I woke up to damp sheets and in a panic. The nightmare I had felt less real than my discussions with Nythris, but more real than regular dreams.

  It was almost like remembering a past that wasn’t mine.

  Regardless I got out of the bed to go walk around town, perhaps get a start on the day earlier than normal.

  I hadn’t removed my blindfold since its placement, and I didn’t have any reason to. Even to sleep it stayed on. The divine healing properties bestowed from the goddess's powers were almost done closing the wounds.

  I had made my peace that I’d never see again.

  Why would I want to?

  For two decades they watched the atrocities the empire inflicted. I don’t want to bear witness to more than my senses already don’t like.

  It’s not that I like killing, but I can’t drift without purpose.

  The very thing keeping me in check, is the same thing vibrating next to the line.

  If I cross it I’d lose my compassion. I’d lose all of what differentiates myself from the empire.

  My legs dragged back to the temporary home and I felt a horde of people racing to the town.

  I burst back out with Gravewake in hand and approached Jerek’s residency.

  My fist banged on the door. “Get your shit together man. A fight’s made its way here.”

  I felt him getting his gear on and grabbing his shield and I cast magic to shoot up as a warning for Rona and the cadets.

  As I drew closer to the crowd of people I felt a familiar energy approaching.

  “Cecilia?” I whispered to myself.

  The people she had brought with her were my parents, Fenrick, their friends, and any other rebellious souls from the capital.

  I walked up to her. “What are they doing here?”

  She panted briefly. “Seeking refuge. Krail’s a worse shithole than ever before and I needed to get them out while I had a chance.”

  On the surface that made sense. But bringing them here I didn’t understand.

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  I walked closer to the crowd, my parents were right there in front and I walked past them.

  Slowly one foot marched in front of the other.

  I didn’t have time to put my coat on so my physique towered over the rest of them.

  Good.

  I needed to intimidate before I welcomed.

  Anyone who didn’t fear me was a soldier.

  I stopped dead in my tracks.

  My arm jolted through someone’s neck removing their head-attached-spine from the rest of their body.

  “Cecilia.” I started. I began walking back toward her. “Why did you bring me a spy?”

  She shook her head. “I grabbed whoever was available, how do you know it’s a spy?”

  I tossed his detached head to the ground in front of her. “What was he wearing?”

  She moved her head to see.

  Her head drooped. “I swear, I didn’t know.”

  I didn’t move. “Whatever, it’s fine.”

  Without an incantation I cast fire magic to burn the blood from my hand.

  I addressed the crowd. “Welcome to my utopia, failed rebels. Make yourself useful here or drink til you die. I personally don’t give a shit, just don’t get in my way and I won’t get in yours.”

  Some people muttered insignificant words, others nodded aimlessly, they dispersed except for my parents.

  Although my face drifted to them, my eyes still couldn’t see. Yet they still jumped when I “looked” at them.

  I began to walk closer to them. Chin still held tall. Taller than my father stood.

  “Weak.” I muttered.

  My father slumped. My mother went to lift my blindfold and I grabbed her arm.

  I shook my head. “No, you both know how you failed. Let’s not overlook the fact that Mariel died because you two fuckers stood around like dumbasses when I was originally blinded.”

  They both couldn’t look at my face. As if looking me at the face would even change anything.

  Not like they could look me in the eye.

  I released my grip on her arm and walked back to Cecila. I paused when I got to Cecilia and my head turned over my shoulder. “Make yourself useful and train my cadets.”

  They nodded. My back was turned and my eyes were closed but they nodded.

  Idiots.

  Cecilia was still looking at the head beneath her. “I need space.”

  Then she disappeared from the naked eye. I could still vaguely track her, but I didn’t feel like it.

  I made my way back into town.

  Some of the refugees were already having sex in houses.

  I halted in front of one of the Room-for-Rent’s. “Really? First thing?” I shouted.

  They stopped immediately but I just kept marching onward. It baffled me that was the first thing they wanted to do when they got here.

  We were at war, how could they possibly find the time for that?

  Whatever.

  Jerek finally was heading in my direction after nearly fifteen minutes passed since I knocked on his door.

  “You’re late.” I said without changing pace. When I passed him he rerouted and walked by my side.

  He was panting. “Sorry man, my leg gear just wouldn’t clasp, and my shield was getting finicky at the strap. I need new gear.”

  I tossed a coin to a vendor. “Just a grain.” The vendor threw a tiny piece of metal back at me. “Give me your leg armor.” I said to Jerek.

  He unclasped it, it was rusty.

  After conjuring fire I melted the rusted metal away and melted on the new metal and shaped it. “Here.” I gave it back to him. Still walking.

  Jerek put it on and clasped it then ran to catch up with me. “Thanks, but my shield’s shot too.”

  I nodded. “I know, it’s not repairable. Not worth it anyway.”

  We barged into a bar shortly after. The room got quiet.

  “Fenrick.” I shouted. “Let’s make my friend here that’s worth its weight in gold.”

  He raised his beer mug. “Gladly. Come here my boy.”

  We sat next to him on each side and ordered a beer of our own.

  It was around nine in the morning, but the bars were open all hours of the day.

  I scanned the environment briefly and noticed a wagon with a metal inside.

  Bingo.

  “Hey Fen.” I turned to him. “What’s the metal you brought with you?”

  I felt the muscles in his face tense. “Right.” He started and nodded at Jerek’s shield. “Let’s throw that piece of junk away. You’re in need of a relic, son.”