Chapter 24

The sun had almost completely slipped behind the distant dunes by the time Naro’s training stopped. He ended up rushing to Venilis realizing he hadn’t bought anything from him today. After his Guild visit he, with permission, got more plants and immediately went home again.

“I should have just stopped by on the way back…” Naro said as he turned the corner.

Eventually he reached the edge of Bazaar, waving to each owner that greeted him, where Venilis was standing. He noticed Nefi sitting on one of the stools munching on a loaf, at his approach the Beastkin’s ears twitch, and acknowledging Naro with a glance returned to his food.

“I wasn’t sure you would come today,” Venilis said as Naro sat down.

“Sorry I got caught up in my magic,” Naro said setting a Silver coin down. “Three loaves please.”

“Magic training makes really does make you hungry doesn’t it,” Venilis said taking the coin and reaching under his stall. “I was going to shut down figuring you were in the middle of it…but Nefi here paid a visit and took his time eating.”

“I just don’t like rushing my food,” Nefi said looking up at Venilis. “You can shoo me away whenever.”
“I would never…especially when you’re ensuring Naro eats for the day.”

“I wasn’t-”

Nefi cut himself off as Venilis set the bread down for Naro.

“I’m just kidding…mosly.”

Naro smiled at the two, and after thanking Venilis decided to dig in.

Nefi was now known around the Bazaar due to their love of food, there wasn’t a food stall around that Nefi hadn’t visited at some point.

People became a lot more open-minded about Beastkin after learning Nefi’s appetite and actually speaking with him, it wasn’t uncommon to see him walkin around on his own, grabbing food for Aeli and himself.

“You still okay on the medicine Nefi,” Venilis asked causing Nefi to nod.

“Belik was able to find a route for the medicine we need. He charged me a finding fee…but after that we negotiated a fair price. I help promote the stall on some days for an additional discount. Which…thanks for bringing that up Naro.”

The Beastkin’s glanced at him but continued munching on his bread making it clear he wasn’t expecting a response.

Working for him was a way to bury the hatchet of the past and foster communication between the two of them, it was a win-win when Naro brought it up to him back then.

Belik was…eccentric but if you needed something he was the person to ask, legal or not.

“That medicine is made in the Eastern Capital, it can be hard to get it here across the sea, Belik was the right person to ask.”

“The Capital huh…”

Nefi stopped eating staring at the half-eaten food with an expression Naro hadn’t seen on the boy’s face before. Just as he started to question it Venilis spoke up again.

“Naro I’m glad you came to see me today for another reason. You may want to lay low for a bit, avoid using your magic.”

Naro arched a brow at Venilis sudden warning, but there was a gravity behind the man’s words that forced his attention, even Nefi stopped eating to fully listen.

“A Light Mage came into town today. I managed to learn why she’s here with a bit of effort.”

Naro felt his entire body tense at the sudden information, even Nefi’s fur stood on end.

The more Venilis shared the deeper his heart seemed to sink, and the harder it became to hide his worry. He took a few steady breaths when Venilis finished, he could feel Nefi’s gaze on him.

“So they sensed a strange mana signature…probably when I awakened to my magic…maybe even after and she’s here to…exterminate me. Isn’t that a bit much, I’m pretty sure I haven’t wronged her in some way.”

“Light Mages don’t really care about what you did, they care about what you are,” Nefi said. “They serve the Celestial, the highest and strongest Deity around…and part of their existence is the erasure of Shadow Mages. Thankfully I confirmed she doesn’t know what you looked like, so you’re safe for now.”

Nefi spoke up after sitting in silence for most of the conversation, Venilis nodded continuing the conversation.

“If a Light Mage appears, it’s generally to deal with a Shadow Mage, or spread their teachings.”

“Their teachings…of Shadow Mage erasure.”

“Among many other things yes,” Venilis said. “They are very…energetic about their ways. To protect from Shadow Mages, they try to instill the Light’s teachings. If you should refuse to listen then you’re open to corruption. Most won’t do anything but…”

“They’re fanatics to put it simply,” Nefi said. “They won’t listen to reason, some are just extra fanatics.”

Venilis offered a chuckle but didn’t dispute Nefi’s words.

