Heritage

I exhaled, letting go of the breath I didn't realize I was holding. "Well, that was something," I muttered, breaking the silence as we stared at the spot Kazuya disappeared from.

"It certainly was something alright," Nathan agreed.

Myadin sighed before overlooking me and then Audrey Genia. "Audrey, come here, let me heal you." She beckoned the dragon goddess with a hand.

Audrey Genia scowled at her, but after a moment of silent scrutiny, she sheathed her sword and did as Myadin asked.

Myadin's eyes widened and she pointed a finger in the air like she realized something. "Actually, you know what? Nathan, can you come here too? This will give you some good practice."

Hesitant, Nathan did as Myadin asked.

Myadin smiled. "Can you check her neck for me?"

Nathan gave Myadin a questioning glance before facing Audrey Genia, he raised a cautious hand toward her before stopping in hesitation. Like he was waiting for Audrey Genia's permission. He lowered his hand and stood closer to her, fidgeting a little as he examined her neck.

Audrey Genia's eyes never left Nathan's face and he couldn't bear to meet them.

"Stop shaking," Audrey Genia commanded. "Are you a man or a mouse? I don't bite."

Though she was still transformed, seeing Audrey Genia at ease made me relax.

"I'm not sure I believe that, Ash," I said.

Tiffany sniffed, amused. "Yeah, with how long those fangs of yours are I doubt that."

Audrey Genia smiled. "I don't bite too hard, at least. Not the subjects that please me." She gave Nathan an even look as if she were evaluating him, she scrunched her lips.

"Ouuu, what does that mean?" Tiffany asked, a mischievous smile stuck on her face.

Audrey Genia shook her head, still facing Nathan. "Though you were brave, do not be foolish enough to challenge an opponent you know nothing about. If Kazuya were serious you would be dead."

Nathan sputtered, unsure of himself. "I—uh...yeah, sure."

"I will not lose access to my birthright just because you feel like playing hero. And Mercy?"

"Hmm?"

"Call me by my real name when I'm like this, as this is who I really am."

I hummed."...Sure." I had no problem with that but... "Do you mind if I call you AG?" I liked her name a lot, but it would get tedious to say the whole thing all the time. Hopefully, she would agree to shorten it a bit.

Audrey Genia sighed. "That's fine."

Terra chuckled. "Now that's ironic."

Audrey Genia looked at him, curious.

"Nah, it's just that your nickname would be the symbol for silver when having everything in gold is pretty much your shtick."

Audrey Genia wasn't amused. "Everything I have is not gold. That's Kazuya's theme, not mine."

Terra smirk widened. "The Golden Dragon?"

"Ugh, fair enough."

Nathan laughed. "Man, you're gonna have a ton of nicknames before this school year ends."

Audrey Genia narrowed her eyes at Nathan. "And what are some of these nicknames you speak of?"

"I'd say one but I'd like to keep my tongue, thanks."

"Oh?" Audrey Genia feigned surprise. "You're wiser than you look. Well, what are you waiting for? Unleash your ability."

Nathan paused and gathered himself. "Alright." He raised a hand, hovering around Audrey Genia's neck and a light green aura started to emanate from it.

Myadin stepped beside him, watching him carefully. "Remember what I said. Let your vapor flow from your lower chakras, the pools of energy in your abdomen and chest to your palms and fingers. Take deep breaths, nice and slow."

"Mm-hmm." Nathan placed his hand on Audrey Genia's neck. Audrey Genia attempted to watch him with her eyes angled downward at his wrist but after a moment, she just closed them, letting Nathan's spiritual energy course through her neck and her body.

Though Audrey Genia's neck stopped bleeding a while ago, I noticed the wounds given to her by Kazuya's nails shrinking, slowly but surely. But after a few minutes, the glow around Nathan's hand dimmed and the gashes that covered Audrey Genia's neck still refused to close and heal. Nathan was grimacing and sweating, straining himself as he tried his force his power to work. He nearly faltered before Myadin stepped in and grabbed his shoulder.

"That's enough. Thank you, Nathan," she said, helping Nathan move over. "I'll handle it from here."

Audrey Genia judged Myadin with narrowed eyes as our teacher's hand hovered around her neck. Myadin's hand glowed purple, energy floating in the space between them until it reached the princess. Flesh and muscle twisted itself together and Audrey Genia clenched in pain with gritted teeth as her wounds shrank—closing within seconds.

Audrey Genia eyed Myadin with a threatening look and then she cracked her neck before gripping it with a hand. She tilted her head from side-to-side before wiping off the excess blood from her healed injures. As her hand dropped, she gave at Nathan and Myadin an even look. "I owe you my thanks."

"It's okay to be appreciative of others, AG," Tiffany said, causing Terra and Nathan to laugh.

"I can't believe it." Nathan smirked at Audrey Genia. "You're actually thanking me for once," he said.

Audrey Genia pursed her lips. "Don't attempt to be cute, you're not Terra."

Nathan frowned, confused and offended. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

Terra, my sister, and I laughed at that.

After we finished chuckling, I said, "Looks like you have even more competition for your boyfriend, Tiff."

Tiffany let out an exaggerated sigh with her hands on her waist as she pretended to be disappointed. "It can't be helped, everyone is into pretty-boys nowadays, It's the pain that comes with having good taste."

Nathan tsked, glancing at Audrey Genia. "I thought you'd be more into muscular dudes and stuff. A real macho man."

I folded my arms while rolling my eyes internally. Muscles on a guy were usually hot, I liked them—as long as guy didn't overdo it. I mean, a square jaw, a cute butt, toned arms, and a nice chest would make me or any other girl weak... But I could tell Nathan was being stereotypical with his thinking in a shallow way. Looks weren't everything a girl wanted. Besides, to me, Audrey Genia seemed to be into submissive hard-working guys that would do anything to please her.

"I didn't mean it like that," Audrey Genia snapped. "Before you continue being loose with your tongue, I'd advise you to do everything in your power to get stronger, otherwise you really may lose it."

