-Nightfall. Liana's POV-

The setting sun dyes the sky orange while the tall walls obscure the noisy courtyard and a soft breeze carries the smell of blood and gore to our window in the third floor when the sounds of beasts and people suddenly ceased.

"...Doll...pictures...fucked by big cocks..." The young boy badmouths.

...WHAT?! Erotic pictures of Shaila?! I glared at the woman hugging the two kids who trembled before averting her gaze. So, it's true... But I haven't seen any drawings like that in the town--wait! This kid goes to the Royal Academy where a painter takes portraits of students for the records. But why do this...? Shaila doesn't come out and she's not 'that' attractive, so there must be a purpose...maybe to disgust the Nobles who would covet Shaila? I conjectured peeking at little sister at my side.

The little girl clenched the teeth while gripping her little fists and calmed moments later.

Our visit to the capital won't be pleasant... I concluded.

"...Boy. Do you not realize the situation?" Shaila questioned holding her anger.

"Huhh?" He uttered confused.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! He didn't mean it!" The black haired woman pleaded.

"Wrong time and place to get emotional, kid." "Yeah, he misjudged..." "Stupidity is deadly..." "Wind magic was used..." The people in the group commented with pity.

Oh? The green wolf controlled the wind? I realized.

"Hmpf! Senior beast deemed me innocent, and won't listen--" He insinuated our lack of authority.

*Pakff!!* The mother slapped the boy.

"Be quiet!" She rebuked.

--Won't listen to a mere broken Noble? I finish the sentence. Well, these people don't know how the relationship between the wolves and Shaila work, and this kid have trouble accepting reality... I related.

"We can't order the Beasts around, but they won't turn down my request..." Shaila declared gazing at the golden wolf.

Umm... Beasts wouldn't mind eating a kid or ten though. I retorted.

"Wroof!" Erina consented.

"Waa--!? But I'm innocent!" The boy sounded stupefied.

"So?" Alphonse said and grabbed the boy.

"Let me go! GAH! Ouff! Huup!" He fights to get himself free.

"No-no... Pease--don't eat my son!" The mother begged Erina.

However, she was ignored and the assassin dragged the young boy towards the maw large enough to swallow a horse.

"MOM! Heeelp!" He bawled looking behind.

"De-Derek... I'm so sorry..." The black haired woman apologized and looked away. "Will my other child be spared?" She implored cradling a confused little kid.

"Don't worry ma'am; we aren't monsters," Alphonse said tossing the boy into the large jaws.

*Clush!* The boy landed on the large tongue and started crawling.

"AHHH!!" He screeched reaching out as wolf closes her mouth.

*Crunch! Munch! Munch!--Gulp!* The golden wolf devoured the little person and licked the blood.

"Actually, nevermind..." The black-haired man dismissed and turned to the despairing group of survivors. "The drama is over folks! Just relax, and don't be stupid--or else." Alphonse threatened. "So... The six unrelated won't be harmed but have to stick around until we figure out when to release you. The 8 involved in the incident will be punished with forced work, but rest up for now." He announced beckoning the people to follow him.

"Ugh... Reduced to slaves..." Protested a wind user.

"A builder again..." Complained an earth magician.

"...As long as we don't get drugged with a collar around our necks. Otherwise..." A water magician implied looking at Erina.

"We ain't got time for such bothersome actions. Cooperate or feed the wolves." The former spy declared leading the people to the barracks.

""Got it!"" They consented following obediently.

"Aaahhh!" I suddenly realized. "We are missing Tania! She was involved, though didn't really do anything..." I revealed.

"She must be inside the town then. We need a curfew--if we had people for that." Lester announced.

"Nah! No one will leave with all the wolves running around, so Tania will probably hide until the commotion dies down, and we can use the orphans to find her." I proposed.

"Oh! Good thinking!" Lester praised. "We won't need many guards with people scared of beasts, and high rankers will be intimidated after hearing what our Dragon did, so just need to keep an eye on the town which even kids can do." He approved.

"Gwrarrr!" Erina called our attention. "Rwruuoero..." She growled something and the wolves start to leave.

