It was very early, yet eerily light when I peeled my eyes open around 3-5am, and I could see Siya was already awake. She was currently checking the windows, padding around the concrete floor with her claw-human hybrid feet, wrapped in strips of cloth to provide a bit of comfort.

Need to find her something a bit more modern. Maybe a toeless sandal or some some dragon crocs…drocs?

“Morning Siya, everything okay?” I yawned as I sat up and stretched.

She startled with a quiet trill and spun round, smiling at me and raising a hand in greeting.

#Siya# Godu. Hello. You see me? Did you receive night-eyes blessing too?

Oh shizz of course!

“Ummm….ohhh-heh. You could say that.” I looked at my hands and observed a thin line of what looked like a plasma arc mixed with static crawling over them before dissolving. My hands had a slight glow to them but this looked nothing like the infra-red thermal imaging technology I’d seen in movies or online.

This is on a whole new level..I mean, of course it would be but, still impressive.

Everything just looked slightly muted with wafer thin little plasma arcs dancing over surfaces periodically.

Wonder if I can even turn this off. Or if I’ll never get to enjoy the sweet comfort of pitch black.

I closed my eyes and surprisingly it went pitch black, with not a shred of light coming through my eyelids. I opened them and it was like opening a fridge door. Light. No light. Light. No light.

This is freaky!

#Siya# This is great news. I too am now unhindered by the dark. It was a great dream full of ‘mentally ill skills’. Was that right?

“Hah! That’s great, and pretty funny. But I think you mean ‘mad skills’. Although it is worth mentioning that mad can also mean angry, confusing yes, but it just depends on the context. Another incredible example of your learning, well done!”

She preened and ruffled her wings.

"Alrighty, let's check our map and see if we can spot where we are and a place we can stock up on some supplies and maybe get some new clothes."

Siya's clothing choices were pretty limited due to her flesh and bone wing. My shields simply phased through any material I was wearing without damaging it much, although after prolonged use or extreme pressures, the frictional heat generated, would scorch or melt the materials depending on what they were made from.

Plus, she favoured wrapping layers around her that would be left to hang, as a sort of sarong skirt, easier for mobility I guess..But not great for protection.

She never wore shorts or trousers, but she did have pelvic scales, which at least gave her some natural covering and protection, knowledge I learned by accident, but she didn't understand the issue when I questioned her lack of pants.

The girl has no care about nudity! But I suppose, why would she?

We spent 30 minutes checking the house and getting ready to press on; our next destination was going to be a city nearby called Palmi.

We didn't find anything in the house so we just finished whatever food was left and headed out.

Outside I offered her my fist for a fist bump, habits and things I figured she would need to learn if she wanted to integrate with whatever society we had left back home.

… Home… Hope you're all okay Marri.

"Wanted to say thanks for yesterday, you saved my life, like what, 30 times in the past week? Seriously, I wouldn't have made it this far without you." Grinning as she returned the bump with a soft trill.

#Siya# Please. We protect each other. You helped me too. Thank you though. It is nice to not be alone. After everything.

She sighed out a musical sound.

#Siya# My old people abandoned me for my weakness. But we have become much stronger in such a short time. They would not recognise me now. And I don't think I want them to.

She grinned into the distance as we walked to the still padlocked gate where she jumped effortlessly and cleared the 2.5meter high gate.

I thoughtfully looked at the padlock and wondered if anyone would ever come here and wished it was unlocked like I had.

So I just shrugged and deployed a clawed hand to rip the padlock off and then I surprised myself with the ease with which it snapped off, as if it was made of cardboard.

The area was deathly quiet with only a few roars off in the far distance and the screech of the occasional animal or monster; the sun hadn't come up yet so it would be pitch black, but with my new incredible sight, it was as if there was a solar eclipse casting a black light on everything.

We headed down the sloped road, and came across a building that was reduced to rubble, this poor building got the brunt of big eel snakes' rage. But other than a few streaks of blood on the road it was all empty.

