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ATM Rewrite: B2 — 8. Survive Well
🕑 Added 2023-07-14 05:49:30 +0000 UTCPoV:
1. Sora Moore (Our Fox Girl Has A New, New Problem!)
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Lying on the choppy surface of the water Kari had tossed her into, Sora used her magic to keep herself afloat and invisible while glaring up at the grinning wolf, waving down at her from the bridge.
“I can’t believe you let your guard down that much. I could have snapped your neck. Aiden’s right; you’re way too trusting.”
“Ha-ha-ha,” she duly returned, sopping wet tail flicking with irritation as the slow-moving current pulled her under the bridge. “So, what I’m hearing is that this is Aiden’s fault. Damn you, Aiden…”
Kari laughed while flipping around to lean against the barrier, and Sora forced herself up from her water-drifting adventure, extracting the water from her clothes and hair. She discarded it back into the canal, using the opportunity to test out her fully awakened vulpes Founder powers with a single tail while walking back into view of the bully.
“Gah. What’s your short circuit; why are you so rude? I even played basketball with you to make you feel better and made your ears and tail invisible… What’s the deal?”
Kari didn’t answer for a few seconds as she looked up at the clouds, her tail slowly swinging between the bars, but it didn’t have the entertained vigor it did before.
“Not going to fight back?” she whispered, catching Sora a bit off-guard.
“Huh? No,” she grunted, in somewhat of a bad mood as she tried to be more conservative with her desire magic, taking a moment to craft the weave. “Do you want a fight or something? Wait…”
Sora’s face scrunched up as she realized trying to make the water rise up in a geyser required way more energy than simply reversing gravity on herself; she quickly added a nullification affix to her clothing as her vest and dress shirt tried to flip up.
Floating down beside the wolf, she did a double-check to make sure her clothing, hair, and fur were free of liquid. “Is this some kind of prank game you used to play with your family or something? Because all I got from that was, ‘Great, Kari’s still a freaking bully.’ What am I supposed to even do to you since magic doesn’t work on you? You’re immune.”
“Mmm.” Kari sucked on her bottom lip, her fingers picking at the railing. “Do you have a toothpick or floss stick in your purse?”
“Come again?” Sora scoffed, running her fingers through her hair in exasperation. “Did you just throw me into the water and ask for a toothpick?! In what world would I give you one after that?”
“True. Use wind or the concrete,” she muttered, pointing up at the sky with a lifeless tone. “Gravity affects me, too. I thought you were supposed to be the creative fox.”
“Wha… Humph!” Sora smirked, spinning her finger in a circle to generate a swift whirlwind under the bully. “Thanks for the tip—oh, c’mon!”
Gasps were heard from the unsuspecting tourists and locals as the rapid, concentrated gale, yet Kari didn’t budge an inch at the upward tornado, some kind of dense aura keeping her grounded.
“Heh. I never said it would work or I wouldn’t resist,” Kari mumbled, showing a weak smirk. “Can I have that floss pick now? I’m anxious.”
“Bah! Wait, you’re anxious?!” Sora asked, cutting the magic and fishing around her floating purse to throw a floss stick over the edge. “Fine. Fetc—”
“Just a habit—nice,” she cooly responded, jumping over the rails without a second’s hesitation to snatch it out of the air and causing a splash as she entered the water.
“Hey, I didn’t mean—Kari? Kari?!”
The wolf came floating to the surface, belly first, and using her weird physical aura to enter the exact scenario she’d been in minutes before. She held up a thumb, tongue playing with the floss pick in her mouth.
“Got it.”
“Unbelievable,” Sora groaned, slumping on the rails and glaring down at the soaking-wet mutt. “I don’t get you. Argh. Here…”
Reversing gravity around the wolf, she was a little surprised when her aura ceased, allowing her to fish the girl out of the canal; halfway up, she grinned.
“What if I just… dropped you back in?”
