Chapter 6: Troubles Rising

"Aha! Nothing beats the smell of old and new, but still dusty books!"

Chewawa was sitting down at the entrance of the library, sniffing the air. He then sat up and pushed open the door without using the doorknobs. I walked in after him and not to my surprise saw everyone staring at us. Chewawa was right. Things did start to get better as we neared our destination. Now everything was back to normal, except for us.

Surprisingly, I was staying very close to Chewawa. I just felt safer with him, despite the fact that he is the one who killed my brother. At least try and remember that Shena!

Chewawa suddenly stopped and walked up to a bald guy wearing sunglasses and a grey business suit. The guy gave Chewawa a suspicious look as the massive dog sat down across from him. This place doubled as a cafe.

"Well congrats sir, you get special treatment."

I didn't know if I should edge away or towards Chewawa. He sounded like a merchant now but there was a clear tone in his words that felt dangerous.

Before the guy could react Chewawa suddenly had a strange-looking glowing yellow and floating pentagram in front of him. The very next moment the guy suddenly had a blank expression and Chewawa closed the pentagram and walked back towards me, humming a tune.

"What was that about?" I asked, Chewawa paused.

"Erogazi left agents in case you ever came back here. There have been quite a few who have spotted us but I wiped their minds off the encounter. This one was immune to it so I used magic on him."

So Master Erogazi is looking for me! I mean, I knew she would but it felt so much better to know for sure. And Chewawa isn't harming the agents she sends either. That is nice.

We walked over to the bookshelves and Chewawa skimmed over many of the books, occasionally taking out one and skimming over the pages before putting it back. Finally, he stopped at a book called History Of The Old World.

"Here." Chewawa barked suddenly, pulling out another grey and slimmer book which looked like it was made of paper called Quotes Of The Past.

Chewawa flipped to a random page and then pointed at it, telling me to start reading. It was odd how a dog with no thumbs can do such human things. Then again, he isn't a dog but he still has no thumbs.

I looked over some of the quotes and decided to read some out loud since it looks like Chewawa was pretty busy reading the history book.

"Hey guys, it's Marki-"

Chewawa suddenly put a paw to my mouth.

"I don't want to risk that. Read another quote please."

Chewawa's paw went down and he went back to reading the book. Now that I am wondering how he is reading that with no thumbs and a dog body, I saw that he was using some sort of telekinesis to flip the pages and levitate the book. He was reading quite fast too.

I looked down at the book I was reading and picked another quote.

"Top of the mornin to ya! It's Ja-"

Chewawa's paw went to my mouth again.

"Another please."

His paw went down again. I was about to read another quote when Chewawa muttered something.

"Did you say something?"

"This world is the basis for a good fraction of Earth's in True Worlds," Chewawa replied without looking up.

I went back to the quote book.

"Alright! Hello everyone there, it's Van-"

Chewawa's paw went to my mouth again before going back down.

"What's the title of the quotes you are reading called?"

"Um, famous English speaking people from yo-"

Chewawa grabbed the book from me and put it back where it was before putting his paw on my mouth. It happened so fast that I had no idea it happened at first.

"I am not getting this involved with that company. Hell no. I wouldn't hear the end of it from Banshee."

"Who?" I asked the moment Chewawa put his paw down.

"Another Androscent."

I looked at the progress Chewawa had made with the book and my eyes boggled. He was nearly done with the entire thing! By the looks of it he was reading it in full detail! The book must be more than four thousand pages long!

"Is it an Androscent you're friends with?"

Chewawa's only response was a hmm hm.

I waited a bit longer and Chewawa closed the book and put it back on the shelf. The entire process took a little more than a minute.

"So it is a base Earth like the one Rescue Dog lives on."

"Who's that?" I asked.

"My adopted brother in a way. I told you about my siblings before, didn't I?"

"You didn't say any names."

Chewawa did what I can only describe as a shrug before turning to face me.

"Well, it's the afternoon so wanna get something to eat?"

....

Despite the lake being clean and drinkable water, it was hard to ignore one thing. We didn't have any food on us. The others tried to get me to stay here but I said I could be useful. I am somewhat regretting that decision now.

My boost of determination wore off and I could no longer speak and my abdomen was in intense pain. They had to re-apply clothing to keep pressure on the wound twice as it kept bleeding through. I knew I was being nothing but a burden to them now.

I was leaning on the wall while walking, having to use it as support. The others kept on giving me worried glances and I can tell that they wanted to help me even more by letting me lean on them. But doing that would just make me even more of a burden as it will make them tired as well. I wasn't as hungry as they are since I ate just before I dropped off the package at a nearby cafe. There weren't many people around so I got my meal quick. Most people were at work or school, or both.

So far we didn't have any luck at all. No vending machines or anything at all. While walking I learned that two other kids have met up with the group I am in with. One girl, one boy. I asked if there were any adults and John said they probably were too big to survive the fall.

