behind a pair of old-fashioned glasses. She had rich, dark skin and a friendly, approachable face adorned with smile lines that spoke of a life filled with laughter. Her fur, a striking contrast of gray against her dark hair, immediately marked her as a faun. "Welcome to my little shop of wonders. I''m Aspen. How can I help you today?"


    "I... I''m not sure," the fox girl admitted hesitantly, her voice barely above a whisper.


    Aspen looked at her thoughtfully. "Well then, how about I give you the grand tour? There''s so much to see and learn here."


    The fox girl nodded gratefully, relieved by Aspen''s kindness and patience. With a gentle smile, Aspen began to guide her through the store, explaining the purpose and inner workings of each device with the enthusiasm of a true technology aficionado. The fox girl''s fascination grew exponentially with every word Aspen spoke, her eyes widening in wonder at each new discovery.


    "You know, you seem really interested in all of this," Aspen observed, a hint of excitement in her voice. "As it happens, I''m actually looking for an assistant to help me around the shop. Would you be interested in the job? It could be a great opportunity to learn more about these fascinating gadgets."


    The fox girl hesitated, her ears twitching nervously. "I... I don''t know anything about electronics," she confessed, her voice tinged with uncertainty.


    "That''s okay, sweetie," Aspen reassured her, her voice warm and encouraging. "Everyone has to start somewhere. How about we try a little test to see how you do? No pressure, just a chance to learn."


    The fox girl nodded eagerly, her tails swishing with determination to prove herself. Aspen led her to a cluttered workbench where a small, intricate device sat, seemingly lifeless among the scattered tools and components.


    "Alright," Aspen said, stepping back to give her space, a hint of anticipation in her voice. "This device won''t power on. Can you figure out why? Take your time and don''t be afraid to explore."


    The fox girl examined the device closely, her ears twitching with concentration as she poked and prodded at it with a furrowed brow. She turned it over in her hands, pressed various buttons, and even tried shaking it gently, her actions becoming increasingly frantic. At one point, Aspen had to quickly intervene, placing a gentle hand on the girl''s arm to stop her from accidentally breaking the delicate machinery. Aspen''s calm guidance prevented any mishaps, but the fox girl''s frustration was palpable. After a while, she let out a defeated sigh and slumped her shoulders.


    Aspen had expected the test to be an easy one, designed to show how simple and straightforward the job could be. But the fox girl''s inability to figure out that the device was simply unplugged caught her off guard, her eyebrows raising in surprise. She patiently explained the solution, showing her the disconnected power cord and demonstrating how it should be properly inserted.


    The fox girl listened intently, her eyes widening with a mix of realization and wonder. "Why does it need to be plugged in?" she asked, her curiosity genuine and unabashed. Her tails swished slowly behind her, betraying her eagerness to learn more.


    Aspen realized that the fox girl truly knew nothing about technology, not even the most basic concepts. But rather than being deterred by this revelation, Aspen saw an opportunity, a spark of excitement igniting within her. The girl''s enthusiasm and willingness to learn were far more valuable than any prior knowledge or experience she might have had.


    "You know what," Aspen said, a warm smile spreading across their face as they made a decision, "I think you''d make a great assistant. You might not know much about technology now, but with your interest and curiosity, I''m sure you''ll pick it up in no time. We can start from the very basics and work our way up. What do you say? Are you up for the challenge?"


    The fox girl''s face lit up with unbridled excitement, her ears perking straight up. "Yes" Her voice filled with enthusiasm.


    The fox girl watched as Aspen''s phone began to chime, its melodic ringtone cutting through the air of the shop. The fox girl''s ears twitched, picking up the subtle vibrations as Aspen fumbled to retrieve the device from her pocket. With an apologetic smile, Aspen gestured towards the back room, her eyes darting between the fox girl and the caller ID on her screen.


    "I''ve got to take this," Aspen said, her voice tinged with a mix of urgency and regret. "But listen, why don''t you come back tomorrow at 6:00? We can set up then."


    The fox girl nodded eagerly, her tails swishing with excitement at the prospect. Before she could respond, Aspen was already retreating, her form disappearing behind a door marked ''Employees Only.'' The fox girl stood there for a moment, surrounded by the hum of technology and the lingering scent of Aspen''s earthy perfume, her mind already racing with possibilities for what tomorrow might bring.

 Rush Hour

If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    .

 Seat of Power

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    .


    .

 Learning and Discovery

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

 New Experiences

    The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    .


    From the yawning chasm that had torn through the street, a creature of nightmare proportions began to emerge. It clawed its way upward, its enormous limbs crushing the broken pavement beneath its weight. First came a massive, shaggy head, crowned with a wild mane of matted black fur that clung to its neck and shoulders like a tangle of brambles. The creature¡¯s face was a terrifying amalgamation of ancient power¡ªa broad, flattened snout with two colossal tusks curling outward and downward from its maw. These tusks, thick as tree trunks and sharp as freshly forged steel, gleamed with a sinister light, their surfaces marred with the scars of countless battles.


    The creature heaved its bulk free of the hole, its body following in a slow, deliberate rise that seemed to challenge the earth itself. Its skin was a gruesome tapestry of raw, volcanic red and dark, leathery brown, stretched taut over muscles that bulged and rippled with every movement. Jagged spikes jutted from its shoulders and along its spine, each one tipped with the blackened hue of ancient, hardened bone.


    As it stood fully revealed, towering above the street, its eyes¡ªsmall, malevolent orbs set deep within its massive skull¡ªglowed with an otherworldly light, surveying the world it had returned to with a gaze full of rage and hunger. The ground shuddered beneath its enormous, clawed feet, the very earth groaning in protest as it bore the weight of this monstrous beast.


    With a snort that sent plumes of steam billowing from its nostrils, the creature let out a thunderous roar, shaking the air and rattling the windows of the surrounding buildings. Its tusks scraped against the sides of the hole it had emerged from, carving deep gouges into the stone as if in a display of its brute strength.


    .

 Awakening of Emotions

The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    began moving quickly headed to the hospital.

 Healing and New Responsibilities

Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

 Service with a Side of Song

. She skipped over to greet her.


    This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    .

 New Challenges and Old Fears

.


    Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

 Strange Lights

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

 Murals, Meetings and Masks

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    .


    .

 Out of Her Element

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

 With a Clamor and a Clatter

She was off balance and her voice was full of uncertainty tinged with gratitude.


    Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    .

 A Shared Burden

.


    This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    .

 Quiet Conversations

    The streets around Missy and Jezel felt alive with danger. The rattling of bones filled the air. The swarms that had been dispersing throughout the city suddenly shifted direction. Missy¡¯s sharp senses caught it immediately¡ªthe skeletal creatures were converging on them, drawn like moths to flame.


    Jezel¡¯s eyes widened as she realized what was happening. ¡°They¡¯re coming for us,¡± she whispered, her voice tight with fear.


    Ahead of them, through the mass of rattling bones, a skeletal qilin stood tall and proud, its body a sinister reflection of the graceful creature it once was. Its glowing eyes locked onto them, a malevolent intelligence swirling within its empty sockets. Missy could feel the pulse of magic radiating from the creature.


    As the swarms of skeletal rodents and birds grew thicker, pressing in from all sides, Missy and Jezel began to retreat, their initial confidence faltering under the sheer weight of the numbers. Jezel unleashed bursts of the magic Missy had given her, scattering groups of skeletal rats, but for every one that fell, two more seemed to take its place.


    ¡°We can¡¯t hold them off forever,¡± Jezel panted, her face strained with effort.


    Missy¡¯s mind raced. She could feel the qilin¡¯s magic pulsating like a drumbeat, each thrum driving the skeletal swarm to surround them. It was commanding the creatures. The two of them couldn¡¯t fight the sheer numbers alone. They needed to fall back¡ªregroup.


    They steadily moved backward, scattering the remains of the skeletal swarm they had already dealt with and dodging the skeletal birds that swooped down from above. Every movement was a test of endurance, every second a battle to stay ahead of the converging horde.


    Suddenly, without warning, the pressing swarm began to slow. The rattling of bones grew softer until it disappeared altogether, as the creatures melted away into the shadows. Missy stopped, watching the skeletal rodents scurrying into the cracks and crevices of the buildings, while the skeletal birds dispersed into the night sky.


    Jezel slowed, breathing heavily, her chest rising and falling with the exertion. ¡°What just happened?¡± she asked, bewildered.


    Missy¡¯s gaze shifted toward the power station in the distance, where the lich had been directing its forces. The once-bustling area was now eerily quiet, the only sound being the faint crackle and spark of electricity breaking the silence. It was clear to Missy now¡ªthe qilin had accomplished its goal. It had retreated, leaving behind only the faint traces of its magic.


    ¡°It did what they came here to do,¡± Missy said, her voice low. ¡°And now it¡¯s gone.¡±


    Jezel swallowed hard, wiping sweat from her brow. the sound of footsteps caught their attention. Others were beginning to flood the scene¡ªcity law enforcement. It was clear they had also been fighting the skeletal swarms in other parts of the city, and now they had finally made it to the power station. Missy and Jezel had been pushed far enough back that they weren¡¯t immediately noticed.


    Jezel grabbed Missy¡¯s hand, pulling her away from the growing crowd. Missy flinched slightly at the contact, but didn¡¯t resist.


    ¡°Let¡¯s get out of here before they notice us,¡± Jezel muttered, her voice weary. ¡°I don¡¯t have any desire to end up at the police station trying to explain this.¡±


    Missy allowed Jezel to drag her through the winding streets, neither of them speaking as they put distance between themselves and the power station. Only when they were far enough away did Jezel finally release Missy¡¯s hand, letting out a tired sigh.


    Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    ¡°I know it¡¯s late, but can we talk?¡± Jezel asked, her voice small, still facing away from Missy.


    Missy felt a pang of guilt as she watched the tension in Jezel¡¯s shoulders. The bright, lively woman she had grown so fond of now seemed so small and scared. Missy hated seeing her like this. She wanted to make it better, to see Jezel smile again.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Missy said softly. ¡°I want to talk.¡±


    Jezel let out a shaky breath, clearly relieved by Missy¡¯s answer. ¡°Come on,¡± she said, her voice barely above a whisper. ¡°Let¡¯s find somewhere quiet.¡±


    They walked in silence, the distance between them feeling like a great chasm, despite how physically close they were. Missy followed Jezel, unsure where they were headed, until they finally stopped in front of a building that was unfamiliar to her.


    Jezel produced a key and unlocked a side door, gesturing for Missy to follow her inside. The building was quiet, filled with half-finished sculptures, paintings, and other works of art. Missy looked around in awe as they passed through the various rooms, until Jezel finally led them into a small studio space. The walls were lined with canvases and art supplies, and a few unfinished pieces sat on easels, waiting for their final touches.


    ¡°Welcome to my unofficial studio,¡± Jezel said, her voice tinged with nervousness. ¡°Most of the stuff in this room is mine.¡±


    Missy looked around, taking in the personal nature of the space. It was a reflection of Jezel¡¯s creativity, of her passion. But as they stood there, an awkward silence fell between them. Neither of them knew how to start.


    Finally, Jezel broke the silence, her voice trembling. ¡°It doesn¡¯t fix things, but I¡¯m so sorry. I really wanted you to have a good time, but I clearly didn¡¯t consider your feelings enough.¡±


    Even in the dim moonlight filtering through the windows, Missy could clearly see the tears streaming down Jezel¡¯s face. The sight of Jezel, usually so confident and vibrant, now reduced to this vulnerable state, tore at Missy¡¯s heart.


    .


    .

 Piece of the Past

"


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    .


    "

 An Unexpected Proposal

If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    .


    .

 A Word of Warning

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

 Tiny Steps

    The crowd began to thin out, and Missy prepared to head back to Aspen''s. She turned to Jezel, feeling a slight flutter of nervousness. "I need to talk to you about something," she said, her voice betraying a hint of uncertainty.


