Refuge

          The Werewolf Crisis on Terra had caused irreparable damage to the one third of humans living on that planet. Due to the Praxis radiation, a coined term for reflected solar radiation on Luna’s surface, those one third humans awakened their werewolf heritage. During the first months, this crisis happened, these humans turned werewolves could not hold their bestial nature, and thus they needed to be contained. Even after two years, this urge would not disappear, but most of these unnatural werewolves had been docile.

          Only those who had been born Lycan, or those who had become one and mastered the urge were spared from this. They, however, were the subject of moral panic. Many accused the natural born werewolves for causing the crisis that almost collapsed the economy, and they vehemently rejected it. They argued that the virus had been docile for 200 years, but most did not want to learn the fact. All they wanted was to relieve their fear on these werewolves, and the fear that humans would soon be extinct because of this virus, and Terra would no longer have ‘furless’ people living on it.

          Thus, to prevent harm coming towards them, many evacuated Terra to Luna Base, the Lunar outpost on the dark side of the natural satellite. It was mostly turned werewolves, and many had accepted their fate. Others, however, not so much.

          Even with the refugees living there, there was still one oddity who temporarily made shelter. It was the family of a Western Draconian called Amhyr, with his twins. Of all the hybrids out there, theirs was the unique one. They had the face of a wolf, but most of their bodies were covered in dark green scales and they even had draconic tails. They did not mind about the crisis at hand, but Amhyr was.

          The news of the Wind of Change and St. Vincent spotted in their original position was a relief for some, yet outrage for others. They did not appreciate being abandoned, thinking that they were killed, only to return later, not as ghosts or solids, but as living beings. If it was the greatest joke of the century, it wasn’t for these people. Amhyr was one of those people who was glad that his friends and especially his wife was still alright.

          Life in the cramped Luna Base wasn’t something that he would say ‘comfortable’. He was still trying to get himself occupied in making simple holo-games for his kids, and to earn some money by selling it to some parents who needed entertainment. He tried not to give them the fact that he was once one of the crews who ended the Black Creature Crisis, but many Federation members recognized him. He did not like the spotlight and apparently so did the rest of his old crew. They had become formidable people, however, but never remembered as that.

          Everything, however, soon changed because of a guest.

          Amhyr was walking around the base’s botanical garden, relaxing himself near the pond, when a familiar face approached him.

          “Life on a moon is tough, isn’t it, kraktan (friend)?”

          Amhyr turned towards the source of the voice to meet his friend, Let. He had not seen the Scylla in two years, and his surprise visit to Luna Base was unexpected for him.

          “Let…”

          “Shh, don’t worry,” said Let while looking towards Amhyr. “I want to talk about things. Catching up, as you Terrans like to say. Don’t worry. No one knows about me or you.”

          “Say that to so many letters I found in my mailbox asking me for their help,” replied Amhyr. “I thought you have duties.”

          “I was, at least until Adonis I becomes a base of operations for fighting enemies. We were once a warrior race, so it’s not surprising that our dead people would turn out to be fighters themselves. We can’t interfere with them so I left.”

          “Who’s the chief, then?”

          Let scoffed. “A kaf’rak without his domain is just a normal Scylla. I am here on a vacation...or maybe running away. There’s nothing I can do there without interfering with dead kaf’raks, including my father, the previous Renziletis, and my grandfather, the first Renziletis. I’m just Renziletis the third now.”

          “Ouch. It’s hard to try to prove your dad and granddad, huh?”

          “It’s not that hard. Father approved of my way of doing things, but grandfather…well, let’s just say he was one of the last warrior-minded kaf’raks. I chose to leave since there is no need for a peacetime kaf’rak during war with other planets.

          “Other planets?”

          “As of now, Scyllas are still fighting a war with an old extinct alien from a thousand of years ago. I would take arms, but my father talked me out of it and let me guide survivors out of our home. It sounds like I’m running away, but it’s equally as hard to relocate to Adonis III as fighting for our home planet. Well, we survived, and I took my time off to see you here.”

          “That’s a relief. Have you heard from the Wind of Change?”

          “Yes, although I admit, hearing Calventis’s voice again after two years made me happy again. I can hear Rose’s voice, too, so you know.”

          “That’s a relief.”

          “And…I want to extend an invitation for you. Would you like to go to Adonis III for the time being?”

          This came as a surprise for Amhyr, who had started to settle in the cramped space in Luna Base. He was grateful that Let came sooner. A little later than that and he would decline.

