Harrowing screams could be heard throughout the night. The Desert was plunged into Darkness and Fear. For 48 hours, the Desert people were prey in a land of predators. Nirea’s curse on Hunu’s shadow shifters had taken hold and turned them into ravenous monsters.

In Mas, two women had been running across the Red Casca for several minutes. Only minutes before, they were in their tiny underground home preparing dinner when a small child suddenly appeared. Thinking the child was an orphan, they let him in. But they were unfortunately wrong. Only three minutes after letting him in, the older woman was attacked by the child. Now, here they were, being chased across the surface in Mas.

“Enough of this.” The shadow shifter huffed suddenly, then dissolved into the sand.

The two women watched in horror as the child’s flesh dissolved. Thinking they were safe, they decided to have a drink from their decanters.

“How far do we have?” The older woman asked, out of breath. “Where did the child even go?”

The younger woman shrugged her shoulders.

“Next time, we absolutely cannot go without brunneras.” The older woman breathed, still out of breath.

The young woman placed their decanters back in her bag. “Why do you think the king raised the price of bunneras for us here? We have done nothing wrong.”

The older woman shot daggers at her sister. “What do you think? We are in Mas, my love. Home of House of Yuitra. The less of Yuitra’s worshippers, the better it is for the Crowned King.”

The older woman then looked around the area, scanning for anything out of the ordinary.

“Let’s just go to Raela’s place.” She said, after seeing the area was clear. “I’m sure she has bunneras hanging.”

The younger woman nodded.

The two sisters then began walking east. They only took around ten steps when something had grabbed each of them by the back of their heads.

“And where are you both going?” The voice purred. “I’m hungry.”

***

The next morning, Jaho and his friends started the day with prayer and tea. The group of four sat in the middle of the grand room and silently prayed to the God Sfin. After they were done, Enu picked up Ginna’s book on Itran history and carried it back to his room to read.

“If anyone needs me, I’ll be in my room.” He announced loudly, then closed his door.

Ginna and Jaho, on the other hand, decided to venture outside. Although it was still very much dangerous, the two had the relics that would protect them.

“You sure you don’t want to come?” Ginna asked Obo, sitting on his lap.

Obo had already objected earlier when they woke up.

“I think I prefer living safely over tempting danger.” He answered, smiling. “But have fun.”

***

The second Ginna and Jaho rejoined the surface, they were confronted by the traces of unrestrained bloodthirst. Blood and bodies were everywhere. Just two steps away from the entryway, a body without its ears laid.

“Maybe we should go back.” Ginna whispered, standing extremely close to Jaho.

“We’ll be fine.” Jaho assured. “They can’t see us.”

“But can they hear us?”

“No.” Jaho laughed. “We are not known in any sense.”

Jaho then took one of Ginna's hands into his and began guiding them west.

As they ventured down the hill, they quickly stumbled upon a shadow shifter hunched over a body, eating the tongue of the body’s owner.

Ginna’s free hand went straight to her mouth. She suddenly felt nauseous.

“Maybe we should go back.” Ginna croaked. “What if the relics suddenly stop working? Maybe, this was a bad idea.”

Jaho squeezed Ginna’s hand. “Are you sure?”

He didn’t want to pressure his friend to do anything she didn’t want.

Ginna hesitated before answering. Images of the bodies they had already passed suddenly flashed through her mind.

“Yes.” She replied, her voice barely a whisper. “I miss Obo.”

Jaho let go of Ginna’s hand and turned to face Ginna.

“You know I won’t let anything happen to you…..and Obo.”

Ginna took a deep breath.

“You hold deep care for him. So do I.”

Ginna nodded.

“Cherish this love.” He added. “Before something takes it away.”

Before Ginna could ask what he meant, they suddenly heard the sound of footsteps approaching, causing them to quickly jump around.

But when Jaho saw who it was, it wasn’t fear he felt.

“Pola.” Jaho gasped, voice filled with awe.

A short, thin woman fully covered in a long white full body length dress was suddenly in front of them.

“Jaho.” She said, grinning. “Long time.”

