When James woke up, he felt two fluffy tails on him. One was obviously from the woman he fell asleep with. The other was an intruder.

Sitting up, he pushed both of them off him and glanced at both women. Luna was starting to stir and her ears were twitching. Amber on the other hand was still naked and was starting to inch into his space, sniffing the bed.

"Okay!" James grumbled, startling Luna wake. "This is a little much!"

Eyes springing open, Luna sat up and started scanning the room for danger. When her eyes settled on Amber, she groaned. "Really? She came back?"

"Looks that way." Pushing the cat out of his space, he asked, "is this an animal instinct or something?"

Reluctantly, Luna nodded. "She's likely so out of it that she doesn't realize that she's rolling in your scent. Her bestial side probably took over."

Rubbing his head, he climbed out of bed and scooted Amber into his spot. "I'll leave her for now. Let's get dressed. We need to get everyone over to the store."

Joining him, Luna wrapped her chest before slipping into her shorts. Her wolf tail was quickly fluffed, and she was ready for the day. Meanwhile, Amber rolled around the bed, rubbing her cheek to his pillow.

"Her and I are going to talk when this is over," he muttered.

"Don't be too hard on her," Luna said softly. "Some things about animal demi-humans are hard to control. She likely sees you as her master and she did claim she wanted to be by your side."

Rubbing the bridge of his nose, he nodded. "You're right. But I'll still talk with her." Moving to the cat's side, he added, "can you get her dressed? I'll start carrying Everest over. I don't dare carry Amber."

"That wouldn't be the best idea," Luna agreed. "Mender should be awake and helping already as well. We'll have you stay at the store until everyone is carried over."

With a nod of agreement, James entered the living room. Everest was still curled up with the kittens, all six of them asleep. With a sigh, he piled the kittens onto Everest and picked them all up together. It was easier than he expected as he left the apartment.

Reaching the street, he found Mender with his sister and a moment later, Luna joined them with Amber.

"Why do you have orange hair on your clothes?" Mender asked.

Glancing at Amber James grunted.

Luna smirked before explaining, "this one has embraced her animal instincts while out of it. She's rubbing her scent with James's."

Mender did his best not to laugh, and failed horribly. Glaring at both of them, James took the lead, and walked the few blocks to the grocery store. When he arrived, he found Mother at the entrance, her large form scanning the area.

"Bring them in quick!" Mother urged.

Stepping inside, James quickly found the other dragon children and set Everest down with them. Amber and Jamie were set down next, and Luna hurried back with Mender to grab the others.

"How dangerous is today going to be?" James questioned as he stepped up to Mother.

"Very dangerous. I'll reinforce the building, but I'll be unable to attack."

James stood guard with her. He didn't know what the day was going to hold, and he was worried. He wanted to be there to protect his people, but he was the only one that could possibly kill the city. Or at least what controlled it.

An hour passed by the time the last Elson brother was brought over. Mender checked everyone's vitals and ensured they were fine. Luna borrowed one of James's dirty shirts and thrust it into Amber's arms. The last thing they needed was for the cat to try and hunt him down if there was a fight.

"I have to go," he said as Luna joined his side.

"I know," she said softly. "I don't like this, James. I hope I'm strong enough."

"You're level seven," he stated. "That's plenty strong. That's stronger than most nascent soul cultivators. Just keep everyone safe."

Running a hand through her hair, she let out a deep breath. "No pressure, right?" she joked.

Chuckling, he kissed her cheek. "I shouldn't be gone long. The sooner I can handle this, the sooner we can leave."

"And find Bo," she added.

"Yes." Stepping out of the store, he turned back to her. "They are in your care, Luna. Fight well."

With a small wave, she turned back to their friends. Mother was the only one to stay at the door, watching him go.

"When the time comes, there will be a choice to make," Mother said ominously. "Which one you choose, will be up to you, James. But know that they both will have long lasting effects."

Stopping, he turned back to her. He was about to ask what she meant when she turned away and left the doorway. She was clearly done warning him.

***

Luna stood next to Mother, her brows knitted together as she watched her friends sleep. "Do you know what's wrong with them?"

"Yes," Mother answered. "Their souls have been afflicted with a curse. One that is draining their reserves to feed the city."

"Will they die?"

Mother nodded. "If James does not hurry, they will be in danger. Just like my child is in danger."

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Taking a deep breath, Luna walked to the entrance. The city was calm and dark clouds loomed overhead. A storm was brewing, and it was only a matter of time before the world came crashing down.

"They're all stable," Mender announced as he joined her. "Their souls are slowly weakening though."

"Mother said the same," Luna said softly. Glancing over her shoulder, she found Amber rubbing the shirt to her face. "How is she still moving so much?"

Mender joined her gaze. "She's stronger than the rest of us. She likely still has some function to her body."

"As long as she doesn't start rubbing that shirt between her legs…"

Chuckling, Mender leaned against the doorframe. "She's a handful, yet she helps hold this team together. Would you have her any other way?"

"No," Luna admitted. "And James wouldn't either. Although, I'm worried we are going to wake up with her in our bed more now."

"What will you do if it happens?" Mender cocked his brow at her. "I can't see you letting her move in like that."

"I won't," Luna growled. Calming herself, she watched Amber rub the shirt on herself. "She won't do anything with him. She knows where we stand, but it's clear that she will do anything for him. To dangerous levels. I almost feel like her love for him is stronger than mine, and I didn't think that was possible."

"I would have to agree with that statement. Do you know why she's so infatuated with him?"

"No," she admitted. "She barely knows him."

Humming, Mender stepped away from the door. "We should rest as much as we can. It'll be starting soon."

Agreeing, she rubbed her eyes before sniffing the air. Rain was coming, only this time the storm might break them.

