I sat in the middle of class, head in my hands, trying to block out the noise. My temples throbbed in time with the endless chatter around me. The teacher was droning on about something, but I couldn't bring myself to care. My head was pounding, and the chaos in the room made it worse.

Why am I even here? I wondered, rubbing my temples with my fingers, trying to keep the headache at bay. Everything was fine until those idiots blew up my house.

I clenched my jaw at the memory. Demetrius and Gimli. Of course, it had to be those two.

laying my head flat against the cool wood of the desk as I thought back to this wretched morning.


-Flashback to the morning-

I jolted awake to the sound of an explosion that shook the walls. I was sitting bolt upright in bed, coughing through the dust that filled the air as my ears rung and no other sound came.

"What... the... hell..." I muttered, blinking at the scene in front of me.

Half of my house was gone—just a gaping hole where the wall used to be. Smoke curled up from the wreckage of my crafting system, and there, standing amid the rubble, were Demetrius and Gimli. Both of them looked like guilty kids caught in the act.

Watching the two yelp as they noticed me inside, their voices muffled and distorted from the explosion, but gradually becoming clearer as the ringing in my ears faded.

Demetrius was the first to speak, his voice uneasy. "It was an accident!" he blurted out, hands raised in a poor attempt at a peace offering. "Gimli and I were just talking, and... things got out of hand, isn't that right, Gimli?"

"Talking?" I echoed, trying to process. "And somehow, that led to you blowing up my house?"

Gimli scratched his head, avoiding eye contact. "Aye, wasn't thinkin' too clearly. Bit of a... miscalculation."

I stared at them, struggling to keep my temper in check. "You two blew up my house. While I was sleeping."

"Look, we'll fix it!" Demetrius said quickly, his hands still raised as if he was expecting me to explode next. "We'll gather the materials and—"

"Just... stop," I cut him off, squeezing the bridge of my nose. I couldn't deal with this right now. "Get out of here before I really lose my cool. I'll patch it up, but you two need to sort out whatever issues you have with each other elsewhere."

They both scrambled away, not needing any further warning. I sighed, looking at the wreckage of what had once been my home.

Maybe I should take the housing guide more seriously, I thought, rubbing my temples. Apparently, having two guys who hate each other near the same building is a recipe for disaster.

Just as I began to process the headache that was forming, I heard footsteps approaching from behind. I turned just in time to see Seth walking up, arms crossed over his chest, a grin plastered on his face.

"Well, that was one hell of a wake-up call," he said with a chuckle, his eyes scanning the destruction. "Nice to see Demetrius and Gimli are getting along, huh?"

I shot him a look, one that I hoped said not now, but Seth just kept going, undeterred.

"You know," he added, tapping his chin in mock thought, "maybe next time, you can sleep outside. Might be safer."

The ringing in my ears was getting worse. I blinked a few times, trying to focus through the noise. Seth's voice was only making my headache worse.

"Do me a favor, Seth," I said, rubbing the side of my head, "don't make my headache any worse. I've got enough to deal with right now."

Seth raised his hands in surrender, though the grin never left his face. "Alright, alright. Just checking on you, buddy." He turned to leave, still chuckling under his breath.


-Back to present-

I blinked, snapping back to the classroom. The buzzing chatter of my classmates filled the air, but it was nothing compared to the ringing in my ears that still lingered from the explosion. My head throbbed. I rubbed my temples, trying to massage away the headache that had settled in ever since that disaster.

Seth's probably still laughing about it, I thought with a sigh. I could almost hear him, still chuckling to himself over my bad luck. The guy just couldn't resist.

The classroom noise wasn't helping either. Every scrape of a chair, every muffled conversation seemed to pound against my skull. It was like my headache was just waiting for the right moment to turn into a full-on migraine.

Great, I grumbled inwardly, I get to deal with this mess and school at the same time.

I shifted in my seat, glancing at the clock. Not much longer until lunch. I could make it through the rest of the period, then escape to the rooftop. Maybe then I could get a few minutes of peace. If I was lucky, I'd be free of both the noise and Seth's laugh echoing in my mind.

I rubbed my eyes, feeling the exhaustion set in. The explosion, the rebuilding, the constant juggling of my two worlds… it was getting to me.

Just a little longer, I told myself. Just get to lunch.

Just as I was about to attempt another futile round of temple-rubbing, Asphodene's voice popped into my head, breaking through the monotony of my internal complaining.

