“Who are you and how did you enter Kalosýni’s barrier?” Eevana asked.

“Talking to dirt is beneath me.” The strange woman said with a sigh.

Eevana dashed toward the woman before being torn in half by an unseen force.

Crimwal’s heart shook as Eevana’s body fell onto the ground as a fleshy pile of black blood, meat and bone.

The strange woman then walked over towards one of the nearby makeshift chairs Kalos had made and sat down.

Crimwal unsheathed the dagger Kalos had made for him all that time before and dashed toward the strange woman as tears fell from his eyes.

The woman lazily flicked her wrist, sending Crimwal into the side of the carriage where his body became one with the wooden vehicle in a messy splat.

Keema loudly wailed while Estella cowered in the carriage.

An extremely loud sound then tore through the air.

“Ah… there you are.” The strange woman said as she stood up.

Kalos slowly descended to the ground and glared at the pile of flesh to his right. He then noticed the state the carriage was in as all four of his arms charged up their Reu’s.

Kalos didn’t hesitate as he swung his blades across the strange woman’s neck.

Kalos compressed his magical energy to the point where not even a whimper could be heard after his attack, but the magical output was beyond comprehension as space distorted for a second.

“That’s not how people usually greet each other, but ok. I’ll play.” The strange woman said before pushing Kalos in the chest.

Kalosýni’s eyes widened and he bit off his tongue as an indescribable amount of pain assaulted him.

He watched as all of his magic left him.

Not just the general amount, but the very concept of magic was ripped from his body as he fell to his knees. His hair slowly turned black and his eyes stopped glowing.

Raymond then loudly landed next to Kalos in his mighty bird-like form.

“Kalos!” Raymond yelled as he shot out a super hot beam of energy from the white-hot orb above his head only to have it shattered as the strange woman punched it. This completely shattered Raymond’s orb and Kalos watched as his father slowly returned to his human form.

Blood ran down Raymond’s eyes as his armour-clad body fell to the ground.

Kalosýni’s eyes burnt with rage as he struggled to get up.

The strange woman looked around before letting out a faint hum.

Kalos stumbled towards her.

His ears rang and his head ached painfully. His legs wobbled under the pressure of his large body and his vision came and went, but his eyes remained locked on the target was right in front of him.

“Do you want to have a civilized conversation yet?” The woman asked before brushing her hair backwards with her hands.

Kalos then collapsed before the woman and chuckled as blood sprayed out of his mouth.

“Ghla!” Kalos laughed as he dug his fingers into the pile of flesh to his right.

“Ghlahahahahaha!” Kalos laughed even though he was trying so desperately to cry.

“HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!” Kalos laughed even though pain threatened to make him unconscious.

“What’s so funny? I’m here on serious business.” The strange woman said before taking a deep breath.

“Hello, fellow autarch. My name is Saya and I’m the stenographer. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Although you need to work on your greetings." Saya said with a smile.

“I’m here for two reasons. The first one is that you’re an autarch and there are only two of us in existence. Well, there’s three now, so you can understand how important all of this is. The second reason is that I want you to help me kill someone, but before that…” Saya walked up to Kalos who hadn’t stopped laughing as blood sprayed out of his gnashed teeth.

Saya then placed her hands on Kalosýni’s temples and in that moment, Kalos felt no pain.

.

..

Peeta did his best to run while keeping Estella and Keema safe.

He was in his beastly form which was large enough to easily carry Estella and Keema. That and he had bitten off his claws so that he could safely carry his cargo.

Peeta looked around and saw that he was nearing the eastern ocean, but he didn’t care. He would run as long as he could and as far as he could to keep Estella and Keema alive.

Peeta looked down as he ran and saw that Estella was in tears, but little Keema was surprisingly calm.

Peeta let out a low, but audible purr as he ran, in a desperate attempt to calm Estella.

Peeta then stopped once he found a cave near a cliff that oversaw the ocean. He gently placed Estella and Keema on the cold grass before running into the cave and pumping a tonne of darkness into its interior.

This lined the cave with a smooth dark matte material.

Peeta then painfully grabbed Estella and Eevana before gently placing them in the cave.

Peeta gently wrapped his fluffy body around the two as the snow fell. His heart ached as the snow had never felt so cold before.

Peeta then let out another purr before noticing that Keema was tugging at his fur.

He felt the magic within the clothes Keema wore as Eevana had used Kalosýni’s magical string to make them.

His heart’s pain grew far too much for him to bear and so he raised his muzzle and let out a pained howl.

The sound flew out of the cave and into the world, but not even an echo replied as harsh winds silenced them.

Peeta bit his teeth before sending out some darkness.

The darkness pooled up in front of him before it grew into a life-sized humanoid version of himself.

Only it was made of the strange glass-like material.

Peeta closed his brilliant blue eyes and his replica opened its eyes revealing that they were bright blue as well.

