Alice once again peered through the eyes of the body she was hitching a ride in, the stranger whose vision she wore like a borrowed mask. Her true self, however, was perched atop her host's shoulders, still as a doll. The pristine white dress she favored rippled faintly with the air, and her porcelain face was veiled by a strip of runic cloth stitched with threads of gold.

Invisible to the crowd, as was only proper. Stranger, though, perhaps that word was misleading. Sara hardly qualified as unknown anymore; the woman's constant howling in Alice's head had made sure of that. This saryn women had a talent for resilience, and while the noise had grated on her at first, Alice had grown accustomed to it, like living beside a river that never stopped roaring.

[I see quite a lot of people in this place. Perfect spot, no?] Sara's voice echoed in her head.

Her host's eyes surveyed the lower district, if one could still call this ragged stretch a district. It was the city's underbelly, the very bottom rung, where makeshift shacks passed for homes and the unlucky slept openly in the streets. Sara's presence drew only hostile stares, though it wasn't personal. It was the same for anyone walking these alleys with a core in their chest. Most here had none, and that made them less than vermin in the eyes of those who did. Worthless bodies taking up space.

Today's task was as joyless as the last: another errand for the elves. Identify the densest pockets of population in Varkaigrad, then quietly tag them for others to sweep in later. Another ugly little cog in their larger machine.

Alice understood all too well what the elves were orchestrating. The alchemists kidnapped from Varkaigrad had been shackled in that castle near Lithrindel's border, forced to brew poisons under elven supervision. A few missions had already gone sour, and as a result, the elves grew warier by the day.

Alice still remembered the sour expression of Marceau, a low gold who had returned in disgrace. He'd not only failed to establish a portal along a ley line but had also lost every last piece of costly equipment he'd dragged along for the attempt. The bitterness in his face had been almost comical.

Their second attempt, however, hadn't ended in embarrassment. Another low gold had taken command, and that one had succeeded. Tens of alchemists now languished in that castle, perhaps more. Alice shivered even thinking about how many were truly trapped inside those walls.

She wished she could reach Mistress Jade, speak to her even for a moment. But for the last two weeks, every tether had gone silent, as though Jade had sunk beneath some unseen current. Alice knew her mistress was safe, had to be, but that knowledge was cold comfort. She could still walk dreamscapes if she wished; all dreams lay open in the sea of the collective subconscious, and she could drift through anyone's if she cared to. Yet to step into mistress' dream and confront her new creator that dwelled in her dreams? That was something else entirely. The thought clawed at her with existential dread, a form of raw fear she dared not test alone.

No, when Mistress Jade was ready, she would summon Alice herself. Until then, Alice would wait.

'Well, it meets the requirements,' she muttered, her voice threaded directly into Sara's skull. 'Let's mark it and move on. We've still got plenty of ground left to cover.'

She raised her crossbow and fired a specialized bolt into an empty patch of wall. The strike would leave the mark needed. A few people nearby flinched at the sudden sound, but aside from some foul looks cast her way, no one made a sound. No one dared.

Alice continued her survey, seeking out another densely populated area. Sara proved exceptionally helpful, her prior familiarity with these streets making her an invaluable guide. She knew the crumbling avenues and cramped alleys with an intimate, practiced certainty.

While fully submerged within Sara's subconscious, Alice could detect the woman's emotional state with perfect clarity. The initial shock of having her body commandeered, the raw existential terror, all of it had dissolved away remarkably quickly. Now, the mindscape around Alice hummed with a surprising and complex current of emotions, primarily a low thrum of excitement tinged with a thread of nostalgic sadness.

The mental currents churned, and she could read their shape clearly. It was, one might say, an entirely unexpected development.

[Say, once all this is said and done, could you introduce me to this 'Mistress' of yours?]

'You have already met her. Or did you forget the events in the warehouse when you attempted to kidnap her?'

[Well, that was before I was made aware of her true nature.] Alice sensed a powerful undercurrent of admiration. [The more I learn, the more her presence genuinely intrigues me. I wish I could apologize for what happened, but it's clear I was merely being played from the very start. She feigned the poison's effects, gifted us the illusion of victory, and then violently shredded that illusion to deliver a retribution a hundred times worse than our transgression.]

'Well, you did insult her. Not that it had any real effect; she is… quite jaded to such commentary.' Alice directed Sara's body into a nimble climb onto a nearby rooftop, scanning the hazy horizon. It was midday, but the sun was a forgotten concept here. 'Where is the next spot? You indicated it was somewhere in that direction?' Alice used her host's finger to point.