    Jezel smiled, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Well, that''s an ominous statement," she quipped, though her relaxed demeanor suggested she wasn''t truly concerned. She smiled playfully. "How about I swing by Aspen''s this evening, and we can talk?


    Missy agreed, feeling a mixture of relief and anticipation. As she made her way back to Aspen''s shop, a knot of anxiety formed in her stomach, hoping that everything would be okay. She tried to distract herself by focusing on the bustling city around her, but her mind kept circling back to the impending conversation.


    Upon entering the shop, Missy discovered that Aspen wasn''t alone. Three customers occupied the space. Two of them were female kitsune, their multiple tails swishing gently behind them. One sported brown hair and fur, while the other had a striking black coloration. The brown-haired kitsune boasted two tails, while her dark-haired companion had three. They were engrossed in examining the cellphones on display, their fingers gliding over the sleek screens with obvious fascination.


    The third customer commanded attention. He was a male ifrit, his flaming mane flickering and casting dancing shadows across the shop. His jagged horns, black as obsidian, added to his imposing presence. Embers seemed to dance in his eyes as he stood near Aspen, engaged in what appeared to be an intense, hushed conversation. The aura of magic emanating from him clearly marked him as one of the immortals, drawing awed glances from the kitsune girls. The air around him shimmered with heat.


    As Missy entered, the kitsune immediately locked their gazes onto her, their eyes widening with interest. Their ears perked forward, and their tails swished more rapidly, betraying their curiosity. Aspen and the ifrit, however, seemed oblivious to her arrival, too engrossed in their discussion. Feeling a bit awkward and out of place, Missy decided to quietly make her way to her work area in the back. She could feel the kitsune''s eyes following her as she moved, their curiosity almost palpable.


    Missy had just settled into her repairs when the ifrit took his leave, the bell above the door chiming softly as he exited. A wave of cooler air swept through the shop, as if sighing in relief at his departure. Curiosity getting the better of her, Missy approached Aspen, eager to uncover the mystery of their visitor. She wove her way through the displays, careful not to disturb the delicate electronics.


    Aspen greeted her with a knowing smile, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Let me guess," she said, her voice tinged with playful sarcasm, "You want to know who that was and why he was here?" She leaned against the counter, her hooves tapping a light rhythm on the floor.


    Missy nodded, feeling a bit sheepish at her obvious curiosity. Aspen chuckled softly before explaining, "That was Doctor Timaeus Haze. He''s a family friend. Don''t worry, there''s nothing to be concerned about. He was simply stopping by to invite me to a party he''s throwing. You''re welcome to come too if you''d like. It''ll be near the end of next week."


    The prospect of attending a party hosted by an ifrit piqued Missy''s interest. The only gatherings she had experienced thus far were those held by the council, and she found herself curious about what kind of party an immortal like Doctor Haze would host. She imagined a room filled with flickering flames and guests of all manner of supernatural beings. After a moment''s consideration, she told Aspen she would like to attend, her voice tinged with excitement.


    With that mystery solved, Missy turned to head back to her work table. However, her path was intercepted by the two kitsune, who had apparently been waiting for an opportunity to approach. The dark-haired girl, seemed shy and hesitant, her three tails curled tightly around her legs. Her brown-haired friend, was clearly trying to encourage her, gently nudging her forward with a reassuring smile.


    Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    Missy looked at them uncertainly, not feeling confident in her ability to handle the situation as smoothly as Aspen might. She glanced towards Aspen for help, only to find that her earlier knowing smile had transformed into one of barely contained glee. Missy could sense that Aspen was thoroughly enjoying her predicament and would be of no assistance.


    Gathering her courage, The dark haired girl spoke first, her voice barely above a whisper. "Excuse me, but you''re really pretty." As soon as the words left her mouth, her face turned scarlet, and she looked ready to bolt. Her tails puffed out in embarrassment, nearly doubling in size. The other girl quickly placed a reassuring hand on her friend''s arm, both for support and to keep her from fleeing.


    The brown haired girl took over, her voice more confident. "I''m June, and this is Lily," she said, gesturing to her blushing friend. "We couldn''t help but notice you when you came in."


    Missy, still somewhat perplexed by the situation, managed a smile. "I''m Missy," she replied. "Thank you for saying that. I''m rather fond of my appearance. I picked it myself." The last part slipped out before she could stop herself, and she noticed a flicker of confusion cross the girls'' faces. Their ears twitched in puzzlement, and they exchanged a quick glance.


    Choosing to gloss over Missy''s odd comment, Lily seemed to find a bit more courage. "I wanted to ask you for your number?" she said, her voice lilting up at the end, making it sound more like a question than a statement. Her tails swaying gently behind her.


    Missy hesitated, unsure of how to respond. Was Lily asking about her age? Missy didn''t even know how old she was. Her silence seemed to panic Lily, who began to stammer, "I''m so sorry! You don''t have to if you don''t want to. I''m so stupid." Tears began to well up in her eyes, and once again, she looked ready to flee. Her tails drooped, nearly touching the floor.


    Aspen finally decided to intervene, her voice gentle but amused. "Sorry to interrupt, but Missy doesn''t have a phone. She probably isn''t sure what you''re asking." She moved closer, her hooves clicking softly on the floor.


    Both kitsune looked between Missy and Aspen, their expressions a mixture of surprise and disbelief. Their tails froze mid-swish. "How does she not have a phone and work in a tech shop?" June asked, her shock evident. Her ears were now fully erect, quivering slightly with curiosity.


    It was Aspen''s turn to look sheepish. "That''s kind of on me," she admitted. "I really should have given her one." She continued more to herself, "Especially after the power station incident." She rubbed the back of her neck in embarrassment.


    Missy, recalling what she knew about phones, decided to rejoin the conversation. "If I did have a phone, why would you want my number?" She tilted her head curious.


    Lily''s blush deepened as she explained, "I want to get to know you and maybe we could go on a date." Her tails began to intertwine nervously, creating an intricate braid behind her.


    As Missy considered the situation, she realized that if she was going to spend her free time with someone, she wanted it to be Jezel. The thought of Jezel brought an involuntary smile to her face, though it also left her slightly confused about her feelings towards Rinale. Why had she asked her on a date? She decided now wasn''t the time to worry about that. The conflicting emotions swirled within her, creating a confusing tapestry.


    Looking Lily in the eye, Missy spoke gently. "I appreciate you asking me, but I already have someone I want to spend my time with. I''m sorry if that makes you sad." She tried to convey her sincerity hoping she wasn''t causing too much distress.


    Lily shook her head, a small, sad smile on her face. "No, it''s okay. I kind of figured a girl as pretty as you must have someone, but I had to try." She took a deep breath before adding, "We should leave. Bye." With that, the two kitsune left the store, the bell chiming softly behind them. Their tails drooped slightly as they exited, but Missy could see June comforting her friend as they walked away.


    Missy found herself slightly thrown off by the encounter. She wondered if the man she had avoided at the food shop had been trying to do the same thing. She made a mental note to talk to Jezel about it, thinking that her friend probably had lots of experience in handling such situations. Jezel had made it look so easy earlier that day, and Missy was surprised at how well she herself had managed to handle it. Still, she felt a twinge of guilt at disappointing Lily.


    With a small sigh, Missy turned her attention back to her work, allowing the familiar tasks to occupy her mind and push away the lingering thoughts of the day''s events. The gentle hum of electronics and the soft clicking of tools provided a soothing backdrop as she lost herself in the intricate world of circuits and wires. Yet, in the back of her mind, she couldn''t help but look forward to Jezel''s visit later that evening.

 Communication

    As evening fell, Jezel sauntered into the shop, her presence immediately filling the space with a vibrant energy. Aspen greeted her with a warm, knowing smile, her gaze darting between Jezel and Missy with barely concealed amusement. She excused herself, throwing a playful wink at Missy as she departed, leaving the two alone.


    "What''s got her in such a good mood?" Jezel asked, her brow furrowing slightly as she approached Missy with a curious glint in her eye. She perched herself on the edge of the table, her long legs swinging casually.


    "I think she finds my current predicament rather entertaining," Missy replied, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "I''m hoping it won''t cause too much of a problem."


    As Jezel settled on the table, Missy found her gaze drawn to the woman''s long, smooth legs. She had always appreciated Jezel''s appearance, considering her cute in a general sense, but she had never before found herself admiring individual aspects of a mortal in quite this way. Something within her was changing, and she wasn''t entirely sure if that was a cause for concern. The pleasant warmth that spread through her as she admired Jezel''s form suggested it couldn''t be all bad.


    Realizing she had become distracted, Missy shook her head slightly and met Jezel''s eyes. To her surprise, Jezel was grinning, apparently rather pleased about something. "See something you like?" Jezel asked, her voice taking on a flirtatious lilt.


    "Yes, I was admiring your legs," Missy admitted. "I don''t think I''ve ever realized how nice they are, although I''m not entirely sure why I would find legs appealing to look at. I think I have a long way to go to understand why I''m drawn to certain things and not others." Missy tilted her head as she considered this, her ears and tails twitching slightly in contemplation.


    Suddenly aware of how far off track she''d gotten, Missy apologized. "I''m sorry, I got distracted. This isn''t why I wanted to talk, although I wouldn''t mind discussing it with you later to better understand what''s happening."


    "I don''t mind at all," Jezel reassured her, her voice still carrying that flirty undertone.


    Deciding that if they were going to make any progress, she needed to take the plunge, Missy blurted out, "I asked Rinale on a date. Aspen said this might upset you and that I should talk to you about it."


    Jezel stilled, her movements halting for a brief moment before she adjusted her position. Her relaxed demeanor shifted to something more serious as she chewed on her lip, seemingly contemplating her response. Missy''s mild concern ratcheted up a few notches as she waited.


    "Wow, you''re jumping straight to the big leagues," Jezel finally said, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "She''s super hot, being a former goddess of beauty and all. What did she say?"


    Relieved that Jezel''s reaction seemed far more positive than she had anticipated based on Aspen''s warning, Missy replied, "She said she would contact me with the details."


    Jezel let out a laugh, her eyes sparkling with genuine amusement. "I can''t believe it! From what I''ve heard, she hasn''t shown interest in anyone in years. You really must have made quite an impression."


    Though relieved, Missy still felt like she was missing something crucial. "Aspen implied you might be upset. I''m still a little confused about what''s going on."


    Jezel made as if to poke Missy on the nose but stopped just short, miming the action while making a playful "boop" sound. "She was concerned I might be jealous. If I''m honest, I would be upset if I thought you were going to ditch me for someone new. But at this point, I know you well enough that I''m not worried. Besides, I think it''s good for you to get more life experience. How else will you appreciate how great I am if you have nothing to compare me to?" She said the last part while dramatically preening her hair.


    Missy felt a wave of relief wash over her, though she couldn''t shake the sneaking suspicion that things were only going to get more complicated. Their conversation flowed on to other topics, including the rest of their day after they had parted ways at the food truck. Jezel was both amused and flattered when Missy recounted her interaction with Lily and explained why she had turned her down.


    The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    As the evening wore on, Jezel eventually took her leave, and Missy headed downstairs to prepare for the night. She found Aspen finalizing her nightly routine and greeted her, filling her in on how the conversation with Jezel had gone.


    As I stared into their eyes, I saw myself reflected in their pitying gaze. Broke, defeated, a failure. In that moment, I knew they didn''t believe in me, they never had. I would never achieve my dream. I would always be a failure." Her voice broke, and she slumped into the seat, all the fight seeming to drain out of her. "I''m still a failure," she whispered, "and nothing will ever change that."


    "

 A Fragile Balance

    This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Missy watched Aspen for a moment, unsure how to proceed. After last night''s awkward conversation, she felt uncertain whether prodding further would make things worse. But she couldn''t just ignore the thick tension that hung in the room like a heavy fog. Aspen had always been strong, capable, and cheerful, a beacon of positivity in Missy''s life. Seeing her like this¡ªso clearly distressed and withdrawn¡ªmade Missy''s stomach twist with concern and a deep sense of helplessness.


