The obstacle they encountered after fifteen minutes of walking was neither man nor monster, but a dark-skinned girl in a navy-colored suit. A blue-jewel bolo sparkled at her throat. She stood between the two stone pillars that framed the gap in the wrought iron fence, the lone guardian of the path that stretched behind her.

"Please leave; you're trespassing on private property." The girl's choice of words, neutral expression, and calm demeanor gave the impression of a professional that belied her youthful appearance. "I cannot allow you to pass without permission."

There was confidence in her stance, in the way she positioned her petite figure made taller by heeled boots. It favored no side and showed a readiness to counter an attack from any angle.

"Why? We called ahead, and we came in through the Testing Gate," Gon replied.

"Perhaps, but the butlers did not give you permission to enter," the girl said.

"Then what the heck do we have to do get permission? I told the person on the phone I was Killua's friend and everything, but they still said no."

"I don't know," she shrugged. "No one has ever received permission during my time working here."

Gon pouted. "Then I guess we're gonna have to trespass!"

"I suppose. In any case, this is where I draw the line." Metal scratched against sand as a cane with a yellow bulb on one end etched a line in the path. "Take one step past it and I will remove you by force."

Leorio and Kurapika tensed and lowered their posture; Asterra looked around to see if there was any way to get through. The wrought iron fence stretching to the left and right did not look like they had electricity running through them. Before anybody could act, though, Gon held up a hand as if to stay their actions and walked towards the butler.

Asterra wondered why he wasn't using his preternatural speed to zip by the guardian. Perhaps he had a plan, a stroke of creative genius that reared its head in times of need. That thought dissipated as soon as Gon stepped over the line, though; the cane's yellow bulb blurred and crashed into his face with a large thwack, sending the boy flying.

Leorio and Kurapika gaped as he went flying over them. Asterra instead backpedaled. From the way he's flying, he's probably going to land...here. She spread her arms out, and moments later Gon crashed into her chest. She held him tight against her, his momentum slamming into her with enough force to make her ribcage shudder. Rubber soles made trails in the earth as the momentum sent her skidding backwards a few feet, but her balance did not waver.

"Gon!" Leorio yelled, then drew out his switchblade, dark eyes pinpointed on the figure in front of him. Kurapika drew his wooden swords. Asterra focused on the enemy as well, eyes darting, seeking out a vulnerability. Her eyes flicked down to the boy in her arms upon hearing a whispered "thank-you."

"Guys...don't. I'll handle this." Gon tapped on her arm, and she placed him on the ground. He winced, wiping away the blood from his nose, then walked towards the gateway once more. "Look, we didn't come here to fight anyone. We just want to see Killua."

The guardian shifted her stance. Her textured dark brown hair, split into multiple bunches by pink hair ties, bounced slightly with the movement. "Your motives don't matter; it's my orders that do."

Gon took off his backpack and walked once more towards the girl. But the moment he stepped over the line in the sand, he was struck in the face once more. He went flying, over their heads, and crashed into Asterra. Once she skidded to a stop, she said, "We should consider an alternative."

"No, this will work." Gon tapped her bicep as a signal to put her down. "I know it will."

It didn't, of course. Another thwack later Gon was airborne once more. This time, though, he went rolling across the earth in front of the other Hunters.

"Asterra, aren't you...?" Kikiri asked.

"If he insists on being stupid, I'm not going to catch him every damn time," she replied, arms crossed.

Kikiri slumped forward.

"Try as many times as you like. You will not pass." The guardian flourished her cane.

"No, I will." Gon stood up. "I'm going to see Killua!"

=o=o=o=

February 14th, evening

The sun threatened to set and plunge the land into night, yet the series of events still continued. The same repetitive cycle of walk, be struck, roll across the ground, only to rise and walk again. Only two aspects changed: how swollen Gon's face became—it was currently mottled with bruises and his left eye was swollen shut—and how the guardian's calm was gradually being eroded away.

"Stop this! Don't you realize that this is meaningless?" Frustration colored her voice. She turned her attention to the three Hunters behind him. "And what are you three just standing there for?! You're his friends, aren't you?! Stop him!"

Three sets of stony gazes met her, and she recoiled.

"What's the big deal, anyway?" Gon muttered.

The guardian turned towards the boy.

"I just came here to see my friend. To see Killua. Why do I have to go through all of this!" The boy roared. There was a great crack as his fist collided with the stone pillar. Asterra half-expected Gon to snap his hand back in pain, but it was the pillar that crumbled instead.

