There were things in this world that took me a long time to piece together. Their customs were different from Earth, and so was their food. Magic was in the air and something I thought was normal could turn out to be a glamour.

"Little Bob’s a golem?” I smacked my palms on the table in front of me. “Are you sure?”

I’d met the kid twice and talked to him and I hadn't picked up on that at all.

Gerial nodded, his fingers interlocking as he thought over today’s events. I could see the cogs in his head turning.

"After you said he looked like a Gesti I had my suspicions.” He straightened. “People can't go around impersonating Gesti on their premises. They also need permission to use certain types of magic.”

Roxxy had mentioned that part to me during our discussion.

Connection magic was always prohibited from use in public spaces unless permission was granted. The only exception was using connection magic with a pre-approved magical animal.

I had to register as a metal magician and couldn't steal a city’s metal. Connection magicians were the same. They had to register themselves and were heavily watched.

“What was the final giveaway?" I couldn't put that piece together.

Gerial sounded so sure, but I hadn't seen him do anything out of the ordinary.

“It was the handshake.” Gerial unclasped his hands. “His body was cold. He was also a bit heavier than normal.”

I’d noticed that too when I'd met little Bob, but I hadn’t made the connection.

"You're right." My brows furrowed. “I should have noticed.”

It was a matter of experience. I’d never even considered that the boy in front of me could've been anything other than a human.

He looked so real.

It was similar to the technique that William’s dad used. His copies all looked exactly like him, and it was impossible for me to tell the difference between the copies and the real deal.

"Was it all an act?” I murmured to myself.

Little Bob was the one that had first approached me. Maybe I had been the target of a scheme from the beginning.

I’d completely underestimated him. Or the person behind him.

"We don't know that he's not a real boy. This kind of thing is more common than you'd think.” Gerial shrugged. “It’s not safe for a Gesti child to run around freely. They could get kidnapped and held to ransom. Or worse.”

I raised an eyebrow at him.

Gerial's was the one that was advocating that there was something suspicious going on. I didn't expect him to retract his comments so quickly.

“I’m exploring all the options.” He raised a hand to his face. “I’m not a stranger to these kinds of techniques.”

He pressed a finger against the side of his face. Then his flesh caved in.

My eyes widened and I moved back as a line appeared across his head. Then his skin peeled back, revealing a pair of purple eyes.

“Hello.” He gave me a small wave.

I'd almost forgotten that he was in disguise.

“That was one of the most horrifying things I've ever seen.” I thought about that statement and shook my head. “It's at least top five.”

Gerial’s purple eyes disappeared as the flesh reformed over his face.

Now I knew how he could be in front of me but look so different. He was hiding inside a golem.

It wasn't his, I was sure he didn't have the ability to make golems, but the churches resources ran deep.

"Okay." I reeled in surprise. "Maybe it's not too far-fetched to say that it was a real kid.”

“Maybe, but the Gesti have no children that age.”

Gerial smiled and leaned forward.

“This is still just a nice and ordinary conversation as far as they're concerned.” He tapped the table. “Let's talk about how we're going to deal with it. And yes. Running away is the first option we’ll discuss.”

Confidence swelled in my heart.

The Gesti wanted to talk. I wanted to stop running.

There didn't need to be a violent end, but I did need to make my position clear. I wanted them to know that they couldn't manipulate my friends and family into leaving me.

“This wasn't a fight that I wanted.” My voice came out soft. “But if they're going to keep on bringing it to me, then I want to know how we can confront them.”

“Good.”

Gerial grinned.

“Let's begin.

****

Gerial went back to his room after we’d discussed our plans. Guard numbers, tactical information and even building plans were brought out.

My fellow Marked one didn't mess around. No matter what happened tomorrow we would be ready for it.

“I'm glad they think I'm just an ordinary guy.” I scratched a gold's neck.

He chirped in agreement.

Information was key in situations like this. I held a lot of powerful cards in my deck. It was up to the Gesti whether I used them or not.

A knock on my door interrupted my thoughts.

“Andross, are you in here?” A dulcet voice called from the entrance.

It was Roxxy.

“Come in!” I shouted.

There was a click as the door unlocked and a head of blonde hair and bright blue eyes looked into the room. Roxxy was still wearing her casual wear from the day out, and she had a spring in her step.

She closed the door and then twirled around to face me.

"I brought some medicine for your headache.” She raised her hand.

There was a small paper bag in it, and I could see the outline of a bottle.

Gold chirped in amusement.

William’s explanation for my sudden absence had worked a little too well. Gerial had given me medicine too, joking that since he'd already bought it I should take it.

“Thanks so much.” I took the bag and placed it next to Gerial's on the table. “I'll feel guilty all day if I don't say this, but I didn’t have a headache.”

