I couldn’t help the amusement that filled me, the smile that surfaced, as I watched Sora stare a quivering Knight into submission. From atop her horse, she stared down at the determined, seemingly terrified Knight that prevented her entry into Xadria. Beyond the post-attack quarantine, I could understand why he denied her entry, considering the headless, bleeding corpse strapped the back of her horse. I still didn’t understand what she could gain from the body, but all it offered was a difficulty to reenter the city.

“M-miss, the c-city is locked down. We can’t let anyone in or out.” He seemed inexperienced if his inability to meet her gaze told me anything. His gaze kept flickering to the body, the blood dripped down the flank of the poor horse. Next to him, it seemed his partner shared my amusement, studying him behind a masked helm.

“I understand.” Sora’s deceptively calm reply caused a crinkle of chain links as the knight clenched the hilt of the sword at his hip. Her lips curled upwards as her amber eyes crinkled, head cocked to the side. “However, my friend is inside the city and is waiting for me. I’m sure you know who he is.”

Briar trotted her horse up to Sora’s side, frowning as she furrowed her brow at her. “Miss Sora, there’s no need to be so abrasive.” She turned towards the body, grimaced, and turned towards the Knight. Her expression lightened as her lips curled upwards and reached into her jacket. “I’m sorry about my friend. She gets pretty impatient.” Briar pulled out a card and held it out to him. “Briar of the Twin Flags mercenary company. I contacted my Captain, so she should be nearby.”

The Knight made a noise as he took the card, looking at it with an outstretched arm. “The mercenary company led by one of the Thirteen? Even so, the lieutenant said not to let anyone inside…” He held the card back to her. “I’m sorry, I still can’t allow entry.”

Briar took back her card, expression becoming pinched as she groaned. Before she could speak, though, as Arce approached, leading my horse behind her, a head of black fur popped out from the Fox Beastkin’s grasp and looked in my direction. Red eyes widened as she leaped out from the young woman’s grip. The wolf landed on the stone path and bounded over towards me. The Knights shouted in surprise, and the one who remained off to the side attempted to catch her.

Smirking despite the situation, I walked along the stone path towards my charging Amarok. The Knight pursuing Marishka came to a sudden stop upon seeing me, stiffening as he noticed the large sword I held over my shoulder. I ignored him as I closed the distance with Marishka, crouching down and grunting as she bodily slammed into me. I grumbled at the sudden shift in weight but stayed upright. “Hey, girl. I wasn’t gone long.” I grinned as I pushed my left hand through her fur. I felt confusion fill me as I considered her. “Did you get bigger?” I said down to her, low enough for no one else to hear me.

She looked up to me, baring her teeth and growling, her eyes glistening. Joy tickled the back of my mind as my hand slid along her side onto one of her legs. It did indeed feel thicker, while still slender. A laugh escaped me as I ruffled her head with a grin. Marishka huffed as she pushed her head into my palm, enjoying the attention I afforded her.

“Um, sir. We need to respect the quarantine.” The Knight said to me as he approached us, hand resting on his sword. His gaze also seemed to hone in on the sword I held over my shoulder, hand tensing around his hilt.

I rose and faced the Knight with a smirk. “I suppose I should, but I’d have never gotten where I am if I always followed the rules.” I studied him, not moving as I turned a lazy gaze onto my large sword. “How about you let my little Rishka pass, at least?”

He shook his head, “I can’t do that.” I couldn’t help but notice several other Knights turning towards us. “I’m going to have to ask you to send your pet back outside.”

Pet? Outrage, not my own, tickled the edge of my thoughts as I heard Marishka growl. I didn’t think that, either. I looked down to see that my Amarok prepared herself for a fight, baring her fangs angrily. With a sigh, I lifted my sword and stabbed downwards, blocking Marishka from sight. The Knight stiffened and drew his sword, taking a single step back. “Calm down.” Whether my words were meant for her or the Knight, I kept to myself.

Before anything else could be done, Abigail walked forward and stopped at my side. She crossed her arms and glared at the Knight in front of us. They stiffened at her appearance, sliding into an at-rest stance. “Do you know who I am?” She narrowed her eyes at him.

The Knight she directly addressed inclined his head. “Her Highness Abigail DeVere, Second Princess of the DeVere Monarchy.”

She nodded, a single, sudden incline of her head. “Yes. That means I have power over certain aspects of the actions my Father’s Knights undertake, so long as they don’t cause harm to the populace.” Abigail pointed to the trio on horses; I couldn’t help but notice the faint smirk on Sora’s face. “Allow them inside.”

“But, Highness, the quarantine.” The Knight blocking Sora protested, turning towards the princess.

