"So about this Forsaken." Zenesha spoke, getting them back on track. "Do you think they'll pose a threat?"
"I'm not sure." Laura admitted. "She wasn't trying to necessarily hide herself like I was, but she wasn't radiating power either."
"You said there were two of them."
"Yeah. Forsaken don't work with anyone weaker than them, so it's safe to assume they're about the same strength."
"Think you can take them both?"
"Possibly." Laura answered.
"Anyway I want to talk about my new assistant."
"Should I be jealous?" Zenesha teased.
"Never." Laura said, giving her a smile. "But I think she'll be a great teacher for you."
"What do you mean?"
"I'm talking about the… sword." Laura said gesturing towards the corner of the room where the weapon laid propped up against the wall.
"Oh? Why do you think she'll make a great teacher?"
"She's unnaturally good with it." Laura explained. "I don't sense any essence inside of her, so she isn't using some kind of superpower. Nor have I seen her perform any witchcraft."
She paused.
"She did, however, use magic."
"Can you explain a little bit more? What do you mean by unnatural and how can she use magic if not witchcraft?"
"They were using their internalized mana." Laura explained.
"Internal… what?"
"They themselves had mana within their body and used that to perform magic." Laura repeated. "This world's witchcraft relies on Wey Lines and components instead."
"Is it possible to learn magic like she did then?" Zenesha asked.
"I'm not sure." Laura admitted. "People can use magic obviously since you have witches. But it looks like people's ability to use mana in this world has degraded long ago."
"From what I can tell, essence is similar but distinctly different from mana and has started to take its place in the world."
"So, what's so special about them?"
"I don't know." Laura said. "But they at the very least should be able to teach you swordsmanship even if their talent with magic doesn't help you master the sword's power."
You're doing a lot to help me use that weapon." Zenesha pointed out. "I thought the plan was to melt it down and use it for parts.'
"While we're fighting this war I think it'll be better for you to have multiple ways to kill my kind." responded the wolf. "I'm also hoping I'll get my hands on more Angelic Steel one day."
"That's stupid." A voice said from the bedroom door.
Lauar was already moving before he finished his sentence and slammed them against the closed door. Allan looked at her with an unamused expression.
"What are you doing here?" She growled. "You think it's okay for you to enter our home without permission?"
"If you hate it so much why not kill me?"
"Don't tempt me." Laura said, the whites of her eyes turning black. "If I kill you now I just know the other Angels on this planet will come after me."
"How do you know that?"
"There's no way you didn't inform anyone else about where you were going before coming here." She sighed and let him go, but she didn't let her guard down. "What do you want?"
"I got some news for you that might finally make you get rid of those Forsaken in the White Ash."
"And what news is that?"
"They had recently uncovered a new ore in one of their mines."
"Wait, they have mines?"
"Well no, it's a quarry, but that's not the point." Allan said. "They've managed to uncover Angelic Ore."
"That feels significant enough to be kept secret." Laura pointed out. "How do you know about it?"
"They didn't know what it was and have been trying to identify it." Allan explained. "And the two Forsaken obviously wouldn't explain what it is. Unlike you, they know not to give away their weakness."
"I don't give away my weakness. I'm protecting Zenesha."
"Sure." He said, waving away her words. "Anyway, I suspect the Forsaken will try and get the hunk of Angelic Ore from the White Ash as soon as possible."
"But if we're quick we can secure it for ourselves and kill them at the same time. Is that it?"
"Yes." Allan confirmed. "So, what do you say about killing them right now?"
Instead of answering, Laura turned to face Zenesha instead. This wasn't her decision to make. "We need you during the final battle and take over the capitol yourself."
Thinking over their words, Zenesha paced back and forth. Eventually she stopped and faced Allan.
"I'll head to the front lines after I train with the sword first." She answered eventually. "Laura, how soon can you get your assistant here?"
"I'll still need to meet with them, but I'll try to get them here within the week." She answered.
"Good."
"You want to waste time instead of going there now?" Allan asked incredulously.
"We could take down the leaders now, but we need to perform a show of force." Zenesha answered. "We're not trying to just win, we're trying to take over a country Mr. Angel. This means some performances must be done."
"Doesn't prolonging this war just get your own soldiers killed?"
"A necessary sacrifice. I'm sure they're fine." Zenesha said her natural icy expression made her words feel even colder than they already were.
"... I see how you two match now." He said looking between them.
"What is that supposed to mean?" They both asked.
"Nothing." Allan sighed. "What about the Angelic Ore then?"
"Well the two Forsaken might get their hands on it, but it isn't like they'll have a way to properly dispose of it anywhere."
"Oh? Why not get rid of it?"
"Why do something so dangerous? Burying it somewhere and hoping no one finds it is silly. We also have to worry about our own kind using this stuff against us, you know."
"I thought infighting was rare among you? Or at the very least killing."
"Killing is rare, sure, but they fight and injure a lot." Laura explained. "It's why anyone that kills a lot of our kind is seen as a threat to be exterminated effectively immediately."
"Interesting." Allan murmured.
"Don't get me wrong you angel." The wolf said, staring at him. "They may not always get along, but if they sense a threat, you can bet they'll focus on it. Even if they don't work together directly."
"What about you then?"
"I've been on the run long enough that while a few may converge on my location, an overwhelming amount wont." Laura said. "Most think I've moved on from here already."
"I see."
"If that's all, you can leave." Laura said.
"Alright Forsaken. I will."
Raising his hand he snapped his fingers and vanished. Laura rolled her eyes at the display before turning to Zenesha with a smile.
"Let's sleep Princess. I'm tired of today."