Sion walks quickly through the streets of Ecg at a brisk pace, careful not to run and raise suspicion. Not knowing his way around the city, Sion first makes his way back to the Tredan home. From there, he makes for the guild, then the cafe, tracing the places Anima has brought him to. He sighs to himself, wishing he could have gotten his bearings in the city with Anima, though still not regretting his choice to help. From the cafe, though his mind was in a daze, Sion retraces his path to the minister’s home.

  Sion approaches the front door. There are two guards in front of it, standing vigil in the night. When he sees them, Sion realizes again his mistake. He has no business with the minister, nor does he have some way to prove his identity to them. He would certainly be turned away if he tried to enter normally, and in the worst case, it might cause a tightening of the overall security. Sion turns away from the guards and walks around the perimeter. Sion maps out the extent of the manor he saw when they first arrived in Ecg in his mind, and upon seeing light through a high window, realizes that Minister Feoh is likely still in his office.

  Sion climbs onto one of the windowsills attached to the first floor, then jumps up, using his soul magic to reach the glowing window. He pulls himself up onto the windowsill and balances himself there carefully. He sees the minister’s back inside the office.

  Sion knocks on the window. Feoh swings around in his chair to look at the source of the sound. It takes him a moment to recognize Sion. He stands up in awe. Feoh closes his eyes tight, wondering if he might be too tired already. When he opens them, he steps closer to Sion, who still squats awkwardly on the windowsill.

  Carefully, Feoh opens one side of the window out, Sion dodging out of the way to let it pass all while maintaining his balance. With the window open, Sion slips into the room. He looks at the minister, who still stands around baffled by the entire situation.

  “Good evening, Mr. Feoh.”

  “Good evening. Ah, no, rather… What are you doing here? You’re… a friend of Her Highness, aren’t you? You’re name… is Sion?”

  “That’s right. I’m here on business.”

  “Business? I heard about what transpired recently, so is it hasty to presume that this is about the True Dracabanan Army?”

  “You’re right.”

  “Has something happened? I’ll provide whatever aid I can.”

  “It’s not something like that. I’m sure you’ll be told directly if that ends up being the case. I just need to talk.”

  “I was just about to retire for the night, but of course I have time now.”

  “No, the one I need to talk to is Lufe.”

  “With Lufe? Is this… a personal matter? Were you lying to me about what this was?”

  “Of course not. I really am here about the True Dracabanan Army.”

  “So what do you need Lufe for?”

  “I had a feeling that she might know something.”

  “How would she have learned something that even the army hasn’t found out yet? She’s just a normal girl.”

  “I don’t know how to explain it. It’s just a hunch.” Feoh sighs, resigning himself.

  “I understand, I suppose. And I can’t very well refuse a mission from Her Highness.” He continues on before Sion can correct him. “I think Lufe is in the study. Follow me, I’ll bring you to her.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Feoh.”

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  Feoh leads Sion through the halls of the manor himself. Sion takes the opportunity to learn more about Lufe.

  “Has Lufe always been so reserved?”

  “She has, ever since she was a child. It’s been a little worrying, honestly, but it seems like it’s been getting better recently.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “She hardly ever went out before, but she’s been going out more and more recently.”

  “Do you know where?”

  “No, just that it’s out in the city. Ecg is safe so I don’t really worry too much. Why do you ask?”

  “I was just interested.”

  “That’s kind of you. Actually, she’s been quite excited about going to Clea for the harvest festival recently. It’s the first time she’ll be leaving the city on her own. So, Sion, I’d like to ask that you watch over her, if that’s possible. I’d be happy if you could become a friend to Lufe.”

  “Sorry, Mr. Feoh. I won’t be spending much time in Dracabana. Though I’m happy that you seem to trust me so much.”

  “Ah, that’s alright. I understand.”

  They reach the door to the study soon enough. Feoh knocks on it once, then Sion begins to speak.

  “Mr. Feoh, I would rather talk to Lufe alone, if that’s alright.” Feoh sighs again and rubs the back of his neck.

  “If you think that’s necessary, then I can’t really find a reason to refuse.” Feoh walks away, leaving Sion to open the door.

  The study isn’t a large room. In its center is a circular table large enough for two or three people to sit comfortably. Along the walls are bookshelves reaching from the floor to the ceiling, each packed full with books. Though with the room’s small size it’s not too giant a collection, it is certainly impressive, and certainly the largest collection Sion has seen himself. Lufe sits at the table, facing the door, a book open in front of her. She seems startled when she sees Sion, her one visible eye, like smoldering embers, going wide. She averts her gaze, looking down at her book. She speaks softly, hardly more than a whisper.

  “I thought you were Father.”

  Sion says nothing in response. He takes a step inside the study and closes the door behind him. As the door closes, Lufe jumps in her seat, again startled. He stares right at her. Her demeanor is the same as when they first met. Her posture and loose clothing hide the shape of her body. Sion looks into her soul, the translucent blue slate appearing in front of Lufe. Again Sion can feel his eyes throbbing, as though they were about to burst out of his skull. He winces as he looks at the slate that, as he expected, is too scrambled to read. He makes it disappear, and the last of his doubts disappear.

  “Lufe, why did you side with the True Dracabanan Army?”

  “E-eep! T-the ‘True Dracabanan Army?’ I think I heard Father talking about something like that, but…”

  “Don’t lie, Lufe. I’m right, aren’t I? You’re Gitsung the Desire.”

  “I-I don’t know what you’re talking about…” Sion jumps forward, pushing Lufe back. There’s a loud thud as the chair hits the ground. “Eek!”

  Seeing her reaction so close, Sion is sure it’s an act. Though she reacted so loudly, even with Sion bearing down on her, she hardly looks afraid. Even a man such as Valere was afraid of him, just the idea of his physique, so Sion is sure that this girl, barely flinching away from him even as he’s on top of her, is much stronger and much more confident than she lets on, enough for her not to be afraid.

  Sion recalls the image of Gitsung the Desire, remembering the scales that covered her sides. Sion grabs Lufe’s dress and pulls it up to reveal her stomach. There aren’t any scales, nor are there bandages as the others had described, just Lufe’s pale, smooth skin. However, as Sion’s hand brushes against her skin, he realizes something else. Her skin is burning, hot enough for him to pull his hand away. It’s a temperature much higher than a person should be able to handle, especially one that seems completely fine like Lufe.

  “You can’t hide it anymore. Your body is way too hot. It’s abnormal. I’m right, aren’t I? You let Hyrtan modify your body to make you like a demidragon, and that’s why your body is like this, isn’t it? That’s what makes you Gitsung the Desire?” Lufe says nothing.

  The door to the study slams open. A guard, his hand at the hilt of his sword, walks in urgently.

  “Lady Lufe, is everything alright—!” He sees Lufe, her dress pulled up, and Sion on top of her. “Get off of her, intruder!”

  The guard rushes to them, drawing his sword as he does so. When he gets close enough, Sion rises and pushes the blade back inside its scabbard. He then strikes the man’s chin with the base of his palm and pulls him to the ground. Sion stands up, his suspicions confirmed, and walks to the window at the end of the room. He looks back at Lufe one more time.

  “Lufe, you can still turn back. Give up being Gitsung, and I won’t tell anyone.”

  She still says nothing, though she still has not returned to feigning confusion. Sion begins to hear more sets of footsteps approaching. He opens the window and jumps out, escaping into the dark streets of Ecg with the truth of the matter confirmed.