Pola’s eyes then turned towards Ginna.

“And who is your friend here?” She asked, sizing up Ginna.

“This is Ginna. You should know her.”

“Ginna.” Pola repeated slowly, then it dawned on her. “Ginna Hiar? Family of Judgement.”

A wide smile broke across Ginna’s face.

“That’s me.” She squealed. “I’ve met your siblings.”

Pola raised her eyebrows. “Have you?”

“You are actually one of the last Children of Judgment I had yet to meet.” Ginna rambled.

“Is that right?” Pola responded slowly. “Who's your favorite so far?”

Ginna’s mouth opened and closed, not knowing how to answer.

“It’s okay.” Pola added. “You can say her name. I know she’s everyone's favorite…except mine, of course.”

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Ginna didn’t respond.

Pola moved closer towards Ginna.

“Say her name.” Pola said, voice low.

Pola’s eyes turned white as snow.

“Don’t worry, Ginna. I still love Ada.”

Ginna took a couple of steps back.

“I wasn’t going to say Ada, actually.”

Pola folded her arms across her chest. “Tell me then.”

“Inira.” Ginna mumbled.

Pola bursted into laughter. “Inira? My baby sister.”

Ginna folded her arms across her chest. “Is that a bad answer?”

“I still don’t understand how you survive here.” Jaho said quickly, interrupting the moment between the two. “It is extremely hot here.”

Pola dropped her arms to her sides. “I’m naturally cold, Jaho. You know this.”

“Why are you even out here?” He responded. “It’s not safe.”

Pola adjusted her dress. “It’s not safe for you. Between us three, I am the safest person here.”

“You are only three centuries old.” Jaho retorted. “Some of them are thousands of years old.”

“Jaho. Jaho. Jaho.” Pola repeated. “I am a Daughter of Judgment, the second oldest. Those shifters are no match for the divinity of Reyna. They are only animals.”

“Of course.” Jaho responded softly. “But it’s still odd. A child of Judgment living in Mas, out of all places. Shouldn’t you be in the Isle with your brothers or the Meadows with your sisters? Or are you still hiding from Ye-Hiar?”

“You know my companion lives here.” Pola responded, jaw clenched.

“Jaxon?” Ginna squeaked. “Is he really a mortal?”

“A mortal, yes.” Pola confirmed. “Jaho didn’t tell you. He—-”

“Anyway!” Jaho interrupted quickly. “Why are you out here?”

“Why are you both out here?” Pola countered.

Jaho playfully poked Ginna in the side. “Ginna wanted to see blood. She’s blood thirsty.”

“Shut up.” Ginna hissed, before turning her attention back to Pola.

“If you really want to see blood, you should shadow me sometimes. You are royalty of Judgement.” Pola responded, nonchalantly. “Judgment is not a clean endeavor. We have to get our hands dirty sometimes. Days ago, I even had to take the tongue of a liar and the hands of a slaughterer.”

Ginna felt a shiver down her spine.

“I’ll think about it.” She stammered.

Pola sucked her pearly white teeth. “You know where to find me.”

“Can I come shadow you?” Jaho inquired.

“No.” Pola answered quickly. “I don’t trust you. House of Sfin does not have a clean history.”

Jaho started laughing. “Yet, you live under my father’s rule.”

Pola then started laughing. “Judgment cannot be ruled.”

“I disagree.” Jaho responded, still laughing.

Pola inched closer to Jaho, no longer laughing.

“You want to test that theory, love?”

Noticing the sudden rising tension, Ginna slowly stepped between the two.

“Alright, we should be going. It’s nice meeting you.” She rushed out, then guided them away from her.

Pola shrugged her shoulders then waved goodbye.

As they walked away, they could still hear Pola cackling.

“What is your problem?” Ginna hissed, when they were out of earshot. “That’s Judgement.”

Jaho rolled his eyes.

“Pola and I always do that. We have this…..relationship.”

Ginna stopped walking. “Relationship? What relationship? You know she's old.”

“Not like that.” Jaho sighed.

