Returning to the inn for the night was met with a packed building as nearby residents did what they could to feed their families and receive food for payment of work. James was the first to arrive, having left Luna and the others behind in order to secure them a table. It wasn't as hard as he thought as it appeared Bunny had reserved them the single private room in the back.

Slipping the rabbit some gold that Luna had gifted him, he ensured there would be plenty of hot food for everyone as he felt them make their way back over. Grace was the next to arrive, carrying in a keg of ale that was already tapped and ready for them.

"I saved what I could," she said with a soft sigh. "The tavern is a complete loss, but my storeroom survived."

Pulling out an enchanted ring, he tossed it over. The skunk caught it deftly with a frown. "Use that."

Holding it up, she looked over the silver ring with golden veins. "Are you proposing to me too? I know I'm good in bed, but damn, James, I thought Luna would be enough."

Chuckling, he didn't rise to the bait. "It's a storage ring. You can bring with whatever you want, including your booze before someone steals it."

Perking up, she slipped it on right away. "Thank you. I know how expensive these are. Luna was selling some at the market and I wanted one, but…"

Waving her off, he moved to the keg and poured himself a drink. "All of my family have one, so I figured you should have one as well." To be honest, he had been handing the rings out all day, but they had nothing in size compared to what he had just given Grace.

"Family. I like the sound of that." Stepping closer, she hugged him before resting her head on his chest. "Thank you, James."

Rubbing her back with his free hand, he smiled. A throat clearing at the door, made them break apart and whirl on the newcomer. Luna was standing with her arms crossed and a growing frown.

"I leave you alone for a few minutes and come back to this." Tutting, she walked over and took his ale. Downing it like a man in the desert found water, she barely came up for air in her mock anger.

Poking his wife's side, he earned a giggle from the Fenrir. "Behave."

"Never!" she declared before moving to the table. Kicking up her feet on another chair, she lounged back before stretching her arms above her head. When her shirt pulled up, she winked when she caught him watching.

Grace joined her with a drink of her own as Mender and Amber arrived. The duo were still covered in blood, but they had wiped most of it and were ready to relax. It wasn't long before Jamie and Linda showed up, their dragging feet showing how weary they were.

James felt the shadows nearby shift as Zenaria joined them. The kitsune happily took a spot next to Grace and started talking with Luna as James moved to Mender's side. Amber claimed the spot next to him as Jamie and Linda poured themselves drinks.

"How much more work is there to do to save people?" he asked.

Mender rested his head in his hands. "Too much. Thankfully, the cultivators arrived this afternoon to help as much as they could. Our side of the city is nowhere near as bad as the human district."

Thinking it over, James made a decision. The city truly didn't need them at the moment if the cultivators were helping. Something more pressing was needed. "I need to pull everyone tomorrow."

The conversations around the room stopped as everyone turned to him.

"All of us?" Zenaria asked.

"Yes." Pausing he took a moment to let the atmosphere grow tense. "Luna and I found something, and we need help clearing it out and finding information. It's too large for just the two of us."

Amber was the first to start frowning. Soon, all of the others that knew him joined her before they all clamored at once.

"Is it another repeat of the last city?"

"Did you break something again?"

"What about the new guys?"

Holding up his hand, he stopped the conversations. "It's not like the last city. Yes, it'll be the perfect place for Zenaria and Grace to level up and get used to fighting. And no, I didn't break anything. Thanks for the vote of confidence." Huffing, he turned to Grace. "If you two are serious about joining us, then we need to get started on your training and growth as soon as possible."

"I'll really be a cultivator?" Grace questioned. "I'll be able to help in the next disaster?"

He wanted to promise her that she could be, but ultimately it was up to her to achieve that dream. "If you work hard, then yes." Glancing at Zenaria, he added, "I'll have to break your current cultivation so you can restart. It'll be more painful than you can possibly imagine."

Zenaria held his gaze for several long seconds. "Pain and I are old lovers. I'll be fine."

James kept that in mind, but didn't comment. It was true that once she started to know the truth, that she wanted to join him, near eagerly.

