James woke before everyone and focused what senses he could on the apartment building. Everyone felt at peace as the night flares blew across the windows, rattling the world. Sitting in the living room, he felt the plush couch that wasn't rotten or broken. The coffee table was still intact and didn't have mushrooms growing on it. Even the attached kitchen was intact, and it almost looked like it would have power.

Why isn't this city destroyed like the others? Where did it really come from?

His list of questions was growing once again. He had so many that he should have written them down. From the moment he was tossed out of that portal and left for dead, he had been asking himself why the world was the way that it was. Why did the Rending happen? What caused the Great War? Why did his elder get rid of him? The list went on and on.

Getting up, he moved to the kitchen and checked the ancient oven. He had seen damaged ones in the museum, but had never seen one in such good condition. The coils inside were heated using electricity, and so was the stove top. It was fascinating that they used to cook food in such a thing.

Now, they had lost this technology and used different styles of ovens that were powered by electricity. Some of the more well off buildings had scanners to let people in, just like the maintenance buildings he took shelter in. The demi-human district he stayed in didn't have any of that, but he knew it was out there. After all, he faintly remembered having a powered oven in his house in the sect. He didn't use it much as someone always cooked for him when he actually ate.

The longer he was away from the sect, the more he was forgetting. His life before being tossed out felt like mist. Fleeting memories resurfaced, but he could hardly recall his parents. That is if they were his real parents. The dream he had before said so much if it was real.

If they weren't his parents, where did he come from? Why was he used as an experiment, and why did it feel like his body was waiting for him to activate his soul to truly start living. If his old life was slipping away, that had to mean something.

"Coin for your thoughts?" a soft voice asked.

Turning, he found Amber leaning against the front door, her arms crossed.

"When did you get here?" he asked.

"I thought I might check the fridge for milk, but I found you brooding instead."

Forcing a smile, he glanced at the fridge. "You know what that is?" Pausing, he turned to her again. "Did you just make a cat joke?"

"I'm allowed to," she stated. "And yes, I know what it is. I do know how to read and when I was a kid, I was fascinating by the ancient tech. I always wanted to explore and find the secrets of the world."

He knew life took her away from that dream, at least until now. "How are you liking being able to explore this city?"

Smiling, she uncrossed her arms and walked over to the sink. "I find it hard to believe that they used to get hot and cold water from this. Why don't we have the technology to heat our water so easily? What happened to all of that knowledge?"

"We lost factories for one," he answered. "People could likely build some of it from scratch, but without advanced factories for some tech, they couldn't reproduce what they were used to."

Humming, she bent over to search in the counter below the sink, sticking her butt and tail into the air.

"Really?" he questioned with a real smile.

Glancing at him, she started to blush. Straightening up, she shook her head. "Sorry. For once that was unintentional."

"I'll forgive you," he said, "but what were you hoping to learn down there?"

Crouching this time, she wiggled the pipes that were attached to the sink. "I want to know why this pipe is bent this way. I figured the drain would go straight down. What purpose does this bend serve?"

Joining her, he touched it as well. "I'm not sure. Maybe there is a library in the city, and you can learn."

Shaking her head, she stood up. "I most likely can't read the writing. I've seen ancient books and they are a mystery to me. Some of our letters are the same, but I was once told that our ancestors mashed together many other languages to create what we have today."

"That's correct," he stated. "My mother said the same and taught me many of the languages for writing and reading. It's rather simple when you get down to it."

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Moving to the living room, she pointed out the tv. "What did that do?"

Joining her, he motioned to the chairs and couches that seemed to face it. "People used to watch the news and shows on it. They could see acting as if it was happening in real time."

Touching the screen, Amber tilted her head to the side. "It sounds similar to the reflection mirrors the rich have. The ones that they can communicate to a bound receiver in another home."

"I wouldn't know." Shrugging, he moved to the window. "We didn't have anything like that in the sect."

"Why hasn't anyone enchanted a water heater?" she asked suddenly. "Can you enchant a water heater?"

"Not at my level," he admitted. "Give me some more time to practice. Jamie and I are learning, but it's going to take time."

"You'll have plenty of time to figure it out when we reach Running River. I already know you can't enter the city, so you'll need some way to pass the time." Her tone was filled with annoyance and hurt.

"Are you going to miss me?" he teased.

"Yes," she said without pause. "Everyone drinks until they pass out when they are in the city. You were the only one that stayed up with me."

Before he could respond with a witty comeback, Luna joined them.

"Seducing my husband again?" she joked.

