Mender split up from Jamie as he headed toward the park. He wanted to meditate on his skills and see if he could learn healing again. It wouldn't be the same, since he wouldn't be using Qi, but he knew he could pull it off.

After ten minutes, he came to the large open grounds of one of the city parks. Trees rose up in patterns around the area, giving shade and comfort in their changing colors. The paths and benches were lined with people going about their days and enjoying dates. It made him smile.

Moving to an open area so the sun could shine down on him, he sat and closed his eyes. He focused on his soul and the energy in his body. The ember was slightly brighter than when he started, and he knew he was stronger. He wasn't even close to where he was before, but he would grow.

Stirring the energy, he let his mind play with it as he thought of what it was like to heal someone. The feeling of their bones mending and skin sealing shut. Blood vessels and arteries repairing and organs recovering. All of it flashed through his thoughts as his energy craved to be used.

He had always been good at meditating and figuring out his Qi. This was no different, and he knew if he had a patient, he could likely heal them with his current mindset. All he needed was to find the nearest clinic and practice.

Opening his eyes, he startled. All around him were people meditating. Dozens of people. With a quick glance, he didn't see anyone on the paths anymore, nor sitting on benches.

What the hell?

Getting up, he made sure not to disturb anyone as he made his way out of the gathering. With one last glance back at the meditation gathering, he hurried away.

Why did they gather around me? Was my meditation inspiring or something?

Taking a slow pace toward the clinic, Mender was met with smiling residents that bowed to his passing. He returned as many as he could, but it was nearly overwhelming.

Thankfully, he reached the clinic after half an hour and peeked inside. The building was filled with crying patients and screaming staff. They were very chaotic and the atmosphere was beyond stressed.

Stepping fully inside, he called out, "do you all need some help?"

As if his words were magic, the crying stopped, and the staff calmed. The tense atmosphere changed to serene in an instant. A doctor waved him over.

"Thank you for coming, cultivator. We could use your help."

Mender nodded. "It's my pleasure. I'm working on learning to heal with my energy. May I see some minor injuries."

"Certainly," the doctor said with a smile.

He wanted to frown at the suddenly calm behavior, but went with the flow and claimed a room. A sniffling child was brought in with a bad cut across his arm. Mender tutted before helping the boy onto an examination bed.

"This won't take long," Mender said confidently.

Closing his eyes, he recalled the energy and flow and pushed it to his fingertips. Slowly, he could feel his soul mingling with the wound and felt the drain as it was healed.

New Soul Skill: Soul Healing: Level 1/10

It was the message he was hoping for, and he prayed he was the first to gain a skill that day.

"Thank you, Sir," the boy said softly.

Opening his eyes, Mender ruffled the boy's hair. "Go on, kid. Go play."

Jumping down, the boy hurried off. More crying could be heard from the entrance as new patients arrived. Stepping out of his room to retrieve another patient, Mender frowned when the crying suddenly cut off and calmed.

Okay. This is beyond freaky…

Jamie stood in front of a woman, waving her hand. "Hello?"

The woman looked right at her, but didn't seem to see her.

Huffing, Jamie moved on. She needed to find her guild. She was behind on training, and she would be leaving soon, so she wanted to talk to her master to learn anything she could take with her.

Moving through the side streets of the human side of the city, she was bumped into, knocked aside, and frankly ignored as she moved to her guild. With each passing person, she grew more agitated.

Why are they ignoring me? I'm not that small, am I?

Entering the guild, she found the other assassins sitting at the bar. Even the bouncer seemed to ignore her as she entered. In fact, the large man didn't even bat an eye as she walked through the bar.

Scratching her head, Jamie waved in the face of several people, only for them to continue their conversations like she wasn't there. Huffing, she gave up and moved to her master.

"Jamie?" the man greeted as she entered the room.

"You can see me?" Jamie asked.

Her mentor was wearing a black garb that covered him from head to toe. In fact, she had never seen his face before.

"Of course I can," he said. "Is something wrong?"

Shaking her head, she said, "It's been the strangest day." Quickly telling him her story, she earned a laugh from the man.

"You're not invisible, my dear. Maybe you have just grown in your craft."

Frowning, she nodded. "Maybe you are right."

"I'm guessing you are here for information and maybe a target?" her master asked.

"No target," she stated. "I'm leaving the city soon to help my brother establish a sect."

"James. The man of the hour."

"Yes," Jamie said with a beaming smile. "He's amazing!"

Chuckling, the man pulled out several sheets of paper from his desk. "I figure you would be going with him. This is everything I have gathered on targets in Running River. I'll let you parse through them, but my brother might be able to thin the list to those that know about your father."

Jamie felt her expression darken. "Give them to me."

Handing them over, her master crossed his arms. "My brother knows you are coming. Make sure you study your targets and extract your answers."

"Then I'll make them pay," she growled.