"Cale, you sound like you're trying to grind your skull into dust. What's up with that?"

Her voice was tinged with a mix of concern and her usual playful sarcasm. I almost smiled, almost.

"Not now, Asphodene," I muttered under my breath, knowing full well she could hear me.

"Oh come on, don't be like that. Eridani once told me about a pressure point trick for headaches. Want to give it a shot? It's right where your neck meets your skull. Press there gently, might ease up some of that tension."

I hesitated for a moment then gave in, reaching up to press the suggested spot. Surprisingly, a wave of slight relief washed over me. It wasn't a miracle cure, but it dulled the edge of my headache enough to make me breathe a little easier.

"See? Sometimes I do know what I'm talking about," Asphodene chimed in, her tone smug.

"Thanks," I grudgingly admitted, pressing a bit more firmly into the pressure point.

"Anytime," she replied, a hint of warmth in her voice.

With a little less pain to deal with, I leaned back in my chair, closing my eyes and counting the minutes until I could escape to the quiet of the rooftop.


I pushed the door open to the rooftop, the cool breeze immediately hitting my face. It was a relief, like stepping out of a stuffy room into open air. For a second, I thought maybe—just maybe—my headache would finally ease up.

I leaned against the wall, sliding down until I was sitting with my knees pulled up. My eyes closed as I let out a long breath, the pounding in my skull dulling slightly.

Finally, some peace.

I unwrapped my lunch and sat in silence, letting the calm of the rooftop do its work. The noise from below was distant now, muffled through the walls. Up here, it's just nice and peaceful… but with the way today's been going so far I guarantee it won't stay that way… not with my luck.

Waiting a few moments for the other shoe to drop as I ate my lunch, I thought just maybe I was wrong, and with some small amount of joy that I had yet to be interrupted, I laid down against the cool floor to try and sleep some of this headache off.

But just as I thought I could relax, the sound of footsteps echoed behind me. I tensed. It wasn't the first time someone had found me up here, but it always made my skin crawl when I wasn't alone.

Noooooo…Why now?

I kept my eyes closed, hoping maybe whoever it was would just go away. The footsteps stopped. I opened one eye, then the other, peering over my shoulder. And there she was—one of Gremory's peerage, I think her name was Akeno?

Of course. Can't catch a break today, can I?

I let out a quiet groan, sitting up a little straighter but saying nothing, hoping she'd take the hint. But Akeno, with her usual playful smile, stepped forward as if the rooftop was hers.

"Mind if I join you?" she asked, her voice soft but with that familiar mischievous edge. I should never let her and Asphodene meet...

I stared at her for a second, my headache pulsing at the back of my skull. "I guess," I muttered, knowing full well she wasn't really asking.

Unfazed by my lack of enthusiasm, she sat down next to me, her smile playful. "You know, you always seem so tense... What's bothering you?" Her voice was light, but there was that usual hint of curiosity lurking underneath.

I rubbed the back of my neck, debating whether to even engage. "Headache. Not really in the mood to talk."

Akeno hummed softly, tilting her head as her violet eyes stayed on me. "A headache? Poor you... Maybe a little company will help." She leaned in ever so slightly, her smile teasing. "Or have you been trying to avoid us?"

I shrugged, keeping my gaze on the distant horizon. Avoiding you? Absolutely. But I wasn't about to say it out loud.

"I just needed some space… you know, to get acclimated…" I muttered, trying to sound casual, though the annoyance still seeped through.

Her smile didn't falter. If anything, it grew more amused. "Oh, I see. Space, hmm? But you don't seem like the type who can slip away so easily." Her tone was light, but there was a sharpness beneath it. "Especially after the... excitement the other night. You know, that little display in the warehouse?"

My jaw clenched. Fuck… so they still managed to tail me there after all… goddamn it… Never taking Asphodene's advice about that ever again.

"Didn't think anyone was paying that much attention," I muttered, the irritation harder to mask now.

Akeno chuckled softly, her eyes gleaming with that mix of playfulness and intrigue. "Oh, we're always paying attention, Cale. You're far too interesting not to."

She leaned back slightly, but her eyes never left mine. "So... what exactly are you? You don't quite fit the human mold?" Her tone was gentle, but there was no mistaking the intensity behind her question.

I glanced at her not fully paying attention as my headache was getting worse, the pressure in my head only growing. "Just a guy trying to get through lunch."

