While Mor talked to his mother, he felt the exhaustion and stress of the hunt catch up to him, like a silent assassin pouncing at just the right moment when its target was unattentive. He let out a big yawn, which Mirage mirrored. Sophie smiled indulgently and told her son to get rest; they could, after all, postpone their departure for a few hours. Mor agreed, reasoning that a nap would do him good and give his Ice-kin friends time to deal with their own affairs so that everyone could concentrate on giving farewells. He trodded back to his room and let exhaustion guide him to bed, meaning, much to the human's amusement. Mor lay on his stomach, sprawled, fully clothed, on top of the blankets. Only one shoe lay forgotten next to the sturdy bedframe.

As for Mirage, the little monstrosity curled itself into a furball and made Mor's back its sleeping place, providing additional warmth and fluffy comfort. Both in its presence and its magical influence, as it projected a pleasant illusion. However, Mor couldn't appreciate that extra comfort, as his brain just shut off, dropping him into dreamless darkness and the restful sleep of the wirey. The human stayed awake watching, as so often over the sleeping Mor, their mind not needing rest. However, even with their supernatural attentiveness, a clearing of the throat instantly alarmed the human.

Next to Mor's bed on a chair formerly sitting next to a small table, a woman had appeared, without making herself known, entering the room or moving the chair. In an outcry of surprise, the human gave the slumbering Mor quite the rude awakening, who stirred quickly, startling Mirage in turn. To its most apparent surprise, the little fox creature jumped and landed right in the arms of the mysterious woman. However, instead of projecting an illusion to protect itself, it gave the strange visitor a sniff and stayed calm, confusing the human.

"Come on." Mor groaned out loud. "What's wrong?"

°Well, we have a visitor.° The human stated.

°And why did you startle me like that?° Mor grumbled.

°Because she got into the room without me noticing.° The human said.

°So? You're also not attentive when you rest.° Mor said.

"If I may," the woman said, her voice silky soft and with an undertone of unshakable confidence.

Mor panned his gaze over the woman, smiling slightly, sitting patiently on the chair. She was wearing a black robe, with her raven hair falling down in long waves down her back, framing the pale skin of her face. However, while she was practically radiating magical power, her eyes made it obvious that she was not of the Soul-kin. They were those white orbs, with crystal blue iris surrounding a dot of pitch black, making her gaze uncanny.

"What are you?" Mor asked.

°Isn't that a bit rude?° The human asked Mor in turn.

°Probably, but my instincts tell me she is not of the kin. Not of any of them.° Mor replied.

°Really?° The human asked. °She does look humanoid, or do you say kinoid?°

The woman gave Mor another indulgent smile before answering.

"You're wondering why I'm here." She stated.

°And why you are dodging the question of who.° The human grumbled, but something inside Mor told him to stay quiet, so he just nodded.

"The hummingbird." The woman stated, earning a confused look from Mor.

"I did not expect the Ice-kin to try to deal with it themselves instead of asking for help, " she said, carefully petting Mirage in her lap.

°So whatever troubles the Ice-kin is a hummingbird?° The human asked.

°I don't even know what that is. Is it some kind of animal? Like you calling Mirage a fox?° Mor asked.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

°Yeah, little bird critter.° The human answered.

"Anyway." The woman said. "I couldn't warn them directly, so I had to improvise. Not that it mattered."

"Wait! You told them what it was?" Mor asked, and the woman nodded.

"So you appeared as Dino before the Ice-kin chiefs?" Another nod.

"What are you?" Mor asked again. "I can feel the magic from you, but you're obviously not Soul-kin."

"It doesn't matter who or what I am. What matters is what you decide. Afterward, I need to go tell you some things, " she answered, dodging the question again.

"What things?" Mor asked carefully.

"In due time. First, you have to make that decision. Do you want to save the world?" She asked.

°Are you shitting me? What is that for a bullshit question? Who asks someone something like that out of the blue?° The human complained.

"What do you mean?" Mor asked more cautiously, earning another unsettling smile.

"Just what I asked. You have the choice. Be a hero or step back. Your actions have already put things in motion that are not reversible, and a result of those actions is that you could opt-out. Let the next Hero carry the burden. It will only cost a few thousand lives more." The black-clad woman stated.

°Ok, that's just dirty.° The human grumbled.

"I know." The woman said, shocking Mor and the human.

°Wait, you can hear me? Nobody can, except if my buddy communicates telepathically.° The human asked.

"True. However, I'm not anybody and lived far longer than your kin remembers." She answered.

"Again, what and who are you?" Mor asked.

°Yup, lady. Spill the beans. You're shady as fuck.° The human added.

"I am kin." She answered after a lengthy pause.

"No, you're not." Mor denied.

"I am, and you are the one furthest down the path of returning to who you all meant to be. Just as the beings you call monstrosities are." She said.

"What?" Mor asked in shock.

"Oh, your little friend is no monstrosity. Neither is the hummingbird." The woman said.

"Just like you are no longer Soul-kin. However, before revealing more, I will need your answer. Do you want to save the world?" She asked again.

°What do you think?° Mor asked in his thoughts.

°I think there is something fishy and that talking with me in your mind is pointless because she can fucking hear me.° The human grumbled.

Mor looked up in turn and watched the woman scratch Mirage between its ears. The little fox enjoyed the comfort, while the woman herself seemingly didn't pay attention to Mor's discussion with his human.

°It still feels more comfortable talking with you like that.° Mor answered.

°I see. However, I can't decide for you. This is not my world, so I don't have any right to decide anything, or at least I'm not comfortable with it.° The human answered, and Mor nodded.

°Why do I have the feeling, as you often say, that shit has just hit the fan? And I'm the only one standing in between the stain and other people?° Mor asked, noticing the slight smile creeping onto the woman's face.

°Because, my friend, it certainly has. I can only give you my support, as always, but something is not right here. Still, knowing you and your hero complex, we're diving right in.° The human sighed.

°I don't have a hero complex!° Mor protested.

°Right, only a thirst for power. But instead of becoming an insufferable prick, you used the power you gained by combining our souls to help people. Like the students endangered by the out-of-control Ranbor. Tiara and her Shadow-kin problem, that one you did even twice, someone might think you like the girl. Then agreeing to the stupid suicide mission to save Gorn and his buddy's from those raptors, and finally, instead of running, you joined the fight against that big ass wolf thing.° The human listed off.

°I see your point.° Mor acknowledged, then let out a deep, calming breath.

"I don't trust you, but I can feel something about you is off." He told the woman.

"You might lie to me, but why should you? And if you're not lying and everyone is in danger, then I can't stay idly by." Mor grumbled further.

"So congratulations, you win. I will save the world. Now, no further secrets."

The woman gave him another smile, however, a quite warm one this time.

"If you want to save everyone, you need to kill me." She stated.

This lead Mor to look at her in confusion and shock, and the human to exclaim.

°Ok, what the fuck.°