    Summoning her courage, Missy approached her friend, her footsteps hesitant on the worn floorboards. "Aspen," she began gently, her voice soft and filled with genuine worry, "what''s wrong? Please, talk to me."


    Aspen sighed, the sound heavy with exhaustion and a hint of frustration. "Sorry, I just... it''s nothing. Really." She turned away, her fingers picking up random objects on the counter¡ªa wrench, a small gadget, a scrap of paper¡ªonly to put them back down in a nervous, almost restless, fidget. The clatter of metal against glass punctuated the tense silence.


    Missy hesitated but pressed on, her heart aching to help. "Aspen, I''m here for you. Whatever it is, I want to help."


    Aspen shook her head, a bitter smile pulling at the corners of her lips. Her eyes, usually bright with warmth, now seemed dull and distant. "This isn''t really something you can help with, Missy. It''s... complicated." She paused for a moment, her voice faltering as she continued, each word seeming to cost her. "After last night... seeing someone who has everything I''ve ever wanted, just throwing it away, it sucks. She has every right to live her life however she wants, but it doesn''t change the fact that it makes me a little resentful." She glanced at Missy, her eyes filled with a complicated mix of emotions¡ªpain, envy, and a touch of shame. "Don''t worry about it. I''m just being petty."


    Missy could hear the pain beneath Aspen''s words, the weight of years of unspoken frustration pressing down on her friend like an invisible weight. She didn''t know how to respond, didn''t know how to fix this deep-seated hurt, but she wanted to more than anything. Aspen had done so much for her, had been her guide and friend since the beginning, a constant source of support and wisdom. Missy wanted desperately to return that support, to ease Aspen''s pain, but this was something deeper, something rooted in a lifetime of struggles Missy couldn''t fully understand or easily remedy.


    Aspen attempted a weak smile, though it didn''t reach her eyes, which remained shadowed with unspoken sorrow. "Run along," she said, her voice lighter, though the heaviness still lingered beneath the forced cheerfulness. "And don''t forget my part of the spoils¡ªI really could use some comfort food."


    Missy hesitated, But she knew that sometimes people needed space, even from those who cared about them. Sometimes, even those you loved needed time to work through their pain alone, to process and heal in their own way. She would give Aspen that space for now, though it pained her to do so.


    "Okay," Missy said softly, her ears drooping slightly, betraying her concern and reluctance to leave. "I''ll bring you back something good. And Aspen? I''m here when you''re ready to talk. Always."


    With a final glance at Aspen, taking in her slumped shoulders and downcast eyes, Missy turned and left the shop. The cheerful chime of the bell above the door seemed almost mocking in the face of the heavy atmosphere. As she stepped out into the bustling street, Missy''s mind swirled with a mix of concern and helplessness. She didn''t know how to fix this, she just hoped Jezel and Arc would have some insight. They were mortals, after all, with a lifetime of human experiences to draw from. Perhaps they could shed some light on this complex tangle of emotions, help her understand and support Aspen better. Missy set off, her steps purposeful as she navigated the crowded sidewalk.

 Unwanted Knowledge

    As Missy navigated through the bustling crowds, an idea struck her. It was an idea that would undoubtedly help Aspen, but the cost to Missy would be great. She could gift Aspen a portion of her essence, bestowing upon her the magic she so desperately craved. However, Missy''s own reserves were perilously low since her escape from her prison. Such a sacrifice would render her unable to assume a mortal form, and worse still, it would further diminish her already fragile mind, reducing her to little more than a feral creature.


    She wanted to help Aspen, but the prospect of completely losing herself in the process was troubling. Missy''s mind raced, searching for alternatives. There were indeed a couple of other options that flickered through her thoughts, but they all came with their own set of problems. There were alternative sources of magic she could tap into, but they were frustratingly out of reach. She could channel magic into Aspen as she had done for Jezel, but deep down, Missy yearned for Aspen to recognize the inherent beauty of her music, untainted by magical influence.


    After some internal debate, Missy resolved to exhaust every possible avenue to assist Aspen without resorting to magical means. However, she steeled herself with the grim determination that, should all else fail, She would help her friend, despite the consequences.


    As this weighty decision solidified in her mind, the park materialized before her. With renewed purpose, Missy quickened her pace, her resolve to succeed burning brightly within her. She approached the food truck, carefully skirting the crowd gathered at the front to avoid any unwanted social interactions. Brimming with enthusiasm and determination, she bounded into the truck, greeting Arc and Jezel with infectious cheer.


    Arc''s warm smile greeted her. "Good morning, Missy." Jezel swiveled to give Missy her undivided attention, her eyes twinkling as they swept appreciatively over Missy''s form. "I sure hope your good mood is because you''re getting to spend time with me," Jezel teased with a playful wink before turning back to attend to her current customer.


    Arc''s face split into a mischievous grin. "Well, since that can''t possibly be the reason, why don''t you fill us in on what''s got you so chipper?" Jezel shot him a look of mock outrage, punctuating it with a hand gesture whose meaning eluded Missy. Arc simply chuckled at his sister''s antics, clearly enjoying the banter.


    Missy seamlessly integrated herself into their well-oiled routine, working in harmony with the siblings. As they worked, she recounted her conversation with Aspen from the previous night, her ears and tails drooping slightly as she spoke. "Wow, I had no idea," Arc mused, shaking his head as he processed the information. "She always seemed so content running her shop the few times I''ve dropped by to pick something up."


    "Couldn''t you have waited to tell us after the lunch rush?" Jezel asked, struggling to maintain her composure while interacting with customers. Missy tilted her head, puzzled. "Why?" she inquired. Jezel sniffled, discreetly wiping away a stray tear. "Because I don''t want to cry in front of the customers," she explained, her voice thick with emotion.


    After clearing her throat and regaining her composure, Jezel asked, "What are we going to do?" Missy felt a warm glow in her chest at Jezel''s words, knowing she could count on her friend''s support. "There are a couple of options I could use to give her magic," Missy admitted without much enthusiasm.


    "Really? Like permanently or like when you did with me?" Jezel asked, intrigued. Missy nodded. "Both, but each option comes with its own risks. And if I''m being honest, I prefer Aspen''s music without magic," she confessed defiantly. "I want her to see how incredible she already is, even if that''s selfish of me." Missy felt her emotions swirling within her, a tempest of conflicting desires and fears.


    As the crowd began to thin, Jezel pressed further. "So, what''s the plan to help her see that?" Missy looked at Jezel hopefully. "I don''t know. I was hoping you might have an idea." Jezel''s face lit up with a grin. "You have quite the confidence in me, and why shouldn''t you? I''m pretty great." Missy nodded earnestly. "The best. I know I can count on you."


    Jezel tried to maintain her cocky demeanor, but a telltale blush crept up her neck, reaching her ears. Arc couldn''t resist teasing his sister. "Are you blushing? That''s so cute." Jezel responded with the same enigmatic hand gesture from earlier, her cheeks burning brighter.


    "Alright, I''ll think about it and come up with a plan. I promise," Jezel vowed, meeting Missy''s eyes with sincere determination. As the lunch rush subsided and they began cleaning up, Arc prepared Missy''s food, making sure to include extra portions after hearing about Aspen''s request for comfort food.


    Missy set off for home, her mind buzzing with possibilities. Suddenly, she felt a powerful surge of magic pulse through the air, more potent than anything she had sensed since her escape. She instantly recognized the direction and distinctive aura of the magic. Someone at the capital building was wielding the Ortus. A creeping sense of dread washed over Missy. Whatever was unfolding was undoubtedly not for the benefit of the city or its inhabitants. Her earlier optimism now tinged with a growing sense of foreboding. Missy hesitated for only a brief moment before decisively making her way towards the capital building. As she drew closer, the scene unfolding before her became clearer. The city''s enforcers had established a tight perimeter around the area, their stern faces and authoritative voices attempting to disperse the growing crowd of curious onlookers back to the safety of their homes.


    Her eyes were immediately drawn to the imposing structure of the capital building. Thick plumes of smoke billowed from its upper floors, curling ominously against the darkening sky. Curiously, Missy couldn''t discern any visible structural damage from her vantage point, leaving her to wonder about the source of the smoke and the nature of the disturbance within.


    Extending her senses, Missy probed the area, seeking to unravel the complexities of the situation. Several familiar auras pulsed in her awareness, each distinct and charged with tension. She detected Rinale and the rest of the council members, their collective presence a knot of anxiety and determination, positioned a couple of streets over at the edge of the perimeter.


    This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    Further away, in the opposite direction from the council, Missy sensed the unmistakable aura of Qil the lich. The ancient being was perched atop a nearby rooftop, a silent observer to the unfolding drama below. In one of the adjacent buildings, Missy registered another familiar presence ¨C the individual she presumed to be Seara, watching intently from a shadowed window.


    Most alarmingly, she felt the powerful aura of Razuroc emanating from within the capital building itself, intertwined with the potent energy of the Ortus. The combination sent a shiver of apprehension down Missy''s spine.


    Deciding that more information was crucial before taking action, Missy chose to investigate further. With fluid grace, she leapt to a nearby building, her form barely visible as she bounded across several rooftops. Her movements were swift and purposeful as she made her way towards Qil''s position.


    Within moments, Missy touched down silently on the rooftop where Qil stood. The lich''s skeletal form was motionless, its hollow eye sockets fixed intently on the chaos unfolding in the streets below. The eerie, pale light within those sockets pulsed faintly, a ghostly reflection of the turmoil that gripped the city. Qil turned to face Missy, its skeletal form moving with an otherworldly grace. The lich began to circle her cautiously, its ghostly mane rippling in a non-existent breeze, creating an eerie, shimmering effect in the dim light. The pale glow from its hollow eye sockets seemed to intensify as it studied her.


    "To what do I owe the honor of your presence, ancient one?" Qil spoke, its voice a chilling whisper that seemed to creep up from the very ground beneath them. The words hung in the air, carrying a weight that belied the lich''s curiosity and perhaps a hint of wariness. As it continued its slow, deliberate circuit around Missy, the bones of its structure clinked softly, a macabre accompaniment to the tense atmosphere that had settled over the rooftop. Although Qil could clearly sense a bit of her nature, she was glad it appeared not to know who she truly was. The lich''s hollow gaze seemed to search her, seeking answers that weren''t forthcoming.


    "I decided to see what you were planning before jumping in to help against Razuroc," Missy said, watching Qil with undisguised curiosity. Her eyes roamed over the lich''s skeletal form, taking in every intricate detail of its otherworldly appearance. "I do not understand why you would help these parasites, but if it will prevent a confrontation between us, I''m willing to answer."


    She paused, considering her next words carefully. "I can tell you I only plan to watch. I see no reason to get involved when I can sit back and observe my enemies weaken each other." Qil continued to circle in the air, the tension palpable as the skeletal lich''s ethereal form cast eerie shadows on the rooftop. Its hollow eye sockets gleamed with an otherworldly light as it regarded Missy.


    "Does this satisfy your curiosity?" Qil''s voice echoed, a haunting whisper that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at once. Missy couldn''t discern if the creature was lying, its skeletal features impossible to read, but she decided to take it at its word for now. There were more pressing matters at hand.


    "I guess, but I will be watching you," Missy declared, her eyes narrowing as she studied the lich one last time. She turned abruptly, her form silhouetted against the city lights below. Without hesitation, she leapt from the building, her body gracefully arcing through the air as she made her way across the rooftops..


    As the wind rushed past her, Missy''s mind raced. She had a couple of urgent visits to make, and she doubted she had much time before Razuroc finished whatever plan he was undertaking. Missy swiftly made her way to her next destination, her footsteps barely making a sound as she approached the building. Upon reaching the rooftop entrance, she found the door firmly locked. Rather than resorting to brute force, she decided on a different approach. With graceful agility, she leapt down from her perch, landing softly in a nearby alley to avoid the bustling streets.


