(A/N) I miss not having college or a job, now every time I turn around there is another responsibility I have to deal with. Either that, or I am burnt out with my day almost gone before I can even work on this fic. I can't even enjoy summer anymore. Though having an income is good and I guess it's ok getting that piece of paper just to get a higher end job in the future.

The morning sun greeted the city, the birds already wide awake and greeting the day with their chirping. One by one, the people awoke slowly to the crowing of the rooster, though some awoke more willing than others. In her small home, Yami hibernated like a wild bear in winter beneath her warm cozy blankets; her mind in the realm of dreams.

But then, as fate would have it, Yami's slumber was disturbed by a loud sparatic knocking at the door. At first, Yami only groaned as she awoke, hoping for whoever it was to go away and let her sleep. The knocking stopped, and Yami sighed with relief, before suddenly the knocking continued, albeit louder than before.

Yami kept trying to ignore it, but the more she tried the louder and more obnoxious the knocking became. She growled as she finally had enough, forcing herself out from her covers and grabbing her ornate dagger as she stomped towards the front door. It was probably the usual thing, some tax collector, a persistent salesman wanting to swindle her out of her money, or worst of all, a missionary of the fallen goddess.

The knocking was shaking the door by the time Yami got to it. Before she opened the door Yami checked behind and noticed her tail had slipped out. So with a deep breathe, Yami tucked her tail back into her pants and swung the door open; her dagger facing towards whoever might be outside as she grunted, "What?!"

Yami then stopped as she blinked in confusion and put her dagger down. Before her was the Salutem five, the adventuring group she saw yesterday, all around her door with the seven foot tall armored giant of the party in front of her. In the twinkle of an eye, the giant grabbed her free hand and shook it furiously with a death grip blocking the flow of blood. All the while the giant shouted like some sort of over the top actor pretending to be a hero, "Ah! Miss Lottie! How are you doing! We're so glad to see you! We've been looking everywhere for you! We heard this is where you live!"

"I- Uh- thanks...?" Mumbled Yami who just stared in utter confusion of the sudden erratic greeting, and in the realization she couldn't feel her hand anymore. Meanwhile the other adventurer's merely groaned in response to the armored giant's greeting, some even face palming. Yami slowly put away the weapon, "Why... are you here?"

The giant finally released her hand, causing it to tingle as blood flowed back in. Yami hoped that one of the other party members would respond to her question, but the armored giant eagerly blurted out, "We are the Salem Five!" The giant did a heroic pose, their red cape flowing in the air as he pointed to himself and the others with bombastic expressions, "And the council of the Trade Federation has hired us for a job! But, they wanted us to request for your aid! Isn't that wonderful!?"

"Uh, depends? What's... the pay?" Asked Yami as she could finally feel her fingers.

"Oh... just a few coins and what not... But! That is nothing compared to the rush of adventure with its many dangers and thrills!-" The giant began rambling but the dwarf of the party swiftly casted a spell and the giant was silenced. The giant didn't seem to notice however, as they made more energetic poses while looking up to the sky with their flowing cape.

The dwarf then hobbled over the Yami, who now noticed his arcane focus was a staff of bones all fused together to form something akin to a shepherd's staff. "Name is Granit, necromancer at ya service," Spoke Granit, his voice sickly and rough, nothing like the few loud and strong dwarves she's heard before on rare occasions.

Granit pointed to each of the other party members, the armored warrior first, "my giant friend calls em self Helios. The old bard is Ishmael, the young mage is Merli, and the pointy-eared ranger is Syndra." Each of the members, save for the giant who was still seemingly going on about something, gave a slight nod when they were pointed to. Though, Yami could swear she saw Syndra's eyes twitched at the ear comment.

"Hello," Spoke Yami bluntly, "Now, first of all, how much is the pay?"

Ishmael the bard spoke up, "About fifty plat for each of us and we each get a two percent share of what we find, says so right here," Ishmael pulled out a piece of paper that looked like a contract, seal and everything, "If you want to join us, just sign. I'm sure you know how the Federation is and all that."

Fifty platinum? That, that was a good deal alone. that much money was nothing to sneeze at, it could set her for life, or for a good portion of her life. But why so much? Grabbing and reading through the contract Ismael pulled out, Yami found nothing odd about. It was your typical adventuring contract, going into a cave and explore whatever was there. The only thing that was slightly odd was the added bit of discretion, but that wasn't anything new to Yami in her time as an adventurer. "So what are we doing specifically, and why have I been asked to help you five?"

"According to the council, there's a cave they want us to search. There are rumors that there are artifacts and ancient ruins there and they want us to explore it and secure if it there are any dangers. Other than that, we... don't know."

Alright let me see if I have some quill and ink inside," Sighed Yami who was about to turn around.

"Wait, no need! Here!" Chirped up the young mage Merli, who magically created a tiny quill with a twirl of their hand and handed it over to Yami.

