I am, once again, someplace where I don’t know where I am.

My senses have returned, all of them, and I know for sure this is not a place I’ve been to before. But even though my senses are back, control of my body did not return. I still can’t move, but I know I’m neither sinking, flying, nor floating. So that’s a plus.

I’m lying comfortably on my back on a stiff mattress that is at a higher elevation than the average bed. The bed is also small. The sheets are thin and cold, but soft. It’s a hospital bed. I can just tell.

My senses tell me many things nowadays. Like the approximate humidity of this place- it’s low, how busy it is- not well travelled, the general shape and size of the room- it’s a small private wing, but it’s not in the hospital. I’m lying on a hospital bed, surrounded by the beeping of medical equipment, but I’m not in a hospital. But I don’t think I’m far away from one. Not sure how that works, but that’s what my senses are telling me. It’s some other kind of facility. Not sure if that’s good or bad for me.

These senses are telling me other things too- there are many rows of similar rooms adjacent to this one, with their own beeping machines, and we’re… underground? Huh.

Also, I am not alone in the room. Not even close. There’s like two, no, three other people.

Despite having my senses back, not all of them are as ‘complete’ as others. Since I can’t move my body, I can’t open my eyes to see, but at least they’re closed this time. The room is very dry, and I don’t think I’ll have magical I’m-Not-Blinking-But-That’s-Okay protection like that… other place. With that manic maniac. Let’s not think about him right now.

My hearing also leaves a little to be desired. It’s like listening to something while underwater. It’s gargled and echoey. Although I’m present here, there’s still some sort of… barrier between me and reality. Like… I’m not fully here yet. But I can feel myself slowly returning.

I know I have’ta be patient but there are people in this room. Speaking people. I want to know what they’re talking about! Cause it’s probably about me…

Hm, the barrier does seem to be slowly lessening. As if I was deep underwater and now, I’m slowly approaching the surface- to keep with the earlier analogy. Perhaps because I spent so long in that strange place with that strange… person, I’m still slowly coming back?

So, my consciousness is awake, but my body isn’t quite all there. Yes, that makes sense. At least I can tell this is really my body. In that place before, it was odd. Something seemed really… wrong, there. My body felt the same, but it wasn’t my body. Somehow. Maybe the next time I go there I’ll be able to actually see things. Maybe then I’ll understand. Ah, but that angry bastard said he wouldn’t let me come back. Despite being such an obviously lonely prick.

Whatever.

There’s a lot I don’t understand. And I have a lot of new problems. I thought the Soul Rot was bad, but at least that weird wanderer… Wendell, was it? Yes, Wendell, he was able to deal with that. But now my body is rotting too? And my new Spirit, Fintan, he’s also rotting away. And he’s sleeping so he can’t even do anything to stop it, can he? The poor guy is defenceless. I have to help him this time. Err, I need to help myself too.

But apparently the only way to do that is to Bond with my Shadows. Plural. Evidently, I need two, one from my mom and one from my dad, I guess. And I have to try and not go crazy. Well, crazier. I should be immune to the insanity that literally everyone else is subjected to when you accept more than one Shadow, but that’s according to Mister Key, and relies on him telling the truth. And I already decided I wasn’t going to blindly trust anyone ever again. Not to mention I got a bad feeling about him from the start.

But… that bad feeling might not be his fault. It could be something more to do with that whole Justice and Arrival shit he was going on about. Maybe that’s what I’m rejecting? I certainly don’t like the sounds of that. Either way, I’m going to try and limit my use of what I now know are his abilities, not mine. Not just because I don’t trust that guy, but also because it probably isn’t good for my body, right? Due to the whole rotting thing.

Anyways. I wonder which parent the cougar Shadow comes from? If I had to guess, I’d say my mom. I’m not sure why, but let’s just call it intuition. She pulled me out of the cougar pit at the zoo that one time. My dad was there but he didn’t go in. My dad is no coward, and you’d think usually the dad would do things like that, right? Not to be sexist or anything. But mum rescued me. And that cat didn’t attack us. Maybe because of mom? It might not have gone the same way if dad had hopped in.

