The moment June sat down, his attention left the hall, and he dove within himself. He needed to address these lingering feelings and desires within him. Even if he had gotten them from the visions, they existed now, embedded deep within his heart and mind, their claws digging in and latching on like a leech drinking his blood. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whenever he laid eyes on Reyah and Yisha, his heart would flutter and his stomach would twist. The irrationality of these feelings left him wanting yet angry, not at anyone in particular, but with himself. It felt like a betrayal to Natalie. These wanton feelings of love, lust, and longing frayed his mind and emotions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How could he love them? Even if it wasn\u2019t real, his heart still desired it. Yet it was reprehensible. To desire more than one woman went against his very core as a husband loyal to his wife. His dead wife.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
June\u2019s heart fell once more at the reminder, his anger rising. It hadn\u2019t even been an hour since he discovered her fate, and here he was, arguing with himself over fictional feelings for women he didn\u2019t even know. But they weren’t fictional, not anymore. Not to mention that they were both exquisitely beautiful women; in fact, every woman he had met on Syrova thus far was \u200cbeautiful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was like a cruel joke. Or a test from God. Maybe even both. One hundred fifty thousand years trapped within the Dungeon repository had forced celibacy on him. Now, temptation surrounded him, driven worse by his grief. He remained strong, but his will was crumbling. He had to tread carefully, lest he give in to his desires. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
He sighed as Hivengel\u2019s Aura brushed against him. It was so weak that he didn\u2019t even acknowledge it, choosing to remain engrossed in his own brooding. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, Sarah’s sudden voice cut through him like a tolling church bell, breaking the somber silence of a funeral.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I understand what you’re going through, June. But wouldn’t it be easier to accept these feelings as they are and either pursue or ignore them?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Her question elicited a light chuckle from him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That’s easier said than done, Sarah. We humans are ruled by our emotions.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n He could feel her rolling her nonexistent eyes at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Could you not remind me? Two centuries of your life wasted because of some fickle and fleeting emotions. If you weren’t in the Repository, that wasted time really could have affected your Cultivation path.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n A light smile fluttered across his face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Maybe, but these emotions we have, no matter how fickle or fleeting, are an intrinsic part of who we are. And that’s the beauty of it. All the negative emotions we have are closely tied to the positive, just as the Concepts of Duality are. You can’t have one without the other. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Even if it were true, it’s still one of life’s many fallacies.<\/em> For example, your inner turmoil. Why go through all this for the sake of love, especially for a deceased person? It all seems counterintuitive.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n June scoffed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Believe what you want, but it’s my inner turmoil that breathes life into my love for Natalie. I know it was real\u2014is real, because of it. Now, these feelings for Reyah and Yisha were conceived in the visions, not organically. They’re more like ghosts from a distant future, sent to torment me. And maybe they are; who knows what goes on in the mind of an Abyss Dweller?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Sarah went quiet for a moment before speaking again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you already know that, then why struggle to discard these feelings?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Like I said, that’s easier said than done. The mind knows one thing, yet the heart will feel another, as you would say, another fallacy of life. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Sarah sighed audibly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are just some things about living life forms that I’ll never understand.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Even after having spent all these millennia with me, you haven’t picked up on anything?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Only that you humans are full of contradictions.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course we are. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n However, before he could continue his conversation with Sarah, Reyah called out to him, a question in her beautiful, sultry voice. \u201cWhy is she still alive?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Her slight accent reminded him of several Scandinavian accents blended to form her own unique voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI thought you, of all people, would understand,\u201d June said, rising from his seat. \u201cWere you not once a prisoner in your own mind, compelled only to please your Master?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reyah shrank back a bit at his rebuke, her face morphing from disgust to a pained grimace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n June already knew how the battle ended the whole time, even though he was deep in thought, so the sight of Hivengel’s headless corpse didn\u2019t surprise him. One of the many perks of having a mind in the Divine Realm. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Instead of immediately leaving the throne, he turned to Keyvarah. She was a mess. She sat hunched over, tears and snot dribbling down her pale, sweat-soaked face as she emptied her stomach onto the floor. Her body visibly trembled while her voice grew hoarse from the crying and vomiting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n June knelt beside her and placed a hand on her shoulder, infusing her with Life Essence. Life returned to her face, and her shaking body settled. Her crimson eyes rose to meet his, and he produced a handkerchief from his spatial dimension. With his free hand, he moved her auburn hair out of the way before gently wiping her tears with the handkerchief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n His actions left her speechless as he continued to clean her face. It was only when he brushed against her lower lip that she came out of her stupor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAre you a knight sent by my father to rescue me?\u201d she asked in a light and breathy voice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo, Lady Oltharin,\u201d June said with a warm smile, \u201cI’m just a traveler.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n A thin smile spread across her face as she gazed up at him. But then her eyes suddenly shifted down, and her face scrunched up in disgust when she saw the pile of puke before her. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOh my,\u201d she said, backing up slightly. \u201cHow unseemly of me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n June chuckled as he moved to the side, avoiding the mess on the ground, and continued to clean her face. \u201cNot at all, in fact, I’d say it was an appropriate response to what you’ve had to endure for the past two years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Her smile fell at his reminder, yet that didn’t deter June. \u201cBesides, you’ll come out of this stronger than before.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHow? Because I’m now a Vampire?\u201d she asked, voice dripping with sarcasm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n June shook his head. \u201cIt’s not what you are that makes you strong, but who you are.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tears brimmed at the edge of her eyes. \u201cI can barely even recognize this\u2026 this monster I’ve become.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n June finished cleaning her face and soaked the handkerchief in water that he summoned with Water Essence. \u201cThat’s not who I see when I look at you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Her eyes narrowed skeptically at him. \u201cAnd who is it that you see?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n June stood and offered her his hand. She graciously accepted, and he pulled her to her feet. She wobbled, unsteady, for a moment. But June held her tight, her hand in his, and his free arm wrapped around her back, hand on her hip to steady her. \u201cI’ve got you.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n When she regained her balance, June released her and took a step back. \u201cI see a woman who is a fighter and a survivor.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He gave her arm a good squeeze, then released her and turned to leave. But before he could leave, she grabbed \u200chis hand, preventing him from going. \u201cWhat is your name?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n June clasped her silk-smooth hand in both his and gave it a slight shake, throwing her a charming smile. \u201cIt\u2019s June-Tae, but you can just call me June.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He released her hand and bowed. \u201cMy lady.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He turned and walked by Reyah, sending her a telekinetic message using Psionic Essence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Keep an eye on her.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Before she could even answer, June walked past her, collecting the Soul Crystals from the dead Thralls. He walked a few feet from them before opening a portal back to the Shining Arrow Guild\u2019s camp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He stepped through and found Urzenkeil sitting by a campfire with Quin. They both rose to their feet, each with very different reactions to his appearance. Quin remained stoic, unsurprised by his return. Urzenkeil, on the other hand, had pulled a sword from his spatial device, readying himself for a fight before realization hit him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cJune?\u201d Urzenkeil asked, the sword disappearing. \u201cWhat are you doing coming back so soon?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s done,\u201d he said, stepping through. \u201cI need you to grab your men and follow me.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Confusion fell over Urzenkeil\u2019s face, but he did as June asked, gathering the remaining members of the Guild. June turned to Quin and sent her a telepathic message.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stay here and watch over Yisha and Draxxus.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Quin gave him a nod before he led the Guild through and into the castle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n On the other side of the portal, Keyvarah stood near the throne, observing as he returned with the Shining Arrow Guild. Reyah was a few feet away, also watching them as the Guild members summoned their weapons from their storage devices; their eyes locked onto the two Vampires.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhoa there,\u201d June said, stepping in between the Guild and the Vampires. \u201cThese two are good.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d Urzenkeil snarled, his eyes narrowing to slits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYeah!\u201d Merriam pipped in. \u201cWhy are you protecting those two Vampires?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThese two were not here of their own volition,\u201d June said, stepping up to Urzenkeil and Merriam. \u201cThey were just as much prisoners here as those below our very feet are right now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Urzenkeil looked down at his feet in confusion. \u201cPrisoners?