The glass Peeta raised his right hand and then his left.

He lightly stretched before walking out of the cave to face the winter cold.

He then looked around for any signs of life. Animal life, preferably, but the catch was that glass Peeta could only sense was real Peeta could sense.

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

If the life force was out of Peeta’s range, then glass Peeta wouldn’t sense it.

Glass Peeta walked around before spotting a deer.

He froze for a moment as the deer reminded him of something.

Glass squeezed his fists before dashing towards the deer and kicking it in the head, smashing its skull and antlers in the process.

Glass then grabbed the deer before walking back to the cave where he skinned it.

That’s when several life forces entered his range.

Seven, to be exact. Five elafriá and two humans. Peeta wondered if the elafriá were using the humans as some sort of bait.

Glass quickly refuelled on darkness via a dark thread that ran from him to Peeta.

Glass then made a small campfire before cooking the deer’s tenderloin.

He then walked up to Estella, who trembled.

Glass offered her the cut of meat, but she didn’t respond.

Glass looked at real Peeta for advice, but the giant beast shrugged its shoulders.

Glass then sat next to Estella before cutting the meat into small pieces.

He then tried to feed Estella by plopping the meat into her mouth, but the meat just sat in her mouth for a while before Glass took it out as he feared Estella would choke.

Peeta then pumped more darkness into Glass, who ate the pieces of meat.

Small tendrils then came from Glass’s fingers and he carefully placed them into her mouth. He then pumped all the mashed meat into her as the winds howled loudly.

Estella swallowed, seemingly without thought and Glass patiently waited until the transfer was done before removing the needles.

Keema must have realised that it was dinner time and so she started crying.

Glass looked at Peeta before scratching his shiny head.

[Don’t look at me, I don’t make milk.]

Peeta said.

Glass then gently sat beside Estella before raising her blouse.

He then placed Keema just below Estella’s left breast.

Keema reached out for her mother before she too began feeding.

Glass and Peeta let out sighs as the elafrián presence got ever closer.

[Peetus Eexel!]

Peeta summoned his Eexel and gave it to Glass before pumping him with even more darkness.

Glass’s body was then covered in a glorious black armour.

Glass nodded once before running out of the cave. He dashed toward the direction the elafriá were coming from with nothing but sorrow driving every step.

He eventually found the five elafriá but was surprised to find that they were walking in line with the two humans Peeta sensed.

The group of seven eventually noticed the dark form that was Glass and they quickly drew their weapons before pointing them at Glass.

Glass raised his hands in the air and did a silly dance before dropping his Eexel.

The group looked at Glass in confusion as he made his way toward them, prompting more sword pointing.

“What are you?” One of the humans asked. She was rather tall and had a relatively strong life force, but she was wounded.

All but one of them had sustained some sort of injury.

Glass then carved a message into the snow.

[Hello, I’m Glass.]

The message read.

“Oh? Hello… Glass. My name is Neeron Sai. Do you know where we might be able to find shelter?” The one known as Neeron asked.

Glass scratched his shiny head as Peeta thought.

He could leave them to wander in the cold or offer them shelter, but doing the latter may endanger Estella and Keema.

Even if they were way weaker than Peeta, one of them could trick him somehow.

Glass paced around in the snow as Peeta contemplated the fates of the seven.

“What’s it doing?” The other human asked.

“I think… it’s thinking.” One of the elafriá said.

“Are we going to pretend like we can’t see that trail of darkness that leads away from whatever that thing is?” Another elafriá asked.

“Maybe that’s its master. Maybe he’s thinking about whether to help us or not.” Neeron said and Glass pointed at her before clapping his hands which made a weird clinking sound.

“I’m right? Ok, is there any way I could prove that we mean you no harm?” Neeron asked.

Glass placed his hand on his chin as Peeta thought.

Glass then lowered his shoulders before grabbing his Eexel and pointing to the northeast.

“You’ll help us?” One of the elafriá asked and glass slowly nodded as he walked back to the cave.

Glass and the group eventually arrived at the cave to see a gigantic silver beast with swords for teeth. Its eyes were closed, but no one doubted that it could still see them.

“Ah! It was a trap!” The other human yelled as Glass stood in front of Peeta.

[No. That’s just my real body.]

Peeta said.

“How are you in my mind?” One of the elafriá asked as he slowly lowered his sword.

[I’m speaking to your magical essence. Therefore there is no need for a mouth.]

Peeta said.

[Now rest.]

Peeta said as glass carefully watched the movements of his guests.

“You aren’t looking so great yourself, Mr…”

[Peeta. Peeta Helmast.]

Peeta said as he puffed his chest a little.

“Oh? What are you? You don’t look like a dark being, but no human can use darkness to this extent.” Neeron asked as she and her company settled down quite far from Peeta as they sensed that he was protecting something.

[I am human, but unlike most humans, my affinity for darkness is abnormally high.]

