{"id":108,"date":"2021-07-25T21:53:50","date_gmt":"2021-07-26T01:53:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/?page_id=108"},"modified":"2021-07-25T21:55:40","modified_gmt":"2021-07-26T01:55:40","slug":"chapter-8","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/chapter-8\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 008: What&#8217;s a Matari, Anyway?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"290\" src=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Etherno_logo-sm.jpg\" alt=\"Etherno\" class=\"wp-image-52\" srcset=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Etherno_logo-sm.jpg 768w, https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Etherno_logo-sm-300x113.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size wp-block-heading\"><strong>Chapter 8:<\/strong> What&#8217;s a Matari, Anyway?<\/h2>\n\n\n<aside id=\"custom_html-2\" class=\"widget_text widget widget_custom_html amr_widget\"><h2 class=\"widget-title\">Advertisment &#8211; Help keep Etherno free<\/h2><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n    google_ad_client = \"ca-pub-6329442091957906\";\n    google_ad_slot = \"2637632844\";\n    google_ad_width = 728;\n    google_ad_height = 90;\n<\/script>\n<!-- 728x90, created 3\/31\/09 -->\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\"\nsrc=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\">\n<\/script><\/div><\/aside>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Paste text here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin slouched on the couch in his dorm room. Tannin sat next to him. Cerina sat on the floor to their left, and Saija sat in one of the two chairs across from him. Onryo sat in the other. No one had said anything since they got back from the police station.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWell, this is awkward,\u201d Saija said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah.\u201d Tannin shifted his position on the couch. \u201cSo\u2026 are you going to burn us alive if we ask what\u2019s the deal with you and Kasai?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cShut up, Tannin.\u201d Onin smacked him. The last thing they needed was to anger Onryo. \u201cYou don\u2019t have to tell us anything if you don\u2019t want to Onryo, but we are really concerned about Kasai.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cReally?\u201d Onryo arched an eyebrow. \u201cAll of you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah.\u201d Saija looked down and twisted the grip on one of her crutches. \u201cKasai was nice to me even when I was mean to her. I\u2019m kinda new to all this touchy-feely crap, but I think I care about what happens to Kasai. It\u2019d suck to lose a friend before I\u2019ve even made one.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah, yeah.\u201d Cerina picked at her shoe and didn\u2019t make eye contact with anyone. \u201cMe, too. I hated her at first. Growing up in the Northlands, I\u2019ve heard rumors about her\u2026 you\u2026 whatever. I\u2019ve since learned that it\u2019s actually the Natas that hunt her\u2026 you\u2026 both of you\u2026 that are the real problem.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI know what you mean about touchy-feely crap.\u201d Onryo looked around the room and blinked away a tear. \u201cKasai usually handles this part.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSo what is the relationship between you?\u201d Onin asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHere\u2019s what I know.\u201d Onryo folded her arms across her chest and took a deep breath. \u201cKasai and I are the same person, sorta.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWait, what?\u201d Tannin scratched his head. \u201cDid I hear that right?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin leaned back and blinked rapidly. How was that even possible?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWhat\u2019d\u2019ya mean, \u2018sorta\u2019,\u201d Cerina asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cFrom what I\u2019ve been able to piece together, she\u2019s half dragon.\u201d Onryo wiggled her tail. \u201cThus the wings and tail. Apparently, she turns into me when she gets angry or threatened, or whatever. I don\u2019t really understand it. She\u2019s not aware of me and doesn\u2019t even remember that she can transform. I guess a lot of the trauma of being hunted constantly and stuff made me as a defense mechanism, or something.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWhy was she hunted all the time, anyway?\u201d Onin asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d Onryo shrugged. \u201cI wasn\u2019t around for the first several years. I think she transformed at will back then. Ever since then, we\u2019ve been hunted by both people yelling nonsense like \u2018kill the half-breed demon\u2019 and the Natas. The Natas are the worst of the two.\u201d She turned to Saija. \u201cNo offense.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cNone taken. I\u2019m not a Natas now anyway, and I imagine they want me dead more than you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI don\u2019t even know what they want me for. Probably a super-powerful host. Or worse,\u201d Onryo said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cProbably worse.\u201d Saija shuddered. \u201cIt\u2019s always \u2018worse\u2019 with the Natas.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">They sat in silence again for a while, until Onin spoke. \u201cSo, what can we do for Kasai, and for you now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI don\u2019t know. Like I said, Kasai doesn\u2019t know about me. She\u2019s used to people screaming and running away after a lot less than you\u2019ve all experienced. I want her to know all this and heal from the past, but I\u2019m afraid that if I just go away now and everyone starts talking about it, it\u2019ll make her worse.