Zenaria weaved her Web of Death around the area. She kept the threads hidden as the two men tried to find her in the shadows. They knew she was moving across the floors and walls and sent beams and blasts of energy at anything that shifted.

Laughing, she called attention to herself, making both men spin. "You lot are pathetic with your spears. How you've managed to live this long is a mystery to me."

"Shut up!" the elf growled.

Walking through the shadows, she approached from their other side, spinning more threads. "Your people killed our master's wife. Venice paid for her crimes, but we aren't stopping with just her." Rushing across the area, she barely dodged a beam of energy. "Your whole organization will pay. Your families will be killed to the last member."

Wrapping more threads around them, she noticed they were starting to slow. Turning every which way, they searched the shadows and sent large pulses of energy into the area. Barriers wrapped around them that instantly started to crack.

"What is she doing to us?" the demi-human asked.

The elf shook his head. "I don't know."

"I'm slowing you down," Zenaria answered. "Soon you will be nothing but corpses in my webs."

Slashing his spear through the area, the elf tried to cut her threads, but his spear wasn't strong enough to sever the gold threads.

Moving around them again, she wrapped more webs, slowing them further and forcing their arms down to their sides. "I'm going to enjoy killing you slowly. Sliver by sliver, I will cut into your flesh until you are nothing but bloody chunks."

The demi-human growled and started to thrash, making her strengthen the webs. With the enhanced power, they came into view, making all of the dragons gasp.

Half of the tunnel was filled with thin webs of golden wires that completely enshrouded the two men. Coming out of her shroud, she rested her finger on one of the webs. Pulling on it slightly, she watched as the webs cut into the two men, squirting blood through the air. Screams followed her attack, making her savor the moment even more.

"Any last words?"

The elf gasped, "your kind…should all be dead."

"I'm not a Valiant," Zenaria stated. "I'm only a disciple. James is far scarier if I'm being honest. You've angered a god, and now he is passing judgment on your Pact. His wrath will not be swift."

"So, this is the end," the demi-human muttered. Gasping in pain, he took a moment before adding, "what was the Council thinking, leaving a Valiant alive?"

Laughing, Zenaria pulled the wire just a little more. The men's screams filled the air as blood dripped steadily to the floor. "I'll try to not bleed you out too quickly. I want you awake for the next few minutes. I want to savor those wonderful screams as you imagine what I'm going to do to your friends and family."

Pulling the wire more, she started the screams all over. The time for words was done.

***

James stopped near the pink lady's side. Crouching down, he grabbed the back of her neck and slammed her face into the ground, breaking her nose. "Your people have caused the death of several of my family members."

Spitting out blood, she sent spears of energy exploding from her body, hoping to pierce him. He enjoyed the moment she watched the spears break against his body, failing to do more than rip his shirt and pants.

Lifting her by her neck, he turned her toward the fort. The screams of her men were filling the air. "This is what awaits you, woman. Pain and suffering, but only after your men are dead. For now, I have plenty of questions.

"I-I won't tell y-you anything!" she gasped.

Setting her down, he turned her toward himself and drove his fist into her stomach. He felt the flesh strain against his hand before she hurled her breakfast over the floor.

Stepping back, he waited until she was done before crouching down again. "Tell me, woman, what direction is the nearest city?"

"F-fuck you!"

Patting her cheek, he pulled a sliver of her soul away, making her drop to the ground and thrash from the pain. He waited a few moments for it to pass before asking his question again.

"The tunnel leads straight to Norn!" she screamed.

"No branches?" he questioned.

"N-none…"

Standing, he grabbed her neck and lifted her back to her feet. Making her face the fort again, they listened as some of the screaming was cut off. "My mates are making short work of your men. How many of you are left in Norn?"

"P-please," she pleaded.

Grabbing another sliver of her soul, he ripped it off. "Please what?"

Thrashing in his grip, saliva started drooling from her mouth, mixed with blood. "S-spare me!"

"Why should I?" he asked. "You were sent to kill me. The best part is that you don't even know the truth of the world. Killing me will only make the rents worse and grow the nests that much quicker."

"Y-you're wrong!" she screamed.

Setting her down, he grabbed her arm and turned her to the north. "Down that way is the queen of the rent. Above her is the facility that was housing my people's energy. The very energy that The Pact released upon the genocide of my race. Each rent has a store of my people's energy keeping it alive. Guess what I found in the nest I destroyed."

"N-no," she said softly.

"Guess!" he shouted.

"Energy…"

"Right." Letting her go, he pushed her away a few feet. "Now, why don't you do your best to kill me. I'm the monster of the story after all and deserve to die. Add my energy to my people's and doom this world further. Go ahead. Kill me!"

Holding out her hand, she summoned her spear back to her hand. Holding it with two hands, she shook as she started building energy at the tip of her spear. Lifting his sword, he pushed her spear off course just as the energy burst forward. A boulder behind him exploded, raining down stone over the area.

