We have been sent to the cinema. Yes, I know, the classic movie trope. Though nobody slipped me fifty bucks and I have two children with me. I like these children and language training is good, so I do not resent spending an evening like this. And a cinema is dark. We don’t stick out much.
The effect is destroyed as we visit a street vendor for french fries, which the children love, although the little barbarians prefer ketchup over mayonnaise. Those are no children of mine. That, though, is obviously not a new observation. Some people are outright hostile.
This ends with somebody who tried to accidentally step on Natalija’s tail developing a serious case of spontaneous levitation. We are leaving.
P: Does this happen often?
N: We do not play a lot with other children.
P: Was it better on the island?
N: Only for Stjepan
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I am getting ready for an excorcism. Well, technically I am stealing holy water. This is from an orthodox church, so it should be the best stuff against vampires. I have been neglecting my newest ability for too long. It needs some serious preparation to be used, though. I need liquids with magical properties, but I am not ready to sacrifice a potion for mere experimentation. I will need to magically infuse water. Given the revelations of the last few months I am not ready to forgo any potential advantage.
The children find this very funny.
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NOTE ON A POST-IT ON THE DIARY
Hi,
as we might go into an unstable universe I have decided to mail you my diary lest it be lost. We are almost always online thanks to our new phones, so I will continue these records electronically.
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Returning to our temporary home I find angry companions. That is I sense them. Only Lidija is in the kitchen pacing around the table. There is a half empty bottle of wine on the table
I am questioning my choices.
L: We need to talk
The gods practice a kind of humour that is much more fun to observe than to directly experience.
The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
P: Very well. But let’s get the children to bed first
That is a doable task. They are quite tired.
L: I need you to do an essence ritual.
P: What?
L: We got another delivery. It held a note that says „This is it. Do your tasks. Sink or swim. Be gone by the day after tomorrow.“
P: That is quite drastic. So they sent you an essence?
L: Yes, but only me. But that is not the only thing. Zora got an orb.
P: An orb?
L: Yes. We’ve put it into the room with the stone floor, where we do the rituals.
My suspicion is confirmed. It is the detection device. Not the exact device. Not even an exact copy. But close.
P: Good, of course I can do an essence ritual for you. However …
I point around.
L: You are wondering whether this explains the mood? No, it does not. I got news that the murder investigation against Zora have ended and the incident has been ruled self-defense. And I have been disowned.
P: Sorry to hear that.
L: Nothing you can do, nor is it your fault.
P: This group is about to fall apart, isn’t it?
L: Eventually. Perhaps soon.
P: Let’s do the ritual first
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Ability: [Spike of Void] (Void)
Special Attack (dimension)
Cost: High
Cooldown: 5 minutes
Conjure a missile that does a large amount of dimensional damage.
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P: Not bad. Burst damage, but an impressive burst damage.
L: I can at least defend myself a bit.
P: That feels good. I remember when I had no offensive power. We had a heavy machinegun though.
L: That is what I wanted to talk to you about. What are your long term plans?
P: Why does everybody assume that I have such plans?
Her shoulders sink.
P: No worries. I have vague notions. I think the world is going to change further and baring a miracle we will not be truly welcome among normal humans. I think we will eventually need to form communities of transformed. Preferably on a tropical island. I intend to settle there.
L: Is that a dream or realistic?
P: How am I supposed to know?
She hesitates.
L: I don’t know. I just have no idea about the future.
P: Welcome to the club. Though, if I may ask, why are you taking it better than Zora or Maria?
L: They are not cut out for war. Don’t get me wrong. Zora is brave. She is loyal. But she does not understand the realities of war. In particular the need for subordination.
P: Are you saying that it is a lost cause?
L: Yes.
P: I should have seen it sooner.
L: Can I … come with you? I have nothing to offer and I cannot go home.
I should consider this long and hard. But I really fear to be alone.
P: Aren’t you afraid?
L: Of course I am. But what is safe under these circumstances?
P: Anywhere not travelling with a killer? Safer at least.
L: Nope. We need killers at this time. I noticed you did not say murderer.