Sitting on the roof in the predawn light, James thought over what their day was going to pertain. First and foremost, he needed Amber to start training Everest. The dragon was going to hurt someone, maybe even her siblings if she didn't get help.

Second, they needed to find where Bo went to. It was hard to remember that he was part of the group, and that lack of foresight didn't help James realize that the man was gone. Normally, he showed up when there was a meeting, even if he didn't say anything.

Third, they needed to start clearing the city. They would all need to spread out and fight. James would continue clearing out the areas toward the center. And then once there, he would clear around the center. Hopefully there were no more plant monsters.

The next few weeks were going to be busy. It might even take longer than a few weeks. Mother stated that they had time, and if he was being honest, it might take weeks just to get Everest to a point where she wouldn't kill anyone.

Taking a deep breath, he turned to Luna, who was sitting next to him, kicking her feet over the ledge. The steady rhythm of her movements against his side made him smile.

"You seem happier than normal," he commented.

With a small smile, she nodded. "I am. Knowing that you are mine and that I get to have you when I want is nice. But more importantly, I can't describe how happy I am that you are helping a child the way you are."

"She needs me," he said softly.

"Yes. No matter what other people may think, I know that you aren't a monster. You're the kindest, most thoughtful person I know. You always make sure the rest of us are doing well, and you sacrifice your own growth just to see us growing stronger."

Resting his hand on her back, he smiled. "Thank you, Luna."

Bumping her shoulder against him, she giggled. "I know a way you can thank me."

"Didn't we do that before bed?" he questioned.

Humming, she nodded. "We did. But I was thinking along the lines that we need a home. A place where just the two of us can retire." Lowering her voice, she whispered, "and start a family."

Brows rising, he stared at her for several seconds. "You want have a child with me?"

Nodding slightly, she turned her blushing cheeks away from him.

Gently touching her chin, he turned her back to him. "Then that's what we'll do. I just can't promise it'll be soon."

Beaming, she threw her arms around him. "You make me happy. When I was with my tribe, I hated my life. Now I'm seeing the world and talking about having children. I can't believe how much has changed since meeting you."

"You'll get used to it." Holding her against him, he sighed when he heard steps behind them. "Amber."

"Hey," the cat said softly. "I didn't mean to interrupt, but Everest needs food, so I'm heading down to the street with her. I was hoping one of you would help watch her."

Nodding, Luna climbed up. "I'll go with you. Your mate shouldn't be around you right now," she joked.

Chuckling, Amber rolled her eyes as James glanced at her.

"Can you believe this wolf?" Amber started. "Talking to my mate about having his child and finding a home. How scandalous."

Now it was his turn to laugh. "Yeah, we'll correct that thought in her head." Getting back to his feet, he added, "I'm going to head into the city. Will you two be okay?"

Luna waved him off. "We'll be fine. Get out of my hair for a few hours."

Frowning, he turned to Amber, who waved him off as well.

"She's right. Get out of our hair, mister." Amber smirked. "I have to explain the noises that you and Luna were making last night to a certain child."

James felt his face flush as the cat started laughing. Even Luna giggled as he started walking away. Having had enough of their antics, he hurried down to the street. He could only hunt for part of the day before he started on Everest's lessons.

***

Luna stretched out her arms while looking over the dragon. "How are you feeling today, Everest?"

"Good! Hungry!"

Chuckling, Luna summoned a boar she had killed. Amber slid it over to the dragon and they settled back to watch her eat.

"How are you training her today?" Luna questioned.

Amber ran a hand through her hair. "I don't know. I'm scared to show her too much too soon. Maybe I'll show her a few fights against easy monsters and teach her how to Siphon souls. Explain that we only do it to monsters."

Nodding, Luna leaned against the building's wall. "That would be a good start. Explain the flames in each person and how to harvest them. Don't make that part a game though."

"Oh gosh no!" Amber quickly shook her head. "This is going to be the hardest thing to train."

Agreeing, Luna watched the dragon devour the boar. Blood was dripping from her maw as she tore through flesh and organs. Fur was littered over the ground as Everest spit it out.

"She's an amazing child," Amber said after a moment.

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"She is." Luna pursed her lips. "Why would the world do something like this to a child?"

Amber rubbed her eyes. "I don't know. It's scary, you know. What if our children start out like this as well. Is there a set age that their souls will activate? Will our sect grow over the generations because of our children, or will they be normal cultivators?"

Shaking her head, Luna rested her hand on her stomach. "I don't know. I wish I had the answers, but this is all new, even for James. Maybe we can find more research papers on it."

"I hope so," Amber said softly. "When James knocks me up, I want to be ready."

Scoffing, Luna pushed the cat away. "He's not knocking you up." Laughing, she added, "even if he is your mate."

Smirking, Amber shrugged. "It is what it is. I'm happy enough being by his side as his friend. But we really do need to convince Everest that you are his mate. Not me."

Luna didn't respond as she watched the dragon. She was making short work of the monster, but suddenly, she stopped.

"Full?" Everest asked in confusion.

There it is, Luna thought to herself. She's finally reached her reserves.

"That's okay," Amber said. "We'll clean this up and you can have it another time."

Bouncing in place, Everest turned to them. "Play? Game?"

"Yes." Amber added the rest of the boar to her ring. "Let's go. We can start over by your mother. It's going to be fun to show you the games I like to play in the morning."

"Yay! Games!"

Forcing a smile, Luna stepped up to the dragon and rested her hand on her head. "Remember, listen to everything Amber has to say. You wouldn't want to upset James, would you?"