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin drummed his fingers on his leg. How would Kasai react if they just told her about this? If someone said he\u2019d done a bunch of stuff he didn\u2019t remember, he probably wouldn\u2019t believe him. Kasai would probably become even more withdrawn. She needed friends to help her get through this. Onin sighed. If he was going to be honest with himself, he liked Kasai and wanted to get to know her better, mental issues or not. Still, he didn\u2019t know what to do about Onryo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI think everyone needs some time to digest this. How about we all go to bed, and discuss this tomorrow?\u201d Onin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOkay. But I can\u2019t go back to Kasai\u2019s dorm like this.\u201d Onryo flicked her tail. \u201cHer roommate is rather, ah\u2026 excitable.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cTell me about it.\u201d Onin rolled his eyes. \u201cHow about you sleep on my couch, and Tannin and I can take Kasai home in the morning?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onryo nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWhat about me?\u201d Saija asked. \u201cThe Inspector said I\u2019m not supposed to be out unsupervised, or he\u2019ll toss me in a jail cell.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cCome on.\u201d Cerina stood up and sighed. \u201cYou can stay in my dorm room. My roommate is gone most of the time anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<aside id=\"custom_html-2\" class=\"widget_text widget widget_custom_html amr_widget\"><h2 class=\"widget-title\">Advertisment &#8211; Help keep Etherno free<\/h2><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n    google_ad_client = \"ca-pub-6329442091957906\";\n    google_ad_slot = \"2637632844\";\n    google_ad_width = 728;\n    google_ad_height = 90;\n<\/script>\n<!-- 728x90, created 3\/31\/09 -->\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\"\nsrc=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\">\n<\/script><\/div><\/aside>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"75\" height=\"50\" src=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/dragon.png\" alt=\"dragon\" class=\"wp-image-41\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai was asleep on the couch when Onin got up the next morning. He sat in the chair next to the couch and poked her shoulder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cKasai, wake up.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">She mumbled something and cracked an eye open. She gasped and jumped up, her eyes jerked back and forth as she looked around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHow did I get here?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cCome on and sit down.\u201d Onin moved over to the couch and patted the cushion next to him. \u201cYou\u2019re safe here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai sat, but drew her legs up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them. Onin lifted a hand toward her shoulder, then stopped and lowered it. He\u2019d want a hug right now, but Kasai usually kept to herself. He didn\u2019t want to scare her off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWhat\u2019s the last thing you remember?\u201d Onin asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWe were at the archaeology building. The thieves broke in, we fought with them, it started to go bad, one of them swung a pipe or something at me, and everything went dark.\u201d Kasai reached up and felt her head. She pulled her hand away and stared at it. \u201cThere\u2019s not a bump or anything. What happened?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHas this ever happened before? Like say, the first time the thugs attacked us, or when we got into a fight with Saija?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cNo\u2026\u201d Kasai\u2019s voice was low. Her eyes opened wide and she hugged her legs tighter. \u201cNot you too\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHey,\u201d Onin reached out his hand. \u201cI\u2019m your friend. I\u2019m not going anywhere. What\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai slowly stretched out her hand. It trembled as she extended it to Onin. He took it and clasped it in both of his. Kasai took a deep breath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cDid Onryo show up again?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThis is what always happens. Whenever I\u2019m in danger, or about to be killed, I black out. Sometimes for minutes, sometimes days. Apparently, Onryo shows up, destroys a bunch of stuff, and people blame me. After I wake up, people are afraid of me. They blame me for the destruction, and either kick me out of town, or try to kill me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWhat about the monks?\u201d Onin asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai looked down at the floor. \u201cWhen the monastery first took me in, everyone treated me kindly. After I\u2019d been there a few weeks, a mob from a nearby village came to the monastery and demanded that the monks turn over the half-demon that burned their village down. The monks tried to hold them off, but they broke down the doors. I blacked out, and when I woke up all the monks except Brother Terrence treated me differently. They were still kind, but they didn\u2019t smile when they saw me coming. Some of them even avoided me. Not even Brother Terrence would tell me what happened.