“What are you doing here?” Damien asked, his tone was vacant, matter of fact, but his expression showed that he was annoyed.


    “We need to talk.” I responded flatly. I didn’t particularly dislike Damien, but I knew he didn’t like us. I could respect his response to newcomers, I wouldn’t trust us either. But that didn’t matter, I needed him to look at things from a purely clinical lens. We could use each other. We didn’t need trust, just ability.


    “This isn’t a great time, maybe you can-” Rosalynn started.


    “This is a private meeting Theo, you can’t just bring strangers in here.” Rosalia interrupted glaring at Theo.


    “We aren’t strangers.” I challenged, “Plus, I’m not here to chit chat. This is important.”


    Rosalia rolled her eyes in annoyance, it seemed she was having a bad day. I pressed my lips into a line, I wasn’t sure how to bring things up. I didn’t know if they would believe me, especially since I wasn’t sure what was happening. Before I could gather my thoughts Caroline was stepping forward, she planted her hands on the flat rock table. “Look, I get that y’all don’t know us, but we really need to talk about this soon, as soon as possible.”


    It was nice to have Caro here to help me buy time as I pulled my thoughts together. Tali gave us a small smile, “Shouldn’t we at least hear them out? This conversation wasn’t too pressing…” she squeaked out.


    Damien gave an exasperated sigh, “Sure, let’s hear what you’ve got to say.”


    “Thanks, okay… Uh well, I don’t have proof, but it seems like something’s coming. Something bad.” I paused, trying to gauge the reactions of the group. Jeong seemed the most interested I’d ever seen him, not that that was saying much the man did not emote. Rosalynn lost a bit of color in her face, but the other three seemed as calm as ever. Maybe they didn’t believe me.


    They stared, waiting for me to continue, “I’m not sure if Rosalynn told you, but I have a lot of gods that chat in my channel. Or to me? Either way, they’ve been getting strange lately. Antsy almost. Even if nothing big is happening anytime soon I’m a little worried about the way y’all run this place. I mean relying on a very small minority that sometimes leaves, can be dangerous. Plus y’all have, like no defensive measures set up around camp.”


    “Ah, yes we definitely need more defenses against the rats, that''s a great idea.” Rosalia commented sarcastically.


    Her sister elbowed her, “Shut up,” then turned her attention to me, “So, the gods have been acting antsy? I think I know what you mean. Before we ended up in the labyrinth my patron god was pushing me to level up. He’s been quiet lately though.”


    “Right, and I know it’s hard to believe and I have a hard time believing them myself, but I couldn’t just ignore it. Especially since I’m leaving them here.” I said pointing a thumb over my shoulder at my group.


    “What? You’re not staying?” Tali asked wide eyed. It was the most animated I’d seen the woman since we met.


    “Ah, no. I’ve got somewhere to be soon. I don’t have a specific timetable, but I’d like to leave as soon as possible.


    “So you’re suggesting that something dangerous is going to happen and just leaving?” Rosalia asked.


    “I mean… I’m just trying to warn you just in case, but yeah I guess.” I replied, Rosalia was pretty good at making someone feel like shit.


    “So, does it seem like danger from monsters or like? Will those people be heading down here soon?” Tali asked quietly.


    “Ah… I’m not sure. I honestly assumed it was related to monsters.” I hadn’t considered people as the possible threat.


    “So what would you have us do?” Damien asked cooly.


    “You need to train and level up the majority of your populace. They need the ability to defend themselves and the non-combatants. And I suppose maybe some walls, I haven’t had much time to consider it. I thought we- or y’all could discuss after I let you know about the potential dangers coming.” I tried to say with as much confidence as I could muster. Talking to Damien was still difficult. He was imposing and the emptiness of his voice was unnerving. It felt like I could fall dead in front of him and he wouldn’t bat an eye.


    Before he could respond Tali mumbled, “Those poor people… could they even?” as she touched her chin in thought. Her voice was pensive and sorrowful.


    “I see, I appreciate your input, but I don’t think we’ll be taking that advice. Well, maybe we can start working on a wall, but I can’t see any reason to put people in danger when we are doing just fine now.” He paused, “If that’s all you had to say, could you please leave so we can get back to our meeting?”


    “You’re not doing them any favors by coddling them like that.” I ignored his requests for us to leave


    Damien sighed, “They’re doing fine.”


    I waited for a beat, I thought he might continue, but when he didn’t I replied, “Okay, maybe I’m wrong, I’d love to be wrong. How are they leveling? Are they at least at a point they could defend themselves if it came to it?”