#Godu# Yikes. Look at this Siya, the building has been wrecked. Glad we didn't try and hide here.

#Siya# Indeed. It has been smashed vertically pretty good. Was that right?

#Godu# Nnn-yes, sorta’, I got it, but say 'up' rather than vertically.

She paused thoughtfully before nodding.

#Siya# Hm. Understood. I am ready to travel.

#Godu# Cool, let's carry on.

…

..

.

We were exactly where I thought we were on the map and so our progress was swift, and although we had to travel a few more tunnels, we sped through them now that we had our night vision.

My Slipfold was SIGNIFICANTLY more comfortable to use now that it didn’t consume as much resources and the awkward delay between uses was gone. It was quite fun actually practising going up and down the straights, being able to chainfold almost as fast as I could think.

A quick stop on the outskirts of the demolished city of Palmi had us break into a sports store that was left untouched and looted some very nice sports clothing, but we didn’t bother looking for food here, it didn’t look promising since there were huge craters and black holes dotted around, with hordes of monsters sometimes swarming out of one and into another.

Something VERY big had either stomped through the city or something very strong had shelled it, making me wonder if their military had caused this with conventional weapons. Although I’d not seen a single firearm myself, it didn’t mean that there weren’t some out there but more likely they had been given some crazy Majik fuelled staff or railgun like those military people I’d seen before I fucked up a slipfold and taken an impromptu holiday to the foot of Italy.

Taking a spare set of everything, I went for a pair of dark green black, multifunctional hybrid stretch trousers with reinforced knees, seat, and lower legs. The label, having universal languages written, said they were water and wind resistant and had excellent ventilation. All things I could agree with. The top was a similar style with long sleeves but was close fitting and then a really nice black hiking short jacket where I pulled out all the drawstrings.

Can’t have any dangly bits and especially any of that trench coat or cloak wearing bullshit you see in the films. That flappy clothing is the kind of thing that would get you killed in seconds! One quick snag on some giant nightmares claw and buh-bye! Maybe one day I’ll be able to pull it off because there were some cool looking jackets.

I’d also snagged a new very modern sleek look backpack which we loaded up with all the protein bars we could find and some bottles of water along with my old haggard packs contents which were just a small lockpicking kit and a few tools which I’d started to need less and less.

We continued to travel through the morning and midday non-stop, and now it was around 2-3pm. Along our journey, when possible, I would Slipfold us both on the greater longer straights, saving us tonnes of time and energy. The weather had stayed sunny and warm, bordering on hot, but there was a nice breeze that kept me comfortable and I revelled in how comfy my new clothes were.

We had just Slipfolded perhaps 300 metres and I was currently squinting, looking at a bridge probably another 200-300 metres wondering if it was safe to Slipfold again or if we should walk-

#Siya# There are enemies.

“Huh! Wha-where?” My head swivelled around before I saw that Siya was pointing at the bridge. I internally cursed myself for talking out loud instead of using the ‘private chat’.

#Godu# I don’t see anything, what is it this time? Tentacle monsters? Giant Crabs? The Taxman?

#Siya# Not familiar with Taxman. But it is human.

I stopped dead and started getting an anchor ready.

#Godu# WHAT? Do you mean corrupted? Where is it?! We need to get the hell out of here!

#Siya# No. Not corrupted. Just bad men. I can smell my people’s blood.

She turned to look at me with eyes full of sorrow.

#Siya# Most fear us so they attack us. Even when we had speakers.

#Godu# Oh… I’m sorry Siya. Humans can be cruel.. There is no excuse for it. But maybe they only defended themselves? No way to tell unless we speak to them. But, if they try to attack us they are going to sorely regret it.

She managed a grim smile.

#Siya# Thank you. My own people can also be cruel. I do not judge. Only caution.

#Godu# Okay. We’ll see if going around is possible, but the area is full of brush. Let’s see if they will let us pass.

As we approached the bridge, I could see a service station further up the motorway, with tall walls and fortifications, clear signs of survivors.

