It's been an hour since those who went to Pira Attis have returned, and it's been thirty minutes since Vorn left. I look at all the papers I still have to finish. Bills. Letters. Anything in writing I don't wish to waste time on.

But the paper in front of me is different. It's the notes I wrote down during my meeting with Vorn about Oren's performance.

* Strong, but reckless

* Can fight with teammates, but only when pressured

* Puts other's safety before his own

* Refused to show any rhime attacks

(In the end, Oren continues to baffle us...)

Teamwork is important in the Keisetsu, so the fact that he can work with others is a plus. But Vorn also stated that Oren charged in on his own, potentially sabotaging the group. He is a capable fighter, but the lack of any rhime attacks is a major downside.

But what baffles me most...is what Vorn said outside of the mission.

* Oren can sing all genres of music.

(This makes it difficult to determine what type of rhime he has. Thus, I don't know if his subtone is useful for this job. What IS he?)

I pause, then look at another one of my papers. I pick it up and look it over again for the thousandth time.

The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

The report on this "Hunter" character, who was responsible for what happened in Terraz, and possibly for Mydrea's disappearance.

(Perhaps...he is one of them.)

I feel a tingle in the back of my head.

(Surely you don't think he could be an outcross, as we assume Hunter to be. Nobody ever has been one before to this degree.)

I know I'm the only one who can see it, but to my left is the silhouette of a person I've never met face to face, comprised solely of animal rhime.

(Not often do you to start the conversation, Apis.)

(And it's not often that you to think so hard. Don't assume your old brain can handle it.)

(You're one to talk.)

(And your lack of wit hasn't changed either. But I digress. Is there really a problem having Oren join you? He could be an outcross, or even a successor candidate, like yourself.)

(And being either isn't exactly ideal.)

(Still, I doubt a successor candidate wouldn't want to show off their power. Perhaps he's an outcross, like yourself. You were afraid to use your powers, many years ago.)

(He seems too sane to be one, if you ask me.)

(Perhaps... Just speaking my mind. So, what now?)

"I...don't know." I say out loud.

(Maybe I should asks everyone else's opinion.)

(They seem occupied getting information from this captured Togo figure.)

"Indeed."

(I think Oren said Togo had something to do with this Hunter character.)

(He did, yes. It sounds like she is indeed an outcross. And an unstable one at that.)

(Who do you think is in control? Gyges? Poseidon? Or perhaps...even myself? The hydra isn't too difficult to figure out.)

(I don't know which is worse. Gyges would arguably be the worst, according to what you've told me. But...assuming it's you, would you feel okay fighting yourself, should I fight Hunter?)

(As strange as it sounds, you know my answer. For all you know, this 'Hunter's' 'Apis' might be closer to the real me.)

(I'm surprised you didn't try anything like that with me.)

(And incur the wrath of your wife?)

I chuckle, while Apis gives a hearty laugh.

I get up from my chair and choose to head in the direction of the interrogation room.

"Perhaps...I'll give Oren a second chance."

If he really is one of the things Apis and I suspect him to be, he should be under a watchful eye.

After all, I am an outcross AND a pseudo successor candidate. I know what my kind is capable of.