"Alright. Thanks, Erina. I'll leave Nefi's recovery to you." Shaila acknowledged.

The two large darkness wolves that remained in the courtyard sniffed around and laid down at the base of the firewood pile.

*Giiii-KLANK!! Klang! Klang! Klang!!* The iron gates closed and locked up.

"...They are messengers, and guards in case something happens." Shaila informed noticing our gaze. "Now, please vacate my room." She ordered closing the window. *ka-chik!*

""Yes, of course."" The men nodded saying as if thinking the same.

*Ku-Thunk!* Lester and Rigel leave the room and close the door.

"Heavy day huh?" I break the silence.

"Yeah..." Shaila replied walking back to bed. *Flop!* She slumped. "Haim~" The girl sighed.

"Save the thinking for magic. Lester will handle the bothersome stuff which should be easier with all the conspirators dead or captured." I reassured coming closer.

"...It's shocking how much happened in one day. Reminds me of that time..." Little sister informed.

"Ah, yes... Last time you spent almost half a year in bed dwelling in a nightmare you couldn't accept." I acknowledged.

"Yeh... It must've been frustrating taking care of a person without any will to live..." Shaila said with realization. "I'm sorry. And thank you both for everything..." She said with gratitude.

"Ah, we know you love us...you are a good kid~" I compliment.

"Hihihi." She giggled slightly embarrassed.

"Your recovery is a relief, and it's surprising, you know? To improve in such a short time and achieve so much!" I praised.

"Thanks to Nefi..." Shaila interjected.

"Yeeeah, but helping you through the worse moment of your life is our accomplishment. So, give your brother a hug sometimes...he gets jealous of Nefiru." I announced smiling.

"Kaaay~" She accepted with a sly smile.

Hmm... She looks happy now...yet her troubles are far from over... I affirmed.

"So... What do you think about the pictures that kid mentioned?" I asked sitting at her side.

"Ugh!" Shaila's face turn serious frowning. "That boy didn't take me seriously because of erotic drawings, and I know what boys do with those pictures... This is probably to degrade me even more..." She divulged crestfallen.

Damn it, Nefiru! It's my job to tell Shaila about boys and girls... I'll kick your ass next time! I complained.

"I-I see..." I acknowledged her conclusion. "But don't let it get to you. You'll become respectable one day, and this treatment will end!" I comforted.

"It's okay. It won't affect me like before." Shaila waved a hand denying. "I'm just angry at how everyone always wants to use me..." She transmitted with trembling lips.

Huun... Shaila was smart since little, but that intelligence and high affinity backfired... Little sister can be considered the downfall of our family...a talent too great for us to handle, and that's probably why Dad gave her to Nefiru...we can't protect her much longer. Although that dragon needs to step up his game... I conjectured.

Shaila created white light balls around the bed illuminating the room before looking at me.

"...That's why Mother is here, isn't she? You all knew, right?" Little sister interrogated.

"Shh!" I cover her mouth urging to keep quiet. "You wouldn't take it well, and we needed to play along. Besides, it was an unnecessary worry for your magic training." I explain retracting my hand.

"Hmph! I refuse to be a breeding tool for Nobles." Shaila declared crossing her arms.

"Ah, you knew..." I affirmed.

"Of course! How could I be the last to find out in the kingdom?" She complained.

"Hou~ My naive little sister is gone already!" I lamented the sudden transformation.

"Uh-huh. I waited too long for something else to change when it was me who needed to evolve..." Shaila spoke regretfully.

"Well, Lester may not approve where your life is heading, and honestly it's getting weirder...but I'm fine with anything that makes you happy." I consoled.

"Oh, yes, brother suggested marriage, but the life of Nobles is just a means to an end. My future is with beasts, I see that now..." She declared.

Hmm... It's an unorthodox method to improve her condition with beast memories, but the past isn't the answer to everything... I affirmed and called her out.

"I'm glad the wolf past is helping conquer your trauma, but aren't you taking refuge in that side a little too much?" I uncovered.

"I'm only embracing my past, but I'll keep that in mind..." Shaila compromised. "Still, I didn't expect to overcome my trauma by remembering terrible things from previous lives." She said disappointedly.