          “That’s great? But, uh…we’re among Scyllas…”

          Let chuckled. “Someone told you about our warrior-like civilization, huh? I know not every Scylla is like me or Calventis, but I can assure you that it’s not what you think. You get that from a kaf’rak.”

          “So, when do we go?”

          Let did not answer and only smile. Amhyr was momentarily confused before realizing what the silent gesture meant.

          “Now?”

          “What better time than now? Pack your belongings and we will be off.”

          “But, the twins…”

          “I’ll help you pack.” Let then moved his head closer to Amhyr and whispered, “You’ve never seen a kaf’rak help you pack, right? Perks of being a former slave. You learn to be humble.”

          Amhyr wasn’t trying to make that as a joke, but Let apparently did, despite of the hardship he endured before meeting the crew of Azure.

          They walked through the deserted park, now past the closing time. People were wondering why a Scylla was walking with a Terran (it is easy to distinguish a western draconian and a Scylla. Scyllas only had three claws. Despite of having wings like a Western, they had no spiky horns and looked very reptilian. Aside from that, all the males are buff, like draconian bodybuilders), but they did not care and return to their works. Some, however, just waved curiously towards Let, who waved back and smile. Amhyr just pull him and hasten the pace.

          “Isn’t that how you humans greet each other?”

          “They’re making fun of you. Tell me, Let. Does anyone know that you are a kaf’rak?”

          “Only the people in my domain and other kaf’raks know that I am one. Other than you, kraktan, no one knows about me.”

          “Are you sure about that? Luna Base isn’t exactly for Terran only, you know,” said Amhyr.

          “Yes, but can they recognize me wearing commoner’s clothes? Come on, where do you live?”

          Amhyr pointed him towards the apartment door near the end of a hexagonal corridor. Let looked around and then go into Amhyr’s apartment, but upon entering, he was appalled by what he saw.

          “Trekan Rak’nak (by my forefathers)! When was the last time you cleaned?”

          “I need to work for a living too, you know.”

          “Can’t you return back to your old job instead of settling with wires and cables?”

          “I have kids sleeping in another room asking me to play with them. I can’t return to espionage! That’ll take me months away from them, and Rose is the one working in the lab.”

          “Oh, so you’re the Yrinak (househusband).”

          “I don’t know what that mean, but I assume you’re calling me a househusband. Okay…it takes time to pack everything. How long does your transport want to wait?”

          “As long as it takes. Do not assume that it’s my patience, though.”

          Amhyr looked at him and sighed. Let was a calm fellow, but he wasn’t calm enough to pack everything.

          The apartment’s living room was littered with papers and stuff that were mostly his design on some holo-games and, by demand, video games. While video games were obsolete in the 24^th century, some still thought they had a sense of nostalgia to it. Ever since video entertainment had been overtaken by holographic media since the 23th century, game development was not as difficult as a multi-billion project. Even someone like him could make a decent, ‘indie’ game without difficulty, provided they had the things to start with.

          Fortunately for him, he did not unpack completely. He always assumed that he would return to his brick apartment in Vitania, and it was still going strong after two years. He believed Rose and the rest of her crew survived and continuing their mission. His sons were also hoping that their mother would return for them.

          “Amhyr, I think it is best to wake your sons up and prepare,” said Let.

          “Good idea.”

          Amhyr then walked through his things into the twins’ room. They were sleeping soundly on the double bed that was supposed to be Amhyr’s bed. He had been sleeping on a couch for two years now.

          “Ben, Barry, wake up,” said Amhyr.

          “Ben and Barry, huh? Why don’t it be Ben and Jerry?” said Let.

          “They’re twins, Let. Besides, that sounds like a brand name.”

          “May I ask their full name, though?”

          “Benedict and Barlen.”

          Right at that time, both of them wake up. They were yawning and looked like a canine in the dark, but Amhyr then turned on the lights and said, “Come on, both of you. Wash your face and pack.”

          “Are we going back to Terra, papa?” said Barlen with starry eyes.

          “No, Barry. I’m sorry, but we are going to uncle Let’s home.”

          “Uncle Let?” Benedict looked past the door and see Let. The Scylla only waved his hand. This, however, made Benedict excited.

          “Oh boy. I’m going to meet the space dragons!”

          This did not make Let happy, though. After both Ben and Barry walked into the bathroom, Let approached Amhyr and said, “Space Dragon?”

          “It’s Terran nickname for your race,” said Amhyr. “You look like draconians from afar.”

