Leaving Kesshō and Opal at the top of the walls surrounding the town Kurai went on a wild goose chase with some other knights, searching for any other werewolves around the area to eliminate them before they become a problem. They returned on finding nothing, tired but glad the town became safe again. Kurai separated from the knights some distance before reaching the town and went to check on Sapphire, finding her awake when he arrived.

"Do you think we really helped those people?" Winter asked Sapphire as were stared at the city, not noticing Kurai who approached from the opposite direction.

It was easier to tell from this distance the condition of the city. Half the houses being in ruins, a great number of people having died during the battle according to the reports Kurai received. The commotion in the city could be seen even from such a distance, many people the size of ants leaving the town and many knights arriving with workers and supplies to help rebuild it. Kurai could see Kesshō standing on the wall, a knight standing beside her, seemingly inspecting the wall for damages.

"Just more would have died if we let it be anyways," Sapphire replied.

"But don't you think if we left it be for that night those two would have handled it much better. I mean, she did kill it with barely any trouble, or causing any damage to the city," Winter pointed out.

"Doesn't matter, we are not trying to save humans, we are trying to save other wolves, humans can all die for all I care," Sapphire answered coldly.

"But they didn't seem to be bad people, atleast not these ones, I don't know if they were even involved in everything that is happening, maybe they don't even know and would've helped if they did know," Winter argued.

"Are you trying to defend their actions?" Sapphire questioned side eyeing Winter.

This is not quite how I expected her to turn out, Kurai pondered. I do know it's not easy to always stay on the right path, but she might stray too far at this rate, it will be best to take care of the issue before she is too far gone.

Winter took in a deep breath. "No, I am only saying the people in this city were not the same as those. The lady last night who called us in did so because we were wolves, she knew that, and also knew we were more likely to be attacked by it because Werewolves hate the original wolves. The reason the Werewolf was making loud footsteps was to simply scare us away, or let us know where it is if we wanted a fight," Winter explained.

"Humans are not worth wasting your time, understand that," Sapphire commanded. Winter sighed and lowered her head, a disappointed look on her face.

Stepping out from behind the tree Kurai sat down with his back to it. "Is that really so?" He inquired.

Sapphire snapped her head towards him, her face distorted in confusion and shock as she glanced between the town and Kurai twice before fixing her eyes at him, looking somewhat ashamed of what she just said.

""I made Kesshō sit there so you won't realize I am not there. Anyways, that can wait for now, I would like for you to repeat your statement," Kurai requested. I didn't plan on her mistaking that knight for me, but this works in my favor probably, easier to convince her without forceful methods hopefully.

"I- uh-" Sapphire stuttered.

"Do you really think so even after having been saved by a human?" Kurai inquired.

Sapphire stayed silent for a while. "But it's all their fault too." She sobbed after a while. "All of it, all my friends, and me myself. I was living happily and peacefully and now look where I am. They killed so many and ruined the lives of so many more."

Kurai sighed and stood up from his spot, walking to her and crouching down in front of her. She has been through much, I know, but that still won't justify harming those who are innocent, I will need to make her understand that somehow. Kurai thought as he gently patted Sapphire's head.

"Yes, it's not wrong to blame someone for their wrongdoings, afterall they did it, they deserve the hatred and punishment. But what did those people from the city do? Whom you have never seen before, never even heard about. What is their fault in all of this, the simple fact they belong to the same species?" Kurai questioned. "If that is your logic and you were there centuries ago during the signing of the peace pact between the many species, you would have supported the idea to kill all Midnight Wolves. Many supported it in fact, except humans and phoenixes."

Sapphire tilted her head slightly in confusion, Winter doing the same.

"None of the species are evil, there's good and evil in all, simply because you have received evil from one doesn't mean you can ignore the good in them. I will completely agree in killing off all evil from each species, but if any of the good have to die too then I am completely against it. There are very few who can truly be called evil too, someone who has done wrong to some might have done a lot of good for others. I have also killed a great many, I have seen a lot of things thus far you have not, and while I don't wish for you to see them, I would still like to request you to change your views, lest you also end up seeing them and learning the hard way.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

"I am speaking from experience, even if you were to kill all humans for revenge, you will not feel any happiness from it. Enjoy this journey you have been gifted from this turn of events, you will learn and see a lot, lose and gain a lot, it's completely upto you how you wish to view those losses and gains. You can either focus on the good and be an angel, getting hurt multiple times but never losing hope in the good of the world–" he glanced briefly towards Kesshō– "Or you can be focusing on the bad things, and either succumbing to them, or embracing the darkness. Or, the last option, focus on both, think practically and act reasonably in every situation, interact with everyone based on what they deserve. I believe in you to be the third type of person, and I hope you will atleast try to be." Kurai glanced back at Kesshō. I do hope both of them don't turn out the same way, he sighed.

