Birds flew out from the withered cobblestone path, making way for a pair of horses hastily clopping forward. The driver held the reins in one hand and a chunk of half-eaten bread in the other, wiping the crumbs from his wrinkled face as he stuffed his face with what remained of his breakfast. Brushing his hand across his tunic, he tugged at the reins as the horses slowed down to a stop, flicking their ears and stomping their hooves down. He hopped off the front seat and looped around the passenger cart, holding the door open and bowing his head in respect.

  A middle-aged man stepped down and breathed in deep, exhaling loudly as he reached out to shake the driver's hand.

  "Many thanks, Ordo." He smiled, pcing a silver coin in the old man's palm.

  His sky-blue eyes lit up when spotting the shimmering coin, his lips extending into a toothy smile. "Of course, Father. You know I do this dutifully, no need for payment."

  "Nonsense, keep it. I insist." The priest beamed, turning around and offering his hand as a lovely woman stepped out wearing a modest scapur dress, hugging her waist. Her auburn-colored hair hid behind the veil atop her head as she looked up and met the driver with a warm smile.

  "Buy thyself a second loaf of bread, Ordo." She encouraged him with a voice that could sing poetry. "The best days begin with a full belly."

  "Most gracious of you, Lady Lizabeth." He said with a humble bow.

  "May the Gods bring you good fortune and spoils." Said the priest.

  "Et tibit, Pater." Ordo nodded to them, wobbling with a crook to his step as he climbed back atop the front of his carriage.

  Both man and woman climbed the smooth stone steps of the church, its rge heavy doors pushed open with ease by the priest. They were met with members of the faith, the men decorated in robes of white silk while the nuns kept their hands to their front wearing matching brown dresses. It was a timely routine for the people of the city as families began to arrive shortly after, attending the morning prayers.

  The priest made his way to the front of the stage, getting things ready and signaling to one of the nuns to approach him. He set down a heavy book upon the wooden pulpit, fumbling through the pages as the timid woman came to his side within earshot.

  "Where is he?" He asked.

  She kept her hands together, bowing her head gently and whispering in a soft voice. "He has not yet arrived-"

  "He was supposed to be here. Did thou not search for him?" He asked in a stern voice.

  The nun licked her lips and swallowed, her voice quivering. "I-I did, Father. We have not heard from him since you sent him off st week."

  He frowned, his eyebrows curling into a gre as he kept his sight on the prayer book. "Bugger. What of the rations, did they arrive?"

  She shook her head nervously, shrinking back as his hand gripped the edge of the pulpit, his fingertips digging into the wood with an audible crunch. The nun gasped when a pair of hands held her arms to comfort her. Lizabeth stepped by her side, pcing her hand over his.

  "Perdilius, what troubles thee?" She approached him, trapping his palm between her soft hands.

  "It's..." He sighed, staring into her dark brown eyes as a sense of comfort washed over him. He patted her hand as his body softened, his calmness rewarded by the caring look she offered. "It's nothing, dear. Just a bit of tardiness that was not expected."

  She grinned and gave his hand a squeeze. "Bumps in the road, nothing more. We'll overcome; we always do."

  He nodded as she leaned in and pnted a kiss on his cheek, "It's time." She reminded him, gncing at the reflection of the sun pooling through the colored stained gss.

  He gestured for the nun to signal the morning prayers as the st remaining families stepped inside. Some greeted him with smiles and waves, but he saw through there tired faces and bagged eyes. The husbands and wives looked famished and every passing week there were fewer men that joined them. He felt his nerves tense up, followed by the morning bell signaling the start of their morning prayers.

  DONG!

  DONG!

  DONG!

  Each chime echoed across the empty city as hardly any sign of life was seen outdoors. A stray dog wandered down the road, sniffing around the homes and alleys in search of scraps.

  Perdilius took a sip of water, clearing his throat. "Through empty nests and silent nds, may our prayers sing to the skies above."

  "Tribution produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope." The crowd sang together in response.

  "Divinity! Forgiveness! Strength! These are the very core of our believes, let them guide us through the bckest night!" His voice echoed out, lifting his hands to give the people strength.

  "On the weight of our sins, through the blood of our kin."

  "We sing the songs of the most holy and profound." Perdilius excimed, gesturing to the crowd by lowering his hands. "Please, be seated."