"Hm, neat," Yami took the quill and inscribed her name before handing it back.

It was at that moment the silence spell ended and everyone began to mentally groan as the Giant could be heard in their rambling, "And that is why adventuring is a wonderous thing to partake in!" Helios stopped for a second as they spotted the signed contract, "Oh! I see you were swayed by my words! Welcome to the Salutem five, or for now, the Salutem Six with you on the ride!"

Helios kept on with their yammering, from the stables to almost the entire trip on the road. It was amazing that the giant didn't need to take a breath or drink water with how much they were talking. Thankfully, Helios was not the one leading the trip as it was instead Ishmael led the way. If Helios had been leading the way, Yami was afraid they probably would've gotten lost.

Despite being something to turn your brain off and listen to pass the time, Helios' ramblings slowly annoyed Yami. Eventually, Yami decided to distract herself from the mad talking of Helios and pay more attention to her fellow party members. Most of the members were near Helios, pretending to be interested or actually listening Yami couldn't tell.

Yami did, however, noticed the elf Syndra a little bit behind the party, constantly looking around them as they now traversed through a forest. If Yami had to guess, she was probably a lookout some kind, which made sense. Whether it's essence-thirsty mamono or blood-thirsty bandits, one should avoid any surprises on the road.

"It's honestly a miracle your still alive Helios," Spoke up Granit, interrupting Helios.

Helios chuckled a hearty laugh, "There's nothing to it, just pure skill!"

"I think you mean luck. Especially with something like that time we had to deal with a lich."

"Oh well, that was just because she had an eye on you," pointed out Ishmael to Granit, "She was targeting you the most after all, in fact you were more of a meat shield than any of us that day! Probably had to do with you being a necromancer!"

"There was no such thing at all! Besides, that was a long time ago!" responded an annoyed Granit. They went back and forth, with friendly debates over minor things seasoned with laughter and jokes. Yami just silently watched, not knowing what to think.

Suddenly Yami heard the sound of hooves behind her get closer. Looking at the corner of her eye, she spotted Syndra riding up beside her, "I bet you are relieved, you get a break from Helios' talking."

Yami nodded slightly, "Interesting party you have here. How... or why in the world do you tolerate that man Helios so much?"

A simple grin formed on Snydra's face from the question, "Heh, two reasons. One, Helios and I were the ones who started this party and two... honestly, their way too suicidal at times in how much they love and rave about adventure. I started it with them, so I feel the need to keep them alive. And, I know at least some of us stick around just for that reason alone."

Merli seemed to notice the conversation and slowed down to ride beside the two, leaving the chat with the rest of the party, "What are we talking about?"

"Miss Lottie here was asking about Helios. I was telling her how suicidal the big brute is."

Merli laughed, "You have no idea, Miss Lottie! One time, this mysterious cave was deemed too dangerous for anyone, so much so that the local lord banned anyone from going there. He even had guards to prevent such things at the entrance of the cave. " Merli laughed some more, "Helios went straight to the lord, demanding that we be hired to explore the cave. Every time the lord told them it was dangerous in some way, I swear, I could see Helios get more and more excited and eager to go there! Back then Helios could only after a breastplate and some chainmail, and Helios's grin got so wide that you could've mistaken it for a literal crescent moon in size!"

Syndra smiled and Yami just gave a confused look at them as she imagined a small lord pleading to a metal giant not to go somewhere, with every excuse just making the giant louder and more hyper to the point of bunny hopping everywhere. The thought almost made Yami grin a little, but she stopped herself as she looked at each of the adventurers.

She shouldn't. These people are happy, and seemed like a pleasant bunch to be around. But her feelings, if they developed, would they be truly selfless feelings of kindness, friendship, or perhaps something more? Or, would they be just nothing more than her body's forced desire for a mate, a source of food? That selfish desire that was nothing more than wanting self pleasure? Even a child mamono unknowingly seeks such things, so who is to say it wouldn't be any different with her?

Eventually the road ended before a vast forest, the numerous thin trees like walls of wood with just barely enough room for the party's horses to walk through. After an hour treading through, the party found a small lake within the forest; rays of sunlight beaming into the clear blue water. Ishmael stopped, and so did everyone else as he spoke, "Well, that is the biggest sign that something magical is nearby. And, "Ismael pulled out a different piece of paper from his pocket, "Yep this matches it alright. But where is the entrance?"

"Right there Ishmael," Syndra pointed out towards the far end of the lake where there was a mass of vines and plant life.

"I am assuming you mean behind all that foliage, Snydra?" Asked Granit. Syndra just gave a slightly annoyed grunt and nod at the dwarf.

The party dismounted, tied their horses to a nearby tree, and slowly walked toward the foliage. Helios led the way now, hacking at plant life with their greatsword and the vines that Syndra pointed to. With every hack at the vines, Snydra was proven right as the entrance to a giant cave was revealed.

