As he entered his penthouse, Sero found Luna sitting on the couch alone, watching tv with a pack of beers and food in front of her. Dressed in tight fitting shorts and a loose white shirt, she glanced up at him as he shut the door behind him. "Hey, Sero. You want something to eat?" she offered, gesturing to the food.
"That'd be great thanks," Sero replied, nodding at the burgers and fries. "Where's Casey?"
"He's sleeping in the spare room with Nala," Luna replied, handing him a plate of food. "Poor kid's been having nightmares since he was rescued from the hospital, so Nala and I have been keeping him safe. She hopes you don't mind her crashing here for a couple of days."
Sero nodded, thinking about Casey. He knew that the other boy was having a hard time adjusting to life after his ordeal. He felt a pang of guilt himself, knowing that he'd been distracted by his own thoughts and feelings. "No, of course not. I'm just glad they're both safe here."
He sat down on the couch next to Luna, digging into the food. "But, how are you holding up? You know, after the whole Malice thing."
The succubus shivered, giving Sero a fearful look. "Honestly? If it weren't for the fact that I'm a creature that can regulate their own emotions, I think I'd be losing my shit. I mean, seeing the Succubus goddess appear right in front of me, not to mention ripping your guts out?"
She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "But yeah, it's been... intense. I've been trying to keep myself busy, but it's hard not to think about it. Thankfully, Casey and Nala have been helping to keep my mind off things." Luna gave him a look. "If anything, I think I should ask how you're doing. You're the one who almost died, yet you seem mentally and emotionally stable, to a certain degree."
Sero looked at Luna, considering her words. "Well, I guess... after everything that's happened, I just feel like I have a lot to live for now. I mean, I have Casey, and you and Nala. And... there's someone else too." His cheeks flushed slightly as he thought of Amaya.
"Amaya, right?" The succubus gave him a wry smile. "I can see your emotions, and they are making it quite clear."
Sero felt his face heat up even more. "Oh... um... yeah. Amaya." He took a bite of his food, changing the subject. "But seriously, I'm doing alright. I think... I think I'm just glad to be alive. And I want to make the most of it."
Luna narrowed her eyes, her orange pupils glinting in the dimness of the room. "Sometimes I think your Rationality passive makes you less human than me."
Sero raised an eyebrow at her words. "Well, I appreciate the sentiment, but I think I'm still pretty human."
Luna shrugged as she leaned back, popping open another can of beer. "Whatever you say."
They ate in silence for a while, each lost in their own thoughts. The television droned on in the background, news stations airing footage of the aftermath of the battle at the hospital and the stadium. The images were grim, with wrecked buildings, smoldering debris, and medical personnel frantically attending to the wounded. The camera cut away to a press conference with the Ascendants Association officials, who assured the public that the situation was under control and that the zone's Ascendants would continue to protect them.
Sero glanced at Luna, who seemed lost in her own thoughts. Then, she burped loudly, letting him know that she was just drunk. Shaking his head, Sero set his plate down and went to wash up.
"You taking my bedroom again?" he asked Luna as he got up.
"Oh, yeah, sorry. You know, since I'm the one with the boobs, I get to be picky." The succubus winked at him, her tone light and teasing as her succubi nature began to reveal itself. Sero snorted, rolling his eyes.
"Just clean up out here when you're done. I don't want to be sleeping next to a mess."
Luna gave him a salute before switching the channel to an action flick.
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Sero laid on the couch once again, listening to the sound of Luna's snoring from his bedroom. He couldn't help but chuckle softly at the way she slept. In the dim light of the living room, he could make out the shapes of furniture. The penthouse seemed so still and quiet, almost peaceful. It was a strange contrast to the chaos that had unfolded just the day before.
Even though he was alone in the living room, compared to the association infirmary, Sero didn't feel that lonely knowing that Casey and Nala were in the spare room, and Luna was in his bedroom. He snapped his fingers softly, conjuring his dragon pups.
"Hey, guys," he whispered, scratching their heads as they nuzzled into him. The two little dragons looked up at him with their big, round eyes, their expressions full of love and loyalty. Sero noted that every time he summoned them, it took less and less mana, not to mention how easy it was to keep them out now.
