{"id":398,"date":"2021-12-06T11:37:24","date_gmt":"2021-12-06T16:37:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/?page_id=398"},"modified":"2022-01-03T14:02:44","modified_gmt":"2022-01-03T19:02:44","slug":"chapter-35","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/chapter-35\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 035: Here a Natas, There a Natas"},"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 35:<\/strong> Here a Natas, There a Natas<\/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 wp-block-paragraph\">Ailah sprinted down the street. Footsteps and shouting behind her urged Ailah on. She glanced over at the sword. It was broken in half. Probably from cutting that giant steel door in half. Weird how it had just shown up out of nowhere. A plasma beam shooting over her head shook her out of her reverie. Worry about the sword later. Escape now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Fu-chan_med.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-402\" width=\"497\" height=\"703\" srcset=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Fu-chan_med.png 724w, https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Fu-chan_med-212x300.png 212w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 497px) 100vw, 497px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Ailah tossed the sword over her shoulder. It landed with a heavy thud, and her speed almost doubled. Strange, it hadn\u2019t felt that heavy. Another plasma beam streaked past her left shoulder. They were probably trying to steer her somewhere. Well, if they wanted her to go right\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Ailah skidded around the next corner to the left. The buildings seemed to be mostly industrial, and either abandoned or it was past quitting time for the day. Ailah frowned as she ran down the side street. She wasn\u2019t even sure what city she was in. There hadn\u2019t been any signs or recognizable buildings yet. The Natas had knocked her out. She could be halfway around the planet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">A man carrying a big gun and wearing a dark trench coat stepped out into the street in front of Ailah. She skidded to a stop. Another man with an even bigger gun stepped into the street behind her. Ailah swallowed and looked around. No other side streets. No windows. Wait. Above her. There was an old-fashioned fire escape on the side of the building to her left. She stared at it and bit her lip. She might make it. She looked over her shoulder at the guy with the bigger gun. The fire escape was starting to look pretty good. Better than taking her chances with the local neighborhood watch. Yeah, they probably weren\u2019t there to help her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Ailah took a deep breath and took a running leap toward the fire escape. She yelped in surprise as she flew up to the top of the building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat the!\u201d She drew in a shaky breath. \u201cI couldn\u2019t jump all the way up here, that\u2019s impossible!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">The two goons on the street below yelled, and the whine of a hovercar engine off in the distance grew louder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMore stuff to worry about later.\u201d Ailah took off running across the rooftop. \u201cAt this rate, I\u2019m gonna have a nervous breakdown.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Ailah was rapidly approaching the edge of the roof. She gritted her teeth, and pumped her legs faster. \u201cHope that first jump wasn\u2019t a fluke.\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-full\"><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 wp-block-paragraph\">Amaryllis winced. Kasai had stopped struggling against the servitors, and the ice boulder was about to flatten her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cCome on, Kasai, you can do it!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">The boulder blocked Amaryllis\u2019 view of Kasai now. It was only seconds from impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">A scream split the air. The ice boulder shattered into powder, and an immense gray-white metallic dragon surged straight up into the sky towards Amaryllis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes!\u201d Amaryllis pumped her fist. \u201cI knew you could do it! Go Kasai!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Wait. Kasai wasn\u2019t slowing down. Her mouth was open. Also, a glowing green fireball started to form between her jaws.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOh, shii\u2014\u201d Amaryllis twirled her staff down to point at her friend. \u201cWait! Uh, multi-class: titan shield!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">A fireball the size of the entire Imperial Hotel erupted out of Kasai\u2019s mouth. A purple energy shield rippled and formed around Amaryllis just before the fireball impacted. The impact sent Amaryllis flying backward. The shield rippled, but held. Just as the fire dissipated, the shield flickered and disappeared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Amaryllis took a shaky breath. \u201cWhew, that was close.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Are you sure this was the best idea?<\/em> Ryogin\u2019s mental voice sounded worried.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cEh, I got this. I\u2019m going toe-to-toe with an Onicranium dragon!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Ryogin sighed. <em>You haven\u2019t fully tested this gift yet. Just be careful, love.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">A white claw the size of her head slashed in front of Amaryllis before she could fully catch her breath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYikes!\u201d Amaryllis backed up. \u201cServitor armor, to the sixth!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Glowing yellow spheres of light formed around Amaryllis, and coalesced to form a skin-tight barrier around her. Amaryllis looked around. Kasai banked around for another pass at her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAll right, let\u2019s see what this new gift can really do.\u201d Amaryllis pointed her staff at Kasai. \u201cIce-wave, to the tenth!