Hyark continued to stare at the ground after finishing her tale as Taka finished relaying the story to Syla through his TELEPATHY skill. Inside, Fen and Maeve had gone through every nook and cranny looking for clues, but found nothing. Supposedly Maeve's hearing was good enough that she was able to hear most of Hyark's story even through the wall, which Taka made a mental note of.

  I think it's him, Syla sent. The fae with the white wings was there, and the pink-winged one too -- that can't be a coincidence.

  We can't know for sure, Taka began.

  It's them, Syla sent. I can feel it in the mana. It's them.

  Taka didn't argue further, nor did he doubt the elf. After going through what Syla had, it would be hard to forget the creatures that tore apart your family. Anger boiled in Taka's belly.

  "Was any of that useful?" Hyark asked.

  "Yes," Zirko said. "Thank you. Your cooperation brings us a step closer to finding them."

  Hyark looked up at the sky, her eyes glossy as if she were holding back tears.

  "I just want them back," she whispered.

  "And we'll do everything in our power to find them," Zirko assured her. "But I need to ask you something."

  Hyark turned to face the lizard man. Zirko towered over her, but she wasn't intimidated by his presence.

  "About my brother?" She asked.

  "Why didn't you mention him at first?" Zirko probed.

  Hyark looked away but didn't back down. Zirko stood still, waiting for an answer.

  "The more we know, the easier it'll be to help," Zirko said.

  "Tira can use magic," Hyark said. "I don't want him to get taken away?"

  Why would he get taken for being able to use magic? Taka sent to Zirko. The strain of having two links through his TELEPATHY skill as well as the CHARM on Hyark was a lot, but Taka pushed through.

  The fae like to keep a tight leash on everyone in the city, Zirko explained. Otherkin who can use magic pose a threat, and if they're not beast folk, they become the target of kidnappings of nobles or rich merchants. Expendable mages are hard to come by.

  Taka blinked, is magic not common?

  Zirko stared back at him, Hyark tilting her head at the lizard man, confused by his silence. As Hyark stared at Zirko, Taka felt his CHARM skill dissipate, and Hyark immediately tensed up and backed away from the lizard man.

  "Who are you?" Hyark asked, paranoia filling her eyes.

  Charm wore off, Taka sent to both Zirko and Syla.

  "My name is Hesk," Zirko said, "and don't worry, we are here to help."

  Gods... could've used more time, but that'll do for now, Zirko sent Taka.

  Hyark looked at Zirko warily and slipped back inside. Seeing Hyark break out of the CHARM skill made Taka's skin crawl; he didn't want to manipulate people like that, especially people who hadn't done anything wrong. His skills -- Divine Arts -- whatever they were, were dangerous. Powerful.

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  And no, Zirko sent, only a small percentage of the population can use magic, and it's typically passed down by blood, or received as a blessing.

  Then how come almost everyone at Kronkswell could? Taka asked, still baffled at the realization.

  Because Kronkswell is the elite fortress of His Majesty, Zirko sent back. Even the cleaners have combat training.

  So that means the attack... Taka sent, his thought trailing.

  Had it been on any other town or city in the Demon Empire, it would've been even more catastrophic. Besides the capital, anywhere else they attacked would've been an almost certain victory.

  Then why Kronkswell? Taka pushed.

  Because, Zirko replied, of exactly that. It was more than an attack, it was a show of strength, and it was intended to either wipe us out or force us into action, there was no other choice.

  The whole situation had already been weighing on Taka, but knowing just how strong the enemy was, and just how willing they were to attack a stronghold like Kronkswell and do significant damage... that scared Taka. If he hadn't been there to help stop Daldrus, or to help Zirko become free of the mind control, influence, whatever it was... something clicked in his mind. The realization that he was a much bigger piece of the puzzle than he realized, that his actions could -- no, my actions already have had ripple effects. Big ripples, but why? Why me? That was the question that plagued him most since being reincarnated. Why am I a worm? Why do I have these powers? And most of all, what am I supposed to do?

  Zirko turned back toward the door to head inside, and Taka followed. Every time he thought he was starting to understand this world, something came and shattered the illusion. It was overwhelming, and all Taka wanted to do was run away, and live a quiet, happy life somewhere far from violence where he could relax now that he was able to hear and speak, but he knew that wouldn't happen. Not anytime soon, at least: Taka was in the thick of it. This conflict between the creatures he cared about against shadowy forces, birds, and the creationist pricks. And people like Hyark were in a much worse spot than he was; Taka at least had his... what are they to me? Family? He tried the word out in his head, but it didn't feel right, not yet, at least. Companions. Taka had his companions, while Hyark and probably hundreds of other creatures were discriminated against every day for their species and now, were missing their families while the Spirit Government did nothing to help.

  Nothing besides the mana residue, Syla sent to Taka.

  Hyark stood in the middle of the house, re-examining the group of strangers she had let into her own. She was on edge, much more so than before, and Taka wished he could do something to help ease her nerves, but he had no clue what he could do. Telling her the truth about what he'd done wouldn't help anybody.

  "So what happens now?" Hyark asked.

  "We'll get out of your hair now," Fen said.

  "And you'll keep looking for, for my mother?" Hyark said, her eyes glimmering with desperation.

  "Yes," Maeve said, smiling softly at the dwarf woman.

  Taka thought she looked younger now. When they first met her, she seemed like an adult, a fully fledged member of society who could fend for herself. But now, Taka felt the overwhelming desire to protect her.

  "And you'll let me know if you find anything?" Hyark asked.

  The room went silent. Just for a moment, but a moment that seemed to stretch to eternity.

  "We will," Zirko said, trying to cover the pause.

  Hyark felt it. She knew, and they all knew she knew. The pause hid something, something Taka couldn't put a name to, but something that made her feel small. Less than.

  "Thank you," Hyark said quietly. "Please find them."

  As they left the house, Fen blabbed to Maeve about some of the best restaurants in town, an amusing attempt at flirtation which Maeve expertly shut down. As they walked into the street, Taka looked down and saw a plant, a flower that looked sort of like a weed. Without thinking, he cut off his connections with Syla and Zirko, then picked up the plant with the golem's hand and brought it to his face plate, then stuck it between the cracks of the helmet and touched it, infusing it with a large amount of raw magic.

  The plant sprung to life and tried to salute him with its leafy arms.

  Watch over her. Do not move unless necessary, he commanded the plants.

  He put the plant back down on the ground and saw it scurry back toward Hyark's house. He turned back to continue after his companions, only to see Zirko staring him down.

  The lizard man didn't say anything, just watched Taka, evaluating his actions.

  "Hesk! Golem!" Syla called out from ahead, just out of sight. "Come on."

  Zirko lingered for a moment, then walked to Syla without saying a word. Taka was able to breathe again, no longer feeling pinned under the battle mage's intense gaze. He couldn't tell what Zirko thought of his actions, but at the very least, he hadn't seen it fit to reprimand Taka in the middle of the street, so that was a plus. Maybe.

  "Golem!" Syla called out, their voice getting quieter as the distance between the two of them grew. "Hurry up!"

  Taka lifted the legs of the golem and followed.