When Cain had arrived back on Earth, he found himself locked within a cell. The exact same place he’d left. Expecting a moment of peace, it was instantly interrupted by crashing, shouting, screaming, and laughing.

A growl began resonating in his chest. One that had been forming more often than not after his visit with the apparent god.

The memory flashed. The glowing red eyes. The overwhelming sense of superiority.

“Become part of my pack.”

Cain’s aura surged within the cell, instantly quieting everything nearby, even the screams of pain died down. He was no packmate awaiting orders.

He was the alpha predator.

Receding his aura, curious heads began looking for its source. Upon spotting it was Cain, they’d looked upon the shaggy man with disdain.

Cain spat. Scum.

Twin axes formed, not the bone-white hatchets he’d grown so fond of. These were new.

Each axe was a single curved blade of bone-pale chitin, the colour of old ivory gone faintly grey, edged in a darker keratin that sharpened to something thinner than steel. The cutting edge wasn’t honed like a regular axe, it was serrated in a way that looked organic, like the back-teeth of something that was built to strip meat from bone, each tooth angled inward in order to tear.

The heads continued into the hafts instead of being bolted to them. It tapered down into a grip wrapped in something between hide and sinew, dark and faintly warm. It tightened around the hand when he held it, as if the weapon was gripping back. Veins of deeper red pulsed, slow and shallow, like something asleep and digesting.

The Twin Hungers - Maw and Marrow (Epic - Growth)

They were not created by a crafter. They were the last of something that ate god-like hounds in the dark between worlds, rendered down to two edges and a need.

With every life taken upon their edges, the Hungers grow. Sharper, swifter, heavier in the grip, and a measure of the slain’s strength is rendered down and given over to the wielder. The greater the prey, the deeper the feast.

But a starved beast may turn on its keeper. Denied the kill for too long, the Hungers will pull at the one who wields them like a curse. Sharpening aggressions, dulling restraint, whispering for blood that need not be spilled.

Master the hunger, and it is yours. Be mastered, and you are merely the hand that carries the teeth.

Strength fed to the wielder scales with the rank of the slain.

Growth weapon: The Twin Hungers evolve as they feed. What they become depends on what they are fed.

This is a cursed weapon.

Requirements: Level 80+ in any humanoid race

Cain had not cared for shopping. Browsing menus like a retail shopper. He wanted power. Demanded it from the system.

It acquiesced to his request in the form of a mystery box at the cost of his entire Store Credit amount. Like he cared.

His surprise upon seeing such an item was enough to lift him out of his angry stupor. Enough to form a grin on his face.

An item thinking itself a predator?

Exactly what he needed.

From his time within this prison, Cain knew every single one of these disgusting monster’s crimes. They bragged about them, competed on who was the worst. Children. Women. Animals. Nothing was spared before the system came along.

Now that the laws that governed them were gone?

Well…

Three growls sounded out within the cell.

His weapons were hungry.

~

Leo stared down the blood coated man with a mixed expression. His words of greeting had fallen on deaf ears. In fact, the look Cain was giving him was filled with hunger and bloodlust.

He gently pushed Ashley behind him, readying himself as Ellie did the same.

Cain almost looked as if he was going to strike out, lash at the next person. His eyes verged on madness.

He lowered the axes Leo was getting a bad feeling from.

A single, long exhale left his lungs with eyes closed. When they reopened, whatever humanity Cain had in him had returned. Along with his form returning from beast to human.

“What the fuck is going on with you? Why did you kill this guy?” Leo asked, still primed for battle.

“Scum,” Cain breathed.

“Are you calling us scum?” Ashley demanded.

Cain pointed to the man in the wall, deader than dead.

“Him? Why?”

“Prison,” he replied, like that explained everything.

So that was where all the blood was from. Cain cleaned the big house.

