“Now, that is strange.” Witherwing stated suddenly.

“What is?” Kyrik stopped, looking expectant.

They had decided to stick together for now, which Kyrik greatly appreciated. His mind was still weird and unstable from earlier. As he calmed, he began to rationalize that someone had survived the incident and was - for some reason - after him. Why, he didn’t know. All he knew was that he was going to find and make them pay for desecrating Methir’s memory.

He stared at his scythe, which was still floating invisibly with him. For one blink, it changed to being bloodied. Stained clawprints on the handle.

“Are you listening?” Witherwing’s voice broke Kyrik’s trance.

“Erm…” Why was he suddenly out of breath?

“I said,” Witherwing repeated with some exasperation, “that Kali had somehow entered the Bloodworks.”

“Bloodworks?” Kyrik raised an eye.

“It’s Lei’s district; take it up with him.” Witherwing shrugged. “Regardless, it is not a part of the main castle. Rather, a small distance away. Only four can open a path to it, and I know I certainly did not.”

“What is that place, then?” Kyrik jolted with alarm. “Let’s go, we can’t leave her there with him!”

“Lei is the one who contacted me. She will be fine.”

“WILL?!”

“Yes, she attacked some of the guards and took a bullet to the shoulder. Then attacked Lei.” Witherwing sighed with weariness. “I am astounded to learn he did not retaliate like he usually does but-Kyrik, don’t run off!”

Kyrik was already halfway down the hall by the time he finished, having taken off the moment he said ‘bullet’. He was going to find Azulia, and he was going to ensure she made sure that Kali was fine. If she truly wanted him to stay then, she would see to it.

Witherwing caught up to him effortlessly. “Where are you going?”

“To find Azulia.” Kyrik snarled.

“I’m afraid I don’t know exactly where she is.”

“Alright, then I’ll summon her.”

“One does not-”

“Too bad, I am.” He whirled around and looked up to the ceiling. “AZULIA, IF YOU DON’T COME DOWN, I AM LEAVING! YOU PROMISED ME IN THE PAST THAT NONE OF US WOULD BE HARMED, AND YOU LIED!”

Servants and other guests gawked. Fuming, Kyrik paced up and down the hall.  Witherwing looked concerned for him. Why did he care? He couldn’t die, and that’s all anyone kept holding over him. The few guards that patrolled looked like they might have confronted him had Witherwing not been there.

“As I said,” Witherwing stated after a moment, “One does not summon her.”

“Then you’re going to bring me to the Bloodworks.” Kyrik pointed to him. An anger continued to eat away at him, and once again Witherwing looked troubled. “What?”

Witherwing pointed to a reflective part of the wall. Kyrik swirled around, eyes flying wide. His skull mask had begun to meld with his flesh! A fang or two poked past his mouth. Eyes held a faint glow.

Stepping away, he tried to calm down. He could feel something shifting, like a hurricane deep down. He looked down at his trembling claw, expecting it to be different. Normal. It was just his face this time.

“It’s amusing,” Witherwing said suddenly. “You and she both start to transform when upset.”

“But unlike her, I hate transforming.” Kyrik scowled. “Thanks for stopping me.”

“My pleasure and duty, master Kyrik.”

“So, where is she then?” He asked Witherwing, annoyed. “I’m serious about taking Kali and leaving if I don’t get a satisfying explanation.”

“Kyrik, lest we forget, we have a killer here.” Witherwing reminded. “Would you really turn your back on this place?”

“Unless,” Kyrik said slowly, “Azulia is the one doing it.”

There was a silence in which Witherwing didn’t look like he knew how to reply. “That is a dangerous accusation.”

“I’m not dumb, Witherwing.” The young reaper turned around, eying the steward critically. “I just hope and see the best in anyone. I hadn't wanted to suspect her, but she allowed Kali to be hurt. She’s been looking at Kali weirdly all night, too. It’s hard not to notice.

Or,” Kyrik added when he saw Witherwing’s stunned reaction, “did you think I was as naïve as I let on?”

“This was an act?” Witherwing’s eyes widened in shock.

“No,” Kyrik shook his head. “I just exaggerate at times.”

“I must admit,” Witherwing regained composure, “I am quite surprised. Pleasantly, mind you.”

“Now,” Kyrik demanded, “take me to the Bloodworks.”

Witherwing surprisingly went along with it. Kyrik never wanted to reveal his exaggerated naivety - or to anyone for that matter -  but Kali’s survival was vastly more important. They exited the corridor, finding some place quiet. Once they were sure no one was looking, a pathway opened.

The walls were clean and pristine, but the blue-grey color gave a sense of dread. The castle always had this grandeur spectacle to it, but here was just…decay. No humor, no amusement. He could almost feel the wail of a tormented soul in here.

Lei awaited them, flanked by two gryphons. They looked normal, so to speak, and Kyrik couldn’t discern what ‘monster’ they were supposed to be. Not that he cared at this point.

“Where is she?” Kyrik demanded.

“In the back.” Lei indicated behind him. “Witherwing, you and I are going to have words in a moment.”

“Yes, we are.” Witherwing agreed with a hint of agitation.

As he was led to where Kali was, Kyrik noted something off. There was something in here, like some sort of twisted abomination. If they had orders to shoot Kali, there must have been something they were trying to protect. He stopped as they passed a certain part of the wall. Something was there; he could just feel it. Just out of the corner of his eye.
Unfortunately, he had no time to check.

The sight of Kali on a medical cot drove endless spikes of anger through him. Her wound was mostly healed by this point, but he could still see the dried blood that still lingered on her scales. On her shoulder, Kyrik spotted a small hole. Kali appeared more annoyed than hurt, watching the shrikian doctor work on her.