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Ice exploded from the end of Amaryllis\u2019 staff with a thunderous boom. A tsunami of ice rippled out and slammed into the white dragon, throwing her backward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Kasai roared and a blinding surge of white light exploded out from her mouth. Amaryllis threw her hands up in front of her head. In seconds, both the ice and light were gone. A dense fog surrounded Amaryllis. She spun around slowly. Kasai was out there somewhere. There! The sound of wings flapping came from off to the left, and slightly above her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Amaryllis frowned. The fog made it hard to pinpoint Kasai\u2019s exact location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Amaryllis pointed her staff in the general direction. \u201cMulti-class: full-auto, to the fifth!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Bus-sized yellow energy bolts flew out from the end of her staff. Amaryllis waved her staff back and forth in the general direction where she thought Kasai was.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">The fog was starting to clear. Still no sign of Kasai.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">A white claw reached out of the fog behind Amaryllis and wrapped around her. The servitor armor held, but it was starting to flicker where Kasai\u2019s claw was in direct contact with it. Amaryllis swung her staff\u2014still spewing energy bolts\u2014around to pepper Kasai. The bolts just seemed to sink into her skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWell, then. No energy attacks against an Onicranium dragon.\u201d Amaryllis glanced down at her staff, and the energy blasts stopped. \u201cStrength, Reinforce: to the twentieth.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Amaryllis shoved out against the claw that was wrapped around her waist. It loosened slightly. Amaryllis braced her feet against Kasai\u2019s palm, her hands against the tip of the claw and shoved. She groaned with effort, and the claw slowly opened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes!\u201d Amaryllis darted out and flew up above Kasai. \u201cIce wave, to the thirtieth!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Energy was sucked from Amaryllis as the immense wave of ice formed. Amaryllis gasped for breath. Her legs started to shake, and the servitor armor faded away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cGuess that was too much.\u201d Amaryllis sucked in another breath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">She drifted downward. There wasn\u2019t enough energy left to fly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Are you all right? What happened?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019m fine. That last one used more calories than I had left, though. Even with dragonfire powering it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Amaryllis yawned as she drifted downward. Her eyelids felt heavy. She struggled to keep her eyes open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cToo tired. Just need a nap.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Air rushed past Amaryllis. She felt strangely weightless. She yawned again and darkness overtook her.<\/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-full\"><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 wp-block-paragraph\">Ailah sprinted across the rooftops. She\u2019d managed to lose the two goons. She giggled to herself. They looked like comic book villains. It was as if the Natas weren\u2019t even trying when they hired their henchmen. Or did they possess them?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">A whine of a hovercar off to her left interrupted her thoughts. The dang thing was back again. She\u2019d managed to lose it briefly a few times, but it always seemed to find her again. Ailah giggled. Not like it was exactly hard to find a girl running along the rooftops in nothing but her underwear. She shivered and added, \u2018find clothes\u2019 to her mental list of things to do. The first was to get away from that hovercar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">The car was covered in police markings, but from the way it opened fire on her whenever it got close, it had to be the Natas. They wanted her back almost as much as Ailah wanted to get away from them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">The car zipped in close again. Ailah swung her right fist in a desperate attempt to punch at it. She giggled again at the thought of punching a car. Oh well, not like she had many other options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Her hand closed around something solid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHuh?\u201d Ailah looked back over her shoulder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Her hand was wrapped around the handle of a giant sword\u2014that was pulled halfway out of a glowing blue disk of light surrounded by numbers and geometric symbols.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat the?\u201d Ailah rubbed at her eyes with her left hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">The glow-y circle thing was still there. The hovercar opened fire. Ailah squeaked, yanked the sword of\u2026 whatever that was\u2026 and swung it with all her strength. It went through the hovercar like butter, splitting it cleanly in two.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Half of the car fell down at Ailah. She screamed and punched at the half a car. It bounced off her fist and arched over the top of the next building over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Ailah stared at her fist and blinked. \u201cAm I dreaming?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Another guy in a black trench coat climbed up and over the side of the building onto the same roof Ailah was on. She groaned and took off running again.<\/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-full\"><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 wp-block-paragraph\">Amaryllis blinked. The last thing she remembered was falling. She jerked around and opened her eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWoah, easy there! I\u2019ve got you.\u201d Onin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Amaryllis blushed. Onin held her. She looked around. A servitor was above them. Tendrils of energy trailed down from it and wrapped around Onin and her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cUm, thanks for catching me.