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“Your guard was good, but you have to always remember to distribute your aura evenly. You’ll never know when or where a sneaky attack will come.

"Sure, hood, but what if they break my guard? Would it be better to focus the energy at the point where there is the most danger?”

“That's why I teach you evasive movement. You are a mage; you don't need to go in close. Blocking is for emergencies."

Hood and Marina stepped out of the carriage with bags in hand. The sun turned orange, and its light peeked through the tall structures of the headquarters.

“Many times I have blocked a sword to get a cut on the thigh or arm. I would not be walking with you if I wasn't careful. Coating vambraces with all your aura will leave you defenceless against anyone more skilled and faster.”

Marina nodded in acknowledgement. She and Hood strolled down a walkway past people holding candles.

“What’s this?” Marina asked.

More people entered the courtyard with their wax candles. A solemn atmosphere surrounded them. Their heads were down in prayer. A small girl holding a basket gifted a flower to everyone. She handed a flower to Marina, who thanked her with a smile. She nervously handed one to Hood.

“T-Thank you.” The little girl said that, and then she ran away.

“A funeral.”

Hundreds gathered in the courtyard. Ladies of the night, soldiers, dockworkers, cooks, former slaves—many people of all kinds prayed together for the fallen ones. Isaac stood in the middle of the crowd. With his cassock and a booming voice, he evangelised about their struggles, their fates, the lives they lived, and the lives that could have been.

The priest ended his sermon and invited people to say a few words for their fallen ones. The long queue made the sacrifices more real.

Maki stood in front of the crowd, mentioning the sacrifices made so people could be free. She praised the valiant soldiers, veterans of the Safan War. She thanked Hood and his crew for their efforts in the rescue of the slaves. owing most of the success to them. A small cheer came from the crowd. She placed her flower on the pile in the middle. “Sorry Hammond… I should have kept you safe. I will protect the kids in your stead.” She walked back into the crowd, and tears streaked down her determined face. Carrying a torch, the priest got ready to burn the flowers in the middle.

Hood walked up. pushing people aside to step in the middle. He trembled in front of hundreds of mourners without a mask to hide in and a hood to cover himself. Twiddling the flower with his finger, he spoke.

“When I first came to this city years ago, I was a lonely foreigner. I walked down the streets with looks and was cast away with judgment. But I did have friends. Maki was one. Hammond was another. During my lonely days, he would play with me, the strange black boy. Playing on the swings with him is a memory I will keep forever. However, I don't think that such a memory was worth much to him. It was our first meeting in years, and he couldn't even remember me. But that's how it usually is for me. I come and go. My presence is invisible. I am unknown. But when I heard what happened to him, I went mad. You know the results of the madness.”

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Hood placed his flower on the piles. “Remember me or not. You were a great friend. I will not forget that.” Hood looked at the crowd. Maki stood beside Jane and Gove, all teary-eyed. Marina smiled proudly. He went back into the crowd, feeling his debt to the city he called home was paid in full.

Bob, I, beside the priest, did one last prayer. Isaac put his torch on a pile of flowers. The offerings burned away, giving solace to all that felt their heat.

After the crowd dispersed, Maki found Hood leaning against the wall on the side. Soldiers salute her as they walk by and gaze at Hood in admiration.

“Ah, Maki. Do you mind if you tell your soldiers to stop staring? I used to like it somewhat, but it's getting excessive.”

“If you do the most impressive, heroic thing they have ever seen, of course, they are going to stare. Get used to being the hero.”

“Tsk.”

“By the way, Mother’s sword. How is it fairing you?” Maki asked.

Hood unsheathed Heilong. The foreign sword that has been by my side has saved his life more times than anyone could count.

“Thank you, Maki. It's my only prized possession. I got me out of many scraps and never chipped or got scratched.”

Maki smiled and said, “That’s great. I am glad my mother allowed you to use it.”

“Oh yes, that reminds me of a question I have been wanting to ask since you gifted it to me. Why did you give me your mother’s heirloom?”

Maki replied, “Because I am a teacher. What teacher would need a sword? Well, actually, I did need one recently, haha!”

She laughed aloud, like her father would.

“You are a governor now. You’ll need a sword even more.”

“Co-Governer. I have to work with the stoic colonel. But yeah, I didn't need it. I never wanted it. The gift felt insincere after leaving us for years only to come back once in a while. But she did give me a gift I treasure to this day.”

“What is it?” Hood asked.

Maki pointed at Hood. “A little brother.”

Hood’s mind was a whirlpool of emotions. The dam broke, and a single tear fell from his eye. Maki embraced Hood, her warmth thawing up his once-cold heart. He cried on her shoulder, comforted by his sister.

A shrivelled body held up by the neck was chucked to the side with the rest. Veterans of the 7th guarded the baron heir while he fed.

“Another.”

A woman is dragged by the hair, screaming and crying. She tried to wrestle out of the soldier's grip unsuccessfully. Other villagers were crowded together like pigs in a pen, waiting for their turn.

“Stop fussing about women. It will be over soon."

Cal grabbed the head of the woman. A black aura flowed from him to the village. Her skin became plaid, her veins revealed themselves, and her cheeks went guant. Muscles waste away, and the body becomes a husk.

Cal felt stronger. But it was not enough.

He needed more.

One by one, villagers were sucked out of their lives. His power grew. His reach expanded, and his soul became stronger, reaching heights he couldn't have gotten to on his own.

No. This was his strength. He earned this. He was owed this.

He touched his chest and calmed himself down.

Jehu came up to him. “Sir. Your crystal…”

“Father!” Cal flung the last villager, a boy not older than Bree’s brother. The boy groaned as he hit the floor.

Cal snatched the crystal ball from his servant and tuned.

“Father! Any news on the black bastard?"

“Son… Abandon the search. And go to the capital. I will await you there.”

Cal was dumbfounded. Leave his killer to roam this land. Preposterous.

"What are you talking about?”

“They know about you," his father said.

Cal gulped.

"How... the fake funeral?"

“An inquisitor came to inspect. I had to protect you. I am so sorry.

“Sorry for what, father? Please explain!”

“William Danor.”

Cal paled.

“No..!”

“To save you, I had to get the priest off your tail with a distraction. So hold your revenge. Go to the capital quickly. We are speeding up the process.”

Father. Tell me, what happened to the Danors? To my friend:

“Alfred was cut down in battle. His father had the same fate. Danor, with the auction invaded by a rebellion, lost in a duel. He lives, confined underground.”

So Father knows where he is.

“A priest couldn't have... Who?

“You know who.”

Cal’s heart pumped. Veins pop out of closed fists.

“I’ll go to the capital as you wish. Save my friend,” said Cal through gritted teeth.

“I will, Son. Stay safe.”

Cal threw the crystal at his servant to end the transmission. He strolled to the crying boy.

Held by the neck of the boy, Drac’s face appeared on the face of Cal’s victim. He strangled harder.

Cal fed himself once more.

The last thing the child saw was Cal's face, twisted by wrath.

“Is this enough?”

YES. Here is another gift.