"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.
121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qjQPJZDrl
"Huh?" Julie's questioning gaze shifted downward, landing on Tora's arm that held her back from advancing any further.
121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhnevAvBiX
"Let's keep things civil, you two," Tora interjected, his tone taking on a parenting-like authority.
121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1obRADaabU
"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.
121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZuXlEnRiY
"Really..." Cerilla's tone dripped with boredom, as if she were being burdened with a task she had no interest in.
121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq40UGzMc07
"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?"
121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0E6UYjKgi
With a roll of her eyes, Cerilla seemed to relent. "Fine... So I'm guessing she's one of us then, right?"
121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwGBzGTyah
Tora's lips curved into a sly smirk, his gaze flickering back to Cerilla. "Yes, indeed she is."
121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMx8ual4bmz
"I'm not going," Julie's voice carried determination.
121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pTIt6sg0l
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!"
121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCc9oiHGXDY
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."
121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjuIhbfbGy
Julie shook her head, denying the reality that was presented to her. "No, that can't be true. I won't accept your non-..."
121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TJ3j0FbrK
"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.
121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx52AAACfPU
"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.
121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy97FtcHbBj
"Remember your promise, fire slinger," Cerilla retorted, dismissing Julie's attempts to break free. "Stop struggling or you'll end up biting your tongue."
121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GOnvOmxMn
"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.
121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVOwEm2kHb
"You're so loud, all from a little jump," Cerilla remarked casually.
121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqwgqoWKIT
"A jump?!" Julie's incredulous voice quivered. "That settles it – you're not human. No human can do something like that."
121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ749LaU2RYZ
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."
121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFBvJx6m3q
Julie's voice trembled as she struggled to comprehend. "I can't do anything like that!"
***
121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXMy7CetQh
Tora walked through the park, his steps deliberate and unhurried, weariness etched into the lines of his face.
121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqpAZM5qLu
"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.
121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1RIxjJ8nE
"I must admit, the rumors about you seem to hold true," a concealed voice replied.
121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCp5UhIGcwL
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.
121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaQO6dfLAz
"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."
121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMsQqGazwy
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."
121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLE2er73HA
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."
121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zvx3vMkSL
For a fleeting moment, Tora's eyes gleamed with a sharp and dangerous intensity before swiftly transitioning to a composed calmness.
121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXpxYxpq2j
"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.
121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ikUPuA1eB
Deena's own smile persisted, seemingly unaffected, her eyes dancing with amusement at the subtle tension in the air.
***
121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgV11papCTn
"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.
121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQX8xyCGkXT
"Well, my way is less likely to get me killed," Julie responded dismissively, paying little attention to Cerilla's complaints.
121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9JaG0J4Cd
Cerilla's words carried a matter-of-fact tone. "Your body is quite weak for a half-blood. Perhaps walking is the wisest choice."
121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWI3dV2uaIW
Julie halted in her tracks upon hearing those words. "So maybe I'm not one?"
121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv850BXSgMM
Standing behind Julie, Cerilla observed the young woman's self-doubt, her little frame embodying uncertainty.
121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiYUMj8r0l
"STOP BEING SO PATHETIC!" Cerilla's outburst echoed through the street as her hand slapped the back of Julie's head.
121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7d4ULNLscj
"What the hell!" Julie's outcry was filled with pain as she clutched her head.
121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtDZI8XCb7
"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.
121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxCThNWXDF
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."
121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6h0NbEBaP
Julie remained silent, continuing her walk. Cerilla walked in tandem, arriving at Julie's house where she observed as Julie ascended the front stairs.
121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSSSmTMYtZ
"I'll be back to pick you up tomorrow," Cerilla stated, her hands resting on her hips.
121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCyzRrkJTx
"What?" Julie's sudden reaction spun her around to face Cerilla.
121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8uqbyTxcF
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."
121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqG6YTnBz7
"Registered for what?" Julie's confusion was palpable.
121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEjYF4Qsm1
"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
ns18.220.44.17da2
