"Little thing?" Julie's voice carried a note of offense as Cerilla's words hit her ears. Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion and anger. "What on earth is that supposed to imply?" she demanded, her steps purposeful as she closed the distance to Cerilla. Tension radiated from her clenched fists, poised as though she might lash out.
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1vHbdH4UR
"Huh?" Julie's questioning gaze shifted downward, landing on Tora's arm that held her back from advancing any further.
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7pujlwWVT
"Let's keep things civil, you two," Tora interjected, his tone taking on a parenting-like authority.
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZy2TkPSkl
"Cerilla," Tora's voice held a commanding edge as he stepped past her. "I need you to escort her home." His words hung in the air, laden with a sense of responsibility.
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq72XzV6maS
"Really..." Cerilla's tone dripped with boredom, as if she were being burdened with a task she had no interest in.
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzOnhKWl0b
"Yes, really!" Tora's frustration tinged his voice with an edge. He couldn't mask his annoyance at Cerilla's lackadaisical attitude. "She's not safe out here. So, could you actually do your job for once?"
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdr5jX3EbKk
With a roll of her eyes, Cerilla seemed to relent. "Fine... So I'm guessing she's one of us then, right?"
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8scomHNUB
Tora's lips curved into a sly smirk, his gaze flickering back to Cerilla. "Yes, indeed she is."
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknZEUCWAvk
"I'm not going," Julie's voice carried determination.
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNEg0XDnR6
Tora and Cerilla both turned to face Julie, who stood resolute and alone. "I have to find Trevor!" Her words came out in a fervent yell. "Or have you all conveniently forgotten?" She shot a pointed look at Tora. "We can't abandon him. We need to save him!"
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafwAUVBfqw
Tora regarded Julie with a mix of empathy and understanding, releasing a heavy sigh. "I've told you before, when someone's been corrupted, when their body is taken over by a creature from another world, there's no way to rescue them."
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30qTdjQZtF
Julie shook her head, denying the reality that was presented to her. "No, that can't be true. I won't accept your non-..."
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKBNc6oQqE
"That's enough," Cerilla interjected, scooping Julie up and slinging her over her shoulder. "My task is just to get her home, right?" Cerilla glanced at Tora for confirmation.
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvyk2ocX6J
"Correct. Do that, and we'll settle things in a battle at another time," Tora agreed, his eyes fixed on Julie's futile struggles within Cerilla's hold.
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1becIIwkx
"Remember your promise, fire slinger," Cerilla retorted, dismissing Julie's attempts to break free. "Stop struggling or you'll end up biting your tongue."
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYMZyXA08d
"What?" Julie's confusion was cut short as she found herself soaring hundreds of feet into the air, her panic turning into a terrified scream. "WHAT THE HELL!" she screamed, the reality of her situation sinking in.
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhBmCka37I
"You're so loud, all from a little jump," Cerilla remarked casually.
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZkTvB9vVN
"A jump?!" Julie's incredulous voice quivered. "That settles it – you're not human. No human can do something like that."
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQ0RhSRONO
Cerilla's reply was matter-of-fact, her tone almost indifferent. "You're right. I'm not entirely human. I'm a half-breed, just like you."
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gT8v8M1sh
Julie's voice trembled as she struggled to comprehend. "I can't do anything like that!"
***
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pIBSq8gn0
Tora walked through the park, his steps deliberate and unhurried, weariness etched into the lines of his face.
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJTORA3G4W
"Are you going to keep skulking around like a rat, or are you finally going to make yourself known?" Tora's words were directed toward an unseen presence as his gaze fixed on the still trees ahead.
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSzCSHcuAf
"I must admit, the rumors about you seem to hold true," a concealed voice replied.
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSNx2PcNhi
In a sudden burst of movement, a woman materialized before Tora. She stood confidently, her long blond hair seemingly like silk and her attire a sharp contrast to the casual surroundings – a white long-sleeved button-down shirt paired with tailored business attire that exuded both power and elegance and yet, Tora's expression remained unimpressed, his demeanor unwavering.
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbIOUZ0e0P
"My name is Deena Dawnswell," she introduced herself, her name flowing like a melody, "and I represent the Luminal Accord." A dangerous smirk touched her lips. "They've dispatched me to bring you back." Her gaze sharpened. "They're none too pleased that you failed to report in as soon as you arrived in this town."
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKytDCID7H
Tora's response was a quiet chuckle. "I'm sure they're seething. Rumors do tend to mention my penchant for getting under HQ's skin."
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtsvd5eWEH
Deena's eyes sparkled with a mix of intrigue and amusement. "Indeed they did. Your reputation preceded you – the tales they spoke of were both entertaining and intriguing."
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBDVkZPrWB
For a fleeting moment, Tora's eyes gleamed with a sharp and dangerous intensity before swiftly transitioning to a composed calmness.
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7IAEavfcY
"Shall we proceed, then?" Tora's voice carried a veneer of politeness, accompanied by a smile that seemed polite but rang hollow, lacking genuine warmth.
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqgVeAeMLI
Deena's own smile persisted, seemingly unaffected, her eyes dancing with amusement at the subtle tension in the air.
***
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5ZMO2qyHO
"Are you sure you want to walk? My way would've been faster," Cerilla's irritation was evident as she trailed closely behind Julie, the two of them walking at a leisurely pace down the street.
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSTpevQXJX
"Well, my way is less likely to get me killed," Julie responded dismissively, paying little attention to Cerilla's complaints.
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2Dc2mlrdd
Cerilla's words carried a matter-of-fact tone. "Your body is quite weak for a half-blood. Perhaps walking is the wisest choice."
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0X6M9UQwP
Julie halted in her tracks upon hearing those words. "So maybe I'm not one?"
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT60op9WBgU
Standing behind Julie, Cerilla observed the young woman's self-doubt, her little frame embodying uncertainty.
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYINzmpp51
"STOP BEING SO PATHETIC!" Cerilla's outburst echoed through the street as her hand slapped the back of Julie's head.
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFa3Te8LsdC
"What the hell!" Julie's outcry was filled with pain as she clutched her head.
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxneLFStK4E
"Weakness in any form gets on my nerves. Keep acting like this, and I won't hesitate to end you myself," Cerilla's threat hung in the air, her fist crackling with veined energy.
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlcN0bqOoF
Cerilla's demeanor shifted to a calmer tone. "You are a half-breed. I, for one, struggle to sense our kind. Yet, being so close to you now, I'm entirely certain of your heritage."
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxhD7Ur308
Julie remained silent, continuing her walk. Cerilla walked in tandem, arriving at Julie's house where she observed as Julie ascended the front stairs.
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24nnoaamZ5
"I'll be back to pick you up tomorrow," Cerilla stated, her hands resting on her hips.
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMJRFhXyiH
"What?" Julie's sudden reaction spun her around to face Cerilla.
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHOv3SIGWW
Cerilla's gaze held a seriousness that matched her words. "You're an Unregistered Half Blood in the heart of the city. You need to get registered," she explained. "And that damn bastard has made it my responsibility to ensure you comply."
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcua6LfnY5
"Registered for what?" Julie's confusion was palpable.
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2y3kpFLlJJ
"The Luminal Accords," Cerilla's answer held weight, carrying a sense of gravity.
***
Author notes: Please support my work on Patreon for early access to new chapters. https://patreon.com/DarkMatteromniverse
ns18.119.255.198da2
