It was an easy walk back to base. A few growls and chitters here and there, but Miss Star and I were mostly left alone.

“How are the others?” I asked, glancing over at her.

She tucked a strand of red hair behind her ear and answered gently, “They can handle themselves, but they were worried about you.”

She chuckled. “Hopefully they stopped slaughtering beasts once the attacks ended.”

“Yeah, that’d be nice,” I said. 

The alpha had sway, sure, but hierarchy only went so far.

“Looks like everyone’s working hard to catch up,” I added. “You’ve been building a foundation too?”

“Yes. We all need to be able to protect ourselves.” Her smile warmed. “You and Thea’s method has been… enlightening. I’m truly thankful you shared it with Sia, and with me. If it were my family…”

She trailed off, letting the thought die.

“Marcus told me a bit about his past, and I guessed a little myself, but—” I swung my arms in a loose, awkward motion. “Anyway. I don’t mean to pry. Just curious how a non-noble family works around here.”

“Well,” she said, tapping her chin and gazing upward. The moonlight revealed just how much she and her daughter really looked alike. “We’re not noble by blood, not officially. But compared to lower houses, the Star family stood higher. Stronger, at least.”

“Really?”

She nodded. “Always made me wonder—why do some of us inherit the same blessings generation after generation? Flame mages, in our case.”

“Must be a genetic thing, I guess.”

“Probably,” she agreed. “That’s why families like mine hoard techniques. Generations of spells, refined and passed down. We can learn from our parents, grandparents, even older… If, of course, we’re smart enough to understand them.”

“But of course,” I smirked. “And I’m guessing, no sharing?”

Her face turned mock-serious, adopting a pompous tone that had to be an impression of her parents or someone similar. “Outsiders are not even worthy to glance at the work of our family. We are above them.”

“Wow.” I rubbed my nose. “So Marcus? I'm guessing he was not worthy?”

“I think my grandfather’s exact words were…” She paused, searching. “Street trash? No, wait. Hmm. Filthy rat?”

She shook her head. “Something ugly like that. I barely remember. It was so long ago now.”

“Do you ever miss them?” I asked.

She gave me a curious look, obviously a little amused. “I really wonder what family is like where you're from.”

I shrugged. “Me too. Trevor would probably explain it better.”

“I see.” She exhaled softly. “I’m sorry.”

“Oh—no, really. It’s fine. Not a big deal. I sort of had a family but—” Images of Tommy flickered in my mind.

Not the illusion version. Not the obedient, homework-loving kid I would wish for back then. The real Tommy. The one who begged me to play games, not teach math.

Us sitting there, getting lectured by Mar after. Because yes, I did play the games. Ignoring my own homework just like he had.

Macy and Lacy snickering behind her, pretending to be perfect little sisters. Always backing Mar up while making faces at me when she wasn’t looking.

“Peter?” Miss Star’s voice cut gently through the haze.

“One time they put dye in my shampoo,” I muttered, rubbing my eyes. “Stupid brats… I remember Marcus, my friend, came over once, and they teased us all day. I think they just liked him. He was a boxer. Good shape, y’know?”

“You miss them?”

“I—I don’t know. I haven’t really had time to think about them.” I inhaled deeply, the air oddly clean for a place crawling with fanged reptiles. I sidestepped a particularly slow Goldmane. “It’s been... hectic.”

“What color was your hair?” she asked.

“Depends on the day. Those girls were a menace.” I laughed at the memory. “Didn’t help that I used to put jelly in their toothpaste. One time, I braided their hair while they were asleep.”

“They didn’t wake up?” Miss Star laughed, amused. “I’d be furious if someone touched my hair while I slept.”

“I thought it looked good,” I defended. “Mar and the twins... strongly disagreed.”

“Do you want to go back?” she asked, circling to the same unanswerable question.

It was hard to answer. I missed them. Of course I did. But I’d hardly put any thought into it.

“Do I want to go back?” I exhaled slowly through my nose. “Yes. And no. I wouldn’t mind real showers, or a fridge. Seeing them again, maybe teaching them all of this. I think they’d be impressed with me now. Tommy would be begging to learn. I bet he'd want to be a super hero or something. And the girls? They’d probably pass out the moment they saw Elric… But I couldn’t leave anyone here.”

“See? That’s the same for me,” she said, answering my earlier question. “I couldn’t leave Marcus. Or Sia. No matter what my family offered. They aren’t even close to enough in comparison.”

“Makes sense. Plus, you’ve got a new son now,” I said, grinning. “And a second daughter.”

She rolled her eyes. “Don’t get me started on that boy. At least he’s kind, but so—”

A bright flash interrupted us. A group appeared ahead, nearly colliding with our path.

“So what?” Elric asked, eyes wide and full of mock innocence.

“A charmer,” she said flatly. “And one who flirts with me far too often.”

“I can only be grateful Sia got your looks,” Elric said with a grin.

I wanted to believe Miss Star was sick of him. That she was about to throw a real insult his way. But no such luck.

