The Soul Keeper

When Vixia and Delthur returned, we welcomed them with silence. As soon as they joined us, I started walking towards home once more.

It took a while before Vixia tried asking what had happened while they fought, though I didn't provide her with an answer. She didn't need to know about Fetheion's other identity.

"We will be there soon. When will the soldiers join us?" I asked, hoping to distract her a little.

"I will summon them once we arrive. It is a horrible idea to move such a large group right now." She sighed, I could see she was troubled. It wasn't surprising – she once again had to fight the same creatures that nearly took over her own world.

We walked in silence for a while more before our settlement came into view. Atop the hill, surrounded by serene woods, it looked so peaceful. I gritted my teeth – for how long was this place going to remain as such? 

When would the Ereth come to burn down these woods and destroy these walls? I didn't even want to think about it.

"Aoife, where did you send everyone?" I asked as we slowly began walking up the hill. She had left to help the villagers escape before everything went to hell.

"The United Nations building by the shore down south." She said with a sigh. "I told them to stay there – they have bunkers and stuff, so I'm guessing they'll be fine." She seemed hesitant for a moment.

"What is it?" I asked. 

"I just don't like this. This is our home, and we're…" Her voice faded as she shook her head. "It feels so wrong. All of this." She finally whispered.

I sighed. There was nothing I could say to comfort her – she had been thrust into a new reality. A reality where demons and Ereth existed. 

"We need their help, and they need somewhere to set up, Aoife. I'm sorry, but this place is the only one I can think of." There was no other place I could have taken Vixia and the others, was there? No, I didn't think so.

"I know," My sister sighed. "Sorry for bringing it up." She hastened her steps and nearly ran towards our settlement.

"What's with her?" Delthur's deep, dry voice startled me. My expression immediately darkened – I didn't want any demons to take interest in Aoife. "She's tired, and scared. It's normal." 

Delthur chuckled. "She seems much braver than you make her out to be." 

My expression softened a bit. "She is. But she is human – no magic means she is powerless, no matter how brave she is."

Delthur's brows furrowed. "Are you sure about that, Kai Friseal?" He paused, coughed a few times, then wiped his mouth with a red handkerchief. "I remember a swordsman by your side. He had no magic, yet his skills with a blade carried him far. He was feared by the Ereth by the end of the war."

I gritted my teeth. "Lucius' body was still enhanced. Aoife, while athletic, is just human. And I'm not letting her risk her life like Lucius always did." I still remembered the many times the young man nearly got himself killed. 

Delthur's wry laugh sounded before another coughing fit interrupted him. I furrowed my brows. "Why don't you let anyone heal you?" I ask, unable to keep silent about it anymore.

He had been suffering from this cough ever since we first met. Back then, it wasn't as bad, I hadn't seen him cough up any blood until a while later. But now, it was clearly a source of constant pain for him.

His expression immediately darkened. "It's not something that can be healed with ease." 

"Why not? I've seen how powerful the Demon Lord is, and Vixia is nothing to scoff at either. I refuse to believe your kind can not heal you."

He shook his head. "Leave it, Kai Friseal. It is not your place to question."

I gritted my teeth. Once again, I was refused the answers I so desperately wanted.

"We're here." Inspector John's soft voice startled me. I hadn't noticed us arriving before the gates. They were closed, which immediately alerted me. I was sure I hadn't closed them – I was too shaken for it.

"Stay here!" I hissed before stretching my wings and leaping over the tall gate. Who had closed the gates, who had stepped into our home while we were away?

I landed behind the gate, within the courtyard, and allowed my wings to disappear in a cloud of mist.

All I could hear was the wind whistling through the closed windows, and the rustling of the bushes. With quiet steps, I walked towards the Dojo. Who had come to close the gate?

My first thought was naturally Mother. Since we had no idea of where she had actually gone to, it could very well actually be her. And now that I knew of Uncle Eion's – Fetheion's – real identity, it didn't take much thought to figure out many things about Mother either.

I held my breath as I slowly climbed the stairs leading inside. The door wasn't locked, so I slowly pushed it open. The door creaked open, startling me with how loud it was. Had it always been like that? Probably, it just had never been so damn quiet here.

I stepped inside and walked the halls. The first thing I noticed as I stepped into the training hall was the missing blade on the wall. Mother's sword was gone. I furrowed my brows, was she the one who took it, or someone else?

With no answers to be found in this room, I continued with my search. I feared letting my magic to the searching for me – if there were any Ereth inside, I didn't want to alert them. Remaining hidden was a much better choice for now.

I passed by the stairs, then stopped before the room of the dining room. I hesitantly reached for the handle – I hadn't closed this door either – and as soon as my fingers touched the cool metal, swung it open.

"Aaah!" Someone shouted, fear mixed in their voice. I glared at the man standing before me with surprise, as his expression filled with fear.

"Who are you?" I finally asked.