[https://i.imgur.com/sfHqwWT.jpg]

“Haha, very funny,” Drac said straight-faced. “Do you mind, Kankraa?” Drac said as he looked at the orc's shoulder.

“Sure!” While running across the forest floor, Kankraa held up an arm for Drac to climb on so he could ride on the giant's shoulder.

“Hold on tight!” Mid-stride, the orc crouched down, jumping hundreds of metres high with a single bound. The wind flapped Drac’s face as he held the orc jewellery. Brenna follows behind, flying with blasts of aura.

Drac could barely hear his name in the wind and tuned Auditus.

“Now you are awake. What was the talking mirror? I felt such a menacing aura from it that it chilled me to my bones.”

“I believe that was a Demon.”

Kankraa turned to Drac on his shoulder. “What fuck did you just say?”

“Things are starting to get clearer in the great forest. Your exodus. Was it because of those bugs?”

Kankraa scowled as he ascended from his first jump. “Our village was overrun with insects and they seemed to follow a winged man's orders. En. We at the Mesial- which would be between your intermediate and advanced towns- would rarely chance upon one of the Imago. But to see them come in the thousand upon thousands..."

Brenna flew beside, following with ease. “You know our nomenclature?” she said, surprised at the forest giant’s intelligence.

“I am not fucking dumb; I steal a lot of your human books.” Kankraa reached the apex of the jump and began to descend.

“En’s boss was that mirror.”

“I see…” Kankraa's face turned severe. A whirl could be heard behind. Drac looked and saw the rune on Kankraa Axe follow and glow.

Guys, I have an idea.

Why tell us when you are gonna do it anyway?

Drac grinned.

Drac tapped the orc’s shoulder.

“Um?”

“Wanna come along?"

“To where- Oh, the search for your brother. I told you I ain't interested; my horde needs me.”

“Going leave a chance for revenge and glory go away?”

Drac felt the orc's large body jerk. “Keep talking, small one.”

"As you heard in the demon mirror, he wants me. Badly. For what, I'm unsure. But for whom I am sure you are smart enough to figure out.”

Kankraa crashed into the street. Brenna spurts out Aura from under her feet to land safely. Residents run in fear of the green monster that has arrived at HeartBrook. Kankraa followed the guardian down the street, unaware of the stares.

“So you are my bait?”

Drac smiled and said, “Come with us. Your strength and knowledge of the forest are surely needed. And you hordes honour; gain it back.”

Kankraa, Drac, and Brenna arrive at the Wildflower Inn. Helpers carrying injured and wreckage gawp at the sight of the gleaming knight and the dirty, large bejewelled orc.

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It's nice to not be the strangest one.

Kankraa stretched his arm low so Drac could walk down.

“Your answer?” said Drac. He stood confidently while his whole body ached.

Kankraa kissed his teeth and turned back. “I guess I’ve got a lot of convincing to do. When you are ready, use one of them whachamacallits.”

Drac laughed, “Copies.”

“Yeah them. And contact me. Soon, little one.” Kankra crouched again and destroyed the street with a powerful jump.

Drac used the last of his aura and tuned Loqui. “I am back.”

With wobbly legs, he walked up the stairs to the Inn reception. A blonde girl jumps at him, nearly knocking him over with a tight hug.

“Marina, that hurts!” Drac said with a wide smile. The world becomes dark and Drac surrenders to his fatigue.

Drac wiped the crust off his eyes as sunlight shone through his open window. The bustle of the street below can be heard. Drac sat up from his bed. Pushing the cover away from him, he sat up. Shirtless, he checked his injuries and found none. Drac heard soft breathing by the bed. A girl snores, sleeping on crossed arms on the mattress. Drac reached over and tapped her on the arm. Shook, she jerked, ready to tune her spells, before she noticed Drac almost breaking into laughter.

“Hey, Hero. How was your sleep?"

“Had a nightmare, sadly."

“Oh really? Of what?”

“Ugly bugs.”

“Oh dear, how unfortunate.”

“Then I looked closer and it was your face.”

Marina tuned Aqua and aimed for Drac's face. Drac instinctively blocked with Ignis and water steamed into the air.

Aura replenished. Who gave us an elixir?

Good morning, you lot.

Marina's left pinkie toenail is prettier than you.

Why are you calling yourself ugly?

“Hahaha, you idiot!” Marina's eyes move down to Drac's chest. "I never noticed that white mark before. Probably cos’ I was distracted. Gotten quite beefy, haven't you?”

Drac looked down, then blushed as he remembered how shirtless he was.

“Hahaha, no need to hide. Who do you think changed you out of your bloody and dirty clothes?" Drac looked away, blushing as he covered himself with his arms.

“Neat tattoo. I like how the white shows on your skin. When did you get it?”

Drac touches the forgotten mark “Never ‘got it’. I have had it since I could remember. I asked my father numerous times but never got a straight answer. I always thought it was strange and made sure to cover it up.”

Marina leaned her head to the side in confusion. “I am sorry, but that is the least strange thing about you.”

Drac laughs, “True, true… Sometimes I forget it exists, and sometimes is the thing I am most conscious of.”

I never asked. Axton, do you have it?

I used to call it my diamond heart when I was young. I was so stupid.

Hood. Any idea?

Same as you. No clue how we got it.

Marina pointed to the rhombus-shaped, white mark. "Maybe that’s how your powers work.”

Drac sharply turned to Marina. “What makes you say that?”

Marina looked at Drac, confused. “Because it looks like a rune.”

Drac looked around in a rush. He noticed his blade and with a blue line of Murus, he whipped the blade into his hand. He unsheathed a part of the sword and looked at the mark in the reflection.

Drac stepped off the bed and moved closer to the window for more light and it became clear.

She’s right…

Drac never saw runes in a small village out on the outskirts and neither would Axton, secluded in his cave. But Hood?

Drac looked at the mark closely in the reflection of his Heilong and gathered the familiar warm energy.

The Clements. The receptionist said they would be back by now.

“I don't know what the fuck you are doing." Marina stood to stretch and yawn. “But you and I really need to bathe.” Drac smelled himself and revolted.

Drac searched for a towel amongst his luggage and suddenly remembered. “Where the fuck is Flida?”

Flida lays on the wooden caravan floor, curled up into a ball. A moist nose nozzle against hers. She patted the annoyance away and tried to get back to sleep. Sharp teeth bit her arm and she was suddenly.

“What the- oh..." She yawned loudly. “Morning Gideon.”

Quickly hide it and let go before the dark human figures out we abandoned them.

“He won't mind. He knows.”

How…?

Flida gets a cloth and rubs the smooth black egg to a shine.

“Fucking strange, he is.”