60.1. Rachel
...who are you?
Daniel and I stared at the Human child standing off to the side with her head tilted to the side; she had dirty brown hair and amber eyes. Her one-piece smock was tattered and bloodied it might have been pretty sky blue once, but now the color had faded and mixed into a ugly dark gray.
She was the girl we had saved from the [Cultists] the one who had almost been sacrificed. We had given her a healing potion when she was unconscious before our fight with Ignavare, and now she was awake. I exchanged a glance with Daniel before he stepped forward.
Hi, uh, dont be afraid. Were here to help you adventurers. Gold Ranks, see?
He quickly produced a badge and showed it to the girl. He tried smiling reassuringly while approaching her. The girl did not move away.
Wheres daddy?
Your father
My Human companion paused, grimacing as his face darkened. The girl peered at him with a puzzled expression before I slowly walked past him. He blinked and reached out for .
Wait, Salvos
Are you talking about Joseph?
I stopped just in front of her and bent over. I cocked my head and she mirrored the gesture.
...I think so.
He gave you to these [Cultists]. He didnt want you anymore.
Oh.
She blinked, then slowly lowered her gaze.
I see.
Daniel hurried over with a worried look on his face.
Salvos, I dont think you should be imposing yourself onto her. You might scare her.
I glanced back at him and frowned. I opened my mouth.
Why shouldnt I
Miss.
The girl spoke over , looking back up.
Youre a monster?
I couldnt tell if she was asking a question or making an observation. I shook my head.
Im not a monster. Im Salvos.
Salvos? Is that a type of monster?
No, thats my na.
I see.
The girl spoke softly and nodded. I slowly brought my face closer to her.
Whats your na?
Rachel.
Thats a nice na.
Thank you.
She said nothing else for a mont; I thought that complint would have made her feel better, however she didnt visibly react. The girl looked over at Daniel who was still standing off to the side, then back at .
Will you eat , Ms Salvos?
Why would I eat you?
Thats what monsters do.
I am not a monster. I am Salvos.
I see.
I dont think this is going anywhere.
My Human companion spoke up as he stepped beside . He got down on one knee and brought a hand out to Rachel.
Hi, Im Daniel. Salvos here isnt a monster, and neither of us are going to harm you. Were here to save you.
Save ?
She stared at him, unblinking.
Like a [Hero]?
Daniel hesitated, nearly lowering his proffered hand. However, he steeled himself and gave her a smile.
Yes. Like a [Hero].
I see.
Rachel slowly accepted his hand and held onto it;
Im sure you're hungry. And well find you a place where you can eat without anything distracting.
He glanced around at the corpses scattered around the large cavernous room before looking back at the Human girl. She nodded and followed him as he ushered her away. As he slowly walked away, he turned to .
In the anti, Salvos, you can tie up the [Cultists] over there.
You didnt kill them?
I looked over at the collapsed bodies. Two of them lay there, unconscious, while the third the head [Cultist] had been smashed into the wall and was now stuck there.
No, I let so of them live. Just in case we needed
He averted his gaze, looking over at the summoning circle. I made the connection a mont later and nodded.
Sacrifices.
Yeah
And once youre done with that I have so spare clothes too. Its a bit too big for you, but it should work for now.
I cocked my head. His face turned red as he murmured.
After your transform back to your Mortal Form. Youll need clothes honestly, I dont know why we havent bought you your own spares. Or enchanted clothing.
I shrugged.
I dont see what the problem is.
Well, I do! Just please, wear so clothes when you change back.
Why cant I just stay like this?
For her sake.
He gestured at Rachel who was now hugging his legs and staring at with an odd look on her face. I couldnt tell if she was suddenly scared or curious but it seed that she now fully realized that I wasnt Human.
I scowled, sighing.
Fine.
--
The ropes Daniel gave were apparently enchanted with so sort of durability spell it was the sa rope he used to get us down to Silkfalls Crevice. So even the head [Cultist] wouldnt have been able to rip himself free.
I tied them up and tossed the three surviving [Cultists] into another room in the cave complex. Then, after turning back to my Mortal Form and dressing myself in his baggy clothing, I found Daniel investigating the rest of the cave he was in a large room full of bones jutting out of the earth like broken teeth.
He surmised that this place had been a Lair for monsters once. Judging by the broken carapace and chitin, he thought it might even have been ho to the [Rancer Mites] that had attacked us on the way to Warrington.
There were a few other rooms ones filled with books and rolls of paper. They were banned books apparently, things [Cultists] used to cast their magic and summon Demons. I quickly grabbed one of them and began flipping through it, trying to figure out how the rituals worked.
After we were finished scouring the rest of the cave, we returned to Rachel who was holed up in a room with a few beds strewn about. She did not jump up and run to Daniel, nor did she give anything more than a confused look. The girl simply blinked and pointed at .
Are you Ms Salvos?
I nodded.
Yes, and youre Rachel!
I see.
She said nothing else as Daniel produced so food for her; she accepted it and ate quietly by herself while I wrinkled my nose in disgust to the side.
Gross.
Rachel paused and glanced over at .
Do you not like food, Ms Salvos?
No, I find it disgusting.
Do you like eating Humans then, Ms Salvos?
I grimaced and crossed my arms.
Absolutely not Ive tried. They dont taste nice.
I see.
Rachel nodded and went back to eating the bits of at she had been given. I shook my head, carrying the stack of books we found from the cult and placing them down next to a bed. Then I looked back and found Daniel staring at .
You what?
What?
I cocked my head. He rubbed at his temples and walked off to the side.
When did you even try to eat a Human before?
Oh, just now.
He stumbled forward and caught himself. He sighed with resignation.
Ill just pretend I didnt hear that.
I shrugged.
I wasnt in my Mortal Form and I was curious, ok?
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