"Audrey Genia, are the continuous threats really necessary?" Myadin asked.

"I know right?" Tiffany agreed. "All that bark and no bite."

Audrey Genia's eyes cut to my sister but I stepped in.

"Tiff, stop being an ass."

"What? She's not gonna harm us, her little toys," Tiffany said, tilting her head and mocking Audrey Genia with a smirk. "Not any of the followers she painstakingly gathered to soothe her own ego."

Audrey Genia's lips tightened.

"She cares more for you than that," Terra said, his arm curling around Tiffany's waist. He was protecting Tiffany from Audrey Genia, letting her know he was still there.

Audrey Genia closed her eyes. "Fortunately for you."

"If you don't want to be picked at by your friends, perhaps you should stop doing the same to them," Myadin suggested.

Nathan stepped next to AG, looking at her. "No offense, AG," he glanced at Myadin, "but I think that you take her too seriously—"

"Excuse me?" Audrey Genia arms were crossed, an armored finger tapping on her elbow crease.

"—based on how we first met," Nathan said, a bit louder. "AG, if you were gonna hurt anyone here, you would have done it already. She wasn't threatening me, teach." He smiled at Audrey Genia, faintly. "She just doesn't want me to be a burden." Nathan examined his fist, the green glow returning before he let it go. It was dim, compared to before.

"Are you finally taking this seriously?" Audrey Genia asked. "Kazuya should have made you aware of how dangerous the enemies we face may be."

"Kazuya is an outlier," Myadin said. "And most capes on this planet aren't anywhere close to that. Unless the enemies you plan to face aren't from here?"

Audrey Genia refused to answer, her lips curled as she glowered at Myadin.

Myadin sighed before taking a seat next to the stairway that led to the kitchen, the three rings around the disk of her staff jingling. "Okay, we can talk about that later. Come on, I want to place an alarm barrier around the house before we leave." Myadin then vanished, I assumed, to create whatever invisible barrier she wanted to make around our home. After she was finished a few minutes later, she left with Nathan and Audrey Genia, claiming that her magic barrier would alert them if Kazuya returned to the premises. After giving Tiffany a kiss goodbye, Terra left as well.

Our parents returned a couple of hours later and they didn't seem to notice anything out of the ordinary. We made sure to clean the basement doing our very damndest to make the den spotless before they came back. Thank God, the fight between our friends and Kazuya didn't cause too much damage. Though our parents didn't really have much reason to go into the basement during weekdays, it felt better to be safer than sorry.

I was glad that Myadin removed Audrey Genia's blood from the carpet before they left, it would have taken a lot of elbow grease to get that out. Still, Mom and Dad were seemed off, they didn't even speak a lot to us during dinner. Of course, they went through their spiel about work before asking usual questions: How was our day was, if anything interesting happened, how was practice—which we lied about. Judging by their expressions, there was something they wanted to talk about but they couldn't quite say it.

Tiffany and I wouldn't dare ask them about it, knowing that bringing up the weird feeling that surrounded the dinner table would give them the impetus to interrogate us. Dad knew something was up for sure, I couldn't look him in the eye when I excused myself from the table with my sister. He even said as much, saying that he wouldn't pry but that we could tell him and Mom anything we needed to when we were ready.

Tiffany spent most of the night in my room and we talked a bit, trying to process everything that happened today. I knew our relationship with Ashley wouldn't be the same after all that and I was proven right the next day at school.

Putting my backpack and binder in my locker as I prepared to go to lunch, I turned my head once I heard the girls in our group chattering as they approached. Ashley was leading the pack as always with Rika right by her side.

I hesitated. "Hey, Ashley," I said, trying my best to smile and not pay attention to the judgemental looks from Rika and the other girls.

Ashley huffed and closed her eyes for a moment, pulling her books closer to her chest as she passed right by me. She didn't spare me a second glance, it was like I wasn't even there. Tonya and Nicole 'oohed' as they sauntered by with entertained smiles running across their faces. Brittany laughed and turned away from me, her nose in the air.

"Ouch," Lorie whispered, unable to hide her glee.

Rika turned toward me with a sneer and mouthed the word 'loser' before resuming her position at Ashley's side and Diana passed by without even looking at me.

It stung. I ran my tongue over my teeth in futile attempt to focus on something else and make the pain go away. It looked like I was going to get the Katherine treatment from here on out. I guessed it would be good to prepare myself. In a way, it was what I deserved.

Anger started to worm its way in my gut as I watched them leave. Ashley couldn't even look at me though? We stood side-by-side as we faced Kazuya. Yeah, I didn't fight the guy but I tried to offer my support. That counted for something. Jeez, she could fight a maniacal fox god that nearly broke her neck but she couldn't stand up for me in front of our regular friends. Whatever.

Nathan walked with me to lunch and I confided in him a little, my sister caught up with us soon after. We avoided Ashley's table like the plague, settling for the one that we sat at the last time we had a problem with her and the rest of the group. Terra must've thought like we did; he was already there, eating. As Nathan sat next to his best friend, Tiffany and I plopped our trays down and seated ourselves on the opposite side so we didn't see Ashley's table. Nathan was paying attention to something behind me and I turned around to see. I shouldn't have.

"Mercy, hold up—" Nathan almost stood up from his seat to get my attention but it was too late.

Timothy and Rika were in the middle of a fucking glorified makeout session, being encouraged by the rest of the boys and girls around the table. Ashley was the only one that observed quietly. I couldn't tell if she was amused at their antics or disinterested.

I felt nauseous, the pain in my heart still so fresh. Timothy broke away from Rika making sure the coast was clear of any teachers before going for a second kiss. That familiar resentment, that boiling anger bubbled up in my stomach and chest—threatening to consume me if I didn't clamp a lid on it. After their last kiss, Rika looked our direction. Our eyes met and she flashed me a smile that was just so smug. I turned around to sit forward. Disgusting. Why did this feel so unbearable? Why couldn't I just get over my ex already? Now I realized why I was secretly grateful for all the crap Kazuya put us through, the world he introduced to us. It helped me keep my mind off of Timothy. I looked up from my food and paused as I noticed everyone observing me.