Akeno smiled, but there was a sharpness in her eyes that I didn't miss. She leaned in a bit closer, her voice lowering as she continued to press. "You know, it's strange how someone like you keeps everything so hidden. Aren't you curious about what people might think?"

I clenched my jaw, trying to focus on anything but the increasing pressure building behind my eyes. The breeze didn't feel as refreshing anymore, and Akeno's relentless probing was starting to make my headache worse.

"I'm not interested in talking about it," I said, my voice clipped. I hoped that would be enough, but it wasn't.

"Oh, come on, Cale," she purred, her violet eyes gleaming with that same frustrating curiosity. "You've got to admit, you're a bit of a mystery. And it's not every day we come across someone with... angel wings."

As she leaned in, her scent washed over me—a soft blend of cherry blossoms and warm vanilla. It was sweet but not overwhelming, almost comforting, but It made it hard to think, hard to focus on anything other than her presence.

My heart rate spiked at the mention of my wings. I shot her a sharp look, but Akeno just smiled, leaning in even more.

"How does it feel to have them? I wonder... What kind of person are you really? You've got power, those wings... it makes me wonder what else you're hiding."

My headache pulsed, sharper this time, as her words drilled into my skull. The pressure point Asphodene had mentioned earlier came to mind, and I reached up, pressing my fingers into it, trying to get some relief. But Akeno's voice and the situation I was suddenly finding myself in wasn't helping.

I'm just gonna blame Seth for all of this… seems like a good idea.

"How does it feel to have them? I wonder... What kind of power do they give you? Are they divine? Or maybe... something darker?"

The barrage of questions was bad enough, but then Akeno started to move closer. Slowly, she shifted forward, her body crawling toward me. As she leaned in, I couldn't help but notice the way her chest brushed against the ground, her movements deliberate, like a predator closing in on its prey. My eyes flicked to her for a second, then away again as my headache flared up.

I pressed harder into the pressure point Asphodene had mentioned, but the thudding pain was relentless. Akeno wasn't making this any easier, her presence overwhelming, and her questions—each one more grating than the last—turning my headache into a full-blown migraine.

"You're more than just human, aren't you?" she purred, her face closer now, her violet eyes locked on mine. "You have wings, but they're not angelic, I can feel that they hold no holy power. So what are they? What are you, really?"

Her voice was smooth, almost hypnotic, as she hovered over me, her chest nearly grazing me as she leaned in, amplifying my already frayed nerves.

"Akeno... enough," I muttered, trying to keep my voice steady, but the frustration leaked through. I closed my eyes, hoping she would take the hint and back off. She didn't.

"And your wings... Where did they come from? What else are you hiding? Come on, you can tell me~"

She was too close. Her words, her presence, the headache—it was all too much.

"Enough!" I snapped, louder than I meant, sitting up abruptly. The sudden movement made the pounding in my head even worse. Akeno blinked, momentarily taken aback, but quickly composed herself, the amused smile faltering for just a second.

"I didn't mean to—" she started apologetically, but I cut her off.

"No," I interrupted, standing up, my wings popping out as I got ready to leave, "You've been completely ignoring what I've said numerous times, I have a full-on migraine, my house is in pieces, my ears still ring from this morning and you are way to loud right now. Yes, I have wings. You know that much already. But I'm telling you now—leave me alone."

For the first time, Akeno seemed unsure. Her smile faded completely, and she looked at me like she hadn't expected this reaction. But I wasn't waiting for her to say anything else.

I unfurled my wings, feeling the familiar weight, and launched into the air. The cool wind hit my face as I ascended, but it did little to ease the pounding in my skull. As I flew away from the rooftop and from her endless questions, I exhaled a long breath, trying to push the frustration and discomfort aside.

They knew too much already, and I doubted this was the end. But for now, I was done.

Flying away, I could only feel two things, rage, and frustration. Rage at MY HOUSE being destroyed, Rage at everyone BEING SO LOUD, it seemed as everything around me had become 'MORE' when I woke up this morning. Louder, brighter, sharper, smellier, nothing was at a level I was used too.

Frustration at myself, for getting caught, for not making my town layouts like I normally would to keep the folk happy, I've been too busy trying to blend in and play mouse to stay under the radar to notice my people's unhappiness, I am the leader, mayor, king, or chief… whatever they want to call it of my world. And its my duty to take care of them but I fucked up and got my house blown up…

A fog had come over my mind it seemed, and I had only just started to realise my fuck-ups. And right now, I really need something to take this anger out on.