“FEERMARI! FEERMARI! EDENTI-FIKATI!” An Italian voice hollered out at me from the bridge.

Up top I could see at least 5 people, each holding a weapon, three bows, one spear and the last was holding a nasty looking 3-pronged throwing glaive, all pointed at us.

They were all young men, rough looking and they all had dark hair short to medium length, with olive skin and typical faces ranging from friendly face, to crooked nose slimy looking face.

“WOA! EASY! I don’t speak italian! I’m English!” I raised my hands high up and stopped, mentally placing an anchor next to the spear wielder.

“Inglese, cazzo? Rimani dove sei! Perche stai camminando con un demone?" Glaive man shouted gibberish at me.

Sir, I don't have a Scoobies what you just said. But if you start attacking without giving us a chance. You are all dead.

"I'm sorry but I don't understand. I. No. Speak. Italian." I gestured to myself and made a hand speaking gesture and shook my head.

Surely they fucking understand I don't speak their language.

"Stupido idiota inglese. Ti capiamo. Ma non ci fidiamo di te perché sei con un demone puttana." He seemed irritated.

"Okay. Look. Can we, WALK, THROUGH? E45. We want to MOVE that way, on the E, FOUR, FIVE." I gestured as simplistically as I could.

"Va bene, l'idiota di certo non sa parlare italiano."

"Vogliono prendere la E45?"

"Dove pensi che stiano andando?"

"Pensi che facciano parte di Marz e dell'equipaggio?"

"Ne dubito. Sta con un fottuto demone. Credi che lo stia scopando? Possono mente fotte sai? Renderti schiavo."

They were talking between themselves, glancing at us then gesturing to the service station. Siya bristled at something but didn't say anything, keeping very still but I could tell she was ready to defend herself.

We stood there a few moments as they continued to talk. I started losing my patience.

"Look. We just want to go THAT way. Yes or no? Else we'll find another way." I started to turn around and got barked at.

"STOP ENGLISHMAN! DO NOT MOVE!"

I narrowed my eyes and slowly turned around.

"So you DO understand English. What the hell-" I started to reply but got barked at again.

"SHUT YOUR MOUTH. Why are you with that thing." The spearman pointed at Siya with his spear. The others shifted but kept their weapons on us.

"She's my friend. Not a thing." I snarled through gritted teeth. Severely tempted to Slipfold and slap him.

He barked a laugh at my response. “HA! I knew it..”

Fuck this. These losers can piss off.

"Actually, I think we will find another way. Honestly with all this shit going on I'd thought people would try and help each other but I guess it's back to the dark ages here huh? We'll not bother you anymore." I sniffed and started to turn again.

An arrow flew past me and clattered harmlessly on the ground.

What? No skills or super penetration Majik? Big mistake.

Siya snarled and from the corner of my eye I saw her start to unfurl one of her wings.

#Godu# Siya, get ready but hold on until I Slipfold.

#Siya# Always ready.

"WE SAID NOT TO MOVE YOU ENGLISH PISSDOG! IGNORE US AGAIN AND YOU AND YOUR BITCH THING WILL REGRET IT!" Spearman was starting to really grate on me.

They could just be playing the tough guy routine, and words I could handle.

But shooting that arrow was unacceptable.

"Listen carefully to me. You can use whatever words you want, but shoot another arrow at me and you WILL regret it. We don't want any trouble, we just wanted to pass but if not-." I spoke as calmly as possible but was interrupted.

"Stai zitto, fottuto porco sporco." The spearman prick said something and three arrows were released and drifted? Towards me.

Two of the three lit up in red, the third was way off course, but I stared in confusion as they moved much slower than I was expecting, like someone was chucking me a ball. I had been about to deploy my shields but instead, it seemed like I could simply catch them.

So I did.

It was a bit of a fumble as the first one slid in my grip initially, but I pulled it off, and caught two of them whilst the third non highlighted one sailed far past me by miles. Figuratively speaking.

"Fanculo!"

"Come ha fatto..."

