Chapter 10: Warm and Cold

There’s such a big difference between my wolf form and my human form. For one, I am now a human. Did that make sense? No, it probably didn’t since I just stated something obvious. Well, even though I say that, I’m probably not even human. I had two wolf ears above my head and a silver white tail. I also had white hair and light blue eyes. In other words, I’m probably closer to that of a Beastkin. But, when I asked Arian about it…

“You are actually not a Beastkin nor a human. You are a spirit kind that has taken on human flesh. Normally, when a spirit takes on human flesh, they tend to keep some characteristic features seen from their spirit form. That’s the reason for the wolf ears on your head and the wolf tail on your rear”

Hence, I’m still a spirit. Now, the major difference between my wolf self and my human self though is my strength. As a wolf, I felt powerful and strong. I had confidence that I could ram myself on the wall and probably break through it. But, in my… I’m just going to call it human form… I feel physically weaker. Of course, I still have a strong sense of my surrounding, but… I really didn’t have the same strength I had before. You’re probably wondering how I know this right. Well, it’s actually simple. You see…

“Ahh… master is so cute!”

“Neh, let me hug her too”

I was currently sitting on Iridia’s lap. There, I was being held down by Iridia with pure strength. Of course, I probably do have the strength to break free… but I might end up hurting her. So I tried to use the barest amount to break free. I guess I can’t say I’m physically weak then since I’m not going full out, but you know… it just feels like I’m weak for some strange reason. Maybe because the feeling is amplified since I’m holding on to my former wolf body. Strange sight it is. A wolf was sitting on my lap who in turn is sitting on Iridia’s lap. Truly a bizarre scene for me.

Neh, can you let go of me?

“You know how I’m feeling right now right? If I let go of you, then it won’t be fair”

“Ahh… master talking to herself is adorable”

Why is Iridia like this? I know that she can’t control her emotion that much yet, but to show this much weakness just because I’m ado… ado… AHHH, I can’t even say it! I’M A GUY GODAMIT. YOU CAN’T JUST START SAYING I’M ADO… ado… AGH.

“My turn”

Suddenly, Rina stole me from Iridia’s grasp. I tried to use this as a chance to escape, but to my shock, Rina had some strength in her. Again, I only used a fraction of my strength, but still… WHY CAN’T I BREAK FREE!

“Ahh… this really heals one’s soul”

She began to rub her face on my cheek. Ugh… I feel like some kind of toy.

“Can you guys let go of me now?”

“Not yet master. I still haven’t refilled my cute meter”

I sighed. Just what have I gotten myself into?

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After an hour of being handled like a toy, the two finally settled down and released me. I’ve tried many things so as to break free from them, but they only continued to manhandle me. I then tried ordering them, but not even my contract with Rina would work. Just what is going on? After that, I tried a new tactic. I… I… I pretended to cry. To my surprise, it worked. The two released me and even went as far as apologizing and trying to cheer me up. Of course, I was happy that they let me go… but, I also felt a part of my dignity chipping away. After this though came a tricky part.

Now that I’ve used parallel existence, apparently it is not possible to reconnect our minds again. Although we are still connected by a link and can tell each other what we’re thinking, our soul in a sense has been split into two. In other words, there is officially two of me living in this world. Of course, I asked Arian what would happen if we would die. The answer is, our soul would combine together and enter the realm of death as a single soul. Also, our lives our tied to one another. That means that if I die, then my wolf form dies too. If my wolf form dies, then I die too. It really is complicated.

“So, how are we supposed to call out to each of you master?”

“Hmm… I really don’t know. I mean, I guess I can use my mom’s maiden name as an alias”

“Ahh… if it’s about your identity, then you have nothing to fear”

As she said that, she passed me a card. It was an orichalcum card. In the front, I only recognized one thing. My name. It said, Ferizia Av Lowell. Everything else was pretty much gibberish to me. I analyzed the words. What language is this? Hindu? Middle Eastern? Korean? Actually, it looks like it’s a combination of every language back in earth. I wonder how people read this. Well, away from that. Lowell huh. That means, I’m also part of the Lowell household… wait a minute.

“Oye, Arian. Don’t tell me I’m also their sister?”

“Yes. Your background has been set to where you are also part of the Lowell household. Also, you are the youngest sister who possesses a high concentration of light magic”

“Isn’t that calling for trouble!?”

Arian tilted her head while I stood there with sweat pouring from my face. This is bad. Seeing from the reaction of the dwarves and the knights, they went that far for a creature with a high concentration of light magic. Now that I’m actually a person, then wouldn’t they try to capture me and force me into their ranks?

“Ahh… I have a message from Arian Sama”

I looked towards Iridia. Wait, why Iridia and not her body double?

“Ah… I received another message. Goddess Sama told me to read her second message first so I’ll proceed… Ahem, [I do not have full link to my double. That means that I cannot send messages to her unlike Iridia. That’s because, it’s a pain having to control two people you know. Plus, I get to see everything happening around her so it’s like me as a human living out my life in this world without any powers as a goddess. Actually, scratch that. She’s a dwarf so it won’t make sense when I say human]

I shall now read the first message, ahem…

[I’m sorry, I forgot that light magic is really wanted by every nations now. Forgive me, but I can’t really change your background now, so just do your best. Love, Arian]”

“…”

“AHHH… Master is crying!”