    Scanning her surroundings, Missy noticed a door with a damaged handle. She surmised this must have been Seara''s point of entry. Without hesitation, she slipped inside the seemingly deserted building, its interior shrouded in darkness. Relying on her heightened senses, Missy navigated the shadowy corridors with ease, her footsteps echoing softly in the emptiness.


    As she approached the room where she sensed Seara''s presence, Missy found the door slightly ajar. With utmost caution, she gently pushed it open, her eyes immediately drawn to a figure silhouetted against the window. The mysterious individual seemed lost in thought, gazing out at the city below, oblivious to Missy''s entrance.


    Recalling human behavior she had observed, Missy attempted to clear her throat to announce her presence. The sound, though soft, had an immediate effect. The figure whirled around, instantly assuming a defensive stance. As they faced each other, Missy studied the figure who was a near identical reflection of herself although it was probably more accurate to say Missy was the reflection. Missy was indeed correct - Seara was the kitsune she had encountered shortly after escaping her prison. Missy had been so captivated by Seara''s appearance that she decided to model her mortal form after it, albeit with a few carefully chosen modifications. If you asked Missy, she would confidently assert that she now looked even more striking than the original.


    The differences between them, though subtle at first glance, were truly striking. Where Missy''s hair shimmered like burnished copper in the light, cascading down her back in soft waves, Seara''s was as dark as a moonless night, absorbing rather than reflecting the ambient glow. Missy''s tails were a pristine, luminous white, each one tipped with the same rich copper as her hair, creating a mesmerizing effect as they swayed. In contrast, Seara''s tails were midnight black, fading to deep crimson at the ends, like embers in the darkness. Most notably, Seara''s eyes glowed a fierce, almost hypnotic crimson, a stark contrast to Missy''s serene blue that seemed to hold depths.


    As recognition slowly dawned on Seara, her posture underwent a dramatic transformation. The initial defensive stance melted away, replaced by one of abject terror that seemed to radiate from every fiber of her being. The sudden realization of who had just entered the room appeared to freeze her in place, rooting her to the spot as if she had been turned to stone. Her eyes widened to an almost impossible degree, filled with a potent mixture of fear, disbelief, and a hint of resignation, as if she were facing an inescapable fate. Reflected in depths of her eyes was recognition, not just of the creature who had stolen her appearance deep within the city''s underbelly, but of Missy''s true nature. As Seara stumbled back, desperately trying to create distance between them, her movements jerky and panicked, Missy''s heart sank like a stone in turbulent waters. She had hoped, perhaps foolishly, that this day wouldn''t come, clinging to the fragile peace she had built for herself. But now, she found herself face to face with someone who possessed the knowledge to bring Missy''s new life crashing down around her. The weight of the moment pressed heavily on Missy''s shoulders, a suffocating reminder of the secrets she had tried so hard to bury.

 Brutal Confrontation

    "Why are you here? Are you going to kill me?"


    Seara had backed into a corner, her body wracked with slight tremors that betrayed her fear. Her eyes, wide with panic, darted around the room, searching desperately for an escape route that didn''t exist.


    Missy took a tentative step forward, hoping to calm the terrified kitsune but quickly halted when she noticed Seara''s panic intensify at her approach. Realizing her mistake, Missy retreated a couple of steps, holding her hands up in a placating gesture.


    "I don''t plan on hurting you," Missy assured her, her voice soft and steady. "But I do want to know how you know what I am. You didn''t appear to know when we first met." She tilted her head, curiosity evident in her expression.


    Seara''s gaze continued to flit nervously around the room, her chest heaving with rapid, shallow breaths. She swallowed hard, her body convulsing slightly as she fought to regain control. After a moment, she spoke, her voice barely above a whisper.


    "After I saw you take on my appearance and leave, I... I decided to investigate where you came from," Seara explained haltingly. "I found your prison and was intrigued by how complex and powerful it was. The magic... it was unlike anything I''d ever seen before."


    She paused, taking a shaky breath before continuing. "I stayed in that room, studying the magic, and stumbled upon a magically embedded record left to warn anyone from releasing you. They didn''t say explicitly who or what you were, but..."


    Seara''s voice trailed off, and she closed her eyes briefly, as if steeling herself. When she opened them again, there was a glimmer of her old curiosity beneath the fear.


    "Before I was imprisoned, I dedicated my life to uncovering forbidden knowledge. In fact, it was my discovery of your existence that led to my own imprisonment. With all the facts present, it wasn''t hard to draw a conclusion about your true nature." Seara seemed to take a small amount of courage from the fact she was still alive, her posture straightening slightly as she met Missy''s gaze before flinching away.


    "If you are who I think you are," she began, her voice slightly steadier, "why is the city or anything still left?"


    She paused, gathering her courage before she could continue. Missy held up a hand, interrupting her and stopping her before she could voice any more questions.


    "I''m kind of in a hurry. I need to know¡ªare you going to cause any problems?"


    Missy didn''t want to hear what the woman was going to ask or say, fearing that if Seara spoke about it openly, Missy would no longer be able to hide from her past. She wanted to put off dealing with this revelation for as long as possible, preferably forever.


    Seara flinched violently at Missy''s sudden movement and sharp words, shrinking further into herself as she shook her head desperately. Not knowing how to handle such a delicate situation, she ran. She left the one person who could tear her new life apart cowering in the corner as she rushed toward her next destination.


    As she approached the part of the perimeter where the council was gathered, Rinale spotted her and hurried over, studying Missy with her usual mix of fascination and suspicion glinting in her eyes.


    "Why are you here, Missy? We have this situation under control and don''t need you becoming a vigilante," Rinale stated firmly, her diplomatic demeanor showing signs of strain.


    Missy tilted her head uncertainly, her fox-like features betraying genuine confusion. "I don''t know what that is. What is a vigilante?"


    Rinale let out a weary sigh, unconsciously adjusting her elegant attire. "They are someone who attempts to take the law into their own hands without the authority to do so."


    Missy tilted her head the other way, still uncertain, her tails swishing behind her. "How does someone get that authority?"


    Rinale let out a frustrated growl, her usual poise slipping. "I don''t have time for this, even if you are cute." She seemed startled as the last part slipped out, her refined features showing a crack in her carefully maintained facade.


    Rinale put her head in her hands, but not before Missy noticed a slight blush creeping across her cheeks. "Please, can you just go home?" she asked, her face still hidden, her voice tinged with embarrassment and a hint of vulnerability that was rare for the former goddess.


    Missy stood there, fidgeting with indecision. She wanted to help and was deeply concerned that if they didn''t act quickly, they would find themselves in a much worse situation. But she was being asked not to help, and the last thing she wanted was to upset Rinale or anyone else. The weight of the choice pressed heavily on her shoulders as she struggled to decide the right course of action.


    As she stood there, her thoughts in turmoil, she felt another pulse of magic ripple through the air like a shockwave. They were completely out of time¡ªif they didn''t take immediate action, Razuroc would succeed in his devastating plan. Missy had been able to study what Razuroc was attempting to do and had realized that while he hadn''t obtained the Ortus yet, he was still in the process of breaking through the ancient barrier protecting it. That had all changed with that last pulse, a sort of death rattle for the barrier that had finally shattered, its protection gone.


    Rinale looked up from her hands, her face drained of all color. "How... we should''ve had more time," Rinale muttered, looking slightly stunned and swaying where she stood.


    "Do you still not need my help?" Missy asked, her voice gentle but urgent.


    Rinale glanced over at her, despair evident in her eyes. "How could you possibly help now? He has the Ortus¡ªit might have faded over the centuries, but it still has enough residual power left to cause untold devastation."


    You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    Missy hesitated, unsure of exactly what to say, her fingers twisting nervously at her sides. "I''m pretty good at controlling magic. If I get close enough, I can prevent or twist whatever he attempts with the Ortus." She spoke haltingly, carefully choosing each word as she tried to figure out what she should reveal.


    "This is the Ortus we''re talking about," Rinale countered, her voice sharp with frustration. "The origin of magic itself¡ªits power is too pure and refined for anyone to simply control. Even Razuroc will doubtless need some time and preparation in order to be able to harness its essence. The raw power would overwhelm any unprepared wielder."


    Missy hadn''t been aware that they would struggle to use the Ortus, but that just meant they had more time to act. Her mind raced with possibilities.


    "If he can''t use it yet, why are you acting like there''s nothing we can do?"


    Rinale shook her head, her shoulders sagging with defeat. "We couldn''t even stop him from breaking in through the floors. We won''t be able to stop him from leaving. We''ve been trying to track him down ever since he first appeared, without any success. He''ll disappear into the shadows, and we won''t find him before he''s had enough time to master the Ortus''s power. By then, it will be too late."


    Missy whipped around to face the capital building. She had thought she was going to have to make a stand here when Razuroc attempted to leave the capital building, but the lack of external damage now made perfect sense. Without hesitation, Missy rushed forward, her feet barely touching the ground as she leaped over the perimeter, completely ignoring all the voices shouting after her. Her body tensed and released in explosive motion as she swiftly made her way to the room where the Ortus and other artifacts were being kept, shooting through the marble halls like a bullet and slamming through the door with enough force to splinter the wood.


    She gasped as she came to an abrupt stop, her breath catching in her throat. There were the bodies of guards and visitors scattered across the room like broken dolls, their limbs twisted at unnatural angles. Missy wasn''t sure if they were dead and didn''t have time to check, though something inside her twisted painfully at the thought. Her eyes were drawn inexorably to the massive, imposing form of Razuroc, his mammoth-like bulk filling the chamber. He hadn''t noticed her yet, too focused on trying to delicately maneuver the Ortus through a jagged hole in the floor with his enormous tusks.


    The air around Missy began to shimmer, her hair and tails rippling and shifting like dancing flames as she steeled herself to face the behemoth. As her aura rippled outward in waves of ethereal energy, Razuroc finally noticed her presence. He abandoned the Ortus where it was, turning to face her fully, his deep-set eyes burning with ancient malice as they locked onto her.


    "I had hoped to see you," Razuroc rumbled, a cruel smile evident in his voice. "I hope that you don''t foolishly believe you defeated me the last time we met. You simply surprised me, and I worried that the city''s defenses were more impressive than I had believed. You appear to be an outlier, and my caution was unnecessary. I will crush you for thinking you can defy me."


    Razuroc moved forward with surprising grace for his massive bulk, the intricate runes etched into his yellowed tusks beginning to pulse with an ominous glow.


    "Thank you for giving me this opportunity to set the record straight."


    Razuroc''s thunderous roar shook the chamber as the ground erupted in front of him, sending molten shards of rock spreading toward Missy like a deadly wave. Missy''s eyes darted to the motionless bodies scattered around her, her heart constricting. If any were still alive, she had to contain Razuroc''s attacks and be careful with her own. Until this point, she had only wielded fire, finding comfort in how it matched her emotional state and kitsune appearance. This time, however, she let loose a condensed blast of frozen air. It shot forth with devastating precision, bursting against the molten projectiles and freezing Razuroc''s attack in place, preventing any damage to the surrounding area and creating a crystalline barrier between them.


    Missy''s magical reserves plummeted, leaving her nearly drained and gasping from the exertion. The crystalline ice wall shattered with a deafening crack under Razuroc''s immense bulk as he stepped through it, his ancient rune-etched tusks pulsing with an ominous magical glow. Acting on pure instinct, Missy didn''t give Razuroc a chance to complete his casting. She extended her supernatural senses outward, probing the ethereal currents until she found the precise threads of magic Razuroc was feeding into his spell. Without hesitation, she reached out and violently ripped the power from him, absorbing it into herself. The stolen energy coursed through her body, nearly topping off her depleted magical reserves.