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYeah,\u201d June said, leading them toward the doors. \u201cThere\u2019s a dungeon down there packed full of people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Urzenkeil\u2019s face morphed into rage incarnate as he stomped over to the open doorway. \u201cWhich way?\u201d he bellowed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019ll be that way,\u201d he said, pointing down the hallway to the left. \u201cHead down that hall and it\u2019ll be the next left.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Urzenkeil led the way as he and his guildmates went to rescue the prisoners. June turned and gave Keyvarah and Reyah a thumbs-up before following them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They descended two flights of stairs, and the farther they went, the worse the smell became. The scent of excrement mixed with blood, and the rancor of unwashed body odor assaulted their noses. June covered himself in a thin layer of Wind Essence to keep the scent from reaching him. The Shining Arrow Guild didn\u2019t have that luxury as their eyes watered and they gagged with each step. Some even stopped and emptied what remained of their stomachs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before long, they came to a long hallway lined with rows of barred doors on either side. June steeled himself, masking his disgust with stoicism, and took \u200ca deep breath through his mouth before entering the hallway. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Flickering torchlight lit the passage in an eerie glow as the sight before him made his blood boil. He had already seen it through the Vampires\u2019 memories, but it was a whole other thing to witness it himself. The Vampires had crammed dozens of Althori and Vyshtani men, women, and children into the twelve 8×8 cells. Their state was pitiful. They were all in rags, with most having no shirts, and as thin as bones. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The women and children shuffled to the back while the men stood in front, trying to protect them from their captors. However, their defiant faces broke \u200cwhen \u200ctheir eyes landed on the group that entered, turning to confusion before shifting to hope. <\/p>\n\n\n\n One of them, a tall, wiry Althori man, stepped forward. His low rumbling voice didn’t match his current appearance of a man starved half to death. \u201cWho are you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Urzenkeil stepped forward, his voice commanding yet solemn. \u201cWe are of the Shining Arrow Guild, and we\u2019re here to rescue you!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe Shining Arrow Guild?\u201d someone asked, hope in their voice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Merriam approached one of the prison doors, her hands glowing a dull blue light. \u201cYes.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n With a single punch, she shattered the cell doors with ease. The door fell off and rattled loudly as it landed on the cold, stone hallway. That was all it took for the group of prisoners to erupt in a chorus. Cries of joy, relief, and even sorrow echoed through the hallway as the other members moved to open the other cell doors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n June silently walked past the prisoners streaming from their cells, making his way toward a metal door at the end of the hallway. He knew what lay beyond, having seen it already with his Aura Sense, but still prepared himself before opening the door. The hinges squealed loudly as he pushed the door open. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The room itself wasn\u2019t all that big, the size of an average bedroom. Tables lined the walls, which held many instruments and torture devices caked in dried and fresh blood. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Standing in the center of the room was a rack where an Althori woman dangled, completely nude. Except that wasn\u2019t all. Her torturers had completely flayed off her skin, leaving her flesh exposed. Blood dripped from her and pooled beneath her. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The steady rise and fall of her chest showed she was still alive, but he had to hurry if he wanted to save her. He encased her in Life Essence, healing her injured body. The sudden rush of vitality startled her awake, and she screamed in agony as her skin regrew. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s okay,\u201d he said to her, trying to soothe her pain, \u201cjust focus on me and not the pain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n As he healed her, he could sense someone approaching him from behind at a rapid pace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n An Althori man roared in rage as he rushed into the room and swung a fist at June\u2019s head. Having seen the attack coming, despite not even looking, he caught the man\u2019s punch with ease, not even deigning to look away from his task.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWHAT ARE YOU DOING?\u201d the man shouted, trying to wrench his hand from June\u2019s grip, but failed to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Two others came into the room as June spoke. \u201cI\u2019m healing her, so can you please not attack me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He released the man\u2019s hand just as he pulled once more, causing him to lose his balance and stumble backward into the other two who had entered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou Gods-forsaken monster!\u201d the man started, but one of the two, an Althori woman, grabbed him by the arm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cStop it, Jezaiah! Calm yourself! Can\u2019t you see he\u2019s healing Andrasta?\u201d the woman asked, trying to hold him back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jezaiah, however, ignored her, struggling even more. She looked at her companion in frustration. \u201cStop staring and help me, Cama!