Anyway, the other two went out to look for food but haven't returned yet. Even if we don't find them they will go back to the lake. We all will meet up back at the lack in the end so we weren't really looking for the other two kids.

Suddenly I heard something fall behind us. I stopped and turned around.

"Is something the matter?" John asked, turning around. I didn't answer him right away which caused the others to gather around me.

"I heard something fall over."

I forgot how much it hurt to talk and I instantly clutched my throat as pain flooded through it.

"Probably aftershocks." Ferret said. Ava on the other hand shook her head.

"Don't you think we would have felt it? I didn't feel anything and nothing else fell over. There wasn't even any dust."

The others all stayed still. Finally, we heard footsteps and a shaggy man wearing a black jacket and blue hair with matching blue eyes walked out of a doorway. He started when he saw us and then stopped.

"Are you like me? Are you kids okay?"

John nodded. I guess he was wrong about there not being any grown-ups. I could tell that he didn't completely trust this guy yet.

"Well okay then. I have some food in my backpack but we can't get it."

That wasn't what I thought the guy would say. I thought he was going to ask for help or something. Now that I think about it, he looks nervous and scared, like something happened.

"Why not?" Ferret asked. The man shook his head.

"I was with a group when we found a girl looking in her seventeens. We offered her a helping hand and she..."

The guy swallowed nervously, sweating.

"S-she asked us how we got here. We told her and then she...s-she..."

The guy shook his head and leaned against the wall.

"Call me c-crazy but the girl pulled a black scythe out of nowhere and started killing us. No, that girl is no girl. That thing started killing us. I was told to run and warn others so I did."

I could tell everyone but John believed him.

"What's your name?" Ava asked.

"Billo. I worked for the electric company before becoming a doctor."

Billo's eyes went over to me and my wound.

"Speaking of that, I have something that might help her."

Ava and Ferret looked at each other then glanced at John before nodding their heads. Billo took a tiny first aid kit out from his jacket and started walking forward.

Something made him stop and the next moment later something black stabbed right through his chest. With a gurgled yell he was lifted into the air and thrown against the wall. Standing in his place was a girl with short electric blue hair and two white flowers keeping two tiny pigtails on the side of her head. She wore a skeleton costume and black and white sneakers. She was also covered in blood. She opened her right hand and a black scythe appeared, looking like it was made of liquid. Actually, it was made of black liquid, The black liquid splashed around before forming into a scythe.

John took a step back, surprised. Suddenly Billo coughed. I looked at him and he met my eyes. He still had the medkit in his hand and he weakly slid it over to me. The girl gave it a quizzical look but did nothing. I grabbed the medkit and hugged it tightly to my chest.

The girl turned to face Billo as he drew his final breath then turned back to face us and took a couple of steps forward.

"How did you get here?" She asked, her voice vacant of emotion. No one knew what to say.

"W-wh-what's y-your name?"

I knew that I could be killed for asking that and it did nothing but cause me pain but if I could stall for time while the others thought of a plan then maybe I won't die a burden.

Just in case I shoved the medkit in Ava's chest and she grabbed it instinctively.

"My name is Amgantha, what is yours?"

General curiosity filled her voice.

"M-my name is Rosaria Red Diamond."

"Rosaria. If you stay here your "friends" can go."

Without hesitation, I nodded my head. Ava and Ferret and even John open their voices to protest but I cut them off. My voice was gone and it hurt too much to speak anyway so I simply pointed in the direction we were heading. When they didn't budge I shoved them. After looking at me a while longer they left. I turned back to face Amgantha and nearly fell down in surprise. She was right in front of me.

"You're hurt. Let me help you."

Confusion set in but before I could think about it anymore Amgantha touched my forehead with her left hand and I slipped into a dreamless sleep.

....

Never want immortality. It isn't a blessing. True immortality is a curse. It'd be foolish and stupid to think otherwise.

....

"Do you think people ever get tired of walking down the city streets?"

I looked up from the book I was reading and saw Skri looking out the apartment window. It was kinda cute that she always refuses to wear socks and shoes but that is probably just my personal opinion. I went over to the window after putting my book down and she scooted over. The window was located on the bed so our knees were at least comfortable.

"I guess they do get tired."

"Then why do they keep doing it?"

I shrugged.

"Why do people go to work? They need to make money. While people could use transportation, sometimes they decide that they'd rather save the money than waste it on luxuries like that."

Skri nodded and watched the passing people go on their merry way. After a while of watching with her, I got up and patted her on the head. Skri let out a high-pitched skree noise.

"I'm going to make breakfast. I'll call you down when it's done."

Skri got up and perched on the bed rim and gave me a funny salute, earning a giggle from me.

"I'll call you down when it's ready!"

I closed the door to me and Skri's room. Despite this being an apartment, it is more like a house having an upstairs and a downstairs.

I walked into the kitchen and took out some bacon and eggs and then lit up the stove after putting a skillet on the burner. It was a nice and quiet day and school wasn't going to start back up for a little while at least. No family members were visiting me and no servants either. Me and Skri could hang out all we want. That thought filled me with happiness.

