I needed a moment to process that.

MIRE. The same one that I was a part of? Or rather used to be…? No.

The one that Melle had heard of most likely.

But were they really two different things? That was the main question.

She noticed that I was absolutely stunned.

-Yeah, I figured out that you’d be shocked. Your own group aiming to get you? That’s not really something you expect. Especially after so long…

-Let’s say that’s true… I would be more concerned about the fact that they are even here! And after… What did he say, millennium?

-I think so. But, good news, I don’t think that most of those are still the same people you knew. Or at all, really.

-I kind of figured that out.

-Yeah. It’s not like people live that long.

-Well, most of them. There’s still Axelrod and the rest of the team…

-Mhm…

-What are we even supposed to do now…?

The question was stated by the one that was quiet the whole time: one of the kids freed by For.

Wait… were they even freed?

-First off, we probably need to get those off you - I pointed towards their necks. - We don’t need any more casualties.

-Well… we can, but it probably will work better for us if we let them stay as they are.

-Why?

-They will notice that they are missing. And if we are to get them off-guard, better to be safe than sorry.

-I guess… But those idiots didn’t notice my mana even when it was right in front of their noses. You think they’re going to notice it missing?

-I… huh. I am not sure.

-Let me see one of those.

One of the kids pulled out the necklace and showed it off, not taking it off.

-They did warn us about taking them off. They said that something might happen, but they never said what…

-Ominous…

I inspected the necklace. Yeah, sure, it was magical, but besides that, I couldn’t tell anything. Felt somewhat familiar, though. Damn. Was my whole knowledge gone along with ILMA?

The longer I was alone without her, the more I started noticing my own missing pieces.

-I can try and drain it. How about it?

-Not the worst idea. That is if your drain won’t just target them instead of the item.

-Hm… that might be…

I stopped mid-sentence.

Something was not right.

-For. How long were we supposed to be alone?

-Er… few days? I think that's what they said. At least more than a day, though. Why are you asking?

-Because someone is approaching.

She immediately snapped towards the kids.

-Inside. Now. Hide, cover yourselves.

They nodded and hid inside the ruined house we were next to.

-Are they back already? That shouldn’t be right…Are you sure it’s them?

-That’s the problem. I do think so. But there’s more of them.

-More?! They brought reinforcements?!

-Yeah. And it gets better. There’s a familiar one with them.

-Kon?! First of all, why do they have him!? Second, why bring him here?!

-Do they know you know him?

-I am not sure…

-You said that they caught you together.

-They did. I guess that’s why they took him with… Fuck. I didn’t expect that… How many of them are there?

-More than ten.

-That’s a lot.

-Pairs.

-What the fuck?! That’s like the whole group?! What happened?

-I guess their source of income is gone so they aren’t pulling any punches.

-Source of income?

-Me.

She looked at me, confused.

-Don’t tell me you didn’t know?

-Didn’t know what?

-They were using me as their private source of crystals. You know, the same ones that you just not so long ago used to make that weapon.

-Wait. That was YOU? Oh. Ew.

-Yeah, I don’t like the reaction. I better hide.

-You bet. We’ll be in contact.

I quickly moved away from the spot they were staying and hid in another ruined building. I was glad that there were a lot of spots to hide here, without that I’d have a lot more problems right now.

Meanwhile, For was quickly talking with the kids, I assume telling them to not snitch on me. I don’t think they would anyway, but hey.

Soon, the group entered the main ruin.

I could tell that there were even more than ten pairs coming. And every single one was dressed similarly, including Kon.

Yeah, I am sure that it was him. His mana did not change at all. I could pinpoint him instantly: he was being escorted by three pairs, one at the front, two behind. It was clear that he was not a willing participant of this march.

Rest was walking slightly behind the first group.

I focused a bit, trying to maybe recognize someone else.

Sure, some of the pairs had familiar mana, I assume those were some kids from the island. I did not recognize almost anyone. That is besides the “leader”.

The first one, spearheading this group, was definitely the same man that took me out of commission last time.

He replaced the robe that got destroyed in our last fight with one looking exactly the same. I was able to recognize him thanks to his mana.