Come to think of it, dad abandoned us not long after that. So that whole zoo trip might be more important than I thought.

Eh… let’s not think about those things.

If the cougar really is from mum’s side, then what is the Shadow from dad’s side? I don’t even know what he is. Maybe it has to do with that far away voice I heard before? I don’t know.

I don’t really know much about dad at all, do I? Not much about my mom either. And what I do know is starting to be doubtful. Called into mad question, y’all. René and even Chayla seemed to be saying that my parents are like… terrorists or something? I never would have believed that before all of this happened. But especially now that I know that both mine and mom’s memories were tampered with, it’s… I mean, it’s not completely impossible, is it?

We moved around all the time. I thought mom was flighty and adventurous. Easily bored, like me. But what if… what if we were avoiding something? On the run.

Not to mention that at the hospital she’s literally called the Don of the ER.

Sigh.

But then why come back here? She doesn’t have her right memories… so were we running from something, without knowing it, and without knowing what it was, all those years? And she came back because she didn’t know this wasn’t a safe place?

But we never did that before. Until almost three years ago, she never made that mistake. We never even returned to Alberta after leaving Calgary. We went all over the rest of Canada but not anywhere near here. It wasn’t until the Incident that-

The… Incident… oh god, I shouldn’t have thought about-

I can suddenly taste smoke. My skin is hot and red. I can’t breathe. There’s fire. So much fire. I don’t know where the exit is. I can’t see. My eyes are burning. I’m crawling, but I can barely move. There are bodies around me, but they’re still. Their chests aren’t moving at all. Their eyes are blank. I keep moving. Slowly. But I can’t get out. I don’t know where the exit is.

Eventually my body becomes still as well.

When I open my eyes, I’m sitting on the back of a firetruck, and I have a plastic mask on a tube covering my mouth and nose. It’s pushing air into me. Real air. I can breathe. There’s flashing red and blue lights all around me, but my eyes are watering so much I can barely see. But I can make out the subtle shape of a house underneath the walls of flames. And two neat rows of bodies on the large lawn. The bodies all have white sheets covering them. One of the bodies is too long for the sheet. Their feet aren’t covered.

I see a pair of black and neon green sneakers.

My cousin, Kyle, was dead.

Fuck.

I manage to pull myself back from a complete breakdown. My body is shaking. The voices I can’t make out pause but then resume. The machine beside me is so loud, before calming down. I finally calm down. My breathing steadies.

I still can’t think about that day without losing it.

…it’s all connected, isn’t it? My death was a set up, that much is obvious. I don’t know what for, but it might be connected to the ‘Key’ inside of me. Like, what else could it be? Now that I know the truth about a lot of things, us coming here can’t be a coincidence. And the reason we came here was the Incident.

Was Kyle killed by the same people who killed me? Was he and all those other kids killed just to bring me here, to kill me? Or was I also supposed to die in that fire? But why wait almost three years to try killing me again? Were they prevented from doing so for some reason? Just what in the actual fuck is going on?

No. No, none of that makes sense. Let’s think more seriously. This is important. This situation is far more complicated than just that.

I think there are two groups at work here. At least. They’re working against each other, and that’s why everything is so… jumbled and hard to make out. It would also explain the ridiculousness and ineffectiveness of the Council right now. If I had to guess… Group One caused the fire, and wanted something unknown to happen, but not everything they wanted to happen, happened, because Group Two intervened.

My guess is that Group One wanted me to die there, and Group Two prevented that. Group Two also used that Incident to have me brought here to Ashvale. Group One has most likely been trying to kill me these past couple years, but didn’t succeed, and I bet some of my missing memories would prove that.

Despite the past, I suspect Group Two were the ones who killed me this time. I can’t put my finger on why. But I feel like they arranged my death, but Group One interfered in it. That’s because it was too sloppy, yet complicated at the same time. It took planning, but the end result was clumsy.

