{"id":99,"date":"2021-07-19T15:09:17","date_gmt":"2021-07-19T19:09:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/?page_id=99"},"modified":"2021-07-19T15:11:03","modified_gmt":"2021-07-19T19:11:03","slug":"chapter-6","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/chapter-6\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 006: Unwanted Help"},"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 6:<\/strong> Unwanted Help<\/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<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Saija_md.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-100\" width=\"528\" height=\"781\" srcset=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Saija_md.png 692w, https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Saija_md-203x300.png 203w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 528px) 100vw, 528px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin looked down. Saija, the girl that had almost killed them about a month ago, was on her side in the dirt in a small clearing. She still wore the skimpy two-piece outfit that they had last seen her in. Her hair was a mess and full of twigs, she was covered in dirt, and her right leg was missing below the knee. The stump was fragmented. Black lines ran all over it, and something yellow oozed out of what was left of her leg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cIf it isn\u2019t the half-breed and friends.\u201d Saija sneered at them. Her voice was strained. \u201cDidn\u2019t think I\u2019d run into you here. Oh well. If you could make it quick, that\u2019d be convenient.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cMake what quick?\u201d Onin asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">He and the others entered the clearing and surrounded Saija.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cUgh, I hate asking all nice-like.\u201d Saija rolled her eyes and ground her teeth. \u201cIf you really are the goody-two-shoes you act like, kill me quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWe\u2019re not going to kill you.\u201d Kasai bent down and examined Saija\u2019s leg. \u201cOnin, that leg doesn\u2019t look good. Can your servitors do anything about it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin bent down to get a closer look at Saija\u2019s leg. The flesh looked charred and rotten at the bottom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah, killing people isn\u2019t how we operate.\u201d Onin looked over at Kasai and generated a fist-sized servitor. \u201cI don\u2019t know if a servitor can heal that or not, but it\u2019s worth a try.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">It floated over and ran a healing beam over Saija\u2019s leg. The color improved a little, and the pus was gone, but it still looked bad. The servitor bobbed up and down for a few moments, then lowered itself down and attached to the stump.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cDon\u2019t make me beg you not to toy with me, I\u2014\u201d Saija blinked and the tension eased out of her face. \u201cWait, it doesn\u2019t hurt anymore. Trying to keep me alive long enough to interrogate?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin sighed. \u201cWe have different views on life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYa think?\u201d Saija said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWhy are we helping her, anyway? She did try to kill us. This is probably a trap,\u201d Cerina said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cCerina, she\u2019s hurt.\u201d Kasai stood and turned to face her. \u201cWe can\u2019t just leave her here. Ard says that if we have the power to help someone, and don\u2019t, that\u2019s wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOh great, Ard followers.\u201d Saija made a face. \u201cDo you have any idea what I am? If you follow Ard, you really do want to kill me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThat\u2019s not what the monks taught me,\u201d Kasai said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cListen, we can argue about this later. Right now, we need to get her to a doctor,\u201d Onin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cBut\u2014\u201d Cerina started to say something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cLater. They\u2019re right. If we don\u2019t help her, we\u2019re no better than the bad guys,\u201d Tannin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin generated another servitor. It hovered over Saija and reached out to grab her with four tendrils of light.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cTannin, cover our rear. Kasai, lead the way back, please,\u201d Onin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Tannin saluted and fell back a few yards. Kasai started pushing through the foliage in the direction of the boot camp building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">It took them about an hour to get back. Everyone was silent for the duration of the trip. They were probably all thinking the same thing Onin was: this would make a really good trap. Well, everyone but Saija. Who knew what she was thinking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Karen met them at the edge of the woods. \u201cYou\u2019re just a little late, Is everything\u2026 Oh. Who\u2019s this? I don\u2019t think she\u2019s with any of the other groups\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThis is Saija,\u201d Onin stepped to the side to let the servitor bring Saija forward. \u201cShe\u2019s, uh, an acquaintance of ours. Is there a doctor here? Her leg is hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Karen gasped and put a hand to her mouth. \u201cBring her inside, there\u2019s a nurse\u2019s station on the first floor.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin and the others followed Karen inside, past the reception area, and around the corner into a white room with two beds. The servitor lowered her onto the bed on the right, then popped. The servitor on her leg stayed in place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">A man only a few years older than Onin entered the room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHi, I\u2019m Emmett, the EMT. What have we got here?