  He continued on with the morning prayers, gncing up from his book and taking count of the number of people present. There were fewer than the week before, which filled his heart with dread. The city once showed promise of growth with a new generation of children entering adulthood and helping their fathers, starting their own families and expanding the popution. But as of te, widows and elderly grandparents brought the children they cared for, and pudgy faces and fat bellies became a faint reminder of the harvest they use to bring together.

  An hour had passed as the prayers came to an end; it was then that a starved man arose from his seat. "Father, what of this month's rations? We were promised extra rations this morning."

  He breathed in and leaned against the pulpit. "Today's rations are on their way."

  "They are not here yet?" He asked, raising his voice with fring eyes. "Father, our children grow hungrier each day."

  "I understand that-"

  "Our neighbors wish to return to their old homes." An older dy rose from her seat, clutching the hem of her dress. "I would be tempted to join them but what if my sons return? How would they find me?"

  "What of the Giants?" Cried out another voice. "They're not digging into our food, are they?"

  "No, worry not of them. They are a temporary presence, once the job is done they won't be needed here." He expined, patiently waiting for others to voice their concerns.

  "The jungle is creeping closer, and the fog with it."

  "People, please be at ease." Perdilius demanded, raising his hands. "These are trying times for us all, but were we not taught that dark times make stronger men? War is a tragic thing as well as costly. It demands our rations, our supplies, and yes, our sons. I have received word from the north that the battle is soon ending, which means we need only patience until our families are whole again. Now when I brought you here, I said this will be our sanctuary but not without sacrifice. We are this close to our discovery, we can not just abandon it now. Vasargo knows about this pce, he's desperate to get his hands on it but he will not succeed because the Gods are on our side. Lord Territh's armies protect us, if they send word for more food then we shall give it earnestly. The Gods will provide, our faith will be rewarded."

  The people shuffled restlessly but settled down in their seats. Perdilius rubbed his eyes, leaning forward as he spoke to them in a softer voice. "This is Havens Rock, and the tower is our fortress. The surrounding green may be a nuisance but we use its fog and wildlife to our advantage. Now the Giants are nearly finished and Lord Territh will be arriving in a fortnight. I will see to it that more rations are brought, and it is likely that he brings more food and supplies with him but rest assured, you are in good hands. Stay strong and have faith. Salvation will be here soon. Gods' blessings upon you."

  He waved them off as they dismissed themselves, exiting the church one by one. Some of the muttered their thoughts between themselves, sharing their woes and troubles. Lizabeth stood up and approached him, pcing a hand on his back.

  "The messenger never returned?" She asked to confirm. He nodded slowly, bringing a pained expression to her face. She stroked his back gently. "Worry not, Father. If we are to march through the valley of death, then may our prayers shield us from ill will."

  Perdilius grinned at the thought, shaking his head. "Yes, unfortunately neither of us possess that sort of magic."

  Her face turned serious as she leaned in to voice her thoughts in a whisper. "We never received word from the northern nds."

  "No, but the people need hope and so hope was what I gave them." He sighed, standing upright. "Faith gives us purpose and meaning, but our bodies are the tools gifted to us so that we may live to sing their songs. How are the orphans?"

  "Their curiosities are getting the better of them, though some prove to have potential." Lizabeth beamed with joy. "We're receiving some new children in a few weeks. Some of them are said to have magical gifts. You should come see them."

  "Sounds promising." He said in agreement, closing his book and tucking it under his arm. "That visit will have to wait. I need to see the progress we've made at the tower."

  Lizabeth sighed with a hint of annoyance. "That ancient fossil?"

  "It's why we are here." He reminded her as the pair headed toward the rge doors.

  "I suppose Hiddleston being swept and used as a training ground for Lord Territh's militia had nothing to do with it?"

  "It may have contributed just a touch." Perdilius chuckled, pcing a hand on her shoulder and looking into her eyes. "Be safe now, the borders may be watched but that does not guarantee safety from the outside. Any more attacks and we may need to send for a hunter."

  "Father Perdilius, it was you who said this city serves as a sanctuary to welcome any and all who believe in our faith." She argued with a knowing look in her eye. He braced himself, having heard the same message numerous times from her before. "Far be it for me to challenge your decision, but there must be some monsters that can coexist with us through peaceful terms."

