Group meeting

As I stand there, squinting to make sense of the figures in the now partially collapsed building, something unexpected happens. One of the figures, who was standing just a moment ago, suddenly collapses out of sight. "What the hell?" I mutter under my breath, a mix of curiosity and opportunism creeping into my thoughts.

A grin tugs at the corner of my mouth. "Looks like someone's injured," I think to myself. "Might be able to use this to my advantage." My mind races with possibilities. Maybe I can approach under the guise of offering help, or perhaps create a distraction to escape without them noticing.

I carefully weigh my options, knowing that one wrong move could spell disaster. The situation is delicate, unpredictable, and potentially dangerous. But the sudden vulnerability of one of the figures presents an opportunity that's too tempting to ignore.

"Time to play this smart," I decide, stepping forward cautiously. "Let's see how this plays out."

Walking cautiously towards the wreckage, I can't help but feel a mix of apprehension and curiosity. "Alright... it seems like they're done fighting," I muse to myself, "but I can't just run away. There's too much attention here now. Monsters must've heard all that noise."

As I get closer, the scene becomes clearer, and what I see leaves me momentarily baffled. There's a naked woman there, her style reminiscent of a goth, and behind her, sitting down, is Jenna. "What the fuck..." I whisper under my breath, my mind racing with questions. "Are you telling me she has some insane ability?"

The sight of Jenna, someone I left behind earlier, adds another layer of complexity to the situation. "Hmmm... she won't be mad I left them, right?" The question hangs in my mind, but there's no time to dwell on it.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

- ?#%?#$?# POV

Staring down at my human hands, a realization dawns on me. Breathing deeply, I try to calm the tempest of emotions raging inside. "Wait... I see," I murmur. I clench my fists, feeling the unfamiliar tremble of human muscles. With all my might, I focus until a dark fog materializes over my palm. "My body reacted in a state of panic, but now... my restraints are gone. I'm no longer chained," I reason to myself. "I might be human, but this is an opportunity. I need to get stronger in this form, and then reclaim my main body."

As the fog dissipates, I understand the duality of my situation — it's both a curse and a blessing. Turning towards Jenna, I collapse from the stress on my newfound human body. "Human... no, I'm a human now, whether I like it or not," I admit, defeated. "Jenna, was it? Teach me how to survive this. In return, I'll show you how to activate your ability."

Jenna's response is tinged with malice, a grin spreading across her bloodied face. "Why would I do that? You might be human now, but at heart, you're still a monster," she retorts, coughing up blood. "I have an ability, but I'll figure out how to use it eventually."

Exhaling, I feel the oppressive pressure from Caelum finally lifting. "Listen, Jenna," I insist, "I'm a human now. No monster will reason with me. My situation is no different than yours. Plus, having me around will be beneficial; I know things that will help you."

Shivering from the cold, a sensation alien to my previous form, I make an offer. "As an advance payment, I'll tell you this: not all monsters are united. There are different factions with varying goals. That's all I'll say for now. So, what's your choice?"

I curse silently, realizing my human brain can't process telepathic transmissions anymore. I can't contact #*$#@, and I'm truly alone in this human guise. Shit, even if I could I don't know what he would think of the current situation. 

 Jenna's glare is sharp and questioning as she looks at me. "Different groups? Just what the hell is going on?" Her skepticism is evident, even as she fights through her pain.

I shiver, the cold of my new human form biting into my skin. "He's coming! Choose already!" I urge, feeling the imminent approach of Caelum. My anxiety mounts, knowing full well the enigmatic and potentially dangerous nature of this devil.

Jenna, still coughing, painfully removes her jacket and tosses it to me. "You're lucky I always wear shorts underneath," she mumbles. She then strips off her pants and throws them my way. "You need to be normal. Don't bow down to him; he likes pretending he's a normal person, so treat him like one. Just follow my lead."

Pretend to be normal? After everything that's happened, he still maintains this charade? The thought of it, the sheer sadism of it, sends a shiver down my spine. What kind of person, or monster, is he?

Jenna's voice pulls me back from my thoughts. "Let me do the talking," she instructs firmly.

I quickly put on the clothes she's thrown at me, grateful for the warmth and the semblance of normalcy they provide. Dressed now in her jacket and pants, I stand up, still feeling the unfamiliar weight of my human body. I nod at Jenna, ready to follow her lead.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Stepping closer to the wreckage, I notice Jenna handing over her jacket and pants to the naked goth woman. "Hmm... she doesn't seem to be angry at me," I think, feeling a slight sense of relief. "Looks like I'll have to travel with them a bit more, but at least I'm not dying here today." The situation is far from ideal, but survival is the priority.

My attention shifts to the cat on my shoulder, still trembling with fear. "Poor kitty," I murmur softly, ensuring it feels my reassurance. "Don't worry, I'll make sure you can stay with me." The idea of the goth woman, who might be its original owner, taking the cat away irks me. The thought of anyone abusing such a helpless creature stirs a rare sense of protectiveness in me. "I don't care if she's its owner, no way I'm letting her take you if she's been abusive. And even if she does have a strong ability, I doubt Jenna would allow any harm to come to it."