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cama, a tall Vyshtani man with the eyes of a wolf and the ears and tail to confirm it, glanced between the pair before grabbing Jezaiah\u2019s other arm. Together, they held him back as June healed Andrasta. Within seconds, her wounds had fully sealed as if they had never been there to begin with. <\/p>\n\n\n\n After finishing, June stood and backed away from her. Only then did the two release Jezaiah, who ran over to Andrasta’s side. He knelt and cradled her in his lap, trying desperately to wake her. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cShe’s just asleep,\u201d June said, drawing all their attention. \u201cHer body needs time to recover.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He turned to leave the room, but before he did, he stopped and looked at Jezaiah. \u201cI could take away her memories of the ordeal, if that is what she wishes.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Jezaiah only glared at him, so he shrugged and left the room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But he didn’t make it far before the woman came rushing out after him. \u201cHey, wait!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n June came to a stop, partly because of her and partly because of the growing mass of people shuffling out of the cells. Urzenkiel and his guildmates were busy organizing the group to leave the cramped quarters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n She caught up with him in no time, and he turned to look at her. \u201cYes?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He hadn\u2019t gone very far, maybe about ten feet, but the woman was already out of breath by the time she caught up with him. It hadn\u2019t been the distance that caused her shortness of breath, but rather the altercation with Jezaiah and her time spent imprisoned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She hunched over, hands on her knees, trying to catch her breath. \u201cThanks\u2026for healing\u2026Andrasta.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt was nothing,\u201d June said, really taking in her appearance for the first time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Her matted black hair clung to her sweat-soaked forehead and shoulders, a testament to her unfortunate situation. All she had for clothing was a band that bound her chest tight and some brown, torn-up trousers. Her amber eyes met June’s, and a pearlescent smile spread across her face. <\/p>\n\n\n\n She straightened to her full height of 6\u20199\u2019\u2019 and extended a hand toward him. \u201cI\u2019m Jemia.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n June clasped her hand and shook it. \u201cI\u2019m June. I\u2019d say nice to meet you, but\u2026\u201d he cast his gaze about the dungeon. \u201cIf only it were under better circumstances.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf only,\u201d she repeated, nodding her head before gesturing behind her. \u201cYou\u2019ve already met my brother, Jezaiah, and his wife, Andrasta. And the other guy is Cama. We\u2019re what\u2019s left of the Crimson Veil Guild.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n With that last sentence, sadness filled her eyes, her smile fading. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry for your loss,\u201d June said, patting her arm. \u201cJust know that I\u2019ll do everything within my power to find them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jemia frowned when he said that. \u201cWhat do you mean? They\u2019re dead, having become food for the Vampires.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n June shook his head. \u201cThere was a deeper operation going on here than just Vampires hunting for food.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jemia’s frown deepened. \u201cLike what?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI’ll explain back at the Shining Arrow Guild’s camp,\u201d June said, turning to the growing crowd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The prisoners took their time ascending the stairs, probably not fully believing that he had dealt with the Vampire threat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI’ll meet you upstairs,\u201d June said to Jemia before floating up and phasing right through the stone ceiling. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In the room above, the men and women who had first ascended were busy outfitting themselves in armor and weapons. His sudden appearance startled them so severely that a few of them instinctively attacked him. However, their weapons slipped harmlessly through his corporeal form. <\/p>\n\n\n\n June didn\u2019t even bother waiting for them as he continued to ascend to the next floor. Finding the room empty, June re-materialized and headed for the stairs. Arriving, he called down for the men to hurry up before heading back to the great hall. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There, he found a furious Keyvarah stomping out Hivengel\u2019s decapitated head, swearing up a storm. A far cry from the prim and proper woman who had been crying just a few minutes ago. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The wet squelching of her heels smashing through bones and brain to hit the stone floor echoed in the empty hall as Reyah stood back and watched Keyvarah with a forlorn look on her face. The head was nothing more than a puddle of goop as June approached the pair. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Keyvarah looked up from her handiwork, and the anger in her eyes instantly melted away when they landed on June. A flush crept up her neck and flowed all the way to the tips of her ears. She turned away from him, rebuking herself as her hands ran down the chic black dress she wore, smoothing out any creases. The dress was as thin as it was revealing, doing very little to hide her hourglass figure and showing off as much skin as possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n June\u2019s eyes couldn\u2019t help but follow the curves of her figure, lingering on her plump ass for a moment. Realizing that he was leering, he pulled his eyes from her only for them to land on Reyah. She stared at him with a single eyebrow raised. There was a teasing glint in her eyes as her lips parted in an amused smile. He raised his own eyebrow at her in question, but she only responded with a shake of her head and a light chuckle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Keyvarah whirled around, her hair flowing with the movement, face alight with a radiant smile. \u201cYou\u2019ve returned, June!