How many people was that? Should I care if they were all locked up criminals? I should care about mass murder…

To say he was feeling conflicted was an understatement. He couldn’t justify brutal murder for the sake of murder, but in that sense, the people who had been murdered likely would have done the same given the chance. But all of them? Were they all guilty?

He thought of the camp. Of the people who’d died under the hands of those very criminals before they’d gotten to them in time. People who’d done nothing but be weak at the wrong moment, then punished for it. And here was Cain, painting a cell red and calling it justice. Where was the line? Who got to draw it in this new world? Leo wasn’t sure he trusted anyone who thought the answer was as easy as just; “Kill them all.”

A tingle of danger travelled down his spine as his thoughts fought his morals. Ellie reacted as fast as Leo did, coating his arms in draconic brilliance. A moment later, with power burning through his muscles, Leo was holding the blade of a terrifying looking axe within his grip, his eyes fixed on Cain. The teeth of the axe felt like it wanted to bite him, the jagged edges vibrating.

To his bewilderment, Cain also looked surprised, and wasn’t looking at Leo.

“Are you going full murder-hobo on everyone now?” Ashley barked, hands raised.

Cain lowered his axe, unable to hide the strain it required to do so.

What the hell…

“Sorry,” Cain said, but not with a lot of feeling. It was enough to make Leo lower his guard for a moment though. As much as he felt some bloodlust coming from Cain, it was mostly from those axes. Bloodlust from Cain directed toward him had been the norm since he’d known him.

Some kind of weapon that can act on its own? Freaky, Leo thought, looking at the axes once more.

“Those weapons are dangerous,” Leo said, dismissing his own skills as he visibly relaxed, Ellie reappearing beside him.

Cain nodded. “I have it under control.”

Leo raised an eyebrow but Cain clicked his tongue and turned to leave. Before he did, a look on his face revealed some intent, a promise of sorts, to finish what they once started within the Cinder Bastion all those weeks ago.

“Whenever you’re ready,” Leo said sharply.

Leo and Ashley watched as Cain strode off. “I know I’ve said this before, but that guy’s weird as fuck.”

Leo laughed. “Yeah, dangerous too. He also heard that.”

Ashley’s eyes widened a touch. Leo continued to laugh.

Leo watched the blood-slick floor a moment longer than he needed to. The man embedded within. He kept waiting to feel something bigger. Horror maybe. The way he felt two months ago, finding a river of dead after being savaged by antlings. At least some anger. It didn’t come. Just a tired, quiet certainty that the world had gotten uglier, and that he’d gotten used to it faster than he liked.

He’d tell Cecelia about it. Let her decide what to do with a man like Cain in her territory—that was leadership, and he’d handed that off on purpose. Leo had a sister to find. He couldn’t carry every grave in this city, and he wasn’t sure he had the right to judge who filled them. Not yet. Maybe not ever.

It got filed away with everything else he didn’t have time to feel.

With nothing more to find within the town right now, Leo and Ashley headed back into the forest. On the way they passed even more people, but they didn’t stop to talk to everyone. They simply didn’t have the time.

Well, they did, but it felt like they didn’t. Who knew what was happening to their loved ones out there.

“I’m glad that my Dad is in roughly the same direction as Natalie,” Ashley said, breaking a silence.

“Me too.” He smiled, which turned into a smirk. “Although, I won’t be able to run as fast.”

She slapped his arm. “Are you calling me slow?”

To make his point he warped to her other side as quick as a blink.

“Show off,” she grumbled. “You’ll have to carry me then.”

Leo raised an eyebrow at that one, and Ashley went a bit pale. “I’m kidding!”

Before they arrived at the crystal, another system message appeared.

Another Territory has been claimed

That was fast.

“That was fast,” Ashley echoed his thoughts aloud.

“Sure was. I guess we did get it from the Queen, not from Serrix. The Queen wasn’t exactly strong if we compare them.”

“Yeah, but what if some tutorials had like, I dunno, a secret boss like ours,” Ashley said. “What if someone else had to kill something like Serrix in order to get an orb.”