Terra broke the awkward silence, taking a swing of his milk. "Since when did they start dating?"

"Probably since after I pissed her off, sticking up for Katherine," I said, picking at my chicken and mashed potatoes with a fork.

Tiffany turned her head to glance at our old table as she rubbed my back. "That's not a real relationship. Tim doesn't like that bitch."

"I wouldn't be surprised of Rika feels the same way," Terra murmured.

Why did Terra's words alleviate some of the pain in my chest? Somewhere deep down, did I hope that Timothy would take me back? I pushed the thought away.

Nathan seemed mildly amused. "They're doing a business transaction if you know what I mean."

Terra and I smiled while Tiffany chuckled.

"Boy—you're such a goofball," I said. I shook my head. "I don't know why Ashley seems so pissed off today."

"Of course she'd be pissed off, fox-boy nearly strangled her to death last night," Tiffany said while picking at my plate her fork, taking some of my chicken. I glared at her. there was more than enough on her plate.

"She couldn't prove herself to Kazuya the way she wanted," Terra mused.

I frowned and hummed. Ashley was still upset during soccer practice, competing with Shanice and the rest of the upperclassman like she was proving herself against the world. She barely shared the ball during our scrimmage periods. Sprinting and dribbling the entire practice field, trying to do everything herself. It didn't work well for her. Ashley's anger was making her sloppy, unfocused. Ashley would often lose control or possession of the ball and she couldn't regain ground, not without revealing her superhuman abilities. Her growing frustration was evident as she almost cleated another player's face off. Coach made her sit out a while after that.

We were all playing hard, really. It was like the intensity from Ashley's aura was rubbing off on us. Rika was just as bad, but only toward me and Tiffany. Rika nearly took my knees out in a slide tackle when I tried to score and Tiffany picked a fight with her because of it. Their scuffle was broken up by Coach, but he decided to end practice there. He stated it was so we could be well-rested for tomorrow's match, but I knew wanted us all to chill out a bit. It was better to calm down and direct our animosity toward the team we faced tomorrow instead of beating each other up. Before I left the locker room to go home, both a few teammates and later Coach Stephen asked me what was wrong between four of us. Knowing that everyone would gossip about it, I played dumb. There was no issue. I told them that Ashley treating practice like a game was a regular occurrence; that Rika and Tiffany were heated and in the moment. Some girls were pissed I didn't reveal much but most of our teammates were supportive.

CImagine my surprise we noticed, Ms. Frazzle waiting for us in the gymnasium as we exited the locker room.

"Ms. Frazzle!" I said.

Tiffany was equally shocked. "What are you doing here?"

Our teacher smiled, phone in hand. "Hey girls, I wanted to give you my contact info. We're going to meet at Nathan's place tonight and I figured you two might want to be involved."

I glanced at Tiffany and she shrugged.

"Sure," I said. "But we need to get cleaned up and our Dad is outside."

"That's no problem at all. I can pick you up."

"You gonna drive to our house?" Tiffany asked.

Ms. Frazzle shook her head. "Mm-mm. I have an access point in his room. We can teleport there. I rather his parents not be aware of our visit."

"You've been visiting a student, alone, after-hours?" Tiffany's grin was obnoxious. "Scandalous!"

Ms. Frazzle palmed her forehead then massaged her temple with two fingers. "You girls are so troublesome."

Tiffany's words made me think. I knew why Audrey Genia was interested in Nathan, but why was Ms. Frazzle? Obviously, there was something about his power she wanted to take advantage of, but what?

"Should we invite Terra?" I asked my sister.

She pulled her phone out of her purse.

"No need," Ms. Frazzle said. "I've talked with Nathan. Terra's already at his place."

"Of course he is, detention must have finished early today."

The corners of Ms. Frazzle's eyes were crinkled as she smiled. "Actually, that's not far from the truth."

"I know."

We left the gym, going outside toward our dad's truck in the bus lane next to the sidewalk. Walking away from the glass doors, I turned back to see our coach advance toward Ms. Frazzle before she could escape him. Nope, you're not gonna dodge the flirt this time.

"I kinda feel bad with for her," I said.

"She'll live. If he tries to kiss her, she can turn him into a frog or something."

I giggled.

After dinner, we did our homework and Tiffany texted Ms. Frazzle once we were finished. A few minutes later, purple mist formed in the middle of my bedroom as she materialized in the air in her serpent-elf form, wearing her purple robes and golden ornaments and necklaces. Her lips curled upward, violet eyes shifting between us.

"Are we ready?"

I felt my body shift and I closed my eyes. Opening them I found myself standing in a small bedroom. Nathan was sitting on the bed Terra was leaning on, and out of the corner of my eye, I could see gold. I turned to see Audrey Genia leaning on the wall next to the door. I noticed my sister next to me, her mouth hanging open for second before she closed it.

"—Hey! Ems, Tiff," Nathan said, a slight smile graced his lips. "Welcome... to my room."

I smiled. "Hey, Nathan."

Tiffany hummed.

She examined the environment, I did as well. His room was neat and organized, maybe a bit too barren. The baby blue walls were pretty much empty aside from a few anime and movie posters. A simple wooden desk fitted with a rolling chair was in the corner next to his bed. It was filled with books.

"Not to shabby, it's actually clean." Tiffany bounced and tackled her boyfriend and they landed on the bed forcing Nathan to stand up. The lovebirds cuddled, sprawled all over Nathan's blue and green checkered-plaid bedspread.

"Y'all can't do that shit here. When I say get a room this isn't what I mean."

Tiffany turned around to face Nathan, her eyes slightly narrowed as gave him a lopsided grin. "You'd like that wouldn't you?"

Terra snorted while rubbing Tiffany's hair and Nathan wrinkled his nose.

