And afterwards; limp.

This is embarrassing...

Being led out the door of the Runacathy by a girl less than a full head and shoulders shorter than you is a terrible experience for a supposed "Monster." Once out on the street, we tried to make our way up toward the meeting place of our group and Mortigan... all the way at the top of town. I collapse to my hands and feet barely a few meters uphill, with Zana worrying all the while.

"Maybe we should stay at the Runacathy? I'm sure Miss Mortigan will come down to see you." She said.

I didn't answer, instead pulling myself up, and continuing to walk.

If I'm on her list, then I have to be worth her time; even like this...

I turn the corner into an alley, beginning to speak.

I never did get to use this for anything more than a scare tactic.

"Enter now, my domain."

"Come, and soon remain."

"Enter; Oldest House."

"Stay. Die. Little Mouse."

"In woods; Eldest Elm."

"Enter! Shadow Realm!"

The shadows of the alleyway engulf me like a cold, wet blanket as I finish the Incantation; a faint humming of Vibrosis returning, but nothing debilitating. Once fully enveloped in darkness, walk back to the edge of the alley.

"Y-you dumbie! You can't be casting things after what just happened!" Yells Zana; the loudest I've ever seen her get.

I push past her worry, saying. "Zana, I need you to fly up toward the top of town on your rifle. I'll be just behind you."

"I... You... What?"

...

Zana flies over the buildings on her Boomstick, making the trip actually manageable for us as I follow underneath; inside the shadow she created. The effects of Shadow Realm were strange at first; being within the very shade cast by the objects and people around me, but eventually I acclimated to the sensation of it all. By being inside Zana's shadow, I was being dragged along like a cart behind a horse; a much easier option for my current wreck of a body.

I wonder what happens if I try to eat the shadow while I'm in it? Probably not a good idea...

Finally, Zana makes touch down just outside the meeting place for Mortigan and the others; an old library, none other than the one Captain Thrusk had recommended to me. Mortigan has been the one to select it as the place to see us; and to dump her little oddity off with us... Either way, once I pulled myself up from Zana's shadow, I cast off the Shadow Realm; the slight humming in my body having subsided for now.

As we enter, I hear the familiar voice of Mortigan, off behind several bookshelves; near the center of the building. "The Treasure. Odd name for a library, don't you think?"

"Nonsense. Knowledge is always valuable." Says Cilla.

"Yep, totally the tsundere of the group."

That voice, however, is new. A young man's voice; cocky, yet bland, and average. The kind of voice you'd expect from someone named "John Smith."

And what in the hells is a tsundere?

Zana and I make our way over, with only a few stumbles from my fatigue. There, I see my whole party, as well as Mortigan, as well as the elf she had shown me in my dream; the other earthling, named Klyde. He seemed bored; acting as though this entire meeting was a waste of time.

"Monster!" Says Ashes, smiling. "You're up! That's... unexpected."

Zana quickly goes to sit by Ashes, who had apparently been saving her a seat this whole time.

Klyde, seeing me, suddenly looks to Mortigan. "And whose he, Mortsie? Is he..."

"Call me that one more time, and I'll cut off your arms... again." She hisses back; she seems far more tired than last time. "And yes. That's the other one from your Earth."

"Finally! Someone who'll know what I'm saying!"

I take a seat by Cilla, saying. "About that... I have amnesia."

"Jesus. Fucking. Christ! Can I get a break!" Yells Kylde, slamming his head on the table in defeat. "Mortigan... do I really have to guard this Gabriella chick? She seems like she's got enough of a gang."

Remembering that name from my dreams, I ask. "...Who's Jesus?"

"Oh my god..."

Mortigan seems to be within a hairs breadth of just summoning her scythe and cutting Kylde into pieces when she answers. "You wanted an adventure; a quest, even. What's more quest-y than helping a fair maiden?"

"Killing a dragon?"

"Hey. I'm sitting right here."

"Oh..."

Mortigan, however, seems to light up slighty. Looking towards the gem at the top of Gabriella's staff; winking with a kiss.

"Hey, Lord Ariel... you've been awfully quiet." She says in a seductive tone. "Why don't you come out and say a few words to the man I've found to protect your sweet sister..."

The Alma does nothing.

"I'll get your cute little ass sooner or later..." She mutters under her breath; so quiet are her words that even I barely heard them.

Straightening back up, Mortigan stands, looking to me with a mix of intrigue, and worry.

"So, before all of you have any sort of vote on the matter of sweet little Kylde here joining your band of misfits... Monster. We have matters to discuss; privately."