Landing in the alley beside my house to keep out of sight, I slipped inside to go fight a battle I had put off for long enough

That fucking Eyeball will never see what hit it.

Stepping through the portal, "Rough day?" Seth's voice greeted me before I even had time to see him. He was leaning against the wall, arms crossed, with that same stupid grin plastered on his face.

I shot him a look, not in the mood to deal with his snark right now. "Not now, Seth," I muttered, heading straight for my storage system. I started rummaging through my stuff, ignoring the fact that he was still watching me with a gleam in his eye.

"Oh, come on. Not even a hello?" he teased, his grin widening. "I know you're pissed, but it's not like I blew up your house."

I clenched my jaw, pulling out the 'Suspicious Looking Eye'. The weight of it in my hand felt grounding, like the promise of a fight was the only thing that could ease this headache.

Seth raised an eyebrow. "You sure you wanna do that right now? Seems like your day's already been bad enough. Fighting a giant eyeball's probably not gonna help."

I shoved the summon into my pocket. "I need to hit something."

"Fair enough," he said, chuckling softly. "Just try not to lose. I'd hate to have to pick up your stuff. Again."

"I'm not gonna lose," I shot back, more for myself than anything. I wasn't sure I believed it, but I needed to.

"Right, right. Well, I'll be here if you do," Seth said with a wink, stretching like he had all the time in the world. "Good luck, boss. Don't get yourself killed this time."

I rolled my eyes and headed for the desert. No more talking. My blood felt like it was boiling at this point, and I had a score to settle.

The wind whipped through the open desert as I stepped onto the platform. The heat didn't bother me. It was irrelevant. My entire body felt like it was thrumming with energy, every muscle coiled and ready. I didn't need a plan. I didn't need to think. All I needed was the weight of my blade and the Eye of Cthulhu in front of me.

I gripped the 'Suspicious Looking Eye' tight, lifting it into the air without a second thought. The familiar pulse of its energy surged through me as the sky darkened and the wind picked up. The Eye appeared with a screech, its grotesque form hovering over me, twitching erratically.

This time, I wasn't afraid. I was ready.

The first charge came fast, but my body moved on its own, leaping to the next platform as the Eye shot past. I felt the wind of its charge, but I didn't stop. My Starfury blazed to life in my hand, and with a flick of my wrist, I sent a barrage of stars raining down on it. Each star struck with a satisfying thud, sending ripples through the Eye's grotesque form.

My feet hit the platform harder than expected, my knees buckling for a moment as I caught my breath. I gripped the Starfury tightly, trying to shake off the sluggishness that clung to me. The Eye circled overhead, and I could feel its gaze on me, watching, waiting.

It lunged again—faster this time. I dodged, but it wasn't clean. The impact knocked me off balance, sending me skidding across the platform. My droid summons whirred around me, trying to keep the Servants of Cthulhu at bay, but the Eye was relentless.

My body ached, every muscle screaming in protest, but I wasn't backing down. I swung the Starfury, calling down a barrage of stars. The glowing projectiles slammed into the Eye, but it barely slowed. It charged again, the force of its attack rattling the platform as I barely dodged.

This isn't going well.

The servants swarmed, the Eye's speed picking up, and for a moment, doubt crept in. I couldn't keep up. Not like this. But then something shifted.

The fire in my chest burned hotter. My breath came quicker, and though my muscles ached, I felt stronger. I tightened my grip on the Starfury, and when the Eye charged again, I met it with a brutal swing. Stars rained down from above, hitting their mark. This time, the impact felt... different. Stronger.

The Eye screeched, pulling back, but I didn't let up. I activated the Aegis Driver, sending a blast of energy straight into its pupil. The recoil shook my arm, but the pain felt distant now. All I could feel was the heat in my blood, the rush of power flooding through me.

I leaped to the next platform, dodging another attack. My droid summons were doing their job, cutting down the servants before they could swarm me. The Eye was hovering again, circling, but I wasn't the same as I'd been at the start of the fight. I felt faster, sharper.

With a flick of my wrist, I sent another barrage of stars crashing into the Eye. The force of each hit sent ripples through its form, and I could feel the tide of the fight shifting. My body moved before my mind could catch up, my muscles responding to the rhythm of the battle. The doubt from before? Gone.

I froze, watching as the Eye began to tear itself apart. The membrane that held its form cracked open with a sickening rip, blood and sinew dripping as the creature's pupil dissolved, revealing rows of jagged, grotesque teeth.