“Oh no,” Kari emotionlessly cried. “That’d be the worst. Kidding. I need a bath anyway; I can’t remember the last time I had one.”
“Shut up…” Sora really had to force herself not to do it. Dragging her up, she swiped left, extracting the water to toss it back into the stream. “What’s with your attitude right now?”
Kari shrugged, pulling around her straightened, cleaned, crazy-thick hair to examine before flicking up her tail to see the same treatment. “Well, that’s convenient. You even cleaned my ears. Thanks. We going to get something to eat?”
Sighing, Sora’s shoulders hung. “Basically, you’re depressed. Got it. I’m surprised you’re keeping your promise to keep your tail and ears out… I thought you hated your wolf form. Here, I’ll put your hair in a braid so it’s easier to manage.”
“Cool…” Kari stuck her hands in her sports shorts pockets as they continued on their journey, the wolf picking between her perfect teeth. “I don’t know what I like or hate… Isn’t this weird?”
“What’s weird; two teenage girls hanging out or it being us?” Sora asked, absently refining her magical weaves to better subconsciously redirect humans around them. “I mean… Wendy and Eyia don’t get why I’m keeping you around, and… I guess I don’t fully know either. Aiden! It’s all Aiden’s fault!” she roared. “Humph. Let’s go buy some pitchforks and torches to chase him out of Miami.”
“Hehehe. Everything’s Aiden’s fault… I can get behind that.”
Kari’s weak laugh made Sora mirror her. She hadn’t expected this outcome, and reflecting on everything she’d learned about Kari’s horrific life and family trauma; Sora felt like maybe this was what the girl needed.
Holding her elbow behind her back, Sora looked up at the black sky with the warm bustle of Miami Beach’s nightlife bustling around them. “I… don’t know how it’s possible, but… I think the Kari I hated and feared is already dead.”
Confused amber eyes shifted to her as Kari’s pace slowed. “What do you mean? I’m not asking for forgiveness or to be justified. I made my own mess… and I made the choice to let it keep going. Hey—”
Sora grinned, her tail rotating to surprise twist gravity and make the black-haired taller girl flip into a circle; just before she face-planted the pavement, she brought her upright, internally cheering at finally having a way to hit back, even if ultimately useless against the invincible wolf.
“Good! Because I’m not forgiving you or asking for an apology. I’m just saying the Kari I knew is already dead, so why should I hate someone who doesn’t exist? I think I know why I haven’t punted you to Africa, heh, or the moon.”
“Why?” Kari whispered, ears folding back as she found her legs again.
Sora gave her a side-long, curious look. “Because I don’t know you. You’re certainly not my Kari, and thank my mother for that! And you know what…” Sora gave her a dubious stare.
Kari’s ears pulled back further, and she stepped away, fingers finding her arm. “What’s with that look… Why are you looking at me like that—it’s uncomfortable.”
Sora’s hyper-sensative hearing made her giggle as VHS Collection’s Survive came on from the earbuds from a playlist of one of the nearby nighttime runners.
“Dammit, Aiden…” The wolf’s fearful eyes said it all, and the girl’s cracking defenses told Sora she was correct. “Haaa. I think you could be pretending to be someone you’re not… I guess what I’m trying to say is that you’re like an innocent, fluffy sheep in wolf’s clothing.”
“Cringe and stupid…”
Sora’s smirk lifted as she moved closer to nudge the uncomfortable, broken wolf. “A devil with a broken halo, who’s only been afraid of her own shadow?”
“Cut it out!” she mumbled; her mask and fake bravery were finally fracturing. “You don’t know me… Hey!”
Tail lashing out to flick Kari’s, Sora jumped away with a laugh. “That’s the point, you stupid muscle head! I don’t know you, and so I can’t make a decision to kick you to the moon or offer you room to be friends… And what do you do? Kill me at basketball all day, without rest, and then throw me into the water! Haha. Super rude! Heh. But not friendship breaking… And we’re here!” Sora gestured at the alleyway that led to the restaurant. “So?”