The group joined For, who was now standing in the middle of the ruins, looking surprised.

-You’re already here? I thought you needed a few days? And what’s up with that much of a force?

-Silence.

-Oh. Sorry, that’s you, boss. I didn’t recognize you…

Ah. So he WAS the boss around here. I wonder…

-You can stop now. I know what’s going on.

Before she was able to react, two pairs jumped her and pinned her down to the sand.

-What the fuc…

She didn’t even have time to protest. She immediately got tied up and gagged.

-Take the amulet.

A bit of a scuffle later, the “boss” gestured to lift her up and walked closer to her.

-I know what’s going on here. Where is he?

She just gave him an angry look.

-Right, you can’t speak. But your eyes tell me that you wouldn’t say anything even if you could talk. Never mind.

He sighed and started pacing next to her.

-I was patient. I was hopeful. That when you’d be freed from him, you’d turn for the better. Smarter. But nope. I let my guard down. And he’s back now. I am not sure how, but it is clear that your bud is back with us. And here I was hoping that you’d maybe finally had learned.

Another sigh.

-You heard me, Mor. Get out here. I know you are here. While I am fairly certain that you don’t care much about that woman, I might convince you yet.

He gestured towards the people behind him, and in a span of a second, every single kid from every pair got dragged out in front, next to Kon.

What the hell is he trying to do?

-I am sure you know them - he said, pulling off the coverings from Kon. - Kon. An interesting creature. You probably don’t care about what happens to them, but that doesn’t mean that I am not going to try something else.

He grabbed his neck and pulled out the familiar necklace, the same one I’ve seen other kids wearing.

-That’s a linking amulet. For probably told you what it’s capable of. But, you probably don’t know that it can be a bit more… powerful. Lunipdo.

Suddenly, all the kids stiffened. Including Kon.

And not only them. For, in binds, also stopped moving. At the same time, I also felt something at the back of my neck.

-Ooh, a strong connection. So you are close. Stand.

On his command, everyone that apparently got affected by a spell stood up. And, weirdly enough, I also felt a very strong tug.

I couldn’t help myself.

I stood up.

What the hell?!

-Scour the ruins. He can’t be far.

With one bark, everyone scattered, looking for me. Only people left standing there were the “boss” and kids, along with For and Kon. But they were in a situation mimicking mine: unable to move, frozen in place.

Not good.

How in the hell did that even work?! He somehow managed to put me under his spell without even seeing me?! I had to act quickly, before I would be found…

-I got him!

Well shit. Too late.

-Where?!

He immediately left the hostages and almost sprinted towards the ruin where I was. I couldn’t really do anything, nor was I even able to see the adversary, because of that stupid spell.

-Ah. Hello, Mor.

I heard them approach behind me.

-Drag him to the center. Just be careful and don’t touch him directly.

Damn. I was hoping that they might be ignorant about that part of my ability, but no luck I guess.

I felt a rope being tied to me and soon I was tightly bound with something that looked suspiciously similar to a metal cable.

Where do they get this shit from even!?

Like some immobile rock, I got dragged out towards the middle of the ruins.

They placed me next to Kon and For, although they left enough space between us that it would be impossible for me to touch either of them without taking a few steps at least.

-I never expected to find you alive - he started, staring at me with amazement. - But, with that body of yours, no wonder. I should’ve been more careful.

I wanted to reply, but I could not. The strange tug that froze my whole body was also working on my mouth. I was barely able to grunt at him.

-I know, I know. You can’t talk. I can’t have you casting some spells at me now, can I?

Like that was a problem for me. I would be able to toss a fireball at his face even now, without talking, but that didn’t mean I wanted to right now.

First off, I didn’t want to drag the kids into this mess even more. And besides, it seemed like he had something to say. It would be in my best interest to at least hear what the hell is he planning to do before setting this whole place on fire.

-Nah, we can’t - he continued. - But I must admit, I expected more resistance from you. Last time you almost killed me, and now you barely did any damage.

Barely? I did get rid of three of his people alone without even being spotted.

I guess he realized what I was thinking.

