Approaching the stairs Sonnia looked out. Smoke was seen coming from behind the golem wall. Seeing her approach a man filled her in while she watched the smoke with the group of people.

  “We heard screams and then fire. I’m glad it’s on that side of the town. It’ll stay contained at least.”

  Freeg moved past Sonnia in a panicked manner.

  “Those innocent people on the other side. We need to try and help whoever we can. Come Sonnia.”

  Sonnia nodded her head and sighed following Freeg who seemed to struggle. She stumbled to her knees and coughed in her hand. Sonnia immediately picked her up and kept her moving along. Sonnia saw it, Freeg’s blood seemed to be dark, almost black. Sonnia closed her eyes trying to ignore it while Freeg quickly wiped it on her clothes. She had no time to react to it as they moved forward through crowds of people.

  They both moved along towards the plaza area where guards formed a line in front of the golems to keep crowds of people back as they watched.

  “Back away! Back away. Keep a safe distance. We are safe on this side.”

  Paul was amongst them talking to one of his fellow guards. Freeg walked over to him.

  “Paul what happened? Did Chester order the fire?”

  Paul shook his head.

  “Me and him had a talk but we didn’t agree to this. It’s madness I’m just trying to keep order. There are screams on the other side. But I can’t open the path.”

  Freeg looked at him now panicking her hands started beating on his chest.

  “Open it Paul! Marm is dead, it shouldn't be an issue anymore, don't let the few innocents die! Please!”

  Paul closed his eyes and each hit from Freeg hurt his mental defenses more than his arm. A guard moved in to pull her off but Paul raised his hand holding the guard back. Sonnia watched and looked at the thick smoke rose while listening to the two argue. Sonnia tried to smack a golem with her staff. She winded up her arms and struck as hard as she could. Only a small crack was seen as her arms shook. The noise echoed out, drawing out Guards who moved in with swords and shields ready to stop Sonnia.

  “Back away from the wall, that's an order lady.”

  Sonnia looked back at them and smacked the golem again.

  “No.”

  They moved in closely in tight formation while Freeg begged Paul to make them stop. Seeing her words weren't working she tried to run over but Paul wrapped his arms around Freeg locking her in. His eyes stayed close and he lowered his head as Freeg tried to break free. He whispered in her ear.

  “Forgive me. I can’t let you interfere Freeg. Please forgive me.”

  Freeg yelled at him now. Her voice made him flinch.

  “You know this isn’t right then save everyone. It’s why you joined the guard!”

  Paul went silent. While the guards slowly crept in towards Sonnia. She raised her staff smiling at them while she started twirling in her hands. She was ready to attack them like a feral animal while her free hand glowing and her red magic shield spawned in. Heart beat raised while a innocent smile dawned on her face as she stared at one of the men’s eyes. It made him sweat a little and for a moment lag behind with the others.

  “It takes seven men to make you feel comfortable to attack me huhhhh.”

  Before she could pounce at them the golem behind her came to life. It went from taking a kneel to standing up as its eyes glowed blue. The guards gasped and backed off while Sonnia darted to the left to avoid it before it took its first steps forward. Then the stone beast slowly waltzed forward taking uneven steps creating a gap in the walls. Few people came running in as behind them blazing fire crackled in the background. Along with them a nearly naked man wearing a broken top hat walked through tipping his hat to everyone with an earnest smile. His body looked lightly scratched and bloody.

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  “Afternoon. I figured I was done with my walk and wanted to come back. Oh hello Sonnia, fancy meeting you here as well. Funny how Veythe brings us together constantly.”

  Paul had already let Freeg go, his whip fully extended as he watched.

  “Why did you open the wall? You may have doomed the city further than it already is.”

  Derrick stood confidently while smiling as he looked at the ground.

  “You need not worry. I’ve already dealt with the scourge. There are two types of the plague. One caused by the flower, it’s slower and tame. It can’t spread without its host. Those who are sick from the petals will more than likely keep a fever for rest of their life like you.

  He put back on his top hat and took a handkerchief and wiped himself down.

  “Then the dust, it’s designed to work without the flower and the symptoms work much faster, I’ve dispatched those beings in full.”

  Derrick looked at the captain and slumped against the ground. Sonnia looked over Derrick and his injuries. She put a hand on him and healed him. He lightly winced at her heal but slowly his health came back.

  “Your move now captain. What’s it gonna be? A pointless massacre or trust in your friendly homeless population.”

  Paul looked at Freeg and felt her eyes judging him like he was awaiting a sentencing. Then he looked at his guards who had weapons ready at the citizens who entered from the quarantine zone. Then to Derrick and Sonnia as they both watched one with a smug smile and another exhausted look. Then a few more people scurried into the city. The

  pressure built up on them he felt suffocated on all sides. He finally ushered an order after dropping his whip to the ground.

  “Stand down. Let them in and aid the wounded. NOW.”

  As he did, Freeg hugged him tight and the guards started running around moving people along getting them deeper inside the station. Derrick took a sigh while sitting next to Sonnia.

