It was three weeks since I escaped that town full of trouble. Two weeks since I discovered another pair of tracks, smaller than the first.

I had a lot of time to think of my situation since I escaped that problematic stalemate. The weather for once finally turned milder. There were visibly more dirt roads that saw much use but never a proper paved one or highway. Far in the distance I could see lights when I walked upon peaks of terrain. And the ever eternal litter that was present wherever life existed was around as well. From them, I deduced that this nearest ''landship'' should belong to the company known as Rhodes Island.

In the end I decided that my nomadic travelling style should come to an end. There was no growth in it. There would be no answers to be found living as a travelling recluse.

And to be honest I was kind of tired of the lack of perks of this lifestyle as well. Long have I wished for a bath, a nice hot meal with a good strong drink. And I longed for the best friend a man could have, a comfortable bed. Which was sorely lacking since my awakening. In all cases I should find my needs covered and some questions answered if I approached this pharmaceutical company and offered my services in exchange for employment. By my estimates I was close, so close. There were cars and aircraft passing daily in the area. This mothership whatever was called must be very near but always on the move.

I decided to shorten my road by cutting over a monster of a mountain instead of trailing the tracks in the cover of the forests. By my calculations from the directions of incoming aircraft I surmised that the landship should be going around that said mountain. Using this shortcut should put me on a meeting course with it, if not then getting me a Hell of a lot closer in a faster way.

She was a harsh mistress reminiscent of Caradhras itself. She was gruelling to climb and traverse. It was as if it beckoned me to try to ascend only to offer me death. It was sharp, it was steep, and it was unmerciful to climb and well as to leap off of different peaks and crevices. The wind bellowed and lashed hard against me, chilling me to my core almost. Its rock at many paces was unreliable, many a times almost finding myself split second from falling to my death. The trees were of such a kind that were almost impossible to climb all the way up to get a better view when I was at its base. And the snow was slowing my progress greatly. Again I had to rely on my senses and my sharp mind to choose the best path in this death trap. I was out of food and I strained my body to give all its strength to pass this seemingly insurmountable task.

On the other side of the mountain the forest greeted me once again on the last slopes of that harsh mistress of a mountain. A normal person with still two braincells to rub in his skull would have ditched the white robe if he valued his skin against people that might still follow the old saying of ''Kill first, ask questions later''. Yet my initial attire was so torn and burned in my first encounter that this robe was pretty much a necessity. Yet I cut off the orange symbol that was sewn on the right side, as much good that would do.

As I continued to walk I could seem to hear an old familiar sound not so far off in the distance. It was the sound of industry. Of civilization. I walked at a brisk pace, alert of my surroundings and I could notice that unmistakable sound growing in intensity. Finally, the tall and dense forest ended abruptly. And in front of me I could see the immensity of the gargantuan machine that was the Rhode Island landship. It's name standing large and visible on what seamed to be an immense cylindrical water tower.

My senses suddenly sharpened. My muscles tensed. I felt before I saw her, and there she appeared in front of the landship. She must have seen me come out of the forest and jumped right out from some viewing terrace. A lean and agile figure clad in a red jacket. Her light grey hair bound in the air and her tall furry ears sprung out as her hood flew backward.

''She feels like death.'' I thought.

-You are the one that escaped Red. I will end you now.

My expression was serious. I knew instinctively that there was no way of talking my way out of this predicament. I believed she would have acted the same have I ditched the white cloak. If the race I judged her to be of was correct then she would recognise my scent. But, I was more than sure of what she was. Her sharp grey ears, that distinctive tail, she was definitely a lupo. And a dangerous one, I could feel... an aura of peril, if that was even possible. And I couldn't mistake who was in front of me. She was the same red shadow that butchered all those masked people in the building. I was between a rock and a hard place now. Or more like a damn if I do and damn if I don't one. Dropping my original weapons I pulled out the once flaming katana of the Reunion scout just as the Red figure dashed blazingly fast at me.

''Our battle will be legendary.'' I thought, if hopefully not too short.

I raised the katana just in time to parry her attack and slip aside. Her push was incredibly strong, and it took every ounce of my augmented strength and agility to slip out of her way. I could notice she was surprised as well for not ending me with the first strike. Thus, our duel began with few words spoken. She was a calculated whirlwind of knives. She was dashing left and right, throwing knives and plunging in for killing blows fast. I parried and attacked only to stop her own incoming assaults. This was bad. Very bad. Ideally I should have given all my energy to have put her down before I was worn out, instead I was doing the opposite. I knew that if I killed her then I would earn the ire of this Rhodes Island. But how could I solve this without getting myself killed? Did I truly have to wait until a superior decided to finally show up and order her to stop out of the mercy of their heart? This was a complicated situation.