-You didn’t even manage to kill any of them. Who would’ve expected? A mass murderer like you, calming down, all of the sudden?

Who in the hell did he have me for? I am pretty sure that I’ve not killed anyone. On the other hand, those elves did kill themselves though, so maybe that’s where he was coming from…

-Now, while I’d love to return you to a pile of rubble once more, I am not going to. Judging by your swift recovery, that’s pointless. That leaves me with a conundrum. What the hell do I do with you?

“Leave me the fuck alone” I wanted to say. Not like it would’ve made any difference.

-No. Even if I did manage to finally end you, that would not be the proper punishment for you. I thought that desecrating your body would be at least a start, but we can see how that ended up. Oh, what to do…

He was not going to release the spell, was he? Nah, he just wanted to vent at me, without even giving me a chance to speak. But that was not going to stop me.

For a second, I thought if I should even bother trying to talk with him. Wouldn’t it be simpler if I was just to start with burning his veil again? It’s not like that would make my case worse. It wouldn’t make it better either.

Eh… What a pain.

I focused on him. On his mana. I knew that it was probably possible, so why not try it right now. Especially when he was apparently somehow connected to me with that weird magic of his.

I directed my thoughts right towards him. Just like with For and the rest, I tried speaking to him inside his head. But, unlike with them, I was not trying to be careful. I was being forceful on purpose.

I expected something to happen, but not for results to be that good. And immediate.

-And what the fuck did I do to you to get this kind of treatment?

He flinched and leaped backwards, definitely not expecting to hear me inside his own head. And definitely did not expect a blast of hostile emotions that were paired with that question.

Next to me I noticed that Kon and For cringed a little bit. I guess my emotions leaked.

-What the fuc… Gag him!

The people next to him leaped towards me on his command, shoving some random piece of clothing in my face. Fucking great.

Well, I did accomplish one thing with that stunt. That is, besides getting a facefull of dirty rags.

When he ordered me and here and overall in those ruins, his demeanor was calm, collected and confident. The moment I spoke to him, that changed: he was once more completely terrified, just like when he first heard my name.

I just shot him an annoyed gaze.

-You know, that’s pointless…

This time he positively jumped up.

-What in the…

Everyone else near him was confused, including my companions.

-I would kindly request for you to remove this shit off me. And the spell too, if you could. So we can have a bit more normal discussion.

He grabbed his head, panicked.

-Get him away from the prisoners!

His order was immediately followed. While his people weren’t able to hear me, they had a good idea that something was going wrong. The tone of his voice was enough.

Every prisoner got gathered behind him, while the rest circled me, while leaving a good few steps of space between us.

-Mhm… What now? - I asked him, trying to not pour hostility along with my words.

He still didn’t like me speaking directly to him, but regained his composure somewhat.

-I don’t know what you’re trying to pull here, but not on my watch!

I could just cast a spell and burn the gag away, but decided against it for a while. If I was to use magic, I’d use it against him, not just to get rid of some nuisance.

I think he figured out that I was planning something, because he immediately “cleared that up”.

-You can not speak! I will not allow for any magic to get out of your mouth!

Not like that was a source of anyone’s magic, but whatever.

-Sure. Whatever you want to say. So you’re not against listening to me like that, then.

His face contorted in a mixture of pain and fear.

Strange. Not like I was trying to hurt him. Yet.

-So. What now? What do you want from me?

He finally managed to spit out a reply.

-What I want?! I want you to die for your crimes!

I rolled my eyes.

-Sure, whatever. Not like I even know what those crimes are, but I am sure they are grave and definitely not made up just for the sake of it.

His fear disappeared for a second, instead turned into pure rage.

-Made up. MADE UP?! Your face is the proof of your crimes! Your whole body is proof of your crime! Murderer! Terrorist!

His outburst… was genuine. Whatever he was talking about, he definitely was believing it true.

I wanted to ask him again to elaborate, but there was no need.

-You want your crimes read? Sure. Of course. Fucking creature. You are guilty of killing at least a hundred people directly, stealing private property, and most of all, CREATING A CALAMITY. You remember now, eh?!