°Kill you?° The human asked incredulously and with a surprising undertone of annoyance. °What the cliche' fuck is this now? Are we in a third-rate RPG?°

"Um." Mor started but instantly got interrupted.

°Everytime someone needs a BBEG, not to be a downright evil prick. They use that trope! "Oh no! If I live, I will destroy the world." Then kill yourself instead of letting the heroes run around to level up until they are strong enough to challenge you, and then, they have the gall to fight back! Didn't you want to die? But then, to explain the lazy writing, they come up with some bullshit like the BBEG can only be killed with a McGuffin, and the power corrupts them, so when the heroes face them, they are unable to think anymore.° The human complained.

"I did not understand everything. However, I'm pleased you are aware of my dilemma, " the woman said with an appreciative nod.

"Wait, is it like that?" Mor asked.

°You better say sike right now, or I'm losing it.° The human grumbled.

"No, it is quite accurate." The woman stated.

°Thats it! What a ridiculous world is this?! I can get behind the bullshit rules of magic because it's magic, even though I still think there is a way to train that reservoir. But now you're coming at me like, oh, there is also that unkillable evil that needs a specific ability only the chosen one can get to kill, but of course, it won't simply tell you because it would be too fucking simple.° The human raged. °Why couldn't it be like we get stronger and train, see the world, and work together with friends to fix normal problems?°

°Hearing you like that is unexpected.° Mor said. °I thought you would be all for going on an epic mission to fight monstrosities.°

°Yeah, but things are falling into place too neatly. It feels like someone is pulling the strings and making us dance to their tune. Like me, being here is no accident or chance but engineered.° The human complained.

°But that's not possible, and even if it is still our world, and if we have the best chance of dealing with whatever is to come, then we must act upon it.° Mor said, getting only a grunt of acknowledgment from the human.

"Well said, " the woman said. However, you're wrong in one detail. I will tell you exactly what's necessary, but first, you get to ask your questions. It might make my explanations easier if we get those out of the way."

"Why me, can't you just kill yourself? Like the human stated?" Mor asked.

"No, I can't. Killing this vessel is impossible, but it is also my only way to help. And it needs to be you because you are the furthest along the road to regress, " the woman stated.

°Wait for it. Next, she will tell us she is some kind of ancient kin who had sacrificed her soul to seal the "First" thing away. And because it is awake now, she can assert some control over it because they have been connected for so long.° The human grumbled.

"How did you know?" The woman asked, surprised.

°Are you shitting me?° The human complained.

"No I'm not, rather I'm quite surprised you knew that." The woman stated.

"Anyway," Mor interjected before the human could say something else. "What do you mean regress, is that way you claim I am no longer a Soul-kin?"

"Indeed, " the woman said. You have noticed that your magic reservoir grows incredibly fast, yes?"

"Yes, but my family has a lot of power, and I am a late bloomer, so what does that have to do with it?" Mor asked.

"It is not all, and I'm quite surprised no one talked to you about it. They must have noticed, " the woman stated. Well, it does not matter. You are getting stronger because you are regressing into an ancient kin."

"What?" Mor said alarmed.

"It is no bad thing. Rather, it should be the goal of every kin, " the woman said calmly.

"But how?" Mor asked.

"The process is quite simple, even if it is not easy. You have the magic power of a Soul-kin, displayed the courage of the Ice-kin, dipped your toes into the Shadow-kin tenacity, and human audacity is also not detrimental." The woman explained. "All those things are resonating with your soul, the source of your magic, and transforming you. Every challenge that the specific kin has declared as "tradition" has its foundation in ancient rituals, and each will enhance the growth of your magic powers. Except for the human part."

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°How do you know I'm human?° The human asked.

"Because I knew one of your species. He brought the kin into the light and was responsible for teaching us to wield magic instead of using it subconsciously," the woman said, giving the human something to think about.

"If I understand you correctly because I finished the "first hunt" of the Ice-kin, my soul got stronger? And to enlarge my reservoir further, I need to do all the other kin traditions?" Mor asked.

"Yes." The woman stated.

"I think I get it. It did feel somehow right, joining up with Elly and the others," Mor said, then his gaze fell upon Mirage, who was napping in the woman's lap.

"Earlier, you said, Mirage is no monstrosity. What does that mean?" Mor asked.

"How much do you know about how monstrosities came to be?" The woman asked instead.

"What history class told me. The creation of monstrosities was because of the influence of the First to pressure the ancient kin into a multi-pronged war." Mor stated.