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI have, Lady Oltharin,\u201d June said with a slight bow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEnough of that,\u201d Keyvarah said, stepping up to him. \u201cJust call me Keyvarah.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOf course,\u201d June said, straightening only to find the swell of her supple breasts in his face. His throat went dry. Her mounds stirred a beast within him. One awakened by these conflicting emotions, and his being surrounded by beauty beyond imagination. <\/p>\n\n\n\n However, his love and grief for Natalie and his children helped him temper these emotions as he pushed them deep down within him to deal with later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He cleared his throat and took a half step back. \u201cIs there something I can help you with?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She stepped in time with him, the concept of personal space lost to her. \u201cI’m sorry to impose, but would you mind if I drank some of your blood? I promise not to drain you, but I’m actually quite starved after the night, no, the past two years. And\u2026 your blood smelled so divine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n June furrowed his brows, surprised by her forwardness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSure,\u201d he said, going to pull his sleeve only for her to move in, trying to bite his neck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He caught her face before she could even get close to his neck, covering her mouth with a hand. \u201cNah-ah-ah-ah. Nope! I\u2019ll have none of that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He didn\u2019t want to risk her enveloping him with her luscious body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHere,\u201d he said, offering her his wrist, which already had a cut on it with blood dripping from it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He released her, and she hesitated for a moment before latching onto his wrist and greedily sucked. Her eyes rolled to the back of her head as a moan reverberated from her throat, and she fell to her knees. His jaw clenched as he turned to Reyah, trying his best to ignore the overt eroticism that Keyvarah displayed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Reyah walked up beside them, her face a mask of emotionlessness. \u201cWhere are the prisoners?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThey should be on their way up right now,\u201d June said before looking down at Keyvarah. <\/p>\n\n\n\n She was lost in her own world as she drank his blood. It was an odd sensation, having his blood as well as his True Soul drained from him by someone else. He found it quite hilarious, often forgetting that she and Reyah were dangerous predators. <\/p>\n\n\n\n However, he was far from being in danger. His body constantly healed itself, and the depth of his Core was vast, never-ending. What she drank was but a drop in a bucket in an ocean. She could continue to drink for a lifetime and not make a dent in his pool of True Soul.<\/p>\n\n\n\n June switched to telekinetic communication as he sent Psionic Essence into Reyah’s mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How was she when I left?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Reyah glared at him, her lips parting into a slight snarl. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Stay out of my mind!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Right, he had grown so accustomed to using telekinetic communication with Quin that he had forgotten just how invasive it was to pry into someone’s mind, especially without their consent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sorry. It would have been rude to speak about Keyvarah as if she weren’t here. But now I\u2019ve also realized how rude it was of me to intrude upon your mind like this. For that, I’m genuinely sorry. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Reyah continued to glare at him before turning to stare at Keyvarah\u2014no, at his wrist\u2014before answering. \u201cShe was\u2026 fine, I guess.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Her voice was hoarse and strained, her jaw tight as if she were holding herself back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n June then realized that she probably was. Her mental fortitude and force of will impressed him, being strong enough for her to be this close to his blood and still hold some measure of composure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When she didn\u2019t continue, June didn\u2019t press, having made enough of a fool of himself already. Just as June thought she had had her fill, Keyvarah released his wrist of her own volition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSorry,\u201d she said, standing. \u201cThank you for that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt was no problem,\u201d June said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just as he said that, clamoring came from behind them as Urzenkeil led the prisoners into the great hall. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Keyvarah stepped forward with a warm smile on her face, about to address the crowd, but Jezaiah\u2019s shout cut through the air, silencing whatever words were about to leave her mouth. \u201cWhat is that blood-sucking monster still doing alive!!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n June stepped forward, placing a hand in front of Keyvarah and moving her back. \u201cThere\u2019s no need for that. She was as much a prisoner here as you were.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLies!\u201d Jezaiah shouted. \u201cShe\u2019s one of them and deserves to die with them!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n June sighed before gesturing at Keyvarah. \u201cDoes anyone know who she is?