“Alright, so, explain.”

Rob was sitting in front of me. Several other people had gathered. Some of which looked like they were ready to kill me if I tried the slightest thing.

“Well, where do I start?”

“First of all, I’m not from this realm.”

“What do you mean… realm?”

“World, universe, etc.”

“Wow… So… what’s your world like?”

“Well, there are a lot more fey.”

“You said that before, fey. What is that?”

“Well, there are three intelligent species. Humans, Demons, and Fey.”

“Wait, demons?”

“Yeah.”

“Aren’t those myths.”

“Thought so too, till one was sitting in my chair.”

“Huh… what are they?”

“Heartless, evil… man-eating, basically everything you thought about Roman but worse.”

At that description, Maddie flinched.

“Could one get here?”

“Possibly, I don’t know why they’d try, humans are said to have died out here. It’d be like you going somewhere with no food. Stupid.”

“But, what if they did?”

“Then we have one of the strongest fey to kill them.”

“Huh… and what are fey?”

“Really most other things, fairies, pixies, atronachs, etc.”

“What about the flame eaters?”

“Those… I don’t know what they’d class as… they aren’t even animals.”

“What do you mean?”

Danny leaned forward in confusion.

“One magic I possess is to speak to animals, and… they didn’t talk… they barely recognized my strength.”

“Wow… how strong are you?”

“At this point, I’d say about Roman’s strength…”

Their eyes widened.

“If not stronger.”

Their jaws dropped.

“Y-you’re kidding.”

“Nope. I use to think I was weak… that was before I bested one of his associates singlehandedly, besides, the person he was talking to, that you couldn’t see or hear, is definitely stronger than him… she’s my teacher.”

Danny raised a brow.

“What do you mean? I couldn’t see who he was talking to… but I could definitely hear her.”

I smiled.

“Well, that’s because cameras can see what the unmagical can’t. If you zoomed in next to Ruby, you would’ve seen her.”

“Ruby?”

“The Atronach child.”

Danny nodded then asked.

“So… her name is Taurael?”

“Yes… but don’t call her that near Roman.”

“Why?”

“Because that would be a surefire way to provoke him.”

“What?”

“See, she’s a pixie, and normally, pixies are controlled when someone uses their name before or after a command.”

“So… Roman?”

“As an associate of her brother’s, would be quite ticked off if you used the name.”

“Oh…”

They blanched.

“So, instead, call her Wings. Of course, he likely is already aware you heard the name, but don’t call her by her name… Okay?”

They nodded.

Then I felt magic.

“Speak of the devil, she and Ruby are outside.”

Rob looked at me.

“How? We left no markings.”

“Oh, yeah, I stopped really hiding my aura since the flame eaters were gathering, by releasing it, I scared most of them off… unfortunately that also means the magical can find us.”

“Oh… why were they gathering?”

I pointed at Maddie, who was still covered in eater saliva.

“They smelled prey.”

“Oh…”

“Well, I don’t see a problem letting Wings in… though, Ruby may want to stay out.”

“Why?”

“Because she still is in that youthful state, she’s only a few weeks old, and I only learned she existed yesterday.”

“Oh…”

“Yeah, she may accidentally set fire to the place.”

“Yeah, we wouldn’t want that.”

Then Danny looked at the camera and blushed.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

“What?”

“Um, the-theirs a very tall and pretty lady outside… and she’s wearing torn clothes, but the kid’s next to her.”

I looked over his shoulder.

“She was probably nabbed by an eater on the way here.”

“That’s her?”

“Yep.”

Rob thought.

“The rest of you stay here, I’ll see this… Wings and Ruby…”

“Wonderful idea.”

We walked to the door, which opened, and Rob stepped out.

“Funny guy. Mama, I told you about the funny guy, but where’s wet girl?”

Taury smiled and looked at me.

“William, are you okay?”

“I am, Wings.”

“Good to hear… so… humans live in this realm after all.”

“It seems so.”

We all spun to find Roman sitting on a rock.

“When did you get here?!”

Roman smiled.

“I was here for a while, I hid my aura with a relic I received from Grace quite a few years ago.”

I shook my head.