“Suppose that could be a thing, really should have asked Caldrin.” Leo looked toward Ellie, who was resting across Ashley’s shoulders. “Can you ask him for us? Wait, you won’t be able to actually tell us.”

“Why did he bless Ellie and not you again?” Ashley asked, rolling her eyes. “Seems like it would have been good for you.”

Leo nodded. “Not sure, honestly. He explained that it was better but I don’t know if I fully believe it. I’ll maybe ask him down the line if we ever visit again.”

Ashley laughed. “We talk about these super gods like they’re an aunt or uncle that lives across the country.”

“He does give uncle vibes. And he’s probably listening.”

The crystal entered their vision, and below it, Cecelia was giving orders. She was so energised, he could see how happy she was.

“Hey, Cece,” Leo said, attempting to get her attention.

“Ah, Leo. Can you help the crafters cut down some trees?” She looked away right after, busy with another task.

Leo turned to Ashley, bowing as he stepped back.

“Cecelia!” Ashley bellowed, stunning everyone around them.

Cecelia’s mouth opened as if to speak before shutting and shaking her head. “What is it?”

“We’re going to be leaving now,” Leo said, giving her a smile.

Her forehead creased. “Give me five minutes.”

Leo and Ashley waited atop a broken stump. It had once housed a fairly large tree before figuring he would help deforest a little.

One overeager punch and a shout of danger later, and he was asked—very politely—to not help any more by a startled and nervous builder.

After about five minutes, precisely as she said, Cecelia showed up. But she was escorted by all of their friends. She’d gathered them all for them to say goodbye. Quite a heartwarming sentiment from her.

“She’s totally going to give a speech,” Ashley whispered.

Leo smiled, nodding. He was more than happy to listen to one last one. At least for now.

Cecelia rolled her eyes slightly, but then settled into a smile. Warm and friendly.

“Two months,” Cecelia began. “Two months seems like a long time when you’re fighting for your life in a brutal, deadly city filled with monsters, both human and creature alike. But in the duration of one’s lifespan—especially now that it has been extended—it is but a rounding error.”

Leo felt himself sit a bit straighter.

“But that rounding error is different when it becomes the most integral part of our entire lives so far.” She smiled. “There is no doubt in my mind that, without you two, none of us would be in the position we are in today.”

Ashley giggled a little. “You’re talking like we’re your saviours.”

“One of you at least,” Ron said with a smirk, gaining Ashley’s immediate feigned outrage.

“No more shields for you then!”

Leo made eye contact with Cecelia, nodding for her to continue.

“I’m not going to ask you to stay. Nor will I offer a tearful goodbye. I doubt it will be the last we see of each other. In fact, I have a task that I will need your assistance with down the line. We will find a way to stay in contact.”

“Christ, we’re acting like it’s a forever goodbye when it’s just a see you later,” Amy said.

Cecelia chuckled slightly. “I’ve said my piece as leader. Now I’ll speak as…” she sighed, hiding a small smile. “Cece.”

Leo’s face lit up, as did Ashley’s.

“You guys, especially you, Leo, were a pain in my ass. I think my hair would have turned entirely grey if I couldn’t turn it silver now. You’re reckless, foolhardy, dense, and god damned fantastic human beings.”

She grinned, bright and friendly. Her eyes and hair caught the light of the sun between the trees in a way that made Leo’s heart skip a beat. One Ashley would have caught if she wasn’t also captivated.

“Holy shit she’s hot,” Ashley muttered.

“Yeah…” Leo murmured before he realised, skin running cold. But Ashley didn’t even acknowledge it.

Just when they thought that this friendly and warm Cece had hit her peak…

She opened her arms wide. Her arms stayed that way for a moment as not only Leo and Ashley, but everyone, stared at her. A faint red blush warmed her cheeks, eyes drifting.

They began to lower and Ashley pounced. She clasped her in a vicegrip, tears forming in her eyes. “I’m sorry, Cece. I’ve been a real bitch.”