Shesh... What can be worse than rape and getting skinned alive?!! How many secrets are you two keeping? I reaffirmed the abnormality.

"...Can you tell me?" I requested.

"No... I must tell Nefi first, but I'm afraid--" She revealed with insecurity.

"Because I won't understand?" I surmised. "I admit you aren't a normal girl anymore, and I'm not the best with advice, BUT, I still want to get involved and offer support." I persisted

"...Fine." Shaila conceded. "It's a failure--an unforgivable failure. And I hope the only one since present mistakes are enough..." She revealed staring at the roof.

Er... That sounds like a serious burden to remember, but even so, the past doesn't have to be perfect, or impressive, and we learn from mistakes. Then again, that isn't the only thing troubling her...she did better than me in her first real fight, so it's probably things related to Nefiru. I conjectured.

"So, you don't want to disappoint Nefiru who admires the wolf you were in the past?" I inquired.

"Aughhh!" She uttered covering her face with a pillow.

"Huhuhu~ I guess you are still a silly girl in there..." I poke fun. "But you know, that insufferable dragon finds what you'll become in the future more important than what you were in the past." I comforted.

"Nnngghh... I won't say more..." Little sister said obstinately.

"I get it, I get it, you want to spend your emotions telling him first." I gave up realizing her motives.

"Hehe... Sorry~" She chuckled admitting while uncovering the face. "...It has more meaning telling Nefi than satisfying your curiosity." The little girl compared.

"Geh! I'm unhappy that you keep secrets from ME but not him!" I protested.

"Yes... But Nefi demands absolute trust, so we have to tell each other everything unless necessary or unimportant, and my secrets can't compare anyway." The white-haired girl explained.

Yeah, that Dragon has serious trust issues--but wait! I affirmed before realizing.

"Nefiru told you everything he did as a human--as a man?!" I probed.

"Yep, until I got bored. And let me tell you, he was terrible with girls! Hehe. But that world had a lot of entertainment, so people didn't need to be together... Well, his stories are interesting and rewarding." She replied.

"That explains a lot..." I acknowledged. "But it was inappropriate for a traumatized little girl!" I disapproved.

"Sister...who in our family is normal? What is appropriate for me?" Shaila asked rhetorically. "You like men a little too much, Brother abuses his authority mercilessly, Father never does the right thing, Mother is crazy, and Grandma somehow had a relationship with a dragon. I lived who knows how many hundreds of years as a beast and now a mere 9 as a human...a creature that hunted my kind." She elaborated.

"Ugh! I hate it when that dragon is right...we are abnormal, and things only got weirder with him." I admitted.

"Yeah... Anyway, Nefi shifted my common sense to free me from worldly constraints, to inspire me, and help discover myself which wouldn't be possible without him or being normal... Though now, I feel trapped in this body and there's nothing we can do about it." Shaila spoke frustrated before closing her eyes.

"Then why are you in this form?" I asked thinking back to this morning. "What if the reason is that you got tired of suffering as a beast?" I posed.

"..." She stays silent expecting me to continue.

"I think you could have been happy as a Noble if it wasn't for that unfortunate incident whereas a beast would continue to fight until the day they die," I explain.

If Shaila didn't go to school and caught the eye of some bastard, then Lester would have married that Copperfield girl and our family would have prospered... I inferred.

"Uhh... I don't remember enough to conclude anything, but seems unlikely the past me would give up freedom, a powerful body, and fewer worries to live a 'normal human life.'" Little sister denies.

"Fair enough." I shrugged defeated.

"Besides, I regret less every day that such a horrible thing happens to me since I wouldn't have met Nefi, and only him could change my ordinary fate." She declared.

"You--...you accepted the abuse already!? He's worth--he's worth all that suffering?" I asked perplexed.

"Mm-hmm. Bad things happen in every lifetime--is what Nefi told me once. True enough, it's an interesting experience to connect with your past, and even more to live as different creatures. I'm proud to share this unique perspective with Nefi, and it allows me to understand him like no one else, so he'll never be truly alone or uncomfortable with me around." The white-haired girl proudly elaborated.

