8 Part 7

I shook my head a little bit, trying to forget the monstrous dream I had. To pass the time, I checked out the Geissele MLOK rail on my HK416 carbine rifle. Making sure the attachments on it are tight so it won't fall off like the grip on it and the PEQ-15 on top. All seems to be working which is great. Especially my standard M9 pistol.

For my vest, I made sure the ceramic plate in the plate carrier is there and is strong and reliable. This also includes the side plates and backplate. Once that's done, I checked the magazine pouches in-front and on the sides and they're all filled with loaded magazines. I checked my medical gear, my tourniquet, bandages, etc. My grenades and flashbangs were still there. The flashbangs were called a Nine-banger meaning they can flash nine times.

I lifted the armor and spun it around to check the back and checked my buddy aid medical kit on the back. More Nine-bangers and frags in additional pouches and two more 5.56 pouches.

After checking my gear again, my eyelids were starting to get heavy again and my head was screaming at me to sleep so I did. I laid my head on the table, with both my arms underneath acting as pillows, and drifted to sleep.

I immediately woke up to the sound of Trace yelling. "ACCCK! What is she doing in my bed?! What have we done?"

I sat upright, feeling annoying that my perfect sleep was cut short by Trace yelling, and twisted my torso to turn back. "Trace, what's wrong? Are we under attack? Did something happen?" Flora asked.

"Yeah, why the hell are you screamin' in the fuckin' morning? You're going to wake everyone in the fuckin' building." I said, irritated.

"In bed... you... I... we didn't.. we couldn't have..." Trace mumbled.

"Yeah, we did! It was really nice!" Flora chirped.

"What?! You mean we..?!"

"Yup!"

Trace must've thought they fucked but when in reality they just slept. God, he makes me want to bash my head against the wall sometimes. "Calm down, Trace. Flora meant was she enjoyed spending the night in the same bed." I announced.

Trace released a sigh of relief and held his chest. "Oh, man... Don't ever scare me like that again! I think I'm gunna have a heart attack!"

"Why? All that Marcus said was that I enjoyed spending the night in the same bed. What did you think I was talking about?" Flora questioned.

"Er... nevermind. Heh, for someone who acts as you do. Surprisingly, you don't know what I mean."

"Hey! What do you mean by that? I'm a Keidran. All Keidran my age act like this."

"Well, that's not what I meant... But now that I think about it, how old are you, anyway?"

"Oh, I'm not really sure. I think I'm probably eleven by now."

Now I'm no biologist or animal expert but converting that to human years. Probably she's in her early-20 or 18. Something like that. I might be wrong, but I don't know.

"You're eleven years old?!" Trace yelled out of shock.

"What's wrong with that?" I asked, but Trace seemed unresponsive. Eyes widened and mouth left ajar. Flora noticed immediately and got closer to him. "Trace! Trace!!" Flora yelled but didn't get a reaction. "Trace Snap out of it!" Flora by accident slashed his face with her claws which brought Trace back but he was bleeding and on the ground. "Shit!" I said as I got off the chair and ran towards him.

"Oh, no! Trace! I'm so sorry! I forgot about my claws!" Flora said, shocked as she covered my mouth with her paws.

A few stitches later, I placed a cloth on his injured eye which was his left eye, and wrapped a bandage roll around it so it won't fall. And also, Flora explained that she's an adult in human years. "So Keidran don't live as long as humans?" Trace asked.

"Right. In Keidran years, I'm an adult. Honest!" She said.

"So, how long do Keidran live?"

"Wel... Er.. no time for that right now! We need to get packed and out of this human city!"

"Heh... You're going to be the death of us, Flora."

"Alright. But first, we're gonna need supplies for the long haul. I'm gonna gather whatever supplies we need down. You two stay here and try to keep it down, we don't wanna expose ourselves." I declared.

"Alright, Marcus," Flora said and I walked out of the room.

I headed downstairs and it seems the tavern is much more crowded now. Before it was empty and now it's filled with lift. People were sitting on tables eating or talking to each other. I stood out as I wore a Crye combat shirt with fucking Multicam camo and Crye combat pants with boots with an empty pistol holster strapped to my right thigh.

Once I got down, I noticed Keith leaning against the wall, reading a newspaper. He also must've noticed me because we made eye contact. "Oh, Uh.. You're Trace's follower, right? I didn't catch your name." He said.

"Marcus. And I'm not one of his followers. We just have common interests and are willing to help each other out."