Damn.

The butler froze, looking between the pillar and Gon.

"Hey, I'm over the line. Shouldn't you hit me?" the boy asked.

The girl raised her staff but did not strike.

"You're different from Mike. You may be trying to cover up your feelings, but you still have a heart. I can see it in your eyes—they softened when I said Killua's name."

The girl's mouth was slightly open, and there was a look of not-quite-fear in her grey eyes. Her hands quivered; indecision slowed her movements. After a few moments, she lowered her arms and cast her gaze downward. When she raised her face her eyes were glossy, and tears trailed down her cheeks. Gone was the guardian from before, and in its stead was a young girl overflowing with a great sadness.

"Please, help him." Her voice wavered, as if her throat was closing down on her. "Help Master Killua!"

The sudden explosion of malice to Asterra's left, from the trees, yanked her attention from the guardian. Her body dove for cover behind the stone pillar as the malice hurtled through the air.

It wasn't directed at Asterra, though.

No, it was directed at the girl in front of them. The malice—an orange ball of translucent energy—struck the girl's temple. There was a sound almost like two wooden blocks slamming into each other, and the girl collapsed.

"Bloody servant," a feminine voice said coldly from the trees. "How dare a mere apprentice butler make it sound like we're being mean to Killua."

Asterra snapped her head towards the voices. Amongst the shadows cast by the foliage were two figures. The taller one was a slim woman dressed in a voluminous purple dress covered in frills. A light-colored fascinator hat adorned with white flowers and a pink puffy ball sat atop her head. Her eyes were covered by a visor with a glowing red dot in the middle, and bandages peeked out from underneath. To her side was a smaller figure, dressed in dark Japponese-style robes bordered with white and red flowers. The way the child's dark hair was cut reminded Asterra of the Japponese doll she had once seen, and the child's expression was just as unemotional as one.

What interested Asterra more, though, was the fan the woman held in her left hand. There was no gun, which meant the projectile must have been launched from that object. The fan did look like it was smoking, after all—except with an orange...flame? Ball of energy? What manner of weapon was that? Did all Zoldycks have the power to use it?

The smoke curled in the air and started to disappear. The malice also decreased as well, until it merely simmered instead of boiled and spat.

Asterra risked a glance to see Leorio, Gon, and Kurapika rushed over to the fallen girl. "What are you doing? Leave her and get cover, now!" She hissed, making sure to keep the stone pillar between her and the woman on the hill. They ignored her, although Kurapika had some sense to continue observing his surroundings. Spirits, this is how you get killed!

"You must be Gon. Illumi told me all about you." Her voice was light and airy—sickeningly so—and a blatantly fake smile was plastered on her face. "Killua is aware that you've been on the premises and asked me to relay a message to you."

Gon's head snapped up.

"'Thank you for coming; I'm happy that you did,'" the woman said. "'But I can't see you right now. I'm sorry.'"

The sentence that had likely been crafted to shut down questions only served to summon a flood of them. Can't see us now? Why? And he's sorry? The questions coalesced into another one that sought to measure the credibility of Killua's supposed message. "And we're supposed to believe you because...?"

"I'm sorry; how rude of me. I've yet to introduce ourselves." The malice surrounding the woman abated and stilled; it was reflected in her now subdued tone. "I am Killua's mother. This is Kalluto."

"Why can't Killua come see us? Where is he?" Gon asked.

The woman touched the edge of her fan to her lips. "He's in solitary confinement."

"Solitary...confinement?" Leorio echoed, as if checking his hearing.

"Before running away from home, Killua stabbed his brother and me."

"We're aware," Kurapika replied. "Killua told us."

"Our Kil regretted what he had done and returned to us. He entered solitary confinement voluntarily. We don't know when he will choose to leave."

Asterra frowned.

"What's wrong?" Kikiri asked.

"Something's not—"

Kikiri bristled and snarled; a sudden electronic beeping sound followed by a gasp that made Asterra peek around the stone pillar.

The red dot on Killua's mother's visor was blinking and pulsing rapidly. The malice around her fluctuated in the same rhythm. The pitch of her voice rose into a near scream full of desperation. "What? No, no, no, what are you doing, Father?! Please, stop! He's only just returned!"

Is she going into hysterics? Over what? What is she seeing?

"Oh, why must you be like this, Father?! Why don't you understand that this is a critical time for Kil?!" The malice around Killua's mother continued swell and recede, so much so that it made Asterra seasick. But before it made her sick enough to vomit the waves flatlined. Killua's mother exhaled in resignation, and her words were said in the same dull tone as before. "Something urgent has come up that I must attend to. Farewell."