“I know.”

Roxxy kicked off her shoes and hopped onto the other side of the sofa. She grabbed a nearby cushion to hug and a mischievous smile crossed her lips.

"William’s a bad liar.” Her eyes twinkled. “Someone forgot Amanda’s present~.”

She was onto me.

"I got one now.” I raised my hand.

The two tickets appeared in them and Roxxy reached out to take one. She handled it gently and nodded in approval.

I took the ticket back and Roxxy fidgeted in her seat, crushing the cushion in her grasp.

“What’s on your mind, Roxxy?”

She smiled gently at my words.

"I don't think anyone can get to Amanda anymore. Not from far away.” Roxxy’s spoke.

This was why she had really come here.

"Would it be safer if she was far away from the caster?” I asked.

Roxxy didn't know about the Gesti. Evacuating Amanda was something I’d discussed with Gerial, and I would talk to Amanda about, but I wanted Roxxy’s opinion first.

"Absolutely. The further away the better. Connection magic should be useless against her while she's watching out for it unless the person is close by.” Roxxy gazed at her hands. “I don't know why my mana keeps acting up. I sent a message to my mum but she can take a few days to reply.”

What Roxxy was saying had merit.

One of the main reasons the connection magicians had animal companions was because the animals could distract their opponents and give time for the connection magic to work.

"That's a relief to hear." I smiled. “It sucks that this is happening. Especially after what happened at the duel.”

The sight of the noble families gathering to confront Amanda was still fresh in my mind. Hutton’s grandfather, master Strand, had even attempted to attack her directly.

Now my issues were being added on to hers.

"What happened at the duel?” Roxxy stared at me.

"You know, the stuff with the noble families?” I tilted my head.

“No, I don't know.” Roxxy leaned forward. “What’s this? Gossip?”

I searched through my memories and realised Roxxy was right. She hadn't been watching the duel that day.

"It's not gossip." I shook my head. "Amanda was challenged by a couple of noble kids—”

I described the event up until the point where the nobles gathered when Roxxy slammed her hand on the table.

My head shot up in surprise and the story was cut off. I didn't even get to tell her about the attack.

Roxxy’s eyes simmered with anger.

"I should've stayed at that meeting longer. They probably talked about this after that.” Her expression hardened. “Or maybe they just didn't tell me because I left early. They knew I wasn't into what they were doing.”

According to the timeline I knew, the nobles had only gathered after Ouros had woken up. By then Roxxy had already stopped Hutton’s brother from attacking Amanda and the nobles wouldn't have given her details about their plan.

Especially if they thought that she would try to warn Amanda.

"I’m not excusing their actions.” Roxxy raised her hand off her cushion. “But I think all of them know that Amanda is innocent. They want to get to Alexis, but they can't so they take it out on her.”

I nodded.

“That was pretty much what I thought as well.” I looked at Roxxy’s angry expression and felt a wave of confusion. “Why did you even go?”

I’d gotten closer to Roxxy over the past few days and this question had come up a couple of times in my mind.

When I didn't know her, it was easy to say that she might have held some sympathy for them.

Now I knew that wasn't true.

Roxxy wasn't the type to hide and scheme. She would have confronted Amanda on her own if she'd felt the same way as the others.

"It wasn't voluntary.” Roxxy’s anger was replaced with shame. “Hutton’s family asked me to come. They said Cresp would have wanted me to. To be honest, they were right. Cresp and Hutton were like brothers to each other and Alexis.”

She raised her head and I saw a flash of defiance.

"But I don't think he would've agreed with what they were planning.”

"I'm glad you didn't either." My voice floated through the air.

Gold chirped in agreement beside me. Flapping his wings to show his support.

Roxxy giggled at his antics.

“What happened after the nobles got there?” Her eyes gleamed.

"That was the worst part.” I grimaced. “One—”

The sound of a knock broke through my words.

Gold, Roxxy and I turned to face the entrance and I saw a shadow underneath it, and a bright red glow.

"The door is open, come on in!” I shouted.

The door creaked open slowly as strands of crimson hair and a pair of bright eyes game into view. Amanda and Agni strode in confidently.

Amanda blinked in surprise as she saw Roxxy resting on the sofa.

"I'm not interrupting, am I?" Amanda asked.

Roxxy shot up, the cushion falling onto the ground.

“Not at all.” Roxxy said.

I saw a flash of emotion cross over her features.

She was nervous.

The way she acted around Amanda was completely different to the way she acted around me.

"Actually, I was going to get ready for the haunted house.” Roxxy plastered on a smile. “You two have a good conversation.”

Amanda stepped aside to let Roxxy by, and her hair flared light crimson.