A knock on the door, made the conversation pause. When James got up to open it, he found Tian standing on the other side, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Please, join us," James said. "We were just getting started." It didn't matter why the man had joined them. James knew he needed more people, and Tian had been good to him. Even if he did send Zenaria to spy on him.

Nodding, the man radiated nervousness as he entered and found a spot near Zenaria. The Kitsune patted his back a few times. "You showed."

"You said he could free me."

James let the moment play out for a second before closing the door and returning to his seat. "What I'm about to explain cannot be repeated to anyone. How we cultivate is unlike anything you know, and yes, it can free you in ways you can't imagine. Our favorite thing is watching the stars at night."

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"How's that possible?" Grace questioned.

"Keep listening to find out." Before the food arrived, James took the time to explain his entire cultivation and what it would mean for them. The others jumped in to explain their normal skills and soul skills. Tian looked hesitant as the explanation ended, but Zenaria was overflowing with hope. Grace was practically bouncing in her chair.

"We don't question pasts in this family," James stated. "If you don't want to share, we won't push. We all have something that has led us to this point." He wanted to make sure to keep reiterating the word 'family' to them. That's what they would be to him after all.

Before anyone could ask questions or share more, the food arrived. James took the moment to refill drinks as Bunny laid out dishes for each person. Once everyone was eating, James relaxed and closed his eyes.

Thoughts of what tomorrow was going to bring filled his mind. He wasn't plagued by indecision but instead felt hopeful that his family was growing again. He knew that he would recruit more people as he went, but he wasn't expecting to lose them too. It hurt. It hurt in ways he didn't know were possible.

***

James found himself staring up at a woman with gray hair and eyes. Gold veins pulsed steadily on her pale face and it wasn't until he lifted his arm that he found it to be much smaller than he was used to.

"He's waking up," the woman said in a voice that was both soft, yet filled with power.

A man stepped into view, his gray hair and eyes mimicked the woman, and he too had gold veins running over his flesh. "We have to do this, love." His voice was louder and radiated strength as he knelt. Calloused hands touched James's forehead.

"I know, Talos. But he's just a child."

The man's other hand touched his wife's cheek. "You have already suppressed his soul, and we can't take that back. I have given him the ability to create a core to hide his true nature."

Tears fell from the woman's eyes as she pressed into the hand. "Is this truly the only way that he will live? We should be teaching him everything we know."

"And yet, we can't," the man said. "The Pact is already coming for us. If they find him, they will not only experiment on him, but they will kill him as well. He needs this chance."

Sniffling, the woman nodded. "He needs to surpass us in strength."

"He'll—"

Another woman entered the room. "Am I taking him?"

James recognized the woman as the mother that raised him. Or at least the vague impression of her.

"Mother," he said weakly.

His real mother brushed his cheek. "You have to go now, James. I've done all I can to make sure you thrive when the time comes. Gather followers and grow as strong as you can. You will need a violet soul to defeat The Pact."

"I don't want to leave you," James pleaded.

His mother gave him a sad smile. "You'll forget all about us once you leave. Maybe someday you will gain your memories back, but for now, you will only know your new family."

His father shook his head. "The shock of awakening his soul again could jar all of his memories. He might forget his life altogether."

"That is a chance we have to take."

"Mother…" James said as tears flowed from his eyes.

James was passed over to the second woman before his real mother could continue to linger.

"Goodbye, James," his parents said together.

His new mother held him tight. "Let's get you to your new home."

"Mother!" James cried out.

"You are the hope of our people, James. You're the only one that can fix what The Pact started. You're the only one that can save both worlds. Rise higher than all of our ancestors. Reach the immortal soul."

"Mother!" he cried out one last time before his dream faded.

***

James woke with a jolt, the air around him fluttering with power as tears streamed down his face. A pair of strong hands grabbed him, pulling his attention to his side. Another pair of hands grabbed his other side, freezing his thoughts. He distinctly remembered going to sleep with one person in his bed.

"James?" Luna whispered. "Another dream?"

