The city boiled with life.
Bonfires burned on the outskirts.
The bodies of orcs fallen in battle were consumed by flames, honored according to every tradition.
Smoke rose into the sky, mixing with dust and weaving a dark haze over the horizon.
Humans, dwarves, and orcs stood silently before the pyres.
But one of them wasn't watching the fire.
Lenor Vilerian.
He stood upon the wall, his gaze sweeping the distant horizon.
Something was wrong.
His eyes narrowed.
He saw a small group racing toward the city.
There were only a few of them, but even from afar it was clear—one of them carried someone in his arms.
"What the hell happened out there?.."
The girls saw the group as well. And when they realized it was Elgot—and who he carried…
Selina screamed.
Her eyes widened, her knees trembled.
Kano—lifeless.
Lenor hadn't even processed it when, as if sensing disaster's approach, three figures burst from the city.
Selina—her long pink hair streamed in the wind. She ran faster than all the rest, her face carved with fear.
Naira—her warrior's stance gave way to dread. She clenched her fists so tightly her knuckles turned white.
Lianelle—without her bow, her movements were light, but her gaze sharp. She ran silently, though her heart pounded.
Elgot carried him as if for the very last time.
She stopped abruptly, covering her mouth with her hands.
—"No… no…"
Her voice broke into a ragged cry.
She dropped to her knees before him in an instant.
Her hands trembled as she pressed her palms against his chest.
—"Lay him down! Hurry!"
Elgot gently lowered Kano to the ground, his arms shaking.
A soft glow spread from Selina's fingertips, enveloping his body… but nothing happened.
She poured more magic into him—still nothing.
—"Why?!"
Selina tried again.
The light flared brighter, but Kano did not stir.
His body remained as cold as it had been minutes before.
Elgot, who had been silently watching, suddenly lurched forward and roared:
—"What's happening?! Why isn't it working?!"
His voice was raw with despair.
Selina had no answer.
Revena stood with her arms crossed, silent.
Interesting…
Her gaze lingered on the way Selina fused two elements—light and healing.
How Selina's magic shifted, yet somehow had no effect on Kano.
Kano was beyond this world.
She smiled.
—"His soul isn't here."
But that wasn't the only reason her interest burned.
Her eyes narrowed as she studied Selina.
If this girl became Kano's familiar, her magic would change.
If her magic changed, she would grow stronger.
And if she grew stronger…
Revena understood—this was her chance.
She wanted to claim both Kano and Selina.
Naira suddenly snapped her head toward Revena.
Her voice broke in anger:
—"And who the hell is this?!"
The demoness stood nearby, barely clothed, her face indifferent.
Naira's eyes narrowed.
—"Another one, huh? Elgot, what is this—did you gather yourself a harem?!"
Elgot paid her no mind—his gaze never left Kano.
Lianelle, who had been silently watching, cut through the quarrel:
—"We'll deal with that later! How do we save him?!"
Revena slowly shifted her gaze to her.
Then, barely hiding the predator's glint in her eyes, she spoke:
—"His soul won't return just like that. We need a bond."
And in her mind, a plan was already forming—one that would bind not only Kano, but also his future familiar.
Silence.
At Revena's words, everyone froze.
Elgot's eyes narrowed.
—"What kind of bond?"
Revena smiled faintly.
—"His soul cannot come back on its own. It needs an anchor. Something… or someone to tie him to this world."
Elgot felt his insides twist.
—"That's…"
Revena tilted her head, savoring the moment.
—"That's the familiar ritual."
Naira was the first to react.
—"You're suggesting we make Kano a familiar?!"
Her voice was so charged with rage that even the nearby dwarves took a step back.
Revena snorted.
—"You disappoint me. Of course not. He cannot be a familiar."
Elgot cut her off:
—"You want to make someone else the familiar."
Revena crossed her arms.
—"Exactly."
Her head turned toward Selina.
The girl flinched when the demoness's gaze landed on her.
Revena continued:
—"If you become his familiar, your soul will be bound to his. Which means—you'll be able to pull him back from beyond."
Selina shuddered.
—"A familiar…"
Elgot clenched his fists.
—"That's just another kind of slavery!"
Revena laughed.
—"Slavery? No, no. A slave has no choice. A familiar chooses who they serve. They cannot betray—but they remain themselves. It's a higher form of connection."
Elgot countered:
—"It's still a binding! He'll be able to command her!"
Revena smiled slyly.
—"Do you really think he would treat her badly?"
Elgot fell silent.
Selina lowered her head.
Her hands tightened into fists.
—"If this will save him…"
She lifted her gaze and looked at Elgot.
—"I agree."
Elgot felt his heart tighten painfully.
He couldn't lose Kano.
But he also couldn't stand the thought of one of his friends being forced to bind their fate to another by power.
—"There's no other way?"
Revena shrugged.
—"No. Either he dies, or she brings him back."
Naira stepped forward.
—"And what if Kano is against it?"
Revena scoffed.
—"He'll be grateful once he returns. Trust me."
Naira clenched her teeth but said nothing.
Selina stepped forward.
—"I want to save him. Even if…"
She hesitated, then gathered her will.
—"Even if it changes me."
Revena smiled again.
—"Good. Then let's go. Time doesn't wait."
Naira silently lifted Kano into her arms.
His body was light, as if life had already left it.
The dwarves stood in silence, unsure what to say.
Elgot only lowered his head and moved ahead.
Revena walked beside them, her satisfied smile in plain sight.
But no one knew her plans reached further than just saving Kano.
She intended to take Selina as well.
The group quickly closed the distance to the city of the homeless.
Naira carried Kano, her muscles tense, yet she felt no weight.
The dwarves marched silently, their faces grim.
Elgot led at the front, though his thoughts were far away from reality.
Revena walked alongside Selina, her eyes gleaming with quiet satisfaction as she studied her.
Selina was tense, her lips pressed into a thin line.
She knew what she was doing, yet fear gnawed at her.
As they neared the city, muffled voices reached their ears.
Before them, the main square opened up.