"Oh, so where is he?"

"He's in a room with Flora. Is there anything you want? I could tell him whatever it is that you need."

So we both exchanged a conversation with each other and turns out he wants to travel with us again. Don't know how Trace will react but it's not up to me. So quickly after interacting with Keith, I gathered as much as I could from chow to water to gear and headed upstairs once again carrying a bag with me.

I reached our room door and swung it open, entering the room and closed it behind me. When I entered, I saw them waiting for me. Trace wearing a new attire consisting of a black shirt and brown pants and Flora had what looked like brushed her fur and fixed her hair. "You got everything?" Trace asked.

"Yeah, but uh... I just had a chat with Keith. Guy says he wants to travel with us again." I announced.

"Keith? The Basitin? B-But I was hoping we'd be traveling... um... just the three of us. Plus, he's mean!" Flora responded.

Trace then scratched the back of his head and turned to Flora. "Well, If we traveled with him to his people, then... We would... heh... have more time to be... together... if we went straight to Keidran territory, we... you know... wouldn't-"

"Yeah, you two wouldn't see each other," I added.

"Nya! Well then, let's get packing! Don't want to keep Keith waiting too long!" Flora said without hesitation.

"Okay. Let's move." I declared and walked over to Trace, giving him the bag of supplies. I then headed to the desk and wore my Multicam Kevlar armor, strapping it on tight. I took my M9 and slid it into the holster. I then grabbed my HK416 and wore the sling over my head and followed them out.

Once we were out of the Tavern, the sun was shining down with a couple of clouds scattered here and there. The ground was a bit wet from yesterday but not too much. Anyway, Trace had Flora dressed up with a white-ish gray hoodie with the Templar symbol, as what they call it. Must've been a step up from the ropes and shit but whatever. "Aw, why do I have to wear this?" Flora pouted.

"Because I feel more comfortable when you're wearing something. Besides, with that symbol, people know you're with me. Plus I think you look cute with it on." Trace responded.

"Really?" Flora asked and Trace responded with a nod and a smile.

"Well, Keith said to meet him in an hour. Dunno why he's takin' that long..." I mumbled.

"Well, what do you guys want to do?" Trace asked.

"Uh... Trace?" Flora replied.

"Hm?"

"I'm hungry..." She said as he placed both of her paws behind his shoulders.

"Eek! Um, okay, what do you want to eat?"

"Oh, anything! I'm starving, just look at me!"

Trace took off the backpack and dug his hand into it, trying to search for any food, and instantly grabbed what he was looking for. "Oh wait... I think... Yeah, here you go." He took out a piece of... bread and gave it to Flora. Bread... Fucking bread. I pinched the bridge of my nose and sighed quietly. "Uh... bread?" Flora asked out of confusion.

"Yeah. What's the matter?"

"Um, Trace. I think I need to explain to you more about Keidran."

"I'll do it," I said, turning my head to Trace and we made direct eye contact. "She's a tiger, yeah? Tigers are carnivores. So they only eat meat. That's what I learned about the food chain, but dunno much about Keidran."

Trace then turned his head back to Flora, while scratching his shoulder, I guess from embarrassment. "So, you're a carnivore?" Trace questioned.

"Well, I guess so. We only eat meat. When I was a slave, I got really sick once when they gave me some bread." She answered.

"That would make sense. Your stomachs aren't built for bread. It confuses the system." I added.

"I guess that's out then..." Trace uttered.

"Oh, but I know what I'd really like..." Flora said with a devilish grin. "Human flesh!" She then nibbled on Trace's arm out of nowhere catching him by surprise. It caught me by surprise too. "W-Well... I-I'm going to go... see what I can find." Trace said and walked off. "I'll go follow him. Make sure he doesn't blow stuff up by accident. Y-Yeah..." I said, catching up behind Trace.

So we managed to meet up with Keith who explained to us that he needed Trace to gain support from the rest of the humans for some political drama. In the midst of explaining, Flora came rushing, calling out for Trace and out of breath. "Trace!" She called.

"Eh, Flora?" Trace muttered as he turns his head to her.

"You good?" I asked.

"Stupid Keidran." Keith quietly commented.

Flora was seen, holding onto her knees, panting, and looking like she went to do a five-mile jog non-stop. "Flora? What's wrong? Did something happen to you?" Trace barraged her with questions.