    Razuroc bellowed in surprise and nearly stumbled as he felt the magic torn from his grasp. He caught himself with a heavy thud, turning to look at Missy with newfound wariness, his once-arrogant posture now distinctly defensive. He watched her with calculated caution, occasionally glancing at the Ortus with uncertainty written across his bestial features. It was clear from his bewildered expression that he was struggling to puzzle out what had caused his spell to fail so catastrophically, having never encountered anything capable of such magical theft before.


    Razuroc began to carefully feed magic into another spell, his massive tusks glowing with an ominous crimson light once more. His muscles were tensed and his small eyes darted between Missy and the Ortus as he channeled his power, clearly on high alert, waiting to see if whatever had snatched his magic would attempt to do so again. Missy waited patiently, letting him gradually lower his guard before she casually reached out and ripped the accumulating energy from him with even greater ease than before.


    Razuroc''s cautious demeanor instantly transformed into naked fear as he felt Missy tear his power away, his bestial features contorting in a mix of shock and dawning terror. Missy wasn''t in a position to notice his reaction, however, as she was too preoccupied with the overwhelming sensation of absorbing more magic than her body could safely handle, the excess power threatening to burst from her very pores.


    Missy needed to vent the excess energy quickly before she quite literally exploded. While she would probably be able to recover from such an event, the resulting magical detonation would devastate the surrounding area. She could channel it into an attack against Razuroc, but she hesitated¡ªher goal was to stop him, not obliterate him entirely. In desperation, she directed the overwhelming power upward into the ceiling in the form of another concentrated burst of frozen air. When it struck the ornate surface, it erupted violently, coating the entire ceiling in a thick, crystalline layer of ice that began to creep ominously down the walls like frozen fingers.


    Missy staggered under the strain, and Razuroc seized upon her moment of weakness to try a different approach. He charged forward with surprising speed for his massive bulk and swung one of his deadly tusks at her. Unfortunately for Missy, while she might have been unmatched when it came to magical contests, the same could not be said of physical confrontations, especially given how little essence she currently possessed. Razuroc''s massive tusk caught her squarely in the chest and sent her flying through one of the room''s ornate stained-glass windows.


    She sailed out into the night sky, fragments of colored glass trailing in her wake, before crashing down hard into the meticulously manicured lawn below. Missy found herself flat on her back, staring into the evening sky, her body aching from the brutal impact. She could see the beginnings of a sunset, its soft pink and orange hues painting the clouds above. The peaceful scene felt strangely at odds with recent events, the tranquil beauty a stark contrast to the violence that had sent her crashing through the window. Small shards of colored glass still sparkled around her in the manicured grass, catching the waning sunlight like scattered gems.

 Slimy Situation

    Missy stood up, shards of glass embedding into her skin, which she quickly removed by sending a pulse through her body, expelling the fragments with a soft tinkling sound. She moved to jump back through the window, the crunch of glass under her feet accompanying her deliberate movements. She leapt through the window, twisting mid-air to narrowly avoid the sharp edges of the broken pane.


    Missy meticulously scanned the room as she entered, searching for Razuroc only to find no trace of the ancient behemoth. Not even the massive hole he had used remained. She walked over to where it had been and sent a concentrated pulse of magic through the ground. As her senses extended through the earth like tendrils, she discovered that Razuroc must have been methodically closing the tunnel as he moved downward, leaving no trace of his passage. Missy didn¡¯t have the magical reserves to give chase.


    Overwhelmed, Missy sank to her knees, weighted down by her failure. She¡¯d tried to help and had only managed to break a window, achieving nothing of consequence. It wasn¡¯t long before the council and law enforcement entered the building; Missy heard them moving through the halls as they approached, their footsteps echoing off the marble floors. Missy remained motionless as she tried to think of what she could do. She could probably find her way into the extensive sewer system of the city and track down Razuroc¡¯s distinctive magical aura, but she didn¡¯t have enough magic to make a decisive strike against him without using deadly force. She doubted he would allow her to steal his magic again after their previous encounter. She could try to extract magic from him that he wasn¡¯t actively using, but that could also have deadly consequences. She didn¡¯t have the physical strength to fight him either; his massive form was far too powerful for direct confrontation. She didn¡¯t like any of her limited options.


    While she considered her choices, the council and law enforcers entered the room. As law enforcement methodically checked for survivors, the council members took stock of the other artifacts in the room¡ªexcept for Rinale, who made her way directly to Missy. Missy looked up, meeting Rinale¡¯s penetrating gaze.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry I failed,¡± Missy said, her voice carrying a note of despondency and genuine regret.


    Rinale studied her for a moment before responding. ¡°I can¡¯t say that my suspicions are fully put to rest, but the fact you tried might have swayed me a little.¡±


    Missy stood up and started to head toward the exit, her movements purposeful. Sitting here wasn¡¯t going to change anything, and she had some time before Razuroc would be ready to use the Ortus. She would enter the sewers and track him down, somehow finding a way to defeat him while she was down there.


    ¡°Where are you going?¡± Rinale asked, her concern evident.


    ¡°I¡¯m going into the sewers to track him down.¡± Missy¡¯s voice carried more certainty than she actually felt.


    ¡°Wait, I¡¯m coming with you.¡± Rinale stepped up beside her, adjusting her elegant attire for the task ahead.


    Missy was about to protest, but one look at the determination blazing in Rinale¡¯s eyes stopped her. Instead, she asked if Rinale knew the quickest way into the sewers. Rinale nodded and led the way deeper into the capitol building, their footsteps echoing through the empty corridors. Rinale guided her to an imposing reinforced door and unlocked it, revealing steep stairs leading down into darkness.


    As they descended, Missy extended her magical senses curiously. Reaching out, she felt several familiar presences as well as some unfamiliar ones, their magical signatures pulsing in the darkness. The council appeared to be using the basement area of the building as a holding area for dangerous entities they had managed to capture over time.


    Missy withdrew her senses, suddenly aware that she now had a way to guarantee victory over Razuroc, but she hesitated because she was afraid of how taking this option would fundamentally change her. She knew it was probably foolish, but she wanted to try beating Razuroc as she was now, relying on her own strength and abilities. If she couldn¡¯t win through conventional means, she would return here, though the thought filled her with dread.


    After descending for a while, they navigated through a maze of hallways until reaching a reinforced door set into the wall. Rinale spent several moments fighting with the locking mechanism before it finally swung open. A damp corridor greeted them. Until this point, they had moved in a tense silence that hung heavy in the air between them.


    The silence was broken when Rinale spoke. ¡°Just a moment.¡± She gestured, and a bright light sprang to life in the palm of her hand, illuminating the dark passageway ahead.


    Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    Missy wondered if Rinale was unable to see her in the dark. She hadn¡¯t really thought about it before, but the city above had always been brightly lit when night came. She found herself curious if the inability to see in darkness was common among mortals, though she decided against asking for the moment.


    They stepped into the tunnel and began walking, their footsteps echoing off the stone walls. Missy extended her senses to their limit as she began searching for Razuroc¡¯s location. The rhythmic echo of their footsteps was the only sound until Rinale cleared her throat somewhat awkwardly.


    ¡°So, what¡¯s the plan?¡±


    Missy smiled at Rinale, her expression gentle despite the gravity of their situation. ¡°I¡¯m not sure. I don¡¯t really have a way to beat him outright, but he doesn¡¯t really have a way of beating me either, so maybe I can distract him while you retrieve the Ortus or return to get help.¡± She shrugged, the gesture casual despite the weight of her words.


    Rinale¡¯s face creased with obvious displeasure at the suggestion. ¡°How are we going to find him?¡± Her voice carried an edge of frustration.


    ¡°I¡¯m currently looking for his aura.¡±


    Rinale scoffed, her disbelief evident. ¡°There is no way that will work¡ªyou would need to be able to sense auras across a massive area. Even at the height of my power, it would be pure luck to stumble into him.¡± She looked like she was currently regretting her decision to follow Missy into the depths.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure what you would consider a massive area, but I can extend my senses over a couple of city blocks. Depending on how fast he was moving, we might be able to find him before he reaches wherever he is going.¡±


    Rinale gasped and stumbled, catching herself against the damp wall. ¡°That can¡¯t be. How? I can roughly sense how strong your aura is, and you should not be able to do that.¡±


    Missy wasn¡¯t sure how to respond to that, so she remained silent. They wandered further through the tunnel until Rinale broke the silence again, her voice softer now, almost contemplative.


    ¡°Why are you doing this? It¡¯s not your responsibility¡ªwhat do you hope to get out of this?¡±


    Missy stopped and looked over to Rinale, her head tilted to the side in genuine confusion. Rinale took a few steps forward before turning back to her.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure what you mean. Razuroc is going to hurt people, and I don¡¯t want that. Wouldn¡¯t that be not wanting something?¡± Missy looked at Rinale, clearly puzzled.


    Rinale snorted, though there was an undercurrent of amusement in the sound. ¡°You are either a really good actor or more innocent than I expected for an entity imprisoned underground for who knows how long. The logical part of me tells me it¡¯s the former, but my gut is telling me it¡¯s the latter.¡± She laughed to herself, the sound echoing strangely in the tunnel. ¡°I guess there¡¯s no point in second-guessing now, since the fact I followed you here alone makes it pretty clear which part has won out.¡± Rinale looked around her as if she had just realized where she was.


    ¡°Why would you following me matter?¡± Missy asked uncertainly.


    Rinale smiled, a knowing look in her eyes. ¡°Actor or innocent? I really hope I don¡¯t regret this.¡± She seemed to be talking to herself as she turned and started walking again. ¡°Come on, we still need to find Razuroc.¡±


    After a brief pause, Missy followed after her. They continued walking, and it wasn¡¯t long before Missy¡¯s senses picked up a change in their surroundings. The area they were heading towards had magic saturating the air¡ªold magic, familiar in a way that made her skin prickle. Missy knew where they were heading, and she wanted to turn back, to run, but something told her this would be where Razuroc would be hiding.


    Her instincts were proven right as she felt her senses brush against the aura of the Ortus. She was surprised at the difference between the Ortus and the magic in the air. Though they were from the same source, she noticed the slight pollution of the Ortus¡¯s aura; it was less pure than the magic that hung in the air like a heavy mist. Missy sensed all this, but they were still a little way off from reaching the spot.


    ¡°I found the edge of the Ortus¡¯s aura. If we continue this way, we should find Razuroc.¡±


    Rinale looked at her in surprise, her eyebrows raised. ¡°Really? I wasn¡¯t sure we would even find him, let alone this quickly.¡±


    Missy wasn¡¯t sure how quick or slow they had been¡ªshe just wished Razuroc hadn¡¯t ended up where he did. It wasn¡¯t long before they reached where they could start to feel the magic in the air. Rinale gasped and froze, turning to Missy with eyes full of wonder.


    ¡°I thought I would never feel this again.¡± Her voice trembled, and there were tears in the corners of her eyes. ¡°Is this Razuroc¡¯s doing?¡±


    Missy didn¡¯t answer Rinale. She knew what was causing the reappearance of magic, and she had mixed emotions about it. She had been quite unhappy about this turn of events, but Rinale¡¯s reaction gave her pause. Missy took magic for granted, but Rinale seemed overwhelmed with just the tiny amount in the air. Maybe Missy could find a way to restore magic to the world without losing the life she had now. She decided to put those thoughts aside for the moment¡ªthey needed to deal with Razuroc first.


    At this point, Missy could feel his aura along with the Ortus. She started moving again, with Rinale following close behind, seeming to breathe in deeply as if trying to savor the magic in the air. They finally reached the room where Razuroc was setting up his ritual. He had used his earth magic to reshape the area, creating a large open square room with smoothed walls and a perfectly level floor.


    In the center stood Razuroc, his massive form hunched over the Ortus, which sat at the heart of a complex magic circle etched into the stone. The ancient being turned, his rage and irritation apparent in every line of his massive form.