"You two are really growing up fast, huh?" He stroked their heads gently, feeling the soft fur under his fingers. They made contented noises, leaning into his touch. Sero wondered how Moss and Lime came to be, if they were born just like how Sting had been.
At the thought of the Cardian Joker, Sero quietly conjured a playing card, throwing it and watching it pop to summon Sting.
"Yes, Master?" Sting bowed her head.
Sero smiled softly at the Joker. "Just wondering, Sting. How did you and your kind come to be? I mean, you were all summoned by different people, right, or at least, Ascendants in the Courtmancer class?"
Sting's expression turned thoughtful. "That is a rather complicated question, Master. As far as we know, the Cardian race has always existed. I do not know exactly how it came to be that my kind became subservient to Ascendants, but I do know that only a select few including you are able to conjure us."
She paused for a moment, her emerald eyes narrowing as she considered the question further. "There are legends among our kind that claim we were once summoned by powerful individuals long ago, but those stories are mostly folklore. The truth is, even we do not know our true origins."
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
Sero leaned back against the couch, thinking about what Sting had said. It was interesting to think that there might be more to the Cardians than what was known. "Do you ever wish you knew more about your people? About where you came from?"
The Joker shook her head, the triple bells on her hat jingling softly. "Perhaps it is better not to know, Master. If our existence is tied to the whims of mortals, then maybe ignorance is bliss. We have been given a purpose, and we have been cared for by our Ascendants. We should be content with that."
Sero listened to her words, considering their weight. If Sting's kind, or at least those that were bonded to Ascendants like him and Anya, weren't hostile, then there might be a possibility of an outbreak where monsters desired no harm. Hell, Luna was living proof that non-humans could be just as good if not better than their human counterparts.
He glanced down at the little dragons who were now sleeping on his stomach. "Sorry, Sting. I've been learning a lot about the truths in the world, and I'm just trying to make sense of it all."
Sting's expression softened, her emerald eyes glowing with understanding. "I understand, Master. It can be difficult to accept that not everything in this world has a clear purpose or explanation. But perhaps it is enough to know that you are content with the life you have chosen, and that you have found companionship in those who are different from yourself."
"I guess. Thanks, Sting."
Sero smiled softly as he watched the Joker. He had a feeling that, in her own way, Sting was giving him more advice than he realized. It was comforting to know that he wasn't alone, that he had friends who understood him, even if they weren't human. He glanced down at his phone, seeing that it was getting late.
"I'm going to get some rest for tomorrow now," Sero murmured, rousing the sleeping dragons. They blinked blearily at him before uncurling their tiny bodies and stretching. Lime yawned, then settled down on his chest again, using her wings as a makeshift pillow. Moss plopped on his legs, purring as she closed her eyes.
"Understood. Rest well, Master."
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Sero woke up shouting the next morning as the dragon pups used his body to launch off, chirping and bounding over to Casey and Nala as they came out from the spare room.
"Mr. Sero, you're back!" Casey exclaimed as he tried to fight off Moss and Lime.
"I'm back," Sero agreed, rubbing the sleep from his eyes as he sat up. "How's everything been?"
He glanced around the living room, noting that Luna was already up and about, digging through the fridge. Nala came up to him, tilting her head curiously.
"We've been doing all right so far," the Shadereaper said quietly, a hint of concern creeping in her eyes. "But, what about you?"
Sero nodded. "I'm pretty much healed already."
He stood up, stretching his limbs. The pain in his stomach had already faded, leaving only a dull ache. Moss bounded over to him, panting excitedly as Lime continued to harass Casey.
"I'm going to go out for a bit," Sero said, walking to the bathroom in his bedroom. "I need to get some fresh air and stretch my legs. But don't worry about me. I'll be back before you know it." He paused, looking at Nala and Luna. "You two have fun with whatever you're planning, alright?"
Nala nodded, her expression neutral. Luna glanced up from the fridge. "On the way back, could you grab a case of beer?"