After a while breakfast was ready and after setting the table I got ready to call Skri down.

A sudden knock on the door made me freeze. Three more knocks followed. It was the code of my friends. Skri had sharp hearing so she knows not to come downstairs. I might as well see which friend came over.

I forced myself to be calm and then opened the door part of the way. Shiro was on the other side, sharply dressed wearing a dark grey buttoned shirt and grey shorts. He gave me a friendly smile.

"Hey, Malami. Sorry for the early visit."

"It's no problem Shiro, what can I do?"

I felt Skri tense a little. Skri gave me a special liquid that connects us together. We can't speak telepathically but we can feel when the other one is stressed or in danger. That probably is how Skri knew to come to save me before when I was fighting her sister, Isheva.

A part of me wondered if Isheva was okay and fine, and that part also wanted her to be okay and fine. That is not something a CAPU should think. Then again, I live with Skri who is the Infection Creature, one of the most dangerous and unknown Creature, so to say that is a stretch.

With a jolt, I realized that I had two plates ready for breakfast. Shiro was smart and observative. He must have noticed.

"Care to come in?" I asked with a smile. To my surprise, Shiro shook his head.

"No. I came here to give you an invitation from Nick. He wants a get-together. I have to go somewhere so I have to hurry."

Shiro took out a letter from his pocket and handed it to me. It was a simple white letter with nothing special written on it.

"Well, I have to get going so see you hopefully there Malami."

"You too Shiro."

And just like that, I was safe. Shiro closed the door and after I heard his footsteps fade away I let out a long sigh of relief. I can't believe he didn't notice the extra plate! I did have an excuse ready, that one of my parent's servants was coming over and I wanted to make them something, but I didn't need to use it.

"Skri! Breakfast is ready!"

A couple of seconds later Skri came downstairs, her bone shards in her hair.

"Shiro huh?" Skri said randomly, her expression unreadable. She can get like this where she shows no expressions at all. You couldn't tell if she was sad, happy, angry, or anything at all. Before she was always like this. Like an insect, she can be hard to read.

"Yeah. He is the kinda shy but smart one."

Skri sat down, her unreadable expression still on her face. I sat down and looked at her for a bit longer. I wonder what has her going like this. I doubt she will tell, she is like that. But, if I could help her in any way, that would be nice.

....

"Hey Skri, do you want to go out shopping?"

Skri lifted her head up and then uncurled herself off the floor and stood up. She sometimes lays on the floor like a dog would but in a much more snake-like fashion.

Skri let out a yawn before rubbing her eyes and looking at me.

"You sure that is such a good idea?"

"I don't see why not?"

I looked outside the window.

"You have yet to go shopping with me. You gotta try at least once."

Skri raised her hand and studied it.

"Won't I stand out?"

It is true that Skri will most definitely stand out, no matter how much I cover her. But practically no one knows what she looks like. I can cover her up and she knows how to cover up her energy waves so the government won't pick up on her and she will look like a mutant. We don't have a lot of mutants here but that doesn't matter.

"I'll cover you up just in case but you should look like a mutant."

Skri looked thoughtful for a moment.

"Besides, you can finally choose an outfit and prove to me that you don't love torn-up clothes."

"SKRAW!?"

I let out a giggle and grabbed two coats, my red one for me, and a black one for Skri.

"I DO NOT LIKE TORN CLOTHES!"

I let out a smile.

"Then let's go prove it then. Shall we?" I asked, offering my hand. Skri hesitated for a moment but then accepted it. Time to go shopping I guess. I hope this doesn't go wrong.

....

"You sure this place isn't military made?"

I never thought that Skri never saw the mall before. She has been in the city before and the mall is pretty big but apparently not.

"Yep. This is where people buy stuff."

"Wow."

Skri can be so adorable at times.

Skri's eyes settled on one security camera around the mall. I knew she was thinking of a way to disable it. She probably knows every security camera's position, including the hidden ones.

"Don't worry," I tell her, softly grabbing her hand, "they won't be a problem. They aren't looking for you, they're looking for robbers."

Skri nodded but she still looked wary. She always tried to keep herself hidden from the public and non-public eyes. The only CAPU that I know of that ever saw her was me and Yashimo, but he is dead. She kept herself hidden for this long by destroying every security camera and drone in sight. She can sense electromagnetism, electronic waves, and much more. For her to just go and walk into the sights of security cameras is not something she must like.

"Wait, what is that?"

Skri suddenly let out a high-pitched Kri noise before dragging me to the mall's window. In the window was a pretty white dress with intentional holes on the bottom of the skirt or dress. Skri was so excited that I could smell one of the many liquids she produces. This one comes out when she is very happy and smells like tangerines. The liquid was an amber-gold liquid that came out of her eyes like tears.

I noticed one or two people look our way but I doubt it was because of the smell. The wind wasn't blowing in their direction and they weren't right next to us. In the mall, things might be a different story.