"Fuck no," Nathan said.

"What did I say about language, Nathan?"

I felt a gentle hand cup my shoulder. Myadin was standing beside me, she let go of my shoulder and pulled down her hood, revealing her elven ears.

"Now that we have everyone here, we can begin."

"Wait. First, everyone needs to take off their shoes and put them over there. I can't have you messing up the carpet. " Nathan pointed behind me and my gaze followed to see wide closet doors. Nathan paused as Audrey Genia observed him with half-closed eyes. "I guess, your armor would be hard to take off."

Audrey Genia exhaled and leaned off the wall. "That is no issue." She dispelled her armor, shining so much that I squinted.

When the light diminished, my eyes widened. Audrey Genia was pretty much in her underwear! Well, maybe more like an athletic bathing suit. A black bralette and panties both with chainmail mesh. Compression sleeves on her arms and legs, her feet bare. She resumed her position on the wall, arms crossed.

Embarrassed, I blushed. Terra whistled obviously enjoying the view, Tiffany slapped his shoulder.

"Woah." Nathan stared taken aback.

Tiffany was grinning. "I'll say. He said to take off your shoes not to strip. Kazuya rubbed off on you pretty hard, huh?"

I looked at her side-eyed. She was one to talk.

Audrey Genia tilted her head, a hand on her hip as she leaned to one side. I couldn't stop staring at the tattoos on her: thick jagged lines zigzagged from the 'X's' on her shoulders down her chest, stomach, and abdomen. Thick blood-red markings, going all the way down to her pelvis until they reached her thighs, crisscrossing into more 'X's' that ran down her legs.

"I don't mind showing off my body." She preened with a smile. "Not everyone is blessed to witness such beauty."

"I can't with you, AG."

Audrey Genia glanced at Nathan with flashing eyes. "What of you Nathan? Your thoughts?"

"I..."

"Why don't we get started already?" Myadin cut in, exasperated. She unbuckled her sandals and placed them next to Terra's sneakers at the edge of Nathan's closet.

Tiffany and I followed as Audrey Genia chuckled, Nathan saved from having to answer her. I sat next to my sister on Nathan's bed rubbing my socks on the ash-colored carpet to get comfortable.

"Why are all of you sitting on my bed and I'm standing?"

"You have a chair right there, bro."

"Yeah," I said. "And we're your guests anyway. You should give us the five-star visitor experience."

Nathan scrunched his lips. "Y'all are way too loud." He gave Myadin a look. "Didn't you say you were going to soundproof my room? My parents can't know you guys are here."

"Ah, I forgot. Sorry. Making a basic workshop should suffice." Myadin folder her hands as if she were making a prayer. Energy pulsed through the room. "There we go."

"What did you do?" Tiffany asked. "Where is the 'workshop?'"

"It's all around us," Myadin explained. "A workshop is simply a place where a mage or sorcerer can practice and perfect their craft, once the area is saturated with enough of their spiritual energy."

"But you didn't change anything," Terra said, evaluating our teacher with a keen eye. "I've seen quite a few of your workshops and temples before."

Myadin's lips thinned. "Ah, but Terra you don't need to physically manipulate a location for it to be considered a workshop. For simple techniques and inexperienced mages, or those that travel a lot, something like this is enough."

"Then I'm assuming that Nathan's family will not be able to here us from below then." Audrey Genia said.

"That's correct."

"Oh shit," Nathan snapped his fingers. "I forgot to offer you guys drinks. Anyone want snacks or anything?"

Most of us refused, but Terra wanted a bottle of water. After Nathan came back we continued, but Audrey Genia remained silent. I wondered if she was still angry at the result of her fight with Kazuya. I recalled a classmate saying that she made Brittany lead most of the interactions with the group today.

"So who wants to start the breakdown of everything that happened yesterday?" Terra asked.

I shrugged. "How so? I've been wondering if Kazuya would return to our house all day."

"Unfortunately, yeah, because he doesn't know when to quit," Tiffany said. "But we'll probably have a couple of days before he comes back, like the first time he left. At least we have that."

"Kazuya bothered me but I think he kinda had a point," I said. "Maybe attacking him like that was a bit much."

Tiffany crossed her arms. "Nothing is too much for that asshole."

"I've heard that challenging someone to fight can be like a standard greeting between Valterians, those that are close," Myadin said. She looked at Audrey Genia but the horned blonde avoided eye contact, disinterested. "Still, dealing with him was a doozy, I'm not in a hurry to face him again, he pushed my magic to its limit."

Nathan sat backward on his roller chair, over the headrest with his arms crossed on top. "It looked you were holding your own to me."

"You weren't paying attention, Nathan," Maydin said. "He was able to hold all three of us off at the same time and we could never keep him isolated for long. If he didn't decide to leave when he did, I'm not sure what would have happened."

"We weren't fighting at full power either, teach," Terra commented. His legs were crossed while he sat on the bed as his fingertips tracing over Tiffany's neck and back, her head lying in his lap as she relaxed. "We subconsciously held back because we didn't know the limits of each other abilities. It's a lack of experience, fighting together. Took me a bit to predict the moves everyone would make, making it hard to cut loose. If I was a bit slower, that would've screwed me."

Audrey Genia huffed, irritated. With a tap of a finger, she created a golden portal and stepped through, to fast for us to say anything to stop her. Myadin and Nathan called out to her right before the portal vanished but it was futile.

"What's her problem?" Tiffany asked as sat up, looking at where Audrey Genia left.

"She's still angry with Kazuya," Nathan said and Terra nodded in agreement.

"She's still salty about it?"

"Wouldn't you be?" I countered.

My sister's nose twitched.

"She wanted to fight him one-on-one," Terra said.

Myadin adjusted her robes. "Mmm. I guess she couldn't also couldn't 'cut loose' with us in the way."

"I don't care what AG thinks, there's no way she'd be able to beat that guy by herself," Nathan said.