          Let grunted, then resumed helping Amhyr packing. It wasn’t a hard work since all Amhyr wanted to carry to Adonis III were clothes, his design plans, computer accessories, and some books. He did not want to carry any furniture from that place since Let assured him that they had their furniture ready in their home.

          “So, Let. Have your people seen you like this?”

          “I was the leader for the royal engineering team, so of course they’ve seen me do this many times. You’re not the only one with designs everywhere in your room, right? It’s our culture to help others. Monarchy is nothing but a title and all government work is managed by my ministers. I don’t like being involved with politics.”

          “So, it’s a people’s nation?”

          “Something like that. It’s not lawless, I tell you. We have law enforcement to deal with crimes. If you are having a fight, you do it in a special place for that, so no street fighting. Think of the children.”

          “Right…. So, how’s life?”

          “Nothing major. My wife is worried sick about our line of succession. Calventis may not be our only son, but he’s the one closest to take over as kaf’rak, Besides, he is doing his pilgrimage with Dairyu, so he’s almost ready.”

          “How about you if he becomes chief?”

          “I retire, of course. We don’t rule until we die. I might travel around, read books, tinkering. Things like that.”

          “If only some other leaders can be as humble as you are.”

          Let chuckled. “Like I said. Years of being a slave changed you.”

          “I thought you might become a revolutionary figure.”

          “If I become one, then I won’t be standing here talking to you and cleaning up your mess,” said Let. “I once read about a historical figure on Terra with that kind of description. I believe his name was…”

          “Articus,” replied Amhyr. “He was a Jackal-descended gladiator who rebelled against the Orman Empire. Of course, he lacked discipline, and he was reportedly killed on the battlefield and his followers crucified all the way from Orma to Sacel. Gruesome, but it’s true.”

          “You know your history, huh?”

          “I once liked reading about Terran history, but as I aged, I realized my passion wasn’t to become a historian. In the end, I sympathized with the Saurian for losing a lot of their history after their original planet was destroyed.”

          After they talked for a while, two hours had passed, during which they had finished packing up. Let then helped him carry some of his luggage.

          “Oh, you don’t need to do that!” said Amhyr.

          “It’s must faster this way,” replied Let. “And besides, I don’t think anyone appreciated sudden move outs on this colony.”

          “How can you tell?”

          “You tell me. The moment we docked, some of your people asked me for additional charges and shakedowns. I just told them that I’m a Scylla, and they backed off. It’s not the same for you, though.”

          “It’s not like our lives are in immediate danger, right? They are mostly harmless.”

          “For us. Your children, however, is a different story. Now let’s get going.”

          The walk to the port was uneventful safe for some homeless people littering the streets and other shady people staring at them. Most turned away when Let glared at them, but others did not seem to be scared to Scyllas. Amhyr knew many criminal activities around the base. Luna Base wasn’t exactly a place for starting a family after the werewolf crisis caused panic about mass human race extinction, prompting many to take refuge to Luna Base. The most persistent problem was food shortage and paranoia. After some werewolf family moved into the apartments there, there were vandalisms of their property and some hate groups forming due to the fear.

          Amhyr’s family was pretty much a problem on that base, primarily because of his hybrid twins. While hybrids were common back in Terra, his twins were part werewolf. If it wasn’t for Amhyr’s status as a war hero and his good reputation with some families, he would be dragged out of the streets and paraded like some sort of animals.

          Getting out at the base’s night cycle was not recommended, but they were in a hurry. Amhyr’s fear about some people trying to harm them proved correct when they reached the port.

          As soon as they reached Let’s ship, some people started to gather around that ship carrying makeshift weapons. They were the first who noticed the family’s departure. Amhyr recognized some of them who had open hostility in the past with him.

          “Hello, Rithola, where ya goin’?” said one of them threateningly. “Wanna tell us why you are involving the Scyllas now? Runnin’ away?”

          “Out of this junk? Gladly,” replied Amhyr sarcastically.

          “Oh, you think you’re smart, mocking us?” said another, batting his baseball bat mimicking a baseball batter. “Just so you know, no one here likes you being all nice with the others. We know your children are half lycanthropes, and they can pose great danger to other Terran races.”

          “Hey, don’t get too cocky and get my kids into your…”

          One of them released a shot to the air, stopping Amhyr mid-sentence.

          “Don’t talk back or you’ll be hurt, Rithola. Now, where is your wife?”

          “My wife is far from your concern.”

          “You’re lying. Amhyr Rithola, husband of distinguished Rosalinda Van Helsing, an old family of werewolves who might still have the virus active in her. Do you think we are that stupid?”