"Not quite right. You are aware that the monstrosities evolved from the magical beasts of old?" The woman asked, and Mor gave a quick nod.

"The First was created because my people warred against each other. We were just as split as the modern kin are but with more ambition. Our war unleashed staggering amounts of magic in a small area. That magic energy merged and formed the First. However, the First is an unstable creature. It can't hold its own magic energy very well, and that magic is leaking wherever it goes. I guess you were also taught that the magic beasts needed to change because of magic deficiency?" The woman explained, and Mor gave another positive reply to her question.

"The opposite is the case. With the First leaking magic everywhere, there was an overabundance, and the fauna adapted. For the modern kin, this has the effect that the monstrosities are always starved of magic after the First was sealed and, therefore, are mainly hunting magic-rich targets. However, with the resurgence of the First and my influence over it, it no longer leaks magic but stabilizes it. At least for now. This has the effect that the monstrosities are turning back into their original form, meaning magical beasts." The woman explained.

"And why did you need to war the Ice-kin about that hummingbird?" Mor asked.

"Because magical beasts are far more dangerous than the mindless, hunger-driven monstrosities, they have intelligence or at least instincts helping them. I'm aware you fought some of them already, so I don't need to tell you that you can't blindly fight them, but you need to be aware of their abilities." The woman said.

"True enough." Mor agreed. "So the monstrosities are slowly vanishing, but I guess the First can be only stable so long, meaning if it loses control, we have another giant appearance and a fight for the survival of all kin on our hands."

"Indeed." The woman said.

"So someone needs to stop that, and becoming an ancient kin is a prerequisite, right?" Mor asked and got another nod.

"And because I've at least put my foot on the path, it means I'm the furthest along. But earlier, you said I don't have to, " Mor summarized.

"Indeed, you created the basis, and the seed was planted. Give your Ice-kin friends my congratulations, please. The first Ice-kin, with a magic reservoir." The woman stated as Mor looked at her in surprise.

"Wait?!" Mor exclaimed. "Elly is pregnant? And her child will have a magic reservoir like a Soul-kin?"

"Just so. Whatever it will be, it will need guidance to wield that power effectively," the woman said. "You taught them how to wield magic in their bodies, putting them on the same path as you, if a few steps behind."

Mor took a moment, then nodded. "What do I need to do?" He asked, his gaze full of conviction.

°Find a stupid, powerful McGuffin, like a railcannon, and shoot the First with it while at the same time fighting off the horde of leftover monstrosities that will be attracted to the overcharged magic power necessary even to hurt the damn thing.° The human guessed.

The woman inclined her head at the human's guess. "Just so. Even if I don't know where you heard about that weapon."

°I heard it in school. They did pronounce it strangely, but after mulling it over a while, I figured it out.° The human grumbled.

°And why didn't you tell me about it?° Mor complained.

°Because it would confuse you, and you didn't have a need for it yet. Also, how the fuck would we even use it?° The human said.

"Ancient texts, stored at the eternal library of the Stone-kin." The woman said.

"But I guess that will have to be our last stop after we got a whole lot stronger or closer to being an ancient by training under the other kin. Which leaves only one question: Where do I find them?" Mor asked.

"I would advise seeking out the shadow first. They are already watching you and are also the most easy to find. Your princeling does know some, as they live inside the shadows of other kin, " the woman stated.

Mor nodded.

"I just want to know one thing, " he said, attracting the woman's curious look.

"I know you're still keeping something secret, and I don't fully trust you. However, right now, following that path is not out of my way, so I will verify your claims. But I don't like the fact that I also don't know your name. So, if you want me to give it my all, I want to have your name."

The woman looked at him, startled and thoughtfully. "Lorelai," she almost whispered, like dredging up a distant memory half-forgotten, but as soon as it left her lips, she broke out in a bright smile, making her slightly sinister face a picture of beauty instead. "I had almost forgotten it."

Mor smiled, and then another yawn forced his way out. When he opened his eyes after yawning, the woman was gone, only the sleeping Mirage lying on the chair, a testament to her appearance.

°Well, it seems like we have our work cut out.° Mor stated.

°Yeah, but it still feels a bit railroady.° The human complained.

°I have no idea what that means.° Mor answered. °But for now, let's say goodbye to Elly, Gorn, and Lize, then get home. I need to ask Dino about the Shadow-kin face-to-face.° Mor declared, and the human agreed.