Its energy was there, I distinctly felt it. I could feel it in my bones, and in the back of my head. I was glad I was on its side. I never knew of their existence until we fell from the tower. I found myself wondering at their true form, what would they look like? I heard it groan and I was snapped away from my daydreaming.

"Where are you?" I whispered.

"Where you left me," the voice said.

"How can you speak to me here then?" I asked.

"Don't ask too many questions, Stalwart. My mission will end in three months. Stay alive until then. Fight against all odds. A hefty reward awaits you. Beware the darkness. Out there, it's nothing compared to me, but it won't show you mercy…. Heh… Heh…Heh…"

The voice disappeared as quickly as it snuck on me. I looked around. There were enough dark corners in that place for that Aeon to conceal itself. I finished my business out there and went in. I couldn't stay outdoors to look for it anyway. People started crowding the narrow, dark streets of the underground city. They were a.s.sembling to witness Lemien's execution.

Zoey had just poured another gla.s.s for her when I came in. She spilled some of the drink on her clothes as she brought it to her mouth. She even managed to hit her large front teeth with the gla.s.s.

"You know we'll have to leave the city in a few hours," I said. "You shouldn't abuse that stuff."

"You really are my wet nurse!" she exclaimed.

G.o.ds! She was even snappier when drunk! I pity the fool who'd fall for her one day. Maybe Dieter's death was a mercy… I brushed that thought away and looked at Zoey. I had to get her to stop drinking.

"I can't allow you to drink more," I said then advanced toward her.

I made to s.n.a.t.c.h the gla.s.s from her hand, but she was faster. She thrust the cup at me, filling me with its cold and stinging content. I swept it out with my right sleeve, trying my best to remain calm. I could already hear the Sebyan speaking outside. Their voices were loud, their language too harsh for my ears. They were walking by the house then, I couldn't risk exposing our location.

"We can't cause a ruckus in here," I hissed at her. "Do you know what'll happen if the others notice we're hiding in Nag's house?"

Her face sank. She reached out for the bottle and drank directly from it. She handed it to me and urged me to drink. Her jaws were tightly clenched. Her voice sounded a bit softer when she spoke next, although the words that came out weren't particularly articulate.

"Wer gon' die!" she said. Tears started streaming down her puffed cheekbones. "Big green moster'll eat us!"

'Moster?!' I guessed she was talking about Nag.

"We'll get through this," I told her. "Nag will come back in a few, and we'll leave. You'd better not have any more of this. You've had enough." I took the bottle and hid it away from her sight.

"Wus the point?" the asked. "They'll jus find us…" She covered her face and started sobbing.

I didn't know what to do in that situation. I didn't hate the woman, nor did I have any special affinity for her. I didn't want to comfort her. That was the greatest bait a woman can lay to you. You comfort her, and then she starts complaining, then you're stuck listening to her for hours.

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I hate crybabies. I just sat beside her and watched her huff and puff, wailing like a child who'd just soiled himself. I could see her casting sideways glances at me, through the fingers of her hands, which she covered her reddening face with. She was clearly begging for attention. I should never let her drink again.

The door swung open and Nag came in. He was wearing a hooded cloak, and carried a box in his enormous hands. "What's all the noise about?" he asked.

"She thinks we're going to die," I said.

"For the love of Aella!" Nag swore. – I didn't know they believed in that G.o.ddess. –"Shut her up, will you? She'll get us killed!"

"Let her cry it out," I said. "She'll calm down in a bit."

Upon hearing this, Zoey's cries intensified, both in volume and water works. Her screeches were definitely going to reach the neighboring houses. I brought the side of my hand to the back of her head. In a swift chopping motion, Zoey let out one last cry before she fell unconscious.

"We'll probably have to carry her outside, and through tunnels," I said. "She scares easy."

"You just said to let her cry," Nag said. His eyes were almost bulging out of their sockets. The Sebyan had a really strange way of showing surprise.

