A man of pure black skin and sharp claws stood over the edge of the rent between Asia and Africa. The tear in the world rippled with activity as mutated creatures scrambled up and down the walls and ramps that led to the surface. He could of course fight his way back to the underworld, but that was not his mission. No, the man wanted to judge the situation for himself before returning to the Valiant.

The world was changing and the man needed to change with them. Before he was placed in his avatar, he was a commander for a Valiant's army. Her disciples and many animals pushed back the tide of mutated monsters that threatened to tear apart the underworld and Earth. She fought on both fronts before she was labeled a monster by The Pact.

He only survived because she imprisoned him inside a Forsaken and hiding him in a fallen city. The odds of ever coming out of hiding was slim and nearly non existent. Yet, of all people, a Valiant found him and freed him. The man was no more than a child compared to his old master, but he held promise.

The man could already sense that no other Valiants were alive. Not truly alive. There were facilities that held trapped corpses, but none of them could be saved. The future relied on this one Valiant.

There was only one problem. The Pact knew he existed and were on the hunt. A human had sold him out and they were on their way through the Underworld. James needed to survive, so this man was determined to stop The Pact when they emerged. Or at least reduce their number.

He may not be bound to a Valiant anymore, but his old master would want him to save her grandchild. Maybe, just maybe, he could tell James about his people and history. That is if he survived what was coming.

***

James watched the sky fade to pink as dusk approached. The winds were already growing warm, but they had at least two hours before the night flares would fully arrive. Zenaria had already adjusted to the flares and could stay out, but Grace could not. It was going to be a long week of pain and screaming for the skunk.

The ladies hadn't rejoined him after venturing out earlier during the day. Shadow Paw kept him company for a few minutes at a time, but mostly spent time with his new mate as he taught her how to contribute.

Left to his own thoughts, he found himself thinking about Luna. He would never stop loving her, but understood why she had been so distant. Twirling the ring on his finger, he hoped that she still had hers. He knew it was likely, but was concerned either way.

He still needed to figure things out, but he was honestly looking forward to spending a little more time with everyone. The last few cities had found everyone split up and doing their own things. It would be nice to come together and simply live for a few weeks.

Luna was clearly meant to be with him, and he knew she would stay once she broke out of her shell again. He wanted to talk with her and tell her how much he loved her, but he also knew she would come to him when it was time. At least she wasn't in her wolf form for now. That led him to his other thoughts.

Gods and disciples. The stories of legends. He could create cultivators that were far stronger than others, but they were also in danger. Someone had killed his people and was still out there. He needed to grow his disciples further and make sure they reached gold souls at the least. Soon he would be violet and would stand a chance.

What was beyond violet? How far away was the immortal soul? He assumed none of his people ever reached it or they would still be around. Why did his parents think he stood a chance?

"How many questions do you have this time?" Amber asked as she stepped up to his side.

"Too many…"

Resting her hand against his back, she took a slow breath. "I never had time for many questions before you came along. Every day, I had to strive to survive and make sure no one was going to kill me in the dark."

"Is this supposed to make me feel better?" he asked.

"Shush!" Smacking him, she continued. "That changed when you came along. I now know that when we go to cities, I'll be able to use everything I've learned to help you. I find myself asking what needs to be done next? How can I make his smile today? How can I protect him from his ignorance?"

"Hey!"

Giggling, she patted his back. "I'm only telling the truth, James. Having you sleep with Grace was a good first start to giving you experience in relationships. Although you are still wholly ignorant when it comes to people. You don't feel the same way we do. We need to pull you back and remind you that there is more to life than getting stronger."

"We?" he asked.

"Yup! You will never be alone, James. You need practice with people for when we enter another city. We are all going to help you. Just like you changed my future and took me away from the slums and into the light, I'm going to help you. I never have to go back to slitting throats again if I don't want to. I don't have to constantly look over my shoulder and pray to see another day. All of that was because of you, and if I can change, then I know you can as well. Humanity might not be your people, but we demi-humans are."

"I'm confused now…" he murmured.

"Shut up…I'm not good at speeches."

Turning around, he pulled her against his chest. "Thank you, Amber. I'm glad you came into my life, even if you can't talk very well."

Biting his arm, she growled. "Ass!"

Pushing her away playfully, he laughed. "We need to gather the others. It's time to camp for the night." Spreading out his soul, he pulled on the other ladies, letting them know to come back.

Zenaria was the first to show up, her expression set into determination when she met his gaze. Unsure of what was going on there, he focused on Linda as she appeared. The elf was yawning as she pulled out her tent.

"Keep the noise down tonight," she warned.

Luna walked out, rolling her eyes. "I'm not that loud."

Leaving, he walked a bit away and set up his tent. He noticed the other ladies doing he same and soon they were all looking toward the dimming sky. Grace started to curse as the air grew hotter.

