(This chapter involves reference and hints towards the subject of assault. If this is an issue, you may skip it.)

Seth was waiting for her to react, thinking that perhaps that she would scream or fly away. Perhaps she would be disgusted by him or even be scared of him, thinking that she might be next. Yet of all the possible reactions he expected her to have, he could have never expected her true one.

She simply raised an inquisitive eyebrow, staring at him in silence for a few seconds before finally saying in a confused tone,

"Wait... Is that all?"

"Is... is that all? Is that all?! I just... I just confessed to a murder in front of you and you're acting like I just farted in front of me or something!"

"Ew, Don't you dare fart on our first date!"

She slapped his arm in disgust, twisted her face up, before smiling at him softly and relaxing against the back of the log chair like it was nothing, leaving Seth sitting there staring at her incredulously. Her eyes drifted across the starry skies and she hummed softly to herself, before she caught his stunned and befuddled stare.

"What? Is there something on my face?" She tilted her head, touching her cheek gently and checking her fingers.

"No I just... How can you be so calm? I killed someone, that was one of the worst crimes in our old world, but you're treating it like its nothing."

She gave him another soft smile, but more the type you'd give a puppy when it was barking at its own tail. Astra shifted on the log couch, so that she was resting on her knees, and took Seth's hand into hers, touching his cheek gently with the other one as she gazed into his eyes.

"Oh sweetie... You're such a kind and caring man, that's what I like about you. But you're also an idiot. A big, dumb, sweet idiot."

"But-"

"Sshh. Don't speak idiot. Just listen and nod. Did you enjoy doing it, did you enjoy killing her?"

Astra clamped her hand over Seth's lips, stopping him from talking as she asked her question. He frowned slightly at the question, before seriously considering it, as well as considering the strange feelings he was currently experiencing right now.

Eventually, he shook his head. Although there was some satisfaction in the ending of a problem, the relief of taking yet another thing from his shoulders, he didn't actually enjoy the act. Not the way he had seen others enjoy it, at least.

Astra gave a smug smile at his silent answer, and an evil little twinkle could be seen in her eyes as she continued.

"Good boy~ Although, for the record I wouldn't have minded if you did. She was a crazy bitch that deserved it. Speaking of, did you have a good reason to kill her?"

He nodded softly, trying to ignore the strange feelings she was stirring within him.

"I trust you did. Do you have plans on killing others? Any murderous urges that got awoken by that?"

He shook his head, and she smiled in response.

"Then we have nothing to worry about. If you have a good reason, and aren't doing it for fun. Then you aren't a murderer, you're a good leader doing what needs to be done. Even if it means getting your hands dirty.

I can't say that I know everything that you're going through, but I can tell you this. I, for one, am thankful that she is dead. It will help me sleep more peacefully, and not have to constantly look over my shoulder.

So just remember this you sweet idiot, this isn't the old world. This is a new world, and you lead it. You don't need the old rules, you make the new ones. So make them good, and If you go out of line and start some murderous rampage, I will be there to put you back in your place. Got it?"

He nodded again, smiling with his eyes since his mouth was still being covered.

"Good boy~"

She leaned close, kissing the back of her hand instead of the lips they were covering, before giggling wickedly. She finally unclamped her hand from his mouth, laying on her side with her head resting on his chest.

They stayed like that for a few minutes, gazing at the stars in silence, before she spoke again. Her voice soft, but playful.

"Did I ever tell you how I got my scars? These one's, right here."

She bit her lip and raised her head to look at him as a mischievous look twinkled in her eyes. She touched a finger to where her scars met her lips, then traced that finger slowly down her neck and to where they ended above her chest.

Seth shook his head silently, getting another mischievous giggle in response. Resting her head back on his chest, facing away from him.

"People always assume that it was some horrible beast. A giant bear or a monstrous tiger transformed from a pet cat, and I just let them think that because it's easier. Plus they make for some pretty entertaining stories..." She laughed softly, but it was a laugh that quickly lost its steam and trailed off before she sighed heavily.

"But it wasn't. It was at the start of it all, the first day in fact. I used to work in accounting for some big company and there was this guy that worked in the same building as me, Brian was his name. I never really talked to him, maybe a hello every now and then or a friendly wave. Nothing big.

Only when things changed did I realise that he had been harbouring a major crush on me, and thought that all those little friendly gestures meant that I wanted him too. He wanted to be the knight saving the dainty princess, and when that didn't turn out to be the case he decided he deserved to take what was 'rightfully his', whether I liked it or not.

When I had just awoken my powers, I didn't have the energy to electrocute on touch, I didn't even know how to at the very start. So when he had me pinned on the floor, he grew out these horrible claws made of... bone or something and..."

She made a claw with her hand, slowly dragging it down in the air to mime clawing into something. Seth touched her shoulder softly, feeling her flinch under his touch, before relaxing slowly as he reassuringly rubbed her shoulder.

"Long story short, he would have done more if I didn't grab a lamp. I didn't even use my powers, I just beat him over the head with it. Over and over, until he stopped moving. It was only afterwards did I figure out how to drain energy.

He was the first, but he wasn't the last. There were monsters and beasts, but there were plenty of people who wanted to use their powers for themselves. Not just on me, but on others too. That's how that library group started, just a bunch of people looking out for each other."

She wiped her face, making sure to keep facing away from him as she did so, before lifting her head to look at him with a soft, solemn smile on her face.

"So if you are a murderer, then what does that make me?"

Seth looked down at her, his brow creasing as he couldn't help but looking at the small red lines hidden at the edge of her eyes. He carefully brushed her hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear, before leaning down and gently placing a kiss on her forehead.

"You're a survivor, just like the rest of us, doing what needed to be done. Thank you for helping me understand... and for sharing that with me."

He whispered it softly to her, before kissing her forehead again and leaning back. She smiled softly up at him.

"That's what good second-in-commands do, right? Although... I don't remember giving you permission to speak again."

They laughed softly, Seth brushing Astra's hair to the side again as she rested her head down once more.

"No, I guess you didn't. A responsible commander would have to find suitable punishment for such awful insubordination."

"Mm, you're right. I guess I will."

They fell into silence once more, simply enjoying the sight of the sparkling night sky.

***

Meanwhile, in the grandiose manor of the Lightbringer, the self proclaimed 'Human God' was lounging on a throne seemingly made of pure gold. His glowing eyes narrowed, as he gazed coldly down at the figures before him.

"Your divine greatness, We caught this man trying to buy his way into the city. He claims to be a man of power from the city of heretics, and says that can provide us with information on the demon Corvus."

The knight in charge stood at attention, his hand pressed against his chest in salute as he addressed his God with an even voice. The Lightbringer raised an eyebrow, looking down at the individual in question.

Kneeling between the guards, was a man with flaming hair that flickered and danced, waving every time the heretic shifted in position.

The other guard handed the Lightbringer a small bag, the captured individuals Transportation gift, and when the Lightbringer opened it, his eyes sparkled at the horde of gold hidden within the impossible depths of the small, innocuous seeming bag.