Naturally, the accumulated suffering from several lifetimes must be scary... I relate getting annoyed.

"I see, I see... That's why you spoil him a lot, but can you stop talking like he's your God?!" I demanded. "Nefi this--Nefi that--Geez! At least make him LIKE me before shoving your 'Nefiru religion' in my face! I complained.

"The lord doesn't hate you, oh sinner..." She claimed.

I raised an eyebrow and crossed my arms unamused.

"Okay, okay!" Little sister gave in. "Nefiru holds a grudge because you betrayed him in the previous world." She whispered.

"Wah--? HOW??" I demanded in confusion.

"Uhh... You played the nice girl and seduced him along other men." The little girl responded unwillingly.

Say waaaah!!? It's no wonder... But that's unfair Nefiru...to dislike me for something I did in a past life, and here I hoped to get a little closer after that fight--But waaaait...! I realized.

"Then, the reason I'm here...?" I probed fearing the answer.

"You Noticed...?" Shaila confirmed sitting on the bed cross-legged. "Yes, it's because of him. You are a pawn like me, forced to be born here for his sake, and your soul won't be free until he leaves this world." She revealed.

"...W-w-wha--t?!! WHAAAT?!" I blurted in shock.

"Shush!" She censored.

WHAAAT? A pawn? Used? Who could change mortal's fate--Deities... Nope, nope, this is too much. Unhear! Unhear! I attempt to escape the realization.

"WHY!-Why are you okay with this?!!" I urged rocking her body.

"Calm down!" The little girl admonished. "Will you do the same in every lifetime? You won't be able to ignore the dream-memories at some point, and then--" She presented.

There will be such a thing as 'too much sex' and I'll get bored of life... I nodded understanding.

"Don't be afraid," Shaila said after holding my trembling hands. "You don't have to help Nefi. That's my job." She consoled.

Yet here I am involved in his life...there's no doubt that trouble will come my way eventually, so how can I not be scared? I concluded fearfully.

"I think I'll quit being an Auramancer when this season ends..." I decided. "Help me become a magician!" I requested staring into her silver eyes.

"Are you sure? You could just wait until rank 10 before switching." She implied difficulty.

"Hey! Don't look down on your sibling's talent! it's not as good as yours, but it's above the average magician. Hmph!" I protested crossing my arms pouting.

"Hehe... But you'll have to study~" Sister announced pointing at the mountains of paper in her room.

Ughhh! Study--the other good reason for becoming an Auramancer... I cringed twisting my lips. But on the bright side, I'll start as a magician Rank 5 and could Rank up faster than Aura with enough Mana. I formulate.

"Although, you should start learning now, even if it's boring, to use Magic arts efficiently when your Spirit finish adapting." She advised.

"I'll do it! I'll sleep here to study with you." I resolved.

"Good sister~" Shaila said patting my head.

"Hey!" I complained.

"However, Mana will be a problem... At my rank, it might take around ten days to passively refill with ambient and maybe half a day actively collecting, but that goes in a blink of an eye..." Shaila hopelessly informed.

"Which is ironic with knowledge being so precious," I affirmed.

"Haim~ High Rank is so close, yet so far. Even with the new ability, it's probably two years for Rank 7 unless Dad sends another one of those bottles." She estimated.

"You mean a bottle more expensive than our house which father somehow got FOR Nefiru?" I spoke sarcastically.

"Ye-yeah... B-but the wolves provided Mana for Nefi to Rank up fast and was leaking anyway..." She meekly pointed out.

"It turned out alright THIS time, but Dad tasked Nefiru with your protection, and you splurged the means to make him stronger." I countered.

Though Lester and I also took some... I recall.

"I know very well that he can't be weak, but I was worried, and I--" Shaila excuses her decision.

"You are in a hurry to reach Divine and become a beast?" I interrupted finishing the sentence.

"Ack!" Shaila uttered slumping back on the bed. *Flop!* "I... I can't afford to be the helpless girl that a main character has to protect...I must be strong enough to protect HIM!" She declared gripping a fist.

"Uh-huh... But that's not everything, is it?" I narrow my eyes interrogating.