"That's gotta be the ugliest mutant I have ever seen."

Skri and I stiffened.

"Darling, can you even call that thing a mutant? Mutants were once human and at least look like one. Look at her, her face is disgusting, I fear to see what she looks like with the coat off."

I briefly wondered if I could get away with murder.

"You know I don't really mind Malami."

Skri's voice was barely a whisper. Skri does care but she has heard it all before. As long as they don't s-

"Yeah. That girl probably is rotten. I bet ya she is that girl's slave or something. Probably the girl is looking out for her for someone else. Doesn't she know not to be nice to a sla-"

The distinct smell of burning flesh reached my nostrils. It was so strong that I was one hundred percent certain everyone else could smell it. The tangerine smell was completely gone.

Skri tensed up, her reflection showing her eyes glowing. I wondered briefly what to do. Skri might do something regardless of what I say but if these people know people who own slaves then they are bad. Owning slaves is illegal in almost every signal city. It is completely outlawed in the towns that the Iquarks rule in.

I stole a glance at the couple. They looked wealthy. They also had a mall membership card on them. That means they live in this city. It may be a long shot and they will deny it but they probably know of people owning slaves in this city, and probably own slaves themselves.

I put my hand on Skri's shoulder, freeing myself easily from her grip. She never grabs me hard, even when she is angry. The only time she has grabbed me hard was when she was scared. Her grip strength is incredible.

Skri's eyes went over to me. My eyes started telling me to look away. Not only were Skri's eyes glowing brightly, the flesh around her eyes was burning off and the smell was wafting into my eyes. Then there was the sheer anger in her gaze. But I didn't. I met her gaze and I nodded. Something passed in her eyes and they didn't glow as bright, nor was there so much anger. But there was anger still in her eyes. Skri moved a finger, just a twitch.

The sound of something erupting out of the ground broke the silence and tranquility of the mall. The reflection showed it all. Two fleshy spiked tendrils came out of the ground and stabbed the couple through their hearts. The tendrils then wrapped around the couple and crushed them and their torn-out hearts before dragging them into the ground. The ground then formed back up as nothing happened.

Silence. Then screaming and panicking.

Skri forced herself to calm down but she was still too angry. I did the next best thing. I hugged her tightly. Skri's eyes stopped glowing instantly and tears sprang from her.

"Come on Skri we got to go."

Skri met my eyes and averted her eyes a moment later, but she nodded her head.

I grabbed Skri's hand and we ran off, acting like the people were outside, running away. We should be safe. None of the cameras are facing the window so none would have seen the reflection and no camera would have seen Skri in full detail. Since not many people know what Skri looks like, the government will assume that Skri was underground attacking people. Though it will ruin her reputation even more I will know the full story and that is all that matters.

I thought back to what I was thinking before the third insult came. "As long as they don't say anything about slavery or being rotten" was what the finish thought was. As far as she knows, she is the only creature that once was human. The others might have been but she is the only one who knows for sure. She has memories of the past. Maybe even a past life. It wasn't a good one. She was a slave and was always called a "rotten little girl".

I despise those bastards who ever called her that in the first place. What right do they have to call her that? And now for these people to call her that!? They should have suffered. Since we couldn't do that, I guess dying would have to be better.

....

Skri and I stopped in a nearby alleyway. After catching our breath I checked my phone to see if the CAPU would be called in for action. No alert yet.

"I'm sorry Mal."

I turned to face Skri, She was looking down, not meeting me. I walked up to her and gently grabbed her hands.

"It's okay Skri. We can do this some other day."

Skri shook her head.

"But if I hadn't lost my temper we could have gone shop-"

Screaming filled the air and me and Skri instantly went on guard. We looked towards the alleyway and I got ready to press the emergency switch.

When nothing happened at first I assumed it wasn't panic screams or cries of fear that we are hearing. I was dead wrong.

A body flew past the alleyway, making me and Skri jump. The ground then started to turn more and more black, like a puddle. The phone started ringing and I looked at it. The government called out an emergency.

I felt my heart skip a beat. Unknown enemy responsible for the slaughter of two thousand. I looked up and to my shock saw a girl a little shorter than me step in front of the alleyway. In her hand was a black scythe that looked like it was made of liquid. She wore a skeleton costume and white flowers on the side of her short blue hair. Her blue eyes locked on us and she smiled before bowing.

"Why hello there ladies. You should be honored. Both of you have been chosen to save two white angels."

The girl took a step forward then started walking towards us without a care in the world. A black aura-like mist started surrounding her.

"Malami." Skri chirped nervously, taking a step back. Whatever the girl in front of us was, she clearly means us harm. She was no creature. Now that she was closer, I could see red blood dripping from her black scythe. I pressed the emergency button.

I felt someone grab me by the throat and lift me in the air. I was surprised that it was the reaper girl. How did she move so fast?

She jumped back, avoiding Skri's claws, and then threw me into the air.