"Not this time," Amber said with a small laugh. "We were talking about the technology our ancestors had."

"Learn anything good?"

James shrugged. "I learned that Amber wants me to make a water heater."

Humming, Luna nodded. "Please do. I would like a warm bath at some point."

Moving to Luna's side, he hugged her briefly. "I have to go now that you both are awake. Keep everyone growing today. Clear the nearby buildings and push inward."

Amber joined them and touched his arm. "Are you sure you don't want Luna to go with you?"

"I'm sure." Smiling at the two of them, he took a deep breath. "I'll be able to kill anything that comes for me. Most of the Forsaken will simply be scared away. I need to learn why this city is here and why it isn't destroyed."

Luna kissed his cheek. "Be safe. I'll keep everyone on track. Elder Bo is here as well."

Kissing her back, he pulled away and headed to the door. He had miles of the city to scour if he was going to learn anything.

Leaving the apartment, he felt the others starting to wake. Jamie seemed to want to talk to him as she sensed his soul touching hers. Making a detour, he headed over to her apartment and knocked.

His sister opened the door in barely more than her pants and bra, still getting dressed for the day. "Welcome, James."

Rubbing his head, he sighed. "What is it with the women of this party trying to entice me this morning?"

Laughing, she waved him off. "Sorry, but you're a guy. Not exactly my type."

"What did you want to talk about?" he asked while stepping inside her apartment.

Grabbing her shirt from the couch, she turned to him. "You're really going out alone? Will you be okay?"

"You sound like Luna and Amber," he said with a chuckle. "I'll be fine. This isn't the first time I've explored an ancient city. I was always careful before, and I'll be careful now."

"Just come back to us, James. If I don't hear from you by nightfall, I'm coming to retrieve you. If I can't, then Amber will with her Soul Shift."

Letting out a slow breath, he paused and let the moment settle before saying, "have a little faith in me. And make sure you focus on growing stronger today. Venture into the city for stronger Forsaken, if there are any. I found that each district had different kinds, and the industrial district was the hardest. I was level five when I went over there though."

Slipping on her shirt, she stepped forward and grabbed his hand. "Be careful, James. I'm going to keep saying it until you come back to us tonight. This city doesn't feel right. My soul is suppressed, and I can't spread out my senses. I don't like it."

"I can't either," he admitted softly. "That's why I need to learn what we are facing."

Turning away, he waved one last time before leaving. Everyone felt like they were getting ready for the day and Bronson was already heading down the stairs with Linda. He slowed his pace in order to not run into them as they disappeared from his limited senses.

Reaching the street, he didn't feel anyone around him as he scanned the brightening streets. The yellow stripes and sidewalks looked good, despite the limited amount of broken glass on their surface. The street lights weren't rusted or broken. They even looked like they were about to light up at a moment's notice. Nothing felt right about the city.

Turning to the north and the center of the city, James started walking. He didn't want to move too quickly as he continued to scan the streets.

What the hell is going on here? I can hear things moving in the buildings, but can't sense them. This city is alive with Forsaken. What am I going to find at the center?

***

Luna watched out the window as James walked further into the city. "He's gone."

Amber stretched her arms above her head. "He'll be back."

Nodding, Luna left the apartment with Amber following behind. The others were stirring and her hearing picked it all up. Bronson and Linda were already gone, and she could hear fighting from the next apartment building over. The other two Elson brothers were leaving their apartments while Mender and Jamie were meeting up.

"Where are you going to fight?" Luna asked.

Amber shrugged. "I'll probably claim a building as my own and work my way through it. I need to practice my claws more and overcome my anger. I'm a danger to the others right now."

Glancing at her, Luna smiled. "That's very smart. I think I'm going to scour the nearby streets. I can stretch my wolf form and explore."

"What if we need you?"

"You're the second," Luna pointed out. "It's about time you help the others and show that you are in charge while James is away."

Beaming, Amber nodded. "Thank you. I'll keep an ear out for trouble."

Leaving the building, Luna turned to the north and used her enhanced vision to find James walking several blocks down. His arms were by his side, but he was tense.

"I hope he's okay today," Luna whispered.

"He'll be fine," Amber stated. "He'll likely find another dragon or something. He'll kill it. Eat it. And harvest its scales and hide. Linda will be busy for days trying to work it into proper leather."

Luna wanted to laugh, but couldn't find it in herself. Instead, she dropped onto all fours and transformed to her wolf form. With a chuff, she jogged to the west to search the streets.

"And she's gone…" Amber muttered.

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