"Why do I have to do this?" Grace grumbled.

"Better do it now rather than the wasteland," he stated.

All four of the other ladies nodded.

"I'm going to bed," Linda announced. "I want to get started early."

Amber yawned as well. "Good night."

Grace moved further away, giving everyone enough space that her screaming wouldn't cause problems. Luna nodded to the kitsune before slipping into his tent to wait for him. Left with Zenaria, he was about to get up when she grabbed his arm.

"Stay for a minute?" she whispered.

Scooting over to her, he nodded. "What's up, Zenaria?"

Face still tinged pink, she asked, "can we walk for a bit?"

Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

Getting up, he pulled her to her feet. "Sure."

Moving away from the camp, they found a different clearing a few miles away. Once they were sitting again, she bumped her shoulder against his. "Thank you."

"For what?" he was slightly confused.

"For not asking about my tails."

"It's your story to share. I'll never push."

Smiling, she took a deep breath. "I feel safe with you. I haven't felt like this since before my sister was taken from me."

He met her gaze with furrowed brows as his intrigue rose.

Taking another deep breath, she added, "don't tell the others."

"I won't," he promised.

"It all happened when I was dying of an illness. My sister was taking care of me and I felt her love everyday. One day, several men kicked down our door. It turned out that my sister had borrowed money from the king. His people came to collect."

His heart sank as she took a moment to gather her thoughts. He had a feeling that he knew where the story was going to go.

"Kitsune tails are highly valued by humans for their softness and delicate touch among style."

"No…" he gasped.

"My sister had three like me. Since she couldn't pay, they took her but not before cutting off two of mine. I was so sick that I could only fight back weakly. They left my lying in a pool of my own blood as I cried for them to let my sister go.

"The last thing I had from her was the medicine she bought with their money. I thought I could get her back once I got better, but they weren't done with us. They returned as I was getting better. They knew I had Qi and knew they could hold my sister over my head if I worked with them. So I did."

Nodding, he squeezed her hand.

"For years, I developed my skills and was the muscle they needed. Eventually, I was strong enough to get my sister back, only to learn they killed her after taking her tails. I found her frozen body. They didn't lie, they were planning on giving her back."

"I'm sorry…I don't know what to say…"

Wiping her eyes, she looked up at him with shimmering tears. "Once they couldn't control me, they sold me to the sect. I was used for similar purposes and used in other ways…"

"You don't have to say more." Pulling her against him, he held her while she cried. But she refused to be done.

"Eventually I was given to Tian to help him. Then I met you. Not only could you find me, but you didn't care that I was being used against you. You promised me a way out and offered your soul as protection. Why couldn't you come sooner? Why, James?"

Shaking his head, he pressed her face against his chest. "I'm sorry, Zenaria. If I could take back what they did to your sister I would. I promise I won't let anything happen to you now that you are my sister."

"Family?" she asked softly.

He didn't answer. Instead, he continued to hold her as he thought over her story. How many other stories did his companions have? How hard were their lives and how could he help?

A soft kiss on his cheek, pulled him from his thoughts. "What was that for?"

Smiling, she let him go. "Thank you, brother. I don't know what I would do if you hadn't come along."

"All you have to do is ask, and I'll help you, Zenaria. Just like Jamie and Linda, you are my sister. I protect my family."

Nodding, she walked into the shadows and disappeared. He could feel her return to the others, leaving him in the clearing.

I need to think. The truths that Zenaria just told me will haunt me for a few nights. I need to make sure something like that can't happen again. Not to my family.

***

Deep in the heart of the Underworld, a squad of ten men journeyed toward a rent with their leader. They were tasked with ending yet another Valiant before he could rise in power. One of their members was a woman with a scar running over her eye. The missing organ was replaced by a metallic sphere with the enchantment for area sight.

They didn't talk as they marched, each of them carrying a different weapon. The woman was in charge and the last known member to have slayed a god. She was there to ensure the others were up to the task and if she had to step in, then they weren't worth leaving alive.

The others knew this of course, but still took the mission. If they could claim they defeated a Valiant, they would rise higher in The Pact and be entrusted with pushing back the wasteland and possibly assault a nest.

The woman knew they were young, barely a few decades old. Inexperience would likely be the death of them, but the Valiant hadn't been trained either. There was no one left to train the god.

How he was not discovered as a child was the mystery that would lead to their secondary mission. The sect that had him would need to be punished as a statement to the world. They only had power because the Underworld gifted it to them.

The so called cultivators were lesser beings. They would never be able to stand up to a god. That was why they were failing to clear their nests. Why they were forced to hide in their cities.