Its entire body became a monstrous mouth, filled with layers of razor-sharp teeth. The air itself seemed to warp around it as it lunged toward me, faster and more vicious than before. The ground beneath my feet trembled as it roared, the sound vibrating in my chest.

I grinned without realizing it.

The Eye charged again, but this time, I was ready. I dodged, my movements smoother, more precise. The fire in my chest burned hotter, the primal energy pushing me forward. I swung the Starfury again, sending another volley of stars crashing into the Eye. Each hit landed harder, the momentum of the battle swinging in my favor.

The servants swarmed again, but my droid summons tore through them, leaving me free to focus on the Eye. It screeched, its movements becoming more erratic, but I wasn't slowing down. I could feel the heat in my blood rising, the thrill of the fight growing stronger with every swing.

I leaped to another platform, my Starfury glowing as I rained down stars on the Eye. But it wasn't enough. The Eye darted toward me again, faster than before. I moved to dodge, but the attack caught me square in the chest, sending me crashing down hard onto the platform below. Pain shot through my body as I hit the ground, the wind knocked out of me.

Damn...

I struggled to push myself back up, but the Eye was relentless. It was already diving in for another attack, and I was barely on my feet. I gritted my teeth, raising my Starfury to block the strike, but it wasn't enough. The impact sent me stumbling back again, the force rattling my bones.

The servants were closing in, and I knew I couldn't take another hit like that. My muscles screamed, my breath came in ragged gasps, and the heat in my chest was starting to burn out. But even as I stood there, beaten, and exhausted, something clicked.

With a grunt of effort, I reached into my inventory and swapped to my mage loadout. My armor shifted, the clam-shaped helmet opened up into a hood as the familiar weight of my Aegis Driver settled into my hand. The blade ignited, the flames licking across its edge as I steadied myself. I could feel its power building, the familiar tug of it, like a bomb waiting to go off.

The Eye screeched, charging at me again, but this time, I wasn't running. I hurled the Aegis Driver forward, watching as the flaming blade spun through the air. It slammed into the Eye with a fiery explosion, the force sending shockwaves across the platform. The Aegis Driver shot back to my hand, ready for more.

I was breathing heavily, but the fire in my chest was strong, burning hotter then ever. I raised the Aegis Driver again, feeling the power surge as I charged it. The flames roared brighter, hotter, as the energy built up within the blade. I could feel the heat radiating from it, the promise of destruction just waiting to be unleashed.

The Eye lunged, its grotesque form closing in, but I was ready. I hurled the Aegis Driver once more, this time charged past its normal limits, the flames flickering blue. The blade spun through the air, trailing flames, and as it made contact, the explosion was massive—an inferno that lit up the entire area. The Eye of Cthulhu screeched one final time, its form disintegrating in the blaze, leaving nothing but dust, sand, and its delightful loot.

I sat there, panting, the Aegis Driver returning to my hand, its flames flickering as the energy died down. My body ached, every muscle trembling with exhaustion, but a grin tugged at the corners of my mouth.

The fire inside me was finally starting to cool. The rage and frustration that had fueled me during the fight seemed to evaporate, leaving behind an eerie calm. The headache that had been pounding in my skull all day was still there, but it was faint now—a dull throb in the background.

The silence of the desert settled around me, broken only by the faint hum of my droid summons hovering nearby. My breaths came in slow, heavy bursts as I looked around at the aftermath—the charred remains of the Eye of Cthulhu scattered across the arena, its loot glinting in the sand like jewels.

"That... was sick as fuck."

Asphodene's voice cut through the quiet, excitement laced with worry. Her presence was a faint buzz in the back of my mind, her energy pulsing through the mental connection.

"You really went all out, didn't you? I mean, I'm not gonna lie, it was awesome to watch, but... are you okay? You kinda threw yourself into that one."

I chuckled, wincing as my chest protested. "Yeah, I guess I did." The exhaustion hit harder now that the adrenaline was fading, but despite it all, I felt... good. Better than I had in days.

"You didn't hold back at all," she continued, her voice quieter now, more serious. "You've been running on rage all day, and then you just... snapped. I was worried you'd push yourself too far."

I didn't have an answer for her. She was right. I had thrown myself into that fight without thinking, letting the rage and frustration from earlier fuel me. But now that it was over, now that the Eye was gone, I felt... alive.

"That... was incredible," I muttered, almost to myself. My body hummed with energy, a strange mix of exhaustion and exhilaration. For the first time in a while, I felt stronger, sharper.