I looked behind her and held my carbine rifle and switched the fire mode to semi-automatic, in case she was being tracked or followed by someone. "Huff... no, no! I just saw a friend of mine- another Keidran! I need your help! You're the only one who can get him out!" She explained. After realizing why she'd come, I lowered my HK416 and switched it back to safety.

"Trace, this is a really bad idea! One Keidran is bad enough, but two? There is no way I'm going to travel around two Keidran!" Keith declared. "Wait, Trace, Marcus, can I talk to you two in private," Keith said and we got together.

"Besides, if it's a male, then you know you'll never get any sleep at night with the noise they'll be making." He whispered which had me thinking.

"I mean, they're pretty similar to animals, from what I've seen at least," I said.

"What are you talking about? Flora would never-" Trace muttered but got interrupted abruptly by Keith.

"Oh, you and your Keidran! How long have you known Flora exactly? A week, maybe. Trust me. Keidran is more like animals than you think. They treat indecent activities as normal. If you get two together, they won't be able to control themselves. You won't like what happens. Now put your foot down and tell her!" Keith demanded and pushed Trace towards Flora. "Okay! Okay!" Trace said and maintained his posture in front of her.

"Flora, I'm sorry but..." I could see Flora giving Trace a look of sadness like she was on the verge of tears. "....you need to eat something before we set your fried free!" Keith just fainted onto the ground out of disbelief. I just chuckled. "Well, better put some earplugs in before you sleep," I commented.

So all four of us were walking back to where her friend was. I had a lot of doubt about this friend of hers. Just only because of what Keith mentioned, but other factors like are you sure he isn't a spy or a sleeper agent. Maybe he's working with the Templar and he's just giving them information about our whereabouts. All this stuff has been floating in my head along the way. "So who is this "friend" of yours, exactly?" Keith asked.

"Well, his name is Euchre, and I've known him since I was a kitten. He always seemed very cheerful, even as a slave. He helped me out, even- e-even when m-my masters locked me up and sold me. He was always there, even when my human friends betrayed me. He helped me escaped, and I learned never to trust another human again!"

We all went silent, and Keith, Trace, and I just leaned back and felt a wave of nervousness. There was silence for a moment until Flora pounced on Trace. "Trace!" She chirped happily.

So we finally reached where her friend is being held captive and I noticed her friend was some sort of Keidran wolf with white fur and grey-ish hair on his head. He had green eyes and eyeglasses and wore a green hoodie and brown pants. I could make out he was large, even when he was sitting. Both of them, the wolf and Flora started to speak in Keidran which I didn't understand and the wolf looked at every one of us. "What are you looking at, Keidran?" Keith interrogated but didn't get an answer.

"Trace, could you...?" Flora asked.

"Yeah, sure. I'll go talk to that guy up there and see what I can do."

"Thanks, Trace."

"Of course!"

And with that, Trace walked off to what I think is the guy who owns the cage. I walked up to the metal bars and ran my fingers on them. As I was inspecting the bar, I heard a scream behind beside the cart. All of us turned our heads and I've noticed it was Trace's voice. "What the hell?"

I held my HK416 up high and switched the fire mode to semi-auto ready to fire at any hostiles. Flora went ahead first and I followed right behind her, aiming my weapon besides her making sure I don't sweep my weapon on her. We turned the corner and saw Trace was being restrained mid-air by some sort of magical restrains by some dude with blonde hair, black robe with the Templar symbol on it. "Hey! Leave him alone!" Flora ordered.

"Aw, isn't that cute? A loyal slave." The guy said before pushing Flora aside with some type of magic.

"Oh, what the fuck!" I then quickly got behind a stable cover and wasn't too sure if bullets were gonna work on this guy. I then peeked my head up and saw Trace with blood-red eyes, the tip of his hair is covered in red and red aura glowed around him while heads and necks of see-through dragons were seen. Behind him with the tower, also glowing red. That must be the source, If I could get to it and destroy it, he'll be defenseless, but the problem is I can't get to it because of what's happening right now.

"I am... Trace." He said in a monotone voice.

"You... you're powerless! They told me you were! You can't do this!" Blonde hair dude cried.

"Leave her alone..."

"What? You're... you're supposed to be powerless! Well... I don't care how strong you are! You're still no match for me!" He yelled and drew his sword. He was about to swing his sword when a dragon head immediately rushed towards him. And another to Keith and Flora. "Watch out!" Flora yelled as they dodged the attack. I saw one heading towards me and so I got up and ran back. Before it could touch me, I dived towards the ground, face first. It was painful but I managed to dodge whatever that shit was. Then, I heard a loud BOOM right next to me. I turned my head to see the cage was engulfed in an explosion, with debris zooming through the air. "Holy shit..." I mumbled.

