"Woah! Bloodcat, you're so strong!" shouts Mucky.

Mama gives a light smile and walks into the next room, all the way past Iron Keep's body, and picks up her halberd. She then puts it back into storage, causing it to disappear from her hands.

I look over at Trista and Mucky. Mucky is smiling from ear to ear, his eyes shining brightly. If I didn't see it for myself, I'd never guess that he just witnessed several people getting killed. Even Trista seems confused more so than shocked.

As soon as Mama comes back, she looks between everyone, "Is anybody hurt?"

I nod my head and look at her with the most pitiful eyes I can muster, "Yeah, I hurt all over."

Mama laughs, then walks over to me and picks me up.

Trista and Mucky both confirm that they feel fine, after which Mucky starts going on about how strong Mama is, making exaggerated hand motions while describing the fight. Mama seems like she's thoroughly enjoying the attention, smiling and laughing as Mucky continues his antics.

Eventually, Trista taps him on his shoulder, "Hey Stephan, think you could test out this sword?"

In her hand appears a fancy golden sword, which she holds up to Mucky.

He looks at the shining sword with equally shiny eyes, "Me? I can really try it out first?"

Trista puts the sword in his hand, "Yep, really! Just play with it over there, ok? You don't want to accidently hurt someone."

Mucky takes the sword and starts hopping up and down, "Thanks sis! I love you!" he laughs as he hugs her.

Trista blushes a little, "Ah! Stupid Mucky, hurry up and test the sword!"

Mucky starts giggling as he casually slits his finger with the sword, proceeding to drop blood on it. He then runs excitedly toward the other side of the room while swinging the sword, which now occasionally gives off light.

Mama smiles, "You and your brother seem to get along very well."

Trista sighs deeply and sits down, "He's not actually my real brother. He's from one of the clan's branch families, one with a pretty weak bloodline. But as you can tell by his hair, he happened to inherit extremely pure elemental power, something that happens occasionally. When he was born, the entire branch family was celebrating. If he had grown up and risen to prominence, the entire branch family's position would have likely risen in the clan."

She shakes her head, "But his parents had different plans. They were practically trying to sell him, telling the main members of the clan that they could adopt him if they gave them compensation. So my father did just that, fearing that they might sell Stephan to someone outside of the clan. They left the clan after that, and nobody's heard from them since."

After a brief pause, she continues, "But we eventually found out that something was wrong with him. He didn't really grow up like everyone else; he's always acted like a child, which has been a real handful, especially now that he's so strong. I mean don't get me wrong, I love the little guy more than anything, but sometimes I get fed up with him. That is, sometimes I wind up lashing out at him. But he's always so positive, and forgives me, which only makes me hate myself more..." she wipes a tear away from her eye before it can fall.

Mama pats her on the shoulder, "That means that he still trusts you, and that is very important. You may hurt his feelings, but with trust that can heal. Without trust, you will eventually drift away from each other. Be happy that you have not yet destroyed his trust in you, and make sure you never damage it in the future. That is the best advice I can give to you."

Trista nods her head, "Thanks mom."

She almost immediately notices what she said, her eyes widening as she stands up, "Ah, sorry! It's just you remind me a lot of my mom. You even look a lot like she used to, except she had green hair instead of red. That's why even when I first saw you, I... ah! Here I am just telling you all of my problems! This isn't what I wanted to talk about!"

Mama starts laughing, causing an embarrassed blush to spread across Trista's cheeks.

Trista coughs awkwardly, "Anyway, I wanted to say two things. First of all, thanks for saving me and my brother. Um, second of all, that wall of fire move that you used-"

"Static Flame Wall." Mama interjects.

"Right, Static Flame Wall. I've just never seen anybody use a move like that. All magical techniques that I know of are released from your body, or else from a magical treasure infused with qi. I don't know whether that ability is special or if you are, but um... anyway, I would be careful using it in front of people."

Mama smiles, "Thank you for telling me."

As their conversation turns to idle chatter, I suddenly remember something.

'Ruth and Constrictor!'

I immediately release my soul and send it back through the rooms. I only get a few rooms back before I find a large group of people, all headed toward us at a brisk pace. I see all of the people that I saw outside the dungeon earlier, though I see neither Runt nor Constrictor.