"Fottuto mostro!"

They were clearly shocked but I was done with their nonsense. That was an attempt on our lives and that, quite reasonably, infuriated me.

Scanning them I almost burst out laughing at their MAGN, not even bothering to look at their names.

19, 20, 20, 22, 24. All that rudeness...

"He scanned us! Kill the-ERRRK" Spearman had started to shout but I Slipfolded and a single surge punch to his gut stunned him and he dropped to the floor convulsing as plasma arced over his body and dissipated.

My shields deployed in config:mirror slowly in front of four horror struck faces.

They promptly dropped their weapons and with a blur, Siya slammed down into the concrete, intentionally cracking the asphalt before striding up and collecting their weapons, glaring at each one as she did.

"Okay. Anyone else speak English?"

"P-p-please! We were only following orders! We only wanted to live!" Bowman 1 spluttered out.

"Stai zitto Vivatti, Don ti ucciderà, cazzo!" Hissed the Glaiveman.

"No Staria! You saw how fast this guy was! Not even Don could do that! Maybe he coul-" Bowman 1, or Vivatti, clearly had something he wanted to say, but Glaiveman, or Staria, really didn't want him too, based on how he kept interrupting him.

Staria. What a twattish name.

"Ho DETTO CHIUDI IL CAZZO U-" Staria had started to roar, but I surge-slapped him on his shoulder and he immediately dropped like a shitbag.

Truly an amazing ability.

"Woops. He's okay, probably. Go on please, what's going on here Vivatti?" I gestured for him to continue.

He nervously blurted out that they were a gang that had taken over the service station and the people inside. They only followed their leader Don because he was the strongest and blablablabla.

Ugh. The same old bullshit sob story. Only comes out when you lose huh?

"Let me stop you there." He was waffling on about how he was forced to follow orders or be killed. "How many of you are there? And how many people are under you? Why should I care about this Don person?" If people needed help and I could, I'd help. But I had my own problems I needed to sort out first.

"W-well. There's maybe 10? A-and about 24 other people. We did have more but..Don he is uh-" his eyes flickered to Siya. "-he feeds them. Alive. To one of her kind that's starved. He says it's only to those who break a rule! But he's done it to several people who refused his orders.." He looked down at the ground. "I think it's evil. But I'm too weak to try and stop it. I'm sorry for trying to kill you."

"And the rest of you? Do you want to stop this Don?" I stared at the other two who weren't unconscious.

All except Vivatti had a faint red hue, indicating that there was some intention of doing harm to me. But to what extent I didn't know.

I looked at Siya who was wide eyed, staring at the distant service station.

#Siya# He speaks truth. The others deceive. They enjoy the suffering and power.

#Godu# You sure?

#Siya# I am certain.

Well this sucks. I'm not really up for executions..Ah in that case.

*Tap tap tap tap

I tapped all four, dropping them.

"Wait! Wait! Ple-" Vivatti started sputtering.

"Vivatti. Calm down. Help me tie them up and tell me exactly who you think is good and who is bad here and give me some ideas of weapons.. We're going to sort this out quickly and then YOUR lot can decide what to do with any prisoners.." I told the pale-faced Vivatti what to do and it didn't take him long to crack on with it and not ask any more questions.

It took a bit of time to bind their hands with some of their scraps of clothing, but then I wanted to slap myself after realising that you probably couldn't tie down a person over MAGN 10 anymore, I need something much stronger than shitty bits of cloth..

So instead I was about to ask Siya if she could watch over them but that would most certainly be asking for trouble.

I've seen enough bloody films that taught me better, and it would only end up with her in a really bad situation.

So I gave up trying to be nice and decided, fuck'em. They can get Slipfolded far into the wild, unconscious, with no shoes or shirt. They can survive a bit I'm sure, but the cunts deserve whatever happens to them.

Once that was taken care of, we headed towards the service station whilst Vivatti listed the two others aside from Don who were considered really bad. And they happened to be the strongest, what a surprise.

