Searching

Jaxon was flung into an alternate dimension and could feel and smell his own blood around him. He felt a presence around him and heard a voice that started as a whisper then turned into a roar. It said "weakness, cowardice, pride, useful", and then his soul was pulled away from his physical body. Tendrils with hooks ripped into his soul before he was pushed back into his now foreign feeling body. He was thrown forward with such speed he could barely stay conscious, covered in a visceral red and purple liquid. He then fell out of a portal and into the APC again, with his wounds completely healed.

Carl questioned what had happened to him and Jaxon was terrified. Carl noticed Sakiran was still silent in the corner and asked if she was speaking. She shook her head. He asked if she would like some air. She nodded and headed out. Carl asked why Jaxon wanted to eat Sakiran and he responded with the same reason why he wanted to eat himself.

The party went to sleep. Lock finally recovered from his illness and meditation and was able to rejoin the party. Carl and Lock had a conversation in the bathhouse about the mutations, discussing Carl's wings, Sakiran's claws and tail and Jaxon's bloodlust. Lock enquired as to why he hadn't had any manifestations yet, and Carl explained that they tended to feel ill just before it manifests. He also explained that they are part of a Scorpion cartel of Flea's creation, though questioned how he knew this.

Jaxon was withdrawn after the night before and spent his time in the APC examining the armour and sword that had his family symbol on it. It was a rich royal blue with a purple fade and golden embroidery. It was nothing like they produce now - how old was it really? He studied it further and identified it as having come from over 70 years ago. The initials of his father were engraved into it.

Meanwhile, Flea was browsing the shop wares. He didn't see much but saw a familiar armoured outline that was in black, Gratus soldiers. Flea was looking for more sharp shards of metal so went to the scrap merchant. He and his squirrel, Carnell, both pointed at metal and the merchant agrees to trade since he was impressed at the squirrel being well trained. Carnell and he offered nanophage, but the merchant turned it down. He then offered the stolen armour plates. The merchant took them and gave Flea the entirety of a box of heavy scrap. Flea and Carnell both dragged the box together to the APC.

Carl and Lock received a letter while they were bathing, so quickly dressed and ran back to the APC. They read Sakiran's note out to the rest of the party, saying how she had gone in order to resolve her weakness and would be back when she was worthy, and handing Carl's bow over to him. Carl was saddened, saying Sakiran was always welcome. Lock folded it up and handed Carl the bow. Carl immediately ran out screaming Sakiran's name. Lock followed immediately after.

After some unsuccessful searching, Lock hugged him to console him and Carl started weeping. He reassured him that she will come back when she is ready and asked Carl to wait for her return. Despite this, Carl rushed to the bar and asked everyone where she is, though no one knew her by name. He fell asleep due to exhaustion once he reached the APC and cried himself to sleep, holding the bow. Jaxon realises he may have been the reason that Sakiran ran away, so he wandered back to the Titan village.

Meanwhile, Sakiran was in combat with a Sakti tribesman. He had called her the Leopard and a husband killer and she fell into a rage, swinging her sword at him again and again to no avail as he dodged her attacks. The rage faded as she made no connections and her wrist was broken. She was handily beaten by him with his bare hands, throwing urine all over her and knocking her into the dirt. She screamed at him then started crying in her sorry state. He leaned down to speak to her.

Jaxon witnessed this and started to feel hungry. He decided to try and go for the Sakti tribesman and bite him. Just before Jaxon landed, the tribesman noticed him and sidestepped away. The tribesman retaliated and he just missed Jaxon, but launched another punch into him. He cracked Jaxon in the jaw and then went for another two attacks. He booted Jaxon in the stomach and Jaxon was knocked unconscious. The tribesman checked he wasn't dead and went back to Sakiran. He introduced himself as Keratan and said he felt sorry for her. He asks how she got into this mess and how far she had fallen, since a Claddghym should be able to fight far better than she was. He offered to show her something that might help. Sakiran was offended and asked why she should follow him when he broke her wrist and beat her. He asked if that was not the way of the Claddghym anyway. She smiled and admitted that it was, then went with him.

The rest of the party retired for the night. The party woke up the next morning in the APC, with Sakiran and Jaxon still not there. Carl immediately realised she still wasn't there and started looking for her. He didn't see her, but he did see three figures of Gratus: heavy troopers with a high ranking official. They were speaking to Gregor and having a joyous discussion. The surrounding villagers didn't seem terribly bothered that they were there. They kept their distance, but seemed otherwise comfortable.

Carl and Lock both headed out to look for Jaxon first. Carl had a long line of reasoning as to where they could be, with Lock growing more and more exasperated at his insistence that Jaxon and Sakiran would be in opposite places so therefore would be on the floor. Lock eventually cut him off and went off to look for them properly. They were soon able to find Jaxon, who was bruised and battered and his blonde hair was matted as he lay in the dirt. Carl went to speak to him, with the bow cautiously held up. He poked him with the bow. Jaxon woke up and greeted him groggily. This frightened Carl and he jumped back.

They spoke, with Carl asking if he slept there. Lock questioned why he was actually on the floor. Jaxon said he had a rough night, not elaborating further. Then Jaxon lied and said he is not hungry, but Carl saw through him. Jaxon questioned how Carl could help him with his ailment. He offered animal blood, or if someone has to die then so be it. Jaxon and Lock reacted in horror as Carl realised he blacked out and questioned where he was.

Carl and Lock asked if Jaxon had seen Sakiran. Jaxon lied, saying he has not seen her, and Carl again saw through him. He asked for him to tell the truth in exchange for not hurting him. Jaxon then explained what happened earlier, her having been beaten by a Drow and then she followed him. Carl produced his pistol and vowed to find her, with Lock immediately telling him to stop. Carl told him to lead the way since he found Jaxon.

They found Sakiran and Keratan talking in the bar and were about to attack him since Jaxon recognised him as the one who beat him up, but Sakiran speaks up after letting Keratan suffer harsh words. They did not recognise her at first and were surprised when she finally spoke. Carl told her she looks pretty but didn't like it, and almost threw dirt at her. Keratan whispered to her to watch out for Carl, since as they discussed the Faj isn't what it seems. She asked how he was different from her and he scribbled a note in Tasari: phage angel.

Carl told her that he will send Keratan to the bad place if needs be, but she stood him down, saying no one is going to the bad place. Lock asked how Keratan beat Jaxon up and why. Sakiran explained that Jaxon was not known for telling the truth, and he had actually jumped to feed on Keratan first, just as he had done to her. She said that since he had been knocked into the dirt, which was where he belonged as a bloodsucker, she partially forgave him. Keratan congratulated her on her progress towards self control.