  “Your healing magic stings a lot on open wounds eh. Don’t suppose you’ll be wanting to give my suit back huh? It has lots of sentimental value.”

  Sonnia nodded and sat next to him while watching the people scurry around as the city came to life.

  “No problem, Homeless Derrick. I thought you said you were not a fighter…. How did you manage all of that?”

  She slowly took off his suit and put it on him, her robes laid neatly tucked underneath. She looked at him with curiosity while leaning against him.

  “My magic isn’t for fighting but I have my ways. If you kill the heart the bodies fall, just some precautions have to be made. I found Gar’s house and read his notes as well. My mission is complete.”

  Sonnia laughed a little.

  “Am I gonna die from the dust then? My blood was black earlier before your potion found me?”

  “No. The potion is very concentrated. It cleaned your body, good for all diseases. Before you ask, no I don’t have any more. It was reckless of me to give it to you to begin with. For everyone else I reckon it’s a slow painful death until they come back and try to kill more mortals.”

  Sonnia looked at Freeg as she and Paul hugged deep in a embrace. Sonnia looked a little sad as her eyes stared at the ground.

  “At least without Marm it won’t spread rapidly and it’ll be easy to track. I did my part. I have a gift for you by the way. I was given permission to give it to you.”

  Sonnia perked up instantly and grinned and was hit with a surge of energy. While he put on his suit.

  “A gift? What is it? What is it? It’s not in your underwear is it? I’m not interested if it is.”

  Derrick laughed at her remark and got up before walking away.

  “In the house where you healed that family with the dust, there is a small crate of stuff I think you will like. As for me, I think I’m done here. Make sure you wait till the flames go out unless you plan on burning.”

  He calmly walked away while whistling his hands channeled magic that transformed his looks. He went from a homeless dirt man into a blonde man with short hair. Sonnia got excited despite his warning she couldn’t resist it. She peeked in through the gap and saw fires going crazy.

  They seemed controlled enough that Sonnia decided to run. Smiling as she retraced her steps. Inside it was a massacre. Dead bodies everywhere, each a stab wound in their chest while dead bodies and blood were sprawled everywhere like an animal had come through.

  Bewildered as fire and death danced together, Sonnia felt a little uneasy thinking of what Derrick did to these bodies. Not a single person was spared, Sonnia remember most if their faces from when she had given out the dust. Each person passed a memory of hope and charity now gone wrong. When she reached the house the door was shut like it was hiding from the horrors of the outside. Still Sonnia kicked the door in while coughing from the smoke. She saw three dead bodies. An old man whose throat was slit. A woman whose heart was stabbed through with a kitchen knife resting in her chest. Then another body which sustained wounds all over, the corpse hardly recognizable.

  Sonnia looked at them all and felt a little uncomfortable.

  “Sorry I got you all killed. Hope the Veythe lady gives you peace. If you weren't sick then Derrick wouldn’t have killed you.”

  In the back she saw a small crate with a note on it. Sonnia carefully avoided the dead bodies going around them until she reached the box. She grabbed and noted and slowly read it. The handwriting was smooth and clean like it was written by a calligrapher.

  “Sonnia, thank you for your hard work. You made things easier dealing with Gar and his puppets. I pulled some strings and got you some sentimental items. I’ll be gone by the time you see this. You are very popular with some of our members. I was surprised to see you with my own eyes. Remember the eyes always watch you. We already took the dust it’s in safe hands.

  -Derrick.”

  Sonnia looked confused; she crumpled the note and threw it away. Her breath lightened a little as anxiety built. She shook her head and used her staff to pry the box open. Using little strength she opened it up. Then inside her heart dropped and her skin went cold. The world around her moved slowly. Inside the box was a collection of items that felt like a twisted reunion. A silver necklace with a sapphire insignia of a heart with wings. A small warm worrystone. Then a hairpin shaped like a crescent moon. Then the last item was a greatsword with a rune on it that felt cold to the touch.

  Sonnia eyes widened and a vein bulkhead in her head. Feeling nauseous and angry looking at the items like it was a joke. Theorin's favorite weapon which he used many times to protect Sonnia along with the gifts he had bought for her not too long ago.

  “The eyes always watch. DERRICK YOU ARE WITH THEM! How did I not see that? I should’ve killed him. AHHH.”

  She punched a wall next to her and lashed out for smacking everything around her as memories came back. His smile and devout loyalty. Sonnia swung her staff around violently at anything in her way while fire heated up the room. After a few minutes she was breathing heavily on her knees.

  “I’ll kill him when I see him again. I swear on everything. I don’t care if he’s not Wesley. How dare he taunt me like that. grrrr.”

  After catching her breath she got to her feet and looked at the items again with disdain then slowly remorse. She frowned at each one. She put on the hairpin in her hair slowly, then slung the sword over her back. The necklace though he looked at with disgust she put it on under cloak hiding it away. The insignia made her angry even as the gem touched her bare skin.

  “Elarion and his insignia. Such a pathetic gift even from Theorin it’s disgusting. I hate that god. She was stupid for loyally praying to him like he cared.”