"You'll have to try harder than that," he taunted. "You no longer have protections from me, which means I can play with your soul. The power that gives you skills will be snuffed out when I'm ready."

Dropping her spear, she sank to the ground. "I can't win, can I?" she whispered.

Dismissing his sword, he crossed his arms. "You can't. Tell me how to reach Europe."

"Why?"

"I have more nests to close and another rent to destroy. My brother asked me to save the world and I intend to do just that."

This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Dropping her gaze to the ground, she asked, "why don't you let the world die? Why save us?"

Walking over, he sat by her side. "Not everyone deserves to die. The world is filled with the innocent that want nothing more than to live their short lives. I can't take that away from them."

"But you're a god," she reasoned. "You could mold this world how you want."

Chuckling, he shook his head. "Why would I want that? I only ever wanted to be left alone while I save the world with my family. It was The Pact that came for me when I didn't deserve their ire."

Sniffling, she covered her eyes. Turning to her, he felt a moment of sorrow for the woman. She was doomed to die this day, and yet they were talking about the truths of the world.

Through her tears, she said, "to reach Europe you must go through Norn and take the north tunnel. It branches dozens of times from there, and there are no signs to lead the way."

Sighing, he rubbed his temples. "Of course it can't be that simple. I really am going to need a guide."

"You're going to kidnap someone?" she asked. "Only The Pact know how to move from city to city and rent to rent."

"Well then. It's a good thing I have a Pact member with me right now." Getting up, James towered over the kneeling woman.

"W-what?" she questioned.

Smiling, James rested his hand on her shoulder. "I have a very important job for you. One that will ensure you live."

Fear filled her eyes as she looked up. Her tears started running again as he tapped into her soul. Snuffing her flame, he forcefully changed her. She would no longer be a Pact member. She would be level zero and would need to stay around to grow stronger and possibly save her own life.

Her screams of pain from having her soul crushed and her skills removed filled the air. Spittle and foam flecked her lips before she passed out. Blood oozed from her pores, staining the ground as he kept watch over her.

Amber was the first to join him, her smile breaking as she saw the woman twitching. "What did you do?"

James glanced at her before sitting. "I found us a guide."

"You left her alive?" she questioned. "She tried to kill you!"

Waving her off, he summoned the corpse of a boar and set it down with some bottles of water. "I didn't relish the idea of searching the tunnels for the rent on our own, nor breaking another Pact member. She was already broken, so she's coming with."

Sitting by his side, Amber groaned. "I can't believe you are doing this. We are going to have to lock her up each night just so we can sleep."

"True."

Zenaria was the next one out, wiping blood from her cheek before freezing. "What did you do?"

"He kept her alive," Amber answered. "Apparently she's going to be our guide."

"You two can't kill her," he stated. "We need the help and I found it. Plus, she can clean our clothes and lead us in the cities. She also has money I assume."

"You're going to rob her?" Zenaria deadpanned.

Shrugging, he turned to the pink woman. "Why not? I let her live, so she should be thankful."

Groaning again, Amber rubbed her temples. "I can already tell this is going to be a pain in the ass."

"I'm going to go repair the fort," James said. "You two can keep an eye on her. Don't kill her."

"If we don't kill her, you are washing my tails tonight," Zenaria countered. "I can't believe we are doing this…"

Smiling, James walked away. He was sure that the conversation was far from done, but he knew he made the right choice.

***

Coral woke to a hunger unlike anything she had experienced before. Her stomach shook her body with pain before a hand grabbed her neck and pushed her mouth against the flesh of something meaty.

Biting into the touch meat, she ripped chunk after chunk out of the beast. Blood dribbled down her chin as she sought to end her stomach and the pain her stomach was causing. Minutes seemed to pass before a bottle of water was thrust into her hands.

Downing the liquid, she begged for more and soon had another bottle. Whispers were coming from her sides as she continued to devour the food before her.

What is happening? What did that man do to me?

"Her eyes are starting to clear."

"I remember my first time. She has a long road ahead of her."

"I can't believe he left her alive. Now we have to babysit her."

Pulling away from the corpse, she burped before taking several deep breaths. "W-what did he do to me?"

A strong hand grabbed her face and turned her forcefully. When she met the eye of the nekorian, she shivered and whimpered.

"At least she's afraid," the nekorian stated.

"Even I'm scared of you," the other woman stated.

Tears welled up in Coral's eyes again.

"You made her cry." Tutting, the second woman smacked the nekorian's hand away. "James told us to be nice."

"It's not my fault she is a coward." The nekorian poked her and asked, "what's your name, woman?"

"C-Coral…"

The kitsune smiled. "Pretty name. I'm Zenaria and the brooding one is Amber. I hear you are our guide to the next rent."

"I guess," Coral whispered.