I don’t have enough information to make a full conjecture, but I was always going to come back the first time I died no matter what. So… the point wasn’t to kill me permanently, or the plan would have had more steps. But I was just left in that alley afterwards. And aside from one annoying Advisor, there wasn’t a lot of effort in preventing my return.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

However, that fire… I have no proof, but I think that fire was supposed to kill me permanently. Or at least that’s what they wanted. The fire was just so violent. So cruel. And loud. Obnoxious. A completely different style, you see?

While the whole throat slashing was horrible, it was quiet, subtle, with no unnecessary casualties. So it was a different group that did it. Unless there’s a third group, which there very may will be, at this point I’ll have to assume this much is true.

I don’t know why Group Two saved me the first time, only to kill me later. That’s the only basis for there maybe being a third group. But I don’t think there was a third group involved in my death. Although there is definitely more than one group involved in the greater picture.

I still don’t know what that greater picture is. I just know there is one. The pieces are all slowly coming together, but it’s hard to say more. I need to unlock my memories. That would sort out so many things.

Oh? Okay time to stop thinking for now. It seems I’ve broached the surface. I can finally hear something that sounds like actual words! Uh… loud, angry words.

It… it kinda sounds like my… Nana?

“…ruling was made seventy-five years ago! It was only supposed to last fifty years. We have been patient for long enough. You think you can continue to bully us? You have no real authority, and we have not been silent or idle during our punishment. I’m telling you now, you Third Eye scum, if my granddaughter dies, our Alliance will wipe you from this world. And we will burn your old one. Don’t fucking test me!”

N-Nana? It really is her? I’d recognize that shrill voice anywhere. What is Nana doing here? And what is she talking about? What ruling? The Third Eye? Didn’t Fintan mention them? What Alliance is Nana in? Don’t- don’t go around burning things, Nana!

“Madam Delores, I understand your anger, I do, but threatening the Order won’t help deescalate this situation-”

…and what the fuck is Spencer doing here? There’s no way I wouldn’t recognize that posh arrogance either.

“Who wants to deescalate anything, you slag? What in the hells do you understand about any of this? Your Tribe of leeches was forgiven early! And these manipulative fucks have been dragging their feet and betraying us for twenty-five years already. It’s enough. I didn’t come here as a representative for my family, you evil ingrates. I’ve been given authority by the Royal Catamount. I’m here to tell you, not threaten, explain, that if Kara dies here, our Alliance will usher in a third world war.”

I knew Nana was fierce but dayum. She is really mad. Um, that means my situation must not be very good. She’s always been very… protective.

I remember I once skinned my knee at a public park. Nothing you can do right? It’s not private property or anything and there was no negligence or faulty playground equipment. Just one of those things you shake off and forget about, right? Not Nana. She somehow got free year long passes to one of the nearby provincial parks out of it. The local Mayor wanted her to go away, is what mum told me while rolling her eyes. And that’s just one story. I’ve got more.

“Madam, please be reasonable, it isn’t so easy to just overturn such a ruling-”

I have no idea who this person is, but I don’t like ‘em. Not one bit. Go suck rocks.

“Shut the fuck up, you dishonest prick. It’s not easy for us, but all the other Tribes got out of theirs just fine? We’re not asking you to overturn anything, you dense fuckwit, we’re asking you to fucking honour it! You’re twenty-five years late. How dare you? My granddaughter is dying! You need to release her Shadow this instant! Or the Alliance of Remuneration will no longer recognize your authority.”

“I’m afraid that’s impossible. While the ruling still stands, to allow your Tribe to undergo any Bonding, would be illegal. We know you have already broken the ruling numerous times. This cannot be allowed to continue-”

“We never broke anything! We waited fifty years obediently. When you failed to hold up your end of the bargain, we simply followed the original ruling. Fifty years without a Bond. That was the ruling. Not sixty years. Not seventy. Not seventy-five. Fifty. It is you who betrayed us.”

“While this situation is, of course, very tragic, there are protocols and a due process-”

My Nana chuckles humorlessly. It’s a dark and scary sound. That Third Eye Goon shuts up. And I hear a gulp.