“So… what?” Kari mumbled, tongue breaking her toothpick as she looked away. “Who would want to be friends with me… None of the girls at school did.”
Sora tilted her head to the side, raising her hand. “Did you even listen to me at all? We survived; take the win. And I recall just saying I wanted to see who the real Kari is. So don’t put rejection where there is none to be offered, stubborn wolf! Let me decide if you’re worth being friends with, unless… I’m not worth being friends with. Hmm?”
“Haaa…” Kari scratched her forehead, a low growl in her throat. “You’re such an annoying fox… I don’t know.”
“Great! Let’s find out, and do you smell that? Humph,” she huffed, crossing her arms to glare at the alley.
“Aiden…” Kari whispered, showing a sad smile. “Hey, umm… I think I’ll eat alone. I need to think about some stuff—things Mary said,” she corrected, hurriedly walking into the alley and leaving her behind. “Not whatever cringe shit you’re spouting.”
“Sure, whatever,” Sora snickered. “Run away with your tail between your legs; my tail’s cuter!”
“Shut up! My tail’s fine.”
“Haha. You’re turning out to be the most tsundere-type of friend I’ve ever met!”
Kari paused at the door, clearly bewildered as she glanced back at her. “What does that even—never mind. All you do is talk shit—whatever.”
“I’ll still pay for your meal! Hehe. Someone needs to support the staff.”
Sora felt like a massive weight had been lifted off her chest after finally letting the hate in her heart disperse. It was true; she couldn’t see a hint of the trauma-inducing alpha bully in the flustered, self-hating wolf. In fact, the more time she spent with Kari, the more Sora saw a piece of who she used to be in the falling wolf with broken wings.
Greeting the nervous dolphin server at the front entrance, she saw fewer monsters in the area than on her previous visits; another waiter had taken Kari to a private eating place.
“Tammy, how is your family—no troubles, I hope?”
“Lady Sora, no…” Water gathered in the woman’s eyes. “Thank you! My family was offered a citizenship card for Florida, and a habitat is being provided for us by this unusual human organization. They said you were responsible?”
Happy that her desires were being enforced by The Foundation regarding the friendly monsters in Miami, Sora nodded. “I’m glad to hear it. I actually wanted to make a reservation in three days to bring my mother here to meet you, and you needn’t be worried about Eric or any other group. Actually…”
“Yes?” Tammy asked, fin wiggling on her head as she tried to hold back her emotions and remain professional.
A thought passed through Sora’s mind that made her excited. “Can you spread the news throughout the Miami monster community that I’m going to make charms to disguise those who have trouble transforming into humans? I think it would be nice to offer monsters a normal life—if they live by certain rules, of course, and they’ll stop working if misused.”
“That would be… life-changing,” Tammy choked, using her apron to dab at her eyes. “I would love nothing more than to make the… the reservations for you and your mother, Lady Sora.”
“Oh, and my father and two other seats for my sisters.”
“Of course. Am I to assume you are here to join Lord Aiden?”
“Heheh. I suppose so, and you don’t have to call us ‘lord’ or ‘lady.’ ”
Tammy’s aura turned a tad nervous. “Is… that an order?”
“No-heh. I’m just saying I’m not here to impose on anyone who wants to live peacefully. I’m just glad to be a part of the community,” she chimed.
“Young and humble,” Tammy smiled and bowed her head. “I shall give thanks to your mother for giving you to our world. This way, Lady Sora.”
Sora sighed; it was their choice to do what they wanted, and she wasn’t going to tell them how to speak or express their gratitude. “Thank you. Oh, and I’ll be paying for Kari and Aiden; you guys have to stay in business somehow, and you’re well worth the price for your service.”
It felt like she was in a dream as she followed the thankful dolphin woman to the VIP eating area. Aiden was sitting with his leg crossed across his lap, browsing the web on his phone. His eyes lifted with his smile as he spotted her.