"Wait, hold on!" Gon cried out.

Killua's mother halted and turned around.

"We'll be staying in town for a little while. Please let Killua know."

"I'll be sure to tell him. Good day." The woman picked up the material of her dress and proceed to run in the opposite direction. The dress must have been specially made—there was no way she could have moved that well and that quietly in something so frivolous. Perhaps that was to be expected of a female member of the Zoldyck family.

The child—Kalluto—remained in the shadows. Large pink eyes observed the Hunters with a subdued curiosity, as if they were insects in a museum collection. "Who are you all, exactly?"

"We're Killua's friends," Gon said.

Kalluto frowned. "Friends?" The syllables left her tongue haltingly, as if they were unfamiliar to her.

A shriek pierced the twilight. "Kalluto-chan, what are you doing?! Come here, right this instant!"

"Yes, Mother." Kalluto rushed off, her footsteps as silent as her mother's.

Once the two were out of sight, Leorio said, "Maybe I shouldn't be saying this, but these people really creep me out. I bet they were lying about Killua not wanting to see us."

"For once, Leorio has a good point." Asterra left the safety of the stone pillar and walked towards the other Hunters. "I find it hard to believe the little git would be apologetic for his actions."

"For once?! I'm full of good points, thank you very much!" Leorio snapped. "Gon, we can't go back just yet. Maybe we should tail those two."

"We could." Gon looked down to the apprentice butler at his feet. "But I'm worried that tailing them could get her into a lot of trouble."

"Huh, didn't think of that."

The girl groaned and gingerly touched her head as she rose. "I will take you to the butler's quarters. There's a phone that connects directly to the mansion." She winced. "If Master Zeno answers it, he might..."

"Who's Master Zeno?" Gon asked.

"Master Killua's grandfather." The apprentice butler stood up.

"Are you okay to move?"

"I'm fine. Nothing sleep won't fix." She grabbed her cane. "Come on, then. Follow me."

"Wait, what's your name?" Gon asked. "I don't want to call you just 'you.'"

The apprentice butler looked back to the group. "My name is Canary."

"Nice to meet you! I'm Gon. That's Kurapika, Leorio, and Asterra." Each Hunter nodded as their name was called, and Gon continued to speak. "Canary, won't you get in trouble for taking us to the butler's quarters?"

"Everyone on the grounds is no doubt aware of my actions," she replied.

Gon straightened. "If something happens, I'll take responsibility."

"That won't be necessary. I'm merely acting as a guide for Master Killua's friends. I am prepared to face any consequences that may befall me."

The group started to walk along the path, and Asterra ventured a question. "Killua's mother mentioned you were an apprentice butler. Is that true?"

"Yes," Canary nodded.

"Then you know some insider information about the Zoldycks."

"I won't divulge any compromising information on my employers."

"I'm not asking you to give me dossiers, just to clarify something," Asterra said. "What is Killua to the Zoldyck family?"

"Master Killua is a Zoldyck," Canary replied. "He is the son of the current head of the household."

"Let me rephrase that, then—what is he worth to his family?"

"What's the point of asking that?" Leorio asked.

"Because something's off," Asterra replied. "Think about it. Illumi was keen to have Killua come home and drilled into him that he could be nothing more than an assassin. Killua's mother freaked out when someone disturbed him and is willing to lie to us so Killua can do whatever in this 'critical time' of his. They're fixated on him. They want what they think is best for him. But if what Killua's mom said was true, they've allowed him to lock himself in solitary confinement, which has a negative impact on the human psyche."

"You're saying their actions are contradictory," Kurapika summarized. "Not reflective of a typical family."

"You grew up in a nice household, didn't you?" Canary said.

Asterra frowned. What did that have to do with anything? "My parents didn't shove expectations down my throat or throw me in solitary confinement, no."

"Not all families follow that convention." Canary was silent for a few moments, then spoke. "The Zoldycks are a family of assassins. Master Killua showed great promise at a young age, and his family wished to...retain that potential."

Asterra paused, digesting the information packaged in a cryptic delivery, then realized the meaning. "He's the heir to the household."

Canary did not answer, which was affirmation enough in a situation where trees had eyes and little birds caught every whisper.

