James reached the cultivators within a few minutes of tromping through the forest. He didn't try to be stealthy as he approached, hoping they would be on guard enough to notice him.

Stepping through the last of the trees, he found the remaining two elders waiting for him; water swirling around their bodies.

"Stand down," he ordered. "But I appreciate the readiness."

The blonde snarled at him as she dropped her skill. The other cultivators were nearly collapsed on the ground, tending to the wounded and meditating to regain the Qi that they lost. Many of them were bleeding steadily or even missing limbs from the attack.

"What do you want?" The blonde asked.

"The monsters are gone. You'll be safe to head back into the city to wait out the night." Glancing at the cultivators one last time, he added, "you'll also be able to find any healing items you need."

The elder bowed her head; tears in her eyes. "Are they truly dead?"

"They are. But I'd like to know what they were and how Paul created them." Stepping closer, he revealed Shadow Paw by his side, making the elders tense again. Holding up his hand, he kneeled by the panther and rubbed his head. "He's a friend. This is Shadow Paw."

"You named a Forsaken?" the lone male elder asked.

I really need to get their names.

Ignoring that thought for now, he answered, "I didn't name him. That is simply his name. The monsters?"

The blonde ran a hand through her hair. "I don't know. If I knew something like that was possible, I would have stopped you from killing Paul. Or at least warned you. This is beyond normal enchanting. Demonic even."

Frowning, James stood back up and blew out a slow breath. "Demonic is right, but something had to have changed those people. I know drugs were a problem in the city. Is something like this possible from them?"

Furrowing her brows, the blonde snarled again. "Drugs? Paul was in charge of checking the city for stuff like that. So was Marion."

"The red head?" James asked to clarify.

"Yes. My name is Veronica and my partner is Lee Ho. And you are?"

"James. We'll be staying in the city for at least one more night before heading south. I suggest you gather what tents and supplies you can and head to Settling Stone. They can take you in."

"Why would they take us in?" Lee Ho asked.

Rubbing Shadow Paw's back, James glanced at the man. "They are down to one elder and could use the help. They also lost several cultivators when I was last there."

"Killed even more?" Veronica snorted.

"Not me. Your people. That's one of the reasons I came to you." James watched their expressions switch from annoyance and anger to confusion. "Paul convinced one of the elders to help infiltrate and convert some of the Settling Stone Sect members. They nearly took over when they ran into one of my companions. She killed nearly all of them."

Veronica rubbed the bridge of her nose and groaned. "It keeps getting worse…"

James had to agree, but didn't voice it. Both times he got stronger, so he should have felt conflicted, but didn't. "If you are traveling with us, we are leaving tomorrow. I can introduce you to Elder Tim and you can figure things out from there."

"I'd thank you if I didn't hate you so much." Veronica sighed. "Leave us. I have wounded to tend to and supplies to gather."

Patting his panther on the side, James turned to leave. "Let's go Shadow Paw."

A flurry of activity started behind him as the elders started ordering those that could move to carry the injured back into the city. Their only goal was to find shelter for the night and gather what supplies they could.

I wonder how everyone is healing? Their souls were pretty damaged when they were pulled out. Should I be worried that I don't feel bad about the city? Should I eat dinner for once?

Returning to his own people, James was surprised to see Amber already awake. When she met his eye, she started to cry. A slow trickle of tears dripped down her cheeks and from her chin as he walk over.

"What's wrong?" he asked gently.

"W-w need to talk…"

Picking her up, he cradled her against his chest as he looked around. His other companions were still passed out and healing. In fact, Amber was healing as well, but still wouldn't go back to sleep.

"Do we need privacy?" he whispered.

"Y-yes," she whispered back.

Walking into the forest, he didn't stop until they were a few miles away. Once he was sure they were alone, he sat down and set Amber down across from him. "Talk to me."

Closing her eyes, she nodded. "I-I lied to you."

Frowning, he met her gaze. "Lied about what?"

What could possibly be so bad that she is crying like this?

Sighing, she wiped her eyes. "I met with Mother when you weren't around. She told me something. Something about you…"

His frown grew as he waited for her to continue.

"She told me to never tell you what I'm about to because it'll make things worse." Sobbing, she reached out to him and he took her hand. "I-I can't lie any longer!"

Resting his other hand between her ears, he soothed her as best he could while trying to understand what she was saying.

