As their day had just begun, however, someone approached the chamber. The clatter of armor was heard from the halls, which is what gave it away. He came in abruptly. a soldier, one of Korrath’s trusted men, “General. Movement in the lower districts. Warehouse district. Multiple sightings of cloaked figures moving crates after dark. Slavers. Fresh collars. Same markings as the mine shipment.”

 

Korrath looked at Alex. “I trust your instincts and judgment enough, Alex. Care to join us in liberating these fiends from my lands?”

 

Alex exhaled, excitedly so. “A raid, huh? Sounds like fun. I’m in.”

 

Veyra stepped forward. “I am also in. Wherever Alex goes, I go as well.”

 

Kharos nodded. “Perfect, Korrath and his men will set up at the location.” He stopped himself before he continued, realizing how dirty everyone looked. “Give yourselves a bit of time to clean up, you’ll need it.”

 

“We will await your arrival before we start the raid.” Korrath looked at the duo, then nodded at his king’s demand. He was the first to leave the cell.

 

“And I’ll start rounding up family and friends, start the questioning before they do anything stupid.” Lady Sereth was the second to leave.

 

“I’ll leave you two be then.” The king now followed suit, with both Alex and Veyra doing the same.

 

It wasn’t long before the duo met Korrath and his men, a group of 6 soldiers, ready at his helm. They quietly set up their ambush as they approached the premises of the warehouse in question.

 

“What’s the situation right now, General Korrath?” Veyra said as she and Alex approached the group in a nearby alley adjacent to the warehouse.

 

“We’ve been observing their actions,” Korrath began to explain. “Lots of movement inside. We counted about 30-armed mercenaries; half of them were moving their shipments, and the other half were dealing with their slave captives. They take turns guarding the rear and front, 2 men at each entry point. One of my men pointed out that they switch in increments of 30 minutes – that’s our cue to jump in, during the swap.”

 

“Impressive,” Alex raised an eyebrow. He wasn’t expecting the soldiers to be as competent as cops from his world. “You guys are very well trained. I almost underestimated you.”

 

“You jest us with your kind words, Alex,” Korrath expressed his gratitude. His attention was averted to the front door of the warehouse. “I have a plan.”

 

Alex and Veyra silently nodded as the general went over his plans with the group.

 

The raid was clean.

 

The guards were taken out stealthily. Korrath’s men surrounded the rear and front, waiting for the cue to jump right in. They hit the warehouse from three sides: Korrath’s shadow slipping through the window, Veyra’s fire lighting the exits as soon as the soldiers broke the doors down, Alex moving in with drawn sword and glowing fists. Guards fell fast. Non-lethal where possible. Most surrendered the moment they saw the Butcher and the Crimson Terror together.

 

Inside: dozens of collars in crates. Beastkin and humans chained in cages, hollow-eyed, waiting for shipment. They freed them all.

 

Veyra stayed with the captives, calming them, directing the soldiers; her presence alone was enough to keep panic from spreading. Korrath coordinated the arrests, every human slaver bound and hooded.

 

Alex moved deeper into the warehouse as the commotion unfolded in the opposite direction.

 

*Detective mode activated. What are we looking for, Batman?* The author finally decided to make his appearance in Alex’s thoughts.

 

*Anything that isn’t obvious, Robin,* Alex muttered. *They don’t leave random names lying around. But they always leave something. I’m poking around until I find whatever sticks out.*

 

As he stumbled around, he found what he was looking for: a room that resembled an office space. Head office, the label on the outside said. As he poked around further, he found it in the back: a locked drawer. He took his sword out and pried it open with ease.

 

What he saw wasn’t what he expected: old wanted posters. Names crossed out. Faces he didn’t recognize. Dates going back decades. This was definitely planned out, far longer than he’s been around.

 

And under them, a map of Kharzad. Jackpot.

 

Three locations circled in red ink. One was the warehouse they just raided. The other two were marked in different districts. He wasn’t sure what they were exactly, but he could only assume it was more hideouts like this one. He’d have to continue to investigate.

 

*Based on what’s been circled, I can only assume that these are just like this place,* Alex thought. *Or maybe landmarks perhaps?*

 

*Could be, could be, you’re not gonna figure this out standing right here, you know?* The author couldn’t help but joke around.

 

Alex folded the map. Tucked it into his hoodie. *Yeah, yeah, I’m already on it.*

 

He stepped out of the office. Veyra was waiting. “Find anything?” she asked.

 

“Leads. Two more places like this one. I want to check them.” He pulled out the map, showing her the marked locations.