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">She scooted over closer and turned to face Onin. \u201cWhat happened to me? Please tell me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin stared into her green eyes. If he told her that she turned into Onryo, she might not want to have anything to do with him. But he couldn\u2019t lie to her, either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cDo you want the truth?\u201d Onin swallowed. \u201cEven if it\u2019s hard to hear?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">She nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOkay.\u201d Onin took a deep breath. \u201cBut remember, I\u2019m telling you what I saw. I\u2019m not making it up to hurt you, and I\u2019ll be here for you and love you no matter what.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Hmm. Perhaps \u2018love\u2019 wasn\u2019t the right word, people misuse it so much. Hopefully Kasai knew what he meant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai nodded again and blinked a few times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSo\u2026 How to say this the right way\u2026 You\u2019ve kinda guessed that Onryo shows up when something really bad is about to happen, and you\u2019re not aware of it, right?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Another nod from Kasai.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWell, when that thief swung at you, you rolled away, stood up, grew wings and a tail, and your hair and eye color changed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYou mean\u2026\u201d Kasai tried to pull away, but Onin held onto her hands. \u201cI\u2019m Onryo? I killed all those people?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cNo. You and Onryo are kinda the same person, but you didn\u2019t kill anyone. The villagers were scared of something they didn\u2019t understand, and it was the Natas that caused all the destruction.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSo what am I? Some kind of half-monster, like everyone says? Insane?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Tears started flowing down Kasai\u2019s cheeks. Onin pulled her in and hugged her. Kasai clung to him as sobs shook her body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYou\u2019re not a monster. I don\u2019t know what\u2019s going on, but you\u2019re one of the kindest, nicest people I know. You even won Cerina over.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI did?\u201d Kasai looked up at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah. Well, she\u2019s still a grump, but while you were\u2026 out\u2026 last night, she admitted that she unfairly blamed you for stuff that she now knows the Natas were responsible for.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSo what do I do now? I don\u2019t like not remembering things. How could I be her?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI don\u2019t know. You can talk to me about it if you want to.\u201d Onin took a deep breath. Kasai might literally and figuratively flee from this next suggestion. \u201cAlso, you might want to consider seeing a therapist. The whole not-remembering part makes me scared for you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai\u2019s body tensed up. What felt like an eternity later, she took a few deep breaths and wrapped her arms more tightly around him. \u201cI don\u2019t know. I\u2019ve apparently got some issues, but that wouldn\u2019t make someone grow wings and change their gift.\u201d She jerked upright and looked into Onin\u2019s eyes. \u201cYou won\u2019t tell anyone will you? What if they want to dissect me or something?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI won\u2019t tell anyone if you don\u2019t want me to. I just want to help you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cGood.\u201d She let out a breath and collapsed back onto his chest. \u201cI know one of my issues is trust. I\u2019m still afraid that you\u2019ve already called someone, and they\u2019re going to burst in here at any minute to kill me or something.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Anger burned in Onin\u2019s chest. \u201cIf anyone tries it, I\u2019ll fight them off with you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai was silent for a moment, then she sat up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSo, if Onryo is part of me somehow, does she not remember about me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cShe says she\u2019s aware of you\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYou\u2019ve talked to her?\u201d Kasai said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah, last night. She was here the whole time you were unconscious. She said she\u2019s aware of what you\u2019re doing, and she comes out when you need to be protected. She was really quite concerned about you. Took forever to convince her she could trust us, and that we wouldn\u2019t hurt you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWait, so she changed back into me right here?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cNo. Everyone else left, and Tannin and I went to bed, and when I woke up Onryo had changed back into you\u2026 or whatever\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai stared at the ground for a long time. When she finally spoke, her voice was so soft Onin barely heard her. \u201cI don\u2019t want to be broken. I don\u2019t want to be a monster.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYou\u2019re not broken, and you\u2019re not a monster.\u201d Onin held out his hand and Kasai hugged him again. \u201cWhatever happens, you\u2019re not alone anymore. I\u2019m here with you. I know Tannin and the others are, too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOthers?\u201d Kasai pulled away, eyes wide. \u201cWho all knows?