Everyone stopped at the entrance. It was too dark to see into from where they stood looking down, Ishmael spoke, "Supposedly the cave system leads to some ruins, which are filled to the brim with artifacts, gold, and of course traps. Key word is supposedly. Merli, you know what to do-"

"Wait!" Shouted the dwarf, "Just in case before we go in," The dwarf then dropped the bag he had then swiftly dumped the contents, pouring out piles of bones along with a few swords and shields to the ground. Then with a few hand gestures and waves of his staff, mana floated and glowed around the bones and animated three skeletons. The dwarf just glanced at everyone, especially Yami, who just said without words, 'What'd you expect? Just don't ask where I got em'.

The skeletons with one command from the dwarf reached down and armed themselves. Merli then closed their eyes began to concentrate, forming a glowing blue eye that shortly after turned invisible. After a few minutes of everyone staring at what looked like a young wizard standing in their sleep Helios asked giddely, "What do you see!? Anything dangerous!?"

"mmmm no I don't, save for some pits here and there and some dead ends... w-w-wow this is just a maze, how is anyone supposed find their way here... Someone give me a piece of paper please," Granit quickly pulled out a small journal from his pocket. Watching him flip through the pages frantically, Yami could see the pages were filled with messy writings and equations she didn't understand. No doubt it was a spell grimoire that some spell casters posses, Every filled page was at the least months worth of a normal person's savings. Eventually Granit found a blank page and tore it out.

Then as Merli began speaking of what he was seeing, Granit would draw it out on the torn page. "I think I see somthing," spoke Merli, "I- I think I see some ruins, but its hard to tell of what era- GAH!" Merli fell backwards, clinging to his head as he screamed.

"Are you alright?!" Shouted Ishmael.

Merli stopped and groaned as he rose back up, "I'm fine... just wasn't expecting to get cut off like that. No doubt some anti-divination magic at work."

"Great," Muttered Granit as he casted a spell, his eyes glowing with arcane energy. He looked deep in the cave, "Come on, no one gets to mess with Merli's spells but me."

The party descended into the cave. Every one but Yami and Syndra creating some form of light, whether it was a torch or a spell. Granit lead the walk, his skeletons protecting his flanks as he looked at the map he made from Merli's descriptions.

"Wait a minute," Spoke up Syndra, kneeling on the ground inspecting something. Yami walked over to look and noticed tracks on the dirt. Some were footsteps but she didn't know what else she was seeing until Synda pointed it out, "These are very large snake tracks. No doubt a lamia but what type of lamia lives in a place like this?

Yami turned to Merli, "Did you see any statues?"

"N-no."

Yami thought hard. They were dealing with a lamia, at least one judging by the fact that Synda only saw tracks for one. As far as she knew, this really isn't the home of a normal Lamia. Most subspecies of Lamia were a pain, especially the one's that came to her mind. Perhaps a dragon? "Do you know where our employers heard of this cave's supposed vast wealth?"

Ishmael checked every paper he had in relation to the mission, "No we don't have any info at all on us on who told them of this cave," Ishmael's expression went from deep in thought to shock, "Oh, oh no. Ive heard of them in rumors but we might be dealing with an echidna. "

Syndra sharply got up and began turning back shouting, "Oh! That is just great! ! A god accursed echidna! Nope! Nope! Nope! We aint dealing with that!"

Suddenly Syndra was stopped in her tracks by Helios who grabbed her by the color of her shirt, "An echidna!? Is it dangerous!?"

Slowly Snydra turned around and sighed, "Nothing I say will stop you, will it?" Helios shook their head furiously, "It's a mamono known for having powerful magic, able to birth new species of monsters, and they can see the future of humans supposedly. Though I have my doubts its limited just to humans."

Helios was practically shaking with exciting, then right as they yelled with a fist raised to the air, Granit silenced the giant with a spell. Once Helios calmed down after a minute, Granit undid the spell and Ishmael gestured for everyone to be silent.

Finally, after numerous twists and turns and a few tight areas that the group had to help Helios squeeze through, the party finally arrived at the ruins. Yami's eyes widened as she saw the ruins, the markings, the design of it all. It was exactly like that underground chamber at Lescete. Memories flashed in her mind of those days, her heart beginning to race with fear. But she quickly shut them out and resolved herself.

The party kept going deeper, each chamber large enough for giants to live comfortably in. Every few feet there was a destroyed trap, a rune depleted of its magic, or an ancient door that had been forced open or destroyed, "Seems someone has beaten us here," Muttered Ishmael as he pulled out an instrument Yami had never seen. It was like an organ, but tiny and able to be held in one's hands and played on the go. Whatever it was, Yami could see his fingers were itching to play.