“These three are a party to Joseph Blaine, the Hero of Nyrill. He separated from them to return and aid in protecting Xadria.” Abigail DeVere narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms. “In the name of the DeVere Monarchy, you will allow them entry. Am I understood?”

The Knight lifted a hand in a salute. “Of course, Your Highness.” He turned and motioned for them to enter. Sora smiled down at him, a depiction of angelic patience. The Knight fidgeted beneath her regard but just stared forward as she and the rest of my companions trotted past him. Though, he did flinch when the corpse bounced past him.

As Sora approached me, I looked up to her with a dry gaze. “You still have the body?”

She shrugged, a lazy smile spreading across her face. “I’ve always wanted to study an alchemist’s work.” Curiosity danced in her amber gaze. “I’ll have to find time to do so…” Sora then turned her gaze onto the smiling Abigail. “Considering our new…benefactor, we’ll likely have our time occupied by other events.”

Abigail smiled up to Sora. “Knowing that Joey is alive is something worth no less than a true celebration. Father will definitely be joyous to learn of it.” She grinned over to me, eyes closing in the process.

Sora hummed at the princess’s answer, frowning towards her.

Briar quickly raced inside, approaching Kacee. She hopped off her horse and leaped into Kacee’s arms, pressing her face into the crook of her neck. “I was so worried.” Her muffled voice caused my friend to wrap her arms around her to return the embrace. “You’re okay…”

Kacee’s rubbed her back soothingly, murmuring in her ear. “I’m glad you’re safe.”

I turned away from them to offer them privacy. “Let’s get away from the checkpoint. Give the Knights their space back.” I said to my party. “We need to talk about a few things.”

When we returned to the inn, Kacee and Briar went back to their company, and Abigail reunited with her delegation with the intent to find me again. My party and I sat in a meeting room on the second floor of the inn. Hilda and I sat on a couch while Sora and Arce sat across from us on a pair of chairs. Marishka paced around the room, peering around up high, clearly enjoying her new height as her jaw hung open, tongue lolling out.

Arce cocked her head, ears twitching atop her head, as she studied Hilda. “You fought side-by-side with Joey against Variak?” The Valkyrie nodded. The Beastkin shrugged as she crossed her arms. “I have no reason to disagree. Your people’s skills are already renown, and you’ve proven yourself trustworthy initially.” She nodded towards Hilda. “Welcome to the party, Miss Hilda.”

Sora studied Hilda with glowing amber eyes. Her lips twitched as she turned her head to the side. “Tell me, Brynhildr, do you know the ritual?”

That caused the Valkyrie to stiffen and look away. “No. I do not.”

The Witch nodded and leaned back in her seat. “It seems my assumptions were correct. The bonding ritual that causes a Valkyrie to ascend isn’t something they know, but those who lead the Empire.” She focused on Hilda. “Am I correct?”

“You’re not wrong,” Hilda said, her voice lower than before. “We never understood the limitation amidst our youth. But the Archbishop explained it succinctly during our coming of age. To protect our sisters and our future, they allow only those of a sufficient rank in our parish to know and perform the ritual. My sisters and I are not permitted to know them, to prevent us from leashing ourselves to a Lord before we’re ready.”

“And you want to follow me?” I asked her, frowning despite myself. Shaking my head, I released a breath and said, “Sora, can you make sure we can’t be overheard?”

“Already done.” She said, still studying Hilda.

I opened my mouth to ask Hilda something when she interrupted me. “I do not have a combat Affinity, as I’ve said before. I’m the only one amongst my sisters like that. However, my combat abilities are no less dangerous.” I could attest to that, having seen her outright overwhelm someone who threw me around like a ragdoll.

“What have you seen, though?” I said, causing her to look at me with her wide eyes. “To make you choose to follow me, to seek me out; what did you see?” She had already touched upon the why earlier, but when she had mentioned her Affinity previously, it made me curious.

Hilda didn’t answer immediately, furrowing her brow. She pursed her lips and placed a hand on her chin. “My visions always feel like I’m watching an event without my glasses. But, one or two things are always crystal clear to me. You are one of the things that are always clear to me.” She crossed her arms and tapped her slender arm with a pair of fingers. “Events around you have changed consistently ever since a certain event.”

That caused my two companions and me to focus on her. “The future changed? How? When?” Sora said to her, brow furrowed and amber eyes glowing intently.

Arce didn’t ask anything, but the intense stare she exuded told me the importance of this topic.

Hilda didn’t answer, but she did focus on me. “The first vision that changed was of you facing a horde of monsters in a meadow.” She pursed her lips. “The first version had you and Miss Fitzgerald fighting together. Victorious, but injured in the aftermath.”

“That’s not what happened.” I rejected the words with a shake of my head. “I fought alone. Then Luke stabbed in the back.”