    “They''re leveling fine. Even the lowest leveled adventurer here is level three.”


    “Three? You have to be joking.” I glanced between them and realized they were serious, “Oh my god. You guys need to help them level up faster! What have you been doing?” I paused, “They’re all going to die.” I muttered under my breath. My thoughts began spiraling as I realized they were in a much worse situation than I expected.


    “What?! Die? What do you mean?” Rosalynn asked in a panic, it seemed she was the only one who took what I said seriously. The rest of the group looked annoyed.


    “Don’t worry, I mean honestly even someone who’s level one could kill a rat.” Damien assured Rosalynn before addressing us, “And you. You’ve been out galavanting with just the four of you on your own. What do any of y’all know about running a camp like this?”


    “What does that have to do with what I said? I’m telling you they need to level up faster, how are they not leveling up at all in the last few weeks? Have you helped them fight at all?” I was baffled, did all of these people think that this would be fine? We had already lost a significant percentage of the world’s population, there wasn’t even a way to know how much. Why did they think they could just avoid leveling up and putting their lives at risk?


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    “How could we ask them to get hurt like that?” Tali asked meekly, “They aren’t very skilled in combat.”


    “But, if you helped them they wouldn’t get hurt. There are ways you could try to keep them from getting injured…” Caro protested.


    “Look, we gave you time, you’ve said your piece. Now I’m telling you we will take what you said in consideration, but you need to leave. You’re welcome to stay in camp, but we were in the middle of a meeting.” His tone was polite, but the energy felt hostile. It was a warning. I ignored it.


    “I understand we’re outsiders, but we would be contributing significantly, so I think you should at least consider our suggestions.” I maintained a customer service tone.


    “Oh yeah, I’m sure the woman who’s leaving would be contributing so much.” Rosalia sneered and rolled her eyes. Was she lashing out because she embarrassed herself earlier?


    “She said ‘we’. If she hadn’t brought us, we wouldn’t be here, and I’ve already looked around. Y’all need me and my sister more than anything else right now.” Reid chimed in.


    “Sure, I’m sure you have a lot to add to the community, and I’d love to hear your ideas but I don’t think it’s pressing so we can have this conversation later.” Damien said dismissively. I wasn’t sure if he’d just run out of patience or interest, but his attitude shifted. He wasn’t paying attention properly anymore and even his body language was screaming at us to leave.


    “Yes, they do. And if I don’t feel like they’ll actually be safe here, I’ll be taking them with me despite the dangers that decision poses.” I said flatly. I was sure my expression was dark, I was getting tired of this back and forth.


    “That’s your decision, how we run our camp is our decision.” He replied.


    My last thread of patience snapped, I pulled my dagger from my inventory. Everyone in the tent froze, I dug it directly into my left palm. It cut deep and blood started to gush out onto the floor, I gritted my teeth as I forced my face to remain stoic. Caroline went white. Aside from Rosalynn who just hung her head, the others were shocked and confused. I even got a small expression of horror out of Jeong.


    “Mia! You!” Reid screamed as he pushed past his sister and cradled my injured palm. His warm light enveloped it and washed away my pain. As the pain dissipated I could feel rage pushing its way to me through Aureus’ connection. A light punch hit me in the back of my shoulder from Caro, but I ignored it and looked at Damien and Rosalia triumphantly.


    “A healer is at least enough of a bargaining chip right?” Reid said. I wasn’t ready to join the conversation yet. I wanted to maintain a neutral expression, but cutting my hand like that hurt like a bitch. And maintaining calm when Aureus was drowning me in rage was more difficult than I expected.


    The room was quiet for a few moments, Tali mumbled something I couldn’t hear. “Yes, that is definitely a game changer. Even then we can’t put those under our protection in danger. It’s also… your actions are a bit disconcerting.” Damien finally said.


    “Seriously?” I wasn’t sure what to say, were they this hardheaded? I know I wasn’t being the most polite, but still this is about the lives of their people. My anger was consistently growing, either due to Aureus’ emotions coloring mine or the general annoyance of the situation. Maybe both. “You’re going to neglect those under your care that much? What, you need to be the big strong hero? Is your ego worth more than these people’s lives? It’s not like I’m asking you to do something that risky, I’m literally asking you to make your people stronger!”


    Damien’s face contorted in anger as he stepped forward and bellowed, “We aren’t neglecting them! We are protecting them!”