As I draw nearer, I see the goth woman on the ground, looking towards me and the cat but remaining silent. Jenna, who is a few steps away, is coughing up blood, with a noticeable injury on her waist. "Tsk, what a pain," I mutter under my breath.

Reaching into my bag, I pull out soap, clean water, and some bandages. Can't have someone as strong as Jenna dying, especially not now. I reason. The goth woman might be a mystery, and potentially dangerous, but Jenna's abilities and strength are known factors.

As I kneel down to tend to Jenna's wound, I can't help but ask, "What were you doing?" My hands work deftly, applying a small amount of alcohol to clean the area around the injury. Jenna, tough as ever, spits out some blood and responds, "Nothing much, just a little disagreement between hunters."

"Hunters, huh?" I muse internally while continuing my makeshift medical work. Are all hunters as strong as her? This information is worth noting, especially in this chaotic world where understanding power dynamics is key to survival.

Curious about the whereabouts of the others, I ask, "Where is Draken and Dolura?" In my mind, I hope that Dolura, who I see as nothing more than a parasite, has left for good.

Jenna glances around briefly before answering, "They'll be here soon. I'm sure you're worried about Dolura, right? Don't worry, she's safe." The idea of being worried about Dolura almost makes me chuckle. Worried my ass. That girl thinks I'm her hero or something.

Once the wound is sealed and bandaged, something else catches my eye — a katana lying nearby. Intrigued, I pick it up, feeling its surprising lightness. The color and craftsmanship draw my attention. Jenna watches me with an uneasy expression as I inspect the weapon. "Is this the toy you came to look for?" I ask, half-jokingly. "It's not bad, but it seems like it might break if used any more. However, if you have some materials, you can pay me with resources, and I'll make it look new."

Holding the katana, I reflect on my past experience. Lucky for her, I worked at a forging factory making large knives for cooks. Had to learn how to fix all sorts of blades. I reminisce. Stupid bastards didn't even pay me overtime. I place the katana carefully next to Jenna, considering the possibility of restoring it to its former glory. Well, to be honest, I don't care about that but I will overcharge her to fix it hehe. 

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

-Jenna's POV

Watching Caelum carefully handle Itza, my heart races with a mix of fear and hope. "Stop crying, Itza," I silently urge my sword, feeling its fear and desire to flee. "There's nothing I can do right now. Just don't do anything stupid, and he won't break you."

Itza's anxiety is palpable, even in my thoughts. The sword, sensing Caelum's touch, is on edge, desperate for safety. I clench my fist tightly when Caelum dismisses Itza as a mere toy. "It's not a toy..." I think, struggling to maintain my composure. "To me, Itza is more than that. It might just be a tool for him, but for me, Itza is a partner, a companion through countless battles."

I've always tried to take good care of Itza, but the truth is, no one knows how to properly fix artifacts. They're enigmatic, almost alive, capable of self-repair to an extent, but there's a limit to how much damage they can endure. Itza had another owner before me, and when it came into my hands, it was already battle-worn and weary.

Caelum's words then catch me off guard. "It's not bad, but it might break if used any more. However, if you have some materials, you can pay me with resources, and I'll make it look new." My heart skips a beat. "He can fix her? Really?" I question internally. The possibility seems too good to be true. Why would he lie? He's incredibly strong, and his acknowledgment that Itza is 'not bad' means she must be superior to other artifacts.

"Itza, did you hear that?" I think excitedly. "We just need to find some eiothoun metal, that rare metal you're made of, and he can fix you!" The prospect fills me with a renewed sense of hope. Despite Itza's limited abilities, confined to battle, its blade is unmatched. The idea of restoring Itza to its full glory, to give it a new lease on life, is something I hadn't dared to hope for until now.

In Caelum's hands, Itza might just find the salvation it needs. And for me, the chance to fight alongside a fully restored Itza is a dream I never thought could be a reality. This opportunity, unexpected and improbable as it is, could change everything.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Sighing, I turn to find Dolura already standing next to me, those bland, expectant eyes looking up. "Tsk, how bothersome," I think to myself, feeling a twinge of annoyance. Then I notice Draken and two more unfamiliar faces approaching. "Great, just what I needed... fuck."

Jenna, mustering her strength, pushes herself to stand up despite her recent injury. "We came across these two when we were looking for you," she explains, nodding towards the newcomers. "He is Saxon, a hunter like myself, and the lady next to him, Tamsin, is a survivor."

Saxon and Tamsin give awkward smiles, seemingly uncertain of how to react in my presence. I assess them quickly: Saxon, with the confident stance of a hunter, doesn't bother me much. Hunters are useful, capable of defending themselves and others. Tamsin, on the other hand, looks fragile, almost on the verge of breaking down. "Another liability," I think grimly.

I glance at Dolura, still standing silently by my side. Her presence is a constant reminder of a responsibility I never wanted. Then my gaze shifts back to the goth woman, now somewhat clothed in Jenna's attire, looking completely out of place. The situation is getting more complicated by the minute.