It’s ok Iridia. I’m only crying for the future filled with hardship. Just let me cry for a bit so I won’t do it later on, ok…

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[Stranger POV]

“We did our job… now we can only watch”

My men and I stared at the group in front of us. The boss was leading this group. Armed with a Seraphis blade and a buckler, he led his men of bandits towards the shrine. They were in a happy mood, laughing and shouting at the top of their lungs. In the midst, two weren’t laughing. One was a human and the other was a dwarf. They were pretty bruised but that didn’t stop them from glaring at the boss. There was another stranger, a girl. She was young noble with unknown origin. Right now, she was in the hands of the boss who constantly molested her. The girl only kept a defiant face as the boss grabbed wherever he wanted.

“Hah, don’t worry… by the end of the day, you’ll want to be my slave until the day you break”

The boss laughed as he forced a kiss on her. He then moved his head back as he began to spit on the ground. I noticed a small patch of blood. I smiled knowing that the girl bit his tongue. Suddenly, a punched could be heard followed by a small grunt.

“BITCH! You think you can get away from that… well, not like it’ll change anything. Actually, it’s kind of turning me on. That’s why, fight harder. Make me enjoy this”

I gritted my teeth as I watched from the rooftops.

“Roland… I… we can’t just…”

“No. You can’t stop it. I can’t stop it. You know what will happen if we interfere”

Suddenly, an image of my family surfaced. My wife, smiling towards… our daughter in her hands. The last time I saw them was yesterday when they were in the cage. Of course, I’ve already examined them and made sure nothing has happened. But, that can change any day. All it takes is a single hostile action by me and a quick messenger to the cage. That’s why, I can’t do anything… yet. So for now, I’ll do nothing but watch this revolting sight.

“Just be patient… I don’t know why, but soon… I feel as if things will change”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive… my senses are usually right. That’s why, I’ll just hope. Hope that we can somehow kill this fucker without killing our own families”

My men nodded. They all began prepping their crossbows and weapons. Tonight really will be a hectic night. I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I feel it. Something will happen that will change this city forever. That’s why, I’m ready… no… we, the Red Morgue will be ready to move. We slowly followed after the boss and his group. We finally made it to the front of the shrine. Today… it was oddly more different than before. The marbles were more polished and the garden looked beautiful. The strange thing is, the air seemed pure and the water was emitting a light glow.

“OYE, YOU WHORES. COME OUT OF THE SHRINE”

The boss was now nearing the front gate. He was also holding the girl at her hair. I could see the pained expression on her face, but I still can’t do anything.

“YOU REMEMBER THIS BITCH! WELL? COME OUT! IF YOU DO, I WON’T KILL HER”

Silence, the shrine was really silent.

“SUIT YOURSELF. AS FOR ME, I’M HAVING SOME FUN WITH MY BOYS”

“””””HOHHH”””””

He began to tear the girls clothes as his men cheered madly.

“STOP!”

“DON’T YOU DARE HURT… Ugh”

The two guards were immediately silenced as they were forced to watch the boss rip the girl’s clothes away. In no time, only her underwear protected her dignity. I clutched my knife as my men held there crossbows. I could tell everyone wanted to rescue her.

“Stop”

I blinked. In front of the boss, two girls were standing. They were the girls from before. But… how did… just when did they get there? I began rubbing my eyes to see if it wasn’t fooling me. Nope, they were still there.

“How dare you do this to a girl?!”

“I swear… you people are just like animals in heat”

I watched the two girls with a cold sweat. Their eyes… they were looking at the boss coldly. It’s as if there’s nothing in them to begin with. Not a soul that has sympathy for the living.

“R…Ro…land. I think it’s best not to move”

I nodded my head. I then placed my weapons to the ground. Not just my knives, but my throwing stars and crossbows too. Everything I saw as a weapon, I set it down on the floor. My men followed suit and soon the ground was littered with our weapons. I knew… I somehow knew that if we were to simply have a knife, we would be cut down. I then made eye contact with the girl. She seemed to be a knight class… but her heraldic colors and that coat of arms. I’ve never seen them before. She then smiled which surprised me. Unlike her gaze towards the boss, her eyes towards me were filled with life. I really couldn’t explain it.

“Oye, you bitch. Don’t turn your gaze from me”

Seemingly upset, the boss released the girl and walked towards the knight. Before he could even get into range to attack her though…

“Hey, Iridia. What’s the holdup?”

A new voice rang out. This was much younger than the two. I don’t remember a third girl being in their party though… is it possible they met here in the shrine. Then, I saw something surprising. I saw a bit of anxiety in the two girls eyes.

“Ah… sorry, it’s just. We were just seeing the situation”

The other girl only nodded as she looked back towards the shrine anxiously.

“I already saw everything and there's no need to hold back. This is my order to both of you…”

Order? What? There’s someone ordering these two? Before I could think about it more, the surrounding began to turn cold. It was as if a sudden winter appeared. Then, in an icy cold voice, I heard the girl’s command…

“Kill them all...”

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Author’s note:

Sorry for not posting over the weekend. I was hanging out with some friends and my family so I didn’t really have any time. Also, this might be the only chapter I post today so please sleep or read the other stories you want to read.

Anyway, I hoped you enjoyed and keep on reading

P.S: Although I’m not really knowledgeable about this area, let me summarize my small knowledge of heraldic colors and coat of arms to those who do not know about them. These are usually meant to show the knight’s house or kingdom that the said knight fights for. In this way, they are very easy to identify in the field and would not be easily mistaken by either their own allies or their enemies.

P.S.S: I really hope there's no mistakes in the text this time TT.TT