"Maybe not, but I don't think Kazuya would really kill her," Terra said. "She's one of his pupils."

"Like that means anything," Tiffany said. "If we go by Mercy's dreams or whatever, Kazuya took care of us and knew our parents. You see how he treats us."

I noticed Myadin stiffen for a moment and she bit her lip, making me curious why she would have that reaction.

"I wonder what AG is gonna do," I said, worried.

Terra yawned and stretched his arms. "She'll get over it. She's wouldn't let a bruised ego keep her down for long."

Tiffany eyed her boyfriend, skeptical. "Are you sure about that? You know how arrogant she is."

"Who's arrogant?" Audrey Genia came back into existence, stepping out from the portal that reappeared—still barely dressed.

I fidgeted with my fingers as I attempted to keep from looking below her neckline. Good lord, put on some clothes girl! Seeing her like that made me feel kinda weird. Damnit! Why couldn't I have a belly as flat as hers?

"I leave for a moment and you have already begun gossiping behind my back."

"We're not saying anything bad about you," I said. "Not really...?"

"Not really?"

"We were still on the subject of Kazuya," Myadin said.

I thought about Kazuya's warning, his words playing over in my head. Images of Shekhinah and her dead students appeared in my mind. "Do you think he was right about the Arcadians coming back?"

"He may be many things, but he's not a liar," Audrey Genia said grudgingly. "I recently contacted my father and he mentioned that Corinath is angry at the seraph, Malachi, since he found out his mate was Sibyl, one of Valterian oracles. Father says he's been picking fights with Valteria ever since, even amidst the Asrathian problem. I wouldn't be surprised if Corinath sends a seraph here to investigate."

"An Arcadian seraph is something we can't afford to deal with, right now," Myadin said.

"Not everyone is a weak as you, serpent-elf."

"No... but even though you are strong Audrey Genia, but you can't face the entirety of the Twelve Celestial Kingdoms on your own. You don't have access to all your power and you have friends to protect here—don't scowl at me, I know you care. Besides, this world isn't ready for something like that."

"Then Kazuya should have never set foot on this planet's soil."

"Venus is preparing for something with the gangs here in Ravensworth," Terra said. "She's the reason why the Inheritors have been making moves."

Audrey Genia twirled a strand of hair, viewing Terra with renewed interest. "So even Aunt Venus is here," she murmured.

Terra smirked. "You're related to her?"

"No. She's a family friend. She was once a servant of my father."

"Ah. Well, whatever is coming is gotta be big. She even hired the entire Sinster Seven to help corral the gangs."

"Wow." Myadin frowned. "I'm surprised that the Goddess of Corruption is living here on Earth."

"I doubt it's for the long term."

Tiffany scratched Terra's back and his eyes closed as he enjoyed the sensation.

"Does that mean you'll be out all night again?"

"Don't worry, Tiff, I'll be safe."

Tiffany scrunched her lips. "I'm not worried for you, I'm worried for the rest of Ravensworth. Don't blow up the entire city, please. Thanks."

Terra laughed.

Thinking about what AG said before, I gave her and Myadin a questioning glance. "So, can you guys explain more? Who is this Malachi and Sibyl? What did they do to piss off Corinath so bad?"

"Yeah," Tiffany said. "And how are they related to Kazuya?"

"Now that's the most important question," Terra said, smirking.

Myadin frowned. "Arcadians aren't a race that is particularly known to be accepting of race-mixing. Arcadians and Valterians barely get along as is."

"So we've heard," I said.

"An Arcadian mating with a Valterian or lower race was always punishable by death. Of course with Malachi being Corinath's son, you see how much of a problem that is." Myadin faltered, unsure of herself as she viewed us. "I know you may not believe this right now but—"

I could feel my heart stop.

"Hold it," Audrey Genia said, cutting her off. "That's for Kazuya to tell them if he so wishes. Know your place."

"Say what?" Tiffany gave her a look of annoyance. "What do you mean it's for fox-boy to tell us?"

Nathan snorted. "Why would you say that about him, when we went through all that to get rid of him?"

So that's how it was. Just like Kazuya, Myadin and Audrey Genia knew things about us they weren't telling.

"My objective was to keep him from harassing Tiffany and Mercy in their home, that is all," Audrey Genia explained. "Regardless of what you may think I'm not foolish enough to reject help when I need it. Even with my army, if the Arcadians were to attack, Kazuya's power and tactical expertise would be invaluable."

"I guess he should help," Tiffany admitted. "It's his responsibility anyway."

Audrey Genia tilted her head slightly, looking out of Nathan's bedroom window. "I agree. I will talk to him alone and discuss the options we have."

Nathan looked as if he rejected the idea outright. "Wait, what?"

"You sure you don't need support?" Terra asked.

"Unnecessary."

Before we could attempt to remind AG about last night and persuade her from leaving, she opened and slipped through a golden void—this time, for good.

"I hope she knows what she's doing," I said, my hand lowering after I attempted to reach out to her.

Nathan was quiet, he seemed conflicted. Terra touched his shoulder then faced the rest of the group.

"AG will be alright. She's a survivor. If there was anyone can face him alone, it would be her."

Nathan's balled his hands into fists. "Can't we follow her?"

"I'd rather we all go with Audrey, Nathan, but I can't track her once she steps through her portals. We're going to have to trust her judgment, this time."

"Her judgment nearly got her choked to death," Tiffany said. "But Terra could be right. Killing your own student after you spent however many years teaching them seems pointless, not to mention stupid."

My lips thinned. "But remember what he did to Shekhinah's students."

Tiffany blinked at me. "That's unusually pessimistic of you sis. Hmmm. Still, last night didn't feel the same. Those guys weren't his students. He didn't even use that giant fox form this time."

"We should be grateful he decided not to use the Sacred Seal," Myadin said. "I knew he was toying with us, but to have something like that in his arsenal... It's unfathomable. I shouldn't be surprised with the leader of the Fox clan being his mate."