***

James spread his soul as much as he could as he walked through the industrial park. The rat-like creatures had already tried to swarm him once, and he was forced to Siphon their souls and leave their corpses behind. It was odd feeling their desperation and pain as they tried to kill him. Something was pushing them to stop him.

The industrial park transitioned to a large park with dead, black trees. Rusted benches and a cracked path led him toward the center of the city. The grass was black and wilted, crumbling when he stepped on it. All life in the area was gone. But the closer he grew to the center, the more his soul was forced into his body. After so long of using his Soul Senses, it felt abnormal not to feel everything around him. Was he going to be attacked by surprise? Would he react in time? He didn't know and was starting to grow worried.

Keeping his pace steady, he peered out over the horizon. Black storm clouds had rolled in, swirling with intensity over the center of the park. Wisps of clouds and wind descended in a spiral before breaking up and retreating into the main body. The rain hadn't started yet, but it was only a matter of time.

Reaching the end of the sidewalk, he found the grass started sloping down into a crater. The air pulsed to a heartbeat and he could feel the Qi being pulled towards the source of all his problems.

With one last deep breath, he pulled his soul in tight as he felt something trying to leach it away. With his Soul Strength at level eight, not much could affect him, yet here he was, being tugged on.

I don't like this. How strong is this monster? What am I about to face?

He didn't have time to ponder his questions for long as he walked down the slope that steadily grew steeper. In the distance, maybe a mile from where he stood, he found the Qi of the city swirling around a body.

Dammit. How did Bo get out here?

He knew he would find the man at the center of the city, but it still worried him what that meant. How much Qi had he absorbed and how strong had he grown?

Keeping his soul at the ready, he crossed the last of the distance, and came to stand before the Elder. The man's once graying hair was now white and matted. His eyes had cataracts and glistened with a gray film. The muscle he had before was saggy and his bones nearly showed through his skin. Bo was being eaten alive.

Stepping up to the man, James looked around. Scanning the space at the center of the crater, he felt the ground pulsing like a heartbeat. He finally felt the soul of the Forsaken below his feet. It was scared.

Just as he was about to start Siphoning the Forsaken, a fist snapped out faster than he could react. Spindly bone met his cheek before he was flung to the side and hundreds of feet away.

James felt his jaw break as he flipped through the air. Digging his hand into the ground, he slid to a stop and Regeneration started working to repair the damage. With a pop, his bones reset and he eyed the Elder who was now standing.

The Qi in the air dispersed and the old man stretched out his body. James could feel it in the man's soul. He wasn't in control anymore. The city had him.

Getting back to his feet, James started walking toward the man. "You're stronger than this, Bo. Don't let the city control you."

Grabbing his chin, the old man cracked his neck on both sides before the ground started to shake. James sighed and stepped to the side as a spear of stone tore the ground apart where he had just stood.

Glancing at the stone, he nearly missed the bolt flying at his chest. Swiping his hand through the air, he broke the attack with his palm before Elder Bo charged forward.

It seems as though I'll be fighting my friend. Figures.

Before he could summon his sword, he felt the world rumble, only this time Qi wasn't flowing through it. The shaking grew in intensity as James spotted several dots in the distance, charging towards him.

I guess the city is pulling out all of the stops. Maybe I should too.

Call his Soul Puppet, James felt his body lurch. They both shared a look before stepping to the side as spears of stone shot up from the ground. Whatever was controlling Bo didn't have the finest control over his manipulation.

Pointing at the ground, James started siphoning the monster that controlled the city. His puppet did the same before they both summoned their swords.

"Don't kill Bo," James ordered. "But all of those monsters that are charging toward us. Feel free to use them as food."

With a nod, his puppet took off.

Turning his attention back to Bo, James stepped forward and avoided another spear of stone. "Come back to me, Bo."

"Your friends are mine." The voice that came from the elder was not his own, but something deeper. The air rippled with the words as James felt the connection between the man and the monster below their feet.

James pulled harder on his Siphon. "My wife will handle whatever you throw at her. Why don't you come up here and fight for yourself."

"Why fight when I have so many puppets?"

James couldn't fault that logic. Instead, he stepped forward as another spear of stone broke the ground behind him.

"Stay still, monster."

Frowning, James looked down at the ground. "Did you just call me a monster?"

"That is what you are…"

Rubbing his cheek, James glanced at his sword. "I guess we are the same then."

"We are not the same. I came to this world for peace and nutrition. You bring death wherever you walk. How many of your kind have you killed?"

"Only a few humans," James stated.

Laughing, the monster shook Bo's head. "They are not your people, monster. You don't know what you are, do you?"

James dismissed his sword and crossed his arms. "Why don't you enlighten me."

"Very well." Stepping forward, the monster stopped within touching distance. "Your kind were hunted to extinction for a reason. Not only did humanity fear you, but the Underworld did as well. The dwellers of the deep once thought your kind as gods until you took us to war. A war that has killed billions and shattered families in both worlds."

"I was not part of that," James stated. "I wasn't even born when the war started."

"That may be so, but you still bare a threat that I cannot let go."

"How are you going to kill me?" James asked. "I come back every time."

"There are ways to kill even a god," the Forsaken stated. "Even you can be bled dry."

Narrowing his eyes, James sensed something amiss. Jumping back, he barely avoided a glowing fist from punching into his chest.

"Your senses are strong," the Forsaken stated. "But can they stop the horde?"

Frowning, James scanned the horizon again. Monsters were pouring into the crater, creating a ripple of movement that shook the ground. His Puppet had already engaged and energy was flowing between their bond, building James's strength.

He wanted to push his soul out and start claiming lives, but something told him that would be a very bad idea. The monster was waiting for just that and as James lifted his hand to start Siphoning by sight, the first raindrop landed on his nose, sizzling his flesh.

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