I saw Roxxy’s expression tighten, and I sighed.

Roxxy was worried that Amanda was angry at her, but I knew that shade of crimson meant that Amanda was embarrassed. Probably because she'd interrupted our conversation.

These two were misunderstanding each other and I intended to fix that, but not right now.

Roxxy gave me a final wave as she closed the door, and Amanda turned to me, her crimson hair flaring up more.

"You don’t have to worry.” I chuckled. “She wants to be your friend.”

Agni flew in front of me, and I fed her a treat.

"Really?" Amanda’s lips parted into a smile. “Wait. How did you know what I was thinking?”

"Magic." I replied.

Amanda rolled her eyes and sat down on the other side of the sofa, leaning forward to poke me.

“Ow!” I grabbed my shoulder. “I think you broke my arm.”

Amanda’s eyes flashed with worry, then she pouted and leaned over, flicking me.

“You pit donkey.” Amanda huffed. “I was worried for a second. Especially since you're sick.”

She brought out a bag and I stared at it. It was more medicine.

She put it beside the other bags on the table and Agni hopped next to them. Gold joined her and the two chirped at each other.

Their day out in the sky had only given them more energy.

Unlike Roxxy, Amanda hadn't noticed that William had been lying.

"Thanks." I smiled at her. “But the truth is I wanted to grab some stuff. I'm not really sick.”

A lie would only make me feel bad. I didn't have to tell her about the present.

"Heh. I'm glad you're not sick. And I should be thanking you. Honestly, this whole trip has been pretty relaxing.” She hesitated. “Except for the obvious problem.”

Amanda and I hadn't had a chance to talk since the first day.

“Amanda, there's something I have to tell you.” I spoke.

She looked at me curiously but didn't interrupt me. Instead, she let me speak and listened carefully.

I wasn't sure when to start, so I started by saying that someone was targeting me. That slowly expanded into a long story.

My family troubles with the Gesti, and more importantly my recent encounters with little Bob and his ‘dad’.

Her emotions shifted, ranging from curious to angry as she heard about the claim. Agni flapped her wings and squawked in anger, horrified by the concept.

"How have you not gone straight to confront them?” Amanda laid back on the sofa. “I wouldn’t have been able to hold back.”

My conversation with Gerial flashed in my mind, including his reminder that there was more at stake when I was a Marked one.

Relaying the entire story to Amanda had reminded me of just how much the Gesti had done in such a short time.

It made me tense just thinking about it.

"There’s a lot to consider.” I sighed. “But I didn't realise how bad it was until the first day. I think they had something to do with your troubles.”

Amanda crossed her arms, strands of crimson hair flowing over her shoulders.

“Tomorrow’s when you meet with them?” Her nose crinkled. “I think I know where you're going with this.”

“You do?” I asked.

“You want me to leave for the day.” Amanda sat back. “Roxxy told me how connection magic works. You're kicking me out. Well, I'm going to do that to you and see how you like it.”

She grinned and stretched her legs out, kicking at me softly to move me further down the sofa.

I didn't budge.

Instead, I smirked at her and pushed back.

“Fine, I was just trying to lighten the mood.” She pouted. “Be a sofa hog.”

“You're taking up two thirds of it already.” I protested. “Do it again and I'll get Gold to sit on you. Trust me, you don't want that!”

Amanda giggled and I paused.

She'd gotten me to loosen up, and I could see that was her goal.

“It's fine.” Her voice floated softly toward me. “I know it's for my sake, and if they're messing with me then I trust you to kick their butt. Also, I haven't gone to visit my family all week. I kind of forgot in the rush of all the fun.”

Guilt crossed her features and her posture dropped.

“I'll tell you what, you can tell your mum any embarrassing stories you have about me, no holding back.” I smiled.

“Really?” A smile replaced her guilt-ridden features.

She tilted her head.

“I can tell her about the time you tried to shoot out earth from your mouth like a dragon and got it blown back into your face.” She pressed a finger to her lips. “Or maybe that secret’s safe with me.”

“How did you— Dang it, Gold.” I turned to the puffer.

He hid his head underneath his wing and Agni tittered with laughter.

I thought I'd stopped that from getting out when Roxxy had tried to tell the story at my grandma's house.

"Okay." I raised my hand in surrender. “You can tell that story too.”

The laughter died down and we fell into a comfortable silence.

Amanda tapped her hands against her legs, her mind deep in thought.

“I'm going to visit Alexis too.” Her voice was soft.

I paused. Her words didn't surprise me.

He was her family.

“At the church?” I asked.

Amanda shook her head.

“They moved him because there were too many people trying to find him.” She bit her lip. “He’s in the government’s care. Somewhere in their hospital. Only I have access to him aside from the doctors. My dad doesn't want to see him."