\u201d Amaryllis looked away. \u201cI think I can fly on my own now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYeah. I had the servitor transfer some energy to you.\u201d Onin let her go. The servitor still supported her with a few tendrils of energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHere.\u201d Onin dug around in his pocket and pulled out a granola bar. \u201cYou need to eat something.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThanks.\u201d Amaryllis accepted the bar and took a big bite out of it. \u201cWhen\u2019d you get here?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe rest of us followed you and Kasai as soon as you took off, but most of us can\u2019t withstand unprotected supersonic flight, so we just got here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAh. Thanks for catching me.\u201d Amaryllis shaded her eyes with her hand and looked around. \u201cWhere\u2019s Kasai?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Onin pointed off to the north. \u201cOver there. That last blast you let out sent her flying.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cUm&#8230;\u201d Amaryllis scratched an ear. \u201cCould you talk to her? I got her to transform, but I might have overdone it. And, uh, I\u2019m out of energy now\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSure.\u201d Onin grinned. \u201cPractice time is over for now, anyway. Purona got a call from her boss when we were halfway here\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">A gust of wind interrupted Onin. Kasai back-winged to stop and hover right in front of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWait!\u201d Onin zipped out to intersperse himself between Kasai and Amaryllis. He held his arms out wide. \u201cKasai, it\u2019s me, Onin!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Kasai lowered her head to nuzzle Onin. \u201cShe tried to kill me!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo!\u201d Amaryllis shook her head. \u201cI was only trying to get you to transform!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWell, could you have chosen a more dangerous method?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe Natas are here and we need\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cLadies!\u201d Onin glared at both of them. \u201cClearly you two need to have a talk, but now isn\u2019t the time for more fighting. Purona got a call. There\u2019s been a possible Natas sighting in the Hadala kinset to the northeast of here. They want us to check on it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cA possible sighting?\u201d Kasai cocked her head to the side. \u201cWas there, or wasn\u2019t there?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Onin shrugged. \u201cThey weren\u2019t confirmed to be Natas, but multiple sources saw a woman carrying a giant sword wearing nothing but her underwear running along rooftops.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHmm.\u201d Amaryllis pursed her lips. \u201cThat does sound like a Natas.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Onin grinned. \u201cYeah, that\u2019s what Tannin said. So, let\u2019s go check it out. Purona called a car for us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYeah.\u201d Kasai snorted. \u201cThat\u2019s all well and good, but I can\u2019t fit in a car in this form.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cGot it covered.\u201d Onin pulled off his backpack and waved it around. \u201cSaija nabbed some spare clothes for you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Kasai growled. \u201cStill doesn\u2019t change the fact that I don\u2019t know how to get OUT of this form!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cUm\u2026\u201d Onin blushed and scratched the back of his head. \u201cI was thinking we could try what worked last time?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOkay.\u201d Amaryllis turned and drifted down towards the ground. \u201cI\u2019m going to leave you kids alone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHey, don\u2019t make it sound dirty!\u201d Kasai looked away. \u201cAnd we\u2019re both older than you.\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-full\"><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 wp-block-paragraph\">Kasai hunched down low in her jacket and leaned up against the car door. Onin sat next to her, doing something on his phone. Amaryllis was asleep in the seat next to him. Saija, Tannin, and Cerina sat in the seat in front of them. Purona and Aiden were up front with the driver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Kasai sighed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Onin put his phone down. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNothing.\u201d Kasai scrunched down further in her seat and played with her hair. \u201cI\u2019m just frustrated that I can\u2019t control my transformation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYeah.\u201d Onin put a hand on her shoulder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Kasai snuggled up against him and relaxed. He was warm and smelled fresh from the shower soap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWant to talk about it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d Kasai sighed again. \u201cI probably should.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou know she was trying to help, right?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYeah.\u201d Kasai crossed her arms. \u201cIt\u2019s just the method. I know, I know, that\u2019s probably what I need to bring it on. It\u2019s just\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cReminds you of when you were a kid?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Onin laid his arm across her shoulders. \u201cWell, I can\u2019t speak for the others, but I won\u2019t leave you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI know.\u201d Kasai leaned into Onin\u2019s shoulder. \u201cAll of you remind me of the monks, especially Brother Terrence, in that way. It\u2019s just, sometimes, I still feel like no one loves me. I know you all do, but\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Onin nodded and squeezed her shoulders.