"I wouldn't expect anything less from my star pupil." Turning away, he clearly dismissed her.

Leaving the room, she added the reports to her ring and walked up to the bar. "Can I get an ale?"

The bartender looked right at her and didn't do anything.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

Grabbing the woman's arm, Jamie watched the woman jolt and nearly scream.

"Jamie?" she asked.

Jamie nodded. "Yes. Can I get an ale?"

"C-certainly!"

Suppressing her annoyance, Jamie noticed that those around the room still weren't seeing her. It was only seconds later that her ale arrived and she savored the drink.

What is going on today? I've always secluded myself, but this is something else…

James scythed the wheat as he glanced toward the city. It seems as though they are learning about their Soul Auras. Maybe I should have warned them.

Chuckling, he turned his attention to Jared. "Are we going to finish this field today?"

Jared wiped his forehead with his sleeve. "I believe so. If we do, maybe I can get my wife to share her apple pie with you."

"I wouldn't be opposed," James stated. "So, what can you tell me about vegetables."

"Which kind?"

"Potatoes," James said.

"Ahh. They are rather simple. Potatoes are excellent staple items. Plant them and with a little water, they multiply like rabbits. If you are starting your own garden, I definitely recommend them."

"Do you think I should grow some fruit trees?" he asked.

Jared shrugged. "They take a few years to bear any fruit, but they are worth it. You'll need saplings or seeds, and I can recommend a few people that have more knowledge than I do. I'm surprised you are getting into farming."

Rubbing his head, James smiled. "I'm going to be setting out into the world again to settle down somewhere with a group of followers. Food will be needed after all."

"Well, you've come to the right place!" Scything through the stalks of grain, Jared added, "let's get through this field and I'll show you around to a few people."

Agreeing, James got back to work.

James was the first to return to their campsite that afternoon. The others were fighting their way back, growing stronger as they harvest souls. Luna was moving among them, checking on their progress as he filled the tubs.

It wasn't a surprise when Amber was the first to arrive. Flicking blood off her claws, she smiled at him. "Hey, Lover!"

"I'm not your lover," he said with a laugh.

"Not yet," she teased. "Care to rub some of that shampoo into my tail?"

Pointing to the tub, he pulled out the shampoo. "Hurry and get in."

Before he could turn away, she pulled off her top and slipped out of her pants. She beamed as he eyed her before waving a finger at him. "Naughty, naughty, James, eyeing another woman. You haven't even properly courted me."

Rolling his eyes, he pushed her to the tub. "If you want my help, get in."

Slipping into the water, she moaned. "This is exactly what I needed after my exhausting day."

Stepping up to the tub, he regarded her for a moment. "Are we going to have problems with you flirting? I don't mind helping like this, or you teasing Luna, but you know it'll never go anywhere, right?"

Slumping, she covered her chest. "I know," she said softly. "It's easy to be around you and Luna. I just want to be by your side; however you will have me."

"Okay. To be honest, I want you by my side. Just know that nothing will happen."

Looking up at him with a gentle gaze, she nodded. "If I can still screw with Luna, I'll be fine. But enough about this. My day was odd…"

Grabbing her tail, he applied a little shampoo to his hand and massaged it into her fur. "Did something…I don't know…unexpected happen?"

Eyes narrowing, she asked, "what do you know?"

"Oh, I don't know," he said with a smirk. "I certainly wouldn't know anything about weird behaviors of those around you."

Groaning, Amber sunk into the tub. "Why the hell would they tell me everything so easily? I didn't even have to ask questions most of the time."

Snickering, he didn't tell her the truth. Thankfully, it was only a few seconds later that Luna was stepping into the clearing and pulling off her top.

"What a day…" she groaned.

"How did learning a craft go?" James asked.

Luna slipped into the second tub. "I learned I make an excellent merchant. I'm going back tomorrow to make more money. If you can enchant a few things for me, I think I can earn some favors for us." Pausing, she withdrew several boxes from her ring and set them down. "I also have twenty cakes…"

Amber sat up. "What do you mean, you have twenty cakes?"

Luna groaned again. "Everyone kept giving me gifts today…"

"And I thought I had it weird," Amber mumbled.

"Did you influence people too?" Luna asked. "I thought James was making things up when he pointed out people loved being around me."

"Everyone was horribly honest to me today," Amber stated. "It was unnerving."

Luna turned to him. "James? Are our souls affecting people?"

Suppressing his laughter, he shrugged. "I wouldn't know. Maybe they are. Maybe they aren't."

Amber splashed him with water. "You ass! You could have warned me that I had an aura!"

"How was I supposed to know what it would do?" he shot back. "But I'm happy to say that they don't work if you are together. I believe I'm the only one that can overpower you."

Luna started rubbing her temples. "You watched us all day, didn't you?"

"Yup," he admitted. "I'm happy to say that you all are unique. Have fun."

"I hate you," the girls said together.