"No!" Everest cried.

Amber narrowed her eyes at Luna. "She'll be fine. She's a good girl."

"Good girl! Good girl!"

Chuckling, Luna turned away. "I'll be on the other side of the city than you two, so be careful."

Without looking back, Luna walked away. Partway down the street, she transformed into her wolf form and started her hunt for the day.

***

James walked through the last of the residential district that he had cleared out most of the plant monsters in. Currently, his Soul Puppet was clearing the rest, having no trouble sending energy over vast distances. Although, the puppet claimed a large portion for his troubles.

The next section James was walking into didn't make sense. He was still a few miles from the center, and instead of towering skyscrapers and offices, he was met with foundries and a powerplant. Factories with open loading bays littered the landscape as he took it all in from the distance.

The semi-trucks looked brand new with their square tires, and a few of them even had orbs for wheels. All painted white, with no logos, but they included wood cut outs of people this time.

Each man was wearing a ball cap with the bill bent and sunglasses. Different shades of clothing and glasses dominated the landscape as wood cutouts unloaded boxes. Those boxes, were likewise cutouts, and the closer James grew, the more cutouts he noticed. It was like the city was coming to life with wooden people.

I don't like this. It's some freaky fiction crap that doesn't belong here.

Crossing the last block of the residential district, he spread his soul out as far as he could. Souls met him from inside the factory across the street. Some of those souls were inside the semitrucks, while others were dotted throughout the factory itself. From the rafters, to the basement.

Why would a factory have a basement?

Frowning, he summoned his sword. The warm feeling of holding the flaming sword was a comfort as he crossed the street and stepped onto the concrete of the loading dock. Eight bays were open with cutouts carrying in boxes. Each one was turned so he could see them with ease.

The souls inside the trucks tried to hunker down, hoping they could avoid his senses. He wanted to laugh at their fragile feeling. They were in no way, a threat. He felt that they were close to level one in difficulty, which was odd.

Moving to the back of one of the trucks, he hoped inside the open doors. Actual crates and boxes nearly blocked his path, but it appeared as though some sort of creature had chewed through most of them.

Slashing through the last of it, the wood caught fire as he kicked it out of the way. In the very back of the trailer were five kittens the size of medium dogs. Their hackles were raised as they loitered in their own filth.

What the hell? I can't kill a kitten!

Closing his eyes for a moment, he dismissed his sword. Summoning a large chunk of dragon meat, he opened his eyes and found the cats hissing at him. Laying down the meat, he backed away.

"Eat," he ordered.

The kittens continued to growl at him, but one brave soul inched forward, walking sideways as if to threaten him with its size. Once it reached the meat, it sniffed it several times before biting down. The hissing stopped a moment later and the other kittens inched forward to join their sibling in eating.

James waited several moments before walking forward. The kittens regarded him with wariness and growls as they continued to chew. Calming himself, he held out his hand and poured a little water onto the ground.

"I can help each of you drink," he said gently. "Come here."

The same adventurous kitten approached him first. Sniffing the water, it lapped at the puddle before the hair on its back flattened and it let out a content noise.

Pouring more water, James created a decent puddle that the other kittens quickly started drinking from. With them handled for the moment, James looked them over in more detail.

Their fur was black, like all of the other Forsaken. Red irises reflected the low light as they started to purr. Their feet were much larger than a regular cats, and their tails shorter. They were also muscular, rather than slim like a typical feline.

"What are you?" he asked out loud.

The five kittens looked up at him before going back to drinking. They were still terrified, but they weren't bad cats.

How did they end up in this city? Why would such weak souls be drawn here? Were they seeking safety inside this factory?

Leaving the kittens for now, he noticed their souls relaxed more once he jumped out of the truck. Pushing past the cutouts, James entered the factory itself. The loading bay was massive, with boxes and crates of all sizes spread throughout the room. Shelves reaching the ceiling three stories up were filled with crates. Barrels were stacked in one corner, made from some sort of white metal.

The souls in the building felt hostile as they started approaching him. They were also stronger than the kittens and James summoned his sword again. With a frown, he watched the first soul walk into the room.

A giant rat, easily three times the size of the kittens angrily chittered at him before charging. Black teeth that could punch through his body with ease filled the mouth of the beast. But to make it worse, its tail had a gaping maw that was snapping the air.

What sort of abomination are you?

Holding out his hand, he Siphoned the creature and felt its small soul snuff out nearly instantly. Keeping his hand up, he felt the souls in the building drawing closer and latched onto them as well. A second later, they were all dead and he turned back to the truck.

The kittens had hopped out and were walking behind him. They raced past and started tearing into the first rat without waiting for his permission. Sighing, he continued spreading out his soul as far as he could. He managed to hold the building in his senses and that was it.

With frustration, he left the factory. There was no need to keep exploring it. With more annoyance, he barely reached the next building over when he felt five souls following him.

"Seriously?" he asked the kittens. "It's not safe to follow me."

They all meowed at him. A deeper sound than he was expecting. Their tails were also standing on end, as if waiting for him to argue more, just so they could ignore him.

Rubbing his eyes, he dismissed his sword. "Fine. I'll take you to safety. Once we are back though, you are going to have to behave."

They meowed again.

Knowing that Mother had more to explain about what he was, she did at least hint that the regular Forsaken would like to follow him. The five kittens were a prime example of that.

With nothing more to do about it, he led them back toward his apartment. Luna would just have to get used to sharing the house with more guests.

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