I woke up to the purr of an engine vibrating my seat. I opened my eyes to see I was in the backseat of my sister’s car. The rain poured down hard against the windshield. As the wipers tried in vain to keep up.

I slowly straightened up taking a deep breath trying to wake up. I stared out the window looking at the cars passing us by. The clouds were alight with the occasional lightning strike.

‘You okay Briana?’

‘I’m fine Elizabeth. Just tired from playing for so long. I might have gotten some mental rest when I slept but I was physically more tired then I realized.’

I stared back outside paying more attention to the souls that flowed by. All having wants, desires, and emotions, but I was the only one who could see inside of them all.

Though I wouldn’t say I had perfected my soul defenses. I could say that I had a solid grasp to the point where I could function like I did before my revelation. As long as I stayed out of the center of attention.

I stared at my left hand using my right to survey my left hand. It was rough and somewhat calloused from messing around, but for some reason, it felt wrong.

I didn’t know why but I had felt more comfortable as my kitsune counterpart. The smaller soft delicate hands felt more natural than my own.

What did this all mean? It almost reminded me of the phrase ‘if you stare into the abyss it stares back’. I had stared into something I had no prior knowledge of, and as a result, that knowledge had changed my very life.

I felt my soul pulse with energy looking for a way to escape. I could control it inside but whenever I had tried to use it outside here, it had failed. Compared to in SQO where it flowed out like a natural part of myself.

“Hey sleepy head. Nice nap?”

“Yeah, I guess I was more tired than I thought.”

“You were definitely out of it. I had to get a wheelchair to roll you into the parking garage. Luckily a friend was nearby and they helped me get you in.”

“Sorry about that.”

“It’s okay, you couldn’t help it. We’ll be there soon and you can go to sleep.”

We slowed down and turned into a suburb and after a minute she pulled into her garage and turned off the car.

I then got out and followed her inside. Her small house was nice and tidy. With no dishes in the sink and a kettle on the stove.

“Want me to make you some tea?”

“I need some sleep, but thanks for asking.”

“Then you can sleep on the couch. Give me a minute a set it up.”

When she had set it up she went into the bedroom to go to sleep. I fell onto the makeshift bed and fell into a deep sleep.

My thoughts wandered as my mind refused to rest. I saw memories, but they were all over the place.

A castle, a forge, a barracks, a library, and a lush green field. It was similar to the Sacean plains but different. In the distance, I could see snow capped mountains and hills. Before I could see more it all went dark and I found myself face to face with my kitsune self.

We both stared at each other as an unknown breeze moved our hair gently from side to side. I felt something lodge in my throat preventing me from speaking. When I tried opening my mouth to speak her’s did as well.

Our movements perfectly mimicked each other. I held out my right hand and we grabbed each other’s hands. I could feel our connection. The shift in view as my vision kept switching between us.

I could feel our minds trying to merge, but our bodies repelled each other. Our mind was the same but our bodies weren’t. It was like trying to attach to magnets of the opposite pole.

They were both magnets but they would never come together. I didn’t even know this other side of me. The side of me that always existed. The reason for my connection to Matt, John, Teage, and Elizabeth.

So we just stood there staring at each other confirming that we were both me. We stood there is silence as the darkness consumed us and my dream was over.

My sister drove me back to my car the next day and I drove back home. I decided to talk to my companions on the drive back. We talked to each other sharing more details about our experiences in SQO.

I tried to start treating them as people. Not as delusions, but as people. We were all stuck in my body. All lost in some way form or fashion.

When I got back home I made my way to my room and laid out on my bed. I then focused my soul and started channeling my soul.

After concentrating it, I tried focusing it towards my right arm letting only a tiny amount of energy out. I could feel the energy flow through my blood. But when I tried to move it through my arm. I felt a resistance like I was hitting a brick wall.

Maybe it was just clogged, a good little push should do it. I shoved the energy against the wall and I felt my reject the energy sending it back to me.

I recoiled in pain, but I felt progress and so I sent more energy in a constant stream. I slowly opened a hole in this wall as I tried to control the pain that ravaged my body.

