My eyes open and the bag I'm holding hits the floor as I burn with rage. Kadomon stares at me. "You alright there, kid?"

I meet his eyes and he takes a step back. I can't control my anger and I can only guess at my expression. Energy starts to buzz through me as my horn appears. I JUST KILLED RAM! Mom grabs my arm. "'Kara, calm down. What's wrong?"

I barely hear her as I start to shake. Ram appears in front of me, looks at me for a long second then slaps me as hard as she can. It doesn't hurt but it breaks my rage. "What is wrong?"

I stare at the floor, forcing away the memory of her screams and dismissing my horn. After a moment I turn to Mom. "Mind taking this stuff back alone?"

She frowns. "...Sure. What happened?"

Ignoring her, I turn to Ram. "We're going back to the mansion. Now."

Ram stares for a second before nodding as I turn back to Mom. "I'll explain when I can. We should be back later, maybe tomorrow."

With that I take Rams hand and start to look for a carriage. That lasts for about a minute before I change my mind, picking her up. She loops her arms around me, confused. "What are you doing?"

"Just... hold on." I start running, faster than any cart could take us, and the Capitol quickly gives way to the open tracks and farmland. I summon my horn and push myself harder. The whole two hour ride is over in ten minutes as we reach the mansion gates and I slow, letting Ram down. The front door opens as we reach it and I nod to the butler at the door. "Roswaal in his office?"

He thinks for a moment. "I believe so."

"Good. Can you get Emilia to meet us there?"

He nods and I turn back to Ram. "Grab Rem."

As she walks off I head straight to the office, taking a deep breath before knocking. "Enter."

"Morning, Boss."

His eyebrows raise. "Takara. I thought you were going away?"

I take a seat, still thinking about how I'm gonna explain everything. "I was. Still am. I just... I need to talk to you. 'Lia and the twins, too."

He frowns. "What about?"

Taking another deep breath, I force myself to try and relax. "I'll get to that when they're here. How's your work going?"

Roswaal chuckles softly and I have to force the memory of that fucking laughter out of my head. "Dull, as always. How is Kate?"

Despite my tension, I smile as I remember the letter Mom received. "She's good. Looking forward to the trip. Although, I can guess she's thinking about a certain note she got yesterday." I arch a brow. "Know anything about it?

He clears his throat multiple times as he goes slightly red. Watching him squirm is surprisingly fun. Wish I was able to enjoy it more. "I was... thinking about asking your mother to dinner."

Shaking my head, I grin. "You already asked her. I think she'll accept."

His eyes widen a touch. "Truly?"

"Yeah. She's a little apprehensive and she'll probably ask my opinion but I think she likes you. And it's time she started seeing someone again. She deserves some happiness."

A small smile touches his lips. "Speaking of asking, I feel I should have maaaade my intentions clear to you before pursuing a course of action."

I shrug. "Why? You're both adults. As long as you don't hurt her, I'm good."

He's stopped from replying by the girls entering, Rem and Lia looking confused. Instead he gets up and takes a seat on the couch next to Ram. "Ladies, Takara haaas something she wishes to discuss."

Taking his seat, I take the opportunity to think, all the tension flooding back. Fuck it, let's get to the point. "In seven days the Cult is going to attack the mansion. We're all dead if we don't figure out a plan."

Everyone is silent, confused. Lia is the first to speak. "My apologies Takara but that seems... unlikely."

I nod. "I know. It sounds almost crazy to me but it's true."

Roswaal speaks, eyes narrowed. "How do you know about this?"

"I... I'll get to that. Right now, what do we do? I suggest we hire some people, as many as you're comfortable with. Maybe a few medics. Uh.. fuck, if we can barricade one side of the building, maybe funnel them, that could help."

He nods. "I will keep your suggestions in mind. Now, how do you know these things?"

I sigh. Here goes nothing, I guess. "I have a strange ability, linked to Satella. I can... I can Return by..." The pain hits and I summon my horn, pushing through it. "I can Return..." It gets worse and I glare at the ceiling. "FUCK YOU, WHORE, I'M SAYING THIS!" The pain suddenly stops. I catch my breath. Holy shit, she really went for it there. "I can Return..."

I'm stopped again by Ram dropping to the floor. My blood goes cold. She didn't. Tell me she didn't! I rush over to Ram, a small trickle of blood on her lip. She did. She killed her. ...No. I did this. I refused to quit. This is my fault. She only killed her because of me! I killed her again! I am going to end the Cult. I begin to shake as grief and rage build, it suddenly bursting out in a scream, my horn appearing. Sprinting out of the room, I slam into a worker. My dagger finds her throat and I carry on, lashing out at anyone who comes close to getting in my way.

Barreling through the main doors, I'm halfway to the main gate before something hits me, making me drop. I snap to my feet, looking back. The blue one, tears running down her face. She's going to try to stop me? She's going to try to stop ME? She takes a step toward me, jaw clenched. "Takara, we need you calm. We need to..."

I sprint forward, aiming for her neck. Ducking to the side, she summons her horn and draws her weapon. Swinging again, I meet air as she leaps back. Her feet only just touch the ground before I'm charging again. A swipe from her morningstar forces me to stop. She speaks again. "I do not want to fight you. Just calm down!"

With a roar, I fire a shadow blade at her, following it as it speeds forward. The spiked ball smashes through it and I grab the chain. Pulling it, I slam my fist into her face, teeth cracking as her nose breaks. She automatically puts up an ice shield and I start hammering into it. Then it explodes and I'm thrown back. Not this shit again. Regaining my feet, I growl. Then I hear the elf. "Takara, please stop this. Whatever happened, we ca..."

I swing, shutting her up. The blue ones eyes widen. As she stares at the elf I start running again, releasing a cloud of darkness. She backsteps, trying to escape it, as my blade finds her chest. I strike deep, tearing it to the side, moving toward the main gate even as she realises I've hit her.

There's a blinding flash and suddenly there's a giant fucking lion in the way. It roars at me and I roar straight back. I don't care how big it is, it gets in my way, it dies! I leap, daggers ready. It roars again and magic hits me.


I'm trembling before my eyes open, the bag hitting the floor again. Ram looks concerned as I turn to her. I lightly kiss her and sink to my knees. Then I stop thinking. I stop thinking for a while.

Next chapter is gonna be a little different. Anyways, suggestions, criticisms and feedback welcome, as always See y'all next time.