Chapter 13: CHAPTER THIRTEEN: A MOTHER'S WISH
It's been a year since Selena left the Realm, driven by a desire to develop her knowledge of the outside world. She had spent most of her life within the Realm's walls, and her father's dismissal of her as a worthy successor to the Death Scythe still stung. The cool evening air was a welcome respite as she walked through the bustling streets of Ashwood, her boots clicking on the cobblestone pavement.
She pushed open the heavy wooden door of a nearby tavern, the warm glow of the fire pit and the murmur of hushed conversations enveloping her. The air was thick with the smell of roasting meat and freshly brewed ale. Selena's stomach growled in response as she made her way to the bar.
As she waited for the bartender to serve her, Selena noticed a familiar face sitting next to her. Steve. After he bored her to death with his rambling, she walked out on him, threatening to kill him next time he approaches her.
On her way outside the tavern, a strange man with a scar on his face, wearing an ash coat and holding cigarettes, stands before her.
"Step aside, miscreant," Selena scowled, her eyes narrowing.
The man smiled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "My name is Shane. I lead the Hunters." He paused, his gaze roving over her. "And I think you'd be a perfect fit for our organization."
Selena raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite herself. "What makes you think I'm interested?" she asked, her tone neutral.
Shane chuckled, the sound low and menacing. "I know all about your… situation. Your father's little snub. The Death Scythe." His eyes seemed to bore into hers. "You're hungry for power, Selena. And I can give it to you."
Selena's eyes flashed with anger, her hand instinctively going to the dagger at her waist. "What do you want from me?" she spat.
Shane's smile grew wider. "I want to recruit you. We have a job that needs doing… a certain Steve Nazar needs to be eliminated." He paused, his eyes glinting with amusement. "But I think you have a more… personal stake in this job."
Selena's face twisted in disgust. "You think you can use that against me? My personal business?"
Shane shrugged. "I'm just stating facts. You're angry, Selena. Angry and hurt. And I can help you channel that anger into something productive." He paused, his eyes boring into hers. "So what do you say, Selena? Are you ready to join the Hunters?"
Selena's eyes narrowed, her mind racing. She could feel the weight of Shane's words, the promise of power and revenge. And for a moment, she was tempted.
But then she remembered her pride, her determination to make a name for herself without the help of others. She stood tall, her eyes flashing with defiance.
"I'll think about it," she said finally, her voice firm.
Shane's smile grew wider. "I'll take that as a yes," he said, handing her a pamphlet. "Welcome to the Hunters, Selena."
..... ✍️
"I will join your organization, but once I'm done making use of your resources, I will leave," Selena said, her voice firm.
Shane's smile grew wider. "We intend to make use of you too," he said, his eyes glinting with amusement.
He nodded to a young man standing beside him. "The kid next to me is Heinzeln Ken. He's the best mercenary we have." He looked at Ken. "Say hello to your new partner."
Ken's eyes narrowed, his expression disapproving. "What's going on here, Shane? You can't just pair me with some… rookie."
Shane's smile never wavered. "She's not a rookie, Ken. She's the daughter of Seth Remmick. And she has skills that would be wasted if she weren't part of our team."
Ken's eyes flicked to Selena, his gaze cold. "Fine. Follow me," he growled, already walking away.
Selena walked beside him, her eyes taking in the dimly lit hallway. The air was thick with the smell of old stone and dust. The sound of footsteps echoed off the walls as they walked.
They passed several locked doors, each one adorned with intricate carvings. Selena's curiosity was piqued, but she didn't ask any questions.
As they walked, Ken would occasionally look over his shoulder, his eyes narrowing as he took in Selena's expressionless face.
They stopped in front of a room with its door open, but before Selena could peek inside, a kid suddenly appeared through the walls and shut the door closed.
"Don't look inside other people's rooms if you don't want any trouble," he warned, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
Ken's expression turned stern. "Jax, what are you doing here?" he asked, his voice firm.
Jax, the kid, grinned. "Just making sure our new recruit knows the rules, Ken." He winked at Selena before disappearing as suddenly as he appeared.
Ken's eyes narrowed, his gaze cold. "Let's get one thing straight, Selena. I don't trust you. And I don't think you're going to last very long here." He paused, his eyes glinting with challenge. "But I'm willing to give you a chance. For now."
Selena's expression remained neutral, but her eyes flashed with anger. She didn't respond, instead choosing to ignore Ken's jibe.
Ken snorted, his expression disgusted. "Fine. Don't talk. See if I care." He stopped in front of a locked door. "Here we are. Your new home."
Selena turned the door knob, but it wouldn't budge. "The door is locked," she said, her voice neutral.
Ken raised an eyebrow. "So she talks."
Selena's expression remained deadpan. "How do I open the door?" she asked.
Ken snorted. "You haven't answered any of my questions, but you want me to answer yours. How fair is that?"
Selena stared at him, her eyes unyielding. Ken sighed, his expression softening slightly. "Place your hand on the knob and channel your powers on it. The door should open."
The door creaked open after Selena did as Ken instructed. She stepped inside, her eyes scanning the room before she turned back to Ken. "Controlling shadows isn't anything special. It's just natural and doesn't make me feel otherwise. I don't know how it makes others feel, though."