“I would have detected you.”

“Not if I additionally hid my aura, remember William, you are new to magic, there are tricks us old timers know. Though, the real trick was making it so Wings didn’t detect me.”

Rob snapped.

“And the cameras?”

Roman smiled kindly.

“The cameras were probably the easiest part; enough flame and I can create a distortion that hides me.”

“Are you going to kill us?”

Roman smiled again.

“Don’t tell me you weren’t listening as William told you my story… I don’t like killing anyone.”

I looked at him.

“Why are you here?”

“Really to learn more about the generation, hoping to find ways… to… make friends? Atone? I don’t know. Something like that.”

Then he smiled.

“And William, you were right, I am aware they know Wings name, and you were also smart to warn them about that.”

“Thought so.”

“Though I have a question.”

I blinked.

“Yes.”

He stopped smiling and released a bit of his aura. Rob noticed me twitch.

“What did you mean… ‘normally, pixies are controlled’? Because, as far as I know… there are no exceptions.”

Taury’s eyes widened and I took a step forward.

“That is none of your business.”

“It’s quite a bit my business, because if you have a way to free pixies from their names… I want to know it.”

“Only I can do it, and you wouldn’t like how it happens.”

He blinked, then stood.

“Oh, and if I wouldn’t like it, then why would you do it?”

“It was necessary.”

He thought for a moment.

“What’s your real magic?”

“That is also none of your business.”

I gestured to Rob to reenter the facility, and he didn’t argue.

“Pardon me, but if it’s able to change the natural laws of a species, then I feel like it’s everyone’s business.”

He began to ignite his hands.

“If I’m the one using it, then it’s only mine.”

“Are you sure you want to do this?”

Taury began to panic a bit and backed up.

“Sure.”

“Then let’s do this!”

Then both of us released our fire, right into the Hunter’s hiding spot.

He yelped and leapt back.

“Really, Hunter, you thought we were dull.”

“Goodness, that would have been such a fun battle to witness, no fun, no fun.”

Taury drew her sword.

“Wings, protect the people and Ruby.”

I felt wind pass me.

Roman charged the Hunter.

“I won’t let you hurt any of them.”

“Roman! Wait!”

The Hunter snickered and blocked Roman’s attack before launching him into the rocks, crashing him into the facility.

“Roman!”

“Don’t forget me~!”

I blocked the attack and leapt back.

“Taury, defend them. I got this.”

I straightened myself. The people were visible and they saw the person they feared for millennia bleeding and laying sprawled out.

Taury flew over and put Ruby next to a lot of metal.

“Control your heat. I need to mend Roman.”

Ruby nodded.

I looked at the Hunter.

“Oh, Little Licky, you really think that you can best me?”

“How did you survive?”

“Oh, you really want to know?”

I nodded and then the fiend cackled.

“Oh, Little Licky, it’s so funny that you haven’t figured out.”

Then fire formed around him. My eyes widened as he formed a blade of flame.

“What’s wrong? Don’t tell me you thought you were the only flame user here.”

Then he charged me and I grabbed the blade before flipping him towards a building and leaping after him.

We clashed blades and he bashed me with his fist, making me fall to the ground. He stabbed and I dodged, and he did it again, again, and again.

“My my MY! You’re getting so… much… stronger!”

The Hunter kicked me in the groin, causing me to wince and fly.

“Ch-cheater.”

I heard an ‘oh’ from all the men, even Roman winced.

The Hunter cackled.

“Oh, my, so weak, a single kick and you’re down for the count.”

He landed above me and began drooling.

“My… just to imagine… No… I was told to delay, but that mana…”

“Your boss?”

“Heh, it seems that you know a bit, yes, my ruler does want you alive.”

“So, you are just a lackey.”

That caused him to snarl.

“I am no lackey. I am a commander. A general.”

“If that makes you feel better.”

“You little YAAAAAAAAAAH!”

I lit on fire, burning him, and making him jump back. I stood and smiled.

“You know, something…”

He seemed curious.

“Looking at the land, I can tell that it’s quite fertile, nitrogen and several bacteria make it good.”

He blinked.

“What, are you planning to begin farming?”