I could do nothing and I saw below me the scythe turn into a lance and a black tendril wrapped around my neck and then fling me right at the tip of the lance. Skri lunged forward, her eyes ablaze. She tried to claw the girl but she jumped back, taking the lance with her. The lance turned back into a scythe and then expanded in size to the point where it was almost impossible to imagine any person carrying such a weapon. The scythe hit the ground and the hilt caused the concrete to crack. The girl then did acrobatics on it, twirling herself over it before doing a one-handed handstand on the top of the scythe.

Skri caught me before I fell. I thanked her and got up. My phone buzzed and I looked at it. My CAPU crystal was here. I looked up and dropped the phone. A black tendril was holding the drop package in the air like it was nothing. The package was rocket-propelled and it was trying to land next to me but its efforts did nothing.

The girl let out a giggle behind us before jumping up in the air and landing on the scythe.

"Honored that you're going to have the honor of staying with the army of the Androscents! Your essence shall be harvested. I think you know that means you are going to have to die."

The girl jumped off the scythe and then grabbed it while in the air and ripped it free from the ground. The scythe shortened a little in size but was still massive. The girl then charged at us, twirling the scythe behind her like a staff. She twirled and then swung the scythe at me and Skri. Skri twitched a little and a bunch of fleshy spiked tendrils erupted from the ground and tried to wrap themselves around the scythe. The keyword there was "tried". The scythe not only cut through the building to the girl's right like it was nothing, but it also cut right through the tendrils. To make matters worse, the force of the weapon was so large that the entire building it cut through was shattering and caving in on itself.

The girl swung again, this time switching hands so she can swing to the left. The other building suffered the same fate as its neighbor. Skri grabbed me before the scythe could connect and jumped back on a fire escape and then jumped on the roof of another building before the fire escape broke and fell on the ground.

I looked at the package. It was still being restrained. I then looked at the girl. She smiled at us before disappearing in a black flash. The next moment she appeared right in front of me and Skri, her giant scythe poised to strike. Skri opened her hand and a white orb appeared in it. The next second later the orb expanded around me and Skri. I waited for the blow to come but nothing. I then realized Skri was gone. I went out of the orb to see her flying through the air, nearly ripped in half. She smashed into a building across the street. It took me a couple of moments to realize that the girl didn't hit through the orb but hit Skri before she could even have the orb up.

The girl landed right in front of me, twirling around her now bigger-sized giant scythe. Just how fast is she!? How strong she is is a better question. The girl started making her way towards me, her scythe now scraping the ground and she dragged it towards me. Behind her Skri rose from the building, her jacket gone. I could see her eyes glowing from here. The girl perked up and then jumped high in the air. A moment later fleshy tendrils exploded out of the building right below her. The girl twirled in the air and cut the tendrils. When more appeared she did the same. Even as more and more appeared she kept on cutting until she landed on the ground again.

Skri let out a snarl and lunged at her, her claws growing in size. The girl turned to face her and slammed the hilt of her scythe into the ground. She then pulled back nothing like a bow...like she was pulling a longbow.

"SKRI! WA-"

By the time I said SK, the girl let go of the invisible string she was pulling and a black liquid-looking arrow shot out and impaled Skri. Skri hit the building again but she ripped herself free from the arrow before crouching down, ready to pounce. The streets below the buildings were now covered in flesh. It was an infestation.

Before Skri could pounce the arrow turned into a black puddle and black tendrils slithered out of it and wrapped themselves around her limbs. Then a white hand came out of the puddle and grabbed her ankle. Skri snarled and growled and fleshy tendrils erupted from the building and started wrapping around the black tendrils.

I focused back on the girl but she was gone. Too late I realized she was to my left.

Something hard and heavy slammed into my back. I felt my spine shatter into tiny pieces. My world went fuzzy as I flew in the air and slammed through two buildings before hitting a metal ac unit on top of a building. I knew I was dead. Skri's roar shattered the air and I could see her break free of her restraints and jump towards me. In a flash, while Skri was in mid-jump the girl appeared and hooked her scythe around Skri's neck. I didn't get to see the aftermath. Skri was a blur as she crashed into the ground and so much dust came up that it was impossible to see the girl at first. Then the blade of the scythe appeared right in front of me.

She somehow managed to get on the destroyed ac unit I crashed into. She stepped down and her scythe turned back to a normal-sized scythe. The girl kept on giggling.

"Isn't this fun? If only you had your friends with you. Oh, wait."

The girl leaned forward.

"If they catch you with her it would be game over, am I right? Don't worry, I made sure everyone who saw you together is dead and I deleted the footage."

"W-what?" That was all I could manage. The girl suddenly perked up.

"To the two of you, my name is Amgantha, the Queen Reaper. I shall let you two go for now. See you later."

The girl sank back into the black liquid. It took me a moment to realize she said two of us. Skri was standing in the air, standing on her tendrils actually so not standing in the air. Her expression was unreadable. In fact, I couldn't see her eyes.