    I stood my ground, my heart was hammering out of my chest. Damien wasn’t especially intimidating – well not any more than any other man, but the fact of it was that he was a man and much larger than I was. I couldn’t ignore the natural fear that I’d learned prior to the awakening after all.


    “You’re making them vulnerable, you aren’t doing them any favors. You’re going to get them killed if you keep trying to protect them like that.” I said matter of factly.


    He scoffed, “You’ve been here for all of ten seconds. You don’t know anything, so don’t come in here and tell us how to run our camp.”


    “Exactly! I’ve been here for ten seconds and I can already tell you’re leading these people to their destruction and parading around as if you’re a hero. So let go of your fucking pride and step up!” I took another step towards him as I yelled. The rage in my chest was being amplified by Aureus’ emotions. I struggled to maintain my rationality as his emotions crashed into my mind.


    “You don’t know anything!” He started as he jabbed a finger into my forehead. There was enough force behind it for my head to snap back a little, but not enough to hurt me. Shock overtook me, I didn’t expect to be touched physically, maybe that was naive on my part. Before I could gather myself screams rang out behind me, and I sighed. I already knew what had happened. Aureus must have taken that as an attack on me. Damien stiffened in front of me as the screams resounded, and before even a second could pass Aureus had toppled the tent and barreled into him.


    He stood on his chest, his frills along his back and head erect in alarm. It wasn’t until that moment that I realized he had been getting much bigger these days. I hadn’t been paying close attention to his size for a while, but he was already about the size of a horse. I knew he evolved based on both Aureus’ and my preferences, but this was faster than I expected. Aureus tensed and opened his mouth. His teeth were inches from Damien’s face.


    Don’t.


    His teeth reached forwards just centimeters from his eyebrows and jaw, if he leaned forward just slightly he could snap his jaw shut around Damien’s head. Aureus let out an ear splitting roar. The wind around us swirled and exploded out in all directions. Tents and poles were thrown from the violence and rage of his outburst.


    I took a deep breath and walked forward. He made sure I wasn’t hit by the wind or debris, a soft shield of wind spun around me. Damien was struggling to pull out a sword, but I stepped on his hand. I couldn’t have him hurting my precious familiar. Even if he was causing so much destruction.


    That’s enough. Release him.


    The wind died down, and he closed his mouth, stopping his roar, but he didn’t move. He stood there one paw on Damien’s chest glaring down at him, muzzle to nose. “Aureus. Are you going to pretend you didn’t hear my orders?” I asked aloud. Damien’s face scrunched in confusion as he looked between me and Aureus.


    Finally it seemed he realized what happened, “Seriously, get your summon off of me. Are you trying to start a fight?”


    I rolled my eyes, “He’s not my summon, and no I’m not. You touched me first and got heated first. I was trying to be civil but you kept getting defensive.”


    Master, I think we shouldn’t let him off. Can I have one of his arms?


    No. Let him go.


    But!


    I said no!


    Aureus whimpered a bit, but he released him. He had gotten so emotional and rebellious lately. Maybe he was going through dragon puberty along with his growth spurt. I glanced around at the destruction we had created and sighed. That was definitely not going to help the tense negotiations. I reached my hand down to help Damien up, he refused it and got up on his own brushing the dust from his leather armor.


    Yup, definitely not going to help with negotiations.


    Master, he attacked you!


    He didn’t, er well… I guess he kind of did in a sense, but not really. He knew it wouldn’t hurt me.


    That man doesn’t know how strong you are! I tried to come up with another excuse for him, but I couldn’t.


    “It really is strange to watch.” Rosalia mumbled to my left.


    I glanced from her to Aureus to Damien, “What?”


    “Your conversations. You know you make faces like you’re actually talking right?”


    I flushed, “Is that so? I guess I’ve always been expressive…” Out of habit I reached up and ruffled Aureus’ frill on his head, it was back to relaxed and soft after the altercation. I always found it strange, it reminded me of fish fins, but it didn’t have the spines. It seemed like he could control it directly, and it wasn’t particularly spiky.


    “Still. Lynn I don’t li-” Damien started, but Rosalynn interrupted him.


    “Shut it!” She glared at Rosalia and Damien before looking at me. I couldn’t help but shy away from her gaze. I had just destroyed a portion of their camp. “I’ve listened to all of you, and I agree with Mia. Safety comes first, right? And the stronger our people are, the safer they’ll be.”


    I sighed in relief, we were finally getting somewhere.