“Well, what brings you here so late, Sora? Wait… is Kari on the oceanside veranda?”
Sora’s gaze snapped to the server. “You guys have an oceanside veranda, and this place is the VIP area? Don’t get me wrong, the constantly swapping aesthetics is nice, but come on. It’s an oceanside veranda—a private beach, I assume?!”
Aiden chuckled. “Eric wasn’t a fan of the view; he liked to see the prizes from his conquests here. Thank you, Tammy. Why don’t we see about a few renovations in the coming weeks; I’ll open up the funds for you.”
She cheerily nodded at the firebird and offered Sora the menu.
Tail wagging behind her chair, she browsed the sheet and its endless options. Sora was starting to feel more comfortable with this new lifestyle. “That does sound like something Eric would do, and when did you get money, Aiden? I thought you guys just intimidated everyone to do whatever you wanted.”
“I’m hurt!” Aiden laughed, holding his chest. “No, tributes from many rich tribes or branches of the monster communities have made substantial donations for Eric’s protection; the world can be a cruel place, and he did bring order. Now, your name is being sung.”
Sora’s tail froze in place. “Okay, explain!”
Aiden sat back as she made her first order, settling in and gesturing at his phone. Apparently, he’d been managing all of the territories and reports he’d gotten from Eric’s empire since returning to Miami; he’d been working all day, reassuring groups and coordinating with the Devlin to set up proper containment zones and protocols for certain communities.
The blond young man’s lax demeanor and smile settled Sora’s thumping heart at suddenly being seen as some kind of monster messiah.
In essence, everyone was being made aware that she was the new top dog, though Eric wasn’t completely out of the picture; there was just new management. It wasn’t a lie. Sora didn’t actually need to do much; Eric’s name alone was enough to quell most disputes, which made sense with how brutal the half-fenris wolf was.
Once her food arrived, she got to the important bits regarding the other questions she had. As could be expected, the Black Thorn Lady was still a total mystery to him, and he had no clue who the purple-eyed parasol lady was; her last hope for answers on the pair would come from her mother, it seemed, or maybe Nilly making a surprise return.
Eventually, Sora opened up about why she had really come here, to talk about all the stress she’d been feeling. She couldn’t discuss it with her new sisters since they were also a part of that anxiety; Sora had learned her lesson and made sure to give Eyia and Wendy updates that she was fine. There were so many threats and oddities circling her, and Aiden may be her best shot at finding a solution, given his natural causality ability.
Aiden held a small bowl of cherry ice cream in his lap, slowly transferring it to his stomach as they chatted into the night. “Hmm. I’m with the Moon Wizard; focus on what you can. Haha. Have I told you the story about the time I met the President-elect of Ethiopia on a mission to discover if a pack of vicious bouda had been spotted in the wetlands?”
“No?” Sora muttered, having no clue where Ethiopia was on the world map and looking it up on her phone. “What are bouda?”
“Haha. Think werewolves, only hyenas, who are rather excellent blacksmiths and merchants but have a penchant for robbing graves and stirring up the local paranormal community; it was a mess.”
Sora’s ears twitched, enjoying her time talking with the unusually well-traveled boy for only seventeen years old. “And you met the President-elect? What is that, like… the next president?”
“Basically,” Aiden shrugged. “In essence, our cars got stopped by a humanitarian aid group with a mission to bring supplies to one of the distant tribes. I had twenty-five highly trained and rather intimidating werewolves with me, fully armed, military trained, heavy combat vehicles in tow, and all looking like they’d just killed their own mother…”
Accepting some kind of fancy French chocolate treat from Tammy. “What happened to the president’s guard; were they stranded and needed help?”
“They did! The president and his detail had used it as cover to smuggle him out of the country during a wave of separatist attacks, and their guide and most of their guards had been killed in a scuffle. They had no clue who we were! By all appearances, we were the enemy, but do you know what happened?”