"There's no guessing about it," Amber growled. "James kept you alive because you have what he needs. Unlike him, I'm not afraid to rip your soul out if you disappoint."

Touching her chest, Coral looked into herself and found a small flickering ember. Looking up, she found Zenaria giving her a wary smile. Looking at the kitsune's chest, she saw the raging gold flames of a powerful soul. Gasping, she turned to Amber and found an even more powerful gold soul.

"No, you didn't stand a chance," Amber answered her unspoken question.

Zenaria pulled Coral to her feet. "Grab your spear. You'll need it to kill monsters and blend into the cities. I'll have plenty of work for you."

"W-work?" Coral questioned.

Amber groaned. "Are you going to question everything we tell you? Yes, work. You know, sneaking in behind you as you lead us to more Pact members. We are purging the association."

"But…"

Amber pulled her to a stop. "You aren't one of them anymore, girl. You are what they hunt, and if you don't play along, I won't bother protecting you. I'll just tell James that you died before I could get to you."

"Amber!" Zenaria hissed.

"I'm telling her like it is!" Amber snapped. "She didn't willingly join us! She's not a true disciple."

Slumping, Coral started to sink to the ground again, only for Zenaria to hoist her back up. "We need to get her to sleep before her mind breaks."

Grumbling, Amber grabbed her arm and helped lift her. "Fine, but we are sealing her in her room."

"Yeah, yeah," Zenaria mumbled.

Coral was practically carried into the fort. Moving to the side, she barely focused until they reached a small complex of rooms dug into the tunnel. James was smoothing out the walls of what appeared to be a new room.

"Do her legs not work?" he asked.

"They do," Amber said with a roll her eyes. "You just broke her entire existence. She's a little out of it."

"That was before you scared the crap out of her," Zenaria teased.

Finding her footing, Coral tried to stand strong. "W-what are my orders, M-Master?"

Amber whistled. "Damn! She caught on fast!"

James walked over and rested his hand on her shoulder. "Go into your room and rest. I'll need you to show me to your nest tomorrow and I'll show you how to level up."

"You're letting her level up?" Amber snapped.

James let out pressure that forced Coral to her knees and a second later, Zenaria and Amber hit the ground. "She is a representative of my people now. If she stays weak and pathetic, then we all look weak and pathetic. I will not stand for that."

Amber gulped. "Sorry, James…"

"I-I'll watch over her for you," Zenaria added. "I'll explain everything to her when we reach the nest."

Forcing her gaze, up, Coral watched James nod before opening the door to her room. The pressure vanished in an instant making her fall to her hands and knees.

James bent down and lifted her as if she was a child. Setting her back on her feet, he gently guided her to her room. "In you go."

Stepping inside, Coral turned and watched as James started to close the door. When a second man's voice spoke up, the door stopped.

"Should I stand watch?" the man asked.

James shook his head. "She won't be able to break out. Let her rest worry free for at least one night. She's one of us now." Closing the door the rest of the way, he removed the seems from the door, turning the wall into one solid piece.

Despite the appearance of the wall, there were small slits for air. Turning, Coral found a small bed against the far wall with a bedroll and several thick blankets. The soft glow of the walls gave her a familiar comfort as she walked over. It wasn't until she was laying down that she felt her exhaustion hit.

What just happened to my life?

That was her only question before sleep claimed her.

***

James gestured to everyone to walk away. "She's our hope for reaching the nests and rents. Keep her alive so I don't have to break more people."

Amber got back to her feet and joined his side, followed by Zenaria. "You're not going to treat her like a pawn, are you?"

"Nope," he answered. "I won't show mercy to The Pact, but I saw a chance and took it. She lives and we hurry through the Underworld. The sooner I can reach the immortal soul, the sooner our family can be whole."

Taking his hand, Amber purred. "I can't wait to snuggle with Luna again."

Smiling, James led all four of them to his room. "Let's start planning. Tomorrow morning, we leave for the nest and Priest will keep me company. I need you two to grow stronger and help our newest member adapt. If you can't do it, I'll step in and spend time with her."

"I'll be damned if you will!" Amber growled.

Smirking, James winked at her. "Good."

Realizing she'd been played, Amber sat on the bed and huffed. "Priest, get out. It's bath time and I need to get this blood off me."

"Shoo shoo." Zenaria pushed the man away.

Chuckling, James called out to the man. "We'll talk more tomorrow. Tell Mother that I'll find her in the morning to discuss our course."

Waving, Priest stepped out of the room. "Understood. Maybe I'll tell her some stories of your parents."

Zenaria started to growl. "If you don't share those with me, I'll cut off your arm."

Laughing, James watched the ebony man quickly close the door to save himself. Moving to his tub, he started the water. He didn't know why he bothered when he noticed Zenaria setting out soaps and shampoos. Glancing at the brush in her hand, he knew he would be cleaning her before he could enjoy his own bath.

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.