Sapphire slowly nodded understandingly and hugged him, receiving a hug from Kurai as well. Releasing her, he got up with a sigh.

"Anyways, that talk turned out to be longer than expected, and I should be departing soon too, me and Kesshō need to be somewhere. We heard about the Werewolf terrorizing this town so decided to come and help out before going back on our way." Kurai explained as he walked away, waving goodbye.

Sapphire waved to him as he descended the hill, walking back towards the town. He could see Winter and Sapphire talking as they gazed into the distance, the only part of the conversation he heard were the words which left Sapphire's mouth, carrying a peaceful tone of voice he never heard from her before. "That way," Sapphire spoke in a whisper, carried far by the wind, "back to our homes..."

Kurai did not turn, he heard all he needed to, glad the little girl he helped before ended up helping a great many and making it back to her home safely. He smiled as he made his way to Kesshō, knowing while his duty in guiding that little girl finally came to an end, which he took off his own accord, he still needed to guide another little girl to her throne, and ensure her safet for the present and the future.

As he crossed past the gate and entered the city the sunlight falling on his body suddenly cut off, alerting him of a presence right above him. He turned without wasting a moment, having initially planned to attack, but changing his plan on recognizing the one above him. Kurai extended his arms forward, catching Kesshō in them as she landed, having used her wings to slow her fall.

He placed Kesshō on the ground, being hugged by her instantly, rubbing her face against him in a show of affection. Opal watched from the bag, terrified due to Kesshō's reckless act of jumping from such a high spot. He patted both of them on their heads as he prepared his own mind for the journey ahead, knowing now that all the pieces were in motion not much time remained till the end begun.

"Assassin!" A man in a knight's armor exclaimed, riding a horse towards them, alerting everyone around him, the civilians directing somewhat hostile glances towards Kurai and his companions on hearing his words.

A small group of knights, upon seeing the slight commotion, ushered the refugees away. The knight on the horse dismounted and rushed towards Kurai, earning a hostile glare from Kesshō, close to a snarl, but he fell to his knees before she could, startling her and Kurai as they took a few steps back instinctively.

"Assassin! The kings have a request for your greatness! Please accept, or the entire human race might be doomed soon," The knight pleaded.

"It can't be that bad," Kurai sighed. "What is their request?"

"The city of Merolith was attacked and completely destroyed by a phoenix," the knight explained, his breathing heavy.

"Must have been a fairly powerful phoenix to end such a marvelous and powerful city," Kurai observed.

"Yes, it was a very powerful phoenix, but the reason to that is the fact that it was no ordinary phoenix," the knight gasped.

"A hybrid?" Kurai inquired.

"No, the Queen, the Phoenix Queen," the knight informed, shaking in terror.

"I am an assassin, not a monster hunter, a group of monster hunters is far more suitable for your request." Kurai suggested as he stepped away from the knight, prepared to walk out of the city at the first opportunity.

"Please, assassin, we beg of you, please help us, you are well aware that even if you may not be strong enough to defeat her, your companion will be." The knight begged as he grovelled on the rough path in front of the city gate, his tears seeping through the pebbles.

One of Kesshō's tails gently placed itself over the knight's head, causing him to look up. She smiled reassuringly at him, her smile conveying what she meant, causing the knight to break down in tears and thank her endlessly for about ten minutes before he finally restrained his emotions.

"My apologies for my outburst of emotions, I have been travelling for many many days to find you after our city met it's end, I was one of the few survivors, having been tasked with finding you. She has helped the city of Merolith fend off against a gargantuan serpent once before, and you have helped with many of the smaller issues plaguing the insides of the city, it only felt appropriate to seek help from you." The knight explained as he wiped his tears and stood back up.

"How did you find us?" Kurai inquired, realising the several missing pieces.

"I was tipped off about your location and destination by a fellow I thought was you. He looked exactly like you, similar blue eyes and black hair, a similar outfit and even similar in build, though he was slightly taller," The knight informed.

"You would do well to rest here for today and head back to the survivor's from your city tomorrow, we will depart right away to deal with the problem," Kurai reassured. That guy just can't leave me be, can he? Kurai sighed.

Kesshō nodded her agreement, being able to feel the knight's condition much better than Kurai, Kurai's experience and knowledge proving to be somewhat inferior to Kesshō's eyes and arguable intelligence in such a case.

"I can't thank you enough," The knight bowed.

"No need to thank us, it's nothing more than a side mission for me," Kurai reassured. "Guess that is where we are headed for now," he sighed.