Asphodene paused, her presence quieter now. "You... enjoyed it, didn't you?"

I frowned, rubbing the back of my neck. "What are you talking about?"

"You felt alive," she repeated, and I could feel her curiosity mix with that familiar teasing edge. "You weren't just fighting, you were... thriving. I could feel it, through the connection. You liked it."

I opened my mouth to protest, but... she wasn't wrong. That battle, the thrill of it, the rush of adrenaline, the surge of power... it had felt good. More than good. I had enjoyed it in a way I hadn't expected.

But before I could respond, she pressed on. "I get it. It's like... you tapped into something. You've been running from everything lately, holding back. But there? During that fight? You let it all out."

"Maybe," I muttered, shifting uncomfortably. "But I didn't think. I just acted."

"That's exactly what worries me," she replied, her voice tinged with concern again. "Acting on impulse, letting your emotions drive you... that's dangerous, Cale. Especially when you've got so much power."

I fell silent, turning my gaze to the scattered remains of the Eye of Cthulhu. She wasn't wrong. I had acted purely on instinct, driven by the anger and frustration that had been gnawing at me all day. And I'd enjoyed it.

Too much.

"I'll be fine," I said after a moment, my voice quieter now, more subdued. "I just... needed to burn off some steam."

"Just promise me you'll take it easy for a while, okay?" she asked, her tone softening again. "I know you're strong, but even you have limits."

I nodded, knowing she couldn't see me, but feeling her presence through the connection. "Yeah... I will."

Silence fell between us, and I took a moment to gather up the loot from the battle. The coins, the fragments of the Eye—it all felt like mine. Every last piece. I packed it away, but even as I did, I couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted inside me. That battle had awoken something in me, something I couldn't quite name.

Asphodene's voice broke through again, but this time it was softer, almost hesitant. "It was still sick as fuck to watch though. You've gotta admit that."

I couldn't help but smile, despite myself. "Yeah... it was."

I took a deep breath, my body finally relaxing as the last remnants of adrenaline faded away. For the first time all day, I felt… normal. Or as close to normal as I could get. The exhaustion was still there, the aches and pains settling into my muscles, but it wasn't the overwhelming fatigue I had felt before. This was different. It felt... earned.

The desert air was cool now, the sun dipping low on the horizon, casting long shadows across the sand. I sat down, letting myself breathe, enjoying the stillness. No more raging thoughts, no more pounding headache. Just... peace.

I leaned back against the platform, eyes closed for a moment, savoring the calm that had finally come. Asphodene was quiet too, sensing that I needed this. Needed the silence.

After a while, I stood up, stretching my sore limbs before preparing to head back. I felt better—much better. That fight had done its job. It had burned off all the steam that had been building up inside me. But now? Now I just wanted to sleep.

The thought of going back to my ruined house made me grimace. It wasn't just the damage—it was the thought of dealing with it right now. That could wait. I had a small apartment in the other world, one that wasn't destroyed, and tonight... I was going to make good use of it.

But first, there was Seth.

I made my way back, the desert slowly giving way to the familiar sight of my home. Well, what was left of it. The walls were still blown out, debris scattered around, and standing in the middle of it all was Seth, arms crossed, watching me with that infuriating grin plastered on his face.

"Well, look who's back," he said as I approached, his voice light, teasing. "Decided to come home, huh?"

I rubbed the back of my neck, suddenly feeling guilty. "Yeah... about earlier. I'm sorry. I was... I wasn't in a good headspace."

Seth raised an eyebrow, his grin softening just a bit. "No kidding. You were ready to rip someone's head off. But hey, it's all good. You blow off some steam?"

I nodded, a small smile tugging at my lips. "Yeah. I did."

He chuckled, glancing around at the wreckage of my house. "So, gonna fix this mess anytime soon? Or are you just gonna leave it like this?"

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "I'll deal with it later. I've got a bed in the other world. I'm planning on crashing there tonight."

"Smart," Seth said with a smirk. But then his tone shifted, becoming more curious. "So... you still haven't realized, huh?"

I blinked, frowning. "Realized what?"

Seth tilted his head, watching me closely. "You really don't know?"

"Know what?" I asked, more confused than before. "What are you talking about?"

He shook his head, still smiling but there was something sharper in his eyes now. "The dragon blood, Cale. It's been waking up. That's why you've been so aggressive lately."

I froze, his words sinking in. Dragon blood? Aggressive? I stared at him, trying to piece it together. "What... what do you mean?"

