"Little thing?" Julie's voice carried a note of offense as Cerilla's words hit her ears. Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion and anger. "What on earth is that supposed to imply?" she demanded, her steps purposeful as she closed the distance to Cerilla. Tension radiated from her clenched fists, poised as though she might lash out.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGYGxxLWl5
"Huh?" Julie's questioning gaze shifted downward, landing on Tora's arm that held her back from advancing any further.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWmjDf8MoH
"Let's keep things civil, you two," Tora interjected, his tone taking on a parenting-like authority.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Q0rWxdToa
"Cerilla," Tora's voice held a commanding edge as he stepped past her. "I need you to escort her home." His words hung in the air, laden with a sense of responsibility.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YiKvZCPXa
"Really..." Cerilla's tone dripped with boredom, as if she were being burdened with a task she had no interest in.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQlACzQKDa
"Yes, really!" Tora's frustration tinged his voice with an edge. He couldn't mask his annoyance at Cerilla's lackadaisical attitude. "She's not safe out here. So, could you actually do your job for once?"
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8yugBuorO
With a roll of her eyes, Cerilla seemed to relent. "Fine... So I'm guessing she's one of us then, right?"
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSlL8e3Lpd
Tora's lips curved into a sly smirk, his gaze flickering back to Cerilla. "Yes, indeed she is."
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWUfQYhVTk
"I'm not going," Julie's voice carried determination.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIc7OBvUQ3
Tora and Cerilla both turned to face Julie, who stood resolute and alone. "I have to find Trevor!" Her words came out in a fervent yell. "Or have you all conveniently forgotten?" She shot a pointed look at Tora. "We can't abandon him. We need to save him!"
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmofALcGOF
Tora regarded Julie with a mix of empathy and understanding, releasing a heavy sigh. "I've told you before, when someone's been corrupted, when their body is taken over by a creature from another world, there's no way to rescue them."
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ixxEY3JO8
Julie shook her head, denying the reality that was presented to her. "No, that can't be true. I won't accept your non-..."
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7MBqRwBIV
"That's enough," Cerilla interjected, scooping Julie up and slinging her over her shoulder. "My task is just to get her home, right?" Cerilla glanced at Tora for confirmation.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP224MHu6k3
"Correct. Do that, and we'll settle things in a battle at another time," Tora agreed, his eyes fixed on Julie's futile struggles within Cerilla's hold.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzu4l00OBTR
"Remember your promise, fire slinger," Cerilla retorted, dismissing Julie's attempts to break free. "Stop struggling or you'll end up biting your tongue."
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1S57eGak8F
"What?" Julie's confusion was cut short as she found herself soaring hundreds of feet into the air, her panic turning into a terrified scream. "WHAT THE HELL!" she screamed, the reality of her situation sinking in.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEi1dxxqM2
"You're so loud, all from a little jump," Cerilla remarked casually.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmqZ52CFaC
"A jump?!" Julie's incredulous voice quivered. "That settles it – you're not human. No human can do something like that."
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0hB35XB36
Cerilla's reply was matter-of-fact, her tone almost indifferent. "You're right. I'm not entirely human. I'm a half-breed, just like you."
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqM9ShNyxa
Julie's voice trembled as she struggled to comprehend. "I can't do anything like that!"
***
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPJ1KjTMut
Tora walked through the park, his steps deliberate and unhurried, weariness etched into the lines of his face.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0zO6u4GnY
"Are you going to keep skulking around like a rat, or are you finally going to make yourself known?" Tora's words were directed toward an unseen presence as his gaze fixed on the still trees ahead.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YT9LY2r3e
"I must admit, the rumors about you seem to hold true," a concealed voice replied.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9ZrRyGWJk
In a sudden burst of movement, a woman materialized before Tora. She stood confidently, her long blond hair seemingly like silk and her attire a sharp contrast to the casual surroundings – a white long-sleeved button-down shirt paired with tailored business attire that exuded both power and elegance and yet, Tora's expression remained unimpressed, his demeanor unwavering.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdapU0f9pD
"My name is Deena Dawnswell," she introduced herself, her name flowing like a melody, "and I represent the Luminal Accord." A dangerous smirk touched her lips. "They've dispatched me to bring you back." Her gaze sharpened. "They're none too pleased that you failed to report in as soon as you arrived in this town."
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmDPVwSF3D
Tora's response was a quiet chuckle. "I'm sure they're seething. Rumors do tend to mention my penchant for getting under HQ's skin."
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡms05I2RZJe
Deena's eyes sparkled with a mix of intrigue and amusement. "Indeed they did. Your reputation preceded you – the tales they spoke of were both entertaining and intriguing."
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbWIDUlFcK
For a fleeting moment, Tora's eyes gleamed with a sharp and dangerous intensity before swiftly transitioning to a composed calmness.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQln4t6OQm
"Shall we proceed, then?" Tora's voice carried a veneer of politeness, accompanied by a smile that seemed polite but rang hollow, lacking genuine warmth.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaxL88ANuy
Deena's own smile persisted, seemingly unaffected, her eyes dancing with amusement at the subtle tension in the air.
***
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmnWNEXvuo
"Are you sure you want to walk? My way would've been faster," Cerilla's irritation was evident as she trailed closely behind Julie, the two of them walking at a leisurely pace down the street.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrR7kpwtRD
"Well, my way is less likely to get me killed," Julie responded dismissively, paying little attention to Cerilla's complaints.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEx4tHhQym0
Cerilla's words carried a matter-of-fact tone. "Your body is quite weak for a half-blood. Perhaps walking is the wisest choice."
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrXTncsmcP
Julie halted in her tracks upon hearing those words. "So maybe I'm not one?"
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX04BlOJ8Mh
Standing behind Julie, Cerilla observed the young woman's self-doubt, her little frame embodying uncertainty.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BllNlJP2L
"STOP BEING SO PATHETIC!" Cerilla's outburst echoed through the street as her hand slapped the back of Julie's head.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSz6Rmpn55n
"What the hell!" Julie's outcry was filled with pain as she clutched her head.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgHmHLALZG
"Weakness in any form gets on my nerves. Keep acting like this, and I won't hesitate to end you myself," Cerilla's threat hung in the air, her fist crackling with veined energy.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZ6Y7Y6IxX
Cerilla's demeanor shifted to a calmer tone. "You are a half-breed. I, for one, struggle to sense our kind. Yet, being so close to you now, I'm entirely certain of your heritage."
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1ALOlN6RJ
Julie remained silent, continuing her walk. Cerilla walked in tandem, arriving at Julie's house where she observed as Julie ascended the front stairs.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpu9UWdXAh
"I'll be back to pick you up tomorrow," Cerilla stated, her hands resting on her hips.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuU2pfWWt5o
"What?" Julie's sudden reaction spun her around to face Cerilla.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyL85UmMPao
Cerilla's gaze held a seriousness that matched her words. "You're an Unregistered Half Blood in the heart of the city. You need to get registered," she explained. "And that damn bastard has made it my responsibility to ensure you comply."
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgSHIPiQUj
"Registered for what?" Julie's confusion was palpable.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXl84QPNdv
"The Luminal Accords," Cerilla's answer held weight, carrying a sense of gravity.
***
Author notes: Please support my work on Patreon for early access to new chapters. https://patreon.com/DarkMatteromniverse
ns3.144.255.53da2
