Amber felt the moment the barrier around the elf's soul came down. A powerful burst of Soul Energy snapped against him, shattering his protections. With a glance toward James, here eyes widened when she found Violet instead of gold. Closing her eyes for the briefest of moments, she felt the sorrow of her family's deaths.

Anger surged through her a moment later and she latched onto the elf's soul and started Siphoning. His very essence was pulled into her, ripping him apart as he screamed.

Dropping out of the Soul Realm, she faced her enemy. Spitting at him, she said, "you're pathetic. You may have killed my siblings, but I will be your end." Lifting her claws, she gestured for him to come at her.

Charging blindly, the man sent crescents of red energy at her. Dancing to the side, she avoided every hit as the buildings began to collapse. Their brickwork weakened and severed clean through.

Dropping to all fours, she raced around the man, cutting into his legs and back with each pass. By the time she stopped, her claws were dripping with crimson blood as the man sank to the ground.

"How?" the elf asked.

"Easy. You killed my god's family. Did you think that he wouldn't smite you?" Pulling firmly on his soul, she ripped out a large chunk, making him grasp at his chest. "I'll be coming for your kin. None of you will escape me. My god will rip apart your Pact and shred your souls. You are no longer safe in our ignorance."

A small bubble of laughter rose from the man, making her frown. Before she could react, a beam of red energy punched through her chest, coming from his back.

Getting to his feet, he watched her sink to the ground. The wound wasn't healing, and Amber felt her life draining away. With a sad smile, she prepared to join James when something inside her soul reacted. An energy that she didn't know was there rushed through her body, repairing all of the damage and refilling all of her energy.

Laughing, she stood up and touched the now healed wound. Summoning her Soul Claws, she shifted to the Soul Realm and walked toward the bastard. He scanned the area, throwing out beams of red energy that missed her by inches. She never slowed as she reached his side and shoved her claws through his chest. Grasping his soul, she ripped it from his body, severing the link between his existence. Snarling, she watched the life begin to leave his body as she devoured every scrap of his soul.

Returning to the Mortal Realm, she kicked him in the chest, knocking him onto his back. The last spark of life left him and she spit on his body. "Fucker."

Soul Absorbed: Soul Strength: 8.587(+0.5)

Kneeling, she took a moment to gather her strength and control her emotions. Her family was dead. Everyone was gone but James and Zenaria. Tears welled up in her eyes as she glanced at Mender and Jamie, holding hands in their death. Swallowing hard, she walked over to them and gathered them in her ring. Grace and Linda were somewhere in the city and it was her job to find them. The monsters of the city were gone, but she didn't want them to linger. She wanted to hold them one last time.

***

James threw Venice back down on the ground having ripped off another sliver of her soul and burning it to ash. Her screams were music to his ears as he stomped on her stomach, making her spit up blood.

"Finish me," she muttered weakly.

"Not until you tell me who sent you." Kneeling next to her, he grabbed her white hair and lifted her partially off the ground. "How did you know I existed?"

Panting for each breath, she answered, "an elder…came to us… He said he left you…alive on accident…"

Letting her go, James had his answer. His old sect betrayed him once again. Even though it was on the other side of the world, he promised that he would find his old friend and crush his soul.

"Kill me," Venice gasped.

Snapping his attention back to her, he chuckled. "Not yet." Peeling off another sliver over her soul, he listened to her scream. "You killed my family. Luna, Grace, Linda, Jamie, Mender. Remember those names in your last moments. I'll be coming for your family next. The Pact will fall but not before I rip every last soul from their bodies."

Closing her eyes, she took shaky breaths. "I now understand why we had to kill your kind. No one should wield your power."

"Your people killed my entire race and now the reckoning is upon you. I'll remind both of our worlds why they should have left the gods alone. Your soul will not taint my body, but your family's will be mine. I promise you that."

Grabbing her soul one last time, he started to burn it little by little. The woman screamed for minutes before the last drop of her life was extracted. Standing, he turned to the afternoon sun and shuddered.

"Is she dead?"

Shifting his gaze to Amber, he found her walking over with most of her clothes missing. A hole in her chest told him she nearly died but Mender had saved her.

"She's dead," he answered.

"I gathered the others."

Closing his eyes, he dismissed his armor and felt the strength leave his body. The moments of being driven by anger collapsed and the tears started to flow. Deep sobs filled the air before arms were wrapped around him. Matching sobs added to his and he wrapped his arms around Amber in turn.

Resting their heads on each other's shoulders, they let every emotion they were feeling out in the open. Seconds turned to minutes as their tears refused to stop. The sun crossed the horizon and started to dip before they let each other go.

"We have one thing left to finish," he murmured.

"I just want to feel Zenaria," Amber whispered. "I have to know she's still alive."

"She is," he assured her. Turning to the center of the city, he used his new eye to scan the nest. Deep inside its structure, he found the core of its being, glowing like a beacon.

