Kaybol arrived at the Domain after a series of portal points, and again dreaded the long way it took. He hated that security measure, but understood why it was in place.

The Domain was the safe haven for the Yuuns- or their servants, more accurately. It simply wouldn’t do if anyone could just access it through a single portal.

He took only a moment to embrace the familiar sight; a huge underwater dome, containing the palace of the Midnight Lords Yuundonn and Yuundenn. It was called a palace, but the sheer size could surely qualify The Domain as a city on its own.

He waved to a few servants who recognized him, and moved on after they waved back. Going to the main throne room, he maintained the most innocent smile as he could on his face. The residents knew his memories and what he had been through in his life, but there was no point in worrying them.

The servant before the gates smiled at him warmly.

“Long time no see, Kaybol-San.” He said, before opening the door and entering. Kaybol waited outside. It was rude to enter unannounced, even though the Yuuns would’ve forgiven him if he did.

“Your majesty,” the voice of the servant was heard from the other side of the opened door. “Kaybol Tsobio Dernoi, the pet of the Kiadra Kagya, had arrived.”

Kaybol entered, bowing before the enormous throne.

“Stand up, child.” Yuundenn spoke, smiling brightly. Her tanned skin contrasted the white fabrics of her attire, and her markings of her Nebula Contract glowing as just as much as the ridiculous amounts of gold she was adorned with. Somehow, it made her only all the more beautiful. Her hair, long and red and curly, was sliding all the way to her feet as she was sitting in her husband’s lap.

“Yuundonn-Sama, Yuundenn-Sama.” The child acknowledged both figures on the throne, “I thank you for your hospitality.”

“You are always welcomed here, my young friend.” Yuundonn replied, his stature was even larger than his wife. “We are glad you decided to come early.” He added. The beastly brown and white fur coated his body was a thick and fuzzy layer, his eyes were warm with wisdom.

Compared to each of them, Kaybol was tiny. Almost like how his Naiyatsu form was compared to Zu.

Kaybol bowed his head again in gratitude. Then, he decided to get straight to the issue.

“There is a reason for that, Yuundonn-Sama.” Kaybol said, and watched as the beastly king’s ears perked up in curiosity. “I.. am in need for The Domain’s library. Or perhaps, you know something about it too.”

“Really?” Yuundenn asked, her curiosity peaked now too. “About what?”

“Yuundenn-Sama, Yuundonn-Sama..” Kaybol began. He needed to discover the truth, he needed to know what was wrong with his brother. “What do you know about soul fragments?”

#

Ta'ala didn’t believe it was really happening.

“Seriously,” he said with frustration, “I go away for a single day, and you decide to put yourself at odds with the Kiadra?!”

Ayalinn didn’t respond. Her eyes conveyed guilt, and her entire body was covered with bruises and cuts. Ta'ala knew she meant well, she always did. Yet, she refused to tell him the real reason for why she did it.

“It was no mere pity, was it?” the fox continued to question her.

He almost gave up, when she mumbled an answer.

“I was afraid his fragment will fade away.” She whispered, just loud enough for him to hear.

“What?” Ta'ala turned back to her. “What fragment?”

Ayalinn didn’t answer. She sighed again and lowered her head. She didn’t move, even when Neva knocked at the door, then opened it.

“Ta'ala?” Neva asked as she peeked into the room. “Zu is here.”

That grabbed Ayalinn’s attention. Her head perked up, her expression a mix of curiosity, joy, and sheer horror. Zu’s arrival only a day and a half after she tried to force him to reborn could be anything from forgiveness to an execution announcement.

Before Ta'ala could say anything, Zu entered the room. Although, something was wrong. His clothes were the same as always, but his posture one almost stiff. In addition, he wore his mask on. Neva told him about it, that the boy was hiding behind a mask when they first met. He saw that mask hanging from his shoulder always, too. He just wasn’t sure what that meant that the boy was wearing it again.

Zu stopped, and breathed slowly. Perhaps he was glancing at the bruised Ayalinn, or maybe evaluating ways of escape – Ta'ala couldn’t see his eyes to be sure. Either way, both were valid responses in the fox’s book.

“Ta'ala-San” the boy spoke in a quiet voice, “I need to talk to you.”

His head moved this time a little, it was clear he was glancing at Ayalinn this time.

“Alone.” He added.

Ta'ala nodded, and led Zu to another room. Before closing the door, he tried to look for any reluctance from the boy.

He seen none, so he closed the door.

“I know it’s not much, but…” Ta'ala said after a moment of awkward silence, “I apologize for my friend’s behavior.”

“I need you to teach me magic.” Zu said, ignoring what Ta'ala said.

That caught the fox off guard.

“What?” he asked in confusion.

“I was helpless.” Zu sighed. He removed his mask with one hand, and scratched his head with the other. “I was helpless and couldn’t defend myself.”

“Zutenko,” Ta'ala began, “what Ayalinn did was irresponsible and not okay, but-”

“Even in that bar and with that squirrel demon,” Zu interrupted him. Tears started to well up in his eyes, and his head-scratching became more violent as his voice broke. “I can’t keep relying on others to save me, and just be helpless with every LUNATIC decides to cook me up!”

“Zutenko!” Ta'ala called, and put a firm hand on the boy’s shoulder.

I can’t let him wallow in self-pity. He thought bitterly.

Zu fell silent, and Ta'ala waited until the boy’s breath became steady again.

“Please, Ta'ala-San.” The boy repeated with a sob. “Please help me learn magic, so I can somewhat defend myself…”

Ta'ala sighed. He didn’t want to ask why the boy didn’t ask the Kiadra to do so, because he wasn’t sure he wanted to know.

“Alright,” He said, placing his hand on top of Zutenko’s head. “I’ll teach you how to use your Magyo. Just… take some rest first, alright? You’ve been through a lot.”

Zu stopped crying, and nodded. Ta'ala smiled, and patted him on the head as he handed him his mask back.

“Damn, kid.” He added with a playful grin to mask his own internal thoughts racing through his mind. “For a Vastoari, you sure got very useful puppy-eyes.”

Zutenko chuckled, and put his mask back on as he exited the room.

I just hope I'm not getting him into bigger trouble. Ta'ala thought ruefully as he shook his head.