There are also people that weren't there last time I checked, the most obvious being a skinny old man with a long white beard, who's at least in mid Qi Manipulation.

"Mama! Those people from outside the dungeon are almost here! There's a bearded old guy with them now that's pretty strong!"

As soon as she hears me, Mama puts me down and retrieves her halberd, turning toward the doorway. Trista looks as well, and even Mucky seems to notice the change in atmosphere as he stops swinging his sword. Within a few seconds, a middle aged, green haired man makes his way into the room. His eyes sweep the room, and his previously panicked expression starts to subside, until his gaze stops on Mama and I.

Mama looks at Mucky, "Stephan, come here."

The green haired man's expression suddenly twists into an angry one, "What are you trying to do with my children?!"

Mucky's gaze moves from Mama to the green haired man, "Dad! Wait until I tell you what happened! It was so cool!"

Trista looks at Mama apologetically, "I'll try to explain everything."

With that, Mucky and Trista both walk over to the green haired man, who's apparently their father. The man embraces both of his children lovingly, but still stares at Mama with equal parts confusion and hostility.

By now the rest of the group is here, and the strong old man walks up and stands behind the green haired man. I see him open his mouth, and then it closes just as quickly.

Trista lets go of her father, "Dad, Grandpa, this is Bloodcat. She saved our lives."

The green haired man's face contorts, then he looks at Mama, "What is this to you, some sort of sick game?! First you kill my brother, then you brainwash my kids! What did I ever do to you?!"

Trista's eyes widen as she looks at her father, "Uncle... Uncle Marcus is dead? When? Why did nobody tell me?"

Her eyes drift over to Mama and I, her complexion growing paler. She grabs Mucky's hand, who just looks dazed and confused, and grips it tightly.

'Ahhh... figures.'

The green haired man points at Mama, "Well, there's no way you're getting away today! We-"

Suddenly, the bearded old man smacks the top of his head with enough force to knock him down. He then sighs, slowly walking in front of the shocked Mucky and Trista.

"I know my son; he must have done something that deserved his death. You have saved my grandchildren, and for that I am grateful. I will have all bounty posters in Strodens, as well as the rest of Rebe, removed. I will also do everything in my power to have your crimes pardoned."

He bows his head, "I only ask that you spare us."

The green haired man goes to stand up, "But father-"

"Shut up!" the old man kicks him, sending him tumbling back to the ground a few feet away.

Mama puts the halberd back in storage, "I do not wish to kill any of you." she then looks at Mucky and Trista, "I am..."

She stops midsentence, opening and closing her mouth several times before slowly shaking her head, "You may all go, please leave."

The old man clasps his hands and bows, proceeding to grab his unwilling son and practically drag him out of the room. Trista seems to be avoiding eye contact, as she grabs both of Mucky's shoulders and leads him out as well. Nobody says anything, but I can clearly see hatred in the eyes of many people, which are locked onto me and Mama even as they walk out of sight.

Mama stands motionless for several seconds before turning around, taking a short step toward me, and sitting down cross-legged. She then picks me up, sets me in her lap, and starts petting me.

I secretly follow them with my soul as they head back out of the dungeon. After a while, Mucky seems to snap out of his daze and tugs his hand away from Trista's, after which he starts running deeper into the dungeon again. Eventually the grandpa has to get involved to calm him down, though he still looks pretty upset.

I look up, "Hey, Mama."

I hear her sniff as she looks down at me, her eyelids slightly puffy. Her appearance catches me off guard, causing me to involuntarily gasp.

"Mama, what's wrong?"

She shakes her head, "I am confused and uncertain. I am not sure I want to be among humans any longer."

I think back to all of the recent events involving humans. Honestly, there were lots of fun times, but I'd be lying if I said it hasn't been stressful. Living in the wilderness with magical beasts was much simpler.

"Yeah, I agree. I think I liked living in the forest better."

Mama lifts me up and hugs me, "Shall we travel away from humans for now?"

'Ack, stop squeezing so hard, it hurts!'

I nod my head, "That sounds good to me."

Mama nods her head as well, "Then we will avoid humans for a time."

Mama puts me back down on her lap, and I flop on my side. I'm about to close my eyes and rest, when I happen to notice something. The symbols that I saw on the ceiling earlier, although it's dim, there's a slight glow emanating from them now!