The next thing I knew two fleshy walls of a pod opened up around me and closed before slowly dragging me underground.

....

Me and Chewawa exited the "cafe". It turns out that half of the cafe was turned into a bar and me and Chewawa didn't notice until he thought that the free beer they gave us on the house was water. We decided that it was too late by then to go back since we had ordered food already.

Now both of us were somewhat drunk, me more than Chewawa. Though that might be because he is a god.

Chewawa stopped and looked up at the night sky. No stars were shining through. He told me what stars looked like. Now I desperately want to see them for myself. To me telling him that I want to see them he responded saying "One day I'll do it. I'll let you see the stars. But please don't expect that time to be any time soon."

"Hey, Chewawa, how do you know all of these people?"

Chewawa cocked his head at me.

"What do you mean Shena?"

I tried my best to get out how to ask the question I had in time.

"You know Amgantha, you know the Androscents, you also seem to know many other things."

Chewawa paused. A second later a bright golden yellow light appeared, its shape like that of a snake. But its body was in segments and detached from one another. The head of it was shaped like a dragon's skull.

"I have a connection with Link 2442. That is this fellow. Because of my age and relationship status with Linx 2442 and the fact that I was the first God, I met many of the power players. That is why I know so much because a lot of people want to see me." Chewawa let out a long sigh.

"Which somehow led to me fighting them one way or another."

Chewawa snorted but I saw a small smile on his face.

"Boy was I a goddamn fool back then. Still am now but much less of a fool then."

I knew Chewawa had regrets but by the sound of it, he had a lot more than I realized. I bet there could be a movie on it or two.

"I've been mentioned in every single event that has happened so far. Including Over Again, The Centapodic Event, Good Vrs Evil, Linx Corruption, and many more.

"Welp, I'm gonna go get one more drink and give it to Narleye. I doubt he has been here for a while. Take this time to try and run."

Without a second thought, Chewawa spun around and walked back to the cafe/bar. I watched him go. I was confused about what to think of him anymore. He didn't seem like a bad person but someone with a lot of regrets. Then again, he did kill Shiro and he seems to be perfectly fine with it.

I looked out at the water, leaning on the rail. The back of the cafe had a rail overlooking the water. The ocean was kinda close. Actually, can you call this an ocean? There isn't much salt. Boy did I learn a lot from Chewawa.

My eyes went up from the dark blue calm and somehow non-polluted ocean and to the starless and now dark sky. With no moon or stars, you would think it would be pitch black. That is not the case. The colors of the sky weren't from the atmosphere. Chewawa said it was a natural occurrence from the place we live in and not something that is out above. Chewawa said that compared to other worlds this world's night is much brighter. But if there were stars, especially multi-colored stars, or stars the same color as the sky, I think the night would be even nicer. Chewawa thought it was perfect the way it was.

I heard multiple footsteps approaching me and I wondered who they were. Were they the government or my siblings? Or were they people Master Erogazi sent? Surprisingly, if it wasn't people from Erogazi, I wanted them to go away.

I quickly realized just how wrong I was. I could smell the alcohol on their breath and the way they walked funny. I knew I was in for a "treat".

I got ready to defend myself. I knew a few tricks. After all, I was one of Master Erogazi's prime bodyguards. I also could use my creature powers to defend myself or Master Erogazi. But I should most definitely refrain from doing that. If a rumor goes out the CAPU would start looking and I doubt Kellie wanted them to look for me or I would have seen them by now.

"Hey there. How ya d-doing?"

I turned around. There were five of them that I heard and it was five of them that were there. My hearing hasn't failed me.

"May I help you, gentlemen?"

"That's kind of rude."

I scanned the group. All of them looked like greasers. The one doing the talking had brown hair curled back. I found none of them attractive.

"I'm doing fine. I'm waiting for my guardian to come back."

A skinny brown-haired guy took a step forward.

"Forget about that poser babe! We can be better than any other guardian."

I doubted them but not completely. Chewawa probably can protect me better than these guys can and he has shown me a good time or two, but he killed my brother on purpose and is threatening to kill more people I know and love. But at the same time, he wants me to try and run away as well, and I don't think he is using it as an excuse to kill someone again but more so that he genuinely wants me to escape. Something tells me he doesn't really want this job, like something about this is just upsetting him.

"Well I think I will take my chances with him, thank you very much."

A thought ran through my mind that soon became a plan.

"I work directly for Master Erogazi of the Zenick Family and I am her personal bodyguard and maid. It'd be a grave mistake if you think you can do whatever lewd thing you are thi-"

The leader or the one with the brown hair greased backward pulled out a gun. He did it so fast that for a moment I considered if he was really drunk. He was but I wondered if he actually worked for someone or used to work for the military. The look on his face right now was unreadable. Even if my secret got out it would be better than getting shot. That would definitely reveal my secret when I heal from the gunshots. Letting him and his gang have their way was out of the question. It would be a disgrace to the Zenick Family's honor.