          “Well, stupid enough to not understand that I was one of the crew of Azure.”

          “Even war hero can turn a criminal later, Rithola. Now, hand us your children or we will blow you Scylla friend’s ship apart.”

          Then Let walked in front of Amhyr, between him and the group. His big feature made them retreat for a moment, but one of them said, “It’s not your concern, Scylla.”

          “On the contrary, he’s my friend. Look, we can end this without anyone getting hurt, so get back.”

          “You think we’re scared of a Scylla? They may be great fighters, but we are not scared of a bunch of Scyllas.”

          Let looked towards Amhyr, who sighed and said, “Do whatever that thing you do.” He then turned around and said, “Last warning. I don’t wanna hurt you. I just…”

          One of them, losing his nerve, tried to hit Let with a lead pipe. Owing to the pipe’s thickness, and Let’s gauntlet, it did not even harm the Scylla. He just sighed and said, “Worst mistake you’ll ever get.”

          Let then concentrated and made a telekinetic push towards the person, how was thrown away from Let. He fell to the ground without serious harm, but this was perceived as an agitation by the others. Before they could attack, however, Let used another one of his telekinetic blast to push them away from him and giving them time to get on the ship and flew away.

          While inside the ship, Amhyr phoned the port’s guard and said, “Hello, is anyone there! I want to report an assault by a group of assailants on a Scyllan ship on dock D4. Apprehend them immediately. They are class three offenders!”

          “Who the hell is this?!”

          “Identification F-14-5-Zero. Daryl Smith!”

          “Understood. We’re moving in!”

          After he closed the link, Let let out a laugh.

          “You still have your edge, huh, Amhyr?” he said. “And besides, who’s Daryl Smith? And class three offenders?”

          “He’s a port master. I heard his identification before, and he has the authority to arrest these people. As for Class Three offenders…well, let’s just say they won’t see the light of day. It’s equivalent to murderous criminals. I don’t want to risk level four or five. Those are reserved for the most dangerous offenders, and they usually get blown out to space. I’m not that merciless”

          “Nevertheless, that’s harsh. I mean, you practically turned them into criminals.”

          “They threatened my friend, and they threatened my kids,” said Amhyr. “And besides, that’s the shortest take-off sequence I’ve ever seen.”

          “Never underestimate Scyllan engineering.”

          The ship went out Luna Base and immediately entered FTL after a substantial distance from the satellite. While the Scyllan ship was travelling, Amhyr let his sons go to sleep. The ordeal was exhausting for them, as did for Amhyr. Let, however, had another thing in mind for inviting the draconian to his ship.

          After offering the draconian a replicated coffee, Amhyr looked at it for a while and said, “I prefer coffee beans.”

          “We don’t have that kind of luxury on this ship,” said Let. “But I’d like to try one of those that isn’t made for royalty. Beans and leaves are luxurious for our community. A feast for kings, as they say.”

          “Is that the reason why you didn’t put a replicator on Wind of Change?”

          Let chuckled. “I wanted to, but I don’t think it’s necessary. Dairyu was the only one who complained about it, but I heard they had a good cook on that ship, with good supplies from the planets and outposts they went.”

          “Yeah…”

          Amhyr then put down the coffee mug and looked at Let seriously.

          “I doubt your reason of taking my family off-planet is to take us away from discrimination.”

          “You’re quite perceptive. Yes, there is a matter that needs your expertise, and the only one I completely trust that isn’t affiliated with the Federation is you.”

          “Black ops, huh? I thought you have someone for the job already.”

          “He’s preoccupied at the moment, so I turn to you. Let’s go to my room.”

          Amhyr stood up and walked with Let, wondering about the mission he was about to do. He had been out of shape for ten years after retirement, but deep down within his heart, he knew being an agent was something that he yearned for. It was his life for 20 years.

          They walked into a simple room with only a double bed and some trinkets that were obviously Scyllan. Let then closed and locked the door behind him.

          “So, what’s the job?”

          Let turned towards Amhyr. “I want you to help me infiltrate a base full of solids and end their control.”

          “That’s the reason you want me to move to Adonis III? I can’t risk my children!”

          “They will be safe in my house. It’s the safest place on that small town.”

          “Why me? You have some Scyllas who can fight for you, right?”

          “I can trust you. That’s the first reason. The second is that no one is currently available to do this, and I can’t let some random Federation Agent die and sour our relationship.”

          “So, this is off the record, then?”