With that, she shut the door in Ken's face, leaving him standing alone in the hallway.
As Ken made his way downstairs, he met Shane coming up. Shane looked like he was in a hurry.
"Tomorrow, you're to tell Selena about our code and any other necessary information about us that you think she should know," Shane said, his voice brisk. "Also, give her this."
He handed Ken a wrinkled paper. Ken's eyes widened in surprise. "A job request?!"
Shane nodded. "I want to see how good she really is."
Ken's expression turned skeptical. "Don't you already know that? I thought the whole essence of you recruiting her yourself was because you know how good she is. Is there something you're not telling me?"
Shane's expression turned enigmatic. "The things you know are the things you are allowed to know."
Ken's eyes narrowed. "What the fuck is that supposed to mean?"
Shane's expression didn't change. "Just give it to her, Ken."
Ken's eyes followed Shane as he walked away. "Where the heck are you going?"
Shane didn't respond, instead disappearing up the stairs leading to the roof.
Ken's eyes narrowed, his mind racing. "He's acting strange. One way or another, I will find out what's really going on."
He turned and made his way to his room, which was just beneath Selena's.
Meanwhile, Selena dropped her bag and fell face-first onto her bed, exhausted after walking from town to town.
...… ✍️
"There's someone I need to go see. Sage. I will be back in an hour," Sophia said, her voice soft.
"Alright. I will be here till he wakes up," the old man replied.
Sophia's eyes lingered on Liam's face, her expression concerned. "You know you can't blame yourself for this, you know right?"
The old man's expression turned somber. "It doesn't matter…"
Sophia placed a hand on his shoulder. "Liam will be fine. Just don't overdo it."
A few minutes after Sophia left, my eyes slowly opened, and I scanned the place, trying to recognize my environment. I groaned painfully as I tried to sit up.
The Sage's wrinkled face appeared above me, a hint of a smile on his lips. "You are finally awake."
My eyes narrowed, my mind foggy. "Where am I?" I asked, my voice hoarse.
The Sage's expression turned serious. "You are in Sophia's. She healed your injuries, although she couldn't completely heal the parts of your body affected by the poison, so try not to move around."
I chuckled lightly, wincing in pain. "Alright, doc."
Henri's eyes clouded, his voice low. "Did he do this to you?"
My expression turned grim. "No. Madame Abigail did. She is a Succubus—"
Henri's eyes widened, a hint of a smile on his lips. "They are very formidable. Once fought one in my youth. She was very sexy and—"
I cut him off, my expression serious. "She told me where to find him."
Henri's smile grew wider. "That means you bested her, good. Where is he?"
My expression turned somber. "Sorry, old man, but I can't tell you."
"Take a good look at yourself, Liam. You can't fight him like this"
My eyes flashed with determination. "I know. I don't intend to. I will recover my strength, then I go knocking on his door."
The old man's eyes clouded, his voice low. "Maybe letting you handle this is a mistake."
Liam's smile grew wider. "Don't worry, Sage. I won't let you add me to one of your many regrets."
After our short conversation, I pass out. My body needs incredibly time to rest and recover before I could exert my next plan. While I'm still recuperating, Sophia had come back and she's exchanged in a heated conversation with Sage Henri-a conversion that woke me from sleep.
"I see. Well, did he succeed?" Sophia asked, her voice firm.
"Yes, he did. But he won't say," Sage replied.
Sophia's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean he won't say?"
Sage's expression turned somber. "He refused to tell me. He said Steve will die by his hands."
Sophia's voice spiked up. "He's delusional. Liam can't handle Steve. Take a look at what a stupid Succubus did to him. If he won't tell you, then take over his shadow and go through his memory."
Sage Henri shook his head. "I don't want to do that."
Sophia's eyes squinted. "Don't tell me you can no longer do the Shadow Possession."
Sage's voice rose. "I can still do it. Are you insane?" He exhales through his mouth slowly to compose himself. "Look, a big part of me wants to believe in Liam. I look at him and all I see is her."
Sophia's eyes clouded. "You know, she asked me to look after him for her, and here you are throwing him to the man that won't think twice about killing him."
Sage Henri's voice cracked. "Shayla asked you to protect Liam, when?"
Sophia's yes dropped. "The time she brought him here for us to see. I was surprised when she said that." Sophia's voice trembled. "The greatest Kovo at that time wants me, a mere doctor, to protect her son. That's absurd, I thought, but she was serious." Tears dropped from her face.
Liam's eyes widened as he listened to the conversation. He bit down on his lips, his heart racing. He had never known his mother asked Sophia to protect him.
Under his breath he said, "I didn't know."
"No one does. Not even Liam." Sophia's voice was barely audible.
"Sophia…" Sage tried to hold her, but she smacked his hands off.
"I will be outside. Call me when he wakes up."
Liam's eyes dropped, his mind reeling. He was glad they had no idea he had heard their conversation. But he didn't know if he would ever be able to face Sophia again. He had always disregarded her existence, treated her awfully, and despite that, she would still help him out whenever he needed it.
Liam's heart ached as he thought about his mother. He missed her more when he was with Sophia, and that was weird and sad at the same time.
He decided to go back to sleep, his mind exhausted from the revelation.
*****
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone