“He’s become a resident of the Index,” Ethos declared. I understood the implications of his words; only the dead could become a resident of the Index. I grew to learn and hate many things about Ethos, but there was one thing I firmly understood. His declarations were the cold, hard truth. It’s a truth I refused to swallow for over two years. He knew I will be in denial, that’s why he kept quiet the entire time until now. He was tired of seeing me constantly blame and berate myself for my powerlessness hence he didn’t hold back on the truth. In addition, he had another reason to choose this point in time to tell me.

“If you doubt my words, we can go meet him right away,” he said firmly. That’s right, there is no better way of expelling doubt than seeing the evidence for myself. 

I had no reason to doubt him, “No, I believe you,” I replied. I was too ashamed to see King Edward at the moment. He had high expectations of me as his successor and even entrusted me with the hopes of all of Lucia. It would appall him to learn about my pre-mature death. But I shouldn’t use this as an excuse, I need to face him and own up to my failures. I asked after taking a deep breath, “Please tell me where I can find him.”

“Unnecessary,” he said, terse. “I will bring you to him. Come on, I can carry you.”

“No!” I said in disgust.

“Your little undeveloped legs must be tired after all of that walking,” he picked me up by my hips with an innocent smile. I protested at first, but I soon gave in. Seeing things from his height was a novel experience for me. He was four times my size—two times the size of my former eight-year-old self. We left the building and went back to the main plaza. Over his shoulders, I felt like a giant parading through a town of dwarves. The people we crossed bowed and gave respect as we entered the plaza’s commercial district. I seldom saw any woman or children in the area, but I did not pay it any thought. Then a young woman approached us from behind.

“Aww, he’s adorable!” She said with a giddy smile. She rubbed my hair until it became a mess. “Can I take him to my friends? They would hate to miss out on the chance to pet a cute boy like him.” Her last line legitimately creeped me out. What kind of stranger would pet a little kid and offer to take him to their friends? Ethos took a quick glance at me and looked back at her. 

“I’ll leave him to you,” Ethos approved.

What the hell?

Ethos gently pulled me off his shoulders and laid me into her arms. What the hell is Ethos thinking? The moment I took my eyes off Ethos, he disappeared. Leaving me alone with this shady girl I have no affiliation with. I tried to pull myself free from her grasp, but she was incredibly strong. Her slender arms didn’t bulge even after I struggled with all my might. Exhausted, I resigned and ceased any attempts to break free. She kept me secured in her arms while she walked out of the dome to god-knows-where with a happy-go-lucky smile on her face. 

We left the dome through the east entrance. She had a crystalline statue of a horse parked over there. The horse animated back to life after she patted its forehead. She took the reins and left the parking lot on the eastern side of the city. The busy streets and lively city life died down the further we went away from the centre. Since the woman was busy controlling the horse, I could escape her grasp right now if I wanted. However, that would be unwise. Trying to navigate a completely foreign city on my own with two-year-old legs doesn’t sound like the greatest move. I have a feeling I wouldn’t be able to escape her no matter what I do. Ethos seemed to trust her, so I shouldn’t be in danger... I hope. 

After roughly twenty minutes, we approached what seemed to be a residential district. Houses built out of white stone cluttered the view. The architecture here differed completely from the central district. The neighbourhood tried their best to decorate their streets with colourful vegetation. Bringing in the feelings of life and homeliness that was lacking in the static, corporate colour palette of the former district. The people here wore a single piece of white cloth covering most of their body. 

The woman parked her horse on the curb beside a three-story villa with some nostalgic markings. When we dismounted the horse, it froze back into a statue. The closer I was to the building, the more it resonated with me. I couldn’t get a hold of what is drawing me in, but I was compelled to find out. We entered through the gate and walked towards the entranced. Then something immediately caught my attention. Without a doubt, the insignia hanging over the balcony belonged to Lucia. 

After the realization, I looked back toward the woman, and something caught my eye. She had a beauty mark underneath her left eye. My eyes widened after learning what that fact may infer.

If my assumption is correct, then this woman may not be a woman. Could this person possibly be the infamous “Breeder of Lucia”?