“We killed for you. For thousands of years, we’ve killed for you. So you know exactly what we’re capable of. Are you sure you want us to start slaughtering you? Be ware, we’ll go for the Eyes first. What are you, without them? Nothing. You have less power than the United Nations and Tribes, yet you stand there claiming that you get to control what we do and how we live? If we live? No more. Our Alliance is eighty Tribes strong and still growing. We even have Sapiens Nations on our side. Your entire base is crumbling. All you need to do the stem the flow of rebellion is to prevent the wrongful death of a child, and you won’t do it? Then you all deserve to burn.”

“Delores!”

Um, why is Spencer calling my Nana by her first name? What happened to his whole ‘respect’ schtick?

“Madam! There are other methods-”

“Shut up, you cowards. It’s too late. This was your last chance. I didn’t even want to bother with giving you one. We’ve all long grown tired of you. In the previous Eras the Order was needed for stability. It kept us honest and delivered fair judgements. I never questioned it. But you have blackened. Your dishonesty these past decades means that your existence is no longer necessary. So you will be removed.”

“Del- Madam, please listen, Her Highness Queen Morana is working tirelessly to come to an agreement with the Order-”

“She’s had two whole weeks. While she’s been kissing up to their dusty asses and sipping her shitty, watery, leisurely tea, my princess has been stuck here, in a fucking coma. For two fucking weeks, Aeric! That incompetent bitch had her shot. She chose to suck up to these worms instead of getting shit done. I gave her a chance to do things her way. She failed. Now we do things our way. And we want war.”

Is Aeric Spencer’s first name? Uh, why is Nana using it now? Do they know each other? There’s no way.

“W-war?”

“You need to reconsider!”

“That’s right, jackass. War. What did you retards think was gonna happen if you killed my granddaughter? Some sort of Kumbaya shit? You dense fucks. We lived too quietly. You forgot who you were dealing with. I already told you, we’re sick of your shit. Did you think you could walk over us forever? You kept slapping us and now we have no more cheeks to turn. Unless you want us to bare our asses? That’s a good idea, actually, let’s see you kiss our asses for a change.”

“T-there’s no need to so vulgar, Madam, this is not a situation where all is lost-”

“Shut the fuck up. You ignored my warning and my plea. Despite my words, I was hoping you would. Because now I get to deliver what I wanted to deliver in the first place. Here.”

“W-what is this?”

“I, Delores Lowe, by authority given to me by Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Lucía Renata, on behalf of the Alliance of Renumeration, herby decree that the Tribes and Nations herein no longer recognize the authority of the Third Eye Order, nor it’s subordinate states or organizations.”

“This isn’t something you can take back-”

“I’m well aware. That is the official documentation of our declaration. If you evil turds had done the right thing, it wouldn’t have come to this. You can only blame yourselves. As you can clearly see, it has Her Imperial Majesty’s seal.”

“But we were prepared to compensate-”

“There is no compensation for a life. Unless you’re saying you’re giving me yours?”

There’s a strange shiiiing sound. Like in the movies when… when someone removes a sword from a sheath? Why does Nana have a sword? That is definitely a sword my weapons senses are telling me so! I really want to open my eyes! I can’t believe I’m missing this damnit!

“Mercy!”

“Delores, I can’t allow you to do this!”

“If not, then I suggest you return to your hovel, little rat, because if you stay in this ward a moment longer, then the first casualty in this war will be you. And fuck off Aeric. If the bastard wants to die let him die. He’s a grown man. He can make his own mistakes.”

“I-I must go inform the other Order Officers of the unfortunate breakdown in our negotiations.”

“This was never a negotiation. Get out.”

Nana’s voice is scary.

I can’t believe my Nana pulled out a sword and declared war on the evil Third Eye Order. Because of me. This… maybe I am going to cause an apocalypse?

Who is this Empress, though? And why does she care about me? Or am I just an excuse she was waiting for?

There’s a distinct sound of shuffling paper, a harried gasp, followed by the loud closing of a door.

Now there’s only Spencer and my Nana left in the room with me.

“Do you really think a war will save your granddaughter?”

Shut-up Spencer, what do you know? At least someone is trying to save me. I don’t see you helping! Fuck off!