Seth sighed, crossing his arms again. "You really didn't notice? Your draconic bloodline, it's been kicking in. That's what's been messing with you. That headache you had? The aggression? It's all tied to that. You've been running on enhanced instincts, and your senses... they've been dialed up. That explosion earlier? It hit you way harder because of it."

My mind raced, connecting the dots. The headache, the irritation, the sudden surge of power during the fight... it all made sense now. The dragon blood inside me, something I had nearly forgotten about, had been waking up. My senses had been bombarded all at once—no wonder I had been losing control.

Shit, I had completely forgotten I had asked for that… I thought, rubbing my temples. They pretty much glossed over it when they were explaining everything to me, and I've been so busy since then...

"Your senses got bombarded by that explosion, and your body's been trying to adjust ever since," Seth explained, his tone more serious now.

I let out a slow breath, feeling the weight of it all settle in. So that's why I've been feeling so off. That's why I've been snapping at everyone, why my senses felt like they were going haywire.

"I didn't even realize," I muttered, more to myself than to Seth. "I knew I had the bloodline, but I thought it was... I don't know, dormant or something."

Seth shrugged, his grin returning, but there was still a seriousness in his eyes. "That's the thing with dragon blood—ain't nothing about it stays dormant forever. You've been pushing yourself hard, dealing with all the crap happening in both worlds... something was bound to give."

I ran a hand through my hair, feeling the exhaustion creep back in now that the initial shock had passed. "So what now? What do I do about it?"

Seth raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean? You adapt, of course. You're stronger now, faster, more in tune with your instincts. You've just gotta learn to control it. Otherwise, it's gonna control you."

That last part stuck with me. Control it, or it controls me.

I clenched my fists, thinking back to the fight with the Eye, the way my body had moved on its own, driven by something deeper than thought. I had liked it. I had liked the power, the rush, the freedom of letting my instincts take over. But now... I was starting to realise it was stupid to let my instincts take over with no input from how I normally fight, had I been taking it more seriously I wouldn't have had so many close calls at the end.

"Look, I'm not saying you need to hide what's happening. Just... don't let it consume you. You've got a lot more power than you realize, and if you're not careful, it's gonna burn you out."

I nodded, the weight of his words settling in. Seth was right—I couldn't ignore this. The dragon blood was a part of me now, and if I didn't get control over it, I'd lose more than just my temper next time.

I sighed, glancing back at the wreckage of my house. "I'll deal with it tomorrow," I muttered, already feeling the exhaustion pulling at me again. "I need to sleep."

Seth clapped me on the shoulder, his usual playful smirk back in place. "Get some rest, boss. You're gonna need it."


Back on the roof – right as Cale left

Akeno stood still for a moment, watching as Cale disappeared into the sky, his wings carrying him further and further away. She let out a soft sigh, brushing off her skirt as the wind from his departure stirred her hair. He'd been more difficult to handle than expected. His outburst was still fresh in her mind, and it was clear he was hiding more than he let on.

Footsteps echoed behind her, and she turned to see Rias, Koneko, and Kiba stepping out from the stairwell. Rias's expression was curious but guarded, while Kiba and Koneko were more reserved, though equally intrigued.

"Akeno," Rias began, her voice steady, "what happened? Did you find out anything new?"

Akeno offered a small smile, though her usual playfulness was tempered. "Not as much as I'd hoped. He wasn't in the mood for talking." She glanced toward the horizon where Cale had flown off. "But he's definitely not just a normal human."

Kiba crossed his arms, his gaze thoughtful. "Did he say anything useful?"

Akeno shook her head. "Not really. He mentioned having a headache and then snapped when I asked too many questions. Whatever's going on with him, it's clear he didn't want to talk about it."

Rias raised an eyebrow, her interest piqued. "A headache?"

Akeno nodded. "Yes, but there's something else. His wings, Rias. White wings... but they're not angelic. There's not an ounce holy energy coming from them."

Rias's eyes widened slightly, processing the information. "No holy power? What do you think they are?"

Koneko spoke up quietly, her arms crossed. "Something's off about him. I noticed it before when I smelled him."

Kiba chimed in as well, his tone thoughtful. "If they're not angelic or demonic, what could they be?"

Akeno shook her head. "I'm not sure. He's strong, Rias, but I could tell he's not in full control of whatever power he has. It's like he was on edge the whole time."

