The humanoid lion got to work right away, stepping back a few feet and pressing one hand to the ground. Bright brown Essence escaped out of his palm, slowly spreading across the earth and melting the ice and surrounding snow. Soon, the entire area cleared, leaving only a soft glow around them.

That was when Kirej pulled out a small golden stake and drove it right where his palm had once been. Right away, energy exploded out of the object, shooting into the sky before cascading down, forming a barrier around them. It didn't look much different than a standard safe zone protection.

"Well done, my friend. That should buy us some time," Darius praised.

Kirej just huffed and walked toward the barrier's border, sitting down in silence. The ancient flame sighed and turned back to Leo. "Don't mind him. He is shy around strangers."

Leo glanced between Kirej and Darius, raising an eyebrow. "Yeah… I don't see it."

"Oh, but he is," the ancient flame chuckled. "Kirej might look tough and scary, but he is a big softy. Just ask Naz'Tor. They have known each other even longer than I have."

"I will keep that in mind," he muttered, deciding to switch the subject. "So, what happens once I recover? How do you plan to get me out of here?"

Darius paused mid-flight, his fiery form flickering. "Naz'Tor didn't tell you?"

"No." Leo resisted the urge to sigh. "All he told me was to wait for you and learn Sealed Form in the meantime. I don't even have a clue why I need it."

"Huh," the ancient flame hummed. "That's odd but not exactly out of character for Naz'Tor. He has his own weird quirks. I just didn't expect him to skip over details when it's a matter of life and death for you… Oh well! You will get to ask for his reasoning soon enough."

"I guess… But again, what's the plan?"

"Yes, yes, the plan!" Darius resumed his excited zooming. "It's simple, very simple! Once you are stable enough to travel, we will escort you to the nearest safe zone with a Caged Gate that can take you to Naz'Tor. That's where your sealed form comes in. You've learned it, yes?"

Leo nodded while storing the information about the Caged Gate for later. "Yeah, I've got it down.."

"Excellent! That skill is crucial. Without it, you won't be able to access the majority of safe zones inside the Void. Think of it as another security measure so that no one will try anything stupid where people just want to live in peace."

"Wait." He frowned. "Are you really saying that everybody has to use a sealed form inside safe zones?"

Isn't that…

Darius nodded. "With some exceptions, but yes, that's exactly the case. There are places where this rule isn't enforced, but those are usually new safe zones that are still developing. Trust me, the longer you live in the Void, the more you appreciate those restrictions."

I can already think of a few reasons. Leo grimaced as his imagination ran wild. He quickly dismissed those thoughts and focused back on the conversation. "I see… Well then, I'm in your hands. Though to be honest, I expected it to be more complicated than just walking into a random safe zone and going through some gate."

Darius laughed. "Oh, it would be if we didn't follow official channels. That's why it took us so long to arrive here. Naz'Tor had to arrange a safety passage for us, and with a war brewing, that's not a quick process. We are lucky he is a well-connected individual. It might have taken much longer otherwise."

Leo gulped. All right, so maybe my luck didn't run out completely.

"But enough about that," Darius continued. "Where is this companion of yours? We were told we had to extract two individuals. Did they…"

As the ancient flame trailed off, Leo shook his head. "No, she is fine, just recovering. Give me a moment. I will try to wake her up."

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

"Please do. If she requires healing, we have more potions."

He nodded and reached for his bond with the feline. Hey, wake up, he called out, softly nudging her with his Essence. Naz'Tor's people are here.

'Whaa…' Nyx mumbled. 'What… what happened? Why did you wake me up?'

Well… Leo smiled wryly. I almost died a second time after you drifted off, but we're okay now. Naz'Tor's people finally showed up.

'What did you just say?!' The feline's voice snapped awake, all traces of sleep gone. 'Almost died again? What did you do?'

Hey, now, I didn't choose to get attacked. Besides, you can see it for yourself. My mind is open.

'Trust me, I will,' she said, and instantly, he felt her digging through his memory. He allowed it, guiding her toward today's events. 'Oh… I see what you mean. That was… unfortunate. First the ice giant and then a random Sazim soldier. Leo, I'm really happy you are alive, but it's a miracle that Naz'Tor's people got here in time.'

Yeah, my thoughts exactly. A few more seconds, and well, my head would roll. Maybe the universe doesn't hate me after all.

'That's still up for debate,' Nyx snickered. 'This Darius and Kirej… they are an interesting pair.'

Leo held himself back from snorting. You don't say. A tiny ball of fire and a lion-man. Compared to them, we look normal.

'I wouldn't go that far, but I see your point… Should I come out?'

He shrugged. I don't see why not. They even offered to give you the same potion they forced down my throat.

'There's no need for that,' she declined. 'I'm feeling much better now. Still a bit spent and tired, but nothing some rest can't fix.'

Got ya. Come out, then.

Nyx didn't answer and simply slithered out of his cloak in her smoke form. She reformed at his side and bowed toward the ancient flame.

"Greetings, I'm Nyx, Leo's bonded companion."

"Oh my! An Apex Indomitus," Darius beamed. "It's a pleasure, my lady. Now, I'm even more curious about your evolution, young one."

"It's also an Indomitus," Leo said, giving him at least something.

"Hmm." The ancient flame floated closer, inspecting him from each side. "I haven't seen your evolution ever before, but those eyes, those blades… You're an Akirian, aren't you? But that's not all… Your kind is disliked here, but not enough to warrant an obscurial item. Hmm, I see, I see…"

Leo tensed, backing up until his spine hit the tree behind him. Darius noticed that instantly and retreated, his fire dimming a bit.

"I apologize, I shouldn't have done that! But please don't worry. Your secret's safe with me. My contract with Naz'Tor prohibits me from revealing any details about this mission."

Leo's shoulders sagged, some tension draining out of him. He still didn't like that his secret was out, but there wasn't much he could do about it now.

Still, he had to ask. "Is it really that easy to tell? If yes, then what's the point of hiding my status?"

"No, no. Nothing like that!" Darius reassured him. "I'm old, very old. I have seen countless of your brethren come and go, both normal Akirians and Primes. I simply know what to look for. Also, it doesn't hurt that my species is very sensitive to souls, and yours isn't what we would call average. The odds of someone on Sazim guessing your true identity are abysmal, especially if you hide under that cloak of yours and assume sealed form."

Leo exhaled. "That's good, very good."

The ancient flame chuckled. "You really have nothing to fear, young one. Even if, by some miracle, someone discovered your identity, Kirej and I will protect you. I don't want to sound arrogant, but it's unlikely that anyone on Sazim can match our strength. Don't think that us belonging to the Merchant faction means we're weak."

He snorted. "Never even crossed my mind. Not after what your partner did… But now that you've mentioned it. Do you also have stuff to sell?"

"Oh my! Has my natural charm tempted you to switch your contracted merchant?" Darius teased with a laugh. "But no. Despite my faction, I'm not a merchant, nor is Kirej. We're the muscles—people you send to do the dirty work if you will."

"Guess it makes sense," Leo muttered.

"It does, doesn't it?" the alien agreed, his fire burning bright again. "Now, I suggest you get some rest, young one. The potion we gave you works best when you sleep. Your partner can watch over you in the meantime. I would love to chat with her a bit."

Unsure, he looked at Nyx, who nodded after a moment. 'It will be fine. Sleep, Leo. I will be here when you wake up.'

Are you sure? He asked, glancing at the ancient flame.

'I am. I won't tell him anything I don't want to. And if they attack? Well, we are at their mercy anyway.'

True… Only one hour though. No longer.

Nyx smiled. 'Of course.'