The Valkyrie’s gaze turned sharp as I said that, wide eyes narrowing as she studied me. She pursed her lips. “I knew the vision changed, but it ended after the last monster fell. I never realized that Sir Wirth betrayed you.” Her lip curled upward in disgust. “Betrayal amongst family is one of the worst crimes to my sisters and me.”

“You’re quick to believe me,” I said carefully, trying to gauge her reaction.

“I’ve no reason not to.” She shrugged a single shoulder. “Sir Wirth did seem insistent that I offer my services to him. He didn’t, and still doesn’t, interest me.”

“What causes changes to your visions?” Arce asked her, cutting into the conversation.

“I don’t know,” Hilda answered with a shake of her head. “It’s never happened with anyone or anything else I’ve seen in the past.” Marishka walked over to me and hopped up into my lap, resting her head on her paws and closing her eyes. The Valkyrie stared at the resting Amarok, eyes wide, and her brows high. “How…” Then she shook her head. “I’ll ask later. There’s something I need to tell you.” I focused on her, motioning for her to continue. “I know that you’re the next Demon Lord.”

A deafening silence settled upon us, four sets of intense gazes focusing on the unreasonably calm person sitting next to me. I mean, yeah, I intended to tell her myself, but just hearing her say it like dropping a bomb made me twitch something fierce. The tenseness in my shoulders bled out as I relaxed back in my seat. “One less thing for me to tell you then.” That caused Sora and Arce to turn towards me. “I’m not going to lie to the people we’re going to travel with; it’s a waste of effort and time.”

Sora hummed as she smiled, crossing her arms in front of her. She nodded. “It seems fortune favors you, Joey. A powerful Affinity, an Amarok, and a Valkyrie that wishes to follow you.”

I shook my head, still rubbing the top of Marishka’s head. “Nothing I’ve earned with my own effort. My journey still hasn’t fully begun.” I grimaced. “Meeting Abigail, though, has no doubt forced us onto a path to return to Veracity.”

“Indeed, it has, but that is the consequence of returning to fight,” Sora said, the corner of her mouth quirking up, amusement dancing in her eyes.

“I, for one, am glad you made such a choice,” Hilda said, her voice low and lips quirked into a small smile.

Arce hummed. “It’s a setback, but your renown offers you leverage. You have the power to dictate terms for your independence.” She lifted a hand. “On one hand, you do have the right to take your own freedom, to travel Verum on your own terms.” Arce then lifted her opposite hand. “On the other, Frederick DeVere has the power to force you onto a path on the threat of imprisonment or death. You don’t yet have the leverage, nor power, to force him to comply with your wishes.”

Sora huffed out a laugh, lips curling into an amused smirk. “I wonder how obvious he’d make it. Veritas’ citizens love their Monarchy. How would they react to their King, forcing their Hero onto a path against his will?” She shrugged even as I noticed Hilda twitched with an uncomfortable twist of the mouth. “I suppose we won’t know until we meet with him.” Her gaze fell onto the Valkyrie. “What are your thoughts on this, then?”

“I don’t…” She frowned. “I don’t think it’ll be as severe as you claim. His Majesty, Frederick DeVere, is a good King, a good man. Close friends with Holien’s Emperor. I doubt he’d force a path onto an innocent person.”

“Innocent to whom?” Sora challenged but paused when I stared her down. She relaxed back into her seat. “My apologies, Brynhildr. I see the worst in any situation before me.”

Hilda offered a crooked smile but shifted nervously. “It’s fine. We all have our reasons.” She paused and continued, “But, please, call me Hilda, Miss Sora. I haven’t yet earned the right to be called that name.”

Sora just smiled, inclining her head in acceptance. “I will. I’d like to ask you something if that’s alright.” Hilda nodded, and Sora motioned to the side, palm facing up. “Holien’s borders are locked down, and no one is allowed in or out. Why?”

“Several Valkyrie newborns were kidnapped last year.” That caused all of us to stare at her in shock as Hilda frowned, hands tensed as she crossed her arms. “None of us know how it happened, but someone managed to sneak into the Western Monastery and take an entire nursery full of children.” She exhaled through her nose, cheeks darkened, and lips pursed with fury. “It shouldn’t have been possible, but it happened anyway.” She shook her head. “The Emperor decreed that we should close our borders and let no one leave or enter.”

“Then how were you able to leave?” Sora asked her, leaning forward with an upward quirk of her lips.

Hilda didn’t answer immediately, looking down as she chewed her lower lip. After a few moments of silence, she said, “Not many people were happy with the Emperor’s decision, even if they understood it. I managed to get into contact with a smuggler and paid them with outdated information and gold. They smuggled me to the border, and I made my way to Veracity.”