    ¡°I see the pest needs to be squashed again.¡±

 Touching the Cosmos

    Missy darted to the right, desperately creating distance between herself and Razuroc in the confined space. She managed to make it a quarter of the way around the room before being forced to halt abruptly. From the ancient stone ground, two imposing golems emerged, their forms crackling with magma that coursed through them like burning veins. Without hesitation, Missy reached out and pulled the magic from their earthen shells, causing them to crumble. Razuroc released a frustrated, thunderous sound that shook the chamber before charging at her with terrifying speed.


    Missy smiled grimly, hoping she could keep the massive beast distracted long enough for Rinale to retrieve the Ortus and make her escape. She twisted and weaved, doing her best to dodge Razuroc''s relentless assault while noticing that she was gradually absorbing the ambient magic in the air. With each passing moment, she felt the tiny room in her mind expanding.


    Though she was staying just ahead of Razuroc''s attacks, Missy knew it was only a matter of time before she faltered, even with her magical capacity slowly increasing. Through quick glances, she spotted Rinale attempting to stealthily make her way toward the Ortus. Knowing she couldn''t let Razuroc notice the former goddess, Missy pushed aside her own mounting fears and concerns. She needed more power, so she reached out, pulling desperately on the surrounding magic, causing it to rush toward her like a tide.


    She had assumed the magic wouldn''t be overwhelming since it wasn''t particularly dense in the air, but as she pulled, it felt unnaturally right. Her essence began to expand rapidly as she reached out, finding the source. A peculiar sensation washed over her as she encountered the translucent sphere that swirled like morning mist. Within moments, she located the tiny crack, now slightly wider than before. She hesitated briefly as her fears and doubts resurfaced, but the compelling call from the other side proved too powerful. Before she could reconsider, she plunged into the crack.


    The metaphorical weight of an entire world came crashing down as she established a link with what lay beyond. She might have completely lost herself had the link been stronger or the seal weaker. Even now, she felt the crushing mental pressure slowly eroding her sense of self. While distracted by forging this connection, Razuroc seized the opportunity, landing a devastating blow that sent her crashing into the wall.


    Missy barely felt the impact as she emerged from the rubble, feeling inexplicably magnificent, as if the whole world was hers to command or destroy at will. She caught sight of Rinale watching, fear and concern painting her elegant features. Missy smiled condescendingly¡ªit was almost cute that the little goddess was worried about her. How could this insignificant insect hope to oppose her? Looking at Razuroc, who had seemed so large and imposing moments before, she couldn''t fathom why she had ever felt threatened.


    With each passing second, subtle changes crept across her features. Her eyes transformed into reptilian slits as pristine white scales began to appear and spread, starting at the corners of her eyes and the base of her tails. Her tails now moved with an unsettling, serpentine grace, writhing like living snakes with a mind of their own. Missy approached Razuroc with casual confidence, completely unthreatened.


    "How can you recover so easily? Who and what are you?" the beast demanded.


    Missy shrugged with indifference. "I am your world''s history, although it appears to be a forgotten history now."


    Her thoughts and feelings felt increasingly foreign to who she had been mere moments before, her perspective shifting drastically as her senses expanded beyond mortal comprehension. She began to question why she was even bothering with these tiny creatures. While they were mildly interesting, they were ultimately just two among countless others. Why waste time with such insignificant beings? It felt like something was crawling around in the back of her mind, an unsettling sensation that refused to dissipate. It was mildly distracting, like there was something she had forgotten, but that should not have been possible¡ªnot for her, at least. Her consciousness now expanded far beyond mortal limitations.


    While she was in thought, contemplating this peculiar mental itch, the red speck rushed forward with surprising ferocity, slamming into the tiny part of her that had recently reconnected, giving her limited access to the outside world. The red speck couldn''t really hurt her, being far too insignificant and fragile to cause any real damage, but it was annoying nonetheless¡ªlike a gnat buzzing around her awareness. She could easily swat it away, crush it without a second thought...A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    Oops. It seemed she might have broken the red speck. It was a little hard to focus on the tiny details through all the information assailing her vast awareness, but it seemed to have left the red speck a broken, crumpled mess. As she tried to study the speck more closely, that nagging little part in the back of her mind grew in intensity, becoming an increasingly uncomfortable sensation that demanded attention.


    Missy swayed, her consciousness reeling as she forcefully cut the connection¡ªshe had nearly been completely overwhelmed, but a small, crucial part of who she was had somehow survived. Through sheer force of will, she had managed to patch the crack in the seal, cutting herself off from that overwhelming cosmic awareness. That repaired section was still weak and wouldn''t last long against the pressure building behind it, but for now she was herself again, her identity intact, and there shouldn''t be any escaping¡ªat least not for a little while.


    Missy looked around and let out a sigh of relief. Rinale had made her escape with the Ortus. She really hoped Rinale hadn¡¯t witnessed her loss of control. With that thought in mind, she turned to face where Razuroc lay.


    Missy''s whole body tensed up, and she started to tremble uncontrollably as she approached. It was then that she noticed that she was no longer in her kitsune form. She looked down at her body. Pristine white scales covered a long serpentine body, each one catching and reflecting light like polished pearls. Where her scales met her underbelly, there was an intricate lattice work of overlapping patterns, delicate as frost on a windowpane, hinting at her underbelly before giving way to exposed flesh. Her underbelly gave the impression that she had swallowed the night sky itself, its shimmering surface painting the flooring in a kaleidoscope of colors¡ªdeep reds, midnight blues, and occasional flashes of stellar white.


    Her perspective was now lower to the ground due to her small size, making the world seem larger and more imposing around her. Her current form was pure essence without an outside shell like most mortals possessed¡ªit would be the equivalent of a mortal brain being outside their bodies. However, unlike mortals, this was her natural state, the truest expression of her being. Missy shook off her momentary distraction, forcing her thoughts back to the present situation, and turned her attention back to where Razuroc lay.


    As Missy approached, her form rippled and shifted back to that of a kitsune, the familiar sensation of fur replacing scales washing over her like a warm breeze. The great behemoth''s body was crumpled and broken, twisted in ways that defied natural anatomy. Missy''s horror continued to mount as she drew closer and was able to make out more grotesque details. One of her most pressing concerns was put to rest as she approached¡ªshe could hear Razuroc''s shallow, ragged breathing. She relaxed marginally; now she just needed to figure out how to fix this mess.


    Her bare feet became stained crimson as she stepped into the expanding pool of blood surrounding Razuroc, the warm liquid seeping between her toes. She reached out with a shaking hand and placed it on the broken mess that once was an arm, the flesh warm to the touch. She extended her senses into Razuroc''s body, just like when she had observed Arc to figure out how eating food worked. This time, instead of trying to alter herself, she was hoping she could repair what was broken.


    As her awareness crept through every inch of Razuroc''s form, Missy came to a crushing realization¡ªshe had no idea what she was doing. She had no idea what any of this should look like. She hadn''t observed the inner workings of anything living very often, mostly just mortals and only to observe specific things, like when she tried figuring out why mortals kept using the bathroom. It was never mentioned in any of the books Jezel had suggested she read, so she had decided to do a little research. That had been a rather unpleasant learning experience. She hadn''t studied their whole body in great detail, a fact she was deeply regretting now, even if the more she learned about mortal bodies, the more certain she became that they were rather gross.


    Missy was not about to give up. She continued to study Razuroc''s body, looking for anything that might help. It didn''t take her long to notice active parts of the body starting to slow down and stop altogether. The deterioration seemed to be accelerating; she didn''t have much time. She tried to remain calm as she studied, her hands trembling against Razuroc''s cooling flesh. As she watched, she noticed a pattern¡ªdespite the body failing, she thought she could see that it was trying futilely to repair itself. She wasn''t absolutely sure, but she was out of time. She focused intently on that particular bodily process and poured everything she had into helping accelerate and enhance it, channeling her power into the dying tissue.


    Missy slumped over, ending up laying sideways in the pool of blood. She lay there unable to move and unsure if she had succeeded. She feared she had failed when she saw no movement from Razuroc, but the steady sound of his breathing kept her hopes alive.


    Missy wasn''t sure how long she lay there, the only disturbance being Razuroc''s breathing, but eventually she heard the distant sounds of approaching footsteps. It wasn''t long before those approaching footsteps entered the room, and she heard gasps from the newcomers. Someone rushed over to her and began fussing over her, hands fluttering anxiously across her form.


    "Missy, please be okay! I''m so sorry I left you all alone. Please be okay!" Rinale''s voice, choked with emotion, reached her ears as the unpleasant sensation of someone touching her registered through her exhaustion.

 Aware

    She felt gentle hands touching her, carefully searching for injuries. Once their inspection seemed complete, Missy felt herself being lifted and carried. She lay limply in their arms, discomfort radiating everywhere her body made contact with whoever was carrying her. As they moved, she felt magic playing across her body removing the blood from Missy''s skin and clothes, the warmth of the spell tingling against her skin. Missy recognized the magical presence as Rinale''s and could sense that she was following the person carrying her closely.


    They continued through the winding tunnel as Missy gradually felt her strength returning. After a short time, she could have walked on her own, but uncertainty kept her silent. She remained still as they made their way back through the tunnels and into the capitol building, where she was gently placed on what appeared to be a plush velvet couch. Missy deliberately waited a few moments before moving. She felt slightly off-balance, both from the events that occurred during her fight with Razuroc and from trying to navigate the intricacies of mortal society. The uncertainty of how to act in this situation left her feeling distinctly uncomfortable.


    As she finally stirred, she took in her surroundings, not recognizing the room despite its familiar ornate opulence that matched the rest of the capitol building. Crystal chandeliers cast a warm glow over gilt-edged mirrors and richly carved wooden panels. As her eyes swept the room, they landed on Rinale, who sat nearby with her head resting heavily in her hand, looking utterly exhausted. The antique couch creaked slightly as Missy shifted, causing Rinale''s head to snap up, their eyes meeting across the space.


    Rinale immediately stood and rushed over, her usual composure fractured by concern. "Missy, are you okay?" Her voice carried obvious worry as she reached the couch, hands fidgeting uncertainly in front of her. Missy offered a reassuring smile. "I''m fine, I just drained myself and need a moment to recover. I''m fine now, thank you."


    Rinale continued to hover and fret as Missy rose from the couch. "I''m so sorry I left you. I know we agreed that I should take the Ortus and run. But I shouldn''t have agreed, I''m sorry for not being there to help." Missy smiled gently as Rinale rambled, letting her continue before softly saying her name to get her attention. "Rinale... You did great. Thank you for taking care of the Ortus and coming back to check on me."


    Rinale nodded and took a deep centering breath, her expression and posture shifting back to their usual controlled state. She cleared her throat, clearly attempting to reclaim her composure. "Thank you, Missy. I let my emotions get the better of me. You were invaluable to the city in this crisis. I will talk to the council about how to appropriately repay you. I can''t guarantee anything, but is there something you would like as a reward?"


    Missy tilted her head thoughtfully before shrugging. "Just that date we''re supposed to go on." Rinale''s carefully maintained composure cracked as she blushed prettily. She seemed to struggle slightly as she swallowed, which concerned Missy - she hoped Rinale''s throat wasn''t injured. "I am sorry we will have to delay that slightly since I will be busy dealing with the cleanup of this mess, but I will do what I can to not keep you waiting." Rinale''s smile returned as she regained her composure.


    "That being said, it is getting late and you no doubt are tired. I will lead you to the exit so you can go home. Would you like me to send someone with you? I would go myself but I still have a lot to do and can''t leave." Missy shook her head. "It''s fine, I can make it home just fine."


    They both started toward the door, walking in comfortable silence through the marble halls to one of the capitol building''s exits. Missy stepped outside into the cool evening air and waved to Rinale as she left, carefully imitating a behavior she had observed other mortals perform when departing. Rinale watched her from the exit until she disappeared into the darkening streets.Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!