Rias's brow furrowed, her arms crossing as she considered the situation. "He's hiding something... but if he's not human, angel, or devil, we need to know what he is."

Akeno nodded. "He wasn't aggressive at first. But when I pushed him too much, he snapped. It's not that he's dangerous, not normally anyway or he would have done something sooner, not this... but I think he could be, if provoked."

Rias glanced toward the sky where Cale had vanished, her eyes narrowing slightly in thought. "We'll need to keep a closer watch on him. If he's as powerful as you say, we can't afford to ignore him. He could become a threat without meaning to."

Kiba nodded in agreement, his expression serious. "I'll help keep an eye on him. We need to know what we're dealing with."

Koneko gave a slight nod as well, her gaze still fixed on the sky. "I'll watch him too."

Rias crossed her arms, still deep in thought. Her gaze lingering on the horizon, as if she could still see Cale flying off. "Agreed. But for now, we'll stay back and observe. We need more information before we can make any decisions."

Rias's gaze flickered contemplative though a small smile grew on her face. There was more to Cale than they realized, and she wasn't going to let something like this slip away.


Back to Cale – storage room

Cale stood in his storage room, rifling through his inventory. The loot from the Eye of Cthulhu lay in piles, waiting to be sorted, but something else caught his eye. A forgotten starter bag, still unopened since he arrived in this world.

How the hell did I forget about this?

He pulled it out, curiosity tugging at him. As the bag opened, a few potions and tools appeared in his hands—but then, something darker stirred.

A voice, old and filled with authority, whispered in his mind.

"The tombs of the Dragons stir. My eyes lift to see ancient dust dancing from high ledges. These grand wings… how long has it been since I was a hero worthy of their name?"

Cale froze. The voice resonated with power—deep, commanding, and heavy with the weight of ages past. The whisper continued, growing more haunting.

"It feels like centuries have passed, yet all I've done is blink. Look upon my works, as they are… Ruined. None would dare seek me out; tread my path. Naught awaits them in this cruel world."

Yharim...

The name drifted into his thoughts. The Godseeker, the Golden Heretic, the Tyrant King. A figure from Calamity's lore, responsible for much of the chaos that had preceded this world. Why was his voice coming through now?

The whisper faded, but before Cale could fully process it, another began, still Yharim's voice, but this time speaking of what Cale had faced.

"Given time, these gelatinous creatures absorb each other and slowly grow in both size and strength. Slimes are nearly mindless, but even they are capable of rudimentary knowledge, absorbing the essence of what they encounter."

Cale's mind flickered to his fight with the King Slime. It had seemed like a simple, mindless creature, but now Yharim spoke of its hidden potential.

The next whisper followed seamlessly, shifting to his encounter with the Desert Scourge. "Once, it was a majestic sea serpent, consuming only the smallest of life. But after Ilmeris was incinerated, it became familiar with the hunt, seeking greater prey. In the end, it was prey itself, for there is always a bigger fish in the sea."

Cale's stomach twisted. He had barely survived that fight.

Then, Yharim's voice shifted again, darker this time, addressing his most recent battle. "In ages past, heroes made names for themselves facing such monsters. Now they run rampant, born of vile influences left unchecked. The Eye of Cthulhu—slaying one merely paves the way for a dozen more. Surely, you don't think this will stop with one victory?"

Cale exhaled, feeling the weight of Yharim's words. This was more than just lore from a game—these were warnings. He stared down at the empty starter bag, feeling a chill run through him. Yharim was watching, guiding, and perhaps testing him.


That's Chapter 8 everyone! What do you think? I know some people want him to just leave the school, but A, he doesn't have any other way of keeping an actual identity in this world if he doesn't as it was with the stuff provided to him by the being that reincarnated him. B, its my story so I pick where it goes.

Sorry if that sounds rude but some commentors have recently been rather obnoxious about their opinions and don't understand that they aren't the ones writing this story. Hell I've taken the good comments and criticism to heart and improved on certain areas like with "Mirazh (ZeBaguetteFromFrance) (thanks btw)" reminding me that Yharim is the one whispering to the player the lore of the world. Its given me a great idea for Cale's path in the future and how things will continue forward.

Finally, chapter question time! Out of all the DxD characters and Terraria characters you know, which are your favourite?

Personally I like Koneko's blunt attitude in the beginning of the show, I find it funny. And from Terraria its probably a tie between the guide and the steampunker, the guide just has cool lore with how he is related to getting hardmode and the steampunker cause she sells the clentaminator… nuff said.