Hoping

As I gaze absentmindedly at the stars, Selene snuggles into my side in the warmth of the hot spring, and for a moment, everything feels perfect. The soothing ambiance is punctuated by the soft murmur of conversation, reminiscent of little chicks nestled together. It's moments like these that make me grateful for our decision not to have children back on Earth.

Suddenly, a voice interrupts the tranquility. I turn to see Lani approaching, her presence drawing the attention of everyone around us. I raise an eyebrow in curiosity as the hum of conversation fades, replaced by an expectant silence.

As the night envelops us, Lani's crimson eyes glint in the dim light, a subtle air of menace emanating from her. With an almost sinister aura, she speaks, her tone carrying a hint of mischief.

"It appears we're running low on bone powder," she announces, her gaze sweeping over the group. "I could venture out with Tama to replenish our supplies, but I thought it best to inform you first, in case you had other plans."

I observe her closely, intrigued by the sudden shift in her demeanor. What a bloodthirsty little thing. I activate my Shadow aura, looking at everyone's shadow's, as expected, Gregory stands out among the shadows, his form remaining solid and defined amidst the grotesque shapes of everyone else's shadow's.

Turning my attention back to Lani, I inquire about the mission details. Her eyes gleam with a devious light as she divulges the target: "Three or four adult human beings."

Without hesitation, I summon Gregory, towering over the rest of us in the hot spring. With a sense of purpose, I assign him the task, making it clear that he's on his own for this mission. The others watch with curiosity as Gregory acknowledges the directive with a simple grunt before departing.

Lani follows him, likely to provide additional information for the mission. I close my eyes and lean into the hot water curious about whether Gregory has a single evil bone in his body. Because I'm sadistic I call Lani back and make a change of plans.

*

"Don't worry about it," Damien reassures before exiting the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts. Meanwhile, in the dining room, Selene and Lani are engrossed in their task, scribbling down intricate symbols that I recognize from the night we died.

As Selene delves deeper into her studies of religious practices and Lani harnesses her expertise in rituals, our plan begins to take shape. Since we needed bones for Lani's powder, Selene also wanted to do another ritual but being in Tavill we couldn't, I planned on having Gregory take his first lives for Lani's powder but I'll kill three birds with one stone.

Leaving them to their work, I step outside and observe as Damien, Tama, and Elizabeth prepare to embark on their journey, their destination shrouded in mystery. With a sense of purpose, they board a carriage drawn by flying horses, disappearing into the horizon.

Turning my attention to my own task, I venture into the woods, allowing the tranquility of nature to envelop me. After walking for what feels like hours, I stumble upon a hidden cave concealed within the dense foliage. With cautious steps, I navigate the labyrinthine passages, descending deeper into the earth until I reach a vast cavern.

The scene before me is breathtaking – a crystal-clear pond nestled at the center of the cavern, illuminated by shafts of sunlight filtering through a hole in the ceiling above. At the far end of the cavern, I spot Gregory diligently at work, hammering away at a massive rock to fashion it into an altar.

As I explore the surroundings, my mind wanders, wondering if this sanctuary will meet Selene's exacting standards.

As I observe Gregory laboring away, fashioning the stone into an altar with determined strokes of his hammer, a pang of uncertainty gnaws at me. I'm not quite sure if he'll live up to my expectations, and the thought of him being sacrificed weighs heavily on my mind. It's not that I'm particularly attached to him, but his hearty cooking will be missed. Oh well.

Lost in my thoughts, I watch as Gregory works tirelessly, his determination evident in every swing of his hammer. It's a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit, and I find myself silently rooting for him. It will be sad if I'm forced to stab a dagger through his heart...