Tian approached the three cultivators, his hands shaking slightly. Two of them were elders, that had descended from the mountain to meet with him. This was the situation he was trying to get away from.

"Did you succeed in gaining his trust?" Elder Paul asked.

Tian bowed as deeply as he could. "I-I did." Sweat was beading down his forehead, dripping from his nose as he tried to control himself.

Monica, the other elder used a folding fan to tip his chin up. "Good boy. Now, tell us what you learned."

The derogatory naming irked him to no end, but he was merely a lowly worm compared to these cultivators. They were the only reason he had been in charge of the enchanting guild and learned of James in the first place.

Gulping, he answered, "there's nothing special about him. He's a Grand Master in truth. Uses wind Qi to destroy the monsters we fought."

"What of the clone he created?" Paul asked. "How could he accomplish that."

"What clone?" Tian feigned ignorance as best he could, but with a quick glance, he found the sneers on the elder's faces. They knew he was withholding the truth.

The third cultivator stepped forward. A man that Tian didn't know the name of. He was burly and cracked his knuckles just before punching Tian in the face. The one blow was enough to tell Tian that the man had used Qi in his attack. Pushing it through his muscles to hit harder.

Launched into the back wall, Tian could felt his nose shatter and his ribs break. Blood poured from his destroyed nose and he did everything he could to suppress his Regeneration.

"Stop lying to us," Monica said calmly. "Brunos here would love to punch you again. It's so hard to find him playmates."

Spitting out a mouthful of blood, Tian held his arms out, palms flat to appear weak. "He hasn't shown me everything he can do! I swear! But, we are going back down to the research station tomorrow to kill more Forsaken. I can talk to him."

Paul tilted his head from side to side. "One of his party members is a healer, right?"

"Yes!" Tian exclaimed pitifully.

"Brunos." Monica turned to the large man. "Don't kill him, but do have fun."

Tian closed his eyes for a brief moment. What have I done to be indebted to these elders? Was it when I begged them not to take my daughter away?

Slowing his heart rate, he focused on the last image of his daughter. The bright yellow dress with prayer beads around her neck. The supple shoes that seemed to dance through the park. And lastly, the smile that brightened his day whenever he could visit.

At least I know her and her mom are safe. Death is a small price to pay for ensuring their future.

Opening his eyes, he watched the first fist crash into his stomach, making him spit up more blood. Curling in on himself was his only defense and he only prayed that James wouldn't finish what this man had started.

***

Amber stood in the shadows, the Soul Realm flickering around her as she watched a man beat Tian half to death. Bones broke and shattered with each blow, and after ten minutes, Tian no longer tried to defend himself. His head lulled to the side, clearly on death's door.

The large man beating him wiped off his knuckles on Tian's clothes before leaving the way the elder's went. Amber was wrong. Tian wasn't betraying them but indeed needed help. He lied to the elders and that made her step forward to help him.

Once she was sure the elders were gone, she pulled the carcass of one of her kills out of her storage ring. Setting it down in front of Tian, she also set out several bottles of water.

She could already hear his bones snapping back into place, and his tissue healing. Her ears twitched to the sounds as she walked away. She needed to talk to James and explain the situation. Only he would be able to help Tian and learn why he lied to the elders.

Rubbing her eyes, Amber took a deep breath. The sun would be setting soon and she wanted to rest. She did her part in helping Tian. That was more than she owed him.

***

James was just falling asleep when he felt a soul enter his room. A small smile crept into place before gentle hands shook him lightly. Before he could open his eyes or say anything, his mouth was covered.

Eyes popping open, he found Amber standing by his side of the bed. With her free hand, she gestured for him to follow her and then pointed to Luna and pressed a finger to her lips.

Unsure of what was going on, James slipped out of bed and followed the nekorian. Amber led him down to the restaurant that was dark and empty in the late of night. Rubbing her eyes, she sat down and gestured to the spot across from her.

"What's going on?" he asked.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

"Tian needs help."

"Okay?"

Sighing, she stopped rubbing her eyes. "I left him in a pool of blood in the human district. And no, I didn't do it."

James felt his frown grow as he started to stand. The moment he slid out his chair, Amber growled and ordered him to sit. Reluctantly agreeing, he asked the next important question, "why was he beaten?"

Pulling her cloak around herself, she matched his frown. "He was ordered to get close to you and gain your trust. But when he lied about the information he had learned about you, they beat him and left him barely alive. They assumed you would have Mender heal him. And yes, I left him food and water for when he woke up."

That answered another question he had. Knowing Tian would heal just fine, he focused on what he could do moving forward. "Everyone needs help with something. All they have to do is ask."

Amber gave him a dull look, her eyes saying how stupid he was. "Do you really think any of us will come to you? Everyone has their own reason for wanting the power you gave them."

"What about you?" James asked softly.

Shoulder's slumping, Amber nodded. "Even me. If Tian comes to you, then you can help. In the meantime, let him handle his problem."

He didn't want to agree, but Amber hadn't steered him wrong yet. With yet another problem to monitor, James yawned and rubbed his eyes. "I feel like this day is never going to end."