It made sense. Killua, the prodigal son, had rebelled against his family wishes. The family had other plans, so Illumi had drilled into Killua that he could be nothing more, and Killua's mother was doing everything in her power to keep him away from other distracting influences...all to keep the heir on the path expected of him.

If Killua was that talented, then it made sense why he was the heir, and why the family was so fixated on keeping him under control. She could see the logic behind their actions. But agreeing with them was a completely different matter, which brought her thoughts to the topic of extraction.

Where groups of people existed, so did divisions of opinion. Life was a matter of picking out which faction suited her needs best and throwing her weight behind it. Not everybody agreed with the path set in front of Killua—Canary seemed distressed to the point of tears by the boy's ordeal. That meant there was a possibility that some members of this estate did not agree with the Zoldycks' methods. The question was, who were those people and how much influence did they have?

Information was power; strategies could only be formulated once the situation was known. But shit, did this situation feel hopeless, even if some of the pieces starting to fall into place.

She glanced around, wondering if anybody else shared her thoughts. Kurapika likely did—even if their moral codes differed, they shared similar thought processes. The question was whether the ones more adroit at influencing people were on the same page. Gon was a powerhouse at winning people over; Leorio was better at striking deals and mediating, from his actions at Zebro and Seaquant's cabin. Even if Asterra could ferret out ulterior motives, she knew her charisma left something to be desired. As much as it vexed her, she would have to lean on others for this.

She rolled her neck and sighed. If only they could ditch Canary for just a minute, she could speak to everyone. But Canary seemed sharp, too sharp to trick.

What a shame.

=o=o=o=

February 14th, one hour later

When they reached a clearing dominated by a large manor, the Hunters received more of a welcome than Asterra expected. There were five men standing in front of the entrance. The lights were on, giving the place a warm, inviting glow. Unfortunately, the impression was spoiled by the fact they were in the territory of assassins and possibly walking into a trap.

"Welcome!" The word, simultaneously said by all five individuals, was accompanied by a deep bow. The five were likely butlers since they wore the same attire as Canary, down to the jewel that hung below their collar.

"We apologize for our previous discourtesies," a man in the center of the group wearing a red jewel instead of a turquoise one said. He had sharp eyes to match sharp cheekbones, as well as neatly trimmed dark hair and goatee. "We have been informed by the lady of the house that from now on you are to be treated as official guests. My name is Gotoh. Please, come in."

They were invited into a house with plush carpet the right shade of red for hiding bloodstains. On the walls hung landscape paintings in the Impressionist style, intricately shaped lamps providing light for those that wished to study them further.

"How much money does Killua's family have?!" Kikiri squeaked. "This place is so nice!"

More like how much blood money. Being top assassins likely allowed the Zoldycks to charge exorbitant fees. Not that she could say much; many Resca made fortunes from mercenary work. That, and blood money still had the same spending power as money obtained through other ways.

"Is this the main residence?" Kurapika asked.

"No. It's the butler's quarters," Canary replied.

They were led down a large corridor and around several corners. Just as Asterra was getting nervous about the distance between them and the front door, a door opened to their right. They were led to a large room lit by a chandelier and sparsely decorated. A large painting hung on the wall over a sideboard made of dark wood. In the middle of the room was a rug with a coffee table in between a settee and a single chair.

"Please, have a seat and make yourselves comfortable," Gotoh beckoned as tea was set on the coffee table.

Asterra looked around. The room had no windows, and four doors. She loathed to sit down in a room surrounded by so many potential enemies and few exits. Unfortunately, the settee had room for four and the butlers were all looking at her expectantly. Dammit. She sat down between Leorio and Gon while a butler tended to Gon's swollen eye with a first aid kit.

Gotoh sat down in the single chair, while the others stood. It solidified her theory that Gotoh was the one in charge of the butlers.

"We appreciate the hospitality, but we came to see Killua," Leorio said. "It would be great if you could take us to see him."

"That won't be necessary, sir," Gotoh replied. "Master Killua is on his way this very moment."

Gon leaped up. "Really?"

"Yes. So please be patient." Gotoh fixed his glasses. "That being said, it would be tedious to just sit and wait. Why don't we play a game to pass the time?" Gotoh took out a gold-colored coin with a cross on it. He used his thumb to flip it up into the air, then swiped his hands across his chest to catch it. "Which hand holds the coin?"

"The left hand," The four Hunters said simultaneously.

"Correct. Let's go a little more quickly this time." He flipped the coin once more and caught it. "Which hand?"

"The left again," Gon replied.