I didn't know how I felt about Alexis. The boy had almost gotten me enslaved to a monster and had caused irreparable harm to dozens of people.

The entire landscape of Koshima had changed because of his actions.

It wasn't clear whether or not he was in charge of his own mind at the time. We would only find out when he came out of his coma.

However, I was clear about my friendship with Amanda.

"If you're the only person that can visit him, then I'll let you tell him my embarrassing stories as well.” I relaxed back onto the sofa cushions. “Don't abuse that privilege.”

Amanda smiled, her hair glowing gently.

"How about a trade.” Her tone held a glint of playfulness. “You gave me your blessing, so I'll tell you some of Agni’s embarrassing stories if you want.”

Agni squawked at her words and flapped her wings in protest.

Gold hopped up to Amanda and chirped happily. He wanted to know the stories. Honestly, so did I.

There was a knock at my door, interrupting Amanda. I saw Agni breathe a sigh of relief and her feathers brightened with crimson flames.

"My door is always open!” I called out.

My room was popular today. It felt kind of nice.

To my surprise Roxxy was at the door, opening it gently and looking inside awkwardly.

“I forgot my shoes.” Roxxy tiptoed inside. “Sorry, sorry. I don't want to interrupt.”

She was doing her best to be quiet and unassuming.

My eyes glanced at the floor, and I saw Roxxy’s shoes laying there. She'd tossed them aside when she’d hopped onto the sofa during our talk.

I looked at Roxxy and then at Amanda.

“There's room.” I gestured at the chair next to the sofa. “Come sit with us. Gerial and William will get us when we need to go to the haunted house.”

I knew that the two guys wouldn't be free any time soon. Gerial was bringing William up to speed on everything that had happened with us.

He wanted to use [Wisdom] to help in deciding which plans were best.

This was my chance to let Roxxy and Amanda get to know each other better.

Roxxy stared at me.

“Is that okay?” She glanced at Amanda.

“Of course.” Amanda replied. “We were just about to hear embarrassing stories about Agni.”

The afternoon and evening passed quickly, and Roxxy and Amanda slowly opened up more.

William came to get us for the haunted house and the two girls bounced up excitedly. I hadn’t realised that everyone was so hyped for the attraction.

By the time it was over I had the exact same opinion as before.

The haunted house was okay.

I still didn't understand the excitement for it.

It was designed to be fun for kids and children and with all of the things I had seen in my life it was less than scary. The rollercoasters had terrified me more.

The night came quickly, and I made sure to get a full night’s rest.

When the daylight shone through my curtains I rose and prepared for the confrontation to come.

Gerial was already awake, coming into my room early. Amanda and William joined us soon after. Roxxy was the only person not in the room. Luckily, she was a late riser.

"I'm going to head back now." Amanda tapped her hotel keycard. “This won't get me there, so I booked a portal.”

She would be spending the day with her family until we contacted her to let her know it was okay to return.

Agni and Amanda weren't the only ones going.

Gold flapped his wings and chirped. As much as I wanted to take my friend along with me to the museum, it wasn't recommended when the people we were meeting were connection magicians.

That had been William’s idea.

Connection magicians could do a lot more to hurt animals than humans. It would also be a lot easier for them to take Gold hostage.

“I've got you all on here.” Amanda conjured her new texting regent from her inventory. “Let me know the moment you guys are done.”

Gold, Agni, and Amanda left the room soon after. The portal was set to appear in the middle of the hotel lobby.

“I'm telling you I'm more helpful in the heat of the moment.” William’s protests reached a crescendo. “I need to be in the museum to see what's happening.”

"You have the important job of not sabotaging your future.” I refused his argument.

William wouldn't be coming with us, and instead he would wait in the hotel keeping Roxxy company.

He couldn't be seen publicly going against the Gesti.

I wouldn't let him.

"Fine but be careful." William crossed his arms. “The Gesti have attacked every aspect of your life, but those were all indirect attacks. Controlling Amanda and forcing a direct confrontation doesn't make sense to me. I'm missing facts, and that means the plans I gave you might not be the ones you need.”

His expression softened.

“Be careful.”

In the end it was Gerial and I teleporting alone into the museum section of Gesti Sky.

The bright light of the hotel’s teleportation faded around me and I looked up. A building towered over me. The first thing to catch my eye was a giant symbol that radiated waves of power.

A crest.

The symbol of the Gesti household, and the reason they were listed among the four immortal families.

“Ready?” Gerial spoke.

We had made our plans and stacked the deck in our favour. Now all that was left was walking through those doors and seeing what they'd planned for me.

The claim lay in my inventory, a constant reminder of the actions that had been taken against me.

I nodded.

“I'm ready.”