"Your eye," Amber said softly.

Touching the edges of his eye, he said, "she destroyed it."

"It looks like a gem."

Getting to his feet, he helped her up. "I can see differently now. For example, the nest has a core that we can remove. Do you still need to reach level nine?"

"I do."

"Then come with me." Meeting her gaze and puffy red eyes, he forced a smile. "Mender wanted to save the world before he died. I'm going to honor that wish and bring him with. We are going to show Luna the very edges of the world while we remove the plague that is The Pact and the rents."

Taking his hand, Amber sniffled. "I'll be by your side the entire way if you'll have me."

"You're never leaving my side," he promised. "I can't lose you too."

With a forced smile, she started walking him toward the nest. Each step they took was heavy with burden. He felt raw and exposed as he stopped next to the nest. Amber had Soul Shifted and joined him, still hand in hand.

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"Grab the core and absorb it. It's made from my people's energy," he stated. "You need the power."

Touching the nest, Amber started searching for the core. Grabbing her soul, he guided her until she touched upon the energy. A second later, it was pulled from the nest and into his nekorian.

The nest crumbled before them, no longer supported by his people's energy. Amber returned to the Mortal Realm and collapsed to the ground. Her body started to spasm as she screamed.

James watched as her soul compressed and turned gold, reaching new heights in strength. She was now ready to venture with him to the rent, and from there, the Underworld.

Picking her up, he left the city. The sun was going to be setting soon by the time he reached the house that they had made into their camp. Memories of his time with Luna plagued him as he set Amber down in his bed. The nekorian started to cry against as she sniffed the blankets, finding the Fenrir's scent.

Sitting down next to her, he barely noticed the familiar souls entering his senses. The one in the lead was Shadow Paw and he wasn't slowing as he reached the house. The front door burst apart as the panther raced up the stairs and into the room.

"You found me," James said before fresh tears dripped from his eyes.

Shadow Paw promptly pressed his head against James's chest, comforting him as best he could.

It was only seconds later that the wolves entered the house. Somehow all twelve of them fit in downstairs. But it was a certain Kitsune walking into the room that broke him.

"Zenaria," he managed to whisper.

"No…" Sitting next to him, she wrapped her arms and tails around him. "They can't…they can't be gone…"

Amber finally sat up and wrapped around him as well. "We're all that's left."

"Can I see them?" Zenaria asked softly. "Can I hold them one last time?"

"We all will," James answered. "When morning comes, we will return to Mother and see our family off. Then we will head to the rent."

"Your soul is Violet and Amber's is gold…"

"At great cost," Amber stated. "One that I never wanted to pay."

"They are still with us." Pulling both ladies against him, he added, "they are in my soul, protected until we can be with them again."

"Is that possible?" Zenaria asked.

"Yes."

Amber laid her head in his lap, rubbing her eyes. "When will we kill them?"

Rubbing her ears, his resolve hardened. "We leave tomorrow for the rent after we see our friends off. Once we close it, we will enter the Underworld. Nothing will be safe from us."

"I need a gold soul first," Zenaria said.

"You'll have it." Closing his eyes, he felt exhaustion wash through his body. "I think I'll lay down for a few hours."

Zenaria and Amber guided him to the center of the bed and laid down on his sides. Shadow Paw hopped up onto the foot of the bed, soft whimpers escaping him.

James focused on the panther. "Strong Beak saved me. His flock kept us alive as long as they could. Remember him well."

With a small nod, Shadow Paw laid down his head and closed his eyes. The wolves settled downstairs, guarding the house as James drifted off.

***

James opened his eyes, feeling unusually rested, only to find himself back in the void. White mist rose all around him, filling the area with a haze that was impossible to see through.

"You made it."

Finding solid ground, he turned to the voice and felt his heart tear apart all over again. "Luna…"

The Fenrir was ghostly as she walked over to him. "I thought we could talk one more time, and maybe a few more times after this. It takes a lot of energy to will myself into your dreams."

Wrapping his arms around her, he felt how solid she seemed and nearly crushed her to his chest. "I'm sorry…I'm so sorry!"

Giggling, Luna wrapped her arms around him in return. "Don't be, my love. I see Amber managed to survive. Mender gave up nearly all of his energy to secure her life."

"He did," he mumbled with his face pressed against her neck.

"Thank god. Or should I say thanks to you," she teased. "If she died as well, I don't know what I would have done. Your soul likely would have broke if your true soulmate died."

Pulling away, he furrowed his brows. "Luna…"

"Oh shush." Pressing a finger to his lips, she smiled. "We all knew, James. You two were the worst kept secret that I've ever witnessed. Although, I wish I could have given her my blessing. But I was greedy and didn't want to let you go. But now I have the better position."

"What do you mean?"

Rubbing his cheek, she gestured all around. "I get to live in your soul, James. How can we ever be closer than that? I get to watch the world with you as you take me wherever you want. I'm going to love this."

