The cold of the Mornak world took hold of the room.
It wasn't just temperature.
It was presence—old, heavy, watching.
White eyes glared from the shadows, piercing into me like nails.
I sat across from Verren's desk, my body still.
My mind wasn't.
"What do you truly want with me?" I asked.
Verren blinked—almost thrown off by the directness.
"I don't believe this notion of connection between us just because we're human trapped inside a monster," I continued. "You want to use me for something, correct?"
Verren exhaled slowly, like he'd been holding it.
"Your perception really is sharp," he said.
His gaze drifted away for a moment, like he was choosing how much truth to reveal.
"It's true we do have a connection," he admitted. "But it's not the only reason I brought you here."
He paused.
Then spoke again, quieter.
"We believe you can help us regain some part of ourselves."
His eyes lowered to his own body—dark, thin, long-limbed. A shape that looked like it had once been human… and had been punished for it.
"So many human souls are trapped inside these…" He lifted a hand slightly, fingers flexing like they didn't belong to him. "…bodies."
His voice tightened.
"Only the lucky few can even think for themselves. The rest are driven by hunger—no thought about what they once were."
The words sank in, heavy and unpleasant.
"How can I possibly help with that?" I cut in.
Verren's gaze sharpened.
"I'm not certain on the details," he admitted. "But Jonah has a theory."
His eyes shifted upward.
"Jonah," Verren said, voice firm. "Come and explain it."
A voice answered instantly.
"Fine."
And then Jonah was simply… there.
One moment the space beside the table was empty—
the next he was sitting on it, legs dangling, posture casual like he'd owned the room the whole time.
My focus snapped to him.
When did he get here?
I hadn't felt anything.
No footstep. No vibration. Nothing.
Verren noticed the confusion.
"He has been here the entire time," Verren said, amused. "If you were wondering."
Jonah's eyes stayed on me—too calm.
"He has a talent for concealing himself."
My thoughts tightened.
He's too dangerous.
I need to heighten my senses when he's around.
Jonah leaned forward slightly.
"My theory is simple," Jonah began. "I have wandered the nights for many years now."
His voice had that dead-dry rasp all Mornak carried, but there was a clarity in his tone that made it worse.
"What we have become is fundamentally different from other monsters… or humans."
He pointed at me.
"You have a mana core."
I didn't speak.
I didn't deny it.
Jonah continued without waiting.
"A core which can be increased in volume… and one that can sustain the creature."
I nodded once—slow, cautious.
"We do not," Jonah said. "We are sustained purely by the night's energy."
His eyes narrowed.
"But this energy corrupts."
He spread his fingers like he was showing me something invisible.
"I believe we need a source of mana… to step away from the night's pull… and into the light."
It made a sick kind of sense.
I swallowed.
System, I asked internally. Is what he is proposing true?
A pause.
In theory, what he says makes sense.
I exhaled through my nose and looked at Jonah.
"And how can I help with that?"
Jonah replied instantly—like he'd been waiting for the question.
"In the human kingdoms there is a method of increasing mana that doesn't involve killing monsters."
"The humans call them Mana Crystals."
"They can be found in mana-dense mines."
His tone sharpened, almost bitter.
"It is normally reserved for the more powerful people in the kingdom."
I stared at him for half a second.
Then cut in.
"You want me to steal them."
Jonah's gaze locked on mine.
"To put it simply… yes."
He didn't smile.
He didn't soften it.
"But to do that," Jonah continued, "it would require conquering a large area of the nearby kingdom."
My mind stalled.
"Conquering the kingdom?"
The words didn't feel real.
"I barely made it out alive with the help of Mornak against one human," I said, sharper than I meant. "Let alone thousands."
"We understand that," Verren said calmly.
His voice held something steady—like he'd expected resistance.
"That is why I brought you here."
He stepped away from the desk, posture tall, back turned slightly like he was reluctant to say what came next.
"To begin an alliance."
They want to be allies?
They were stronger than me.
Older.
More informed.
I forced my thoughts into order.
"What do I get out of this alliance?" I asked. "So far it seems this would only benefit you."
Verren stood still for a moment.
Then spoke, almost like it tasted wrong.
"Well," Verren said, "we will become your servants."
Jonah's head snapped toward him.
"What?" Jonah said—genuinely shocked. "You didn't tell me about this, Verren."
Verren's eyes cut sideways.
"That's because I knew you wouldn't agree."
Jonah looked like he was about to argue—
then stopped, jaw tightening.
Verren turned back to me, voice cold.
"If you manage to give us these stones… we will forever be your servants."
I stared at him.
Then the question slipped out before I could stop it.
"Why do I need servants?"
My voice sharpened.
"You want me to risk my life fighting humans to make you my servants?"
"That isn't something I'm interested in."
I leaned back slightly.
"I want to live and survive. That is all."
Verren's eyes hardened instantly.
"Do you think the humans will let you live?"
His voice cut deeper.
"You are a human yourself."
"You must understand how cruel humans can be."
My stomach tightened.
Verren continued, relentless.