Thinking fast I changed one of my fingers into a fleshy brown finger of my creature or monster form and felt reassured on how sharp the claw at the end was. Now Chewawa is a mind reader and while he may be drunk he can still function quite well. I hope this works.

I cried out for him as loud as I could in my head. I did it so loud that I was pretty sure I muttered it. The greasers didn't hear or didn't care.

I heard the sound of footsteps approaching. They weren't Chewawa's since he is a dog...kinda. Other people have walked by but this is the first time someone is approaching. It was a man slightly older than the oldest greaser here, so he is probably in his thirties. I turned to face him.

It was a sharply dressed man wearing a blue suit and red and pale yellow striped tie and those fancy brown shoes that make the annoying click-clack noise as they walk. Erogazi and I aren't that well informed on clothing articles as it wasn't a priority. We had our clothes made for us so we didn't really know much other than what a wedding dress is and a suit since the person in charge of making our clothes told us about them and showed us pictures. Since then I have seen plenty of suits but no wedding dresses. Me and Erogazi vowed to see one day.

I wondered who this person was? He wasn't drunk, wasn't with anyone, and sharply dressed. I don't recognize him either so he may not work for Erogazi. Then again, he might work for her parents or simply be a hired agent I haven't seen. There is also a possibility that he works for the government. If so then I hope he can help me. At the same time though, would Kellie really risk sending in someone now that I am alone? Or at least away from Chewawa? If she has been watching us then she should know Chewawa can teleport and move extremely fast. He said so himself and proved it to me many times. I had the feeling he likes showing off.

One thing to note is he said if all the red spandex-wearing super runners were to all combine in one they wouldn't be fast enough to see him. I guess it would make sense if he is fast. He is the True God of Light and Darkness after all, and nothing is truly faster than light. Then there is his mind-reading ability and the ability he used to make Kellie stop moving and control her movements. He never told me how he did it.

"Excuse me ma'am but are these people bothering you?"

The man had a nice and firm but kind voice. I wondered if he was confident in himself to walk up to these people. I also wondered if he sees the gun the leader is packing. Probably not. And if he did then he must be really confident.

The leader spun around and aimed the gun at the newcomer. If he didn't see the gun before he definitely sees it now. The man put his hands out in front of him, a slightly weary expression on his face, but nowhere near the look, he should have. Is he not afraid? No, he is afraid, but he is confident. Or is it just cockness? I am hoping it is the first option because that option means he has a plan at least.

Either way, if he gets hurt it will be my fault. I have the power to stop these fools. He may see what I am since there is no guarantee that I won't be injured but if it will save his life.

"What is your name?" I asked the man curtly.

"How come she asks for your name?" Someone in the greaser group asked. I ignored their question and so did the man.

"Name is Davis. Nice to meet you," The guy spread his arms out wide asking for my name without saying it.

"My name is Shena. I am Master Erogazi's personal bodyguard and maid. Nice to meet you."

I did a little curtsey. I still have the honor of the Zenick family to be upheld despite my current circumstances.

"Now I'd suggest you leave. This baka is packing."

Davis shook his head. I frowned.

"I'm sorry but I won't leave you alone if these guys are bothering you. It is common courtesy."

The guy suddenly lunged forward and knocked the gun out of the greaser's hand just as it fired. The greaser and Davis grappled while the other greasers pulled out all sorts of weapons that one would expect from them. Pipes, knives, and wrenches. I really wished Davis didn't force my play but oh well. This probably would have happened anyway.

I lunged forward and grabbed one greaser who was carrying a pipe and tossed him into the skinny greaser from before with one hand and barely any effort. The skinny greaser made a startling recovery and lunged at me, his knife ready. I swiftly grabbed his wrist and bent it, causing him to drop the knife with a yelp. Another greaser raised a wrench over his head and I swiftly kicked him in the stomach, causing him to throw up. I grabbed the head of the skinny greaser and shoved it in the way of the vomit. Despite my training, I still find it hard not to kill enemies. I could rip out this skinny loser's spine but I won't. I have been taught better than that.

I took a step back before jumping high in the air and landing behind the greaser holding the wrench. I commend him for still holding it after that hit. I probably broke more than a few ribs. I wasn't restraining myself like I ought to.

Once I landed behind him I kneed him in the back and sent him falling on top of the skinny greaser. The one that I threw at the skinny greaser was getting up, shifting the pipe in his hands. I briefly wondered where the fourth member of the party was. He was nowhere in sight and he hasn't made a move yet. Actually, there were only four greasers here. He probably ran away.

I stole a look at Davis and the leader greaser and froze. The greaser had Davis pinned up against the rail, the gun inching ever closer to his head. Davis was holding the gun back with all his might but he was losing.

I made a 'tch' and silently cursed Davis, but at the same time, I couldn't help but admire him...a little that is.

