The mossy humanoids spoke in an odd language, "You ever seen these things?" Warren asked. The ringing of the bells continually shattered the tranquility of the woods. "They sure love to ring those bells," Warren observed.  Cyrus remained silent and watched Herne stir but instantly went still at the ring of the bells. "The bells are magic. Why aren't we affected?" He clutched the phylactery, "Let's get ready, Giichi," the tiny bottle glowed  "Let's teach these spiritual aberrations a lesson," Archon gripped the edges of his mind. The eidolon's excitement rippled across Warren.   "Forgive me for what I am about to do," Cyrus pressed a button on his

Theria raised her hands and lightly touched sasquatch, who didn't seem to mind the attention, "Take it, easy girl," She moved her free hand and chanted, "Dèan na faclan againn mar an ceudna," A soft glow emitted from her hand. Sure hope this works.   Warren stepped forward, "Can you understand me?" he held out his hand, "I am Warren Vandal," he kept arms lengths and made himself look as friendly as he possibly could.   Theria crossed her arms and hovered near Warren, "Let's give it a minute. Sometimes, a spell needs time to take effect. This spell is custom-made. So it might have an unknown side effect or two."  "What?"  "It may allow us to talk to her, but it also

 Herne and Theria caught up to Eve and Warren in record time. Eve shouldered the body bag with Duchess's body. "We have to hurry. The basket ogress won't sit on Cyrus forever," Eve warned.   "Psssh," Theria Scoffed, "Why are we worried about the stupid mercenary?"   Warren stared at the girl he loved in stunned silence before the anger beneath the skin bubbled to the surface, "How about he is a person. I know he acts like a total asshole, but he is family. If we get married, he will be your family too."  "His eidolon is in a phylactery. Do we want that in the hands of the basket ogress?"  Archon stated. 

Duchess turned out to be more affectionate than anyone expected. She clung to Warren and refused to let him have a moment alone with Theria. Warren longed to tell her to give him some space, but two things complicated the matter. Duchess was like a three-year-old in an adult's body. She needed lots of love and affection. Second, her soul had been washed clean by the raven woman, and its purity was an asset to their plans."Why did I die?" Duchess stared into Warren's eyes.Theria flew up to her, "Well, I think...""It's not important," Warren told her, "What matters is you are alive," he scowled at Theria. "We have something to discuss, and there isn't time to sugarcoat it."Duchess cocked her head to the side, "Is it bad?""It will be the reason why we brought you back," Warren's stomach developed a giant pit, and nausea followed, "You have the power to help protect the world, but it requires you to make a sacrifice."Duchess stopped and gl

Shattered glass littered the ground as Cyrus and Warren stepped over the threshold. Cyrus watched Warren with a strange look on his face. Warren tried to ignore it, but after the third time, he sighed in exasperation, "What is your problem?""I can't believe you came from my brother. He's still alive, you know," Cyrus stopped and put his hand on Warren's shoulder, "You are the best of us all, kid. You were right to save Eve and Duchess. I get why your team looks up to you."Warren laughed, "I think you have it all turned around. I look up to them...""Stop with the modesty, Warren. You were born for this. You are doing things I couldn't touch at your age," Cyrus rarely complimented. He spoke in facts and truth."I didn't have a choice in anything. I wanted to play hockey and chase girls, maybe play in the NHL after college. A scout from the junior team met with me the day magic came back," Warren cursed himself for clinging to a life that would never come