"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.
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DGDvZxPPt
"Huh?" Julie's questioning gaze shifted downward, landing on Tora's arm that held her back from advancing any further.
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEh3dRVvgV8
"Let's keep things civil, you two," Tora interjected, his tone taking on a parenting-like authority.
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc804BYrgYQ
"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.
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9rPpKiakU
"Really..." Cerilla's tone dripped with boredom, as if she were being burdened with a task she had no interest in.
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAY4w0iqa4
"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?"
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEwDo8Jt88
With a roll of her eyes, Cerilla seemed to relent. "Fine... So I'm guessing she's one of us then, right?"
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1zlpBnW7o
Tora's lips curved into a sly smirk, his gaze flickering back to Cerilla. "Yes, indeed she is."
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkav6tAvS2v
"I'm not going," Julie's voice carried determination.
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSbEp4Ohf6
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!"
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALlijCpoPQ
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."
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8dftksCCu
Julie shook her head, denying the reality that was presented to her. "No, that can't be true. I won't accept your non-..."
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFV9SYeQ6yH
"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.
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oP2WaBO3M
"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.
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1jqSegO44
"Remember your promise, fire slinger," Cerilla retorted, dismissing Julie's attempts to break free. "Stop struggling or you'll end up biting your tongue."
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqPjOlP1Zn
"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.
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAb4RhWoU9
"You're so loud, all from a little jump," Cerilla remarked casually.
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjYyZacNrv
"A jump?!" Julie's incredulous voice quivered. "That settles it – you're not human. No human can do something like that."
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rlsMLQiAe
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."
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BdNJnavqR
Julie's voice trembled as she struggled to comprehend. "I can't do anything like that!"
***
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMaoO0bnDn
Tora walked through the park, his steps deliberate and unhurried, weariness etched into the lines of his face.
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIzwwQZQvP
"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.
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuJl3SYMBB
"I must admit, the rumors about you seem to hold true," a concealed voice replied.
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vHguBHIl8
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.
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWBSj1vSLn
"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."
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoKHtgjPT2
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."
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03BC6CQtM4
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."
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nrJq1cXlj
For a fleeting moment, Tora's eyes gleamed with a sharp and dangerous intensity before swiftly transitioning to a composed calmness.
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRE3xKPbNG
"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.
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnlepX27bU
Deena's own smile persisted, seemingly unaffected, her eyes dancing with amusement at the subtle tension in the air.
***
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGPFV4Tk4h
"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.
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJFfZHUG9G
"Well, my way is less likely to get me killed," Julie responded dismissively, paying little attention to Cerilla's complaints.
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIPhDrnTwH
Cerilla's words carried a matter-of-fact tone. "Your body is quite weak for a half-blood. Perhaps walking is the wisest choice."
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡearSBzZOgP
Julie halted in her tracks upon hearing those words. "So maybe I'm not one?"
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAYALe4tLO
Standing behind Julie, Cerilla observed the young woman's self-doubt, her little frame embodying uncertainty.
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNA391svgS0
"STOP BEING SO PATHETIC!" Cerilla's outburst echoed through the street as her hand slapped the back of Julie's head.
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhg5nu4PyO
"What the hell!" Julie's outcry was filled with pain as she clutched her head.
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEQHktq5NF
"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.
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElOxvJBDj1
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."
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgg8ys1neT4
Julie remained silent, continuing her walk. Cerilla walked in tandem, arriving at Julie's house where she observed as Julie ascended the front stairs.
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUj5Sy49rmN
"I'll be back to pick you up tomorrow," Cerilla stated, her hands resting on her hips.
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlU6bpAReZA
"What?" Julie's sudden reaction spun her around to face Cerilla.
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzQQYKJfZK
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."
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqE7vh97wKb
"Registered for what?" Julie's confusion was palpable.
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqZnSZ40tV
"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
ns18.221.21.242da2