 

She instantly knew the landmarks. “This one, it’s a statue of Kukulkan, most people go there to pray in his name,” she pointed at the one on the left. Then she pointed at the one at the far right. “This one over here, it used to be a noble's mansion, I can’t exactly remember who, my cousin might have that information.” She said. “I know that it has long been forgotten, though, abandoned.”

 

“Neat, guess we’ll go and take a look, right?” Alex then folded the paper up, placing it back in his pocket.

 

“Before we do anything…” Veyra talked lowly.

 

“Yes?” Alex can see it; she was nervous. He knew her long enough to notice how her tail moved around, flicking the floor beneath her when something bothered her.

 

There was a silence; the only thing being heard was Korrath in the background ordering his men around loudly. “Back in the chamber, you lied to my father,” she had to bring it up; she also didn’t mention it. “Was it wise to hold that information?”

 

Alex thought for a moment. He knew he had to tread carefully on this thin ice. “‘They have eyes and ears everywhere...’” Alex repeated those last words of a dying man. “We don’t know what exactly we’re dealing with. Whose eyes we should be wary of, whose ears are perked up and ready to listen to us. I couldn’t risk it.”

 

Veyra opened her mouth, but nothing came out. What Alex said was true, and there was nothing she could say to defend them. Alex could see that confliction in her, fighting for every reason she thought of, but none came to mind.

 

“I love and trust you, Veyra.” He took her hand, and she found comfort in it; the warmth it brought that her own fire couldn’t. “If you want to tell your father, you’re more than welcome to. But that’s as far as I can advise you to go.”

 

“I…” She still couldn’t find her words. Her family meant everything to her, but so did Alex. She took a deep breath. “I understand. I’ll stand by your decision. I let my own thoughts cloud my own judgement. My family is dear to me, but I would be an idiot if I let anybody stab me right in the back.”

 

“I’m glad you managed to come to that resolution.” Alex smiled, placing his hand on her head as he patted away, his fingertips feeling the warmth of her mighty horns. She enjoyed it more than she led on; her own tail betrayed her as it bobbed back and forth.

 

“With that being said, it’s best we split up here,” Veyra’s eyes sorrowed, sad as she gently brushed Alex’s hand away. “With everything that has been going around, I’m going to help my cousin and General Korrath start their interrogations on all my family members and these slavers we’ve just caught. The more ground we cover, the better.”

 

Alex can see Veyra, her fear of what’s to come next. He knew the next steps would be the hardest to take in Veyra’s direction. He grabbed her hand, pulled her close, and embraced. His warmth met hers. His head on her shoulder, hers on his. “I know these next couple of days are going to be the hardest, and I want you to know that I am with you ‘til the very end.” His words were comforting to her ears. “No matter what happens, I’ll be by your side. You can bet on that.”

 

Stream of tears dropped down from her face, heavily; she pulled herself closer to him. Hearts racing, loving every moment of his reassurance. “Thank you so much,” she couldn’t help but reach his face, eyes met, his full of hope and hers filled with tears. She reached in for a kiss, gentle, polite. It meant everything to her; it meant everything to him. “I appreciate everything you’ve done so far to make me feel better. And I’m glad you’re the man I chose to be with. I’m glad you’re the one to free me, on top of that mountain.”

 

“I couldn’t have been a better person for that job,” Alex smiled, his heart racing even more. He pulled once more, another kiss. Her tail wagged, back and forth, whipping up the dust around them. “Call out my name, and I’ll be by your side swiftly.”

 

“I’ll make sure to do that.” More of their smiles filled the room. Letting go of his hand, Veyra started to walk in the opposite direction. “I’ll see you in a bit?”

 

“For sure,” he replied. “Remember, keep your eyes open and your ears peeled. Mindful of who’s watching and listening, that includes your father and that cousin of yours.”

 

“Then I’ll be careful.” She nodded, he nodded back, concluding their conversation.

 

Alex took out the map once more. From what Veyra said earlier, he took a mental note – remembering what these red circles meant: one statue and one mansion, abandoned. The statue was the closest to him, so that’s where the next part of his investigation followed.

 

As he exited the raided warehouse, so did Veyra and the general, along with all those arrested and freed. His roommate finally decided to butt in, making it known he’s still there. *Pretty intense moment back there, eh buddy?”

 

Alex wasn’t sure if there was any hint of sarcasm in that voice in his. *Oh, look who decided to finally say something. What? Bored being the third wheel?*

 

*No, I just figured you both needed the room.* The author was being honest for once.