"Nn." Shaila nodded holding both hands over her belly. "I envy Erina... I want to play with Nefi as a beast...I want him to chase me around and dominate me then--" She fantasized.

"Ahem!" I interrupted the squirming girl.

"Uwaa!" The Light user uttered embarrassed. "Sorry... It's getting confusing with my beast memories surfacing and exchanging Spirit with Nefi..." She explains facing away.

I'm envious...exchanging Spirit is something one does surrendering completely...which is unknown to me... I lament. Well, having a relationship is the best method to remove that stigma, but they can't do such deviant practice... I affirmed.

"It's okay~" I assured holding her right hand. "However, never forget that he's a big Dragon and you are a tiny girl." I reminded sternly.

"Yeah, and FATHER wants to keep it that way. He KNEW that Nefiru won't abandon his dragon body!" Shaila protested angrily.

"Geez! Forgive him already. Father wants redemption...who would hand over their daughter to a Beast, and ask so little in return?" I defended.

"HE didn't need to ask anything! Whatever father planned is stupid and unnecessary since Nefiru just needs time...especially with wolves as allies." She renounced the meddling.

"Why does it bother you so much? Divine rank is far away, even for your Dragon." I inquired with reasoning.

"Nnnghh..." Shaila rolls on the bed groaning. "Because it's not fair...I should be the one to make Nefi happy like my role in the past, but I'm on the road to becoming a side character." She elaborates her troubles.

"Ah, I see... Unfortunately, you have to accept the fact that Nefiru will have a family loooooong before either of you becomes a Divine." I pointed out.

"Huumm... I also promised Nefi to wait a hundred years if necessary for one of us to reach Divine, but I'm not really sure HOW to wait that long." Shaila reveals her troubles.

"Puahah! And he actually believed it? Males can't wait very long." I jeered.

"Honestly? Even the past me did since merely the thought of such 'act' made me uncomfortable, but I didn't anticipate my changes--HER influence." Little sister described.

So, it's a 'her' now? Nefiru warned us about it... I associate. Well, as long as she doesn't chew on my arm while sleeping together... I mused accepting her changes.

"Silly sister. Most girls--or wolf-girls can endure longer than boys but we are not made of ice...that's too long, even for a troubled mind. But you should stop sharing Spirit nonetheless." I reproved.

"Sure. Except that I'll have to endure other females stealing his affection as well." The white-haired girl said defeated. "Hm... Just as you warned me about boys, I can only make sure Nefi doesn't fall for the first Dragoness that he finds." She resolved.

"Umm... I don't think that applies to beasts..." I corrected my advice.

"Hm?" She glared.

"Nevermind!" I dismissed. "But don't worry about getting left behind, Nefiru will find a way to get a human body... I'm sure he misses a sense of touch in a body that only hardens with time. I mean... he's coated in metal now..." I comforted.

"Human? Ewww!" Little sister sounded disgusted. "I want a huggable version of Nefi and he agreed to make a fluffy humanoid for me~" She triumphantly declared.

A beast folk? Hmm... I thought Shaila surpassed that trauma but she just found some comfortable middle ground... Oh-well~ I conjecture accepting her choice.

"Are you missing your toys? Can't you just buy a stuffed animal and write Nefiru on it?" I teased.

"...Nefi's my toy!" Shaila pouted. "Just...need to reach Divine soon and find a solution for the invading soul problem. Mana...need lots of Mana..." She muttered biting a nail.

She's right! Divines are the ultimate sex partners! I'll die of envy if these two shove that fact in my face... I affirmed. I need to step up my game and find a Divine or someone who could reach that Rank... I decided.

"You know what? I want a companion too. I have to think of the future." I declared.

"If you can resist the urges..." She remarked rolling her eyes.

"Oh, Lifeforce is good for that becau--" I explain the method.

"Of course!" Shaila interrupted. "Magic can be used to dampen arousal, though Light isn't good..." She described trailing off.

"Uhh... Lifeforce has a better control of the body, but it doesn't help with the mind either." I clarified.

"Oh, yeah! I should meditate." Shaila informed sitting on the bed again.