Wiping his eyes, he nodded. To his surprise, Amber got up and quickly turned on the light before rejoining him in bed.

"Did it have to do with what you are?" the nekorian asked.

"What he is?" Luna questioned.

James pressed his palms into his eyes. With a few deep breaths, he fell back on the bed, pulling both ladies with him.

"Talk to us," Luna said gently.

He started slowly. "I dreamt of my real parents." The next few minutes were spent sharing what he learned and what his parents looked like. He also explained to Luna what Mother had told him about his people and what he was.

"They said you need a violet soul?" Luna questioned.

"Yes. And then they want me to gain an immortal soul," he confirmed. "I don't know how to get that strong though."

Amber rested her head on his shoulder. "We'll figure it out."

Frowning, he turned to the cat. "Why are you in my bed? I thought with Luna here, you would be done sneaking in."

Laughing, Amber shook her head. "I'm a nekorian, James, and you are my person. You're sort of stuck with me being addicted to you."

Luna sighed from his other side. "It's fine, James. She's wearing clothes this time and she doesn't want to have sex with you. Cuddling at night is fine."

Changing subjects, Amber asked, "should we tell the others about your god-like nature?"

"No, not yet." Still covering his eyes, he shook his head.

"Okay." Laying back down, Amber closed her eyes. "I don't know if any of us are going back to sleep."

Luna laid down next and pressed into his side, resting her head on his chest. "That's fine. We don't need much sleep, and we need to plan for the morning. We have three new members to add to our family."

Removing his hands from his eyes, James felt himself relax slightly. "How much do you think I'll need to level before I reach violet?"

"I don't know," Luna whispered. "But we are going to find out."

Amber sat back up. "The sun will be up soon. We should start waking the others and go over what we need to take with."

Nudging the nekorian out of bed, James slid out next and started to get dressed. Luna joined him a moment later while Amber went to find the others. It was going to be a day filled with pain and excitement as he started to learn about the research facility.

Taking Luna's hand, he left the room. "Are you sure it's okay for Amber to sleep next to us. I know you weren't before."

Sighing, she shrugged. "I don't know if I'm being honest. She's family and I know she'll protect you with everything she has. That means I need to keep her close to you."

"What about you protecting me?"

Chuckling, she patted his chest. "I can't protect you if I'm off getting stronger. I have to catch up to you after all."

He wanted to argue with her. State that she didn't need to push herself, but some part of him told him that he would need everyone stronger. It wasn't enough to simply be able to beat the Forsaken monsters, or even the elders. What they needed to be, was strong enough to take on this so called Pact.

"Coin for your thoughts?" Luna asked.

Blinking a few times, James realized they were back in the dining room and that everyone had gathered around him already. Looks of concern were on most of their faces, but he quickly waved them away.

"Once the sun is up, we'll get started," he announced. Holding their gaze, he pondered what they would need and what his next decision would mean for the city. "We need to pack food for a few days, as it's likely we won't be returning any time soon. If you need a weapon, speak up now. I know Grace and Zenaria have claws, but what about you, Tian?"

Pulling out a greatsword, the man smiled. "I'm covered."

With a small nod, James turned his focus to Zenaria. "What do you use to fight?"

Holding up her hands, he noticed slim metal strings connected to all of her fingers. With a few waves of her hands, she suddenly had Tian's arm wrapped with the wires and was cutting into his flesh.

"Hey!" Tian hissed in pain.

Chuckling, Zenaria waved her hands again and the wires retreated. "I'm good."

Grace looked at her fingers before summoning her claws. "I'll use these for now."

With that handled, James sat down. Luna claimed his lap a second later, wrapping her tail around him. Amber sat next to him and looked everyone over. "You have an hour to get ready before we leave," she announced, taking charge for him.

James agreed with her. "Pack spices, food, drinks, and plenty of extra clothes. The sun will be up any minute and you all need to get what you can. If you slack off, then you will be without."

Once he was satisfied that everyone understood their goals, he released them from the meeting. He already had what he needed, and so did Luna. With an hour to kill, he took her back to his room, making sure Amber was left behind this time.

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