\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI hurt my leg,\u201d Saija glared at Tannin while she was talking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cLong story. I got stabbed with a stick, my mas\u2014uh, boss, threw me out into the woods for failing my mission, and now that I\u2019m cut off, spiritual rot has set in. I doubt there\u2019s much you can do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cReally.\u201d The EMT raised an eyebrow and turned to Onin. \u201cShe\u2019s been out there a while, probably delirious. I\u2019ll stabilize her and call the hospital. You can go back to your exercises now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cExercises?\u201d Saija said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYes,\u201d Karen clapped her hands together. \u201cYour friends are here at team building boot camp. And I must say they worked together really well helping you!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSeriously?\u201d Saija burst into laughter. \u201cTeam building bootcamp? That\u2019s great. You got sent back to preschool. I can\u2019t believe you defeated me. When my former master finds you, he\u2019ll tear right through you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">She doubled over with laughter and rolled toward the edge of the bed, and managed to catch the handrail before she fell off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYou\u2019d better go,\u201d the EMT said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWe\u2019re staying. She\u2019s very dangerous,\u201d Onin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI\u2019ll go call Professor Jekao,\u201d Kasai said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSpeaking of which,\u201d Saija shuffled on the bed. \u201cI\u2019ll hop off and try to die with some dignity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYou can\u2019t go\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Before the EMT finished speaking, Saija swung off the bed, slammed his head into the wall, slipped his pen from his front pocket, and had it pressed into his throat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSaija, sit down,\u201d Onin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHuh, right,\u201d Saija held out her hand. Nothing happened. \u201cUm, there\u2019s supposed to be a portal there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin reached out with his thoughts to the servitor. It was still in healing mode. Onin pointed to the servitor that was still attached to her right leg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cBetween that, whatever the rot is that you mentioned, blood loss, and everything else, you\u2019re in no condition to fight. Now, sit down, or I\u2019ll make another servitor and force you to sit.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Saija hopped over to the bed, slammed her butt down onto it, and crossed her arms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Professor Jekao arrived four hours later. He must have run to the monorail station as soon as Kasai had called him to have arrived that quickly. Four policemen were with him. While they secured the room, Professor Jekao motioned for Onin to join him in the hallway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThis is the girl that attacked you earlier?\u201d the professor asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSaija, yes, sir.\u201d Onin nodded. \u201cShe needs to have that leg looked at. May we be present for her debriefing, sir?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOrdinarily, I\u2019d say you could observe, but you\u2019re not finished here yet.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOh.\u201d Onin looked into the room, then back at the professor. \u201cWe\u2019re already involved in this. She\u2019s really strong, and she\u2019s got some kind of master, and we wanted to see it through.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI admire your dedication, but she needs to be checked out at the hospital first. After that, you have to go through proper channels. The only reason you\u2019re involved in this at all is because you and the others have strong gifts and are, well, good bait. That said, you\u2019ll likely be needed to flush out the rest of the people involved. Finish learning how to work as a team here, then come back to Dabrath. I\u2019m sure we\u2019ll know more by then.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYes, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin sighed. He and the others did need to be able to work as a team. That much was evident from the disasters they seemed to make of every mission so far. On the other hand, he wasn\u2019t at all confident in the ability of the police to keep Saija contained.<\/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 yawned. It wasn\u2019t even light out yet, and Karen had already dragged them back out to the lawn in front of the cabin. Tannin, Kasai, and Cerina stood next to him, forming a loose semi-circle. Had the others gotten any sleep, or were they also up all night wondering about Saija, her master, and everything? Tannin looked half-asleep, but he always did when someone made him get out of bed before noon. Kasai looked introspective, but again, she always did. Cerina, now there was a mystery. Her face was blank, and she picked at imaginary dirt under her nails. Why was she so angry all the time?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOkay, everyone,\u201d Karen said. \u201cToday we\u2019re doing a maze. Only it\u2019s more like a minefield.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">She even sounded perky at oh-dark-hundred. Perhaps Tannin was onto something, about her not being Gesaran.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cToday is all about communication and working together as a team.