“The war won’t save her, no. But at least, she would be the last to die this way.”

There’s a long sigh and then a soft and warm hand brushes my cheek. Nana… don’t worry Nana, I won’t die! I’ll come back as many times as it takes. I won’t these bad guys win.

“I agree that the Third Eye has it’s faults, and has been rather suspicious lately, but removing it entirely will create a vacuum. The world is already so unstable. Have you not been watching the news? The North is completely gone, and now the East-”

“I have been. It’s you, it seems, that isn’t paying attention, Aeric. There will a war regardless of what we do. You’ve been hiding out here too long. You’re by far the laziest Ancient Bane I know. And you’re out of touch. You’ve failed to notice the signs around you. There’s nothing I can do about that.”

“I’m not as oblivious as you think. But what do you gain by showing your hand like this?”

“Support. You should watch tonight’s news segment. It’ll be entertaining, I promise you. That little rat isn’t the only person to receive a letter from the Royal Catamounts. Ashvale will remain insulated for a while. But make no mistake, the winds of war will reach here eventually. I hope you’re standing on the right side when it does. You’ve lived so long. It’s always such a shame when an existence like yours dies. There aren’t many of you left. And your son is still so young…”

“There’s no need to threaten me, Madam. I’m not as confused as the others.”

“That wasn’t a threat. Fate itself is on our side. The others will not win. Even if they win, they’ll lose. We’ll all lose.”

Now along with the hand on my cheek, there is warm air blowing against my ear. She’s moved her face close. Nana, I wish I could tell you it’s okay. I’m really fine, and I’ve woken up, and I’ll- I’ll figure something out.

“Don’t worry, baby. Nana will save you. And then, you’ll save us all.”

Huh? I appreciate the help, but I don’t want to fight a war. How am I supposed to save you?

The warmth leaves me, I receive a kiss on my forehead, and then I hear the sound of a coat being put on. The coat is… oh goodness. There are a lot of pockets. Pockets full of weapons. Nana? Just who are you? And why do you have a coat that could rival Detective Idiot’s? Argh, I want to see it so bad.

“Should you still be Hunting at your age?”

“You’re one to talk. Don’t worry about me, you old bat. I still have a few rebirths left in me. You should worry more about yourself. You’ve gone soft.”

“I haven’t-”

“You failed to notice my little darling is awake.”

“What-”

“Tell her I’ll visit in a few weeks. Ask her to hold on until then.”

“Don’t you want to-”

“After a threat like that those bastards will be coming for me. I don’t want to disturb her rest. Besides, I have to return down South. Her Majesty will need a report.”

“Be safe, Delores.”

“Worry less about me. Keep my granddaughter safe. You owe me, Aeric.”

“Yes, Madam.”

My Nana leaves. Now I’m stuck alone in a room with Spencer of all people.

Nana! Come back! Take me with you!

“The times have changed again.”

Ah… now I have the uncomfortable sense of being stared at. Intently.

“How much did you hear?”

Uh, I might be conscious, but I still can’t move. Moron.

Ow!

Why? Why does this fucker keep stabbing me with needles without warning all the time?

Oh. Wow. My body is tingling.

It’s waking up, yay!

You couldn’t have done this earlier, you jerk? I missed my Nana wielding fucking sword, and you had this the whole damn time-

“You need to calm down. Or there will be side effects.”

Tell your mother to calm down.

He sighs.

He’s definitely still reading my mind.

Well, it’s not like I ever doubted he wasn’t.

“I’m monitoring your brain waves. But your inner voice is so loud I can hear it despite not intending to.”

What, you’re saying it’s my fault?

“Yes, it’s your fault. You have one of the loudest inner voices I’ve ever heard.”

I’m not sure how but I know that was an insult in some way.

He doesn’t confirm or deny that.

Wait, if I’m so loud why couldn’t you hear me before, then? Hah! You really are soft.

“Your Nana is even louder than you are.”

Hey!

“Can you get up now?”

Uh… not yet. Soon? Oh cool, I can wiggle my toes now-

“Good. We need to have a little chat.”