Amber moved to his side and rested her hand on the back of his neck. Rubbing gently, she said, "we are nearly done here, James. Just a few more days for everyone to figure out what they need and settle their affairs." Resting her cheek against the top of his head, she sighed, "we all need your strength."

Savoring the warmth of her touch, he breathed in slowly. "Thanks Amber."

Letting him go, she brushed her tail against his cheek before wishing him a goodnight. A few minutes later, he got up and returned to his room. Luna was snoring softly, her snow-white tail sweeping back and forth across the bed. He wanted to roll his eyes as she practically drooled in her sleep over a good dream. Instead, he slid under the blanket with her and pulled her tight against his chest. He only needed to stay quiet for a few days, and then he could act.

***

"You thought you could come into our territory?"

James met the kid's eye through one swollen eye and the other filled with tears. His name was Jason and he had already gained his Aether core and was just waiting to leave for the sect. His mentor had filled his head with grandeur and tales of heroes, and now he had claimed the section of the city that James lived in.

His gang of followers were all around James, wooden staves and iron pipes in hand. Only Jason was hitting him, but there was no escape regardless.

James shakily got to his feet. "I-I'm s-sorry!"

A fist crashed into his cheek a second later, launching him back into the ground. Jason proudly braced one foot on his chest. "You aren't welcome here, freak."

James closed his eyes, praying that the beating would end soon. I hate this. Why is humanity like this? What did I ever do to these kids?

A seed of anger started building in James's chest, igniting a hatred that let him tune out the rest of the beating. He wanted to kill the kids, and something inside him told him that he should have been able to. Something inside him was missing.

"Leave him alone!" A voice bellowed.

"Shit!" Jason yelled. "Scram guys!"

James breathed in short, sharp breaths as his bones groaned and ground. A moment later, he could feel warm energy seeping through his flesh, and everything started to heal. Minutes passed before he was able to open an eye, and meet the gaze of the dwarf that saved him.

"Those bastards did a number on you," the man grunted.

"T-thank you," James murmured before his eye fluttered and started to close.

I didn't know demi-humans could have cores. What else have I missed?

"Is he okay?"

He recognized his mother's voice from his other side.

"Aye, he's fine Tilda. He's going to need food and rest after the healing."

"Thank the heavens he's alive."

Opening his eyes a slit, James found his mother crying as she knelt next to him. Her hand was gently touching his forehead.

"It seems the beating started a change in his body," the dwarf said softly.

"What sort of change?" his mother asked.

"His core is developing. It's powerful too. Very powerful. Should be done growing in a few days."

Closing his eyes again, James let his thoughts wander. That isn't what my body is missing. Having a core wouldn't have let me kill those humans. I need something more.

***

James woke up with a layer of sweat coating his body. Luna was sitting at the chair by the bed, watching him with worry. Blinking a few times, he sat up. That spark of hatred was growing in his chest as he had to forcefully calm himself.

"I tried to wake you," Luna whispered.

Turning to her, he found tears in her eyes. Swallowing the last of his anger, he offered her his hand. "I'm sorry."

Taking his hand, she squeezed his hand tightly. "Another dream?"

"Yeah…"

A knock on the door prevented him from saying more. Before he could ask who it was, the door opened and Amber stepped in, her eyes finding him immediately. "I felt intense anger from you."

Falling back on the bed, James felt the spark of anger come back. Luna slid from her chair and into the bed where she could hold him. "It's okay. Talk to us, James."

Amber sat on the edge of the bed, and he could feel her using her soul to block off the room. "What happened?"

"Just a bad dream," he muttered.

"You're clenching your jaw," Amber stated. "That was no normal dream."

Luna rubbed his cheek. "When you're ready, my love."

Closing his eyes, James recounted his dream for the ladies. Luna gasped as he reached the part of his bones breaking, but it was Amber that growled as he felt the same spark of rage he had ignite in her heart.

"That dwarf should have killed them," Amber snarled.

James opened his eyes and shook his head. "Demi-humans can't hurt the gifted. Can you imagine a sect coming down on this district over one person's actions."

The spark of hatred faded in her chest. "You're right. I'm sorry."

Luna moved her hand from his cheek to his chest. Rubbing small circles, she said, "you don't have to worry about stuff like that anymore."

Pushing down his spark until it was nearly gone, he nodded and rested his hand over hers. "You're right." Changing subjects, he recalled that it had already been three days since coming back to the surface. "Is everyone ready to leave today?"

"They are," Amber answered. Getting up, she added, "I'll wake them and make sure they are packed. Linda will be going with you to the city lord's manor. She wants her revenge."

"We confirmed his involvement?" he asked.

"Jamie and I both did." Turning, Amber stretched her arms above her head before reaching for the door. "Take your time, James. I'll be waiting downstairs."

With a small nod, he turned his attention to Luna. "I need you to stay with everyone today. When I head to the mountain, I need you to protect them."

Instead of arguing or fighting back, she nodded. "Of course, my love."

Closing his eyes again, he started to relax. It's time we head to the city lord and kill him for helping create those monsters. After that, I leave for the mountain. The elders and I have a lot to discuss.

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