Sora frowned as she hummed. “I suppose that makes sense.”

“What do you think will happen when we return to Veracity?” I asked my party.

Arce shrugged, crossing her arms. “They will be joyous at your return as a Hero. That much is certain. However, it will raise questions.”

“How did I come back?” I mused to myself, tapping my chin. Then I shook my head. “I don’t fully know; that’s the truth. It shouldn’t be a problem.”

Sora laughed to herself. “Celebration is inevitable. When you return, either he or the queen, will push for a gala to celebrate your life.” She tapped her palm with a finger. “Nobility from all corners of Veritas will be called to Veracity, as well as the few Heroes still affiliated with them.” Her lips twisted as she shook her head.

“Miss Sora is likely correct.” Hilda agreed. “The gala would take a few days to prepare, but we’d be given quarters equivalent to an ambassador from an allied nation.” She nodded once. “You’ll only be allowed to have one escort for it, though.”

I furrowed my brow at that but accepted her words with a nod. “I get it. I suppose I should ask who doesn’t want to join a party with the upper crust of Veritas’ nobility?” I felt myself smiling in amusement at my question.

Sora swiftly shook her head in the negative. “Normally, I’d agree, but that’s too much attention on me.” Her answer caused me to furrow my brow. Her lips quirked at my response. “I work best when under the radar. Yes, I’m in a group with the Fallen Hero, but no one of import has looked into me yet. It’s best if I remain as unseen as possible by those of the nobility.”

Arce’s expression twisted as if she’d eaten something sour. “Put me in the wild, and I’ll be happy. The politics of Veritas’ nobility is a beast I’d rather not undertake any time soon.” She inclined her head to me. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize. I get it.” I didn’t say anything else as my gaze fell onto a sleepy Marishka. She met my gaze and huffed through her nose. “I wasn’t going to ask you anyway.” She groaned at me and rested her head. I turned towards Hilda, who smiled playfully at the Amarok on my lap. “Hilda?”

“Combat is not the only skill a Valkyrie is taught. We’re also trained statesmen.” She placed her hands together on her lap and bowed towards me to a 45-degree angle. “If it’ll support you, then I’ll follow you into the lion’s den of national politics.” I heard the smile in her voice and caught sight of it as she sat up straight.

Sora glanced out the window, narrowing her eyes. “It’s still early. We should stop by the blacksmith and see what’s finished.” She stood and brushed off the front of her dress.

Arce hummed as she rose to her feet as well. “I’ll check in at the guild. They’ll probably have information important for us to know.”

Hilda cocked her head to the side. “Her Highness will want to know how you’re doing, Joseph. I’ll also help with correspondence between us.”

I rose and watched as Sora flicked her hand to the side, a faint pop sound echoing around us. Lifting Marishka, I held her out to Arce. “Here, bring Rishka with you. I don’t think she’d take well to the heat.” The Amarok grunted as I passed her off, but did little more than twist around in Arce’s arms, much to the young woman’s amusement.

“I will, but I’m sure she’ll start walking on her own soon.”

I let out a laugh and looked to each of my party members. “We’ll meet back here after our errands and figure out what to do from there.” With that, we nodded in sync with each other and went about our ways to our destinations. Sora and I walked down the road, passing by the rubble of the fallen buildings and broken pathways. Various people moved about, working together to move debris out of the path, for foot traffic, horses, and carriages. The cloudy sky blocked out the sun while humidity filled the air; rain felt like it was only a few moments away.

As we walked, I spoke with Sora about what happened during the fight, informing her how it went and the immediate aftermath. She had managed to stow my stolen sword away into a portable bag, letting me keep my hands free. After I had finished with my interaction with Hilda, I watched as Sora placed a hand on her chin, lips twitching upwards. “You’ve no doubt frustrated Variak with your confident irreverence. Stealing his sword and refusing to bow only made you a future target, even with their success over Xadria in mind, will no doubt cause him to plan for you.” She nodded. “You did well, even when pushed back.”

“Thanks.” I accepted her words with an incline of the head. “Luke being nearby helped, I suppose. What anger I did feel helped add to my strength.”

Sora grunted at that. “While I’m sure it’ll work out over time, I’m still unhappy over potentially returning to Veracity.” She frowned and crossed her arms. “It’ll also eat into my research time for the homunculus body.”

“You’ll have all the time in the world, Sora. I’m the one who has to meet with the King. I’ll give you the time you need.” Sora hummed appreciatively and bumped her shoulder into mine. “What can you get from the body, anyway?”

“How it moves. Weaknesses in its structure. The source of the connection between it and the host body.” Sora mused as she placed a hand on her chin. “An assortment of things, I suppose.”

“Well, let’s hurry and get our commissions. I don’t like the idea of being separated for too long.”