"What?" Tiffany caught my eye. "I swear he said he got it from dude during the Arcadian fight. Think there's something fox-boy isn't telling us?"

I smiled and Myadin shook her head at Tiffany's insinuation.

"He did receive the seal from a man in a roundabout way," Myadin said. "From what I was told, the leader of the Fox clan, Jun—I think it was, she was given the seal by King Fox."

"King Fox must be one of the Old Gods Shekhinah mentioned."

"Yes. They were the second version or Irregulars created by the Elder Gods, they're like Valterian prototypes if you will."

I hummed in understanding. She answered my other question before I could ask it. Myadin eyes sparkled as she flashed me a knowing smile.

"That's interesting in all, but it doesn't help us find AG," Nathan said.

"Well, do you know where she went, champ? Cuz I don't," Tiffany leaned her head on Terra's shoulder."If you have any big ideas on how to find her, I'm sure we're all ears."

Nathan rolled his eyes.

"All we can do wait and hope for the best," Myadin said.

Terra nodded. "Yup. Bro, Myadin and I just got out of a heated fight with him. Imagine how we feel."

"I guess."

"Look. I'll do what I can to try and find Audrey Genia for the next few hours using my magecraft." Myadin overlooked the rest of us. "As for all you, you need to rest for school tomorrow. Make sure your homework is done and get to bed. Mercy, Tiffany, I'll take you home." She glanced at Terra.

"Drop me off downtown," he said.

Myadin did as she promised and we arrived back in my room, our parents none the wiser. Tired after my sister left, I quickly changed into my pajamas and went to bed.

I dreamed about a familiar place, that familiar grassland that came to my mind in times of boredom or contemplation. A hint of that paradise I desired to create. There was more to it than before; the dream felt vivid and real as I soared through the endless field, passing some trees and occasional shrubbery as my wings helped me glide. A voice was calling out to me, surfing the wind and teasing my ears. I strained to hear. The voice of an older woman.

"Re_m-be-r..." she whispered. "...wh_o y-yo...u are."

I found myself wading through some vegetation, my fingertips softly skimming the vibrant blades of grass as I observed the open meadow in wonder. I sighed in relief, as I ambled about. Tired like I just finished embarking on a long journey. I had absolutely no idea where I was, yet this place felt like home. A gigantic tree, taller and wider than the biggest skyscraper I'd ever seen was off in the distance, hundreds of its ginormous thick roots digging and pulling up the ground below. The roots entangled with mounds of rock and dirt made the tower of wood seem like it was on top of a mountain ridge. The tree reminded me of Yggdrasil, the pictures of it I'd seen when reading about Nordic mythology. I was overwhelmed with joy, a feeling of euphoria. It felt as if I was reliving my childhood, like when I played outside at Dusk's castle with my friends.

"Re_mem-ber..."

That voice again...

Yes. I remember.

I made a promise. A promise to my sister I would do anything to keep. About a place I would somehow create. A place where we didn't have to worry about fighting, suffering, and death. Where we didn't have to spend our lives working and living a dull and tedious existence waiting to die, being forgotten to the sands of time. A place we could all live in peace and happiness. All of us!

I'm gonna go there Tiff... I'll go and prepare a place for you. So when I come back I can take you with me. So where I am you can be too, with everyone. Let's go there Tiffany, to that utopia.

Everyone... everyone is waiting for us.

So...

Let's go.

And let's live life with—

"No regrets."

I paused, hearing my sister's voice as I spoke as she was nowhere to be found. Time passed, I wasn't sure how long but the scenery changed. I walked through the field with other capes by my side. All of them my allies as we faced off against a terrifying creature: a shadow, a dark void, that threatened to corrode and consume everything it touched. I couldn't really describe it. It was blurry, the creature's body hard to comprehend. Its goat-like head was the only thing that I could really see.

I didn't fear. The time to be scared ended long ago. There was no need to be afraid of the goat creature surrounded by my friends. Nathan, AG, Myadin, and Terra. Kazuya and Shekhinah. Even Katherine was there along with other capes, millions—trillions—of people from all over. With his majestic sword, I could see Kimba stand tall, side-by-side with Dusk, their petty squabble ended. I notice the flying Jellyfish that was PTE and the burning comet that was Nexus, shining brighter than the sun. Lightspeed, Magnificent, Galaxia and the rest. Valterians, Arcadians and even other races. Even Nature and the rest of the gods were there. Finally. We were all working together.

I woke up, joy leaving me once I realized it was only a dream. But the dream was seared into the recesses of my mind and deep into my heart. I would never forget it. Riding to bus to school, my thoughts drifted from my dream to Audrey Genia. I wondered if Ms. Frazzle found her. If she did, she didn't call to say. Nathan and Terra didn't text me, and Tiffany told me she'd didn't hear anything either. Ms. Frazzle was actually absent in the morning, leaving my first period and homeroom with Principal Hardy as the substitute.

The day took a turn for the worst as I was approached by ex between Japanese and my last class.

"Hey," Timothy said, startling me as he approached from behind.

I jammed the textbooks I didn't need for History in my locker and slammed it closed, refusing to turn around. The pain of our break up, all the feelings hit me again like a freight train."Can I help you?" I whispered, venom in my voice. I didn't want to look at him. I was scared about what I would do. What I would say. How I'd feel. I was still attracted to him and he knew it. Fuck! He dumped me to chase after some other bitch, so why did I even care about him? Why did I feel this way? I could still feel him hovering behind me.

"Come on, Ems, look at me for a sec."

"Don't talk to me," I growled out.

"Ha?"

I still didn't want to look at him, I felt numb. "Why are you talking to me?"

He scoffed. "I wanted to wish you good luck today, during your game."

"Horseshit," I said. "I don't believe you anymore. Don't talk to me." I was running out of things to say. I was trembling and could feel myself turning red. I couldn't even think straight.

"Dude, what's your problem? I just wanted to say hi. We hadn't talked in a while, and your always giving me these looks. I wanted to see if you're okay."

