"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.
38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFredCY6Gu
"Huh?" Julie's questioning gaze shifted downward, landing on Tora's arm that held her back from advancing any further.
38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWmJNSLiZo
"Let's keep things civil, you two," Tora interjected, his tone taking on a parenting-like authority.
38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgYrsYvTPP
"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.
38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE922vxX3B2
"Really..." Cerilla's tone dripped with boredom, as if she were being burdened with a task she had no interest in.
38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4LxSj8oMw
"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?"
38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASd5HMsw9o
With a roll of her eyes, Cerilla seemed to relent. "Fine... So I'm guessing she's one of us then, right?"
38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwjEbAO50i
Tora's lips curved into a sly smirk, his gaze flickering back to Cerilla. "Yes, indeed she is."
38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhKSM1NAru
"I'm not going," Julie's voice carried determination.
38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4EwvVw6Tp
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!"
38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnRrgAEHMX
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."
38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiX87mE0te0
Julie shook her head, denying the reality that was presented to her. "No, that can't be true. I won't accept your non-..."
38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKfU1iKI09
"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.
38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZ300IGdUv
"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.
38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsjDA6x1u6
"Remember your promise, fire slinger," Cerilla retorted, dismissing Julie's attempts to break free. "Stop struggling or you'll end up biting your tongue."
38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBegu335pQB
"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.
38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnu24Wk3EP
"You're so loud, all from a little jump," Cerilla remarked casually.
38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDQRrxgqt5
"A jump?!" Julie's incredulous voice quivered. "That settles it – you're not human. No human can do something like that."
38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjFGMigODy
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."
38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvW1bwuCwUY
Julie's voice trembled as she struggled to comprehend. "I can't do anything like that!"
***
38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nAsEUj5zY
Tora walked through the park, his steps deliberate and unhurried, weariness etched into the lines of his face.
38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9qQRRz7rC
"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.
38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfof1ZdgNfM
"I must admit, the rumors about you seem to hold true," a concealed voice replied.
38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLD1CuFoeD
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.
38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaDGOsZa69
"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."
38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKKJGlcFLh
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."
38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAFgKXpabO
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."
38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5VGesHR3m
For a fleeting moment, Tora's eyes gleamed with a sharp and dangerous intensity before swiftly transitioning to a composed calmness.
38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfaRTMjOiq
"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.
38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vyAPFuXwl
Deena's own smile persisted, seemingly unaffected, her eyes dancing with amusement at the subtle tension in the air.
***
38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFt7cJpUBFz
"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.
38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCnyx1M6aO
"Well, my way is less likely to get me killed," Julie responded dismissively, paying little attention to Cerilla's complaints.
38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgK91y7232
Cerilla's words carried a matter-of-fact tone. "Your body is quite weak for a half-blood. Perhaps walking is the wisest choice."
38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4dZvPZMyE
Julie halted in her tracks upon hearing those words. "So maybe I'm not one?"
38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6vdCwQf4i
Standing behind Julie, Cerilla observed the young woman's self-doubt, her little frame embodying uncertainty.
38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHEZhAEwXp
"STOP BEING SO PATHETIC!" Cerilla's outburst echoed through the street as her hand slapped the back of Julie's head.
38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGnYReSGpI
"What the hell!" Julie's outcry was filled with pain as she clutched her head.
38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9hvp6ELLT
"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.
38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqD3RHxKiE
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."
38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2DmOSKNbi
Julie remained silent, continuing her walk. Cerilla walked in tandem, arriving at Julie's house where she observed as Julie ascended the front stairs.
38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMDJUkuEqz
"I'll be back to pick you up tomorrow," Cerilla stated, her hands resting on her hips.
38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyh8tu44XQA
"What?" Julie's sudden reaction spun her around to face Cerilla.
38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ndnGupizK
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."
38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSti3pT8dTU
"Registered for what?" Julie's confusion was palpable.
38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5Omenph3D
"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
ns 15.158.61.19da2