\u201d Karen lead them around the corner of the building. \u201cOne person is going to be blindfolded, and the rest will guide him or her through the maze. One person will give one direction, the next person will give the second direction, and so on. But watch out! There are traps you\u2019ll want to avoid.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">A maze was laid out on the lawn with tape. The pattern wasn\u2019t terribly complicated, but the challenge would be following the other persons directions. Hopefully Cerina wouldn\u2019t ruin this for all of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cLet\u2019s see, who\u2019s first\u2026\u201d Karen looked around and pointed to Tannin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">He groaned and stepped forward to be blindfolded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cGo straight forward for about two paces,\u201d Onin turned to face Kasai. \u201cDo you think Saija\u2019s going to co-operate with the police?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cTurn left ninety degrees, and take one step,\u201d Kasai said. Then, in a softer tone, \u201cI don\u2019t know. She doesn\u2019t seem like the type to be helpful, but she was really subdued and quiet yesterday.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cToo quiet. I don\u2019t trust her,\u201d Cerina said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThis is weird, Cerina and I have been agreeing a lot lately. Is there a rift in space-time or something?\u201d Tannin snorted. \u201cAlso, where do I go next?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOops, my turn, sorry.\u201d Cerina grinned and rubbed her palms together. \u201cUh, let\u2019s see, straight for\u2026.about, oh, four paces.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Tannin ran straight into a plastic square\u2014which squirted him in the face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHey! You did that on purpose!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Cerina doubled over laughing and didn\u2019t notice a black plastic nozzle pop out of the ground in front of her. It completely soaked her with water. She stopped laughing and glared at everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHey! What was that? That\u2019s not funny.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOh,\u201d Karen tilted her head and looked off to the side. \u201cDid I forget to mention that both of you get hit by the traps?\u201d She looked Cerina right in the eyes. \u201cYou win as a team, or you lose as a team. Not just here. This is just a game. What about in the real world? You think about that, missy!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Cerina lowered her head. \u201cSorry,\u201d she whispered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Wow, perhaps Cerina had feelings after all. Onin smiled. Perhaps they really did have a chance to make a workable team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">They made it through the rest of the maze without incident. Now it was after lunch, and they stood outside what might be another maze, an obstacle course, or the most over-designed torture machine Onin had ever seen. He wasn\u2019t sure which.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">A wood wall with irregularly spaced planks for ladder rungs was the first part of the obstacle course. After that was a narrow, enclosed corridor, followed by at least three giant swinging logs, and more enclosed areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThink they could fit one more swinging or spinning log in there?\u201d Tannin asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cShut up, they might take you up on that,\u201d Onin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThis,\u201d Karen made a sweeping gesture at the gizmo, \u201cis the obstacle course. This particular one we\u2019ve built for our gifted attendees. You need to all make it through, without breaking anything, to finish. Once you\u2019ve done that, your time with us has come to an end, and you can go home and apply the lessons you\u2019ve learned here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSweet, let\u2019s go!\u201d Tannin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWait,\u201d Karen held up a rope. \u201cYou have to go through together. As in tied together.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAlways a catch,\u201d Tannin muttered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin raised an eyebrow. He wasn\u2019t sure what was in the enclosed areas, but the course didn\u2019t look that hard. Assuming Cerina didn\u2019t do something stupid. Again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Karen tied the rope around Onin\u2019s waist, then Kasai\u2019s, then Cerina\u2019s, then Tannin\u2019s on the other end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAre we ready?\u201d Onin asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAs we\u2019ll ever be.\u201d Cerina rolled her eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Tannin rolled his eyes, and Kasai just smiled up at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The first obstacle was a ladder with a door at the top. Slightly difficult when you had three other people tied to you, but still not much of a challenge. They made it to the top without any problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cIf this is all there is to this \u2018obstacle\u2019 course, it\u2019s a joke.\u201d Cerina snorted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cPerhaps it\u2019s one of those things that\u2019s not supposed to be physically hard, but just supposed to make you think,\u201d Kasai said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYou do that a lot, don\u2019t you? Think, that is. Not what I expected.