“What?”
“This brunette woman named Abena, the woman that organized the mission, demanded that I redirect my convoy to support their mission since lives depended on it.”
A thoughtful grin moved his face. “A group of defenseless humanitarian workers and a disguised president against fully-amped up werewolves, radiating an aura that would make most military men shit themselves… and she marched right up to us without an ounce of fear to commandeer our resources.”
“Badass. Did you do it?” Sora asked, biting into her dessert.
“Hah. I didn’t have a choice; I was afraid of what she might do if I didn’t,” Aiden laughed. “A five-day trip turned into three weeks, but as it happened, our information had been faulty, and the bouda’s next target was the very village we went to support.
“Shadows moving in the dark with whispers on the wind, sickness rampant, the surprise reveal of Etheopia’s president, and all hell breaking loose with a host of Tikoloshe—evil dwarf-like water spirits—attacking us after being tricked into joining the bouda and thinking the people had desecrated their waters. It was chaos!”
He breathed out a long stream of air while playing with his spoon. “Abena stood strong in the face of all the supernatural insanity surrounding her and did what she could to ease those that were injured, including the werewolves protecting them, despite her fear.
“I had my hands full with keeping the Tikoloshe away from the villagers, but they all made it through. It was the little things that helped them survive; I basically did everything, but I couldn’t give them the hope Abena did, and her hope kept my flames lit. Moral of the story…”
“Handle what’s in front of me, and leave the rest for later?” Sora whispered.
“Bingo! I felt you coming in with Kari…” His eyes showed a soft smile that was infectious. “I think she’s in a better spot now. Thank you, Sora. The second moral of the story; it’s not good enough to just survive… you must survive well—live.
“After that crisis in Africa, we danced, told stories, and gave thanks to their village’s protective spirits. Take the win, Sora. I’m sure trouble will come, possibly on your way home! Brush off the dust, and smile. It’s not when you die that you’ve lost… it’s when they’ve managed to snuff out your smile—your hope.”
“My hope…” Sora repeated, thinking back on all the wonderful times she had with Wendy and how she felt watching Eyia keep trying, despite her trouble adapting to this unfamiliar world after losing everything. “Thanks, Aiden.”
“Of course! Don’t worry about housing us, either. If it happens in the future? Cool. We have our own homes here for Kari, though. No stress for either of you.” He held out his fist, making Sora bump it with a chuckle. “I got you. So…”
“Live,” Sora whispered. “What about Eric? I get the feeling you’d like him freed—at some point.”
Aiden leaned against the side of his chair, looking off to the side. “Eric made an impact on the world stage; Devlin said as much, and a lot of troubles were pushed into the shadows due to his image… as brutal as he was. I think he’ll be fine sleeping for a while… Kari deserves to mourn, rest, and recover… To learn how to live again.”
A giggle shook Sora’s stomach as she heard Kari snarl and leave the veranda to roam the beachside. “She doesn’t like all the sympathy and attention—she’s such a tsundere.”
“Sure, whatever that means,” Aiden mused. “I’ll have to look it up. Haaa. It’s good she’s getting frustrated; it means it bothers her… It means she’s not totally numb.”
Cheek leaning into her fist, Sora stared at Aiden.
“Eh-hehe. What’s with that smile?”
“You’re a really good brother.”
“Aww. Thanks. I try,” he sighed, running his fingers through his hair. “Our family is… complicated, but I think Alva would have loved you. She was always so worried about Kari… And Kari’s always been self-conscious about being the weird one in the family. She really just needs a good friend that will make her feel normal.”
Sora rolled her eyes and sat back with a huff. “A normal person wouldn’t throw their friends five meters over a bridge and into a canal before laughing at them.”
“She didn’t! Haha. Tell me you got back at her,” Aiden grinned.