“No, I’d just like to let you know about something cool.”

“Oh, and what’s that?”

He smiled.

“Behind me is a vault that contains every plant in existence.”

“Oh? That’s interesting, but why does that matter?”

I flipped out a bunch of seeds and the Hunter laughed.

“Really, you think I’m scared of plants?”

He was laughing and even Roman was looking at me with pure confusion, but Taury recognized I had a plan.

I smiled.

“You know, one piece of my power… I can gain the attribute of those I effect with it.”

The Hunter snapped to seriousness.

“What are you saying, human?”

“Guess who gave me this one.”

Thousands of plants began shooting from seeds and grabbing the Hunter.

“What?!”

Then massive earth spikes launched up and impaled him, causing the Hunter to gasp. I launched fire at him.

“Now… DIE!”

The Hunter finally looked absolutely furious.

“You… you… did that to Mordred…”

Then fire, ignited, breaking the spikes and burning the roots and sending my fire straight back at me, and then the Hunter stood, his once playful look now showed pure fury.

“You… you… you… you…”

I felt his presence, it was too great for a regular demon. I stepped back, fear permeating me.

This isn’t regular flame.

Taury blanched.

“William, we need to get out of here now!”

But… I couldn’t move… death itself was looking me in the face.

She stepped in front.

“B-back up.”

“Out of my way, princess.”

Then he leapt forward and launched Taurael into a building before kicking my stomach, launching me through several buildings.

A flame eater came sniffing, then, in the next moment, it was reduced to little more than dust.

“You… Human… You dare do that…”

His fury was terrifying.

He stomped on my chest, causing me to cough out blood. Though, one thing I was shocked about, he genuinely cared for Mordred… why?

Then he picked me up by the throat.

“Don’t do that again, you piece of utter filth.”

Then he threw me at another building, causing it to collapse on me, but I barely managed to shift it with earth magic.

I gasped, blood leaking from my entire body.

I tried breathing, but only blood entered my lungs.

Then Ruby approached me.

“Papa… hurt… gift.”

She formed a spark, I shakily reached out, and her mana flowed into me.

Then my bleeding slowed and stopped.

Then she stood and faced the Hunter.

“Leave Papa alone!”

The Hunter stopped and looked at the child.

“Papa? You’re a father… Fine… but touch him again, and you will die.”

Then, he walked back to the nexus and reentered.

I coughed and sat up.

“Ruby?”

“Papa! I scared the meanie off. Don’t be hurt.”

“Thanks, you saved me there.”

I smiled, but my mind was racing. Why did he just leave? What was his plan?

…

Why did he react so harshly for Mordred’s sake?

_

I woke up. My body wrapped in bandages. I turned my head and saw an unconscious Roman, lying in a magic case.

“Are you sure that can hold him?”

Rob’s voice permeated my ears.

“Yes, those cases are specifically designed to hold powerful fey during their recovery, so you all are safe.”

“Taury…”

“William! You’re awake?! Thank goodness.”

I felt a small head rubbing her face on my chest her arms spread out as her tears fell.

I smiled and sat up slowly, wincing.

“Am I scarred again?”

Taury looked at me and smiled.

“No, luckily. We were able to heal you before any scarring happened.”

“Thank goodness.”

“Yeah.”

“Is Ruby okay?”

“Yes… though, that… fury… I didn’t realize a demon was capable of that.”

I grimaced.

“Yeah… was that a mana fury?”

She nodded.

“Yeah, but… his control of the fire… I never knew he had the fire aspect.”

“He is more dangerous than we thought.”

“Agreed…”

“Why’s Roman in a case?”

“He fell unconscious and began to flare, so I put him in the case, so he can mend without being a danger.”

“That makes sense.”

I thought for a moment.

“He cares for Mordred…”

“Yeah… who would’ve thought…”

Ruby walked in.

“PAPA!”

She tackle hugged me and began crying. Light fell from her eyes.

“What’s wrong?”

“You were hurt… promise you won’t do that again…”

I smiled.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t… not yet.”

She then looked up.

“Then promise that if you have to be in a hurt place, that you make the other one regret putting you there.”