 

*Hmm, I suppose you want me to thank you then?* Alex rolled his eyes. He had done so already earlier when they got back from the mines.

 

*No, it's appreciated, but I’m no affirmation seeker,* the author continued. *Just wanted to check in, I know a lot has happened. Wanted to see if you were holding up alright?*

 

*Me?* Alex scoffed. *It’s not me you should worry about, you know?*

 

*At this point, I’m your partner-in-crime, I know what’s rattling inside that head of yours, you know?* Author replied.

 

*Then enlighten me. What is bothering me?* Alex rolled his eyes, too much for his annoyance.

 

*Kane.* Alex stopped right in his tracks, the horizon gleaming with orange as the sun rose.

 

*…* Alex didn’t reply. Only silence did.

 

*I know, what I did to him was rather harsh, but -*

 

*Stop right there,* Alex interrupted him. *I know what I signed up for when I decided to indulge you in this story. What I signed up for back at Valthar, back in Chicago, when I took the oath to become a cop. It’s the same now; it was the same back then. I can’t do anything but move forward from here on out without lamenting the past.* He held nothing back.

 

*I see,* Author said. He paused for a moment, thinking of the next words. *Do you have any ill feelings toward me? For what I did?*

 

Alex thought about it for a moment. Then replied. *Oh, where do I begin?* He started to laugh. *If I were to say what I wanted to say to you, to your face, you’d have to write a whole other novel for that. That alone would be pure punishment for you.*

 

The author couldn’t help but mix in his laugh with Alex’s. *Well, I guess you saved me from not doing that then.* His laughter dimmed away. *There will be times when you will hate more than you should, berate me for the things I’ll have you do, for every little thing that’ll make or break you. Lots more is coming, and I want you to be mentally prepared for that. You understand?*

 

*I’ve faced a lot of that before coming here to Aetherra. If I have to villainize you to move forward, then so be it. Wouldn’t be who I am if that was the case.* Alex replied.

 

*Fair enough.* And with that, the author went back into silence.

 

As soon as his conversation was over, Alex continued towards the first marked location. As he made his way towards the statue, the sun was finally settling out, shining on the streets of Kharzad.

 

As soon as Alex approached, he realized how packed it was. That god-awful smell of incense hit him face-first. Yeah, it definitely was a place of prayer.

 

The statue of Kukulkan. One of the dragon god brothers – worshipped in this city. With all the people here, praying or not, it was easy for Alex to blend in. He took his hoodie off, making sure he sat near a bench, staring, listening.

 

“Did you hear what happened at the warehouse district?” “That’s where the raid took place, right?” “Apparently, they captured a bunch of slavers.” “Wow, I bet they were all humans too.” “No kidding, Valthar really knows how to make bad people.” One conversation Alex could distinguish.

 

He got up from the bench he sat on, walking towards the food stalls that were around. He continued to listen and order food while he did.

 

A chicken skewer and what seemed to be an orange type of juice. Later, he didn’t pick up anything else noteworthy. He decided to approach the statue.

 

Kukulkan. A statue made of stone and granite. The God that represented the humanity side of Dragons. A warrior with a unique headpiece that resembled a penacho, a headpiece with feathers that stick out from the helmet. *Very Hispanic,* he thought. *Kinda reminds me of the Native American statue on 63rd and Pulaski.* Nothing seemed out of place, at least for now.

 

*I’m not sure that’s appropriate.* The author butted in.

 

*Hey, you made him in the likeness of him, take some responsibility. * Alex grilled him.

 

*You know what? I don’t have to. Bye.* And the author retreated.

 

*Heh, scaredy cat.* Alex laughed.

 

He then remembered a tidbit, a memory of his mother, who would constantly remind him to pray occasionally, especially when he was investing more time in his cases. That thought dwelled in his brain as he stood in front of the statue.

 

Maybe it was the guilt, maybe it was the death of Kane. He knew he wouldn’t dwell on it longer than he should, but everything had happened so fast. He heeded the words his mother had told him and reluctantly gave one prayer. One that makes sure he’s in the right.

 

*Dios mío, si mis pecados me persiguen, dame fuerza para no caer de rodillas ante ellos.* Alex lit one candle by the statue's feet. Then continued his way as the candle burned and melted behind him.

 

Took him a while, but he made it to the next marked location. By then, the sun had risen a bit more; this time, instead of a morning cold breeze, the heat of the sun began to warm the air around the area.