  "Lizabeth, those people are driven by lecherous desires of the flesh. They ck humility and feel no shame with how freely they roam around naked, and then they seduce others for sport. Barbarous. Just a life of eating and sex, no culture or intelligence."

  "Come now, you speak of beast kin. What of those that do not have any beastly physical traits to them?"

  Perdilius paused in thought. "You mean the elves?"

  "Those aren't monster girls, Father. You know this!" She whined, stomping her foot down much to his amusement.

  "I know, I know. I just wish they would wake up from whatever false ideals they praise." He looked up as a carriage arrived waiting for him. "Please excuse me, I must get going."

  "We'll continue this back home then." She smirked, kissing his cheek before sending him off.

  Perdilius gazed out through the carriage window as they circled around the small settlement, climbing up the grassy slope where a rge tower loomed over the small town with its immense height. Its rocky texture was cracked with jagged lines coursing along its length, and the abundance of moss contributed to its withered appearance. Perdilius arrived around the base of the tower in time to greet with a horde of Giants, humanoid creatures with exaggerated features and size that made them double the size of the average human. The men sported this hunched slope on their backs, simir to a hunchback feature, but it was not a disfigurement but rather extra muscles to protect their blind spots. They were often seen as gentle creatures, but one would wish to avoid becoming their enemy.

  Perdilius stepped out and waved to them as the Giants buried their tools into the rock, carving through the caved in entrance of the building. He arrived in time for them to make their breakthrough, as four Giants huddled together and pulled in unison to pry off a rge sb of rock, revealing the gasping hole of entry as a cloud of dust erupted from it like a sudden sneeze.

  The priest watched with a proud look. "Excellent."

  Now the expedition may begin.

  As the Giants roared with victory, a lone cat kept itself tucked in the shadows beneath the carriage, spying on them with its sharp green eyes. Its ears dropped as it realized what just happened, and without wasting a second it scurried off, revealing its brown fur, slipping away seemingly unnoticed.

  In present time, Janette and Felix sat together listening to Vardare tell the story to them. The carriage swayed side to side like a boat in the water as they were crossing through a rocky trail. Vardare paused in thought, studying their reactions as both seemed like they had something in mind.

  "This is where this all began, in a small town surrounding a tower?" Felix was the first to break silence. "And I take it this is the same tower that Dimyri mentioned when they were warned to steer clear from?"

  Vardare wiggled his little curved beak, still adjusting to his presence resembling an owl. He kept his feathery wings pressed to his side, it helped him keep warm to combat the dropping temperature outdoors.

  Janette rubbed her hands together, her breath appearing as little clouds of condensation due to winter's arrival. She kept several bnkets wrapped around them for warmth, but even than she found herself cuddling against Felix to keep her teeth from chattering.

  "G-Gods, if we don't get a fire started soon, I'm going to f-f-freeze my butt off." She muttered, tucking the edge of the bnket over her mouth and closing her eyes. "My questions can wait for now; I'm reaching my limits here. Why couldn't Nihja and Alphonse provide us a carriage with some gss windows to keep the cold air out?"

  Felix kept his arm around her and even held her hands to keep her warm. She looked up at him with wide eyes, his hands felt cold and yet he barely shook. "How the hells do you keep composed?"

  "Huh?"

  "We're both freezing and yet I'm the only one feeling the cold. Why is that?"

  He blinked before understanding her question. "Oh, I'm cold too. I don't know, I guess I'm more use to it."

  "How!?" She cried out in disbelief.

  He shrugged casually. "When you grow up in a cage, you adapt to the cold until you can't recognize what's warm anymore."

  She stared back before burying her head into the bnket. Felix poked his head out through the door, staring up ahead. "Hey, Reta! Nyitzcha! Let's make camp and start a fire, Janette is freezing up here!"

  At the front seat stood both Reta and Nyitzcha covered in heavy furs. They waved back in agreement, with the dwarf turning the horses away from the path and finding a small patch beneath some pine trees. Once the carriage settled, Felix hopped off and grabbed a few apples from their food rations, offering them as a treat for the mares to munch on. He brushed their fur and felt a sense of comfort watching them eat, reminding him of the farm he cared for. These horses carried much thicker coats of fur around them, making them well suited for the winter.

  "I see you're managing with one arm now." Reta commented, stepping to his side. "You were fussing like an infant for the first few days."

  "You try and manage living with one arm, see how you like it."