"I didn't think she'd wail so loudly," I retorted. "She'd make an excellent banshee."

Nag chuckled. He put the box down, opened it, then said. "I got you something." He motioned for me to get closer.

I peeked at the content. There were some traveling clothes, a chainmail s.h.i.+rt, and some solid leather boots. They looked in excellent condition. My eyes widened at the sight. I also noticed two objects, hidden under the cloth that wrapped around them.

"My people used to pride themselves in good steel, and good armor," Nag said. "The chief wanted you to have the armor, as thanks for what you did."

"That's mighty generous of him," I said. "What are those?" I asked, pointing at the long objects.

Nag showed me his large teeth. G.o.ds, their smiles were scary! You see two gigantic fangs protruding from their lower jaws, and expect their teeth to be as big, but they're considerably smaller. The difference always caught me off guard. I will never get used to this sight.

"These are my gifts to you," Nag said. "I will probably never use them. The fox seems to be on your side. I might as well join the team."

He carefully unfolded the cloth around the first object. It was a sword. One of the most beautiful things I've ever laid my eye on. Its blade was dark blue. It seemed to absorb all light that was supposed to reflect on it. Its pommel was large enough for a Sebyan to hold it in one hand, but not too big for a human to do the same either.

Runes I couldn't read were carved on it, three on the pommel, and two on the blade. Nag held the sword as though he was holding a baby, then handed it to me. I took it, with both hands outstretched, then examined it. The blade emitted this strange feeling, as though it could cut into solid objects like b.u.t.ter. I feared it, and revered it at the same time.

"This is my family's heirloom," Nag said. "It's made out of a rare metal, found on fallen rocks from the Azure Moon."

"Nag…" I said but was immediately interrupted.

"I can't use it," Nag said. "I've thought long and hard about this. Our clan will never fight a war as deadly as this one in a thousand years. Please take it. You're a definite match for it."

It felt uncomfortable taking this precious item from him. The blade had an individual feel to it. It didn't feel like an object you carry around to kill people with, although only bad swords had that feel. It also felt like it had its own soul, its own personality. It reminded me of the one I had before Utar destroyed it. When you find something like this, you cling to it, limbs and teeth tightly clenched around it.

"Thank you," I said. I was sincerely grateful for that gift. "I'm not sure I can ever repay you for this."

"You don't know what you prevented," Nag said, dismissing my argument. "But here, take a look at this too."

He unwrapped the second object. It was a short wooden staff.

"It's not much," he said. "But it'll help you cast elementary spells."

My heart leapt. First I get this amazing sword, now I get something to help me channel magic. I was at a loss for words. I took it without a word. I kept contemplating the two gifts, my eye darting left to right.

"You deserve it," Nag said. "Maybe my people want you dead, but they don't understand how you saved them. I'll teach you some basic spells once we're out of here."

"Are you sure you want to go above ground?" I asked. "I'm your people's enemy down here. You'll be treated the same up there, or worse."

"I can fend for myself," Nag said. "I want to see the world I've heard so many stories about too. I'm nine hundred years old. I've never been beyond the forest above us."

Nine hundred? I couldn't tell, but then again, this was my first encounter with this race.

"Where will you go?" I asked.

"I'll start with Biarkh," Nag said. "I heard people there are more… open minded."

"Fate really seems to work in strange ways," I said. "I'm heading there too."

"I know," Nag said. "You're a candidate for the Holi Wars. Biarkh is your only way of getting to Milogac."

"Are we leaving anytime soon?" I asked.

"Put on your armor and cloak," Nag instructed. "Maybe we should wake her too." He jerked his square head at Zoey.

"Maybe we carry her outside the city," I retorted, "then we wake her up. She'll cause a ruckus leaving."

"Do you want to pay the necromancer a last visit before we depart?"

"No," I said. "I'm good. I wish I could've killed him myself, but he's a good distraction. Let's just leave before she wakes up."