Continue the meeting.

You feel a chill in the pit of your stomach, though even more prevalent is the overwhelming sensation of conflicting emotions coming from Niki behind you. You hear her short, loud inhale, followed by nothing as she holds her breath, staring at what's before her without a clue of how to react. For once, she doesn't short, nor does she speak first.

The dark cloak hits the ground. Standing there is a sunheart, which you expected. However, it's one you've met before. He looks different now--far more muscle on his body, prouder stance, confident eyes--though you can tell he's the same. The boy who stands at William's right hand is Hedi of Clan Vakila.

His hair is short and messy--windswept, even with the breeze having settled. Around his upper torso is a black fabric you don't recognize. It shines, and it looks hardier than cloth, though thinner than any armour you've seen. Below an uncovered stomach are tight-fitting pants decorated with a pattern of silver lines swirling up his legs. He also has a tattoo he didn't have the last time you spoke, and though you don't know for sure, you've become more than intimate enough with Niki's markings to be able to spot someone who has undergone the Rite of the Sun.

It's over his right triceps, down to his elbow.

Now that you can see his face proper, his gaze isn't cold or piercing, but looks back to your party with concern. His brows raise, and he takes a step forward with lips that part far before words escape. "... Niki, I--" He swallows hard. "I was meaning to tell you, but it's a long story. But look!" Suddenly, his expression shifts to one of excitement. He grabs his marked arm and squeezes the muscle. "I've gotten so much stronger. One day I'll catch up to you, sister."

Niki sprints past everybody, ignores William, and grabs her brother so hard everybody around grows concerned he might pop in half. She lifts him from the ground and the two of them spin for a moment before she finally places him back down.

"Brother!" she shouts. "Hedi! What the hell are you doing working under this guy? Kyle is so much cooler."

He stumbles around for a moment before findings his bearings. "Like I said, it's a long story, but hey. William is cool too. You don't know him like I do. We've been doing some really cool--"

She grabs him by the shoulders and presses her forehead against his, staring into his eyes. "I'm trying to see if he's being mind controlled."

"He's not," William says. "You have my word."

Hedi smacks his chest. "I'm me, Niki. I swear."

Jika looks to William from beneath her hood. "Demon King. Remember to speak with him about the plan."

"He's not gonna forget!" Trin shouts. "Do you think he's stupid or something?"

"Of course not. I just didn't expect us to be giving out so much unnecessary information."

"Hey, William," the bunnyfolk speaks up. She points towards the walls in the distance. "I think there's a dwarf way over there staring me down. Can I go fight him?"

"Absolutely not," he replies.

"Pleeaase?"

"If you're that bored, you can occupy yourself with push-ups."

"All right!" With a bright smile, she drops to the ground, places her hands flat on the road, and begins lowering her fit, voluptuous, body down against the ground. But instead of ordinary push-ups, she suddenly pulls in her legs, and then leaps up to her feet with a mighty bounce. She continues to do burpees in the background, which given her body and manner of dress, is a little distracting for such an important meeting.

So Storm has been Hedi this entire time? And he trusts William enough to work under him. These girls do too. Still, he makes me uncomfortable. And yeah, I did thwart his schemes, but they were messed up. That's on him.

"What was that about a plan?" you ask.

"A common enemy again," William explains. "No, I wasn't just coming here to lecture you about destroying my dungeons. There's something more important than that. A dangerous creature. But this time, I'm coming to ask you for help. Though he has no army, I'd argue he could be considered as detrimental to the world as Elok Daven if left unchecked."

"All right. Who is it this time?"

"This man, or perhaps I should say monster, has already slain Guerr the Mountainbreaker and Stormqueen Tepilli. He's no mortal. He's at the same level of demigod as those he's murdered. Through history, he's been called many names. God-Slayer. Hunter of Souls. The Knight of the Apocalypse. That last one might be a bit much, though if he wasn't stopped the last time, ages ago, it may have happened. From what I've learned, his true name is Xavex the Evolving. The more he kills, the stronger he becomes, with his target always being the most powerful being he can handle. Of his titles, Hunter does make the most sense. He observes, he prepares, and then," William snaps his fingers. "You're dead."

The Hunter of Souls. So he knows about him too. I better put all my cards on the table, but he's right. This Xavex might be coming for one of us next. I'm already housing a few different demigods to keep them safe from his next attack. If William knows anything, maybe we can strike first.

"You know a bit about this already," he suddenly says.

"I do. So maybe we should pool our knowledge. Take out his monster before things get out of hand."

"Precisely. I don't have to be your opponent, Kyle. There are bigger, scarier fish to fry. Once this villain has fallen, I'll leave you to your business again, and you leave me to mine."

"That's fine. But I'm not going to avoid travelling to other cities just because my existence there makes you feel threatened. I went to see more of the world. Nothing more."

"I've been thinking much about that during this conversation. I think the conclusion I reached it that, while you were present, nothing you did was to specifically target me, and therefore, my plans were flimsy. Collapsed too easily. I have a lot I need to improve on, and you've shown me that. And--" He stops. There's a faint buzzing noise coming from his right hand.

He withdraws his thumb and little finger, both with thin matching rings, and holds them up to the side of his head like a phone. It seems a voice is coming from the one at his thumb, though you can't make out any words from where you stand. It doesn't sound any more intelligible than the buzzing of a fly. "I'm not sure that's wise," he says in response to it. Then after pause he replies again. "I understand, but we really don't need to antagonize our allies after all we just discussed."

Niki, who is still standing rather protectively next to her brother, watches with interest. "Who is he talking to?" she asks.

"They're these cool magic rings," Hedi explains. "The one with the matching pair can hear him, and talk back."

"Oh. We have something kinda like that too."

Eva grabs your arm to steal your attention. "Psst. Kyle. How much are we trusting this guy?"

William to speak quietly in the background. "I know you say that, but I believe it will antagonize them regardless."

"As much as before," you reply. "But he's not an immediate threat I don't think. Niki's brother trusts him enough, and he's right about one thing. We do need to stop that Hunter of Souls."

Amara nods. "What is most important, is that we protect the people."

Nyllia places her gauntlet on your shoulder. "Truthfully, I do not feel comfortable about much of what I have heard. However, what Amara said is true. If with his help we can keep the world safe from Xavex the Evolving, we should take that opportunity. But if he tries anything, I will be here as your sword, Kyle. Just give the word."

William stows his hand away once again. He looks to his party and says, "Hedi. You can visit your sister again soon, but for now, we need to make preparations to leave."

"Already?" Hedi asks. "Is something wrong?"

"Not exactly. It isn't so much what I was told just now, but what's likely about to happen."

"Sorry, sister," Hedi says with a playful punch to his sister's arm. It does nothing. "I'll come back as quickly as I can. I mean, if we're working together, I'm sure I'll see you soon."

"All right. Fine. But when that happens, you better show me what you've learned." Reluctantly, she begins stepping back towards her party. "You can hit me as hard as you can."

You look to William. "Who were you talking to just now?"

"Whatever happens next, just think before you act."

There's a sudden burst of light to your left, between both parties and at the edge of the road. It dissipates quickly, and leaves beyond a feminine figure standing calmly with hands behind her back. You recognize her face the moment it appears. She wears the same lab coat, the same pencil skirt, and has her hair done up in the same pigtails as before. Around her right hand's little finger and thumb are the same rings William was speaking through.

It's Breiah--sister of Vivilia, brains behind Elok Daven, and your own personal kidnapper.