What could possibly be worse than destroying an entire city?

Amber pushed into his hand before continuing. "She told me that something bad was going to happen that would change you forever. If I couldn't help you, you would turn into something the world would regret. You would destroy everything."

Sucking a breath in between his teeth, he asked, "And now something worse is going to happen because you told me?"

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"Yeah…I wanted you to know that you really are my person and I'm not saying that because Mother wants me close to you. I can't take this deceit any longer!" Sobbing again, she pressed her face against his chest, giving in to all of her emotions.

He was confused. Amber should have kept this all from him, and she even had the opportunity to be with him when Luna first broke up with him. Why didn't she tell him and then take the opportunity to be with him?

"What do I do now?" he asked softly.

Amber shook her head. "I don't know…"

Sighing, he ran a hand through his hair. "This is too much for me to take in today." Switching to rubbing his head, he added, "why would you wait so long to tell me?"

"I was afraid of losing you…"

"I need time to think," he admitted. "If something bad is coming, then I need to be prepared. We need to be prepared. More fighting. More strength. We'll attack the nest."

Smiling, she nodded. "I'm with you, James. When you are ready."

***

Trix turned her head north. Closing her eyes, she felt the dread of Amber's decision pass through her body. She's made her choice. All we can do now is pray for the world. Both worlds. I can't stop it now.

"What's wrong?" Everest asked.

"Nothing, child. Just lost in the strands of fate once again."

"Oh no! What happened now?"

Opening her eyes, she turned to her daughter. "James and Amber are going to need you. The real you. They need a daughter for what's to come."

"She told him, didn't she…"

"Yes."

Groaning, Everest rested her head against her mother's leg. "I'll do what I can to save those two, but what of the others?"

"Only time will tell, child. But we both know what's going to happen."

Everest nodded.

Turning to the task at hand, Trix found her husband watching her closely. Not changing her plans, she started south again. They had a city to claim and a nest to scout. James would be with them soon and it would be time for him to start saving the world and learning more about his people.

***

James wanted a bath as he talked with Amber a bit longer. He knew the others would be stirring soon and he could in fact feel a soul approaching them. A very familiar soul.

When Luna stepped out of the tree line, she asked, "what do we do now?"

Sitting back down, James held his head while resting his elbows on his knees. "I don't know. This day has been messed up enough and we just added to it."

"I'm sorry…" Amber whispered.

Shaking his head, he waited until Luna was sitting with them. "We need to gather everyone and head south." Taking his wife's hand, he pulled her close. "We will push hard. Very hard."

Using his hand, she pulled herself over to him and leaned against his shoulder. Wrapping his tail around his back, Luna said, "I don't think I can enter any more cities. Not after…"

"I understand." Closing his eyes, he savored her against him. "We have one last city to stop at, and then we are out of here. We'll head south and meet up with Mother."

Nodding, Amber stood and pulled both of them to their feet. Rubbing her head, she said, "I'm sorry for lying for so long. I just…"

Resting his hand on her shoulder, he shook his head. "You did what you thought was right. But the three of us are going to talk about this more. Especially since Luna eavesdropped."

"Not sorry," Luna murmured.

Chuckling, James led the way back to the group. When they arrived, James found that Grace and Zenaria were awake and yawning. He quickly touched the others with his soul and found them to be waking as well.

"We're leaving," Grace whispered.

James's heart sank with those few words.

"It's true," Zenaria stated. "There's nothing to do for it now. Between the Forsaken experiments and destroying an entire city, most of us need space."

"Most of you?" he asked.

Mender and Jamie sat up. "Yeah," Mender said softly. "Jamie and I have business to the south and we don't know what we'll do from there."

"I have family in Settling Stone," Tian said. "I want to see them now that I'm free from Running River."

Glancing at the ebony man that was just sitting up, James frowned. Instead of commenting, he turned to Grace and Zenaria. "What about you two?"

"I'll set up a new tavern," Grace admitted. "I never thought joining you would mean killing an entire city…"

Zenaria turned away. "I'm going to wander. I need time to myself."

Linda yawned as she sat up. "I'll be going with you still. I'll bury my betrothed and his family then figure things out. I have to keep fighting or I'll go insane."

Rubbing his head, he turned to Amber. "What about you?"

Opening her eyes, she met his gaze with determination. "I'm staying with you."