Somehow...somehow I had to survive and not kill her! Yet it was all a lie to the honest side of me! All of that was just an excuse. For some reason I relished this fight though it reminded me of the hate filled battles with the grotesque wolf monsters of the past. In front of me was a deadly wolf in human form, and I was captivated by her deadly grace. It was all a game for me which death mattered little as long as I could prolong this. To observe and to admire her. To catch a good gaze upon her face and study it more. I must have gone mad, or maybe I was all along, but this second reason rang truer than the first in my heart! And so the duel dragged on. My muscles were straining, my wit was stretched to the maximum, my glands was secreting adrenaline beyond what a normal human could have ever endured.

Yet it was all just enough. Just enough to keep myself alive. She was truly a killing machine, yet she was a creature of flesh and blood as well. And I could notice more and more openings as she tired as well. I ignored those opportunities. I couldn't let myself harm her. I only continued to evade and pary attacks. A dazzling ballet of moves countering each other. Soon from the glances I could manage to spare I saw that a dispersed crowd had surrounded us but decided to neither intervene to aid their comrade nor to stop the fight. Either by fear or some other reason perhaps. They watched intently, and I could hear their whispering. They were amazed by how long this skirmish was already dragging on. To their disappointment I thought that I couldn't last much longer. The red figure seemed calm and collected, yet I felt her more enraged through her moves. She was... tired of us playing around. Yet while she was only battered and bruised in some places I was already cut and bleeding in different spots. No significant deep wounds but the blood I'd lose would slow my reaction time soon enough. And soon the thought came true. She ducked, giving a powerful kick that I managed to parry just in time but the knife in her hand struck true into my upper left leg. Soon one deeper gash was on my chest and both my arms were bleeding from multiple hits. My white robe slowly turned all red. I was gasping for air as I lacked enough blood in me to oxygenate my muscles. Yet I still had the power to explore one more opening as I punched her right in the gut. She barely managed to parry flimsily, and she quickly jumped back, gasping for air herself.

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Her eyes became deadly focused. ''Shit, I'm in trouble.'' I thought as if I wasn't before. But through her sharp golden eyes I knew she was irritated. She would come at me with all her force while I was barely holding to half the strength that I had at the beginning of it. She sprang, running zigzag with both hands holding knives. This would be a tricky one to parry without bloodying her dead I thought. Nearly impossible. I hesitated again to force any deadly blows on her and my parry failed. Just as she was coming into me a voice rang loudly.

-Stop Red!

But it was too late! Either by intent or by lack of time. My body was in shock as I was impaled deeply by her knife. She was right in front of me and for the first time ever I could clearly see and study her visage for a few moments. I forced my lungs to inhale, and I smelled the scent of my killer. She was deadly serious, betraying no emotion as she was delivering the killing blow, and she was... so beautiful still. She flung backwards from me, leaving the one knife embedded deep in my upper gut as I started to bleed all over her signature weapon.

The order either came too late or she disregarded it, whichever it was I couldn't tell. She retreated near a figure clad in what I considered a much too revealing green attire. And which possessed what seemed to be cat ears. I looked around and there were many people in different attires and of various species holding an amalgamation of weapons.

I pulled the knife of its bodily sheath and let it fall. Even more of my precious and little remaining blood gushing out. I fell to one of my knees while clutching the open wound on my chest. The bleeding would not stop. I risked death for what? I couldn't believe myself and I chuckled with an unburdened heart as the soil beneath me was being fertilized with my blood. Death was closing upon me, and... I felt no regret. I was enticed by this wolf girl. By this... death. Something unimaginable back in the past. Yet... its human form changed how I saw her... was I shallow or was it normal? I couldn't say.

My hearty laugh was beginning to get chocked by my blood, and quickly I was spurting it out. I sat down on my knee as I felt sick and out of breath. It was hard to see and hard to think. I knew what this was. I lost too much blood and I would soon lose my consciousness and my life. With a last strength of will I gazed upon the wolf in the Red jacked. So impassive she was, as if she just delivered judgement to a criminal on death row. Yet I felt no malice or hate. I saw the ground and the sky mix and twist in my vision. And hitting my head to the ground I finally entered the darkness that tranquiled all thought.