          “Not really. Your supervisor refers me to you.”

          “I can’t get a rest, huh?” said Amhyr with a sigh. He looked towards the hyperspace vortex out on Let’s window and said, “I will do your thing, my friend, but on one condition.”

          “Say it, and I will do my best to fulfill it.”

          “It’s not something that you will regret, but I must be sure that it is fulfilled. I want to have your words that my children are safe, no matter what happens. Also…I cannot do this all on my own.”

          “That’s why I am volunteering to help you. What’s good a kaf’rak who cannot even protect his people?”

          They looked at each other for a moment, before Amhyr smiled and said, “You read my mind, didn’t you?”

          “No. It’s just I know how to make my friends excited. You’re excited, aren’t you?”

          “I am lying if I am not, but I’m no longer an agent. I am a father, with two hybrid kids. Hybrid twins. I can’t risk my life for them.”

          “Again, you got me.”

          “Heh. How reliable are you? This isn’t exactly the battlefield, you know. We are trying to be covert here.”

          “Element of surprise is always something I cherish. That is why I survive until this day.”

          Amhyr and Let let out a laugh for a moment before both stopped and smiled to each other. Then Let looked away from his draconian friend and towards the window.

          “But I think it is time you tell me why those Terrans hate you,” said Let with deep, serious tone.

          Amhyr looked towards Let and said, “Well, you know. The crisis.”

          “I know that, but why you? You are not even a Lycan, like Rose.”

          “Let, you may know something about our race from Dairyu and the Warriors. We may look tough, adaptable, and always find victory with creativity, but there are things we are so vulnerable with, and that is fear.”

          “Fear is in all living being,” said Let. “Without it, we can’t survive, or even trust anyone.”

          “I’m glad you understand. Yet, our brand of fear is different. We were once greedy and cowardly, and we did not trust each other. Racial problems happened all the time in the past. Slavery, racism, hate…those things were recorded in our history and is a textbook knowledge. We don’t try to forget them, as they were who we were.”

          “And I doubt they hate you because of your sons being half-werewolf.”

          Amhyr chuckled. “Right now, hybrids are being prosecuted. I could run and survive for two years because I pulled some strings. However, it depends on what string you pull. You can pull them, but you must know the limit before it snaps, or otherwise cause more trouble than it worth.”

          “You made enemies.”

          “Not actually enemies, per se. I pulled too hard, and guess what? That string’s too malleable. I went too far. People died. You might think that they deserved it. They were racist idiots who were messing with the wrong draconian. Then you realize that as much as you hate them, they are still living, breathing people. They have families, too.

          “I was glad that they did not know the ends of things, but it just got them angrier. Grief can become a strength of its own, and well…even I can’t do it alone. That’s why I’ve been building respect around Luna Base, trying to dissuade anyone from trying to kill me or harm my children. I know they are desperate to find out the truth and to prevent the extinction of humanity, the last kind that’s not considered Beast People, but…well, it’s harsh, but you gotta do what you do to survive.”

          “I know you are not glad to say this, Amhyr, but I gotta say. You clearly are a cold draconian. Cold and calculating, like a machine.”

          “You didn’t get that impression back when we were still a team?”

          Let chuckled. “You had us to protect your back. Now that you’re alone, it makes you firm and independent, knowing that you cannot rely on someone. So, I have another question. With your resources and connections, why can’t you just end people you don’t like? Not killing them, obviously, but maybe a little twist and turn to make them subjugated?”

          “I might do that if I was ten years younger. I might get angry and cause the people I hate eternal suffering, but I cannot do that anymore. If I do that, then I’m no different that the regime under the Terran Empire, where they consider aliens as nothing more than those who they want to conquer. Someone’s philosophy might change things, and it’s not always for the best.”

          Let looked towards the window. “You…really have changed, Amhyr.”

          “You haven’t seen this side of me before, Let. I was a professional back then. Now, it’s just me pouring everything out for a friend who understands.”

          Then the ship’s speaker gave an announcement that made both Let and Amhyr turned.

          “We’ve arrived, kaf’rak. Adonis III.”

          “Otherwise known as Enkalrek. It’s our world’s language, for ‘New Haven’.”

          “Poetic.”

          “Unless we can end the menace, it won’t be one. Now, get some rest tonight. I know we are trying to find a serial killer, but you and I need rest.”

          “In your home?”

          “Safest place in town. Isn’t that how you Terrans said it?”