“Of course I did,” Sora grinned. “Anyway, thanks for chatting with me, Aiden. I should get back before Eyia comes running, thinking I’ve been gobbled up by fenris wolves.”
“Sounds good! Uagh-haaa,” he stretched out, twisting left and right. “It’s been nice getting to know you, Sora. Let’s do this again sometime.”
“I’d like that,” she said, doing her own stretches before getting up and heading to the front to pay for their meals. “Night, Aiden.”
“Night… And, Sora?”
“Hmm?” She turned to see a serious look enter the young man’s eyes. “What’s up?”
“I’ve gotten some reports that the devil and demon community are in a bit of an uproar. I don’t know the details yet, but I heard a rumor that a big name just entered the city; Devlin’s looking into it with my own resources, but just… be careful. Maybe I should walk you home?”
“Mmm.” Sora’s eyes wandered to the exit, ears twitching as she remembered the powerful demonic artifact The Foundation had her suppress and isolate. “No, I’ll be fine.”
She held up her arm to flex with a grin. “My magic is stronger than ever! Plus, I have to be able to take care of myself if I’m going to keep the peace. I’ll keep my guard up. Thanks for worrying about me, though.”
Aiden stood and nodded. “Of course. What do you say about carving out some time for training? I’m sure Eyia would love it, and after Ylva and Nilly, eh-heh, yeah… I’ve been reminded how weak I am. Haha!”
“Ditto!” Sora snickered, pulling her purse closer to loop it around her shoulder; it felt better at the moment. “But no worry about Kari going out alone? I’m insulted!” she joked.
“Eh… I’d be more worried about whoever tried to jump her than Kari herself; she’s her own worst enemy, but as we saw, she can hold her own against Eric at his strongest.”
“Humph. Stupid fenris wolf super-magic immunity, invulnerability, and hyper healing!”
Aiden gave her a shrug as she walked backward toward the door. “I mean, having basically wish magic is also super cool!”
“Yeah, I guess… until Kari just shrugs it off and punches me in the face for a one-hit KO! Ugh. Training, later this week!” she snarled, pointing at him. “Teach me how to beat her up!”
“Haha! What a motivation. I’ll see what I can do.”
“It’s a promise!”
Exiting with a bright smile and floating heart, she paid for the meal, providing a healthy tip as usual, and waved off Tammy as she entered the cool night. The salted breeze pulled back her braid as she dispelled her non-mandatory illusions, becoming visible to the general public.
If the demons or devils wanted to talk after she’d kicked the butt of a particularly powerful Succubus and sent her pointy tail back to Hell, then let them come. She’d come a long way from hiding in her ivory tower, and Aiden’s words struck true against her heart; it was time for her to confront the world instead of letting it keep her down.
Wandering the streets, she scanned the auras of the many tourists and nightlife partiers; there were a lot of drunks, and she could smell it. Eventually, her acute senses alerted her to the individual Aiden had warned her about.
Sora’s swaying tail slowed with her pace as she came to a stop in front of a late-night convenience store. From her contest with Yez’ela and interaction with the Infernal Force of Hell, she could distinguish the difference between the demons she used and devils; this neck-tingling sensation was a demon and one twice as strong as the Florida boss succubus devil herself.
A lot had happened since that fight, and Sora didn’t hesitate as she entered the store, nose creasing with the horrific stench hidden from the humans by its powerful, infernal energy. Ice, insatiable hunger, greed, murder, and an unnatural atmospheric chill radiated within the store.
Her tight green eyes centered on a classy-dressed man with caramel skin as the glass in front of him frosted over, confusing many of the uncomfortable, late-night shoppers; his dark hair and beard were trimmed short and neat, and his dark eyes studying a gossip magazine by the window. It was holding back its immense abilities to almost totally appear human.
When she neared, a small twist came to his lips, but his gloved hands only flipped to the next page. With a desire, the man’s flesh melted away to reveal the demonic creature’s true, deer-like, mostly skeletal head, only with a far thicker and spikier neck than your normal human. His giant antlers rose more than half a meter above his head.
