n

nAfter Mex left with the girls, I turned back to Lani, and she looked frustrated. I couldn't blame her, and I felt the same way, so I needed to try and mend some of this.

nThe problem was that I didn't have any kind of Totems that would help me out with something like this. The Magic that I could control right now was only suitable for fighting, for the most part.

nI still activated my Fire Force Pact and Water Sphinx Totem. These two could help me start drawing in Magic and think better while being more aware of my surroundings.

n

"What can I help you with? I am not much of a builder, but you were saying that you are having problems. What kind of problems are they, and how can I help to fix them?

" I asked and then added,

"I normally would have been a lot more friendly, but I had a violent exchange with Lidy this morning, and I was worried about her.

"

n

"Lidy? You didn't give her what she wanted? And what does it matter? She is just a Demon, and you didn't kill her, so she will be fine when she wakes,

" Lani said, giving me a curious look.

n

"I care about her, but you are right; I put off what I had promised for her and then did other things. I deserved what I got, but maybe the Keep didn't. Regardless, I wanted to smooth things over with her. I don't like worrying about what she is thinking about when she helps me so much,

" I explained, but now Lani was giving me an incredulous look.

n

"Who or what are you?! Since when has anyone ever cared about any Demon?! Demons don't even care about each other most of the time! My father is the retarded exception to the rule, and my grandmother is proof of just how violent our race can be!

" Lani railed at me, but I just narrowed my eyes at her and put my hands on my hips.

nI wished I could tell her that Nixi wasn't everything that she seemed either, but while Doa still lived, I couldn't take any chances. What I was is a question that I didn't even know the answer to.

n

nHow often do heroes snap and kill innocent people? I hardly feel like some kind of savior after the way I reacted.

n

nAnd? What is your point?

n

nDon't use my own words against me, Mark.

n

n

"I am… something, but whatever that is, it doesn't matter. Your father is a good man, and I have learned to respect him, and I don't care what race you are. If you treat me fairly, then I will treat you the same way. Go the other way, and I will do the same,

" I told Lani, and she made a harumph sound and then turned to walk out of the building.

n

"Follow me, then, and I will show you on a map the problems that we are facing right now. Multiple threats attack us each day, so you won't have to go far to find trouble,

" Lani explained as she waved for me to follow.

nThe village was more extensive than Mex's son's fishing village, and I could also see the ocean at the edge of the village. The most significant difference was the actual building here looked more like houses than huts, and few looked what you might consider fancy.

nI was led to one of the fancy houses, but I also noticed that there were many repairs on the houses that were close to the edge. That must mean that they were attacked by something or things quite often, but I could see people already starting to fix the damage I had caused.

nI followed Lani into the large light blue house and then into a sitting area with chairs and a table. The table was covered with loose papers, but I could see a large map under it all.

n

"So, this is your house? Are you the only one that lives here?

" I asked as I walked over to look at the map on the table.

n

"So what if it is? Do you think that it's too big for just one person? Or is it because I am a woman, and I don't deserve to,

" Lani started to ask me in an accusatory tone.

nI put a hand on her shoulder and pushed her down. There was a seat she was standing in front of, and I gently forced her into it.

nIt seems that this woman must be having a hard time with things here, and I could understand why. I was no longer mad at her, and I could see that she was very wound up, so I squatted down in front of her.

n

"For a moment, I want you to pretend like I am another Demon, just like you, a Minor Demon, okay?

" I asked as I took her small and wrinkled hands into my large and strong ones.

n

"What does that even mean?! You are a stupid male, so you want me to grovel to you?!

" Lani asked with defiance burning in her voice, but she turned her face from me, and I could see that her light blue cheeks were starting to turn purple.

n

"Then think of me as a woman, just like you. I help the people that I WANT TO HELP,

" I said and stressed the last part in a slow but pointed tone.

n

"Why? Why did you help those girls?! I don't understand you!!

" In frustration, Lani tried to pull her hands from mine, but I held them in mine.

n

"The same reason that I helped your younger sister, Nushi. Because I wanted to, no other reason. Well, I do have a system that helps me take care of them and make them happy, but I don't get anything from it, other than better ways to help,

" I explained, and Lani whipped her head around to look me in the eyes.

n

"What do you mean you are helping Nushi?

" Lani asked in surprise, and I smiled.

n

"I help her be happy, and now her horns stand up instead of hanging around her face,

" I said, and then Lani started to change.

n