          The ship went through the atmospheric barrier and through the night cloud of the colony on Adonis III. It wasn’t a very rough re-entry, but it was nevertheless shaky. They could see a landing pad big enough for a cargo ship to land, but they weren’t going there. Instead, they went to another, smaller landing pad that looked private. Amhyr assumed that it was Let’s estate. As expected from a kaf’rak, it was quite huge and heavily guarded, though Amhyr did not think of it as a traditional vacation palace for a person as important as Let.

          Some female Scyllas appeared near the door and offered Let some service. He said something in his language, in which they nod. They both then approached Amhyr and said, “Hello. You must be the chief’s friend. We will carry your belongings to your living quarters.”

          “Oh, uh…it’s nice of you ladies, but I can help…”

          “Amhyr, Scyllan females are two times stronger than their males!” said Let. “They may look feminine, but don’t underestimate them!”

          True to Let’s words, both walked into the ship and took most of Amhyr’s belongings, with some being so heavy he needed help carrying it. They carried them like it was no big deal. The draconian could only sigh and walk with them.

          The quarters did not look like a small guest quarter at all. It was more like an apartment unit of sorts, but it was not a permanent one. Amhyr had seen things like this before. It was once called ‘Capsule Rooms’, but they changed it into MAU, Moveable Apartment Units. It was a kind of apartment unit that could be easily moved by being pulled by a car. It’s like a trailer of sorts, but it was lighter and felt more like home.

          The unit was on a different place than the main building. It almost felt like a bungalow in resorts, except this wasn’t a hotel room. Upon entering the room and turning on the lights, Amhyr could see the futuristic interior, almost like what 20^th century Terrans imagined what the future should look like. The living room and the kitchen were not bordered, and there were three rooms, one’s a master bedroom and two others were presumably for his children.

          Because it was late at night and the children were past their bedtimes, Amhyr asked them to go to sleep and unpack later (though he had doubts if he ever needed the unit permanently). The two female Scyllas excused themselves as Let went in.

          “How do you like it? It’s not much, and we took the minimalist approach, but everything’s voice activated. It also comes with a holo-generator program for virtual reality entertainment and environment. Oh, and the glass is nanomachine-reinforced and can dim out light. Oh, and yes, we have complimentary drinks, non-replicated. Just ask the counter and you’ll get it.”

          “This must’ve cost a fortune to design and build!”

          “It’s not as expensive as you think.”

          “This feels more like a science fiction world fair model home than a proper MAU.”

          “Like you said. You’re creative. We just took what we saw on vids and turn it into reality. It’s not hard, considering that this is the 24^th century. It’s the imagination of the people from 400 years ago. What they considered ‘futuristic’ is ‘contemporary’ now.”

          “No, not really,” said Amhyr. “In our world, this style is called Neo-Retro or Retro, since it’s basically what people used to design their ideal futuristic homes based on 20^th century appeal. There was a game back in the 21^st century about a world that is still stuck in 20^th century futuristic retro style up to the late 21^st century until…well, they screw up and start bombing each other.”

          “You really know your things, aren’t you?”

          “Hey, I have most of the time in the world. And besides, I need some inspiration for my games. Pop culture is not that bad, isn’t it?”

          “If that’s what you considered popular. Anyway, I’ll be in touch tomorrow morning. You need a good rest, and that drink will help you.”

          “How strong is it? For a Terran, I mean.”

          Let made a grin. “I’ll let you try it yourself. Good night, Amhyr.”

          “Good night, Let.”

          Let walked out and closed the door behind him, with Amhyr smiling to himself, feeling relieved that he still had friends even if everyone hated him. He might’ve not seen Let for a while ever since the Black Creatures Crisis, but he was relieved that he was still the same Let and not a different one just because he had become a king of his domain.

          Without thinking much about things, knowing that he hadn’t even started work, he gave a try on the welcome drink. Old habits die hard, however, as he checked if it was laced or not. The place may have been commissioned by Let, but the people who tended to it wasn’t him. Even in a place where the Scylla said to be the safest, it wasn’t an exception.

          After thinking that it was safe to drink, he quickly took it all down his throat. It was quite strong, for a Terran standard, but it could get him some well-needed sleep. After the whole fiasco with the hate group, he wanted to just sleep and forget everything about it.

          If only that was easy. He was conscious that, even if they didn’t know who caused the accident, it was his cruel way to get rid of them just because he was annoyed. He sometimes thought that being a father could have softened him somewhat from his ‘Agent Rithola’ persona, but it could not. In the end, he would do anything to survive or just to live quietly.

          His only relief was that he wasn’t alone.