Luna squeezed his hand. "I'll stay out here tonight. I don't think…I don't think I can stand to see the dead again."

James could feel part of him break as he looked over his companions and family. It had only been a few short months, but he had grown close to everyone, even if Zenaria and Grace were new additions. Even Tian had grown on him, if to a lesser degree. But he had to respect their decisions. He would never control his people and they were free to go whenever. Just like Luna did.

After several, long, painful moments, he nodded to each person. "I'm heading to the wastelands. I'll be meeting up with Mother and claiming a city to train in. If you need me, you'll know where to find me."

"Of course," Jamie said. Getting up, she held her side as she limped over to him. "I won't be gone long, brother. Who else am I going to enchant with?"

A weak smile graced his lips before he hugged her. "I'll miss you."

Hugging him back, she sniffled. Nearly a minute passed before she broke away. Moving to her brother's side, she helped him up. "We better get going."

Mender nodded. "I'll see you again, James. But we need time."

Zenaria stood as well. With a small wave, she wandered off before blending into the shadows. Following her with his soul, James watched her nearly disappear before moving through the forest at a rapid pace.

Tian and Grace stood together and turned toward the cultivators. "We'll travel with them and make sure they stay safe," Tian offered. "It's the least we can do after what just happened."

Before James could argue, they walked off, leaving him with Linda and Amber. Linda crossed her arms and sighed. "I guess we better find supplies and shelter for our journey. The city isn't going to need them anymore."

James nodded. "You're right. But first, I need a moment. Everything is fucked up, isn't it?"

Amber nodded and took his hand. To his surprise, Linda nudged Luna out of the way and took his other.

Grumbling, Luna crossed her arms, making him chuckle and earning a giggle from the ladies. It was a moment of levity they needed.

"It is," Amber answered at last. "But they'll be back. Family always comes back together."

"Most families don't cause the destruction of an entire city of over a million people," James argued.

"I don't feel bad," Linda murmured. "I got stronger each time."

"I did too," Amber agreed. "I have to catch up to James."

He didn't know if he should be disappointed or happy over the fact that he enjoyed harvesting over a million monsters. Monsters that he essentially caused. Everything was different. He needed to get stronger, he needed to reach a violet soul.

Amber squeezed his hand. "Let's go, James. We have to find Linda's tanning workshop and gather everything. Also, it might be time to get into our armor. We won't be staying in any cities for a while."

Luna stepped back, stretching out her arms as she eyed him, clearly waiting to see him get naked. With a rolling of his eyes, he turned away from her.

Pulling out his leather and feather armor, he started to get dressed. Linda and Amber both joined him, matching his armor from gear the elf created. They were better quality than his, but his held scars from his battles and memories of his rise to strength.

Once they were ready, the headed back to the city.

***

Luna didn't dare enter the city. She was straining to contain her disgust for what they did to that city. She knew it was their fault for the destruction of an entire city. She couldn't live with that. She almost couldn't live with James after he caused that.

What she wanted from the world was adventure and exploration of the forests and life. She wanted to see the stars and find the ocean. She never wanted to enter cities, and every time she did, people died. Death followed James everywhere he went. He basked in the strength it was giving him. So did she…

She sat against a tree as her hands shook. All she could see was the blood staining her palms. The faces of all the people she killed. She knew she wouldn't sleep for a while after what she witnessed. She wasn't cut out to kill people. Monsters, she could handle, but people…

Closing her eyes, she started to cry as she found the faces of all the residents staring back at her. The children that she had to cut down, and the parents that she siphoned the souls from. She was tainted. She wasn't worth loving any longer.

Rubbing her eyes, she tried to stop the flow of tears, but they wouldn't stop. No matter how much she wanted to forget her actions, they kept coming back. They wouldn't leave her thoughts. She was truly broken.

Minutes turned to an hour before she found herself lying on her side while holding her knees to her chest. It took her a moment longer to feel the souls all around her.

Glancing at her surroundings, she found a pack of wolves sitting in a circle. They all eyed her as if waiting for her to recover. With a slip of a smile, she changed back into her wolf form and watched the leader walk over to her.

They stared into each other's eyes for several long seconds before he chuffed and started walking away. With a glance over his shoulder, he beckoned her to follow. Getting to her feet, she padded after him while the other wolves fell in by her side.

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