[Keep moving your finger toward the left… a little down… just a slight adjustment right… not that much… YES! That place should be packed, as usual. It's a pub street, where people venture to kill their bodies from the inside out. They consume things that end their lives slowly while giving them the potent illusion that they are flying. Some consider dying for the sensation a worthy trade. Also, addiction.]

Alice nodded and moved toward the spot, her host's grip firm on the crossbow. She dropped back to street level, marking this as the sixth location today. Ten densely populated spots seemed a sufficient daily quota.

But halfway to the destination, Alice's senses prickled. She detected the distinct presence of another mind, one that was not just nearby but was consistently, purposefully tracking their path.

'We are being followed.'

[By who?]

'I am not yet certain.'

[Then get a better look.]

'Sure.'

Alice darted forward and the pursuing mind followed, but she slipped into a side street and folded Sara's presence into a blind spot so the man's awareness skimmed past them. He passed without a second glance: a well-built Drakkari with a saber at his hip, nostrils flaring as he scanned the lane with a low growl.

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

[Oh damn. Long time no see.]

'I am assuming the two of you are acquainted?'

[Let's just say I've made a lot of enemies down here. You know there's a reason I was working for the elves against my own people. I needed a ticket out, and they offered it.]

'Hmm… should we expect more of his kind?'

[They always travel in gangs. I'm certain there are multiple scouts in the area. But hey, can't you just hide me like you're doing now? That guy is a Red Core. His underlings are probably all Yellows. I'm Yellow myself. And, well, I haven't exactly seen you demonstrate any combat abilities.]

'As you've likely deduced, I cannot hide you indefinitely. I am currently channeling my mana through your body to create this effect, which inevitably reverses the natural mana current within your own veins. It will cause temporary damage to your mana veins if sustained.'

[Welp, that sounds distinctly unpleasant. So what's the plan? Run? I've always been an expert in running.]

'I am considering what Mistress would do in this situation.'

A slight laugh echoed from Sara's consciousness. [Well, enlighten me.]

'She would feign weakness to lure them all in, while remaining nimble enough to ensure the entire gang was drawn together in pursuit. She would lead them to believe they had cornered her, right before she would violently shred them all apart. If any of them were gifted with a water affinity, they might sense her excitement, her thrill, her sadistic glee, and run away beforehand. But such perceptive individuals are rare.'

[…Wow. Well, I kind of experienced that firsthand, didn't I? She does sound a little scary.]

'She is only scary if you don't know her personally and are standing on the opposite side.'

[Which is precisely why I wish to know her. You know, that day you release me… you will, right?] The anxiety beneath the thought was genuine.

'I will keep my word. There is nothing to be gained from your death. You might even pledge your loyalty to Mistress. I am certain she would appreciate having another… friend.'

[Friend? Heh. I'd be happy even to serve as a servant.]

'Mistress does not care for that word.'

[Alright, 'Friend' it is. Is it weird that everything you tell me about her sounds wonderfully contradicting?]

'Not really.'

[Well, whatever. So, what's our move? And stop channeling your mana into my body! I can already feel a burning sensation.]

Alice did as instructed, withdrawing her influence. Immediately, Sara's presence flared back into the perception of every aware mind in the vicinity.

'Well, I suppose we'll just have to pull a Mistress, then. Best to remove this nuisance before it escalates.' Alice's internal tone was one of cool resolve.

As if on cue, a small, sleek badger materialized from a reflection in a grimy glass pane, popping into existence on the cobblestones before them. Belle shook her head, her signature red bowtie still neatly tied. She sauntered over to Sara's boots casually. Alice guided Sara's body to bend down and scoop the creature up.

The movement drew immediate attention. More men materialized from the surrounding gloom, each carrying the same style of saber. All Yellow Cores. This was becoming a significant problem.

Alice pivoted Sara's body and sprinted in the opposite direction, feigning a panicked retreat to feed their pursuers' confidence. More figures emerged from a side street to the right. She slowed their pace just enough to ensure the entire pack could see their quarry, carefully ensuring not to lose the tail while she rallied the entire hunting party. Soon, a small crowd was thundering after them, a chorus of angry boots on stone.

'What exactly did you do to earn this kind of burning, dedicated anger?'

[Well, I may have seduced their leader while pretending to work for them, abused their trust for petty gains, stolen from their coffers, and even framed a few as scapegoats when they grew suspicious. Then I set their main supply depot on alchemical fire and vanished.]

'Hmm. That certainly explains the sheer, palpable rage I'm sensing from the mob.'

"Squee?" the badger in Sara's arms squealed, her nose twitching.