"Marvelous," Gotoh commended, and the butlers clapped. "I'll try a little harder this time." The coin went airborne, but this time the hands were a near blur in front of Gotoh's chest, making it hard to determine which hand caught it. "Which hand?"

"I'm not sure, but maybe the right?" Leorio ventured.

Unlike before, Gotoh's next words weren't of praise. "I've known Master Killua his entire life, and though it may be unbecoming of someone of my rank, I care for him as I would my own son. In all honesty, I despise you all for attempting to take him away." The air around Gotoh began to distort, and malice burned around him, making Asterra's skin crawl. "Well, which hand?"

"The left," Kurapika replied.

Gotoh opened his left hand. A coin, mangled and bent, sat in it.

Her heart kicked into gear. She needed an exit strategy, now. Four doors, one of which I know leads to an area with windows. Three butlers in front of me, three behind, including Canary. Skill level unknown. I could kick this table up so the hot tea falls into Gotoh's face, delay them a couple seconds—

"The mistress' voice was a mere whisper as she revealed her thoughts to me. She was heartbroken that her son was leaving her and for that, I cannot forgive you." A vein popped in his forehead, and a formerly stern expression became murderous. "So before Master Killua arrives, I shall test each of you by my own methods."

The all too familiar sound of steel being drawn from scabbards reached her ears, and Asterra looked around. Currently the butler behind the settee and two butlers opposite held long knives. A glance back revealed that one butler now held a dagger to Canary's throat. Her face looked too pale to be an act.

"This is her punishment for defying orders and bringing you here." Gotoh said. "Allow me to explain the rules. Answer incorrectly, and you are out. If all of you fail, I will tell Master Killua that you all left for a place he can never hope to reach."

"Killua is—" Gon started.

"Silence! Your lives hang by a most delicate thread. Focus on answering my questions. I will not ask again." The coin flipped into the air, and this time the butler to Gotoh's right also joined into the fray, using his hands to distract them.

Shit.

"Which one?" Gotoh asked. "And time is of the essence – you only have three seconds. Any longer and Canary won't be able to sing anymore." He nodded towards the man holding Canary. "If they don't answer in three seconds, slit her throat."

He's wrapping us up in his pace, taking control of the room. An attempt to throw us off balance. Leorio seemed wholly taken by the act; Gon and Kurapika had looks of concern on their face as well. While Asterra did not have an emotional attachment to Canary, it would be disadvantageous to lose an ally this early in the game.

"Hold on! It's the left hand!" Leorio yelled.

"It's the right hand," the other three replied in unison.

Gotoh opened his right hand. "One down." He threw the coins up in the air and caught it. "Which one?"

The remaining three looked at each other and nodded in understanding. Pick alternating hands.

"Right," Kurapika said.

"Left," Gon said.

"Right," Asterra said.

Gotoh opened his left hand. "Three down, one remaining." He flipped the coin up into the air again.

"Wait a minute!" Gon said.

Gotoh caught the coin. "What is it? If you're trying to buy time, I'll kill one of your friends."

"Leorio, gimme your knife!"

Leorio stared at him. "Huh?"

"Don't worry, I'm not going to use it for anything stupid."

Leorio gave Gon the knife. Gon then ripped off the bandage over his eye and slit the swollen tissue. Blood tricked down from the wound. The swelling subsided, and he bandaged his eye once more. "There we go. I can see now. Come at me!"

Gotoh snorted derisively, then threw the coin in the air and caught it. "Which hand?"

"Left!" Gon said.

"Very good. Let's make things more difficult." This time, three butlers joined, their hands blurring together like pale snakes. All three then withdrew, fists closed. "Now, which one of us has it?"

No, no, no. The odds were not in their favor for this one—the chances of guessing correctly had fallen from fifty percent to less than twenty percent. Spirits, let Gon get this right. I did not come all this way to return empty-handed.

Gon paused for a moment, then smiled. "The man right behind me." He pointed behind him with his thumb.

Asterra glanced back to see the man open his hand.

The coin was there.

Relief pulsed through her veins and threatened to make her relax completely, but she forced herself to focus once more. Not yet. You're still in a vipers' nest.

"Splendid. Well done!" Gotoh clapped. The other butlers joined in as well—including Canary, who had been freed from the other butler's grip.

The praise was all well and good, but the person they had come for was not yet in the room. And as if fate itself had heard her, that person appeared. The doorknob clacked, and the door itself slid across the carpet behind them. "Gotoh, is Gon here yet?"