"Sure, I- How much alcohol have you been drinking?" Sero couldn't help but ask, raising an eyebrow.
Luna looked at him with a bland expression. "Succubus biology is different from a human's."
Sero rolled his eyes. "Fine. Whatever. I'll be back in a bit."
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After he left his penthouse, Sero briefly emulated Lawbreak, casting Cat Paradox and imagining himself near the hospital. His world shifted and blurred, and he suddenly found himself at the site where the Culling members had enacted their attack.
Sero gritted his teeth at the sight of officials patrolling the ruined area, with roadblocks and caution tapes preventing anyone other than hospital staff and patients from entering as construction workers swarmed the site. He spotted Cassandra in her Janitor's business wear, dreamily doing what Sero assumed was keeping watch over everything.
"Hey, Cassandra," Sero greeted as he approached her. "Am I allowed to go into the hospital?"
The Glass Queen glanced over her shoulder, her unfocused eyes glittering at the sight of him. "Of course, cutie. Just make sure you don't cause any trouble."
"I... won't, thanks..." Sero murmured, feeling his ears burn. He walked past the barriers, ignoring the stares of the police officers, and made his way into the hospital. The smell of antiseptic and despair hung heavy in the air as he reached the front desk.
"Um, I'm looking for Dr. Malek," Sero said to the receptionist, trying not to stare at her name tag. "I'm here to see him about something important."
"Dr. Malek?" the receptionist repeated, frowning. "I'm... I'm sorry, but Dr. Malek went missing during the attack." Her shoulders dropped solemnly. "It's believed that he was either captured or..." Her voice trailed off.
Sero felt a cold weight settle in his stomach. "I... see."
He thanked the receptionist, then slowly made his way back outside. A feeling of helplessness and despair crashed over him as the one person Sero thought could help piece together his thoughts was gone.
The hunch he had was that Culling targeted patients infected with the Outbreak Plague or had mana-enhanced organs, but the only way he could verify that was if Dr. Malek could look through the list of the deceased and see if they had that in common.
He didn't know what to do now. With the doctor missing, he couldn't even get confirmation of the suspicion. The whole city was in shambles, with everyone on edge and fearful of what might happen next.
"Hey, where are you going?"
Cassandra's voice jolted him out of his thoughts. Sero turned around, finding another woman standing next to her. Behind them, Max had apparently arrived on the scene to relieve the Glass Queen, though he seemed extremely irritated about it.
"I'm sorry," Cassandra said, her voice distant. "I didn't mean to interrupt. I just thought... you might want some company. You look like you could use it."
"Oh, I was just... well, now that you mention it, I haven't eaten breakfast yet," Sero glanced at the time on his phone. "Or rather, lunch."
The woman beside Cassandra, who seemed to have her own ethereal aura about her, gave a small smile. "You look like you've been through a lot. I'm Gwyndolyn, by the way."
Gwndolyn was also in the standard outfit of the Janitors, but with fitted slacks and a blazer over a white blouse that looked like it cost more than Sero's entire wardrobe. She had short, blonde hair with neatly trimmed bangs. Her eyes were the color of mahogany, a pleasing compliment to her tanned-skin. But the trait that Sero found most striking about her was her soothing voice, a rich alto that seemed to ease his tension with every word.
"Are you... I mean, you're a Janitor, too?" Sero stammered, feeling even more self-conscious about his own attire. "I didn't know there were other women in the group. I'm Sero."
"Have you seen Cass? If anything, I'm more fitted to be in the Janitors than she is," Gwyndolyn laughed, motioning to Cassandra with a tilt of her head. "I mean, she's more of a..." She trailed off, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Anyway, I'm here temporarily to help in whatever way I can. It's not every day that a city gets attacked like this, you know?"
"Temporarily?" Sero asked.
"Ah, have you never heard of Gwyn before?" Cassandra asked dreamily. "She's an S-rank Serenade class. Gwyndolyn Sonora, the popstar."
"Oh, shut up," Gwndolyn laughed, rolling her eyes. "I was just doing some charity work here. But it's nice to meet you, Sero. Now, what was it you were saying about breakfast?"