Cecelia’s arms came around to hold her gently. “You and me, both.”

After she let her go, Ashley wiped her face on her robe and turned to Leo. “Better make it a good one, this is the last girl you hug that isn’t me or Ellie for a while.”

“When did they?” Lena whispered.

“‘Bout time they did,” Amy said. “Felt like a high school drama half the time.”

“Shut up!” Ashley spun to them, smiling widely.

Leo walked up and embraced Cecelia. “Take care of them all for me.”

She nodded, holding him tighter for a moment. It was a grateful hug, not one of longing.

“Alright, that’ll do,” Ashley all but demanded.

Leo let her go, pulling back and seeing a tear blink away from her eye. He was surprised not to feel the same, but he felt like it wasn’t going to be the last time they saw each other.

“I’ll be heading off now while you say your goodbyes to everyone else,” she said, tucking her inner Cece away.

“Not yet,” Leo said. “There’s one more who wants to say bye to you.” He pointed upward.

Like a flying squirrel jumping from a tree, the small form of Ellie impacted Cecelia with gusto, cuddling into her. It made Cecelia burst into laughter and joy as she was nuzzled and licked.

Leo stopped the little dragon before she consumed her.

Cecelia regained her composure and nodded to them, unnoticing the slight sheen of drool that was still coating her, and with that she left.

From there, it was saying goodbyes to everyone else. Lena tried to hold it together but she burst into tears the moment Leo hugged her. She was so grateful for Leo’s help and support throughout her journey that it all spilled out at once. He understood, but his gloves were thanks enough for what little she thought she owed him. That girl was going to be great, and Leo knew it would be fine.

He couldn’t wait to see what kind of masterpieces she could create.

The rest of the crew were more pulled together, saying goodbye with a normal hug or a handshake. They all spent the most time saying goodbye to Ellie, who demanded at least minute long hugs from every one of them.

With farewells, see you laters, and wishes of good luck finished, Leo and Ashley stood together, a small dragon in the shape of a fox drooped across his head.

“Should we maybe stay the night? It’s not even been a day since we got back,” Ashley suggested, nervously wringing her hands.

Leo shook his head. “There’s a fair amount of daylight left. We can make some ground through the forest before we camp.”

“What about supplies?”

“Got ‘em. Spoke to Hector, not to mention all the stuff I still had from the tutorial.”

She hummed and hawed, looking for a reason. He placed his hand into hers, settling her.

“We got this, yeah?” He gave her a smile.

Ashley exhaled slowly and nervously. Apparently she had been holding back a lot of nerves about seeing her dad again. Or maybe leaving everyone behind.

“I know what to do,” Leo said, releasing her hand and taking a step forward.

Ashley started moving toward him, fear in her voice. “Are you leaving me behind? Wai–”

In a flash of movement he turned, hands slamming into the ground. Earth mana gathered beneath her feet, surging upward as it sent her a few feet into the air.

She screamed, stopping it a moment later when she found herself upon Leo’s shoulders as he expertly snatched her out of the air. Ellie crawled up her like a spider until she was face to face, grinning in her little fox form. The little fox-dragon wrapped around her tightly like a harness.

Leo didn’t move, letting her settle. It wasn’t his intention to affect her emotions so much.

Her breathing settled as Ashley cuddled into Ellie. Atop his shoulders, he heard her sniff. “You asshole. Don’t do that.”

“I know. I’m sorry. Also sorry in advance,” he said softly.

“Sorry in advance for wh—”

Before she could finish, Leo’s body lit up with electricity. It didn’t zap Ashley, merely tingled her skin. The wind around them ceased as he created a tunnel of no resistance around them.

It took less than a second.

With a wide grin on his and Ellie’s faces, and a look of horror upon Ashley’s, he took off like a cannon ball.

To explore a newly terraformed world and all its wonders.

To find Ashley’s father, gain levels, and of course, his main goal.

Natalie.