Touching her tiger ears, the woman found herself smiling. Even though Earth had taken on the heritage of her people, they would never stand up to her strength. She was excited to show the lesser races their place in the food chain. They owed their existence to people like her, and it was time to remind them of that.

There was just one worry. It was rumored that he had converted disciples. If that was true, then this James might discover why they were truly important. If he did, then her mission might fail and she would have to step in. The bonds the god could form could give rise to a new pantheon. If he took a wife, then their children would control the world. She couldn't allow him to form those kinds of bonds.

***

James slipped into his tent with all the grace of a rampaging elephant, waking Luna up and likely the nearby ladies.

"What the hell, James?" Luna growled.

"Sorry, sorry!"

Sighing, she rolled onto her back and opened her arms for him. "Come here. You've been gone with Zenaria for a while. Should I be worried she's pregnant?"

Groaning, he flashed her a glare. "We are going back into the city to steal some men. I can't do this trip with five women."

Giggling, she pulled him down with her. "It'll be fine, my love. Now I do believe I told you that you could do anything to me tonight."

Humming, he kissed her neck. "That's true, but I think I want to save that for after we talk."

Her moans of pleasure cut off as she slumped back onto the bedroll. "Do we have to?"

"No," he stated, "but I know you want to. It's my fault you left for a few weeks."

"True," she admitted. "But I also came to terms with the incident and the fact I enjoyed getting stronger. I've been fighting with myself the entire time if that's how I truly felt and I'm still conflicted."

Kissing her neck again, he let her take a moment before he said, "we are all conflicted. All of us are happier we got stronger, but at what cost? There's a reason I'm avoiding cities right now. Although the five of you are going to be the death of me."

Pulling his face level with hers, she kissed the tip of his nose. "Don't let them get to you. All of us are doing our best to adjust and not focus on the mission in front of us. Soon we are going to assault a nest, and we don't know if we'll survive. Let us pick on you a little."

Kissing her back, he blew out a slow breath. "I'll make sure you all live. I just want answers, Luna. I want to know my people and more about what happened to them. Africa might have those answers. I might even have to travel to the Underworld once I'm strong enough."

Sitting up, she pushed him off her. "I'm coming with you. And can we save the world while we are it?"

Her soft spoken question made him smile. "Yeah, we can. It's going to be a lot of work to destroy the nests around the world, and somehow close the rents. Are you sure you're going to be able to handle the fighting and possibly stopping sects that will be in our way?"

Touching the ring on her finger, she nodded. "You're my soulmate, James. I know I'm not cut out for killing sects, or infiltrating hidden circles like Amber, but I like to think I help you mentally."

He started to understand just a little about her fears. Everyone that was with provided something to the group, apart from Luna. Well, Grace didn't really either, but Luna was worried about how she could help him. She needed to help him.

"Can you keep your arms open for me?" he asked softly.

Frowning, she opened her arms.

Scooting into her grasp, he felt her wrap her arms around his back. "This is what I needed. A place to come home to."

Sniffling, she pressed her nose into the top of his head. "I'll always be here for you." Her voice was thick with emotion as he felt tears drip onto his head.

"I'm not a good person, Luna, but I like to think I can be a good father when the time comes. I want to change, but I don't think the world will let me…" Reminding her of what Amber told him about the future, he expressed his worries in full. He didn't know if his friends were going to die again, or if he would lose her in the process. Something told him that not everyone would make it out.

Gentle fingers ran through his hair. "I have you, James…Shh…it's okay."

Opening his eyes, he felt the tears clinging to him as he let out all of his fears. Taking a deep breath, he wiped his eyes. "Look at me. I'm a mess…"

"We both are," she whispered. "But we are in this together. I'm going to reach my gold soul during the nest fight, I promise you that. I'll rise up to violet with you, and go even further. Your enemies are my enemies, and my fangs are yours. Just like I will protect your heart and remind you that you always have a home to come back to. And, when the time comes, you will hear the joyous laugh of our children."

"Thanks, Luna." Pulling away, he took one last deep breath. "I've been spiraling for a while. Sleeping with Grace, flirting with the others, pushing people away and pulling others close. I needed this."

"Oh yes! You and I need to talk about your flirting habits. I leave you alone for a few days and you climb all over Amber and Grace," she teased.

Rolling his eyes, he laid both of them down. "You're the only one I want, Luna. And I'll do better about the others. I realize I don't know how to interact with people as I should. My life has been messy."

Pulling his head to rest on her chest, she hummed a small melody. When she was done, she asked, "have any more memories come back?"

Before he could answer, she started to hum again, lulling him into a relaxed state. His eyes started to grow heavy as he whispered, "not yet."

Her humming continued and soon his eyes closed for good. Just before sleep claimed him, he heard Luna giggle. "Sleep well, my soul. I'll never let you go again."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.