\u201d Cerina cocked her head to the side, one corner of her mouth pulled down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin opened the door and sighed. \u201cLook, log rollers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">A beam about a foot wide extended out a few feet, then a series of eight rolling logs were spaced about four feet apart. The entire apparatus was suspended about a story above a water pit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOoo! It\u2019s like on that game show, \u2018Crazy Hard Obstacle Challenge.\u2019 I love that show!\u201d Tannin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYou would.\u201d Cerina rolled her eyes. \u201cThis is just so stupid, this whole camp, and now an obstacle course? Really? Saija\u2019s right. They did send us back to preschool. Is this pointless waste of time actually going to accomplish anything?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWe could be actually looking for the bad guys,\u201d Tannin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin looked over at Kasai. She shrugged and looked at her feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWell, we\u2019ve got two choices.\u201d Onin pointed to the rollers. \u201cWe can actually try to work together and go across those, or we can go back and say this is stupid and we\u2019re not gonna do it. Do you think Professor Jekao will let us continue to help if we do that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYay. Go team. Woo.\u201d Cerina leaned over to get a better look. \u201cBut can you actually make it across? Because I don\u2019t think I can, and that\u2019d pull all of us down.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Tannin peered down into the water pit below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah, I don\u2019t like wet. I\u2019ve had my bath for the week.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Cerina opened her mouth, shut it, and just shook her head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin sighed and led the way to edge of the platform. The other shuffled in after him and the door shut, plunging the room into complete darkness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYou\u2019ve got to be kidding me!\u201d Cerina said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWhat, afraid of the dark?\u201d Tannin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin sighed and generated a fist-sized servitor. It floated up to the ceiling and glowed, filling the room with light.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThanks.\u201d Kasai leaned over Onin\u2019s shoulder and her breast pressed into his back. \u201cNow, what to do about those rollers?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin closed his eyes and tried to concentrate on the problem. It was hard with Kasai\u2019s delightful form against him. He took a deep breath. It was best not to read too much into incidental physical contact, and this wasn\u2019t the time, anyway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI got this one,\u201d Onin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">He raised his hand and generated a small servitor for each roller. The servitors each attached to either end of a roller, and sent out an energy beam to link with the other servitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cIt should be solid now,\u201d Onin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He stepped carefully onto the first roller. It wiggled a little, but didn\u2019t spin. He waved to the others, and they made it across.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cReady?\u201d Onin asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Everyone nodded, and Onin opened the next door. Something clicked as the door opened, and a whoosh of air blasted past them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cUm, was that a swinging log?\u201d Kasai asked. Another blast of air answered her. \u201cYup. Swinging log.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai lifted her hand, and the log slowed down. \u201cHurry, while I can still hold it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">They ran over the narrow beam past the log and barreled through the next door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAw, man! More logs,\u201d Tannin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Two logs were suspended in front of them, with the ends butted against each other. A ratcheting sound echoed around, and the two logs separated, leaving about a two foot gap between them. Before Onin could say anything, there was another click, and the logs slammed together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOoo! My turn.\u201d Tannin took a breath, and stepped into the gap between the logs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">They swung in again, and bounced off his shoulders. The ratcheting sounds started up again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cUg, hurry up, guys!\u201d Tannin grunted. \u201cEven strengthened, this shirt can only take so much.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAnd, how are we supposed to get past you?\u201d Cerina asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cUh\u2026\u201d Tannin looked around. \u201cCrawl through my legs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYou\u2019ve got to be kidding me.\u201d Cerina shuddered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cNo time to argue, I don\u2019t see another way without breaking something, let\u2019s go.\u201d Onin frowned. \u201cThe sooner we get this done, the sooner we can get back to doing something important.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Cerina crawled through, then Kasai, and Onin crawled under everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThis would have been easier without the rope.\u201d Onin shook his head. Oh well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">He opened the next door and blinked in the daylight. They stood on a balcony with a zip line leading down to the ground. Karen looked up and waved to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOne more obstacle, guys.\u201d Onin looked over his shoulder. \u201cTannin, can you strengthen the rope that\u2019s around us?