 

Out of the corner of his eyes, he finally noticed it. A mansion. As Veyra said, it was abandoned. The moss around the building, the growing tall grass around, the out-of-shape gutters, and the tiles of the roof missing, the gate completely seals the place up. He can see it, blocked by the 8-foot, maybe 9-foot fence that encloses the area. He’d seen these kinds of buildings, the ones he used to explore with his older sister, Maria, who enjoyed scary stories and the supernatural.

 

“Wow, this place is huge.” Alex stared, arms crossed, as he inspected the outside.

 

As he looked, he noticed a couple of posters that stuck out. *KEEP OUT* *HAUNTED, DO NOT CROSS.* **TURN BACK.* All very ominous.

 

“Sir, what are you doing?”

 

A voice from behind, taking Alex out of his deep thoughts. He turned, and it looked like an old, worn-out citizen, wolf-kin – his fur was gray all over, a cane that helped his balance. A vest that didn’t cover much of his hair, chest, and torn pants, no shoes, just paws. “Oh, I’m just investigating this area, is all, heard reports of unusual activity.”

 

“Unusual? I haven’t seen much going on if I was being honest,” the man cleared his throat, approaching Alex closer, slowly. “My name is Ezekiel. I once was a servant to Sir Urzkin, head of the Zion family, who used to live in this mansion before being cast as a traitor to King Kharos and had him executed.”

 

“Oh,” Alex didn’t realize how deep the lore behind the mansion was. “My name is Alex. Any idea why they thought he was a traitor?”

 

“My master had some words about the God, Kukulkan,” Ezekiel began to explain. “Those words were not in any way good. He blasphemed, saying the side of the human was the weakest amongst the dragons that held that bloodline.*

 

“Well, I don’t really know how freedom of speech is around here, I’m sure just being a blasphemous fool wasn’t just the only thing that rolled his head.” Alex scratched his cheek.

 

“It was worse,” the old wolf continued. “After he was publicly humiliated by the King, the man and his family doubled down on their actions. Word spread amongst the families, some agreeing with his sentiment.” He sighed. He looked at that mansion; his face filled with nothing but sorrow, his ears low. “For a coup d’état not to start, he was killed. A public execution, his family was exiled from the kingdom. Servants were not allowed to follow. Those who did were thrown in jail for conspiracy.”

 

“I see,” Alex and Ezekiel looked at the mansion. So much has happened. So much that wasn’t so different from his world, at least once upon a time. “Has anyone from that family ever gotten retribution for that?”

 

“Even if they could, they wouldn’t. Whatever public sway they once had, it was all thrown out the moment the head of the family was killed,” Ezekiel explained. “They were cursed. If they ever stepped back into Kharzad, that curse would kill them. So, it was impossible to say the least.”

 

“Didn’t know they can cast curses like that, but I guess that’s their way of ensuring nothing can be plotted against them unless they used a third party,” Alex started to approach the gate, finally about to make his next step into his investigation. “Thanks for the information, Sir Ezekiel.”

 

“Wait, Sir Alex,” Ezekiel stopped Alex, at least for that moment. “Are you going in?”

 

“But of course.” Alex had his right hand and leg already on the fence, ready to jump over it to advance.

 

“Here,” Ezekiel pulled something out of his pocket – keys. “I have spares for the place. When everyone left, I kept the place clean until I couldn’t anymore. It was the least I could do since they took me in, fed and housed me. Please do take care of yourself, it’s been years since I’ve last set foot in there.”

 

Alex took the keys and saw that each was labeled for their own use, organized in a way that he could easily discern them. “Thank you, and I will.”

 

As he opened the gate, he looked back at the old wolf, saying goodbye. He then turned to face the mansion, so much bigger behind the fence. The yard expanded so much so, it was as big as parks, an old fountain, covered in moss, still running water. He walked on the uneven sidewalk, with cracks and the weeds that grew in them. It had been a while since the last time any signs of life were here.

 

As he approached the front door, he noticed something in the shade – and not just with his eyes, he felt it in the air, like when he fought Kane or his first encounter with Veyra, he knew this feeling well, it was mana. He squinted for a better look.

 

“Is that a dog?” A four-legged canine was in front of him, lying in the shade. Its form resembled that of a German Shepard dog. Ears perked up, head suddenly turned to look at Alex. Suddenly, it opened its eyes, their dark red, crimson like jeweled rubies. The perfect color to match its already ominous color – pitch black. “Oh crap.”