"But I'll never be able to kiss you again. I'll never be able to hold you in my arms and smell your hair after I bathe you."

He could feel his legs beginning to tremble as she lowered him to the ground. "Nonsense. I'll be around, especially if my skill worked the way it should have. We'll all be around as we gather energy. I just won't be able to visit you every night."

Covering his eyes, he tried to hide his tears. Luna pulled his head to her chest. "I have you, my love. But you know who also has you?"

"I only want you," he pleaded.

Sniffling, she wiped her eyes. "You have Amber still. I'll give you a few days before I expect you to kiss her. She needs you just as much as you need her. Your souls mingled far better than mine did with you. Just rub it in her face that I'm part of you."

A small laugh escaped him. "You're horrible."

"Yes. Yes, I am. And when the day comes for us to be together again, I'll even share you with Amber."

"Oh, you'll share me," he teased.

"You're still mine, James Matson," she said sternly. "I'm only letting Amber borrow you."

A louder laugh left him. "I love you, Luna."

Lifting his face, she kissed him with her ghostly lips. "I love you too. But I believe Jamie wants some of your time still, and I want to conserve my energy. Grow stronger, my love. Reach your immortal soul and bring us back. I'll await the day that our family can be whole again." Letting him go, she stood. "Save some of that shampoo for me. When I get out of her, I expect a whole day of pampering."

Pressing his head against the ground, he sobbed as she faded away. What felt like minutes passed before another pair of hands lifted his head.

"You look like shit," Jamie teased.

Forcing a smile, he said, "you've looked better. I have to admit you look far more fabulous in black."

Gesturing to her body, she scoffed. "In fact, white suits me just fine. As your master, you better work on your enchanting. And remember, I want to become a kick ass sword that you carry everywhere. Your crafting skills will allow it now. All of our ashes will be needed. We'll be with you body and soul."

"I don't know if I can live without you guys," he admitted. "How am I supposed to carry on?"

Rubbing his cheek, she kissed his nose. "Easily, brother. Your immortal soul awaits and we will wait for you. Linda wants you to know that she is with the Elson brothers. They're here too, but won't have the energy to see you for a very long time."

"How?" he asked.

"Familial Bonds, James. We are literally part of you and we aren't going anywhere. But I need you to do me a favor."

Pulling away, he furrowed his brows in question.

"Let me know how Amber tastes," she stated while licking her lips. "I've always dreamed of burying myself between her legs. And what sexy legs she has too."

"Jamie!" he gasped in mock shock. "I never knew you were so horny!"

Holding a hand to her chest, she beamed. "I want details, James! Promise me that the next time I visit, you'll share all of the details of your time with her."

"She won't sleep with you, you know."

"That's what you are for." Winking, Jamie stood. Stretching out her arms, she glanced at her surroundings. "I think Grace or Linda will visit you next time. Mender might be a tad longer since he saved Amber. But I promise to think of some new enchantments for when we see each other again."

Climbing to his feet, he hugged her one last time. "I look forward to it. And just know that I'll reach my immortal soul as fast as I can."

"Damn right, you will," she whispered as she started to fade. Sighing, she kissed his cheek. "Details, James. Details."

Laughing, he watched her disappear and the world faded away. When he next blinked, he was waking up in his bed with Amber drooling on his chest. Zenaria was curled into his side, snoring lightly.

He felt better. Just knowing that they were still there and would meet with him was enough to give him the strength he needed to keep moving forward. Glancing out the window, he knew it was time to get up. The sun was cresting the horizon. But first, he needed to look at all of the notifications he'd pushed off.

Name: James Matson

Soul Strength: 12.01

Soul Skills

Devour

Setting of a Thousand Suns

Blade of the Soul King

Armor of the Soul King

Soul Temple

Sight of the Violet Eye

Soul King's Army

Soul Domination

Soul Retribution

Familial Bonds

Royal Craftsman: Level 1/10

Soul Magic: Level 1/10

Soul Pulse: Level 5/10

Nearly every Soul Skill changed. It was going to take time to adjust to them and he needed to study them in detail as he prepared to head back to Mother.

Amber's eyes opened slowly as he dismissed his character sheet. Cupping her cheek, he brushed his soul against hers, savoring the feeling of her still being with him. When she started purring, he knew it was time for them to talk.

"Ready to get up?" he asked.

Yawning, she nodded. "I am." Brushing her soul back against his, she sat up, waking Zenaria in the process.

"Is it time?" the kitsune asked.

"Yes." Climbing out of the bed, James touched his worn armor that was missing sections and most of its feathers. Pulling it off his body, he listened to Amber copy him. Pulling out clothes from his new Soul Temple skill, he marveled at the sheer size of the space. He also realized that it was because of that skill that the others could come and go in his dreams. To some extent, they all worshiped him as their god, and it was time to show the world that their faith was well placed.

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