"Dude?" I asked in a scathing voice. I rounded on Timothy, my vicious glare trying to bore holes through his face with invisible laser beams. I faltered as I meet his pretty gray eyes. Shit, he's got me. " My—my problem is that you're still fucking talking to me, right after you broke up with me to chase Ashley. My problem is that I gave you my everything. Everything! I took you back after you flirted with Lorie and the bitch Charlotte. After you told another girl we weren't dating and you still fucking betrayed me!" I was panting, out my peripheral vision I noticed some classmates stopping to watch our pitiful scene. Too late to stop now. I attempted to get in his face. "And then you tried to rape me?"

Timothy stepped back, furious. "No—that's not what happened. You fucking agreed to it!"

I faced my locker and placed a hand on it for support, I felt like I was going to fall over. But I couldn't let him see it. My weakness. My vulnerability. I wouldn't cry in front of him again. "I fucking hate you. I wished I never loved someone like you."

I could hear him stammer, trying to figure out what to say. "Forget it," He said but he was still lingering around.

"What's going on here?"

My stomach dropped even further. Rika too? I rubbed the tears under my eyes and cheeks before turning around.

Rika approached us dressed in the same gameday tracksuit I was wearing, her brow furrowed. "Why the hell are you talking to my boyfriend?" She gave Timothy a look.

I cracked a broken smile. "That's what I'm trying to figure out."

Rika glared at me. "Fuck you, loser. Look at you trying to slut your way back into Tim pants."

Timothy frowned. "Rika—"

"Trying to fuck every guy you see isn't gonna take you far. Didn't your mom teach you anything about men?"

I bit my tongue but the anger made me want to explode. She was the source of the rumors in the first place.

"I never thought you were such a ho," Rika smiled toothily like a shark. She smelled blood. "I guess it's not your fault though—babe told me how you were boring with no personality, but I kinda already knew that. Being a slut is probably the only thing you have to offer. That's why he dumped your loser ass. Ain't that right, babe?"

Timothy was frowning, he covered his face with a hand. "Rika, what the hell..."

"Well you can have him," I said. The doubts my friends voiced about their relationship became more believable by the second. I didn't think Timothy was really that satisfied with Rika. "He's not that special."

"Awww, what's wrong, little Emmy feelings go hurt because of the truth? None of your friends really like you, you know that? Lorie hates you, Britanny and Tonya talk so much shit behind your back and your little buddy Diana, she tells us all of your little secrets."

Rika was exaggerating a bit, but there was some truth to her words and that made it sting. I tended to play my cards close to the chest when dealing with the group and I knew most of the girls couldn't stand me for it. I learned my lesson with them early, when Ashley first made our clique. They didn't have much gossip to use against me after that, nothing to keep me in line with. I would usually only tell Tiffany my real problems, but I'd gotten relaxed around Diana.

"Ashley doesn't care for you but she's special. Unique. You tried to weasel your way into her good graces so she took pity on you. But you don't know her like I do."

Somehow, I doubted that.

"Rika, can you shut the fuck up, for a second?" Timothy asked, angry. "You're making a scene."

Too late, dickhead.

"So fucking what? I'm not done. I'm gonna make sure she knows how much of a fucking loser she really is. Not even the boys like you Ems. Derrick and Malcolm only flirt with you because you're easy and because Tiffany's hitched with pretty-boy. You're gonna be like Kathy at this rate, a pariah."

My jaw clenched as I grinded my teeth, I wanted to punch her so bad. "If it wasn't for Ashley you'd be the pariah."

Rika stepped closer. "What did you say, bitch?"

"I said—"

"Hey!" Ms. Frazzle grasped Rika's shoulder pulling her back. "Detention. Go to the office now." She dug into Timothy causing him to shrink back. "You go to class, unless you want to be in ISS with your friend here."

"Teacher's pet," Rika said under her breath as they slinked away.

"What was that, Rika?" Ms. Frazzle asked.

Rika quickly muttered, "Nothing."

Ms. Frazzle watched them leave before she paid attention to me. "What was that about?"

I shook my head. "Just some bullshit," I said, feeling very tired. "Crap! Sorry for cussing."

"It's alright."

With Ms. Frazzle here, I felt relieved. "I'm glad you're back. I'm sure you've heard about the rumors spreading around in some of your classes."

"It's not as bad as you think, Mercy, I will talk to those girls again, by the end of this week. I've talked with Mr. Hardy already, and a few other teachers have been clamping down on them." She paused a hit of purple in her brown eyes. "If that doesn't stop things, maybe some more extreme measures should be taken."

"You're not going to hurt them, are you?"

Ms. Frazzle smiled. "Well, I can't harm them as a teacher but..." With the wave, her hand a white flower appeared in her palm and she placed in my hair above the ear.

"Ms. Frazzle! You can't use magic here!" I looked around for anybody still watching.

"Calm down, no one is around us. Most of your classmates have gone to class."

"Still, the cameras?"

"There are tons of ways I can spin that."

"I don't think it's a good idea. To use magic on them."

"Perhaps, but I will do something. Bullying should not be tolerated."

"I can handle it. Somehow." I leaned on the wall of lockers. "Missed you this morning. Did you find Ashley yet?"

Ms. Frazzle blinked. "As a matter-of-fact, I did. That's actually the reason I was looking for you. I need to meet with you and your sister after your match today."

My eyes widened. "Are you coming? I'm surprised."

"Of course. Anything to support my precious students."

Ashley actually showed up to the game, she was allowed to play even though she'd skipped school. No way we'd bench our best player in pursuit of a perfect season, even if she was a spoiled princess. After the game, our teacher gathered us with Nathan and Terra so we could meet at a popular downtown spot. Apparently, Ashley and Kazuya spent all day inside a bar there, talking.