 

It didn’t move, only its eyes followed. But as soon as Alex got closer, it got up, growling. Not just a growl, but one that sent shivers down Alex’s spine. It was familiar, but different, much more ominous than it led on. “Human.”

 

Alex was shaken, eyes wide open as the dog spoke to him. “You can talk?”

 

The dog suddenly stopped growling, approaching Alex, sniffing his scent. He walked around him, its tail hitting the back of Alex’s leg. “You. You are not a human from this world.”

 

“You can tell?” More surprises, Alex continued to be amazed now.

 

“The humans here are all reeking with greed, deceit, death,” he continued. “Yours is different; your aura is strong. Very much so. I can’t tell if that’s a good thing or an even worse thing. Are you what they call an Otherworlder?”

 

“Yes.” Alex answered truthfully. He had the idea of using his appraisal skill, like when he did with Veyra during their travel here:

 

???

Race: Hellhound

Level: 85

Class: Guardian Familiar

HP: 18,500 / 18,500

MP: 9,200 / 9,200

Strength: 420

Agility: 280

Endurance: 380

Magic: 310

Skills: Hellfire Breath (S), Shadow-Step (A+), Soul-Tracking (S), Guardian Aura (A), Shapeshifting (A), Regeneration (S), more….

Title: Ancient Gatekeeper / The Omen

Contract: None

 

“Whoa, you’re a hellhound?” Alex couldn’t believe his eyes; his stats were almost as comparable as Veyra’s. And that also explained the mana; it was much older than anyone he’s encountered.

 

“Indeed,” the hellhound started to wag its tail. Was it happy? “Interesting, Humans usually don’t have that skill. So you are an Otherworlder.” He repeated himself, with Alex’s answer. “In all my centuries of being alive, you’re the first Otherworlder I’ve ever met. The first that has approached me without fear in their minds.”

 

“Oh? Is that a common occurrence with the people in this world?” Alex asked, now more intrigued than ever.

 

“Indeed, the people here fear me. In their eyes, I’m just a demon, nothing but a bad omen. They see only a disaster. They think, looking at me, with disgust and fear, that they’ll get cursed. Or worse, die with my sudden gaze,” the hellhound described how he’s viewed. A perspective Alex knew well – too well. “It’s true that my kind are a disaster, with power like this, who wouldn’t be afraid of what’s to come?”

 

“Heh.” Alex couldn’t help but laugh.

 

“Are you laughing at me?” Smoke was emitted around the hellhound, angered with Alex’s reaction.

 

“No, no, nothing like that of the sort. It’s just,” Alex looked back at his journey. It started with a massacre of a kingdom. Trails of heads rolling. “You’re like me. When I was summoned, they wanted to use me as a walking grim reaper for genocide. Well, jokes on them, I killed the King of Valthar, his army, and his council.” He sighed, still vividly remembering that anecdote. “Unfortunately, they had the last laugh, I too was called monster, butcher, bad omen, everything synonymous with it. No one like me, a human, can look me in the eyes, all scared. Every bounty hunter is after my head. I’m just a walking calamity in their eyes.”

 

The hellhound's demeanor quickly changed, sitting and wagging his tail as he listened to Alex and his journey. “It seems you and I are not so different then human. What is your name?”

 

“Alex, and yours?” Alex answered, quickly turning the question around.

 

“I don’t carry one,” the hellhound responded. “I used to have one, many centuries ago, but my master has long been perished. That name no longer suits me.”

 

“Well, I know something about naming dogs,” Alex said.

 

“Oh?” The hellhound’s ears perked up once more.

 

“Before I was a detective back in my world, I used to be a K9 Handler,” Alex explained.

 

“What is this K9 Handler you speak of? Is it something like a contract?” Hellhound continued with its questioning.

 

“A bit like that, basically, my partner is a dog like you. He protects me, and in return, I protect him. Sadly, the last partner, the last friend I truly had, died protecting me when he and I chased after a couple of burglars. I still miss him to this day. He was a good boy.” Alex continued, a small flashback of his past.

 

“That sounds like the same relationship I once had with my previous master,” it paused for a moment. Suddenly, it spoke once more, “Alex, place your hand on my head.”

 

“Pardon?” Alex raised an eyebrow at his request.

 

“Place your hand on my head,” hellhound explained. “You intrigued me, share almost the same destructive path. I want you to make a contract with me.”

 

“A contract… with you?” Alex, perplexed at the request of the hellhounds.

 

It simply nodded. Alex didn’t flinch, trusting his gut. He approached it, closer with every step. And he reached out his hand.