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">He reached out his hand to grab the zip line handle. It bounced off a forcefield just before the handle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOw!\u201d Onin shook his hand. \u201cThat tingles. Okay, I think I can\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cExcuse me.\u201d Cerina tapped him on the shoulder. \u201cTeamwork and all, blah, blah. It\u2019s a sonic field.\u201d She held out her hand. The air rippled and the sound of bells rang through the air. \u201cOkay, go quick.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cTannin, get the rope. Kasai, I\u2019m going to make some servitors to lift us, help them keep us level, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">She nodded. Onin winced and reached for the zip line handle again. Nothing happened this time. Onin grabbed it, and they all jumped off together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cCongratulations,\u201d Karen said when they reached the ground. \u201cYou made it through, and you made it through as a team.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cGo team!\u201d Tannin yelled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">He had just enough sincerity to his tone that it would have fooled Onin if he didn\u2019t know better. Tannin didn\u2019t ever get that enthused about any kind of work.<\/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 yawned and blinked his eyes open at the sound of an electronic tone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cNow approaching Dabrath, Applied Bio-Gifting college stop,\u201d the monorail speaker said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThat\u2019s us,\u201d Onin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai shut her book and put it back into her backpack. Cerina stood and stretched. Tannin snored. Onin lifted his leg and poked Tannin with his shoe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWake up. We\u2019re leaving.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Tannin sat up, flopped against the wall, and rose to his feet, his eyes still closed. Onin snorted and grabbed Tannin\u2019s shoulder, guiding him out of the monorail car and down the platform steps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHey, should we go check on Saija before we head back to our dorms?\u201d Kasai said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSure,\u201d Onin looked over his shoulder at Cerina and raised his eyebrow in an unspoken question. She shrugged. Tannin tilted to the side, and Onin pulled him back upright. \u201cI don\u2019t think Tannin cares.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">By the time they made it to the hospital where Saija was, Tannin was mostly awake. Which was good, because Onin wasn\u2019t sure how the hospital staff would react to someone all but sleepwalking through the halls. Kasai got Saija\u2019s room number from the front desk. The officer on duty recognized them from the police station, and waved them in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Saija was almost unrecognizable from the last time Onin had seen her. The biggest change was the hospital gown covered most of her. Her hair was down, her cheeks were sunken and hollow, and her skin was even paler than normal. Her arms and legs were stick-thin, and the black lines now criss-crossed all over what was left of her right leg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOh.\u201d She looked up, blinked, and scratched the back of her neck when she saw Onin and the others enter. \u201cUm, I didn\u2019t expect to see you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai sat on the edge of the bed and took Saija\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cIs there anything we can do for you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Saija stared at her hand that Kasai now held.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI don\u2019t get it.\u201d She looked up and glanced at each of them in turn. \u201cWhy are you being nice to me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Saija\u2019s tone wasn\u2019t the usual cocky, overbearing, taunt that it usually was. She spoke barely above a whisper. Onin thought she might burst into tears any moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAt first I thought you found me to gloat over your victory. Or torture me for information. But even the police that brought me in have only had a few questions for me. They said they\u2019d wait for me to feel better or some such nonsense.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cArd commands us to love everyone,\u201d Kasai said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cMore religious tripe.\u201d Saija rolled her eyes. \u201cDon\u2019t feed me that. Everyone wants something. No one in my whole life has ever given me something without wanting something back.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWell, it\u2019s true. Ard does want us to love everyone, and I do care,\u201d Kasai shot back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah, right. Well, get it over with and gloat. Thanks to you, I\u2019ve got a few days before that black crud spreads to my heart and kills me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHmm.\u201d Kasai pulled her lips to the side and tapped a finger on her leg. She stood and went to the door. \u201cExcuse me, I have to make a call.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe didn\u2019t come to gloat. Believe it or not, there are people who care about others just because it\u2019s the right thing to do,\u201d Onin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHmm.\u201d Saija picked at the hem of her blanket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWell, I\u2019ve got to get going.\u201d Onin stood and took a few steps toward the door. \u201cI\u2019ve got some studying to do. Kasai and I\u2019ll be back later to see how you\u2019re doing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOkay\u2026\u201d Saija raised an eyebrow and tilted her head to the side. \u201cUh, don\u2019t forgot your torture implements next time.