Elder Bo watched from the distance as the one named James left the sect. Those around paid no heed to his presence as he manipulated the Qi to blend into the world. The other two elders were by his side, watching with frowns.

"What do we know about him?" Jing asked.

"Nothing," Bo answered.

Tim let out a frustrated groan. "Why are we letting him walk off without more answers?"

Jing glanced at him. "He's stronger than we are. That's not an easy feat."

"The three of us could take him," Tim stated.

Bo shook his head quickly. "We don't dare. Even if we could kill him, he'd just come back to life. He'd be ravenous and uncontrollable. How many would he kill and eat before we could calm him? With the new strength flowing through him, we'd die alongside our sect."

"I thought the Soul Project was destroyed?" Jing questioned.

"It was," Bo said. "It was deemed too dangerous, and all subjects were eliminated. How the hell he has that power is beyond me."

Tim crossed his arms. "He keeps his power reined in rather well. Should we follow him?"

"No," Bo answered. "He'd know we were there. His wife on the other hand…"

"Don't," Jing warned. "If his soul truly meshes with hers, then he would know if she becomes unsettled. Let's simply pray they gather their supplies and hurry out of our city."

Turning towards the workshops, Bo sighed. "It's not likely. Master Marion is celebrating a new finding." Holding up his ring finger, the elder stared at the new ring. "James can make rings like this. Our cultivators will excel if we can gain more."

"Will they help against the Running River Sect?" Jing asked.

Nodding, Bo lowered his hand. "They will."

All three of them watched the elevator descend with their guest.

"Are we really letting two of our sect follow him?" Tim asked.

Bo cocked his brow. "We aren't tyrants. Plus, it'll endear James to us if we cooperate."

Jing turned towards the west. "We are going to need him in a good mood for that thing."

Following his gaze, Bo nodded. "We have a few days before it arrives. We'll need to take the fight to the forest."

"Have we ever killed one?" Tim asked.

"No," Bo reluctantly admitted. "Then again. No one has ever passed the first level of their soul. How strong will that man become…"

Luna glanced at Mender out of the corner of her eye. "You aren't going to be welcome where we go."

"I know," he said with a shrug. "But I'm going to have to get used to it. I feel like we are going to have more demi-humans in our group before long."

Smirking, Luna nudged him with her elbow. "Are you thinking about running your hand along a tail? Or maybe some pointed ears?"

Frowning, it was his turn to glare at her.

Laughing, Luna grabbed her tail. "This is only for James. You'll have to find your own tail."

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Grumbling, Mender didn't respond.

Reaching the eastern side of the city, Luna watched with wary eyes as demi-humans of all races wandered the streets. The upkeep of the buildings was much lower as cracked stone and rotten wood was dominate. Their bodies were dirty and only a select few had dantians that were untrained and filled with sludge.

"Stay on guard," she whispered.

"Always," Mender responded.

Luna's gaze snapped to a flickering orange tail as it disappeared around the corner. Pushing out her Soul Senses, she recognize the same cat as before. Now that James wasn't around, she tested the limits of her senses as she touched souls and judged them. There was a lot of sadness and depression among her people.

"We need to find an inn," Luna said.

"That's the plan."

Keeping their pace steady, Luna scanned the alleyways as they passed. All sorts of demi-human children and adults were passed out with crude wooden shelters. Bottles of alcohol dominated the alleyways, telling her what they spent their money on.

Sniffing the air, she recognized the scent of Ruddy Weed. She almost growled as it came from children.

"We are going to have to protect James here," Mender whispered.

"You think," she nearly snapped.

Holding up his hands, he quickly stepped out of the way of an avian as the bird man tried to shoulder check the cultivator.

"Out of my way, human!"

Mender pressed his lips into thin lines as he rejoined Luna's side. "He's going to be harassed the entire way to you."

Luna growled at another Fenrir as the man tried to approach her. "Taken!"

Glowering at her, he chuffed and continued on his way.

"Are you sure you want to stay in this district?" Mender asked.

"Yes. James needs to adjust to my people if we are going to be together."

Nodding in understanding, Mender pointed out a fiery orange cat a hundred feet down the road. "Isn't she…"

Growling again, Luna pushed out her senses and tested the cat. It was the same one, yet again. "Keep your rings on tight. If she can slip off a ring without being detected, you are screwed."

"James caught her."

Frowning, she turned to the human. "James notices many things that the rest of us don't. He may be clueless to the city life, but don't you dare underestimate him when it comes to survival and unknown threats."

Holding up his hands, Mender blew out a slow breath.

Huffing, Luna pushed her way through the growing crowd. The street was packed as they came to a marketplace. Tavern signs hung on three buildings, their paint faded, and chains rusted.

"Looks like we are here," Luna murmured. To her surprise, the cat slipped into one nearest tavern. With a frown, she followed, taking the lead from Mender.

Stepping inside the building, Luna scanned the interior and broken tables and chairs. The wood floor was cracked with scratch marks denoting fights. Behind the bar was a antlered man that made her feel small in comparison. His massive hands polished a glass mug delicately.

"What do you need?" the moose asked.

"Lodging," Luna stated. Walking over to the moose, she held out her hand to Mender.

The moose glared at the human. "Why would you bring his kind here?"

Scoffing, Luna said, "I saved his life. He's paying for my room for me and my husband. Plus, it's fun to make humans walk through the district."

Smirking, the moose reached out and took the gold coin from Mender before he could place it in Luna's hand. Pulling out a key, he handed it to the wolf. "What are you going to do with this one?"

"Release him to the wilds," Luna said with a shrug. "He served his purpose."

Mender backed up a few steps. "If I find James, I'll send him to you."

Waving, Luna smiled. "You do that, but you know he'll find me before long."

Quickly leaving, Mender closed the door behind him.

"Consorting with humans?" the moose asked.

Shrugging, Luna sat at the bar. "My husband saved my life. Fed me. Healed me, and helped me out of the wastelands. Keep that in mind when you see him."

"You were in the wastelands?"

Nodding, Luna let her ears droop. "Yeah. The most powerful man I've ever seen killed the Forsaken that were hunting me and carried me to safety. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for him."

Humming, the moose filled a mug with ale and slid it over to her. "He's human, I assume."

"He is," she admitted. "Despite how well he can survive in the wastelands, he's clueless about the city."

"How does that work?"

Chuckling, she could only shrug. "I'm still trying to learn that myself. I feel like I have to hold his hand whenever we go places. God forbid that he doesn't get into trouble as he roams the city right now."

Laughing with her, the moose held out his hand. "Mason."

Taking the large hand, Luna said, "Luna."

"We don't get many Fenrir here in the city."

"I'm not surprised." Thinking about her tribe, she sighed. "We are a nomadic people. That is if you fit their narrative."

Huffing, Mason went back to cleaning his mugs. "Your story is a familiar one."

Drinking her ale, she was surprised how good it tasted. With a pleasant smile, she said, "it's fine. I found the perfect man for me, and I wouldn't go back. In fact, the man that walked me here is one of his disciples."

Brows rising, Mason glanced at the door. "How powerful did you say he was?"

"I didn't." Smirking, Luna took another drink.

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