When I couldn’t take it any longer I stopped and withered in agony. After it finally stopped I calmed my breath and tried again. This time I could feel it flow through a small pinhole.

I made an illusionary dot form in the center of my hand. The flow was steady but all I could do was this. I then looked at my arm and saw more hair then there was previously. It was an orange color similar to Briana’s hair.

I couldn’t be sure but I think I understood what this meant. If I was going to use magic in this world. That would mean giving up my current self. Revoking this body and making Briana’s body my own.

This body isn’t meant to house my soul. It’s just a vessel. An accidental vessel that didn’t know any better. Born to unknowing parents as their child. Not knowing a secret they themselves didn’t even know.

This can’t be real. All of this was a giant lie. It had to be. SQO was just messing with my already screwed up mind. It had to be.

I curled up on my bed afraid of what I had just learned. I didn’t have much time now. If there were people looking for me I had to be ready. Because they would come. I was an anomaly and given enough time they would probably trace my energy back to me.

I looked outside to see a bluebird. It stared at me and after a minute I could see that it was releasing a faint energy similar to my own energy.

I shot up from my bed and backed away. It then flapped its wings and flew away before I could react further.

Looks like my time table’s been moved up. They now knew where I was. Now it was up to them when they would come after me. I didn’t have a weapon other than a pocket knife and my dot.

They’d probably have guns and buff security officers that’d jump me with black suits. Carrying me off without a word. No contact with anyone ever again.

I lay there trying to think of some advantage I could gain, but I could not think of one. Thinking of nothing better to do I put on my SQO helmet and lay on my bed. Flipping the switch I dive back in to see what awaits.

Pain ripped through my stomach as I remembered I hadn’t left in exactly the best of shape.

Elizabeth runs over to me and picks me up singing a song to comfort me and my wound.

“Let's get you back to the hotel. Maybe the others can help you.

The wound was closing but I could feel my internal organs were still pretty torn up. Elizabeth's magic was stabilizing my wound but I needed some specialized help.

“Elizabeth, I don’t think your magic alone can fix this.”

She seemed to panic at this but kept on singing while running with me in her arms.

“BRIANA! WHERE ARE YOU!”

I turned to see John running towards us.

“What’s wrong? Shouldn’t Elizabeth's magic be working?”

“It is, but the arrow got me good. It’ll take awhile for it to heal.”

“Maybe Remus can help. Follow me this way.”

John led us through the streets back to the hotel. The streets were crowded with activity and they had to push their way through. People would generally part when they saw us coming.

I checked where the wound was. The shirt was still compressing the area but I could feel the skin stitching itself together as she chanted some nursery rhyme. Though blood loss was minimal I must have lost maybe half a liter or so. Who was that person that shot me?

Stolen story; please report.

“Hurry in here!”

Remus was standing outside his tent with the flap open. Matt was getting some stuff together in the corner.

Elizabeth rushed in and set me on an empty cot in the middle of the room. Matt must have finished his reparations as he walks over to me.

“Where is the wound?”

“It hit me in the chest.”

“Elizabeth take off her shirt. Remus prepare your healing magic.”

“Why would I do that. She can’t take off her shirt here.”

“Help me take off my shirt Elizabeth. I’ve been shot we can worry about modesty later.”

Elizabeth took off my shirt as Remus started chanting with a book in his hand.

“Elizabeth’s magic seems to have taken care of most of the injury.”

He rolls me over to see the exit wound. Before setting me back down.

“Elizabeth keep singing while Remus prepares his spell. John, you stand watch.”

Matt took charge as he starting cleaning the area around the wound with a damp cloth.

“Ready!”

Remus then held his hand over the wound while concentrating his magical energy.

“ ‘Purify’, ‘Detect’, ‘Recovery’ ”

When the spell dispelled he stepped back looking tired.

“There doesn’t appear to be any shrapnel, but there was some poison that I got rid of.”

“That’s good, Elizabeth, keep doing your thing for a couple of minutes then you can stop.”

“Thanks guys, sorry about that.”

I lay there as the pain subsided. I had to admit magic was very useful when it came to healing. The only cost was the person’s stamina. Which left me horribly tired.