    The news of Razuroc''s attack had spread throughout the city like wildfire, and Missy had to navigate through the chaos of panicked citizens. After several frustrating attempts to weave through the crowded streets, she quickly gave up on ground-level travel and leapt to the rooftops, making her way back to Aspen''s shop as her thoughts turned toward home.


    Her conversation with Aspen from the previous night weighed heavily on her mind. It seemed strange that it had occurred just yesterday - with everything that had transpired at the capitol building, it felt as though several days had passed. Missy felt apprehensive about returning to the shop, uncertain how to face Aspen after their exchange.


    As she grew closer to the others, Missy was beginning to understand just how complex mortal relationships were. She became increasingly aware of their fragility, both mental and physical, and felt an overwhelming desire to protect them. Every word and action now carried new weight as she worried about their impact, and she felt a growing sense of responsibility for their wellbeing. The complexity of it all was overwhelming, and she feared making a misstep that would end up hurting them.


    Upon reaching the shop, Missy found herself perched on the roof of a nearby building, wrestling with her tumultuous thoughts. For the first time in her existence, she truly feared what the future held. Her experience now gave her a clear understanding of what would happen when the rest of her body eventually escaped - if she remained separate, it would be a mindless creature and would destroy the world. If she reunited with it, she would lose herself entirely.


    She wished she could confide in everyone as openly as she had with Jezel and Arc about Aspen, but she worried about their reactions to the truth. While she probably could discuss certain aspects while concealing the more frightening details, such partial truths would prevent them from offering advice about the things she truly needed help with. The idea of deceiving them left her unsettled, though she realized she was already doing so by keeping them in the dark about the situation.


    As her thoughts spiraled, she felt an urge to flee. Perhaps returning to her old self would free her from these complicated thoughts and feelings. No - she shook her head firmly. She was struggling because these things mattered. For the first time in her long life, she truly cared about something, and she refused to surrender that. She would protect everyone, even from herself, no matter the cost. Though she still lacked answers, her resolve hardened. She wouldn''t give up so easily.


    She jumped down and approached the shop, her tails moving restlessly as she walked forward. Upon entering, she was greeted by a pacing Aspen, whose worried expression melted into relief at the sight of her. Missy was grateful she wasn''t still covered in blood knowing that would have only made worry more. The thought had only just came to her and if Rinale hadn''t taken care of it she wouldn''t have done anything. She would have to thank Rinale later.


    "Thank goodness you''re here. I saw the news and caught a glimpse of you being thrown out a window. Are you okay?" Aspen stepped forward, reaching out instinctively, which caused Missy to flinch slightly.


    "Sorry," Aspen said, stepping back.


    "I''m fine. We managed to stop things from getting out of control." Missy gave her a reassuring smile.


    "I''m glad you''re okay. Do you need anything?" Aspen fretted over Missy until she was satisfied that she was truly unharmed and didn''t require assistance.


    "It''s been a long day, we should get some rest," Aspen yawned as she spoke. Missy nodded, following her into the living area of the shop. They prepared for bed in comfortable silence, the earlier tension from last night''s conversation forgotten in the aftermath of the day''s events, much to Missy''s relief. She just hoped that Jezel would come up with something to help.


    They bid each other goodnight, and Missy settled in, deciding to try reading to avoid her thoughts spiraling. As she contemplated what to read, two particular memories surfaced - instances where she had caused Jezel and Rinale to blush. For some reason, she had enjoyed their reactions and found herself wanting to recreate those moments. She wondered if there might be something that could help her understand these interactions better. Her curiosity led her to search the internet for information, and she ended up spending the entire night researching, fascinated and disturbed by what she discovered about mortal relationships and reactions.

 Arcs Arc

    Missy was so engrossed in her research that when Aspen exited her room and began to prepare for the day it startled her. Due to her nature Missy''s perception of time was vague at best but even with that being the case she hadn''t quite experienced anything quite like this total immersion in something to the point of losing track of the world around her. The sensation of being completely absorbed in her studies left her feeling both exhilarated and slightly disoriented. It was a little bewildering as she shook herself attempting to return to reality. Missy had enjoyed some of the books she read previously and had a hard time pulling herself away before but this was a little different, more intense somehow.


    Missy stood while she pondered what it was she was experiencing but her thoughts were interrupted as she looked to where Aspen stood in the kitchen and noticed that something was off. Aspen''s body language and movements had reverted to the previous morning''s heaviness, her shoulders slumped and movements sluggish. It seemed that Aspen''s mood had plummeted again during the night. "Morning Aspen." despite her earlier good mood Missy found it difficult to sound quite as cheerful having noticed Aspen''s demeanor. Aspen turned slightly from the fridge to look at her as she responded with a grunt, dark circles visible under her eyes. Aspen looked exhausted as she turned back to the fridge, her movements mechanical and lifeless. It was clear that she hadn''t found a way to prevent her thoughts from spiraling during the night and hasn''t gotten much sleep.


    Missy was unsure if she should leave Aspen alone or attempt to talk to her, weighing the options carefully in her mind. She had left things alone yesterday and it didn''t seem to help. She decided to try engaging Aspen in conversation, starting with gentle questions about breakfast and plans for the day. She made several attempts but mostly got little more than grunts in return, each failed attempt making her heart sink a little further. Until Aspen finally spoke, her voice rough with exhaustion, "Missy can you please just leave me alone for a little bit." Missy simply nodded, feeling defeated. They finished getting ready and opened the store in silence, the tension thick in the air between them.


    Noon rolled around and they hadn''t seen any customers, the shop unusually quiet. Missy wondered if it was due to yesterday''s disturbance, the streets outside seeming emptier than usual. Missy bid Aspen farewell as she exited the shop on her way to the food truck. Aspen just stared out the shop window and grunted, her reflection in the glass looking small and lost. Missy made her way to the food truck feeling like the world around her was pushing down on her, each step requiring more effort than usual. She tried to get into a better mood not wanting to also inflict these feelings on Arc and Jezel, consciously attempting to lift her spirits.


    Her thoughts turned to last night''s research, providing a welcome distraction. In her search she came across several examples in a couple of different forms of media that she wanted to try out and see how Jezel and Rinale reacted, the possibilities bringing a slight smile to her face. She nearly walked past the park due to her distraction as she imagined their possible reactions, picturing their expressions and responses in detail. She still found it a little odd that she enjoyed their reactions as much as she did let alone the idea of them possibly reacting to something, but the feeling was undeniably pleasant. Missy corrected her course when she noticed that she had almost passed the park, shaking her head at her own absent-mindedness. She made it to the truck and stepped in greeting Arc and Jezel, trying to leave the morning''s heaviness behind her.


    "Missy!" They exclaimed as they both rushed over to her, nearly colliding in their haste. "We saw the news, are you okay?" They spoke in unison. They gave each other the side eye and Arc rolled his eyes at Jezel before gesturing for her to continue with an exaggerated sweep of his hand. Jezel looked back at Missy and scanned her for injuries, her face full of worry, hands hovering as if unsure whether to check Missy for wounds. Arc''s face mirrored Jezel''s as they waited for Missy to reply, his fingers drumming anxiously against his leg.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    "I''m fine. I wasn''t in any physical danger." Missy tried to soothe their worry but her words seemed to do the opposite, tension visibly increasing in their shoulders. Jezel put her hands on her hips, stance widening. "Missy, you have to take your safety seriously. Overconfidence could lead to you making a mistake and getting hurt badly." Jezel''s tone took on a steely note, her eyes narrowing.


    Missy realized she must have made a mistake but wasn''t entirely sure what it was. "I really wasn''t in any physical danger. I could be set on fire, stabbed and have a building dropped on me and I would be fine. I wouldn''t be pleasant but I am not really sure there is anything a mortal could do to hurt me." Missy emphasized the lack of physical danger, trying not to think about how she had almost lost herself. As she pulled her thoughts back to the moment she noticed that Arc and Jezel were giving her an unusual look, their mouths slightly agape.


    "What? Why are you looking at me that way?" Missy asked with some trepidation, fidgeting under their intense stares. She was clearly not making things better. "Are you serious?" This time it was Arc who spoke, his eyebrows climbing toward his hairline. Missy tilted her head in confusion, her hair catching the light. "Yes?" She wasn''t entirely sure what part they were asking about but she was serious about everything she said so she assumed it was fine that she wasn''t sure which part they were talking about.


    "Wow, so cool and we have you slumming it in a food truck with us." Arc''s voice held a note of awe. Missy wasn''t sure what slumming it meant but decided not to ask, deciding to express how she felt instead. "I like being here with the two of you. You both are really important to me." Missy spoke with conviction, her voice warm and sincere.


    "Aww" the siblings said in unison, matching grins spreading across their faces. Before they could say more they were interrupted by an irritated voice from outside. "Could I get some help here?" Their attention snapped to the growing line of impatient customers stretching along the sidewalk. Jezel winked at Missy. "Later," she said before heading back to her station followed by Arc, who smiled at Missy as he passed.


    Missy followed their example and was quickly swept up in the hustle and bustle of the afternoon rush. The time flew by and Missy found herself helping clean up before heading out. Missy hesitated, remembering that Aspen had asked to be left alone. Maybe she should see if Jezel wanted to spend time together.


    "Jezel, do you want to spend time together tonight? Aspen asked to be left alone for a little bit so I thought we could spend time together." Jezel froze mid-wipe of the counter, looking conflicted. "I actually had plans to go dancing with my friends. I''ve been kind of neglecting them lately. I would have you come with us but we both know how well our last attempt to go dancing went." Jezel looked conflicted, her cleaning cloth twisting in her hands. "Maybe I can convince them to do something else." She muttered the last part to herself, chewing her bottom lip.


    "I think I might have an idea." It was Arc who spoke up this time, emerging from the back with a stack of clean pans. "Why don''t you go hang out with your friends and Missy come home with me." He grinned and it only grew as he watched Jezel splutter, nearly dropping her cloth. "You can''t." Jezel whined. "Technically I saw her first which means I have dibs." At this point Arc''s grin was so wide Missy was starting to get concerned. She had no idea what they were talking about.


    Jezel growled and Missy was worried she might attack her brother, her hands clenching into fists. Arc just rolled his eyes and flicked Jezel''s forehead with practiced ease. "Chill out. I''m just kidding. Well sort of. If you remember there is that cooking competition coming up and you both are going to help me. I''m just planning to give Missy a little cooking class. Don''t worry I''ve got no ulterior motives." Jezel calmed down a little bit but still didn''t look happy, her lower lip jutting out in a pout.


    "This sucks. I want to see Missy''s first attempt at cooking. Maybe I should just ditch my friends." As Jezel stood there sulking trying to decide what she was going to do, shifting her weight from foot to foot, Arc turned back to Missy. "So, How about it? Want to learn how to cook?" Missy nodded enthusiastically, her eyes brightening at the prospect of another new experience.

 Set up

    Missy and Arc head towards the siblings'' shared apartment. Jezel had grudgingly gone to meet her friends, leaving them to walk alone through the late afternoon streets. As Missy and Arc walked, Arc looked over to Missy with some concern, his brow furrowed as he considered his next words carefully.


    "I do kind of feel bad trying to rope you into this contest with me. You have had a rough couple of weeks. Escaping a who knows how long imprisonment, ending up in a very different world with new things dumped on you from every angle and fighting a couple of escaped weirdos trying to destroy the city. Not to mention dealing with my sister." he said the last part with a slight smile before his expression returned to one of sincerity, his eyes softening. "If you need anything let us know. My sister is a little flighty but we will do what we can do to help. If you don''t want to do any cooking or the competition just let me know and I''ll drop it. We can just hang out if that''s what you need."