As soon as we entered the area, Vivatti told us to wait a second whilst he ran ahead and spoke to some of his close friends that had started sheepishly walking towards us with weapons.

He was speaking fast and the guys faces drained in colour as he finished, all glancing at me like I was some kind of demon coming to eat their hearts.

Their friends ran off and Vivatti came back.

"Okay. They are going to spread the word. They don't believe that you took out all four of the others so easily, they were considered some of the toughest.. but they hope you can stop this madness so that we can try and find a better way to live. A better way to survive."

How noble..

Even though he was trying to do the right thing, I struggled to find sympathy with people who weren't willing to do the right thing from the start. Though what is the right thing anymore? I'm no Saint, that's for sure.

Vivatti led us towards a petrol station, which was Don's lair basically and as we approached, a big muscular man with a bald head walked out looking unhappy. He was wearing a spectacularly clean pair of smart white trousers with a white tank top.

“Evviva, che cazzo ci fai qui? Chi è questo - UN DEMONE ?! Tua puttana madre ti è caduta di testa da piccola? Cosa ci fai con esso! Tira fuori la tua arma-” he was going off on a tirade, gibbering on, when Siya spoke to me.

#Siya# This one has the stench of blood. My people's blood. He has killed them before.

I scanned him.

Label:Don

MAGN: 35.121

HP: 556/556

KAR: +

Notes: His actions are subjectively evil, yet there is no punishment? Will you be the judge?

"Don." I held up my palm. "Where's the other one of my friends kind. You have one chance to answer." I pointed to Siya and his eyes bulged before glaring at Vivatti.

"Vivatti you absolute PISSDOG." He spat at him then turned to me.

"I don't know who you fucking think you are, English speaking-demon-fucker. But you're the one who has only one chance. You’re dead. And your little bitch demon is nothing more than a fuck toy, waiting for my-ACK-..."

I didn't let him finish, instead, Slip folding behind him and palm surged a strike into the back of his head stunning him but not knocking him out, so I kicked out his legs and grabbed a foot and used null surge to drag him along the floor and hurled him into the brick wall that cratered on impact.

That did the trick and took off 80% of his HP.

I threw his broken body over my shoulder and looked back at Vivatti, who was just staring at Don's unconscious form.

"Vivatti? Hey! Focus! WHERE to next." I raised my voice slightly, making him jump, but he snapped out of it, nodding and leading the way.

In the back of the petrol station was a small warehouse with shelves and storage areas and, as we moved through, I could hear something thrashing about up ahead and I noticed Siya had started breathing heavier.

#Godu# Siya?

#Siya# I am good. His screams are just painful to hear.

I didn't hear anything but I assumed it was some form of mind communication.

"T-this room should be it." Vivatti pointed to a small storage door.

Nodding to continue, he opened the door and moved aside.

“I s-should wait here.” He stuttered. Pausing, I gave him a hard look, then placed an anchor behind him, just in case he got any funny ideas about locking us in.

Me Siya and the unconscious Don went in.

Inside it was clear that something had died and been left here at some point. But there was no signs except for the faint blood stains around the slumped shape heavily chained to the ceiling. It was definitely the same kind as Siya, if he wasn't in such a bad state he would probably look handsomely rugged, with white fur for stubble and white wavy hair with streaks of black hair mixed in. You could tell he was of the same species though, with a red eye and a blue one.

He looked malnourished, beat up and extremely pissed off, until he noticed Don over my shoulder and Siya.

Now he just looked confused.

"Alright Siya, tell him we're here to help. But on the condition that he doesn't try and kill us or all humans. He can decide the fate of this one that put him here, however." I unceremoniously dumped Don onto the floor and started searching in his pockets.

The key for the strange padlock should be on his person at all times according to Vivatti.

The young moth-man slowly looked at me after staring at Siya. Before dropping his head and silently nodding.

#Siya# Agrees. He doesn't want to suffer anymore.

She looked pained at his situation but kept her distance.

Ah here it is.