As they went deeper, distinct and familiar sounds echoed beyond a slightly agape door before them. It was a squishing wet noise, of flesh hitting against flesh and moaning. Yami knew all too well throughout her lifetime what this meant. It was without a doubt, a mamono who was ravishing their mate.

Everyone looked at each other and nodded, though Merli slightly blushing as it dawned on him what was going on ahead of them. "I doubt the echidna will let us secure the treasure or interrupt her mating. So I say we ambush them," Spoke up Yami.

"I'll go with you," Whispered Syndra.

Ishmael silently walked over, his instrument in one hand and his other hand glowing faintly with magic, "Alright, the moment we hear combat, we will rush in. Though before that," Ishmael placed his hand on Syndra, magic flowing from his palm and into her, "Good luck," Ishmael turned to Yami and quickly played a note as quietly as he could. Instantly Yami felt a strange feeling in her chest, making her feel oddly more confident in her skills.

Yami must have given a look as Ishmael said, "Just a bit of bardic inspiration. Now go."

Yami and Syndra went ahead, eventually arriving at the end of the dungeon. Squeezing throw another giant set of doors, the two entered a large dome shaped chamber. The chamber itself looked like a small colosseum with a second floor above that peered down into the main floor. On the far opposite end was a mountain of gold coins, treasure chests, weapons, armors, crowns, and all sorts of treasures. Then, in front of the pile of treasure, Yami could see the echidna coiled around and furiously mating with a naked human man who was drooling at the mouth; His mind was probably long gone.

The kunoichi gritted her teeth at such a repulsive sight. Quickly she looked about and saw pathways leading to the second floor. Yami hand signaled Syndra to go above as Yami moved in. As Syndra went upstairs, Yami glanced backwards to see the rest of the party at the entrance, waiting. Looking back at the echidna and her prey, Yami took a slow deep breathe and quietly approached.

Inch by inch, Yami moved forward in the shadows; always moving in the opposite direction the echidna was looking. She was probably too busy with mating to notice her, but Yami couldn't roll the dice on such a thing.

Then, right as Yami got behind the echidna and was about to attack with her daggers, the echidna stopped abruptly in her mating. Her look of pleasure disappearing and the human seemingly stuck in a loop as if... they were an illusion. Suddenly the human dissipated into thin air and Yami spotted the actual human become visible atop the pile of gold unconscious, "I may be a mamono who is eager to be with her mate, but I am no fool. I have already," Snydra fired her arrow straight for the echidna's head right from the back. The arrow was fast as light, and should have hit its mark. However, even before Syndra fired the arrow, the echidna was already moving her hand in the direction of the arrow and caught it before throwing it to the ground, "Foreseen this."

Immediately, Yami sprinted and swung at the echidna, who turned around, barely pushing Yami back with a blast of force. Yami skittered across the ground away from the echidna but kept her footing.

The echidna then raised her hand and fired at Syndra, who was getting ready to fire another arrow. From her hand a bolt of demonic energy began to form, but Granit rushed out from the door first with his two skeletons, "No you don't!" Shouted Granit as he sent forth a spiral of purple energy to counter-act echidna's spell as it was forming. But the echidna reacted immediately and countered the spell with an exact replica of the spell Granit sent. "How the Hel!? I made that spell myself, you knife-eared scalie! " Cursed Granit as he charged.

With nothing stopping the spell, the bolt of demonic energy flew from the echidna and straight at Syndra. Syndra attempted to dodge the blow, but the energy managed to graze her leg as she held in a moan. Syndra soon recovered and fired two arrows at the Echidna, who this time formed a small magical barrier and blocked both the arrows with a smirk on her face.

Helios leapt into the scene, rushing past Yami, swinging and laughing like a lunatic. All the while Ishmael was right behind him, using all of his magic to aid Helios's strikes with magic. "This better be a good fight!" Shouted Helios as divine energy surrounded their blade. The Echidna dodged the attacks, as if she had learned the attack pattern Helios' would have made in that moment. Whenever Helios struck the ground, a boom would echo though the room and leave behind a crater from the sheer force. Then, in retaliation, the Echidna threw a bolt of demonic energy straight at Helios' face.

Helios tried to block it, but it was too late as the giant stumbled backwards, knocked prone on their back.

Granit and his skeletons leaped in to cover for Helios, Granit pointed his finger and placed a barely visible sphere around the echidna, which seemed to silence everything within it. Then with another wave of his fingers, the two skeletons rushed into the sphere and began attacking the echidna. But just like before, the echidna perfectly predicted everything the skeletons did and swiped them away with her tail, sending them flying back to Granit and knocking him to the floor hard enough to break his concentration; ending the silencing spell abruptly.