She just smiled, smacked his arm lightly, and turned to her daughter. “Keep a tight leash on him.”

“That’s Lyra’s job,” Sia replied.

“For you,” Elric quipped.

“You two are way too casual about sharing personal stuff,” Thea groaned as she joined us.

“Were the others okay?” I asked her.

She nodded. “Yeah. The dome held. Once you took off, most of the smaller ones followed you. And the big one. We handled the rest.”

“Then they just stopped,” Elric added, giving me a quick glance.

I puffed out my chest. “I have a way with animals.”

…

“Should we head back then?” Miss Star offered.

We picked up the pace and reached the dome, now open again.

Marcus was the first to speak. “What’s the situation?”

“I don’t think we’ll be in danger soon. But I can’t say for sure.” I shrugged. “I told the big guy I’d help him, and then he just left. Took off toward the obelisk.”

I turned to Bristle. I had a plan. His siblings were passed out, curled like sleepy sausages, but Bristle was alert, watching me.

I crouched and looked him in the eyes. “If a big monster comes, don’t eat it. Teach it.”

His response?

A long, wet tongue, right across my face. Several times.

Was I really so appetizing to monsters?

I’ll let you know if it comes, Luna said calmly.

Thanks.

“The point is,” I said, standing again and wiping dog slobber off my face, “you should all be able to cultivate now. We could even shift over to the Dragon Vein... tomorrow morning.”

I glanced at the treeline.

Hopefully the lizards would go back to the water soon.

“I’m taking a nap first,” Griffith announced. “You all start without me.”

He sounded genuinely wiped, and the second he hit the ground, thunderous snores rolled out across the dome.

“I guess none of us are sleeping tonight,” Velea muttered.

Trevor shook his head. “We’re supposed to cultivate through that?”

“It should be fine to go outside, right?” Drake asked. “As long as someone keeps an eye out for the man-eating lizards.”

“Speaking of keeping watch,” Marcus said, “I think I’m going to stay behind.”

None of us argued. I was just surprised I seemed to be the only one who didn’t get it right away.

He elaborated, “If I can tame that creature—”

“Alpha Goldmane,” I offered, slipping in the name.

“I like it,” Marcus nodded.

I’d forgotten the guy actually had solid naming instincts.

“If I can tame the Alpha Goldmane, we’ll have the entire horde under our command. But only if I’m here to give the orders.” He looked around, voice even. “Then we might actually be able to live here in relative peace.”

Drake grinned. “I think it's a good idea. You’ll be the nation’s first guard then.”

“That again?” I groaned. “No, if anything, we’re only big enough for a sect.”

“Oh?” Drake perked up, curiosity sharpening. “And what’s that?”

“I was joking,” I said flatly.

“Explain.”

“No.”

“Please?”

“Dude. No.”

“Can you tell me?” Velea asked, same question, but with none of the sarcasm.

“Of course,” I said, smiling. “A sect’s like a cultivator organization. There’s a leader, department heads, students, inner and outer circles…”

“You’ll tell a kid but not your right-hand man?” Drake asked, dramatically wiping away an imaginary tear.

“I’m the right hand,” Elric cut in. “At the very least, a department head.”

“Torture and discipline,” I said, tossing it out mostly as a joke.

His eyes lit up in a way that was concerning. “Is that a real position?”

“Guys, I’m joking,” I said, but then something tugged on my sleeve.

“Why not do it?” Velea asked, wide-eyed. “I want to be a part of it.”

It was hard to resist those eyes.

Just do it, Wyrem said. Why refuse your student’s request?

Can I focus on Body Refinement then? Luna asked, hopeful.

Absolutely not. Continue as you are. Don’t ask stupid questions, Wyrem replied, brutally fast.

I’m going to eat you one day.

Luna's threat gave me pause, but I went back to ignoring their conversation.

“Alright, fine. Thea’s the grandmaster. Elric’s on discipline.”

I left off torture.

“Drake’s on… clerical duties.”

“NO! NEVER AGAIN!” he roared, jarring the snoring monster across the dome.

“You’ve already got the experience,” I shrugged.

The light drained from his eyes. I didn’t feel bad about it. In fact, I felt a weird sort of pride.

“You’ll still be my puppet,” he muttered.

“Griffith’s a teacher and researcher. Marcus: military command. Miss Star—” I turned toward her.

“Supply and logistics,” she said, already prepared.

“Velea’s the core disciple. Trevor’s outer. Sia and Lyra—vice masters or instructors. With Thea and the commander.”

“Dude?!” Trevor barked. “She’s a brat!”

Velea gave him a very specific gesture. One that Lyra politely lowered. It couldn't have been polite.

“Anything else?” I asked, already tired.

“The name,” came a groggy, husky voice from somewhere near the snores.

“Uh... right." Simple is best. "Harmonic Sect.”

I paused. “Anything else?”

“You,” Thea said softly, nudging me as she slipped her hand into mine.

“The sect leader.”

----------------------------------------