I easily snapped the chain around his wings then located the lock above his claws and clunked open the cuffs around his wrists.

Label: Cuffs of Lockdown.

Notes: Disables all abilities. Disables all attributes by 99%. Takes five seconds to activate.

Nasty things. I'll keep a hold of these.

The moth-boy flopped onto the floor and growled as he tried to lift himself up.

"Saank-youu..human." He hissed in English and it sounded oddly like several different language voices were talking at once.

"Woah a speaker? And English. You are welcome, I know it doesn't have much value but I'm sorry humans did this to you. Please remember, we are not all cruel like this. This bastard-" I pointed to Don. "-is all yours."

The moth-man dragged himself over to Don and showed not a single moment of hesitation as he slid a clawed hand into his mouth, dislocating his jaw.

The act woke Don who started gurgling, thrashing about with muffled screams.

Ah brill. Here comes more mental trauma.

I grimaced as there was the sound of ripping and cartilage crunching and squeaking as the moth-man growled, forcing his hand down into Don's throat all the way up to his shoulder. Don started to convulse and glow green before a huge rush of green shimmer and EXP surged up and into the moth-man.

Siya gasped quietly and took a small step back.

Don was clearly toast, or kebab’d should I say, so I prepared myself for the possibility that we would be attacked. Yet, after he was done, the moth-man simply sighed and stood up, pretty naked but small swirls drifted around his skin, with black flakes and red embers drifting off into dust.

"So that's uhh, that. Um, what will you do now?" I asked him.

Could have been worse, I was expecting him to pull him inside out.

He swept his gaze over me and Siya and then widened his eyes in surprise.

You have been scanned. Caution.

"Okay wow. Firstly, that was rude, secondly-" I scanned the cheeky blighter back.

Label: Mityyr

MAGN: 45.121

Balls. He is at the same MAGN level as me.

"-uhh there. Now we're even. So tell me, what are you going to do next? And hurry up because I'll probably need to sort out two others outside in a sec." I thumbed behind me calmly but my shields were primed, ready to go and I was pretty nervous.

I'm not good at these situations. There's probably a more diplomatic way, but I have no time or skill to find it.

"Hm. Ssstrong. And ssoulbound. I am grateful null ussser, my ssssuffering has ended. I can sssee you are trrrussstworthy, sso I too will ressspect our pact. I will leeavvvff and look for my people. Your kindnessss iss the only reassson I won't sssek sssoulssshed. But ssshould any more intend to hurt me, I sshal defend mysself."

He strolled up to Siya and bowed his head, staying lowered for several seconds as his moth-ears moved about. Her ear antenna twitched and she nodded looking a little bit flustered.

"Farewell brokenwwwing and.. null ussser."

The moth-man, Mityyr, started to shed green Majik as he walked off, then, without warning, shot off and away in a blur of green light.

"Huh. What a weird, resilient guy. Siya, did he say anything to you? You two were awfully quiet?" I asked.

#Siya# Yes. Told me humans can't be trusted. Told me they tried to make him consume weak humans but he refused. Told me I was amazing. Told me to go with him.

Cheeky bastard! Trying to poach my teammate.. Although it sounds like he was trying to pick her up.

Hm, maybe she would be happier with her own kind.

She looked solemnly towards the exit and it made me feel bad, but I also would be gutted if she did go.. So I did the typical British thing and made some shit pun jokes to mask the pain.

"Siya, you know you don't have any obligations to me..I mean, it sounds like you 'swept him off his feet'. His heart was 'aflutter'? The 'wings’ of love were beating in his chest? eh? eh?" I waggled my eyebrows at her, masking the tinge of sadness at the thought of her leaving me.

She gave me an unimpressed side look but it broke into a sly smile.

#Siya# Your words of humour portray your male parenthood accurately.

She shook her head and let out a series of rattling noises as she padded out of the room, leaving me puzzling over what she meant.

#Siya# Besides, he was not a suitable match.

…

..

It dawned on me shortly after, making me bark out a laugh.

That's clever.

.