Yami rushed back at the echidna, throwing one of her daggers as she got closer. The dagger actually grazed the echidna's cheek as she turned sharply at Yami. Yami drew another dagger and kept going, swinging twice at the echidna. The echidna formed blades of demonic energy in both her hands and barely blocked the attacks. Then as they locked blades, the echidna looked at Yami with confusion, "What the... Why can't I-"

The echidna didn't finish her sentence as Merli shot out six magical missiles which struck the back of the Echidna. The echidna grunted slightly in pain, her guard temporarily brought down as Yami headbutted the echidna, stunning her, and sinking her dagger where the echidna's liver would be. Blood flood like a river from the echidna, who now was growling in pain.

The echidna swung her tail from underneath Yami's feet, which she managed to dodge. But the tail back around to strike her mid-fall, sending her down to the ground. Yami tried to cushion the fall, but it only did so much as she felt her ribs snap. She began coughing up blood as she got back up.

The echidna rushed to finish Yami off. However, a rain of arrows formed between the two, stopping the Echidna in her tracks as she turned to block swings from Helios and Granit's skeletons. All the while Granit started casting a spell, green energy forming around his hands. However the echidna quickly prevented Granit's spell with the counter spell Granit made.

Meanwhile as Yami laid there, Ishmael rushed over and played music. Yami gritted her teeth in pain as she felt her ribs and internal systems fix themselves.

With a roar, the echidna dodged a swing from Helios and shot a wave of burning energy from her hands. The two skeletons were turned to ash while Helios purposefully rushed through the flame and attempted to attack the echidna, the echidna blocked the attack perfectly and sent him to the wall with a swing of her tail.

Meanwhile Merli formed the same green energy Granit was trying to cast and managed to fire it at the echidna, this time hitting. It didn't hurt the echidna, but her movement become more sluggish as she turned and fired five beams of pure energy at Merli. Merli formed a magical barrier, but it only blocked three of the beams, the other two went through and hit Merli's left leg and right hand; causing him fall to his knees.

"NO ONE MESSES WITH MERLI BUT ME!" Shouted Granit as he formed a ball of fire in his hand and threw it at the Echdnia. The Echidna dodged the explosion of flames, with some of the flame slightly burning her as she rushed up to Granit. Granit tried to cast a spell to teleport away, but the echidna gave Granit a taste of his own medicine; shooting a variant of the fireball but with demonic energy straight at Granit's face. Granit couldn't escape and was consumed by the energy. When the energy dissipated, Granit was down on the ground drooling and barely moving

Yami got back up, having now recovered and charged at the Echidna and readied to use her relic dagger. Thanks to the spell Merli afflicted the Echidna with, Yami got close in time and managed to land a blow, severing enough flesh from the Echidna's left arm to show bone. The Echidna howled and blocked the next attack from Yami, their blades locking again, "Why, Why can't I see your fate?!"

Yami barely kept up as she slowly backed away, blocking attack after attack from the Echidna. Helios lunged at the Echidna who managed to fight him simultaneously using tail. However, Helios was slowly chipping pieces of the Echidna's tail off.

Suddenly the Echidna landed a blow and stabbed straight into Yami's chest through her leather armor, pleasure coursing through Yami. Yami stopped, breath leaving her body as she fell to the ground.

With Yami down the Echidna was now fully focused on Helios and swiftly made quick work of them, slowly bleeding them dry of spiritual energy with every swing as she danced around them. Eventually, Helios was too weak to move anymore and collapse to the ground. Meanwhile Ishmael fired wave after wave of magical daggers from his piano at the Echidna. But the Echidna effortlessly pushed past them, taking a few cuts as she did so before grabbing the bard by the throat and throwing him across the room.

Syndra, now out of arrows, leapt down from the second floor and attempted to fight as she drew two blades. But Syndra was easily outmatched. In less than ten seconds, the elf was down on the ground as the Echidna fired multiple orbs of demonic energy straight at her, the last one managing to land and hitting her directly in the chest.

Yami's head thumped agonizing heart beats. Yami stared at Ishmael laying on the ground, unable to move her head. Panic, Fear, lust, and hate all rushed through her mind. She couldn't let this happen, but she couldn't do anything!

The echidna huffed as she looked about at the defeated adventurers. "That almost went completely as I foresow," She reached for the gnashing wound Yami left on her abdomen and healed it. Slowly the echidna looked at the weakened Yami, "Though I find it strange, why is it when I look at you... I can't see your future? Do you even have a fate? Or is it being hidden from me somehow?"

Yami's eyes looked at the approaching echidna. Why was she always like this? Unable to win when it mattered? Suddenly, Ishmael got up up and silently began using magic to mend his instrument.

"Just who or what are you?" questioned the Echidna who began to reach out to Yami, almost touching her.

But then Ishmael slammed his hand onto the keys of his instrument; playing an erratic and chaotic, yet orderly song. It was like the flight of an insect. Beams of golden energy out from Ishmael's piano towards the adventurer's, including towards Yami. The echidna turned sharply to Ishmael and dashed towards, "What!? No, this isn't how fate is supposed to be!"