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Merriam stepped forward, her face twisted into a frown. \u201cLady Oltharin?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Keyvarah stared at her for a second before recognition clicked in her eyes. \u201cLady Milliadry!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Merriam released a girlish laugh and bolted from the group, hugging Keyvarah tightly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A smile broke across his lips as June watched the interaction, glad that there was at least someone whom Keyvarah could call a friend here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat happened? Why are you here?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Keyvarah broke from the embrace, tears flowing down her cheeks. \u201cDuring my trip to Kravengard, my escort and I were attacked by Hivengel and his coven. They killed everyone, and I was to join them, but Hivengel\u2026\u201d Her body visibly shook as she relived the memory. \u201cHe took a liking to me, and instead of killing me,\u201d she gestured at her eyes, \u201che turned me into a Vampire.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhere is the bastard!\u201d Merriam shouted, her head whipping around in search of the man.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAh, Jemia,\u201d June said, also taking a step forward. \u201cCorrect. Would you also happen to know the name of the Master Vampire that lived here?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jemia looked at the group behind her, her eyes lingering on her brother before speaking. \u201cHivengel Dumar, brother of Lord Ravengel Dumar, who had a feud with Lord Ilitar Oltharin.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRight again,\u201d June said before turning his attention to Jezaiah. \u201cNow, Jezaiah. Are you saying that you believe Keyvarah Oltharin would openly join hands with House Dumar, betraying her family and house by converting to a Vampire?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, before Jezaiah could answer, Andrasta stepped from the line of warriors as well. \u201cNo, sir. He doesn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jezaiah turned to look at his wife, but shrank back when she glared at him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAs far as we know, Lady Keyvarah has been a kind and gracious lady who sought to better the lives of Lysia\u2019s citizens,\u201d Andrasta said, returning to look at June.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSo it\u2019d be safe to assume Hivengel attacked \u200cLady Keyvarah on the road by order of his brother, Lord Ravengel Dumar, as an attempt to get at Lord Ilitar Oltharin?\u201d June asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYes. That is the obvious conclusion,\u201d Jemia said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNow do you see why she\u2019s as much a prisoner as you were?\u201d June asked Jezaiah, who refused to acknowledge his question. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Well, whatever. As long as Jezaiah understood, that was what mattered. <\/p>\n\n\n\n June stepped to the side and opened another portal. This time, he stabilized it so that instead of a tear in reality appearing, a large archway made of Space and Kinetic Essence materialized. The archway gave off a blue glow, and the portal itself led straight into the Shining Arrow Guild\u2019s camp. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNow, who\u2019s ready to leave this place?\u201d June asked, turning back to face the crowd with a smile on his face.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The moment June sat down, his attention left the hall, and he dove within himself. He needed to address these lingering feelings and desires within him. Even if he had gotten them from the visions, they existed now, embedded deep within his heart and mind, their claws digging in and latching on like a leech […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"pmpro_default_level":"","advgb_blocks_editor_width":"","advgb_blocks_columns_visual_guide":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-143","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","category-sfw","pmpro-has-access"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_hostinger_reach_plugin_has_subscription_block":false,"_hostinger_reach_plugin_is_elementor":false,"coauthors":[],"author_meta":{"author_link":"https:\/\/derekyangauthor.com\/fr\/author\/authorderekyanggmail-com\/","display_name":"authorderekyang@gmail.com"},"relative_dates":{"created":"Publi\u00e9 6 mois il y a","modified":"Mis \u00e0 jour 6 mois il y a"},"absolute_dates":{"created":"Publi\u00e9 le novembre 27, 2025","modified":"Mise \u00e0 jour le novembre 28, 2025"},"absolute_dates_time":{"created":"Publi\u00e9 le novembre 27, 2025 8:56 pm","modified":"Mise \u00e0 jour le novembre 28, 2025 10:29 am"},"featured_img_caption":"","featured_img":false,"series_order":null,"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-06-08 17:55:27","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/derekyangauthor.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/143","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/derekyangauthor.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/derekyangauthor.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/derekyangauthor.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/derekyangauthor.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=143"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/derekyangauthor.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/143\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":144,"href":"https:\/\/derekyangauthor.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/143\/revisions\/144"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/derekyangauthor.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=143"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/derekyangauthor.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=143"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/derekyangauthor.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=143"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}