“Alright, you have two minutes.” Kyrik whirled on both Lei and Witherwing. “What are you hiding here?”

“When did this happen?” Lei pointed at Kyrik while speaking to Witherwing.

“After your guard shot Kali.” The withered dragon replied calmly.

“Interesting,” Lei’s eyes lit up. “To answer your question, I have another; what makes you think we have something here?”

“Why else would you do this to Kali?” Kyrik jabbed his tail in her direction. She was watching him quietly, like seeing him for the first time.

“Had it occurred to you that she attacked first?” Lei folded his arms. “My orders were to have her subdued and brought to me. I never once ordered them to shoot her.”

Kyrik turned to Kali. “Is this true?”

“Subduing in itself is a threat,” Kali replied. “Either way, you meant to harm or contain me.”

“Not permanently.” Lei shrugged. “Now, the bigger question is how she got in. Witherwing, care to explain this?”

“It was not I.” Witherwing narrowed his gaze at the Abysean.

“What about one of your-?”

“No.” WItherwing cut him off curtly.

“Hm, so Azulia.” Lei shrugged. “I am curious as to why.”

“Or,” Kali spoke, “had it not occurred to you that someone else may have done it? As deceiving as she is, why would Azulia transport me here to get rid of me?” A pause. “Oh, don’t give me those looks; we all know how she’s been looking at me all night.”

“But it should be impossible.” Witherwing argued.

“Well, we have another visitor here. One that is out to get him.” Kali pointed at Kyrik. “Someone hired a shriker to look exactly like Methir did in Accurn.”

Kyrik muted everything that happened next. All anger fell away as he tried to process what he just heard. Someone…hired another to impersonate Methir? Vivid images flashed in his mind of his former caretaker; her sweet smile and gentle personality. The image changed to a cruel, maddened grin and incoherent ravings as her skin paled.

Only four knew about that. Azulia, himself, Jirmen, and Kali. No one else knew it, although Witherwing was most likely told given how close he was to Azulia. The cover story had been of a rogue necromancer. Names were never mentioned. No one saw her other than them.

“Kyrik?” Kali had gotten off the bed and approached him. Somehow, he had backed into a wall and curled up again.

“I don’t care what she says anymore,” Kyrik got up. “I’m calling Jirmen. We’re ending this tonight.”

“I will alert Azulia, then,” Witherwing gave a reluctant sigh. “Unless you wish to speak with her yourself.”

“Give me a minute alone with Kali.” Kyrik requested. Witherwing had to pull Lei out of the room, as for some reason the abysean’s eyes never left the reaper.

“Something is hidden in here,” Kyrik said once they were alone. “Tell me you noticed it too.”

“I didn’t,” Kali admitted. “But something was off, I will agree there. Why else would his place be on high alert?”

“We can’t investigate now,” Kyrik nodded. “But if we ever get the chance, we need to come back.”

Ensuring there were no hidden detectors, Kyrik moved over to the back corner and reared onto his hind legs. Weaving his claws to form a pattern, a small churning portal appeared. Linking it to Falmari was easy, as was cloaking it.

“You never did explain to me how you never got caught doing this.” Kali smiled lightly.

“Because, for a split second, we are moving through the spirit realm.” Kyrik grinned. “You can’t detect a reaper’s powers so easily.”

“I’m not going to question that.”

“Many don’t.” Kyrik chuckled. “Anyway, I want you to go through and warn Jirmen.”

“I’m not leaving you here, Kyrik.” Kali stared incredulously, voice flat. “Not with the Methir thing still around.”

“I don’t think that they are going to strike when I am with Witherwing or Lei.” Kyrik pointed out. “You need to get that wound re-examined too. I don’t trust Lei.”

“I didn’t think it was possible for you not to trust someone.” Kali jested.

“Lots of things changed over the past few months.”

The dreamtender nodded. “Alright. I’ll go. But I’m coming right back.”

“I planned on it.”

As Kali stepped through, Kyrik felt a sense of loneliness again. He stared down at his claws. He knew what he had to do, and with Kali out of the way, she wouldn’t be hurt.

Stepping out, he found Witherwing waiting for him. He looked ready to question why Kali wasn’t with him, but dropped it. Lei was nowhere to be found, however. Probably for the best. At least Witherwing was a small comfort to be around. Out of all the ones here, he was the one who was probably least likely to turn around and bite him.

Back to the castle and to the rooftops they went, where Azulia said she would be going. The second he stepped outside, the biting chill of winter stuck. No amount of hiding within his cloak would negate it. At least the view was nice.

From here, he could see where the valley lead into the ocean. Glowing, blue lights emanated from the shoreline caused by encroaching blue fungi. Harmless to organics, they would grow over most plantations and spread inland from the sea to create Sporefields. If they were green, then it would be a problem; those could infect organic life, but they were only found in the deep jungles of Vestn.

Coupled with the bright stars and twin moons, Kyrik felt like he could have stayed up here for hours had it not been so cold.

THUMP!

Kyrik leaped into the air in surprise, bounding a few feet away from what had landed next to him. One of his hearts felt like it was going to explode in his throat. Witherwing appeared to be caught off guard as well, if the electricity that formed along his body was any indication.

Before he looked at what dropped, Kyrik focused on Witherwing. He didn’t have crystalline growths. So how was he generating electricity?

Putting that train on hold, he turned to what fell and almost immediately wished he hadn’t. It was a shriker in a brown bio-suit. Glowing bones covered the suit like armor. Kyrik was unable to tear his eyes away, dull shock coursing through him like a numbing poison. The suit was the same color. From what he could see through the lenses, the eyes were the same. It was Methir, it had to be!

That’s when he noticed the bone-like spike embedded in her spine.