I stuck to my side and grabbed the throat of the last greaser that I was fighting and lifted him in the air before punching him in the face, resulting in a broken nose, all while looking at the leader and Davis. What can I do? Maybe I should transform? But that will give me away and raise too many questions and problems. What if I transform a part of my body? Then what if Davis sees that? He would want to know what I am. Then won't I be forced to tell him?

My mental war stopped when the gun went to Davis's head. Both my hands turned into my creature form. If I get caught oh well but this person just risked their life to save me. So I say damn it all to hell.

"Don't you know chivalry is dead?"

A massive golden yellow and searing white dragon appeared out of nowhere and in an instant crunched down the greaser with the gun before rearing back in the sky. The "dragon" wasn't really a dragon now that I look at it but is the little guy from earlier that Chewawa showed me, only now much much bigger. Its name was Linx 2442, right?

I turned around to face Chewawa and felt a shiver run down my spine. Chewawa's fur was a dark brown color, looking black in the lighting, and there was an air around him that spoke all too well of death. Floating above his head was a massive gleaming golden trident with many different markings on it, similar to the ones on Sardina's sword hilt in fact, and different accessories. Then there were his eyes. His left eye wasn't glowing golden anymore and it looked like it had dulled in color. His right eye, however, his right eye was glowing red with a golden cat-like pupil. The glow was so bright that it was illuminating the slight mist in the area.

Chewawa's left ear flicked and the giant trident above his head darted towards the two greasers on the ground at incredible speed. It impaled the two greasers like a bug getting impaled by a stick but the force of the trident caused a crater underneath them and probably broke a lot of bones and damaged a lot of other important stuff.

Chewawa then lifted his paw and a golden coin materialized in it. He flipped it and then flicked it in the air. A sharp gleam appeared on the coin and the coin went and hit the greaser I was holding on the head...or that was what I assumed. Instead, it went right through the greaser's head. That silver gleam was a blade.

Chewawa somehow called back both the coin and the trident and they floated above his head. Chewawa then took a step forward, studied me from head to toe, probably looking for any injuries, before turning his attention to Davis. I stiffened. Chewawa's look became unreadable. There was no anger, no hate, nothing. There was nothing. One thing was clear though and that was the fact that he was clearly having a mental war.

Then Chewawa's right ear flicked, the tiniest of movements, and the golden coin darted forward, the blade out.

"Chewawa! Wait!"

Whenever he heard me or not the coin angled downwards and then abruptly turned, slicing open Davis's throat before returning back to Chewawa. I ran over to Davis just before he hit the ground. The coin was too fast to catch or stop it. There was nothing I could have done, right?

Chewawa started growling and I looked over at him. He was looking at the ground. He suddenly pulled his head back and let out a snarling bark before disappearing in a flash of golden yellow, Linx 2442 going with him and his weapons, leaving me alone with Davis who is bleeding out. I ripped a piece of fabric off a greaser's corpse and applied it to Davis's neck but I could tell it was a worthless attempt.

"Davis, don't die."

That was all that came out. It was pathetic. I couldn't bring myself to say anymore, nor do anymore.

A sudden flash of gold caught my attention and I whirled around. Chewawa was there, looking more normal or the way he was when I first met him. He was muttering something. He reached back to his hind leg which now had a pouch on it and somehow opened it and pulled out a red and black bag with his teeth. He opened both bags and poured out black and red sludge by the looks of it, or paste. He then made a complex looking red...I would like to call it a pentagram but it was much more advanced than that. It was like a sigal in a way. He then poured the black and made a bunch of words that were too hard to read in the lighting. A moment later the center of the signal foamed up with red bubbles then stopped. Then, just as suddenly as he appeared, Chewawa disappeared in a golden flash.

"That was random."

I turned back to face Davis. It was hard to see his wound. I crouched down and squinted but the wound was covered by a black mist. Actually, was it always this misty? I looked around. The entire area was surrounded by a black mist with streaks of red mixed in. Then I saw the pile of red bubbles move. Then the bubbles disappeared and in their place was a storming mass of black mist, so dense that it was impossible to see anything in it, let alone through it. Then, from the darkness, two piercing red orbs opened up. The orbs rose, like the eyes of a person getting up from sleeping on the ground. Actually, those are eyes. They just blinked.

I felt a somewhat familiar presence from whoever or whatever it was but at the same time a dangerous presence as well.

The mist died away and the red became more like streaks of red lightning, crackling and spreading out like veins. A visible shape of what seemed to be a child in appearance appeared and then slowly started walking into view. The shape soon became girlish and the mouth became visible. It was like a mouth you see in cartoons or animes where the character is surprised or embarrassed and takes up a box shape, only this was somehow menacing. The figure gave me a smile, friendly but scary at the same time. It was then I noticed the glint of knives in her hand, small knives but knives nonetheless. I took a step back and then stepped in front of Davis. Whoever this person is, they will have to get through me if they want to hurt Da-

"Hello there Shena. Nice to meet you. I'm your new guardian until Chewawa returns."