There was an explosion of light, and the flames died, leaving behind an empty circle that continued to burn.

Burning pain shot through my veins, and I gritted my teeth as it surged toward my core.

Alice tried to grab my attention, but I couldn't focus as the scarlet fire breached my core and exploded. My mana rose up to combat it, and both sides expanded and unified against the foreign breach.

The shadows attacked first, aiming to swallow the light. It stabbed forward but was rebuffed and flung backward. The lava became a blanket to cover and devour, but the scarlet burned through and flowed out of the holes it created.

It continued to expand, conquering my mana until it smothered them. But I wouldn't allow it. It was my body, my core, my mana. I pushed and folded both mana types into a sphere before pressing down.

Mana compacted. I applied more pressure as a headache started to pound away. Like an angry beast, it broke through and tried to escape, but I pushed harder. This time, I siphoned away the shadows and replaced them with more lava; the crimson flames swirled but slowly gave way as they broke down.

I didn't want to annihilate it. It was a flame, a fire that I could assimilate. Whatever Grim wanted by forcing this into me, I'd take it. Power was power, and the flames were strong enough to battle my mana into submission.

A mere marble was all it took.

Another adjustment saw the flames settle, but they continued to burn against mine, damaging my core. I compressed further. The flames bled into the lava and settled into a red haze that sank slowly beneath the sea.

I checked on the shadows, but the void was settled and calm.

As the lava resumed its place inside my core, I watched the crimson haze twist and bend before it bubbled and diffused.

The pain finally stopped and I exhaled.

"Cain?" Alice asked, her arm slung around my shoulder.

I stood up on my own and nodded slowly. "I'm good."

Something wet dripped down my cheek and I wiped it off but blinked at the smudge of red with green tint and gold flakes.

"You were crying blood," Devon said. He tossed me a rag and crouched, staring into the still-burning circle. "I apologize. He wasn't supposed to mess with you."

"You knew he would be here? And where are the others?" I said as I looked around the mostly empty clearing.

"They scurried away with their tails tucked between their legs," he said coldly. And it's been over an hour."

"An hour? Felt like minutes."

"One hour, thirteen clicks. It's impressive that you were able to assimilate his power that fast."

I pulled up my status, but there weren't any changes. When I checked my core, the flames were still there underneath the surface but they were subtly deeper than before. Maybe an inch, if even that, but it was sinking into the lava.

"It will take a while before it manifests. Long after your test," Devon said as he stood up and dusted himself off.

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"Do you Want to explain what's going on? You said you'd show us why we're here. So far, it's another endless list of questions."

"I'd like to know as well," Alice added.

Devon met our eyes and closed them. The flames behind him casted his shadow across the ground, forcing it to dance even as he stilled.

I had no idea what he was thinking. His face was annoyingly neutral as his breathing slowed. He became a statue underneath the cloak.

Something changed when he opened his eyes. He looked pained. A vein bulged along his neck, and he bared his fangs.

"You're being used as a test," he growled. Another vein appeared, and his eyes flickered between shifted and unshifted. "He wants to…"

He coughed and stopped. Alice grabbed his shoulder and helped hold him up while I did the same on his other side. His legs wobbled underneath him, and I slid myself further into his side to stabilize him.

Devon swallowed and closed his eyes. "I tried to avoid it, but it's too late. You've succeeded. Cain."

He slumped forward, but we held him up. Sweat dripped down his neck, and he panted with pale cheeks.

"You're going against an Absolute, aren't you?" Alice asked.

Devon stood up, and I offered my canteen. He drank greedily, draining the thing before handing it back.

"I'm sorry. You'll have to figure the rest out on your own. I've tried my best."

"Devon?"

He adjusted his cloak and motioned toward the circle. "This will be transferred in four days. The recall will grab the stray Grimms and bring them home."

I ignored him and stepped directly into his path. "Are you okay?"

He stopped and focused. "Whatever you decide to do during the Prime's trial, it will be shown to everyone. The only thing you can't do is not choose."

"Devon, what the hell?"

"I am fine," he sighed. "Whatever happens after the harvest, I'll receive my rest."

He pushed past me and Alice and reached for something inside his satchel. It was a scrap of yellow paper burned at the edges.

"Take this and show it to Astra," Devon said as he tossed it. "She'll show you the correct journal."

"What about you? Where are you going?" Alice asked.

He turned away and marched through the illusionary trees.

Alice turned. "What's on the paper?"

I flipped it over and saw the series of numbers. “‘4431-53-9.’”

The numbers meant nothing, but he said Astra would show us the correct journal.

In the secret Archives, maybe?

But that was for later; Devon's odd behavior was more concerning.

"That wasn't normal. Something's wrong," I said.

Alice said nothing but she was flexing her fingers.

I sighed and handed over the scrap. "We can visit Astra tomorrow. Let's get out of here. Kierra is waiting for us."

"You don't want to know?"

"Of course I do. But it's…"

Garret's words whispered into my ear, followed by Neina's. I still believed in Devon, but something didn't add up.

Yet, it wasn't anything new. At least this time, we had a way to get information. A day didn't hurt, and I needed some time to think.

I could use a nap.

"What did you think of Grimm?"

"Wrong."

I quirked my eyebrow. "Really?"

"Yes."

"How?"

"His smell awakened the Pack's voice. It said he smelled wrong."

"What?"

"Wrong," she repeated.

I groaned and massaged my temples. "Alice, that's… You know what? Let's go. Kierra is waiting for us. I just want a normal day."

As I said that I pictured Devon's face before he left. He usually remained stoic, but he had bags under his eyes. The man was exhausted.

"Cain?"

"Yeh, sorry. Let's go."

I turned away from the creepy flame circle and led us back through the woods. I marked the tree in my memory, and we reentered the town. Not much changed except that more of the runes had been drawn across people's doors.

Once we were through the crowd, Alice took the lead and brought us to the tea shop from before. This time, it was filled with people, packed to the brim, except for one table in the back.

Kierra spotted us and waved as a woman shuffled forward and set down cups.

"Thank you, Rachelle," Kierra said as the woman backed away.

Rachelle smiled and waved her off. "Oh, no problem, dear. You three enjoy the tea!"

Kierra sipped her cup and glanced between us. "Did something happen?"

"You can tell?" I said.

"You look worried about something."

I opened my mouth and decided against it. Instead, I poured some of the fresh tea and sipped away at the surprisingly sweet liquid.

"Long story. Does this place have any food? I'm still hungry."

"Mmmng," she mumbled as she wiped her mouth. "Yeah want me to order? They have amazing meat pies."

That brought a frown to my face.

"Know what? I'll eat back at the Warren," I chuckled. "So, what did you do for the last hour?"

Kierra placed her cup down and straightened. "I'm not sure. I was going to ask you about it, but I met an old woman. Weird lady with a cart filled with trinkets. Asked about you, actually."

I nearly spat my drink across the table.

"What?!"