I smiled.

“That’s something I can promise. Sure, I promise.”

She smiled.

“Papa so strong, you moved a building.”

“Yeah, but… the Hunter…”

“The meanie was scared of me!”

“Awe…”

I didn’t think that was the case, but that was adorable.

“Next time the meanie shows up, I’mma beat him up.”

I patted her head, making her giggle.

“I’ll be counting on you.”

“Yay!”

Then Taury sighed.

“Yeah, we got the strongest protector.”

Ruby giggled, then I looked over at Roman.

“Is he gonna wake up soon?”

Taury sighed.

“He had a lot of concussive injuries, but as an atronach, he should be able to wake up sooner.”

Then Rob spoke.

“I… can barely believe it. A threat shows up, and his first instinct is to defend us…”

I smiled.

“As I said, Roman is a good person… he just hasn’t had the opportunity to show it…”

Then Taury had a question.

“How did you two even notice the Hunter? I mean, all of us thought you were going to go at it.”

I smiled.

“Roman noticed him first, then, when he ignited his fist, he gestured to a direction, upon glancing that way, I noticed him.”

“Wow.”

“Yep, so we managed to trick him.”

“Still…”

“Yep.”

I stood up shakily.

“He’s a much larger threat than I thought.”

Rob caught me as I stumbled.

“Was that a demon?”

I nodded.

“Though, that one is unique from the others I’ve seen. He’s abnormally strong…”

“Huh…”

“Yeah.”

I got back up and walked towards the door.

“Taury, let’s go home for now, we need to tell Morgan.”

Taury nodded and landed on my shoulder.

“Ruby, come on.”

“Okay, Mama.”

She walked along.

I smiled at Rob.

“Make friends with Roman, okay?”

“Sure… why not.”

I smiled and reentered the Nexus.

“Alright, Morgan.”

I appeared in the palace… but not at the point, but right in front of Morgan.

She leapt out of her roots at the jumpscare.

“How the absolute **** did you do that?!!”

“I have no clue.”

We were, shockingly, in her room. Morgan wore a thin nightgown, her underwear visible underneath, and she had a blush of confusion.

“Um… yeah.”

“OUT!”

Then the wall opened up. Me, Taury, and Ruby were deposited outside of it, before it closed.

“Well… that just happened.”

I looked over and Taury was trying her hardest to not laugh.

“The esteemed… *Snrk* Matron. Caught in her undies… HAHAHAHAHA.”

Then the wall shouted with a flustered voice.

“SHUT IT, WINGS!”

I walked to the throne room, trying to cover my own laugh. Ruby and Taury didn’t even try.

We got their and Morgan was already sitting there, in her regular clothed, but a blush was still on her face.

“So, what did you need?”

We stopped smiling and I spoke.

“The Hunter attacked Roman’s realm.”

Her eyes widened.

“What?! … Why… How did you even get to his realm?”

“The Hunter attacked, we don’t know why, and I have my own tesseract now.”

“Ah… that would explain it, but… is Roman okay?”

“Yes, he’s in recovery…”

“I see… Do you have any new information about the Hunter?”

Then Taury spoke.

“Yes, he has fire magic, and is oddly protective of Mordred.”

“Mordred was there?”

I shook my head.

“No, but I mentioned when I fought him… and he entered a mana fury. He overwhelmed both of us…”

She noticed my look.

“There’s something else…”

“I’m sure you noticed the atronach… when the Hunter saw her call me papa… he just left.”

“Why would an atronach call you papa?”

“Because she was made with my and Wings’s magic.”

“Ah… interesting… Anyways… why would he just leave?”

“That’s what I’m trying to figure out.”

Then Ruby.

“He was scared of me! I’mma beat up that meanie if he shows his face again!”

Morgan looked amused.

“I can definitely see her resemblance to Wings… same blind optimism.”

I smiled.

“Indeed.”

Taury glared at both of us. Then Morgan sighed.

“If that is all, then leave.”

Then she dumped us outside of the castle.

“Well… that went well.”

Taury looked at me.

“Yeah, I suppose it did.”

“Though…”

“Yeah… we need to tell everyone..."