“What relationship then?”

“Her companion is my uncle.” He revealed. “On my mother’s side.”

Ginna took a step back from Jaho. “Your mother. I didn’t know your mother had siblings. Why haven’t you told us?”

“Jaxon is the youngest. That is one of the reasons my father leaves Pola be….. and he’s a bit afraid of her.”

Ginna frowned. “Your father is afraid of Polar. She’s tiny.”

Jaho placed his hands on Ginna’s shoulders.

“Like you said, she is Judgement. And you definitely don’t want to be on Pola’s bad side.”

“Righttttt.”

“Now, let’s head back to the residence.”

***

“How was it?” Obo asked, as soon as Jaho and Ginna walked in.

Ginna scurried over to him and sat on his lap.

“You can’t see anything through the fog.” She rushed out. “Not even the Mountains.”

Obo began rubbing her back. “Any bodies?”

Ginna nodded her head aggressively then told him about what they saw and their encounter with Pola.

As the two snuggled into each other, Jaho’s eyes slowly scanned the room

“Where’s Enu?” He asked.

“Preparing dinner.” Obo answered.

Jaho dropped the flower basket he was holding and ran straight to the kitchen where colorful pots and pans were scattered; chopped goat was laid out on the

preparation table; and several bottles of wine had been opened.

“Don’t worry. I’m not going to burn down the place.” Enu laughed, holding a basket of cabbage. “I’m cooking something simple.”

Jaho tiptoed his way towards the sink where Enu was standing.

He peered over his shoulder and took a whiff of the purple cabbage.

“That actually smells good.”

“I burned down my kitchen once.” Enu laughed. “Once. Stop holding it against me.”

Jaho slowly stepped away, a smile on his face.

“Now, go away and let me finish. Dinner will be ready soon.”

***

Later that night, after dinner was done, everyone took off to their rooms. After tonight, they had to endure one more day of sheltering before the moon stopped bleeding. While Enu and Jaho both quickly fell asleep, Ginna and Obo decided to take a long bath together.

“How are you feeling?” She asked, while washing his back. “You’ve been silent all night…..and you didn’t even join us.”

Obo leaned back into her arms, causing her to drop the sponge. “I’m just tired.”

“You’ve been tired a lot lately.”

“I know, my love.” He whispered.

“Are you sure? You’re not sick, are you?”

“Can I tell you something?”

“Of course.” She responded, then began dragging her hands through his hair.

“It’s like a cloud is hovering over me.” He said quietly.

Ginna stopped touching his hair.

“Do you want to go back home?”

Obo shook his head. “I’m sure I’ll be fine in the morning.”

Ginna gently placed her head on Obo’s right shoulder. “If you’re not feeling well, we don’t have to continue with Jaho. Enu will be by his side. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind if we stayed here.”

“I’ll be fine, Ginna.”

Ginna leaned back and began washing his hair again.

After a long moment of silence, she told him,

“I love you, my love.”

A small smile formed on Obo’s lips.

“I love you too, my love.”

***

Later that night, when they were fast asleep, Obo and Ginna had no clue three people were watching them in the room. A tall woman wearing red gloves and two young gentlemen stood in the corner. Ada, Jax, and Milo.

“Ada?” Jax laughed, pointing at the tall woman. “Milo, she sent Ada.”

Ada suddenly grabbed Jax’s throat. “Don’t test me, child.”

“Let him go, Ada.” Milo insisted.

Instead, Ada tightened her grip.

Milo’s eyes flashed red.

“Let him go.” He insisted again, this time much louder and threatening. “Don't forget your place here.”

Ada let him go, causing him to drop to the floor, then walked up towards Milo.

“No, Milo. Don’t forget your place. You are no match for me, child.”

“Are you sure about that?” Milo replied, smirking.

Ada’s eyes darted between Milo and Jax, who was still clutching his throat.

After a long moment, Ada stepped away and made her way towards the bed.

When she reached Obo and Ginna, she removed one of her gloves, revealing white claws.

“Now, if you don’t mind. Let me do what I came to do.”