"Once word reaches the kingdom that you killed their men… do you think they will let that go?"
"Do not be naive, Calder."
His tone dropped—disappointed, almost insulted.
"I expected better from you."
I didn't answer.
Because a part of me knew he was right.
"They will not let you live," Verren said, "even if it means sacrificing the kingdom in the process."
He inhaled once.
Then turned, eyes locking onto mine like a threat.
"If you want to survive, you need strength."
"You do not have it."
He stepped closer.
"We need you as much as you need us."
Jonah's voice came quieter now—like he'd finished analyzing the angles.
"It is true," Jonah said.
He hopped off the table and stood properly, posture straight.
"We have been waiting many years for someone who can stand in the light… and who can communicate with us."
"This alliance will be mutually beneficial."
I exhaled slowly.
Then asked the question that mattered.
"How would I know you wouldn't betray me?"
Verren scoffed.
"Has there been anything that has made you doubt me?"
My mind flashed back—
Mornak flooding the camp.
Obeying a single word.
The way they'd stepped back when I passed.
The way Verren hadn't let the others touch me.
"I suppose not," I admitted.
"But that doesn't mean you won't do it in the future. Once you get what you want."
Verren's stare went colder.
"Then walk away," he said flatly.
"And see how you manage against an entire human kingdom."
His mouth twitched—almost a cruel imitation of a smile.
"I will wait to hear news of your triumph."
Silence stretched.
My thoughts moved in circles.
Then I sighed.
"Fine."
I lifted my gaze.
"We have an agreement," I said. "But not the one you're thinking of."
Verren's smile stalled.
"You won't be my servants," I continued. "I don't want followers. I can accept allies—with limits."
The silence stretched.
"You help protect my territory," I said. "And you lend me your knowledge. You help me grow stronger in ways beyond my current reach."
I held his gaze.
"In return, I'll work with you to take the mine."
Verren's eyes narrowed slightly. Interested now.
"Once you've taken what you need," I added, "the alliance ends."
Verren didn't answer right away.
His gaze drifted, unfocused for a moment, as if he were weighing something only he could see.
Then his smile returned—slower this time. Sharper.
"Good," he said. "Very good."
Jonah cut in, quieter.
"I'm not sure how the others are going to take this news."
Verren's eyes flicked to him.
"I'll deal with that."
I forced myself back on track.
"How do we defeat the humans?"
Jonah answered immediately.
"I'll position Mornak to track their movements at night."
He tilted his head, listening to something that wasn't there.
"We will know when they enter your territory."
I exhaled.
"I need to get stronger."
"Yes," Verren said. "I have a recommendation for that."
I looked up, intrigued despite myself.
"The region to the west," Verren continued. "Its Monster Lord is gone."
I frowned.
"Gone?"
"Defeated," he said. "By something else."
His gaze sharpened slightly.
"The region is unclaimed now."
He didn't hesitate.
"I believe you should go there and claim it."
I narrowed my eyes.
"And why would that region matter to me?"
Jonah stepped in.
"That region has a dungeon."
My focus sharpened at the word.
Jonah's voice lowered.
"The monsters that come out of it are created by something sinister inside."
"They are powerful," he said, "but aggressive. Mindless."
"If you go there and claim the land," Jonah continued, "you can have unlimited access to the dungeon."
A dungeon…
I didn't even know they had dungeons here.
Jonah's eyes sharpened.
"But be careful. Humans frequent this region. They enter the dungeon themselves."
My mind ran fast.
If the dungeon is how they describe… then I have an opportunity to level up and gain new abilities.
I swallowed.
"I will go."
Verren nodded once.
"Good."
"And if the humans enter this territory," Verren added, "Mornak stationed in that region will notify you."
I blinked.
"You have Mornak in that region too?"
Verren and Jonah both chuckled—low, dry.
Verren spoke like it was obvious.
"How else do you think we know about the situation over there?"
He leaned forward slightly.
"We have eyes in the night everywhere."
A chill crawled through me.
That feeling—
like I'd been watched ever since I'd been born into this world—
suddenly didn't feel like paranoia.
Verren straightened, the shift subtle but final.
"Enough talk," he said. "We'll see to your territory while you're away."
I rose to my feet.
"Make sure it's still standing when I get back."
A faint smile touched his face.
"It will be."
I turned to leave.
"I'll see you soon."
The guards at the doorway signaled for me to follow.
As I left, Jonah turned toward Verren, voice low.
"Is this the right move?"
Verren's answer came after a breath.
"It's the only move."
I moved through stone-stained paths, darkness coating everything like old blood.
The entrance to the Mornak world waited.
The guards paused, watching me step toward the doorway.
Then the dark swallowed me.
Cold closed over my body.
And then—
light.
The world returned.
Wind.
Foliage.
The living forest.
But the chill stayed.
One thought burned in my mind as the last trace of darkness faded behind me.
I need strength fast.
I don't trust them… but they aren't wrong.
These humans want me.
And they won't stop.
I looked out into my territory.
My hands curled.
I don't need servants.
I need the power to stand alone.