"Killua!" Gon cried out, turning in the sofa.

The silver-haired boy bounded up to the settee, a large grin on his face. Killua was dressed in a long-sleeved black shirt with purple trousers, and a backpack hung from his shoulders. Blue and purple marks mottled his face, marks that had not been present during the Hunter Exam. The conclusion she reached made fire spark in her gut for a fleeting second.

"Gon, you're here!" Killua said. "Goldfish too!"

"Seriously?" Asterra drew an exasperated breath. "Do you even know my name?"

"Of course I do! Jeez, who do you think I am, Castella?"

Castella?! "It's Asterra!" she snapped. "I am not a cake!"

"Close enough; you get worked up way too easily, Goldfish." Killua pointed at Kurapika. "And you're...Kurapika?"

"Why am I an afterthought?" Kurapika muttered.

The boy then turned to Leorio. "And Rioleo! You're here too!"

"It's Leorio!" he yelled, enunciating every syllable.

Killua, unfazed by his fifty percent success rate with names, turned to Gon once more. "It's been so long! Glad you could make it! What happened to you, though? Your face is a mess."

"Back at you!" Gon grinned.

The silver-haired boy turned towards the butlers beyond the settee. "Hey, Gotoh! What happened to telling me as soon as they got here? What were you doing?"

Gotoh bowed slightly. "My apologies, Master Killua. I had them participate in a little game. It was a joke...though quite a poor one, admittedly." The stern lines of his face softened as his features loosened into a smile. "I'm sorry for the trouble. I do hope you enjoyed yourselves."

"You had me going there for a hot second," Leorio replied. "You'd make a good actor."

"Did they do something to you?" Killua asked, eyes narrowed.

Gon shook his head. "No, they were just keeping us all entertained."

"Really? Well, okay then. Let's go somewhere place else. Like anywhere at all. If we stay here my mom will chew us all out."

By all means, let's. She adjusted her backpack and the sword at her hip as she stood up. Asterra had expected more political maneuvering to draw Killua out of the Zoldyck's fold. But she wasn't one to complain when things were resolved much more easily than expected. More energy to tackle other difficult situations that were sure to come.

The other three Hunters followed suit and gathered their belongings.

"Hey Gotoh," Killua said. "No matter what Mom said, don't follow me. Got it?"

"Understood," the head butler nodded. "Please do take care."

"C'mon Gon, let's go!" Killua took the lead and walked out of the room. Asterra, Leorio, and Kurapika followed.

Gon, on the other hand, walked up to the head butler. "Gotoh-san, you're gonna miss Killua when he's gone, aren't you?"

"No sir. It is our duty to serve our employers, not become emotionally attached to them."

Gon stuck his tongue out. "Liar."

"Gon," Gotoh called out. He then flipped the coin in the air again and caught it. "Which hand?"

"Left."

Gotoh opened his hand to reveal that the coin was in his right hand.

The Whale Island native's eyes widened. "No way!"

"Indeed. A deception." Gotoh replied. "The world is teeming with tricks and tricksters. Please be careful. And please, look after Master Killua." He bowed.

"I will." Gon nodded. He then ran to the exit, past all the butlers who bowed deeply as he ran by. "Bye, Canary!"

"Come on, Gon!" Killua sounded exasperated. "Let's go before the annoying ones come!"

"Okay, okay!"

The four Hunters followed the Zoldyck to the front door, where freedom awaited beyond.

Note: I (the author) am aware that Kalluto is male. Asterra isn't though, and since this is from her POV Kalluto is referred to as a female.

Thanks for reading, everyone! If you're reading this, you've read close to 190k words in varying amounts of time, which is no small feat. However, the end is in sight—Lattices will be ending in two to three chapters, depending on how long-winded I feel like being.

I want to thank you all for accompanying me on this journey. I've poured a lot into Lattices these past six years, and it would not have been possible without readers like you all cheering Asterra on (or saying that she needs a time-out XD). While I knew the basic premise of the story from the start I was still surprised by the twists and turns it took.

To conclude, I would like to make the final chapter a Q&A session, a la Webtoon. Please DM me your questions or put them in the review section. I've posted this fic in AOA as well, so I'll look at questions posted there too. In the event I get no questions, I will still leave some sort of final comments as the last chapter. I'll be taking questions until April 15, 2020 so ask away. The questions can be about behind-the-scenes stuff for Lattices, what inspired Lattices, about me (as long as it's not too personal)...anything!

As always, thanks for reading to the end.

-Rhyss