Clearing the facility took a little more than an hour. Once they were finished, James gathered everyone together at the elevator. It was going to be the first time in three days that they would see the surface. They didn't know if it was day or night, but most of them guessed the sun was still up.

The walk out of the research station and out of the tunnels took longer than they expected. Thankfully, the drug operation was dismantled, but they did find that some of the crates were gone. That wasn't a problem James wanted to concern himself with.

Reaching the streets, they all savored the warmth of the sun. It was roughly noon, and from the sounds of the city, it appeared as though construction was underway.

"Split up?" Amber asked.

Shrugging, James stepped back and looked everyone over. "I'm heading back to the inn to do some research. If you all have something you need to handle, go do that. We leave in a few days. I'll let you know when."

Jamie was the first to leave, breaking away from the group before disappearing down an alleyway. Zenaria dropped into the shadows and practically vanished from all senses. Slowly, the others apart from Luna and Amber broke away to work on projects.

"I have to go as well," Amber said before grabbing his hand. "Will you be okay?"

Luna shook her head with a laugh. "He has me, you know."

Chuckling, James let her go. "I'll be fine. I'll be in the private room in the restaurant when you get done. Hopefully I will have learned a bit more."

"Okay." With a small wave, Amber walked away, her tail swaying to a happy hum.

Rolling her eyes, Luna took his hand. "That woman…"

"You know you wouldn't change anything," he argued. "She wears her concern and love on her sleeve. At least you know she doesn't want me in the same ways you do."

"True!"

Tugging on his hand, Luna pulled him from the slums. It wasn't hard to find the inn and marvel at the repairs of the tavern that were happening. All around them, workers were carrying boards or bricks. Humans and demi-humans alike were side by side with cultivators.

"Let's get inside," James murmured as people started to notice him. A few tried to wave him down, but he quickly walked into the inn and found Bunny yawning.

"You didn't bring Jamie back?" Bunny pouted.

"She'll be back later." Chuckling at the rabbit, James left her and made his way into the restaurant. Taking his backroom, he started pulling out reports as Luna ordered food and drinks.

"What do you think we'll learn?" she asked.

James didn't respond as he started reading another report that explained a few things.

Date: 10/07/2102

Lead Scientist: Dr. Galphon

Subject: Purge

The testing failed. All viable subjects have been purged. Not only were they uncontrollable as they grew stronger, but they were rabid and dangerous. More of our cultivators fell to their number recently than to the Forsaken.

The project was scrapped for my facility, but others around the world might have more luck. Communication has been spotty at the best of times. The few reports I've received stated that the rents had discharged more mutant Forsaken.

The nests are growing larger and spreading. The wasteland has claimed most of Asia and South America. The Southern part of North America is theirs, and the nests are only spreading. Cities have been claimed, and the war is lost.

I have devoted the last five years to stopping the spread of the mutated, but alas, my project has failed. To make matters worse, the Valiants in my care have started having an effect on my people.

This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

Most of my scientists and staff have collapsed, their bodies starting to turn black. I don't know if its because the Valiants are fighting against their prison, or some manner of the mutation reaching us. It doesn't matter in the end.

James read the report out loud to Luna and watched her cover her mouth. There were a few things he focused on, but the biggest was the fact the scientist thought the Valiants mutated his people. If that was the truth, what effect was James having on people?

Luna must have thought the same thing as she quickly started rubbing his shoulders to calm him. "Nothing like that has been happening with you around."

"Would we even know?" James asked.

"With how strong your soul is, we would." Tipping his head back, she claimed a kiss. "I don't think the doctor had the right of it. It was likely an effect of his experiments with the souls. Something you can't replicate."

"I wouldn't want to," he stated.

Kissing him again, she pushed the papers away from him. "Enough reading for a bit. Let's take a small break to eat and drink before delving back in."

He agreed easily enough, and they didn't have to wait longer than a few minutes before their drinks and food showed up.

***

Amber wrapped her cloak around herself as she swiftly moved through the city. She had reached level six down in the research facility. With that, she gained a new skill that she wanted to test out, but hadn't had an opponent worth a damn.

Thousand Cuts

The skill was simple and if she understood it right, if she used it while attacking, her attacks would be multiplied by some sort of use of her soul. One slash of her claws could turn into a dozen. It was meant to help her bleed out strong opponents.

She was growing deadlier, and growing closer to reach James's level. She needed to pass Luna if possible, and that meant finding the cities that were making monsters and devouring all of their souls. She would purge the monstrosities and those that created them.

Sadly, she couldn't do that in Running River. At the moment, she needed to find Pom and discover if he had successfully claimed the district. She also needed to check on the city lord and the children under the lake. She knew James should have been more concerned with the children, but he wasn't thinking clearly since he found the research center.

For the first time in a while, he had access to answers, and didn't need to involve himself with the follies of the city. She also had to remember that he had larger problems to worry about, other than crushing a city lord and a sect. He now needed to grow his soul even more and quickly.

Leaning against a building, Amber took a moment to herself. It was getting harder to control herself around him. She desperately wanted to tell him that something bad was coming for him and he needed to be prepared. Sadly, she couldn't.

She didn't know if he would ever forgive her for knowing when he learned the truth. Would he blame her for hiding such a subject from him? She could already feel her heart tearing in two at the sheer thought of him discarding her.

Closing her eyes, she fought back the tears that were threatening to take over. Patting her cheeks, she did her best to recover and focus on what she could do. She had more work to do to help James. She no longer needed to take over the district, but she would use that excuse to appear busy. Luna needed her away for a few hours at least.

Before Amber could start moving again, she found her thoughts were frazzled. She felt all over the place. With a small sigh, she started walking. Hopefully she could pull herself together.

***

James rubbed his head as he read through more reports and date. Graphs showed the growth and success rate of the experiments. There were others that showed the strength of the subjects and reports on how they were used to fight in the wasteland to grow stronger.

The number of cultivators killed by the experiments was staggering. It also made sense why there were so few cultivators as old as the elders. Not many lived through doing everything they could to fight back.

Hours started to pass in a blur before he felt a familiar soul step into the dining room. Looking up, he found Grace walking over, her tail swaying as she smiled.

"You need a break."

Scanning the room, he found that Luna was no longer with him, but was instead in his room, sleeping. Left with Grace, he cocked a brow at her. "What do you have in mind?"

"I know we can't fool around like we did before, but you can still clean this magnificent tail," she suggested. "I'd also like to talk to you about my soul skills. I gained a few levels and want your advice."

That was a better excuse than he was ready for. With a small nod, he stood and yawned. Putting the reports away only took a moment. Reaching the bathing room took a moment longer.

When he opened the door, he frowned and so too did Grace.

"Get out!" Grace growled.

Jamie waved her off. "First come, first serve!"

"Are you here alone?" James questioned.

A shiver passed through Jamie's body before she shook her head. A second later, Bunny surfaced from between his sister's legs, making him laugh.

"That was perfect," Jamie said listlessly.

Grace groaned. "I'm no longer in the mood for a bath. Dammit, Jamie!"

"Why don't you leave the skunk with me," Jamie teased. "Just because you can't pleasure her anymore…"

Another growl escaped Grace. "You aren't my type!"

Rolling his eyes, James shut the door on his sister. "Well, I wasn't expecting that."

Rubbing her head, Grace sighed. "Maybe another night. I'm going to bed and locking my door."

"That won't stop her," James joked.

Grumbling, Grace walked away. Taking the steps two at a time, she left James outside the bathing room. With nothing to do for it, he pushed the thoughts of reports from his mind and headed to his room. Luna likely wanted to cuddle with him, and the next few days were going to be busy enough as it was.

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