“Many people do find comfort in their words, and there are churches devoted to the Celestial. Most aren’t bad at heart, even the young lady from yesterday didn’t seem malicious…it’s just in their teaching. Most normal people follow or know of the Light’s teachings.”

“We Beastkin tend to avoid human society and live in solitude revering our own Deity, but we know of the Celestial.”

“Elves are essentially the same, we follow our own Deity. That being said the Celestial is known by all mortal Races in some capacity. Thus Light Mages preach to all people, except Shadow Mages.”

“The Celestial is considered kind and benevolent, so no one dislikes her…just her people are a pain to deal with,” Nefi added. “What does this lady look like anyway.”

Venilis raised his head before pointin behind them.

“Like that.”

The two turned to see Sika in her full garb staring at them, Naro remained silent slowly chewing on his bread, trying to figure out exactly to say to someone trying to purge him. The mask shifted to look at him and he realized that he couldn’t sense her Mana even though she was clearly a Mage.

At the very least she didn’t know he was a Shadow Mage, no one could sense his Mana apparently and so long as she didn’t make it obvious she wouldn’t know who he was.

He just had to maintain a calm and cool facade.

“There’s another seat if you’d like to join us,” Naro said motionin to the third stool.

“You expect me to share a table with the enemy?”

Naro’s eyes twitched and Nefi finished the last of his bread, eyeing possible exits.

“Enemy? Have wet met somewhere before?”

“Your deception is wasted on me, Shadow Mage.”

Pretending was now no longer an option, he wasn’t sure how she figured it out but if he had an odd feeling if she tried to play it off again, it was only going to make things worse.

“Let’s talk somewhere else, kin of the dark,” Sika said motioning with her head.

Naro sighed and stood up from his seat, Sika seemed to look at Venilis then Nefi before focusing back on Naro.

“Oi Naro…” Nefi said causing Naro to hold a hand up.

“It’s fine we’re just going to talk. I’ll be back in a bit.”

Nodding to the two he turned and walked away with Sika, she let him pass her and walked behind him.

“Do you have access to the forest?” Questioned.

“I do.”

“Then the Guild really did know about you…take us there.”

He didn’t like how many people he was roping into this, he didn’t look back at Nefi or Venilis. He didn’t want to cause them any trouble, much less anyone at the guild. He decided to play along and do as she asked, she wasn’t attacking him in the middle of town, so there was a chance for communication.

The guard generally didn’t let someone into the forest without a permit, even when accompanying another, but Naro managed to talk the guards into letting them passed.

He was then told to walk into the forest, and keep walking until she told him to stop.

The two walked in silence for most of the walk, Naro trying to figure out how to explain he had no issues with her when she spoke first.

“What hold did you have on the guards to let me pass?”

“Hold? They just owed me a favor. I helped one get materials so he could make a gift for his wife. He owed me one. The other…isn’t paid enough to care he says.”

Silence fell between them again as they walked further into the forest, Naro had never traveled this deep into the woods due to the monsters but he had little choice but to follow the guidance of the Light Mage.

“Here is fine.”

Naro stopped and turned around to see Sika throw off her cloak and remove her mask.

He arched a brow at her clergy robes but when his eyes went to her face, he couldn’t help letting out a soft gasp.

Golden hair and eyes that seemed to shine through the filtered sunlight, and to his own surprise she was younger than he expected, he didn’t think it’d be someone that looked his age hunting him down. She reminded him of the evening sun, beautiful but ephemeral, he felt like he was only catching a glimpse of her, though he was looking directly at her.

He was pulled back to reality however when he felt the flow of Mana in her suddenly shift, he had barely felt anything moments before but all of a sudden he could feel the amount of Mana in her body quickly rising. Her eyes let out off a bright glow and the Mana within her exploded outwards, the greenery around them shivered as Sika’s removed her suppression. Naro raised his arms feeling waves of energy crash into his body, he was almost knocked off his feet as he was hit full force.

Her Mana let off a bright yellow glow and Naro realized just how bad the situation was. He had never met someone with this much Mana, her power was like a roaring tiger, it made Beso’s power look like a puppy in comparison.

“My name is Sikali, a Minor Deity who serves the Celestial. You shall be bathed in the Light to cleanse you of Shadow.”