A loyal but stupid man

"Is this how you really feel about him?" Nao asked Reika.

Reika didn't respond. She was feeling guilty about the things she said, but she did not lie. She nodded her head, refusing to meet Nao's eyes.

Nao let out a long sigh. Koba on the other hand, decided to keep his mouth shut. He had a mountain of questions, but he understood that right now, it wasn't the time. It was a rare sight; Koba being considerate.

"Reika..." Nao finally said. "Why did you join Aerch Militia? You said you wanted a peaceful life didn't you?"

Reika was silent. 'Because I want to be with you!' she couldn't say that. Reika never thought she could ever truly be with Nao. He was a human after all. There would be no future between him and a Shape-sifter. She knew that but she couldn't deny her feelings. So she decided to watch over him. Even if it meant watching him fall for a human woman, even if it meant leaving her clan and following Nao to the humans. She knew it was dangerous. One small mistake and she would be surrounded by enemies. But she came anyway. She never envisioned a calm and peaceful future for either of them but her determination was unyielding and it didn't mean she didn't want to pursue such a future. But then, came this guy. Keita Raigon... no, Pride. The one responsible for hunting her species to near extinction. Stories about him butchering Shape-sifter babes while in their mothers' arms were still told among the few survivors. At first she was interested and approached him, since someone who shouldn't be human was healed by Arcione. But the longer she talked to him, the more she understood. This person is broken, she thought many times. After the fight with Wrath, Reika was startled to hear, that Keita was actually the horror story of her childhood, Pride. He shouldn't be alive but there he was, in a human suit. That day, she wasn't thinking clearly. She went and told him, that she heard who he was. She didn't know why but she needed him to know that she heard. After that, since Nao wanted to befriend him, she did the same. She hated him, but for Nao's sake, she would endure it. In order to not show her hostility, she deliberately acted friendly and kind. She thought she had him completely fooled. When the time came and Pride showed his true colors, she was going to press a dagger to his back, without a second thought. She was waiting for that time to come any day now. But what was that smile he showed? Reika wondered. Why did he smile? Was he an idiot? Actually, where did he go? Did he left them here to die? All kinds of thoughts passed through Reika's head to the point that she felt dizzy.

"Reika..." Nao repeated. "If this is how you really feel, I think you should go back to our village."

"Eh?"

Nao was serious. He wouldn't joke about things like that. Was he choosing Pride over her? No, that wasn't it. When he had to choose between two things, he was the kind of guy that would chase after both, no matter the consequences. Then did he hate her? Was it because she told all those terrible things to Pride? How could Nao not understand how she felt?

"Me and Koba" Nao continued. "we are chasing after something. So is Lia and well... I don't know much about Anne but she most likely is too. And of course Keita. That's why we joined the Militia. I am chasing after Ian's back, Koba is trying to gain more experience and Skills as a Priest and live a comfortable life. We are not mad at Keita. On the contrary, I at least am grateful. I've never thought that I would be able to see the things I've seen, or go so far as to be a step away from Silver Rank. Keita is pushing us, when we want to fall and that's how we became stronger. I can feel myself growing, each time we go on a quest with him." Nao said. His eyes were shining and he wore a bright smile. Not only he did not mind being dragged around, he was happy to.

Reika fell silent once again. It was true, for her Aerch Militia always felt a place she didn't belong. Become humanity's shield? Fight invaders? This meant little to her. It was just a good way to make money and watch over Nao for her. She had no desire to rise through the ranks nor make a fortune to live comfortably. She didn't want to challenge herself or fight strong enemies. Fighting was scary. She was terrified that something bad would happen to Nao, every time an enemy swung their weapon at him. That's why she chose to be a Ranger. She could have just changed to a more muscular human and fight besides him, but being in the back, she at least make sure Nao didn't get flanked. That was the reason. That was the limit of her ambition. But the others were different. Each and everyone had a dream. Something that they were chasing. A alien feeling came over her. Sometimes she felt like this. When she understood that humans and Shape-sifters were really a different race.

"I got..." Reika said, holding her head down. "I'll apologize to him."

* * *

Keita made it into the city. He passed the Undead that were coming after the party on the way. They were still following him somewhere behind. When he met with more of them, he stopped.

"Morran!" he shouted. He didn't know if the Lich could hear him but it was worth a try.

"Finally decided to come out?" the voice came from behind him.

'Teleportation magic?' Keita jumped to make distance. He reflexively tried to draw his sword but stopped midway.

"Hmm..." Morran put his hand on his chin, thinking. "Are you giving up? Not that I mind but it was fun chasing after you. Even the Undead need exercise every now and the you know." he said sarcastically.

"I am the irregular." Keita said.

"What was your name again?" Morran asked.

"Keita Raigon, Bronze rank Aerch Militia soldier." Keita responded.

"Well, Keita Raigon, Bronze rank Aerch militia soldier, you might be." Morran remarked. "Unfortunately, I have no way to make sure. All I know is that the Irregular will be here tonight and that he is male. So you see, I can't really take your word for it. Especially since you didn't even know what an Irregular is, since I told you." Morran apologetically lowered his head.

'Is he messing with me? Are Undead really like that? So... human?' Keita thought, for a lack of a better word. He knew very little about Undead but aren't they supposed to hate all life and are held bent on destroying it? Morran however, even though he was an enemy, showed something close to emotion. Even if he was joking around, that too would be weird. Keita felt no hatred directed to him from Morran. It felt that if he had no business with him, he might even let him live as long as Keita didn't know too much.

"So, how can I convince you? There must be some way, right?" Keita asked. He didn't know if Morran was a special Undead, but at this time, he felt relieved he was willing to talk.

"Well, if you be a good boy and don't move, there is one way to see whether you are who you say you are. If you are lying though... Well, I don't know what will happen but you should make your resolve." Morran took out a dirty brown bowl from inside his robs.

'This isn't right. He it far too calm. Why hasn't he thought that I am acting as a decoy while the others are escaping?' Keita thought. He came here to stall for time. If that wasn't going to work all he needed to do was fight. He did think he was the irregular though so he had some kind of value to the Elder Lich and his masters. 'But isn't he believing me too easily?'

Morran gestured Keita to sit and he did. He placed the brown bowl in front of him and took out a small vial, full of a greenish liquid. Morran poured the liquid to the bowl, as well as some herbs and something Keita couldn't quite make out in the darkness of night. All he knew is it smelled like a corpse. Finally he took out a silver curved dagger.

"I need some of your blood. Just a drop will do." Morran said as he gestured Keita to take the dagger.

Keita took the dagger to his hands hesitantly.

"Don't worry, I am not a Blood Mage. Even if I were, killing you through Blood Magic would be the least of your worries." Morran said as he waved his rotted hand up and down. It almost felt like he was smiling.

Keita pinched him thump with the knife. He tried giving the dagger back to the Elder Lich but he had his head turned.

"What kind of plan is this, Keita Raigon? After you made your way out from my encirclement in such a brilliant way too... I didn't take you for a man of such low intellect." Morran said, still looking away from Keita.

"What-" Keita tried to ask but he could already feel the answer coming closer.

"Keita! We are here to save you!" Nao shouted, running with the other four towards him and Morran.