“No problem Briana but next time pay more attention I thought you remembered that people don’t like fractured souls. Did you piss off the church?”

“No, we were just walking around when someone shot her.”

“They must have been some kind of assassin or hitman. I can’t think of anything else.”

“Maybe it has something to do with this.”

Remus held up a wanted poster of my original avatar. What was weird was it said to take me alive. I took the poster and looked it over. They were calling me a spirit magician and that I was extremely dangerous.

“Why’d he shoot me though? If what this says is right they want me alive.”

“Just because they want you alive doesn’t mean they can’t harm you. The arrow was also poisoned so they might have thought you would seek help from the church and he’d grab you there.”

“Maybe, wait, where is Teage?”

“What does that matter?”

“They might be after him as well. We need to tell him we’re being hunted.”

I try to sit up but pain racks my chest and I lay back down.

“Easy there Brina, he’s fine. He’s by himself so they won’t be suspicious of him.”

“But he’s a dwarf in the middle of Sacea. Dwarfs like mountains, not flat land.”

Matt seemed to think it over before grabbing his sword from his cot and making his way to the doorway.

“John, come on, let’s go find that idiot.”

What was that idiot doing?

POV: Teage

“ANOTHER ROUND SIR!”

“Go easy man, I know dwarfs have a high tolerance, but even you must have your limits.”

“No such thing my good sir now how about that other round.”

“Coming right up.”

“Now, who wants to challenge me next!”

I had to hand it to them, this makeshift bar was better than I expected. It was just a walled off area with some tables but the service and beer were exceptional.

That tea was great and all but I prefer a good buzz. It also helped that all the people in here were too stupid to realize that they couldn’t beat me at arm wrestling. It was helping me fund my drinking excellently.

Raven was sitting next to also drinking though he was taking his time with his drink.

“I think that’s all the challengers in the room Tegae. I think you’ve flushed everyone stupid enough to try.”

“It’s not stupid to challenge me it’s futile.”

“Here is your drink sir. This is the last one until I start seeing some cash.”

I grab a gold coin from my pile and flick it to the barkeep who catches it in his hand.

“I think that will be more than enough to cover my drinks now can I get some more of these nuts?”

I shake an empty bowl which is snatched by a passing barmaid.

“It’ll only take a second sir.”

“Can’t take any longer? I’m enjoying the view.”

She ignored my comment as she went behind the bar to refill the bowl. The girls weren’t stunning but it was nice to finally let out what I wanted to say. The others were much to civil in my opinion. Though I hope we find some dwarfs in the future. The women here are too tall for my taste.

“One house brew please.”

I turned to see a tall guy wearing a dark black cloak with a bow strung across his back. Maybe he’d challenge me to an arm wrestling match.

“Hey tall guy, want to try your luck arm wrestling a dwarf?”

“Only if the winner pays.”

“What other condition would I ask. Got to keep the drinks flowing.”

He looked me in the eye with a grin on his face placing a gold coin on the table.

“Can you match? If not you can pay with some information.”

“No need, I can pay.”

I grab another coin from my pile and put it next to his coin.

“Though what kind of information are you wanting?”

“Just looking for an elusive fox seen one?”

“Nope now let’s go. Raven count it down.”

“You sure you want to do this big guy? This guy hasn’t lost a single match yet. You're only throwing away your gold.”

“I think I can beat a measly dwarf’s strength. I’m no pushover like everyone else here.”

“Oh really? Then let's get started.”

We grab hands getting ready to go when I feel something wrong.

“3, 2, 1, ‘CRASH’”

His grip loosens allowing me to free my hand to scoop my winnings into a bag before I bolt for the day.

I don’t know who this guy is but he’s like Briana. He knew what I was and I could tell from the look in his eyes that he had no intention of letting me leave, and I had no way to beat that guy.

“Where do you think you’re going dwarf?”

I felt something grab me by the collar of my shirt lifting me up as he turned me to face him.

“That was a waste of a perfectly good drink.”

The drink dripped from his cloak while blood dripped from his face.

This was going to hurt I thought before I felt his punch to my face knocking me out.

POV: John

This isn’t good. Someone is hunting us down and Teage is nowhere to be found. Where could he be? Matt had split up to cover more ground, but this place was too big. I had no idea where to even start.

Somebody pumps passed me and I turn to see a good amount of people walking in some direction. Let’s see what’s all the commotion is about. Maybe it was Teage though that was unlikely.

I follow the crowd to a large square where people are buzzing. I see somebody on top of a large stand holding a gun. It had to be the auction that Rachel was holding.

I couldn’t hear her but she looked swamped. She was probably going to make a lot of money off the auction. But I doubt that Teage would be around here.

Let’s think about this. Where would Teage go in a city on his own? Wait, hasn’t he always been a pervy guy. Maybe he went to a brothel. No, it’s too early for that, plus he doesn’t have any money.

He had to be at some bar making bets until he made enough. Plus he is a dwarf and dwarves love alcohol a lot. So it was a good place to start.

I look around the square and start checking the restaurants/bars for Teage. After about half an hour I feel like I haven’t gotten anywhere. I’m now on the outskirts hitting up one of the last bars in the area. I’d been asking the locals about bars but so far they’d all turned up dry.

As I approach the last bar I hear a crash. Then a bustle of commotion that sounded like a bar fight. I run to the entrance to see a black cloaked man holding an unconscious Teage. Raven is sitting at the bar with a hand on his sword looking scared.

The man looks at me we meet eyes. They seem to peer deep inside of me and I don’t like it. He drops Teage and turns to face me.

“So I seem to have found another. What miraculous timing.it saves me a lot of trouble. Did he send you?”

“He? Who are you talking about and why did you knock Teage unconscious?”

“For the same reason, you will be coming with me. You are under the control of a soul wielder and that is an illegal practice. As such you are both under arrest.”

Well crap, guess I’ve been outed now too. I draw my sword to face him and everyone stands up and puts their hands on where their weapons are.

“Why should I go with you.”

“Because you are far too weak to resist.”

He jumps forward aiming at my face with his fist. I barely dodge it and before I have time to counterattack his foot strikes at me. I brace against it but I am thrown ten feet due to the impact.

“Nice try but I will end you abomination.”

As he rushed to knock me out I barely roll out of the way and stand up to face him. But before I can do anything else someone smashes the glass on my head knocking me to the floor.

“I got him! There you go sir, I got him for you.”

I try to stand up but my limbs are unresponsive. My head faces the cloaked man and I can see a frown on his face. Guess he wanted to take me himself.

“Thank you citizen, here, for your troubles.”

I hear a clink on the table as he picks me up to face him.

“Sorry it had to end that way but I must capture your master.”

“Good luck, but I doubt you’ll succeed.”

I’m not sure my reply came through. My head feels fuzzy and I bet I’m bleeding. Probably a concussion from the glass that I got hit from.

“Maybe but you two should definitely help me with that.”

He takes a pouch off of Teage and tosses it to somebody.

“Sorry for the damages, but I believe this man’s winnings will cover it.”

Everyone seems to calm down as general talk commences as he picks both me and Teage up. He then carries us both away and I’m unable to do anything about it.

POV: Matt

Well looks like both John and Teage were captured. Running towards danger will do that to you. No matter how good willed you are.

As soon as the cloaked man leaves I approach Raven who is drowning himself in another glass of alcohol.

“Hey Raven, do you know who that guy was or what he wanted?”

“No, all I know was that he is a part of the church and someone high up in it. They are the only ones who talk that way and are trained in soul perception.”

He then drained the last of his glass before standing up shaking.

“He also was someone very strong, and all I want to do is forget about all this.”

“Will you help us take the back?”

“Hell no! You can’t pay me enough gold to fight that guy.”

He then shakily walked out of the bar probably towards the hotel. Leaving a silver coin next to his empty glass.

I sat there pondering what to do next. We weren’t ready to fight this guy and he had captured two of us. Why had he captured them and why hadn’t he captured Briana before.

If I had to bet it was because of these guys attacked first. Their hot blooded nature gave him every right to capture them.

In all honesty, I wanted to get a drink of my own but I needed to get back Briana and tell her what happened.

God, I wish I could get a drink.