Peeta explained as the group eyed the deer in front of Glass.

[You can have it. I’ve already used the parts I wanted.]

Peeta said as Glass dragged the deer toward the group.

They quickly cut it up and ate away as Glass continued to watch.

With a burp, Neeron signalled the end of their meal.

The elafriá didn’t need to eat, although they looked like they probably wished they did as the smell of roasted meat filled the cave.

Neeron looked around and inspected the walls of the cave which looked like they were made from the same stuff as Glass.

“Umm… I know you said that you were abnormal, but how are you able to create all this and a golem?” Neeron asked before a loud, but cute noise filled the air.

“Is that… a baby?” Neeron gasped as Glass stabbed the floor with his Eexel.

Peeta nodded before pumping more darkness out of his body and into Glass who walked into Peeta’s large arm.

Glass gently picked up Keema before rocking her.

A slot then opened on Glass’s neck along with a hole in his mouth.

A sweet whistle then filled the air as Glass gently rocked Keema.

“Are you a woman?” Neeron asked.

[I am a man and no, this is not my child. The mother is beneath my arm as well.]

Peeta said as Keema calmed down.

Glass emerged from Peeta’s large arm and picked up the Eexel before assuming a defensive stance.

Peeta then slowly rested his large head on his arm before letting out a deep purr.

An hour then passed as everyone sat in silence.

Then two.

“I think we should kill it.” The other human whispered.

“Are you crazy? This thing will kill us before we even draw our swords.” One of the elafriá said.

“Hey, remember what we came all this way for. We want to avoid fighting, so there’s no point in attacking this creature which invited us into its home.” Neeron whispered.

“How do you know it’s not holding that poor woman and her child hostage?” The other human asked.

“Just calm down for a second, Alek. Look at it. It's wounded.” Neeron said as she pointed at Peeta’s arm.

“Even more reason to attack it and kill it while it sleeps. The golem hasn’t moved in a while, so maybe it can’t function unless its master is awake.” The one named Alek said as he quickly drew his dagger.

“No!” Neeron silently yelled as Alek walked over to Peeta.

Alek suddenly stopped moving as Peeta raised his head. He then quietly yawned while keeping his eyes closed.

[I thought you’d be better than this.]

Peeta said as blood started oozing out from a thin line on Alek's neck.

Alek then fell to the ground and his head tumbled to Peeta.

“We’re really sorry! I didn’t want to disturb your peace as you slept, but Alek thought you were a threat-"

[Shh!]

Peeta shushed as Glass placed his index finger on his mouth.

Keema began crying again and Glass walked back into Peeta’s arm.

[I know that you weren’t all trying to kill me, but still. What would you do if you’d entered the cave of someone less merciful than me?]

Peeta asked.

Neeron deeply bowed along with the elafriá.

[There’s no need to bow. All I ask is that you behave. I’ll also have to ask that you leave first thing in the morning.]

Peeta said and with downtrodden looks, Neeron and the elafriá nodded.

Peeta rested his head on his arm again.

.

..

Neeron awoke to find that Glass was gone.

She tiredly stretched before walking toward the cave's mouth.

It was still cold, but the snow had stopped falling. Neeron hoped it would stay this way.

She then walked over to where Peeta slept.

She was curious as to what he was protecting and so she leaned to the right to see a beautiful sleeping woman and child wrapped in Peeta’s large and fluffy silver tail.

[Do not come any closer.]

Peeta warned.

“Oh no! I just wanted to see, that’s all." Neeron whispered as she backed away.

The elafriá hadn’t slept at all as they didn’t need to, but the morning still signified the beginning of a new day.

Neeron then realized that Alek’s body was gone and not even a drop of blood remained on the spot where he died.

She would’ve protested, but she decided to keep her mouth shut.

Glass eventually returned to the cave and he had various herbs, fruits and berries that grew in the winter.

Glass disappeared into Peeta’s arm before Neeron gathered the courage to ask Peeta something.

“Could we stay here for a little longer?” Neeron asked.

Peeta thought about what would happen if he granted her request.

The woman who attacked Kalos was more than powerful enough to kill Kalos and chase Peeta as he fled, but she didn’t.

Peeta wondered if Kalos was the only one that the woman wanted alive. This would explain a lot.

Peeta’s heart ached when he thought about what happened, but he shook away any negative emotions.

Having a few people nearby could prove useful somehow. Peeta reasoned.

[Fine, you can stay. But don’t expect me or Glass to always hunt for you.]

Peeta said as he looked out of the cave with a dramatically raised head.

“Thank you so very much!” Neeron said with numerous bows.

Meanwhile, glass concocted several medicines for Estella to take.

He didn't know how to help her he could do to help her mentally, so he decided that tending to her physical self would be the next best thing.

Glass then fed several doses of his medicines and fed her some berries before standing up and tugging at Peeta’s fur.

Peeta let out an internal sigh before giving Glass more darkness.