    Missy opened her mouth to respond but paused taking a moment to consider what he was saying. As she did she looked up at the rooftops they were passing, her gaze wandering across the urban landscape. Her eyes landed on a figure sitting on the edge of a rooftop, perched like a silent sentinel. She couldn''t make out anything about the figure due to the hood and long black clock they wore obscuring their features. As she stared at the cloak it shifted and it was like staring into the great void of space. Stars, planets, even galaxies shifted within the folds of fabric, creating a mesmerizing display of cosmic wonder. Missy knew instinctively that the figure was watching her and as she extended her sense to get a read on the figure, she found nothing; the space appeared to contain empty air even as she stared at the figure in black. Even if it was an illusion she should have been able to sense something. Who or whatever the figure was not this world.


    Missy felt the now almost familiar discomfort of someone touching her as Arc touched her arm, his warm fingers breaking through her concentration. Missy jerked back in surprise looking at Arc, his eyes full of concern, the wrinkles around them deepening. "Missy are you okay? I''ve been saying your name for a little bit." Missy glanced back to the rooftop and found that the figure had disappeared, leaving nothing but empty space against the darkening sky. Missy turned back to Arc and tried smiling reassuringly. "I''m fine, I just got lost in thought. I want to learn to cook and help you with the competition. It sounds fun."


    She must not have been very convincing since Arc still looked concerned, his shoulders tensing slightly. "Okay, but don''t push yourself too much." Arc''s concerned tone matched his expression. "I promise I''m good. I just noticed something and was trying to figure out what it was." Missy spoke evasively, hoping to move past the moment. "What was it? Maybe I can help explain it." Arc smiled slightly as he looked around, scanning the nearby buildings. "It''s gone." Missy said, hoping to get him to drop the topic. He seemed to sense that she wanted to move on so he started walking again and Missy fell beside him, though she couldn''t shake the lingering sensation of being watched.


    Missy decided to not dwell on the mysterious figure. They were gone and she hadn''t felt like they were hostile, she did however decide to keep an eye out for the next time they appeared. The sensation of being watched still tingled at the edge of her consciousness, but she pushed it aside to focus on the present moment.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    It wasn''t long before they reached the apartment. Arc opened the door and gave a slight bow as he allowed Missy to pass him. "Welcome to my humble abode," he said with a theatrical flourish. Missy stepped past him and stood aside, waiting for Arc to enter since she was uncertain where they were going. She had only ever been in the front room during her previous visits, the familiar space filled with comfortable furniture and the lingering scent of various spices.


    Arc entered after her and headed deeper into the apartment. Missy followed, their journey one of only a few steps through a short hallway decorated with framed recipes and food photographs. Arc began prepping the kitchen area, pulling out a couple of different tools and ingredients from well-organized cabinets and drawers. Missy watched carefully as he worked, and while she recognized a few of the items scattered across the granite countertop, she didn''t know their names.


    "Now Missy, on tonight''s menu we will be serving Omelets and pasta. These two dishes aren''t generally served together, however they are great for beginners and will allow me to teach you some basic cooking techniques that you will be able to apply generally." Arc held up a long strange rectangular box, his eyes bright with enthusiasm for the upcoming lesson.


    "Those are eggs, right?" Missy asked moderately certain of herself, remembering similar items from her time at Aspen''s place.


    Arc grinned broadly. "That''s right." He popped open the box revealing several of the white ovals Missy had seen Aspen handle previously. The carton wasn''t completely full, with four empty spaces marking where eggs had already been used. "I''m assuming you have seen Aspen cook with them since you usually don''t get a chance to watch me during the lunch rush." Missy nodded, recalling the careful way Aspen had cracked them open while making breakfast.


    Arc continued to grin as he placed the box of eggs next to a large black area that was slightly lower than the rest of the counter. She knew it was used to cook food. Based on conversations with Jezel and Arc it was called a stove. Next Arc held up a variety of ingredients, displaying them with the practiced flourish of someone who enjoyed teaching. Missy recognized the block cheese, it was white with small pieces of something inside it. There was a white sphere she had seen but wasn''t sure what it was. There was also a fruit-like ingredient but it was less smooth than the ones she had seen. It had sunken ridges and was a bright red. There was also a container of some kind of meat that was separated into thin slices, each piece a pale pink color with a slightly iridescent sheen.


    Arc displayed one at a time, his movements precise and methodical. The cheese was called pepper jack, and he explained the little specks were pieces of jalape?o pepper. The white sphere was an onion, Arc''s smile turned slightly mischievous as he held it up, as if sharing an inside joke. The bright red fruit-like thing was a bell pepper, which he mentioned it was to jalape?os in the cheese but with less kick. Lastly, the meat was apparently ham, cut paper-thin for easy cooking.


    "Alright, now that we have our ingredients gathered, we will need to prepare them," Arc announced with the enthusiasm. He pulled out a large rectangular sheet of wood and a gleaming knife. He set the sheet of wood and knife on the counter with practiced ease, informing her that the sheet of wood was a cutting board. "First, we''re going to start with cutting up our ingredients so we can mix them in while cooking the egg. The key is getting everything ready before we start the actual cooking."

 Unknown Hero

    Arc took a moment to meticulously wipe down the cutting board before selecting a vibrant bell pepper and placing it center stage. With practiced efficiency, he used the knife to remove the stem and seeds, leaving two pristine halves on the wooden surface. "Alright I''ve done a little of the prep for this one. Come here and I''ll help you cut this one."


    Missy stepped closer, following Arc''s detailed directions as he demonstrated proper cutting technique while carefully maintaining distance. He winced and apologized profusely the couple of times he accidentally touched her while gesturing, his movements becoming increasingly hesitant. Missy had to assume that Jezel must have talked to him about her aversion to touch. She appreciated his considerate efforts, but guilt gnawed at her seeing how much it seemed to stress him, his usual easy confidence replaced with careful restraint. Missy wondered if she should do something about it but decided to shelf thinking about it so she could concentrate and maybe a little because the thought made her feel very uncomfortable.


    It took her a couple of attempts before she earned Arc''s approval as she sliced the pepper into uniform thin slices while keeping her fingers safely tucked away from the blade''s edge. "Nicely done, I knew you''d be a natural," he beamed with genuine pride. As he spoke, his phone chirped insistently. He held up a finger as he backed away, answering the call with his usual cheerful greeting.


    While he was engaged in conversation, Missy decided to attempt some of the impressive knife tricks she''d observed Arc performing while cooking in the food truck. She attempted to twirl the knife between her fingers but miscalculated the speed, sending the blade plummeting to embed itself point-first into the ground near her foot. She heard a strangled noise from Arc. When she glanced towards him, concerned something was amiss, his face had drained of all color, his expression suggesting something terrible must have happened to whoever was on the other end of the line. Missy''s head tilted in concern. "Is everything okay?" Her voice trembled with worry as she watched Arc''s distressed expression. Arc took a moment to speak, seeming to be struggling to find the right words, his hands gripping the phone tightly. He took a deep breath, running his free hand through his sandy blonde hair. "Missy, what on earth were you doing?"


    That wasn''t exactly what she had been expecting. "I was just trying one of the tricks I''ve seen you do. Shouldn''t we be more worried about the other person on the phone? You looked like they were in trouble." Her tails swished anxiously behind her as she waited for his response.


    Arc took another deep breath, his shoulders tensing. "That wasn''t because of the person on the phone. You scared the crap out of me with that little display." His voice carried a mix of relief and lingering fear.


    Missy''s ears and tails drooped in uncertainty, her posture becoming smaller. "I''m sorry I didn''t mean to scare you. I''m not sure what I did to scare you. Could you tell me so I don''t do it again?"


    Arc shook his head, which in Missy''s experience wasn''t a good sign. His blue eyes were still wide with concern. "You almost cut yourself badly. How could that not freak me out?"


    Missy''s ears perked up when she realized he was worried about her getting cut. That was good. She could easily fix that. She reached down and picked up the knife, its blade glinting in the light. "It''s okay, you don''t have to worry about that. Watch." With that, she drove the knife into her other hand before pulling it out, the gash quickly closing after she removed the knife. She twisted her hand back and forth to show Arc that she was fine, but stopped mid-motion. He didn''t look good at all, his face ashen and his grip on the phone loosening. Maybe he just had a fear of knives cutting people. "If you are this scared of knives, maybe you shouldn''t use them?"The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Arc took a shaky breath, steadying himself against counter. "Although I''m glad you weren''t hurt, could you please never do that again?" His voice was barely above a whisper, still processing what he''d witnessed.


    Missy nodded emphatically, her tails lowering submissively. She definitely wouldn''t do that again. She didn''t want to scare Arc, especially since he''d been nothing but kind to her since they''d met. Missy gently set the knife on the counter and backed away a little, her tails drooping with shame. "I''m really sorry. Maybe I should just leave." She hung her head as she started heading towards the door, her shoulders slumped in defeat.


    "Wait! Missy, it''s okay, please don''t leave - you just caught me off guard. I would really like to keep going if you''re okay with that?" Arc''s voice was steadier now, though still carrying traces of his earlier shock.


    Missy turned back and nodded meekly. She had been having a lot of fun before the incident. Her ears and tails stood to attention, and she silently promised herself she would do her very best not to mess up again.


    It took a moment for things to calm down, but eventually they were both back at the counter, this time with the ham on the cutting board after they had cleaned up the remnants of the bell pepper incident. Arc demonstrated how he wanted it cut before letting her try. As she worked carefully to cut up the ham, her movements more measured now, she decided to ask, "Why did you decide to join the competition? You didn''t seem sure you would."


    Arc took a moment to think about it, absently wiping his hands on his apron. "I guess I decided it was about time I started chasing my dream. I have always wanted to own my restaurant, and this might just be a step in making that happen. Don''t get me wrong, I love the food truck, but I want more." Arc let out a deep sigh, his eyes distant with memories. "For years it was just me and Jezel just scraping by. I tried my best but it''s hard when you''re just a kid without any money or experience. There were a lot of crappy jobs before I managed to save enough to buy that truck. It was one of the best days of my life."


    Arc was clearly emotional as he spoke, his voice growing softer. "I can never thank you enough for what you did that day. It might not have been a big deal for you but when the truck''s power went out the day of the earthquake, I thought that was it, rock bottom. I still owed payments on it and there was no way I could make enough to pay it off, let alone afford to take care of me and Jezel. The cost to magically recharge a battery like that is more than the truck is worth."


    Arc looked over at Missy, tears now streaming freely down his face. He swallowed, his voice thick with emotion. "You saved me from the depths of despair that day. That''s why I will do everything I can to help you. So to answer your question, I decided to join the competition because you gave me a chance at a brighter future, and I don''t want to squander that. Besides," he added with a watery smile, "you did say I make the best food you have ever had."


    Missy was completely caught off guard. When Arc had started crying, she had been worried and wondered why she kept making her friends cry, but this time was different from when Aspen had cried. She had no idea things were so bad when she had stopped to help Arc that day. Arc hadn''t seemed like he was that concerned at the time, but Missy was starting to learn that people often hide their true feelings behind brave faces. As she looked into Arc''s eyes, Missy felt something warm and pleasant bloom in her chest, a sensation both foreign and comforting.


    ¡°I care about both you and Jezel. I will never let anything bad happen to either of you. I promise." The very air crackled with power as Missy spoke, a feeling of fierce protectiveness surfacing similar to the feelings she had felt when she protected Jezel from Razuroc. The intensity of her emotions made the shadows around them dance and shift, though neither of them seemed to notice.


    Arc chuckled slightly as he gave her a lopsided smile, his eyes still glistening with unshed tears. He held out his fist, the gesture casual despite the weight of the moment. "Well then, I guess we''re in this together. Partners in crime." He held out his fist for a moment before he realized what he was doing. "Oh sorry, my bad," he started to retract his fist, remembering how unfamiliar she was with human customs.


    Missy smiled warmly as she raised her fist and bumped it against his. "I don''t know what that means, but yes, we are in this together." Strangely, as their fists touched and the familiar discomfort returned, it didn''t seem so bad. Maybe it was due to the warm feeling blooming in her chest, or perhaps she was finally starting to understand why humans sought out these small moments of connection.