The echidna attempted to interrupt the spell before the beams of energy reached all the adventurer's with a counter spell. But Granit still had strength as he forced himself together and looked at the echidna. Then with a sly grin he cancelled her counter spell with his, "That's what it feels like... COUGH... you elven looking snake..."

The beams of energy reached their targets, healing and rejuvenating each of the adventurers. "WHAT NO!" Shouted the echidna. Helios immediately got up and leapt at the echidna, who was about to counter with a tail whip. But, Syndra fired an arrow near the echidna, which hit the ground and glowed green before a multitude of giant roots burst from the earth and restrained the echidna from head to tail.

Quickly the echidna changed her method and created a floating blade of demonic energy and had it block Helios' attack. Though the blade blocked Helios, right before their blades made contact, golden energy from Ishmael glowed around Helios; causing Helios' strike to be so strong it shattered the magical blade with a thunderous boom.

The echidna quickly made another and blocked Helios's attack before it reached her. She then began a duel with Helios, all the while beginning a chant for a spell. However, she was interrupted with both Granit and Ishmael casting silence at once. She counter spelled Ishmael's but she couldn't counter Granit's in time; making it impossible to stop as she and everyone close by were silenced, preventing the usage of somatic spell components.

Helios managed to swing past the magical weapon and struck at the Echidna's left eye, making it nothing but a bleeding scar. The magical sword faded in and out for a brief moment, before the Echidna scowled. The sword changed shape to a club, and it struck at Helios' chest with enough force to push them back by twenty feet; Helios' breastplate now like broken glass as they coughed up blood.

The mace floated into the Echidna's hand, and she threw it at Granit, knocking him on the head and breaking his concentration on the spell, but the mace didn't stop. The mace flew towards Merli just as he fired four beams of blue arcane energy at the Echidna. The mace hit Merli before the beams landed, breaking the concentration on the spell that was weakening her.

Then, right before the beams landed, she broke free from the roots and dashed out of the way as they hit the ground. Ishmael gulped as the Echidna slithered straight towards him.

The echidna's back was turned from Yami. Now was her chance! She ran toward her target. The echidna formed a ball of demonic energy in her palm. Then right as the Echidna fired, Yami lunged into the air and sunk her blade into the Echidna's right shoulder, the dagger piercing through flesh and bone.

The Echidna gasped in pain before she grabbed Yami's arm that was holding the dagger before and teleporting out of the way as Ishmael shot out a bolt of energy from his instrument. Then instantly after reforming, the Echidna threw Yami to the wall, dagger and all. The wall cracked as Yami slammed against it, blood now trickling out of her mouth.

With a snap of her fingers, the Echidna formed a magical barrier, blocking off the rest of the party. It was now just Yami and the Echidna.

Yami forced herself up, wiping blood of her face as she tightened her grip on the ornate dagger. She wasn't going to win this. No way this would happen. Why was she even trying at this point? At best she'd be turned to ash and at worst she'd be turned into the very thing she hated.

Slowly Yami entered a fighting stance, desperately gritting her teeth to the ignore the pain. The Echidna spoke, "I am sorry, but I need to get you out of the way. All of this would have gone flawlessly, but you... I can't read your fate, it's as though you never had one to begin with. Or perhaps, it was erased from existence-"

"Shut up," Grunted Yami, "Let's get this over with."

The Echidna frowned and began chanting. Orbs formed around the Echidna, fallen debris and rocks flew about her, and demonic energy crackled in the air. Meanwhile at the other side of the barrier, Ishmael used up almost all his magic to fully restore the party of their new wounds and afflictions. "Granit," Spoke Ishmael, "Get that barrier down! Merli and Syndra find a weak point in that wall. It can only be so wide or tall!"

Back at the other side of the barrier, Yami began to approach her foe. At first she limped, then walked, then jogged, until she was full on sprinting; every step agonizing as she could feel her ribs digging into her lungs. The Echidna ceased her chanting and unleashed what Yami could only describe but a storm of energy and debris. Yami struggled against the storm, dodging what she could while trying to get closer.

The debris cut into her skin and the demonic energy jolted her with pleasure, slowing her advance to a crawl. Yami tried as much as she could to find any opening in the storm to reach the Echidna, but every time she thought there was one, she was sent flying all the way back with a burst of demonic energy being forced into her.

Doubt began to form within Yami's mind. With every bit of demonic energy hitting her, increasing pleasure coursed through her while lewd thoughts plagued her. This couldn't be how this ends! Not after all of this!

Suddenly, squeezing through a small slit between the ceiling and the barrier, an owl came flying out towards her. "Alright Merli! Use everything you got!" Shouted Granit from across the barrier.

Instantly the Owl flew down and with a touch of its foot onto Yami's shoulder, a golden light encased itself around Yami, protecting her from the Echidna's attacks. The owl began healing Yami's wounds, but the owl was stopped as a large pebble flew into the chest of the owl. The bird fell to the ground dead before it dissipated into smoke.