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYou\u2026 changed\u2026 right in front of Tannin, myself, Cerina, Saija, and Inspector Adamka. But I think the inspector was unconscious at the time. He never mentioned anything.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSaija saw?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah. Surprisingly she was\u2026 unfazed\u2026 supportive\u2026 I\u2019m not quite sure of the right word. In any case, she\u2019s all for not telling anyone and helping you. She said that you were the first one to ever be nice to her, even though she was mean to you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">A door closed, and Tannin shuffled into the living room a second later. He paused for half a second when he saw Kasai, then continued to the coffee machine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHey, Kasai. Did you bring your history notes? I forgot to take any.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai smiled. \u201cThanks, Tannin.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHmm?\u201d Tannin poured himself a cup of coffee. \u201cFor what?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cFor pretending everything\u2019s normal.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin smiled. That was Tannin. Half the time he blurted out something stupid, and the other half he managed to say just the right thing. He stood and held out a hand to Kasai.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWalk you to class?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOh, right.\u201d Kasai twirled her hair around her finger on her right hand and took Onin\u2019s hand in her left.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin smiled as they left the room together.<\/p>\n\n\n<aside id=\"custom_html-2\" class=\"widget_text widget widget_custom_html amr_widget\"><h2 class=\"widget-title\">Advertisment &#8211; Help keep Etherno free<\/h2><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n    google_ad_client = \"ca-pub-6329442091957906\";\n    google_ad_slot = \"2637632844\";\n    google_ad_width = 728;\n    google_ad_height = 90;\n<\/script>\n<!-- 728x90, created 3\/31\/09 -->\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\"\nsrc=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\">\n<\/script><\/div><\/aside>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"75\" height=\"50\" src=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/dragon.png\" alt=\"dragon\" class=\"wp-image-41\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin collapsed onto the couch. Physics class had been brutal. He didn\u2019t need it for a criminal justice major, but figuring out how his servitors worked seemed like such a good idea when he\u2019d signed up for classes. He was regretting that now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">He stood and got a glass of water from the sink, then pulled out his phone to check his e-mail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin read the newest e-mail again. It really was an invitation to come to the Matari Enclave for dinner. There was something about \u2018both of you.\u2019 He checked the address line. Kasai was also a recipient. <em>What was going on?<\/em> He punched in Kasai\u2019s number.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHello?\u201d Kasai sounded leery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHi, Kasai. Got a minute?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOh, hi, Onin!\u201d Kasai\u2019s voice sounded cheerful now. \u201cSure, what do you need?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHave you checked your e-mail?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cNo\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWell, check it quick, that\u2019s what I\u2019m calling about.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The line was silent for about a minute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHuh,\u201d Kasai said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSo, do you know anything about the Matari?\u201d Onin asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cNot really. Just the usual. They came to our planet a hundred years ago and keep to themselves. We don\u2019t talk to them, they don\u2019t talk to us, and everything you think you know is most likely a rumor.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah, that\u2019s about what I know, too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSo, why did they invite us to a formal dinner?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cFormal?\u201d Onin pulled up the e-mail again. How\u2019d he miss that detail?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSo, are we going?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThat\u2019s why I called you. I\u2019m really curious about why the Matari would invite us, of all people, for dinner, out of the blue like that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHmm.\u201d Kasai was silent again. \u201cOnly one way to find out, I guess.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah. Uh, meet me at the mall?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThe mall?\u201d Kasai sounded confused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah. I have to rent a tux.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAt the mall?\u201d Kasai stretched the word mall out this time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah. There\u2019s a menswear shop there.\u201d Onin held the phone out away from his head and raised an eyebrow at it. Where else would you get formal clothes?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cJennifer says there\u2019s a nice boutique downtown.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cShe\u2019s there?