I got up and saw the fight even Trace and the guy ensue. "You sent my family to their graves! It's time I did the same..." Blondie said and stuck Trace with his sword and it cut through him. "...to you!" My eyes widen and couldn't believe what was happening. "I... I did it!"

Then, Trace immediately vanishes into thin air and he appeared behind Blondie which confused me a lot more. I was just on the ground watching these two like a spectator in a Roman arena. "W-What?! It was... an Illusion..? No... NOOO!" Then, two dragons immediately struck the guy and he was engulfed in a fireball, turning him into pink mist.

"No. It can't be... has he really returned to his former self?" Flora muttered.

"That's his former self?! What the fuck?!" I yelled.

I slowly got up from the ground, with half of my body will in pain from the dive, and the weight of my gear didn't help. I was sweating and my heart pumped rapidly. I still had my carbine rifle and my pistol with me, as well as my magazines. I looked up to see Flora slowly approach Trace from behind whole smoke filled the area. "T-Trace? Are... a-are you okay?" Flora asked. I could tell by her trembling voice, she's scared. "Trace?"

He then turns around and glares directly at her. "Flora? I'm so glad you're not hurt..."

"You're... okay now?"

"I'm just fine. What's wrong? You're not scared of me, are you?" He then grabbed her by the neck and lifted her from the ground. "Keidran!" I could see Flora struggling to breathe and tears flowing down her eyes. I immediately brought my Carbine rifle up and aimed at Trace.

I took a deep breath in and quickly aimed the gun below his knee and pulled the trigger. A round was fired with a sound like a thunderclap straight into below the knee and out the leg. The first bullet I shot ever since I got into this shithole world was at an ally. "Gaaah!" He yelled in pain. "Get... away from me!" Flora screamed and clawed his entire arm causing it to bleed heavily and causing him to drop Flora. I quickly got behind Flora while keeping my aim at him. "You..." He muttered angrily, looking at us both.

"I won't fuckin' hesitate to drop you!" I yelled and before he could react, there was another explosion going off to the left of us. We turned to see the tower being destroyed by a series of loud explosions, bring the whole thing down while debris of the tower crushed the houses near it.

"You... you... uh..." Trace muttered weakly before closing his eyes and rubbing his head. Once he opened his eyes, I saw it was blue again. "Ah, my head. What happened? Where am I? And why do I have this really horrific-looking gash on my left arm and this hole in my knee?" He uttered.

"Grrr..." Flora growled.

"Huh? What is that...? Ah! Flora? Marcus? What happened? What's going on?"

"I think I can answer that." Someone said behind him. I peeked and saw it was Euchre behind him and before I knew it, he smacked Trace in the head with some blunt object rendering him unconscious. I lowered my gun, shocked that this Keidran managed to survive that explosion.

"Euchre! You're alive! But I thought... I saw you get hit by the fireball!" Flora said, dumbfounded.

"Oh, I'm tougher than I look. But I'm not important right now. Are you okay?"

"I guess so... but... Trace... he... he attacked me... Why would he do something like that?!" Flora cried and wrapped her arms around Euchre. I sighed and holstered my carbine rifle. I walked up to Trace and examined his injuries. As I did this, I overheard Flora and Euchre talk. "Flora, you're going to have to trust me when I tell you. Trace wasn't in control of himself. Someone was using the tower to make Trace go berserk and act out his old emotions." Euchre explained.

"How do you know this?" Flora asked.

"Well... just trust me for now, Flora." Euchre retorted.

"Why would they want him to remember?"

"Trace was very important to the Templars, even if some of them might want him out of the way... But there's someone I know who I suspect is behind this... Someone who cares nothing for the fate of neither human nor Keidran."

After assessing his injuries, the claw marks on his arm and the bullet hole, the airborne bacteria in his bloodstream, infection, etc. I figured he won't last much longer without proper attention. "I need somewhere secure to treat Trace. He's losin' a lot of blood and not to mention the risks of infection. He's got about two hours before he gets septic and die of blood loss."

They both glared at me for a few seconds until Euchre broke the silence. "Flora, do you trust this human?" He asked.

"Yes, I do." She said.