“Good Witching Hour, Daughter of Mia,” he said in a rather sophisticated tone as he moved to a new page. “I only just arrived, and you’ve sniffed me out, despite my precautions. Quite impressive, but you are a legendary Founder.”
Sora put her hands on her hips, using her magic to charm the people in the store to leave, keeping them out of the horrific entity’s aura influence; it was corruptive and infectious, despite it consciously reducing its powers.
“Let’s skip the small talk,” she growled. “I don’t want you in my city, so tell me why you’re here, or I’ll send you back to Hell myself.”
The demon closed the magazine and put it back on the shelf; one hand entered his tightly-tailored suit’s pocket, his other rising to form a smoky gerbil running wheel with a person inside of it.
“Humanity is such fascinating specimens; I speak as one that has been a part of the species myself… long ago. Constantly spinning on the wheel of temptation, vice, and repentance…”
The smoke dispersed, his deep-set, glinting red eyes tilting to her as the demon’s open hand shifted with his posture to give her a short, formal bow.
“You may know me as Ar’goth, Servant of the Lemegeton, and might I say, you are the most divine entity I have ever had the pleasure of making the acquaintance of. From what I understand, you have made quite the impression on the 72 Pillars from your little stunt the other day.”
“Uh-huh.” A dangerous smile twisted Sora’s lips as she pulled around her tail, sparkling orange foxfire lighting down its length. “And now you’re here to start something? Don’t think you’ll be immune to this fire.”
The demon chuckled and held up a hand. “On the contrary, Lady of Vulpes, I am here to deliver a warning that affects us all. We have a common enemy.”
“And that is?” Sora asked, holding out her hand for her flames to wrap into a tight orange sphere of superheated, raw magical energy. “How can I trust you?”
“Haha. I don’t have such high expectations,” he mused, keeping his composure as he looked at the frosted windows. “Nonetheless, it has come to the Lemegeton’s attention that a fae uprising will happen tomorrow; it is only a precursor to something far more… interesting.”
The demon reached out a gloved finger to make a few unusual signs on the window that didn’t remind Sora of the hellish language she’d seen in the stadium.
“A piece of you will be needed in this grand ritual, and the organization that supports you will be attacked on multiple sites; a number of high-value items are required to accomplish the fae’s goal—”
“Which is?” Sora pressed before an image of Sela being stabbed with a black dagger came into focus in the icy mirror, held by a fuzzy figure. “Huh?”
He gave her another curt bow and walked toward the back. “Someone is seeking to open a gateway for the Unseelie Court to enter this multiverse, which threatens the balance of power for everyone; their Herald will make his entrance tomorrow. I hope you take my warning to heart. I will make my exit before incurring your wrath. And, should you wish to discuss matters further, burn the card I have left you. Have an unhallowed night… Vulpes Princess.”
Sora glared after the demon as he was engulfed by black fire laced with crimson lightning; he’d returned to Hell. A frown creased her brow when she looked at the magazine he’d used, spotting a black playing card sticking out of its pages.
“Wonderful… I guess this is why Sela’s going to die. Haaa.”
Sending Devlin a text to do some more research into the named demon, Sora took the card, using her magic to levitate it rather than touching the Infernal item, and went home. She didn’t drop the news to her bright-eyed and excited sisters as they gave her the tour of their amazing expanded suite.
Eyia had ordered all sorts of weapons and Nordic-themed items to decorate her room, thrilled at the prospect of owning more things than she’d ever thought possible. Zen did go with the cosmic-style room and had been roped into watching their favorite sailor-girl anime, which had fascinated the moon prince.
Sora didn’t want to ruin the mood, so she kept it to herself for now and enjoyed the energy. Tomorrow’s problems were tomorrow’s problems. She had support when she needed it. Tonight, Sora was living with her new sisters!
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