\u201d Onin felt his face flush. \u201cHow much did she overhear?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cShe heard \u2018formal\u2019, and she\u2019s bouncing up and down with excitement. She\u2019s been trying to get me to out to every social event on campus ever since I moved in. Reminds me of Tannin.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin could imagine the look on Kasai\u2019s face. She didn\u2019t seem like the party type, and with her history, she had good reason to avoid the kind of \u2018social event\u2019 that most college kids would attend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOkay. I\u2019ll meet you downtown, then.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin stepped out of the dressing room. Kasai was still changing. They had arrived an hour ago, and Jennifer had whisked Kasai away to dress shop. Onin had tried on four tuxedos before he\u2019d found one that fit everywhere. Eventually he\u2019d figured out that he needed different sized pants and a jacket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The door to the changing room across from him opened, and Kasai stepped out. Her hair was up and pinned in place. She wore a green low-cut gown that hugged her body, but still left something to the imagination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHow do I look?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin crossed the room and took her hand. \u201cYou look beautiful.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">She blushed. Onin held out his arm. She took it, and they left for the monorail station.<\/p>\n\n\n<aside id=\"custom_html-2\" class=\"widget_text widget widget_custom_html amr_widget\"><h2 class=\"widget-title\">Advertisment &#8211; Help keep Etherno free<\/h2><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n    google_ad_client = \"ca-pub-6329442091957906\";\n    google_ad_slot = \"2637632844\";\n    google_ad_width = 728;\n    google_ad_height = 90;\n<\/script>\n<!-- 728x90, created 3\/31\/09 -->\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\"\nsrc=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\">\n<\/script><\/div><\/aside>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"75\" height=\"50\" src=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/dragon.png\" alt=\"dragon\" class=\"wp-image-41\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin and Kasai walked through the forest along the concrete path that lead to the Matari Enclave. They stopped at the guard tower outside the wall. The wall was at least a story tall, made of polished stone, and it stretched out as far as Onin could see on both sides. The guard tower was two stories tall, made from rougher stone, and set into the wall. A giant wooden double-door was set in the center of the tower, and gesaran guards stood on either side. Two windows were on the second story of the tower.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin approached one of the guards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOnin and Kasai from ABG.\u201d He held out his phone with the invitation pulled up on the screen. \u201cI believe we\u2019re expected.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOne moment, sir.\u201d The guard pulled out a small tablet and poked at it. \u201cAh, yes, here you are. Please wait for the door to open and go right through.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The guard held the tablet to his ear and said something into it. A moment later the doors swung open outward. A stone tunnel ran through the tower. Onin held out his arm for Kasai, and they entered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The tunnel had lights set into the stone work at intervals along it. It ran for about a dozen yards, and ended with another set of double-doors. The area inside the enclave looked about the same as outside. Tall green pine trees, manicured lawn, and a path leading deeper into the forest. For some reason, Onin had been expecting something vastly different. Probably because little was known about the Matari. The doors closed behind them, and two guards stepped forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin\u2019s breath caught in his throat. Now this was different. The guards were about the same size as a Gesaran, but they were covered with gray fur. Their heads looked more feline than Gesaran in appearance, with cat-ears and slit eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cGreetings.\u201d the one on the left inclined his head to them. \u201cWelcome, Kasai and Onin, to the Matari Enclave. If you will follow the yellow path, it will lead you to the banquet hall.\u201d He bowed and took a step back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThank you,\u201d Onin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Four paths branched off from the sidewalk in front of them. On one, the concrete was tinted blue, another red, the next green, and the last yellow. Onin and Kasai started down the yellow walk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOnin\u2014\u201d Kasai leaned in close to him and spoke in a low tone. \u201cSomething\u2019s off with those guards.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah, they\u2019re not Gesaran.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai looked at him sideways. \u201cYou\u2019ve been hanging around Tannin too much. That\u2019s not what I meant.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSorry. What\u2019d you notice?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWell.\u201d Kasai scratched the back of her neck. \u201cNot so much notice as feel. I think I sensed some sort of kinetic activity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThey could\u2019ve used telekinesis to open the doors.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI supposed that might have been it.