(Gran POV)

I shuddered while watching the pair walking ahead of me. From what happened earlier I realized that Amice was trouble. If I hadn't stopped her the Guild employee would have be laying on the ground in two pieces. And what was with the 'You just have to stay away from the provence.' Does she do that often?

Trudging slowly behind the pair we came upon a large crowd. An announcer stood on top of a stage, while people weaved in and out of the crowd passing out fliers.

“... for joining! Our Solace received guidance from Imperious and wishes to share this wisdom with our unworthy selves! Not two nights ago our Solace was informed that there is unexplored land across the endless water!” I froze and carefully listened.

“This land is filled with lush greenery and large pools of water. The weather is warm with no winter. Truly a paradise granted to us from Imperious!” The crowd cheered in agreement. They are talking about Zell!

“However this beautiful land that is a gift has been taken over by a foul race! One that was wiped out centuries ago but has returned for revenge! The Demons!” Gasps and cries of horror sounded out. “Those scoundrels have stolen land that is rightfully ours! They have taken Human form to trick us! However our Solace saw through their tricks and captured a Demon in its Human form!”

What the hell? “Unfortunately the captured Demon proved to be to powerful and escaped!” Protests and accusations could be heard from the people. “But fear not! Before the Demon could escape it was weakened greatly!”

Amice popped up behind me. “What cha' listening to?” She asked while standing on her tiptoes to try and see over the crowd. “Oh! An envoy from the Church.”

“... fliers show what the Demon looks like! If you see anything let someone from the Church know! You will be greatly rewarded!” This is not good. Cold sweat was running down my back. “As it is a named Demon it is strong! Do not approach it!”

A voice randomly calls out. “If the Demons are so strong how will we defeat them?” Several others agreed.

“With the Hero of corse!” A murmur ran through the square. “Our Solace has found a Hero! Someone who is brave and strong! He shall take on the Demons! With the Hero on our side we need not fear their power!” Cheers rose from the crowd.

“Wow, Gran this looks just like you.” Amice said while looking down at one of the fliers. “You know, I think I saw something similar in the Guild. However the reward is different on this one. Oh, Look!” She cried while hitting me. “Even the name is similar!”

I looked down at the paper to see my face staring back at me.

'Name: Gram Conner'

'Race: Demon'

'Wanted for the crimes of: Plotting the downfall of the Human race;

Injuring and murder of several Holy Knights; And escaping the Church prison.'

'Reward: 1 Gold'

“What's wrong Gran?” Amice watched in confusion while I slowly walked away trying to sneak out of this place without being seen. “Are you not feeling well?” I jest kept walking ignoring her. Are you seriously this dumb? Anyone with a brain would have connected the two by now. “Geez, now both you and Lave are being mean to me. You guys are making me sad you know.”

What am I going to do know? The situation has become even more troublesome. Really, now I need to leave this town tonight before someone notices me. And what is this about injuring Holy Knights? If I had the power to injure them I wouldn't have been caught in the first place. “Hey Amice will you do me a favor?”

“Oh, you finally spoke to me. I'm glad. I don't think I could take the silent treatment from both of you at the same time.” She replied brightly.

“Yeah... Would you mind buying me a brown cloak?” I asked sheepishly. This would be so much easier if I had money. Instead I have to ask this maniac. Truly I don't know if I can really trust them or not but I don't really have any other choice now.

“Sure, no problem. However in return you don't get to stop me the next time I am going to kill someone.” Her bright smile contrasting greatly to the dark bargain.

“... Ok.” Its for the best. I try to convince myself. “By the way, where is Lave?”

~~~

(Lave POV)

I wondered around the city after ditching Amice and Gran at whatever gathering that was. To be honest I am agitated. I'm used to being alone. Even on my missions I rarely teamed up with anyone.

Turning off the main street, I entered a dark ally. The buildings slowly turned from spotless brick to stained and decaying wood. Houses with boarded up windows and words painted across them became more prominent. Some men stood off to the side joking around in tattered cloths, while others begged for small change.

I wondered through the many different allies with no direction in mind. Further in the area became rougher. People that looked like thugs wove in and out the back allies. While moans echoed off the walls making it impossible to locate where it came from.

This scene brought back memories from the Mythic War. In the year 3000 the Humans found out about mythical creatures. At first they were carful. Capturing lone people that no one would miss. Reports were popping up everywhere that we needed to be carful and always travel in groups.

Those of us that lived in the sea had it a bit easier. No one knew where to find us. We cut ourselves off from the land and lived in our safe water believing that nothing could get us. How wrong we where.

In 3028 the Humans attacked the mythics on land. Killing every single one they could. After finding out the weakness of the creatures they captured it was easy to kill them. They slaughtered all they came across no matter the age. A year later they managed to capture an old Mermaid. They got all the information they needed.

I leaned back against a wall while eating some unusual bright yellow nuts. Their salty flavor making me thirsty. Five children ran around playing tag ignorant of the disparity around them.

Year 3030 several Mermaid coves were attacked. People fled to my little cove hidden off an uninhabited island. We had managed to grow our reef so that the Humans wouldn't be able to access the island by boat. An extensive cave system also made it almost impossible to find out we where there. However as more people came the cove became more and more crowded.

The council forbid us from going out of the cove. My Mother on the other hand thought that was utter nonsense. She argued saying that there was no way to feed this many with just the reef. However the council was adamant. That night Mother moved us to the outer edge of the reef away from the other families.

She told me that I was to train my stealth. I was to never be seen. No one was to know I was there or even sense my presents. If I remember right that was when I was ten. I thought while chuckling to myself. I threw the last nut into my mouth and looked up into the darkening sky. I should head back.

I pushed off the wall and managed to find my way back to the main street. Looking at the wave of Human's clogging up the streets I frowned. Tsk, they can just come find me. I'm not searching for them. I headed back to the inn we stayed at the first night. It was close to the main gate making it easy to find. I still have quite a bit of my gambling money left so I should be able to buy dinner while I wait for those two idiots.