----Some time later in a private medical ward on Rhodes Island---

Voices are heard in the void:

-...uld have stopped...

-... Red sorry...

-... Reunion...here?

-His guns...no arts...

-He's not dying...

-Kal...Kal... he has no blood left...he should be dead!

I wake up in the void. There standing and glowing lightly was Joshua.

-Joshua... you... no, you should not be here, you are dead... This must be a dream.

Joshua remained silent.

-Or, am I the one who died?

-You haven't died my friend. You are still alive.

-Then I must be dreaming. Oh, how I wished you were here.

-I am here now by your side.

-You know what I mean.

-My time went friend, this is the only way I can visit you.

-Joshua, what just happened... am I a hypocrite or just mad?

-You ask this now to judge yourself? Did you judge yourself for the past?

-Yes, I have.

-And? What was that verdict that you came to?

-Guilty of probably everything and more.

-I see you judge yourself harshly but justly. Indeed, you have sinned greatly. But do not forget the mercy and goodwill that you showed.

-Goodwill Joshua?!

-Mercy stayed your hand from killing my people and goodwill you showed when you helped us on to our way. You were a good neighbour, and such things will never be forgotten.

-Besides us, you had saved many lives in the past besides taking, you must not disconsider that.

-Even if all your sins outweigh all the good you did, that candle of light still shines brightly.

-Maybe God intended for you to stumble upon us before your entombment and rebirth. You were shown the light even if you refused it. But the light will always be there to guide you.

-My chest feels heavy. You must answer me before this dream ends!

-You met a creature of God. You feel something. It is normal for the children of Earth to experience such feelings, even in the most unexpected of circumstances.

-You make is sound so simple and normal.

-Be at peace my friend, we may meet again.

-Joshua!

I felt like floating in the waters of this dark void, but I was different. I felt in control. I willed myself to go up, ever upwards, there was no light there, but I felt as if I was reaching the warm rays of the sun! I breathe deeply as I opened my eyes. A cold sterile room with dimmed down lights greeted me. A monitor was reading my vital signs and I noticed a figure sitting besides me. The same serious looking cat lady. She looked even sterner up close. My hands and legs along with even my head were tied down onto the bed. Huh. This must have been a specially made bed for prisoners. She looked over me for some time while I sat there like an uncaring vegetable until she served me with a glass of water without a question, which I accepted with a nod. She then spoke:

-I see you are feeling better. This will not be an interrogation, but you will have one once you recuperate more. I am only giving you a chance now to answer some questions without wasting my time. In return, you will earn the easing of your situation later on, depending on the answers you give me.

-Very well.

-''Surprising, but good.'' She said before continuing.

-You held back when fighting your opponent even though she would have killed you. Why?

-I was seeking out Rhodes Island. I never meant to kill her. No use both dying.

-Why were you seeking us?

-Employment, shelter.

-You deserted Reunion for us?

-I took the robe of a man that once tried to kill me. It was cold up north.

-That would explain partially why you do not suffer from oripathy. But a curious thing I found out. Your blood is completely free of originum. Why?

-I don't know what originum or oripathy is. I know little of this land, it's people or Reunion.

The silence was accentuated by the cat lady's pause which was longer than the previous.

-Who are you? And where do you come from?

-From a grave far in the frozen north. My lands are probably no more and so is my name.

I felt dejected inside thinking of the past and turned away on the pillow. The cat lady felt like having no other questions to give me. Thus, I asked looking at a wall.

-May I ask a question of you?

-You may.

-How long was I unconscious?

-Almost two days.

-Thank you.

Another long pause of silence took reign. I knew she was probably thinking what to do with me. Weighing how much of a potential threat I could possibly be and what usefulness she might extract.

-You seem like an agreeable person. I will leave now. We shall discuss more in the near future.

She raised herself and was walking towards the door to leave. Just before she did she turned around and asked.

-Are you not interested in my name or the name of the one that almost killed you?

-I didn't give you my name, so it would be discourteous of me to ask of yours.

She didn't seem surprised for my answer and after a moment more she finally left. I was alone once again. I forced my thoughts to calm themselves and I entered into a gentle sleep. It was... a long time since I enjoyed such a comfortable bed.