\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\">Onin spent the rest of the night studying and didn\u2019t see anyone but Tannin until lunch the next day. A lunch tray clinked on the table next to him. He looked up to see Kasai standing next to him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cMind if I sit here?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSure.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai took a bite of something brown. Onin shuddered. He wasn\u2019t brave enough to try it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSo\u2026\u201d Onin pointed to the brown goo. \u201cWhat is that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cApple flavored something.\u201d Kasai took another bite and chewed slowly. \u201cAt least, I think it\u2019s supposed to be apple flavor. That\u2019s one of the things I miss most about living with the monks. Most of the time, we had really simple meals, but in the fall, we had all sorts of fresh fruits and veggies.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">They ate in silence for a while, until Kasai spoke again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSpeaking of monks, do you want to go back to the hospital with me to visit Saija?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSure, but what\u2019s that got to do with monks?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI called the monastery last night, and Brother Terrence said he\u2019d come look at Saija\u2019s leg.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOh, okay.\u201d Onin scratched his chin. What could a monk do that a doctor couldn\u2019t?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin went to the hospital after his last class. Kasai was already there, seated in a chair along the back wall of the main lobby. Onin waved to her. Kasai gave a small wave in reply but didn\u2019t say anything. Onin walked over to stand next to her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">A tall man with a full beard sat in the chair next to Kasai. He wore the stereotypical brown monk robes and had one hand around a wooden staff with some kind of vine engraved on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin blinked a few times. He looked like a character out of a fairy tale. Apparently, monks were still around. Kasai had mentioned them a few times, but he\u2019d expected something more\u2026 modern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYou must be Brother Terrence,\u201d Onin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The monk inclined his head. \u201cAnd you must be Onin.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cUh, Kasai\u2019s talked about you a lot.\u201d Onin looked over at Kasai. She was busy studying her shoes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOur Kasai, talking a lot? And to a boy, no less?\u201d Brother Terrance chuckled and clapped Onin on the back. \u201cThat\u2019s good to hear. She\u2019s normally so withdrawn. Though every once in a while I\u2019d find her alone in the garden, hiding from the others, I think, and she and I would have some nice talks. It\u2019s good to hear she\u2019s found a friend.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The monk had a deep, soft voice, and he spoke with a slow cadence, as if he gave thought to every word before he spoke it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Brother Terrance stood and walked over to the elevator. \u201cWell, let\u2019s go see your other friend and see if there\u2019s anything Ard can do for her.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI\u2019m not quite sure \u2018friend\u2019 is the right word.\u201d Onin scratched the back of his neck. \u201cShe\u2019s more of an acquaintance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cArd wants us to be a friend to all. You do not call her friend, yet you care enough about her to send for someone who might be able to help her. You will find there are many levels of friendship.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Saija was asleep when Onin, Kasai, and Brother Terrence stepped into her room. At the sound of the door closing, she rolled onto her side and lifted herself up with one arm. The black lines covered both her arms now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHoly natas, it\u2019s a real monk!\u201d Saija said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOnly Ard is holy,\u201d Brother Terrence said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cDid you two do-gooders bring him to convert me or exorcise me?\u201d Saija asked. She sat up and pressed the button to raise the head of the bed. \u201cBecause it\u2019s too late for both.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHe\u2019s here to help,\u201d Kasai said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cCan\u2019t hurt to try, can it?\u201d Onin stepped forward and put a hand on Kasai\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cNo one is beyond Ard\u2019s love.\u201d Brother Terrence sat on the edge of the bed. He took Saija\u2019s right arm and studied the lines that covered it. \u201cBut for now, my first priority is to keep you alive long enough to learn about Ard. I take it you are aware that the demon has left you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cIt\u2019s not a demon.\u201d Saija pulled her arm away. \u201cIt\u2019s a Natas, and yes, it left me. Now that it\u2019s gone there\u2019s nothing you can do. I\u2019m going to die.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cMost call them demons. Yes, Natas is the name they have for themselves. They are a non-corporeal, spectral being, whatever they may be called. It is they who first convinced the dragons to turn from Ard. Then, they found our world and seek to corrupt as many as they can. Some through disbelief, and others, like you, by polluting the very flesh. These black markings are the outward sign of the spiritual poison they leave behind. They grant great power, but all who are possessed by them die this way, eventually.