\u201d Kasai didn\u2019t sound so sure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWe\u2019ll keep an eye out for anything strange. We don\u2019t know much about the Matari. This strange feeling you\u2019re getting might be normal for them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The yellow path ended in front of a large building. The architecture was as different as the building material. Various colors of stone and wooden beams were held together by sweeping arcs of a smooth of white metal. The building was roughly circular in shape, with a few arching protrusions that might be extra rooms. The whole thing looked as though it might be in flight. It reminded Onin of an artistic version of a spaceship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Another Matari stood outside. He opened the door and bowed low as they approached.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThank you,\u201d Onin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">They stepped inside, and a single Matari was waiting for them. She was female\u2014assuming they shared at least some anatomy with gesarans\u2014and she wore a form-fitting white dress with a long train. She, like the three other Matari they had seen, wore no jewelry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cGreetings. I fear my name is unpronounceable for gesarans, but you may call me Ambassador Miton. Come, dinner is waiting for us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">She turned and led the way further into the building. The entryway they were in now was paneled in wood and had a bookshelf on one wall and a globe on a pedestal against the other. Onin glanced at it as they passed. The globe wasn\u2019t Gesara. The continents were all wrong, and the ocean was much too small.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The next room had the same wood paneling. The floor was covered with tile arranged into a pattern. Onin couldn\u2019t distinguish what the pattern was, as it was covered by the wooden dining table in the center of the room. The table had places set for three. A chandelier of different colors of glass dragons hung above the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Ambassador Miton crossed to the right side of the table and sat, leaving Kasai and Onin to sit next to each other across from her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cPlease, enjoy the food,\u201d Ambassador Miton said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The food was good, but nothing out of the ordinary. Grilled steak and steamed vegetables. Onin had almost expected to have some sort of oddly-colored alien dish. But then, the Matari had been here for quite a while, and if they didn\u2019t bring any animals or plants, then of course they would eat the same sort of food as everyone else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">After everyone had finished eating, Ambassador Miton led them through yet another door into a sitting room. Wood paneling covered the walls here, too. The walls were lined with bookshelves. Two maroon couches were in the center of the room. The Ambassador took one, and indicated that Kasai and Onin should sit on the other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI imagine you\u2019re wondering why you were invited here,\u201d Ambassador Miton said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYes, actually. The Matari have been secretive for so long, and then the two of us, out of all people, get an invitation out of nowhere,\u201d Onin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAllow me to explain. First, some history. Am I correct in the impression that you gesarans are not taught much of the history of how the Matari first came to this planet?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin and Kasai both nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAh, that is a shame, and yet it is partially our fault. The Matari were once a powerful force in the galaxy. We had a vast empire, and even more trading partners. Then, a species of spectral beings appeared in the galaxy. Some would call them spirits. Or demons. Their name for themselves is Natas.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai and Onin looked at each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYes, the very same as those that threaten you now.\u201d Ambassador Miton inclined her head toward them. \u201cThey fought us. We were an even match for them, until they corrupted and made a pact with the guardians of a world called Alandra. With the help of these new allies, they broke our empire into fragments. We Matari were forced to flee our homeworld, and some of us found our way here. We enjoyed peace for a time until the Natas and their corrupted dragon allies found us. We had planned for this, however, and have helped your species reach its potential so you would have the capacity to defend yourselves against them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThe Natas and their dragon allies are crafty, though. We have heard stories of a half-dragon, half-gesaran girl. Not knowing what to make of these stories, we have watched the Natas chase you, Kasai, and how you reacted to them. We have now determined that you are not working for the Natas, so we invited you here to interview you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cMe?\u201d Kasai placed her hand on her chest. \u201cYou\u2019ve been interested in me my whole life? Why haven\u2019t you done something to help? The Natas chasing me has hurt hundreds of people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWe weren\u2019t sure if you were working for or against the Natas. Some of us wanted to kill you just because of the possible threat you posed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai flinched. Onin reached over and squeezed her hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThe majority of us, however, feel you are your own person and deserve the right to choose your own path. Will you follow Ard or the Natas?