"Just wait until you hear what Jamie's is." James smiled. "Even Mender's is pretty funny."

Thankfully, they wouldn't have to wait long to learn. Everyone was nearly back, and they were antsy to share what their days had been like. To that end, Jamie was the next back, her frown growing as she marched over to him.

"You're an ass!" she yelled.

Blinking in surprise, James took a step back, letting Amber's tail go. "Hello to you too."

"My day sucked because of you!"

Amber giggled next to him. "Seems like someone learned something about herself today."

Growling, Jamie spun on the cat. "Don't you start with me!" Shoving her finger into James's chest, she added, "everyone ignored me like I wasn't even there. You could have at least warned me."

Luna grunted. "Just be happy you weren't surrounded by admirers that gave you gifts left and right. I think I have twelve boxed lunches on me right now."

Amber glared at the Fenrir. "I learned Mason has been robbing me for years. Also, he wanted to sleep with me, and so do a lot of other people. James is the only one that is allowed to touch me like that."

"Umm…" James mumbled.

All three girls whirled on him. "This is your fault!"

Rubbing his head, he glanced at the forest as Mender walked out. "Save me."

The healer laughed as he meandered toward them. "It seems you all were affected too. I have to admit, being able to calm all situations is nice."

The glares leveled on the man, made Mender retreat several steps. James laughed as he regarded all of them. "Yes, you all have different curses, so to speak. Just be happy no one flees you like you are death itself."

All eyes dropped to the ground.

"You're right," Jamie whispered. "I can at least enter the city."

"Same…" Amber murmured.

Luna blew out a slow breath. "Sorry, James. You have it the worst and we have only complained about our small problems."

James gave them each a soft smile. "I know it's an inconvenience, but you can use them to your advantage. Luna, you can sell water to a fish now. Jamie will excel at her job. Mender can calm a battlefield. And Amber will be able to dig up all of our answers. All the while, I'm the hammer at the end."

"How does Jamie's help her with enchanting?" Mender questioned.

Jamie glowered at James. Quickly thinking of an excuse, James said, "people will leave her alone so she can focus!"

Nodding once, Jamie agreed with the excuse. "Dear brother, if you knew what I was working on today, why didn't you give me any advice?"

Wincing, James looked away. "You didn't tell me exactly what you were going to work on. I had to use my soul to figure it out."

Everyone shared looks before all of them turned to James.

"You watched all of us from the farms?" Luna questioned.

"How is that possible?" Amber asked.

James pointed into the forest. "Oh, look! The others are back!"

Rolling her eyes, Luna climbed out of the tub and summoned a towel. "Jamie, you can take my spot. I'll have James wash my tail later."

Sighing, Amber got up as well. "Dammit. I was really enjoying feeling James wash my tail. He hadn't even gotten to the base yet. How am I supposed to brush against him if he doesn't come closer?"

James gave her a blank look. "You're getting awfully bold for someone that isn't my wife."

Smirking, Amber hurried to his side, still naked. "But, My Love. What we have transcends marriage."

"Get off him!" Luna growled.

"Nah. I think I'll wrap my tail around him tonight."

Sighing, James pushed her away. "Get dressed and stop picking on Luna."

"Fine," Amber huffed. Turning to Luna, she asked, "care to help with dinner tonight? I believe you have enough food for all of us."

"Oh yes! I have more than enough."

James turned to Bronson as he brought Linda into the clearing. "How did your day go?"

Resting his bloody club on his shoulder, the oni said, "it went well. I looked into construction and I'll be studying for a few days. I'm also going to be learning earth magic to help us."

Linda skipped forward. "I picked up a crossbow. I gathered my equipment and tools from my workshop and tomorrow I'm going to be working with the leatherworker in the city to learn the basics."

Boris and Brakin showed up last. Both men looked bloody as they summoned several more tubs. Chuckling, James started filling them.

The two men explained they were learning various crafts as well, and over the next few days they would have the skills unlocked. All of the supplies had been bought and secured for their journey. All that was left was training and helping the elders clear their ranks of traitors. Then, it was time to step on the throats of the Running River Sect.

‎

Epilogue

Near the edge of the North American Rent, a group composed of five men, overlook the gathering of thousands of Forsaken.

"Are you sure he's dead?"

The first speaker comes from a sect in what was once Alaska. His mixture of wind and water aether has brought him to the heights of the elders.

"It's not possible for him to have survived."

The second man was the elder that was a close friend to James Matson.

"I destroyed his core and broke his body," the elder said. "The scent of his blood alone would have drawn all of the Forsaken to him."

The original elder bowed his head. "What of his real parents?"

"Unknown," the third elder stated.

"Will they come searching for him?"

No one answered as they gazed into the pits of the world. Once they had discovered what the man truly was, they eliminated the threat. He could not be allowed to grow in strength. Not with the future of the planet at stake.

The Saga continues in "Broken Core 2: Incarnate"

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