With the light protecting her and her wounds lessened, Yami made another attempt; managing to get closer than ever before, almost able to reach the Echidna . But it still wasn't enough, slowly she was being pushed back again by bursts of demonic energy from the Echidna. Then, as if on cue, an arrow flew through the same slit in the barrier and landed next to the Echidna. The arrow glowed green and roots sprung out from the earth and struggled to pin the Echidna in place.

"No! I won't let it end like this!" The Echidna roared; her energy flowing out of her like a dam being opened. The blinding light of energy poured everywhere, flooding the mostly blocked off section of the chamber like it was an empty pool. Even the other parties had to stop and shield themselves as some demonic energy flowed towards them.

Yami began to lose ground, the demonic energy seeping through the barrier and into her. Irresistible pleasure began to course through her body, her mind beginning to break as she struggled to resist the lewd thoughts. Her legs were beginning to buckle. She was so close, but it felt so good! She couldn't. She had to surrender, no, yes- NOT YET-

A purple hue began to encroach the corner of Yami's vision, her pupils slowly taking the shape of hearts. She could hear her own hearts beats as her succubus tail slipped out, wagging. Slowly she began to fall to the ground.

Not... yet... not like this...

Yami fell to her knees, her sanity barely intact from the constant pleasure forcing itself into her. She couldn't stop it, she was drowing in this ocean. This was her fate, the fate of a mamono, and nothing would ever change that. Yami closed her eyes in acceptance of it, her vision nothing but darkness

...

Bapum!

Yami felt her heart force a single agonizing beat as memories flash in her mind.

...

Bapum!
She remembered her family.

Bapum!

She remembered losing her sister

...

Bapum!

She remembered hearing word that her father had been captured and killed.

...

Bapum!

She remembered hearing word of her homeland, Zipangu, being wiped clean of all life.

...

Bapum!

She remembered the guilt she felt ever since HE showed up, from all those who died.

...

Bapum!

She remembered how every time she should have died, she didn't. She remembered the faces of everyone she met.

...

Bapum!

And she remembered how the Red Hood took everything from her. She remembered pain. She remembered the torture he gave her. She remembered every. negative. emotion. she had ever felt in her life since that day, but the one that grew the strongest amongst them was pure hate and in turn rage.

The rage grew like a fire, the pleasure coursing into her becoming nothing more than its fuel. All the while the ornate dagger began to glow an abyssal darkness outlined by a faint traces of white and purple.

Yami's eyes shot open as she forced herself back up, her tail having stopped wagging and the hearts in her eyes dissipating. Her pupils dilated and shrunk until they were non existent. Yami couldn't even see anymore, only able to see the Echidna's faint outline with the rest of her vision filled with nothing but the purple color of demonic energy.

With every step she forced herself closer the Echidna. With every step the rage burned all the more fiercer. The Echidna shouted in confusion, "I don't sense a great well of spirit from you! Nor do I sense a great power within! So how- how are you resisting still!?"

Yami did not respond with words, instead she kept walking. She kept pushing against the force of demonic energy that was trying to keep her at bay. Then she responded with a screech as with one final step, she plunged the ornate dagger deep into the forehead of the Echidna. All the magic the echidna was maintaining instantly ceased, the mana dissipating into the atmosphere; the energy around the dagger dissipating as well before Yami could even see it.

The battle was over.

The rage disappeared instantly, swiftly replaced with utter exhaustion. Meanwhile blood trickled down the Echidna's forehead as her eyes widened with awe.

The echidna whispered in a hushed voice as she struggled to speak, "I see now, the future within you. Forgive me... If I had known..." The Echidna's eyes grew glossy but her eyes stared into Yami's, "The night comes in a familiar shape, taking what's left... the light within grows dim, its embers all gone," The echidna placed both her hands on the dagger imbedded on her fore-head, "Save for one."

Yami's body was too weak to from exhaustion to stop what the Echidna did next. In the twinkle of an eye, the echidna ripped out the dagger and forced it into her own heart. Then silently, the Echidna fell to the ground, dead.

Yami just stared at the body, breathing heavily as she reclaimed the dagger from the Echidna's corpse. What was she talking about? What did she see? Her thoughts were interrupted as Helios walked over with a spring in their stepped and slammed hard on the back of her shoulder, "Amazing! You reminded me of one of those heroes of legend, slaying that echidna and all!"

"I- you- you act like I did that single-handedly," Stammered Yami as she struggled for air.

"True, but it still was a thrilling sight! At least from what I could see on our end!"

Yami didn't respond, just staring silently at the Echidna's body. The night would come in a familiar shape. That could only mean the Red hood would return, and that meant he would take everything from her again. What good would it be to grow attached, when she would just lose it all anyway?