"No, leave that for later. Let's go take a bath and eat Nefiru--I mean dinner." I nagged pulling her off the bed.

"Alright." Shaila said illuminating the way to the bathroom. "I'm too uncomfortable anyways. There's dried blood in my ass...my hair is a mess as well." She said scratching her bottom.

"Watch your manners in front of Mother, wolfie sister. The less she talks, the better." I instructed.

"Hihihi~" She giggled.

-Nefiru's POV-

The clock inside an office on the third floor somewhere in England marks 2:29 in the afternoon and the end of my shift is nowhere in sight, but my hell continues tonight as well. The cost of living is too high for this crappy job to barely pay the Flat bills and my mother's debts...

Hm? A lucid dream? I become aware as an expectator.

[...Cancer treatments are expected to improve another 11% by 2034 with recent discoveries...] The news from a co-worker's cellphone reach me.

Ever since the plagues of the middle ages shook humanity with countless deaths, and weakened religions, the world leaders supported scientific research fearing annihilation, and thus, began an age of prosperity. Nowadays, diseases are history, but overpopulation became a problem, and hunger along with the lack of water cause numerous fatalities while the non-renewable resources are depleting at an exponential rate resulting in conflicts.

Oh! This is the draconian lifetime! I identified.

Little did I know, that the tension between countries reached its climax and the countdown towards the end of peace started while I ponder about history in my office booth.

*ZroooOOOIISSSHHhhhh!!* The sound of fighter Jets become louder until they pass over my building.

""Wha--"" The people around questioned alarmed.

*BOOMMM!! BOOOMMM!! BOOMMM!! BOOMMM!! KA-BOOOMM!!* Bombs sounded from the direction of the military facility close by. *KRRUUMMM!* Our building shakes strongly and things start to fall. *BANG! Crash! Brrrzt! Zruush! Kryash! Kyaaa! Ahhh!* Objects fall, glass break, people scream and electricity shortcircuits before everything went black for me.

It seems whatever was in that base, exploded. I conjectured.

"...Ugh... My head...my body!?" I wake up to find myself under the booth walls.

You fainted like a feeble girl! I mocked myself.

"Hnng-ahh! Ough! Huff! Huff..." I struggled out and looking around for people. "How long was I out?" I wonder hearing distant screams.

Long enough for everyone to leave, apparently...check your wallet. I retorted.

*Kruk--bruummmm!* The building suddenly shook and people left inside started whimpering.

I noticed the cracks everywhere, then immediately rushed to the stairs and quickly reached the parking lot to get my bike, but it was no longer there, so I decided to join the people running on the streets.

*Crack!! Crack!--KRUNK! KRURUUMMM!* The old building starts to collapse over me.

That looks cool...I don't recall this. I reviewed.

"Oooh! Bloody HEEEELL!!" I yelled sprinting towards the exit as the support pillars crunch around me. "AHH!!--Urk! GHAAAAHH!!" I struggled with my eyes closed holding back the falling debris.

*BRUUK--BOOMM!* The building finally fell before I reached the exit.

Aaand game over! Nah, it's dark again. I commented.

I made it out limping with bleedings all over my body while the arms feel clumsier than usual, and start limping on the cloudy streets obscured by white dust. My hazy consciousness gradually clears and hear the sound of people passing by me while the vision extends.

Ah, I remember the dust getting in my eyes here...check your arms dude. I confirmed.

"Wa-?" I noticed my deformed arms. "W-wh-what happened? A biological weapon? A hallucinogen?" I questioned waving my limbs as thick as legs with scales protruding out of the skin unnaturally.

That looks painful... I review.

*Fwoo-woshh! Fwoo-woshh!* A large shadow suddenly appeared with flapping sounds while following the street. *THUMP!!* It landed on the other side of a collapsed building near me.

He's here... My Dragon teacher. I expected.

"Are you Ryan?" A deep voice came from the other side of toppled columns.

"Who-who are you?! What do you want with me?" I stopped and asked into the smoke cloud.

"I'm your cousin, Rigel. Grandma Elaine send me to get you." He replied.

Ahh! The familiar names! I recognized watching the suppressed dream unfold.