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAnd this sermon-slash-history lesson helps me how?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI said it was spiritual poison. The Natas corrupt the spirit, which then spills over into the flesh. First, the spirit must be healed, then the flesh will follow. That is why the doctors cannot treat this poison.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cIf you\u2019re hoping to convert me to your wacko cult, good luck.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cIt\u2019s not a cult\u2014\u201d Kasai started to say. Brother Terrence held up his hand and waved for Kasai to sit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThe natas has been with you a long time.\u201d A sad look passed over Brother Terrence\u2019s face. \u201cI will ask Ard to give you an opportunity to know him, but if you want to live, the choice must, in the end, be yours.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Brother Terrance stood, placed his staff across Saija\u2019s lap, and took both of her hands in his.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI must warn you, this might hurt for one such as yourself that has been steeped in evil for so long and known nothing of good.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Brother Terrance started to chant in soft words, in a language that Onin couldn\u2019t understand. He took a step closer to Kasai and leaned over to whisper to her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWhat\u2019s he saying?\u201d Saija looked over at Kasai.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai took Onin\u2019s hand and led him over to stand next to Saija.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHe\u2019s asking Ard to heal you.\u201d Kasai placed her other hand on Saija\u2019s shoulder. \u201cHe\u2019s explaining the situation, begging Ard to give one who\u2019s never known love to have a chance to get to know him. And no, there\u2019s nothing magical or anything about the words or language. It\u2019s just the old language that was spoken when the monastery was founded over a thousand years ago. That\u2019s what all the monks speak, read, and pray in when they\u2019re in the monastery.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cLooks weird to me.\u201d Saija looked up and around at each of them. \u201cAt least there\u2019s no knives or blood or anything, just a little tingle. You don\u2019t want to know what they do to implant a Natas into you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI\u2019m quite sure I don\u2019t.\u201d Kasai shuddered. \u201cHow long have you been pos\u2026 uh, been with the Natas?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cEver since I can remember. It\u2019s nothing like life here. With the Natas, you\u2019re forced by violence or worse to earn your keep in some way. Children and women who aren\u2019t vessels are used as slaves or toys. \u2018Sensitive\u2019 types like you don\u2019t want to know the details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI was chosen to be a vessel when I was around ten or so. That ceremony was the worst night of my life. I used my new power as a Natas to kill all the men involved.\u201d She shuddered. \u201cIt got a little better after that, but when you\u2019re a vessel, you only have some control over what you do and what you think. It was horrible at first, but then you get used to it, and even become a willing partner, in time. There in the forest when you met me was the first time in a long while I was fully in control of myself. But it\u2019s been almost ten years, and don\u2019t know any other way to be now. But why am I telling you all this?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThe monks say the soul craves Ard. Like a hungry man craves food. Only he doesn\u2019t know exactly what it is he needs,\u201d Kasai said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThat sounds like monks. A bunch of cryptic nonsense,\u201d Saija said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI think it\u2019s supposed to make you think,\u201d Onin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah, I think they\u2019re a bunch of crazy loonies.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAnd yet, who has actually cared about you, as a person, with no strings attached?\u201d Kasai said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Saija snorted. \u201cYeah, right. You just want to keep me alive so you can pump me for information.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai raised an eyebrow and didn\u2019t say anything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThere.\u201d Brother Terrence took a deep breath and opened his eyes. \u201cThe final cure is up to you accepting Ard\u2019s love, but you should have some more time for him to reveal himself to you now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The black lines were gone from everywhere but Saija\u2019s right thigh, and there they were now just a faint gray color.<\/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-5\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"91\">&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-7\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"104\">Next Chapter >><\/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 6: Unwanted Help Onin looked down. Saija, the girl that had almost killed them about a month ago, was on her side in the&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-99","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/99","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=99"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/99\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":172,"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/99\/revisions\/172"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=99"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}