<\/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-full\"><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 wp-block-paragraph\">Ailah dropped through an open window and landed inside a cavernous room full of crates. She froze for a moment. Silence. She shrugged. Either she\u2019d temporarily lost her pursuers, or the warehouse walls were really well insulated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Ailah wandered to a smaller room at the front of the warehouse. A few of the crates here were opened. A rolling rack ran through the middle of this area. Racks of folded boxes hung from the ceiling above the rolling rack. A plethora of various sizes of clothing was in the open crates. Some of it was folded up and stacked next to a scale on a bench along the back wall of this room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWoo!\u201d Ailah darted forward and dug through the crates in search of something in her size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">On the one hand, she didn\u2019t want to steal clothing. On the other, she couldn\u2019t really wander around the city half-naked. After a few minutes search she found a forest green knee-length skirt, and a medium blue t-shirt in her size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Ailah shrugged. \u201cPants would be better, but\u2026\u201d She glanced around and frowned. \u201cNo shoes, though.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">She sat in a chair and examined the bottom of her feet. They were predictably filthy, but surprisingly blister free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHmm, I wonder\u2026\u201d Ailah grabbed her sword and placed it on the scale. \u201cWhat! It can\u2019t weigh fifty pounds!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Ailah frowned at the scale. Perhaps it was broken. Then again, it was metal, taller than she was, and the blade was a half a foot wide. She picked it up and twirled it around one-handed. It didn\u2019t <em>feel<\/em> heavy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat did the Natas do to me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">The room was silent. Just as well. She\u2019d have lost it entirely if the clothes started talking back to her. She shook her head. Worry about that later, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOh yeah, I was looking for shoes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Ailah searched the rest of the room, but didn\u2019t find any shoes. There was a small entryway that jutted out of the front of the warehouse. The entryway had large windows on three sides. Ailah frowned, ducked down, and crept out into the entryway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">No one shot at her. So far, so good. Benches lined the entryway. Each bench had a row of small lockers under it. Ailah bit her lip and stared at them. She glanced at her bare feet, huffed out a breath, and opened the first locker. Empty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">The other lockers each had a pair of work boots under them. Ailah wrinkled her nose and rummaged through until she found a pair that fit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOkay. Dressed. Now, to find out why it\u2019s so suspiciously quiet.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Ailah crept back into the warehouse and scurried up the access ladder that led to the roof. She couldn\u2019t be lucky enough to evade the Natas. They\u2019d been hot on her tail the entire day. This had to be a trap. At least she had clothes on now.<\/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-full\"><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 wp-block-paragraph\">Onin jerked upright as the car pulled to a stop in front of a medium sized warehouse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Purona turned in her seat to look back at everyone. \u201cOkay, we\u2019re here. We\u2019ve received reports that the Natas has been chased into this warehouse.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Tannin leaned up against the car window. \u201cSign says, \u2018Crazy Josh\u2019s Discount Clothing Warehouse: If we don\u2019t have what you want, you\u2019ll just have to go naked.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat?\u201d Cerina pushed past him. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t either say that!\u201d Her shoulders fell. \u201cHoly crap, it DOES say that!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Saija snorted in laughter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWell, it\u2019s not the weirdest thing we\u2019ve seen.\u201d Onin cracked the car door open. \u201cCome on, let\u2019s go catch a Natas.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Everyone else piled out behind him. Onin shaded his eyes and examined the building. It was rectangular, with a small entryway jutting out from the front.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Onin held out his hand, palm up, and generated a servitor. When the glowing ball of light grew to about the size of a basketball, it shimmered and turned invisible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019m going to send a servitor around to check out the building first.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cGood idea.\u201d Tannin pulled two rubber chickens from his pockets. \u201cI\u2019m ready for whatever they find.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Cerina rolled her eyes. \u201cSeriously, how many of those did you steal?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cEh, leave him alone.\u201d Saija rested her elbow on Tannin\u2019s shoulder and leaned on him. \u201cIt\u2019s creative, it\u2019s less-than-lethal, and we can use the humor.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">The servitor re-appeared in front of Onin. It sent him a blurry mental picture of a girl on the roof. Onin nodded to it, and it switched back to infrared mode.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cShe\u2019s up on the roof.\u201d Onin pointed to the top of the building. \u201cKasai, myself, Saija, and Tannin will head up there. The rest of you please spread out around the building in case she tries to escape.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Everyone nodded at him. Amaryllis, Aiden, and Cerina spread out around the building. Saija dropped into a portal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Tannin stuck out his thumb. \u201cRide, please.