The others helped each other up, collected the pile of gold and carried the brain-dead man with them.

Ishmael led the group as they traversed back through the ruins, through the cave, and to the outdoors. Along the way, Helios was bugging her with questions, clearly not picking up from Yami's silence that she wasn't in the mood. When they made it to the entrance, the afternoon sun was beaming directly into their faces. Ishmael stopped and looked back at everyone. He then stopped after he looked at Yami, a look of concern on his face, "Probably best we rest here till early morning."

Camp was set up within the hour, small tents made in the cave with a bonfire. The rescued man was basically out cold in one of the tents. Granit and Merli were busy looking at each other's spell books and discussing magical incantations. Helios was busy talking to Syndra, annoying the poor elf talking about looking for more Echidna's to fight. Ishmael was busy at the campfire writing something on a small portable table he had pulled out of his backpack. Last of all, Yami sat alone, staring at the sky outside the cave until it was a star-filled night; a waxing crescent moon staring back at her.

Ishmael glanced at Yami and took a deep breathe, putting down his quill into the ink jar and walked towards her. "So, what's the issue," Spoke Ishmael as he sat down next to Yami.

"Not really in the mood to talk anyone," muttered Yami as she stared at the moon.

"So you are what? Sitting here? brooding on your own?" chuckled Ishmael in an attempt to lightened the mood. His chuckled died instantly when he realized it did absolutely nothing.

After a minute of silence, Yami spoke up, her voice cold, "I'm not going to stick with the party after this. No point into trying to befriend me."

"That's fine," Nodded Ishmael with understanding, "but, until then, it's my job as the bard to make sure everyone's spirits are up. So right now, your mental well-being is my responsibility."

Yami gave no response, not even bothering to look at Ishmael. Ishmael gave a slightly annoyed sigh, but overall kept himself together. After another minute of silence he spoke, "Guess I'll break the ice. Am I right to assume your a kunoichi?" Instantly Yami turned towards Ishmael, her eyes filled with dangerous threats, "What? It's kind of obvious for me, seeing as I have fought a kunoichi or two back in my day. Especially with that tail of yours sticking out and how you fight," Yami gave a quite gasp as she looked behind her, her tail sticking out plain as day, "And if that's true, your from Zipangu back when it was still habitable."

Yami grabbed her tail and quickly stashed it back in. Her face softened as she glanced at Ishmael before looking back at the crescent moon. Finally she gave Ishmael an actual response, "Yes, you are correct. I am a kunoichi from Zipangu."

"Any family or friends left?"

"No."

"So, is then is all that why you don't want to be part of our party? Or is it something else?"

"No its not that- I," Yami stopped and slowly looked down her, voice voice becoming hushed. She didn't know why she was unloading everything to this old man. Was it because of her curse? She didn't know, but she allowed her words to come out, "I am a mamono whose lost everything. I'm cursed, and there's nothing that'll change that. And- and I am afraid of growing close to anything. Because if I do, I don't know if those feelings would be real- or genuine, let alone," Yami stopped and took a deep breathe, "I can't deal with losing those I care about again. I just- I just can't."

"I... I really don't know to say about that last part," responded Ishmael slowly, thinking his words carefully" But, Lottie, I think all of us here can generally agree that we don't have much left either. Syndra lost her family as she was exiled from her people for helping a human caravan. Granit is one of the last of his kind with nothing but his magic left to his name. Merli lost his dream of graduating as an archmage as he was kicked out of his college for false accusations of cheating. And my dream of being a world famous play writer was crushed a long time in front of my own eyes. And Helios..."

Ishmael glanced back at the metal giant before looking back at Yami, "Well I don't know what's up with them. But the point is, we don't really have anything left to live for. What we do have left, is each other. Going on these adventures together as a sort of family. And though at any moment we could lose each other, we still push on."

Ishmael reached over and patted Yami on the shoulder, causing her to jolt for a brief moment. Seeing that, he stopped and took his hand back, "Sorry about that I didn-," Ishmael quickly shook his head, getting himself back on track, "Listen, I understand if you don't want to be part of our group. But, even if you don't stay with us, we'll always gladly accept you with open arms. Especially Helios, they seem to hold you in really high regard now."

Yami looked over at everyone in the camp. Granit and Merli joking as they experimented with small puffs of magic, Helios and Syndra going back and forth in a heated, over-the-top argument on what were the coolest weapons. And then at Ishmael who got up saying, "We usually wake up at first light, so get some sleep, okay?"

Yami nodded and Ishmael headed back to the bonfire. She didn't know when it happened, but small smile formed on Yami's face then.

The next day everyone got up and headed back to town. Everyone got their share of the treasure for their completed quest, and everyone was showered with praises and fame for slaying an Echidna. However, Yami didn't care about those things, as for once in a long time, she felt a glimmer of hope. However in the light of hope, the Echidna's warning loomed in the shadows.