We entered The Minister's Hall, everyone except Ms. Frazzle disguised. Ms. Frazzle made all of us wear baggy non-descript clothing: hoodies and sweats with masquerade masks covering our faces. Ashley opted to go against Ms. Frazzle's advice, wearing a long skirt with a jean jacket over her shirt, but she also wore a mask. She quickly removed it when we entered the bar. Even late at night, there were a lot of paparazzi around the pub entrance for some reason, so I knew why our teacher wanted our identities hidden. It was so crowded by the door we weren't even ID'd.

The bar inside was another story. There was a pretty good crowd but everybody kept to there corners, only glance up to observe the new faces. Almost everyone was in costume. It made sense, being a bar for hallowed. The air was tense as everyone stared at us, as we walked.

"Man, why are people looking at us like that?" Tiffany asked, voicing my concern.

"Heroes and villains are chilling here tonight," Terra said while observing. "They're not sure about our allegiances." Terra waved toward a table of capes close by.

I blinked, realizing it was the Unity triplets, siting with NexGen and the Watchkeeper, Sleet. "What are they doing here?" I flinched as my Catwhip caught my eyes.

"Isn't Catwhip dating Zero?" Tiffany asked, referring to the cybernetic cape sitting beside her. "Maybe they're hanging out."

I recognized all the NextGen capes, they were our local teen hero group. Tiffany and I were big fans, but I felt more nervous than excited. It was hard to believe that I was finally seeing Zero, Lullaby, Freeze, and the leader of the team, Shapeshift, up close. But a member was missing. "I don't see Kaleidoscope with them."

"I guess Sleet took her place."

"But he's a Watchkeeper."

"Exactly," Terra said. "He's here to look after the kids. He's on babysitting duty."

"I wonder why are they here at all?"

"This bar is a place for all capes, Mercy, heroes and villains alike," Ms. Frazzle said, as we advanced toward the lounge. "Perhaps they are making their presence known, letting the villains know they're here and watching."

"I saw something about that on Halloween," Nathan said, referencing THE board. "I was reading a thread Lullaby started before the moderators blocked everybody from posting because people are stupid. He mentioned they'd be downtown today."

"That's why it's so crowded," I said as we moved, a cape in a skin-tight costume with a snake motif nearly bumped into me.

"Yeah," Nathan said avoiding someone behind me. "A bunch of clout chasers and fake capes are here fucking up the vibe. No wonder the real ones are pissed."

Ms. Frazzle led the way as we approached Kazuya sitting at a table with an ensemble of other capes, five of which I realized were the Inheritors. I wasn't sure if sitting with the new criminals in town was such a good idea. We'd be grouped with them by association, but with Kazuya already there... I guess it didn't really matter. It was nerve-wracking, as they judged us quietly. It felt like the woman in the fur coat and sunglasses and was focused on me and the robot guy with the fedora was just as creepy.

Kazuya put down the drink he was nursing and smiled. "Welcome back, Audrey Genia. You've come just in time to make some new acquaintances."

"I see that." Ashley crossed her arms. "What brings you here, Aunt Venus?"

Venus brightened, seeming delighted in the way Ashley addressed her. "Ah, Audrey Genia it's been too long. Look at you all grown up."

"It hasn't been that long since you have seen me last."

"Perhaps. But it's still good to see you."

I noticed the Indian girl with blue skin muttering to the blonde woman with the white costume and domino mask. The girl wearing the school outfit looked at us intently.

The green cape with kevlar vest and gold helmet turned a little to face us, one of his gold arms hanging off the back of his stool. "Who the fuck are these guys?"

"Do not be rude," Venus said, glaring at him. "These people will be your new allies."

"Are they even capes?"

The biker cape, wearing the red motorcycle jacket smacked the green cape upside the head. "Keymaker. Shut it."

I saw his picture before, on The Hallowed Eve. He was Ignition.

"Well, Kazu," Venus said. "Will you introduce us?"

"I'd ask that you refrain from using our names," Ms. Frazzle said.

Kazuya chuckled. "Another time, Venus. I have the feeling this group here has arrived to talk to me alone." He stood up from the table, bidding Venus and the masked man farewell.

"No worries," Venus said, satisfied as she leaned back in her seat, holding up her wineglass. "Seeing them is enough for now. I'm a patient woman, no matter what Philo here thinks."

The masked man, Philo, I assumed, scoffed.

We exited the bar with Kazuya in tow. He actually did something useful for once, shielding us with his tails so that people couldn't take pictures of us as we left. We walked a couple blocks until we mostly out of sight in the darker and more seedy areas of the district.

"So? What do you want?" Kazuya asked. "I didn't expect to see you children so soon, not after our previous meeting."

"Originally, we wanted to make sure you and Audrey Genia didn't kill each other," I said.

"Looks like you guys talked it out," Nathan said.

Ashley huffed at a smiling Kazuya. "That's one way to describe it."

"Luckily, for us, you guys didn't kill each other, "I said. "but we also wanted to talk to you about your warning. Who were those capes that you were sitting with?"

"Two were Valterians of legend," Ms. Frazzle said. "I wonder your purpose for bringing them here." She eyed Kazuya, suspicious.

"They came to this world of their own accord. You'll need all the help you can get when Arcadia returns here. Don't fret, they are true allies, I can promise that. I'm glad you came to me. Now I can keep an closer eye on you girls."

"Excuse me?" Tiffany asked.

"You plan to still harass them?" There was some edge in our teacher's voice.

"No." Kazuya paused and stood still, causing the rest of us to stop moving. He faced us. "It's time you girls remembered the truth. You are more than what you think you are."

Ms. Frazzle and Ashley froze, Terra deathly still. Kazuya's words rang in my ears. My sister and I focused on him in anticipation.

"It's time you remember your Valterian-Arcadian heritage, your true parents, Malachi and Sibyl, your true names..."

What the hell?

"I have decided," he declared, his fist in the air as he laid eyes on me and Tiffany. "Kabbal Seiren Kairannatica and Kabballah Lucifer Kairannatica, I will train the both of you as a master. Let's see if one of you has the mettle to surpass Arden and Audrey Genia to become my true disciple."