'Yes, Belle. We need to clear out some filth.'

This excited the creature. Her role had been mostly dormant lately, and a chance to be let loose was a healthy diversion. Plus, her mood had been decidedly off.

"Squee?" This time, the sound carried an undercurrent of worry and profound sadness.

'If I see Mistress, you will too. I am certain she is merely plotting in secret. Since you share a bond with her, you must feel she is fine. So let's focus on our task. We will reunite with her soon.' Alice sent the comforting thought directly into Belle's mind.

[Take the next left. It opens into the Veilwoods. No one lurks there; it should be secluded. Again, are you absolutely certain about this?]

'Yes. It will be fine.'

True to Sara's word, the left turn revealed a starkly different environment. The cramped streets gave way to a neglected square where vines strangled the structures, and a massive, vine-choked wall loomed ahead, flanked by silent, dilapidated homes. Alice detected a few minds inside, but all she sensed was a blanket of fear and indifference. A form of reaction to the sudden noise of the pursuing mob.

"Oh, fuck you, you slippery snake! Finally caught your ass!" bellowed the well-built Drakkari from earlier. The temperature plummeted as sword-like icicles crystallized in the air around him, and a massive broadsword of solid ice formed in his grasp. He grinned, a feral expression of triumph. "You're going to pay with your fucking limbs and what's left of your dignity when I drag you back! COVER THE GROUND! DON'T LET THAT SCALY BITCH ESCAPE!"

Belle vanished from her arms as Alice turned Sara's body around to face the charging crowd and a sharp grin spread across her host's face. "Well, you lot certainly made this embarrassingly easy for me."

The Drakkari leader frowned, his icy broadsword held aloft. "What the fuck are you sayin—"

His demand was cut short by an inhuman screech from the rear of his gang. One of his own men had suddenly sunk his teeth into another's throat with brutal, animalistic force. Before the others could subdue his suicidal charge, he managed to take down a second, then began clawing at his own eyes and throat with terrifying strength.

"What the—" the leader began, but his protest was interrupted as a creature in a tattered maid outfit materialized mid-air. It screeched and brought a smoking broom, dripping with unknown liquids, down toward his face. He blocked it with a hastily formed crystal of ice, getting a clear look at the badger-like face beneath the frilled cap. "What the fuck is this thin—" The sizzling liquid ate through his ice shield as if it were mere water. He jumped back, but the badger-maid was already gone, a phantom's grin reflected for a split second in the facets of his own melting ice before another cry of agony pierced the chaos behind him.

Alice withdrew her presence, hiding Sara from their perception entirely for a few minutes as the confusing carnage unfolded. It took ten violent, inexplicable deaths before the remaining pursuers realized the threat was far beyond their power to confront. Ten deaths before their anger was completely overwritten by primal fear.

Even the red core Ice Mage was left in a state of pure frustration. While Belle couldn't damage him directly, she effortlessly nullified his attacks with evasive, phantasmal movements while systematically dismantling his underlings. He soon realized he could no longer see Sara at all and let out a roar of sheer, impotent rage before turning to flee alone.

'That should be sufficient. Next time they consider giving you trouble, they will think at least ten times.'

Belle soon reappeared in her standard badger form, climbing wearily back into Sara's arms. The carnage had done nothing to cheer her; her gloom seemed, if anything, even more profound.

[Well, you… are you sure that thing is… tamed?] Sara's mental voice carried a distinct and newfound sense of fear. Belle's powers were terrifying in a uniquely visceral way. Alice, lacking a fleshy body, was impervious to the horror, but it was clear creatures of flesh and blood had a very specific, averse reaction to seeing that flesh shredded and melted away.

'Tamed is not the word I would use. Belle is precious to Mistress. And Mistress, in turn, is precious to Belle. The same applies to me, though I am admittedly less certain of my own standing in her regard.'

Alice looked up at the perpetually grey sky, then down at the gloomy badger in her host's arms.

'You know what? How about we pay Mistress a surprise visit?' Alice directed the thought into Belle's mind. They would finish their task on schedule and still have ample time to search for her before needing to return. Alice nodded to herself, the decision feeling correct.

"Squee?" Belle's squeak was a question of logistics, where would they even begin to look?

'Well, there is still one place we haven't checked. Her old room in the Alchemy Tower. The chance is low, but it is a starting point.' As she spoke, a murder of crows burst from a nearby rooftop, their dark wings fluttering against the gloom. Belle's gaze followed them.

'And if she isn't there,' Alice mused, 'then perhaps we simply follow the crows.'

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