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Kasai giggled. Onin snorted and waved his hand. A servitor de-cloaked and wrapped an energy tendril around Tannin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cLet\u2019s go.\u201d Onin jumped into the air, and the servitors around his hands and feet switched from infrared mode to visible, and lifted him off the ground.<\/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-full\"><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 wp-block-paragraph\">Ailah spun around to face the low humming noise that came from behind her. A pair of large glowing yellow energy balls rose into view. Each of them trailed flickering energy tendrils with a man supported in them. Ailah swung her sword around to point the tip at them. Both of them were tailless, and had funny round ears on the sides of their heads. The new type of Natas host. This was a trap, all right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Ailah crouched down and shoved off the ground with all her strength. She flew through the air and swung her sword at the neck of the nearest Natas. The Natas\u2019 eyes widened. He pulled his hands up and blocked Ailah\u2019s sword with some kind of yellow\u2026 thing. Ailah did a double-take. It looked like the Natas held a rubber chicken in each hand. How could a rubber chicken block a sword?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">The Natas counter-attacked immediately. He swung the chicken in his left hand up to continue shoving Ailah\u2019s sword away from him, and swung the right chicken at Ailah\u2019s ribs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\"><em>They\u2019re only chickens, right? <\/em>Ailah turned her swing into a spin, released her right hand from the hilt of her sword, and spun around into a roundhouse punch. Her fist connected with the rubber chicken\u2019s head, which was much harder than Ailah had expected a rubber chicken to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">The Natas skidded several feet backward. His eyes widened, and he looked from the chicken to Ailah and back again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">He looked over his shoulder at the other Natas. \u201cLook out, Onin, this one\u2019s got super-strength!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Ailah aimed the point of her sword at him and leapt at him again. The Natas spun to the side and slammed both of his chickens down onto the top of Ailah\u2019s sword. That redirected Ailah\u2019s momentum enough to throw her down to the rooftop. Ailah dropped into a roll and swung her sword at the Natas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">A blast of wind from behind distracted Ailah. She glanced over her shoulder, and just about fell over. A half-dragon girl landed on the rooftop. Ailah had heard the speculation on the news that the Natas were working with the dragons, but\u2026 Ailah rubbed her eyes. Yup. She was still there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Ailah swung her head around. The other two were still behind her. Ailah whipped around at a loud pop. A purple distortion of some sort opened a hole, and another Natas girl stepped out of it. Ailah swallowed and fought back the panic that threatened to overwhelm her. Four against one. Not good odds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Ailah drew in a shaky breath. She adjusted her stance so she could keep an eye on each set of opponents. She could use another sword. What had she done the first time it came out? <em>Oh, yeah!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Ailah held her sword in her left hand and swung a desperate punch at the dragon girl. Her hand closed around another sword handle. Ailah grinned.<\/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-full\"><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 wp-block-paragraph\">Onin took a step back when the Natas girl\u2019s ginormous sword hit Tannin\u2019s \u201cswords\u201d hard enough to send him flying backward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cLook out, Onin, this one\u2019s got super-strength!\u201d Tannin yelled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYeah, I got that,\u201d Onin muttered under his breath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Onin looked over his shoulder, and the servitor that had carried Tannin up to the roof floated over and dropped below the roof-line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">There. Plan B is ready in case anyone\u2019s flung off the roof.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Onin turned back to the battle. Tannin seemed to have the fight well in hand for the moment. Sure, Onin could send a servitor in to fight or capture the Natas, but since most Natas seemed to have more than one gift, it might be a good idea to get some more data on this one first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Kasai and Saija landed on the roof. The Natas girl\u2019s eyes bugged out of her head, and her chest heaved. Fear? That was a first. Most of the Natas they\u2019d fought had been cocky to a fault.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">The Natas drew a few breaths, spun around and pulled another huge sword out of a small artifice portal. Each sword was just a bit taller than she was.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Okay, super-strength and Artifice gifts. What else?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Onin generated servitors to form servitor armor. Better be ready if swords or whatever else were going to be flying around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">The Natas girl launched herself into the air in an arc towards Kasai. \u201cDie, Natas!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWait, what?\u201d Tannin pointed a chicken at the Natas girl. \u201cDid the Natas just call us a Natas?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">The Natas girl\u2019s sword came down on the top edge of Kasai\u2019s right wing. The sound of rending metal filled the air. The Natas girl blinked and took a step back. She dropped the handle of the half a sword she now held.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Kasai appeared to be uninjured. Onin let out a breath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWait!\u201d Kasai held up a hand, palm out, to the Natas girl. \u201cWhy did you call me a Natas?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">The girl\u2019s eyes narrowed. \u201cYou are, aren\u2019t you? Super powers, funny looking ears, like to torture Nekotians?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Kasai shook her head. \u201cNo. Not at all. We\u2019re on Nekotia to stop the Natas that stole Gesaran bodies.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">The girl blinked. \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Saija rolled her eyes. \u201cSheesh, Kasai. When you put it that way, it sounds like a bad anime plot. You\u2019ve been hanging out with Tannin too much.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Onin held up his hands. \u201cWe\u2019re not Natas. Really. We\u2019re working with the Deka kinset. We got a report of Natas activity in the area.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYeah, they\u2019ve been chasing me all day.\u201d The girl pointed her non-damaged sword at Onin. \u201cThis has got to be some kind of trick. You\u2019re really working with Nasal-head, Suit-man, and that psycho woman, aren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSee!\u201d Tannin waved a chicken. \u201cI told you that was his name!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Saija face-palmed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Onin smacked Tannin on the shoulder. \u201cI think there\u2019s been a few mistakes here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cPossibly.\u201d The girl still clenched her sword. \u201cHow do I know you\u2019re not lying?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Onin turned to Saija. \u201cHey, could you bring Purona up here, please?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSure.\u201d Saija waved, and a purple portal swirled open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAiee!\u201d Purona dropped out of the portal and landed on her butt. She blinked and looked around. \u201cUh, what\u2019s going on?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe might have a slight mix-up.\u201d Onin pointed to the girl with the sword.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhoa!\u201d Purona stood up and waved her hands. \u201cThis is super not my fault! Rala texted me the location and everything!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Onin held his index finger up to Purona. \u201cNot that. This girl says she\u2019s not a Natas, and thinks we are.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Purona blinked and one ear dropped. \u201cWhat? That\u2019s super-crazy! These guys are totes not Natas!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Sword-girl frowned. \u201cThey say they\u2019re working with the Deka kinset. Do you have any proof of that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cTotally!\u201d Purona fumbled around in her jacket pocket and pulled out her wallet. \u201cI\u2019ve got my government I.D. right here!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Sword-girl took a hesitant step toward Purona, and studied the I.D. card for a moment. \u201cOkay.\u201d She lowered her sword. \u201cSo, I think I can see how a random person could mistake me for a Natas. That explains why you\u2019re here. But what about the Natas that captured me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhy don\u2019t you tell us about that?\u201d Onin smiled at her. \u201cFirst, we should introduce ourselves. I\u2019m Onin, that\u2019s Tannin, Kasai, Saija, and Purona.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\"><a><\/a>Sword-girl bit her lip and looked around at all of them. \u201cI\u2019m Lady Ailah, of the Hadala kinset.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Purona gasped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Onin turned to her. \u201cWhat, is something wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Purona nodded. \u201cThat\u2019d make her the daughter of the former Claal. They were in the news last night. Apparently their house was attacked. According to the news, both daughters were killed in a Natas attack, and the Lady was missing. Alayis said they found her among the zombies you guys saved. Oh!\u201d Purona\u2019s ears stood straight up. \u201cThat reminds me! They\u2019re also working on a cure! Trial results look super good so far!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMom?\u201d Ailah sank to her knees. \u201cShe\u2019s alive?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Kasai and Purona rushed over and pulled Ailah into a hug. A hover car engine whined off in the distance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Ailah looked up. \u201cWe should continue this conversation elsewhere. The Natas have been chasing me all day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cGood idea.\u201d Onin nodded at Saija. \u201cCould you get us to our hotel room, please?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSure.\u201d Saija waved her hand and a purple portal swirled open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Ailah\u2019s eyes widened, and her ears flattened to the back of her head, but she followed the others into the portal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Onin sighed. This was going to be a long day.<\/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 wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/chapter-34\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"392\">&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-36\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"407\">Next Chapter >><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">\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","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Chapter 35: Here a Natas, There a Natas Ailah sprinted down the street. Footsteps and shouting behind her urged Ailah on. She glanced over at&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-398","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/398","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=398"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/398\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":410,"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/398\/revisions\/410"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=398"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}