  "I have," She stared into his eyes with a fierce look of confidence. "I was trained to defend myself with and without my hands if the need arises."

  "Is that why you were helpless when we had you chained the night we first met?" He sneered.

  She frowned, then her crossed look turned into a subtle look of admiration. "A fair point, I was not the best student after all."

  "I thought you would have punched me for that." He blinked, cursing himself in his mind for egging her on and poking the bear. But to his surprise, she chuckled in response and even swiped the spare apple away from him.

  She bit into it while keeping her eyes locked onto his, then smiled. "We can do plenty of that in training. It's my turn to gather dry wood to get a fire going. Rest now, see to it that the woman stays warm. We need her alive unless you wish to tell her feline friend the bad news."

  She brushed past him as he turned to see the little dwarf busying herself with setting up tent for them. He breathed into his hands and rubbed them against his nose, feeling it cold and wet. As he dug into their packs to retrieve a few extra bnkets, Nyitzcha snuck around and gave him a tug at his leg.

  "Oi, got di tent all set up good t'go." She muttered, staring up at him with those rge eyes of hers. It was all he could see as she was masked up with a tight cloth with a heavy hood hiding her orange hair. From a distance, she looked like a child moving in a stiff manner with the amount of clothes she wore. "Gut some news for ya doh."

  "Is something the matter?" He asked, securing the rest of their belongings with a tight rope.

  "Yea, winter is here. At this rate, I reckon it'll be snowing in soon. We can rest now but if we dun hurry, snowfall will muddy up de tracks and hinder our movement."

  He exhaled. "What do you suggest?"

  "We sleep in fer now, but come sunrise we gotta keep moving without stops. No more stretching de legs round 'ere, and no more piss breaks."

  Felix nodded in agreement, walking back around the carriage and tucking Janette in with her fourth bnket.

  Once nightfall settled in, the four of them huddled around the small campfire with two tents to share. Felix y back in his sleeping cot, gazing upwards and listening to the faint howls of the wind.

  "Felix?" Janette asked him. "How would we know where to find this Alma person?"

  "Just look for any cat girls we find, I guess." He joked, "Just be cautious if they have colrs on."

  "I'm sorry about your friend. She seemed... well, it looked like you two knew each other for some time."

  "She was a close friend, I lost track of her when we escaped. Heck, I didn't know if she had escaped or not. She seemed to find a family of her own, and she was happy." He said.

  "Do you know we had met before?"

  He turned to face her. "What?"

  "At Farmer's Den. You were wandering around and glossed over my selection. All you seemed interested in was apples." She chuckled while deep in thought. "I thought it funny but gave you a small basket. You paid in coin and that was that."

  "When was this?" He asked.

  "Pfff, a few months ago perhaps? The memory is faint, but it did happen. We were just strangers then, living our own lives with nothing to do with each other." She shifted to lean on her side and lock eyes with him. "You had this ritual where you would visit Farmer's Den every few weeks and purchase the same stock before leaving. I knew the people around there, and you seemed like a local with how common your arrival became, but you never spoke out. Always keeping to yourself. What changed?"

  "I-" Felix stuttered before failing to respond, smacking his lips and sighing. "Meeting people... talking to people, it's easy for some but I found it easier to keep to myself. It was safe, it was... comfortable."

  "You never found it to be lonely?" She asked.

  He ughed. "I had the farm animals and Augustes to keep me company. But... you know something? I used to go to sleep every night alone. I didn't need anyone then, and I figured I could live my life in that manner. It wasn't until KuliKuli came that... that I then met you and Reta. That was when life turned stressful."

  Janette scoffed. "Sorry to be a bother."

  "You weren't, I spoke out of line. I meant to say that I found a comfort living alone. She just... turned everything around for me, I guess."

  "Funny." Janette smiled, leaning around to y on her backside. "I got around knowing everyone nearby, but I never invested much of my life into them the same way as I would with a friend. All this for a monster girl? But Gods forbid we mention this to anyone or we would be hung for speaking of monster girls in a positive light."

  Felix breathed out and shuffled to his side, reminiscing of the life he's had since meeting KuliKuli several months ago. "Rest up, Jay. We've got a long road ahead of us."

  She nodded and wished him a good night's rest, turning her back to him with her bnkets wrapped firmly around her. He did the same, ying patiently until his eyes began to feel heavy, and only then was he able to get some sleep.

  Sylver