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThe Natas are nothing but evil! And if you\u2019ve been watching me, you\u2019d know I was practically raised by monks of Ard.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThe monks raise many, but not all choose the correct path.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSo you\u2019re just going to stand back and let people get hurt while you watch me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The Matari cocked her head to the side. \u201cI think we are not communicating well. We Matari are still weak from our own war with the Natas. There isn\u2019t much we can do without revealing ourselves to them and bringing destruction down on everyone on Gesara. If you had proved to be a threat, we could have eliminated you to prevent more death.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cIf you want to prevent more death, kill that Natas!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThat is our intention. Such a thing is not easy, however. That is another question. How did you remove the Natas from the vessel you fought?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSaija?\u201d Kasai looked over at Onin. \u201cI, uh, don\u2019t remember much of that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWe\u2014all of us\u2014injured the \u2018vessel\u2019, and the Natas left of its own accord, leaving her to die.\u201d Onin shrugged. \u201cThat\u2019s what Saija told us, and a monk friend of Kasai\u2019s confirmed that was the case.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAh.\u201d Ambassador Miton\u2019s ears lowered. \u201cWe had hoped a way had been found to eliminate the Natas without harming the vessel.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHow do you kill a Natas, anyway?\u201d Onin asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cIf the vessel is killed quickly, the Natas will die. If the vessel is injured beyond repair and dies slowly, or if it is captured, the Natas can choose to leave. This process takes time, however, and weakens the Natas, so it is often a last resort.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cIf you will excuse me.\u201d The ambassador stood and walked over to the door. \u201cI must leave for a moment. We will contact you later to help you in your fight against the Natas. Someone will be along shortly to show you out. Goodnight, and be well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The ambassador stood, bowed, and left the room. Onin looked over at Kasai and raised an eyebrow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">He leaned over to stare at the door. \u201cIs it just me, or was that weird?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah.\u201d Kasai shivered. \u201cThey ask us here, answer a few questions, and raise a whole lot more. It felt more like an examination than\u2014\u201d she shrugged. \u201cWell, I don\u2019t know what I was expecting from the invitation. What do we do now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d Onin sighed. \u201cWait to be shown out? I don\u2019t think we want to start a fight with them, too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai pulled her mouth to the side and twirled her hair around her finger. \u201cYeah, I guess.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<aside id=\"custom_html-2\" class=\"widget_text widget widget_custom_html amr_widget\"><h2 class=\"widget-title\">Advertisment &#8211; Help keep Etherno free<\/h2><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n    google_ad_client = \"ca-pub-6329442091957906\";\n    google_ad_slot = \"2637632844\";\n    google_ad_width = 728;\n    google_ad_height = 90;\n<\/script>\n<!-- 728x90, created 3\/31\/09 -->\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\"\nsrc=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\">\n<\/script><\/div><\/aside>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/chapter-7\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"104\">&lt;&lt; Previous Chapter<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/table-of-contents\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"34\">Contents<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/chapter-9\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"112\">Next Chapter >><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.aarondemott.com\/newsletter\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.aarondemott.com\/newsletter\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/env_sm.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-178\" width=\"33\" height=\"20\"> Be notified when the next chapter comes out!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.ko-fi.com\/cdn\/widget\/Widget_2.js\"><\/script><script type=\"text\/javascript\">kofiwidget2.init('Buy me a cup of tea', '#29abe0', 'V7V05ASUY');kofiwidget2.draw();<\/script>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Chapter 8: What&#8217;s a Matari, Anyway? Paste text here. Onin slouched on the couch in his dorm room. Tannin sat next to him. Cerina sat&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-108","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/108","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=108"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/108\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":191,"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/108\/revisions\/191"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=108"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}