Shirei materialized again in the Thirteenth House. Dahlia was nowhere to be seen, so she must have woken up while he was in class with Marina. Except for a wound on his back, which had reopened while he was walking, and a cut on his forearm, Shirei was almost completely healed.It was one of the merits of the divine blood he had inherited from the god of the Underworld.
The son of Cragar went to clean his wounds, then checked his bed to make sure there were no new unexpected letters. He wanted to leave that place, but he was aware that he would have to partially limit his travels to the Overworld for a while. The last time he had gone to the scarlet wasteland, he had risked his life, and he doubted he would have survived if Cragar hadn't come to his rescue. He settled on his bed and allowed himself a light, regenerating rest for fifteen minutes.
Some noises forced Shirei to get up. He noticed with a grimace that he was still tired, but in a state more alive than dead, unlike the floating spirits around him. He became aware of the strange whispers they directed at him, but chose to ignore them.
The son of Cragar took off his hoodie and noticed the pitiful condition it was in. It was completely crumpled, and there were a few scratch-shaped holes on the right sleeve. He remembered choosing that piece of clothing thinking it was the one in the best condition in his wardrobe. He slowly approached the wardrobe and opened it, fully aware of the ugly truth awaiting him.
Inside, the clothes lay in shreds, torn and worn out from his training. Strips of fabric barely clinging to each other were a testament to the times he had fought monsters in the Underworld. The Blendbreed looked at the wardrobe with sadness, reflecting on the terrible state he always had the nerve to reduce himself to.
He wondered whether it might be better to buy something new.
Shirei looked toward the window of his house, wondering what the right choice was to make.Finally, he closed the wardrobe door and prepared to travel toward the Grand Manor.
The son of Cragar vanished into the darkness of the Interworld. Only then did Dahlia enter the house, yawning. She was still dressed in the elegant clothes from the day before. The girl looked at herself in the mirror, thinking back to the comments the ghosts had just whispered to her. In the midst of all the Blendbreeds of the park, she, as usual, seemed like the out-of-place blot on a perfect canvas. She was beginning to think that the problem wasn't her half-brother's strange behavior or Aena's disdain toward her.
Maybe the problem really is me… she muttered with a grim look, before heading toward Kore's garden.
── ⋆⋅❂⋅⋆ ──
Shirei reappeared in front of the Grand Manor, his footsteps echoing in the empty courtyard as he approached the main door. He felt hostile presences, like dozens of eyes scrutinizing him from every direction. With a quick glance, he made sure he wasn't being followed, then moved toward the entrance.
There was a great commotion on the doorstep. A rather large group of newcomers were stomping and complaining, while a few nymphs tried to harness the general discontent and calm the boys' raw tempers.
He ignored the Blendbreeds who, at his passing, fell silent one after another. The nymphs nodded at him in thanks, but the son of Cragar wasn't even aware he had done anything.
He walked through the corridors until he reached the rector's office. Once there, he knocked lightly, just to make sure Lyceum D'Agostini wasn't occupied.
After a moment of waiting, the door slowly opened, revealing a gentle light inside the room. Shirei entered cautiously, still alert to the mysterious sensation of being watched by one or more unknown entities. The scent of old wood and dust wrapped around his senses as he advanced into the office of the Lyceum. That unusual sensation distracted him, because he was convinced he could smell the sweet and powerful fragrance that lingered in the air breathed by the divine Aena.
He paused for a moment, observing the room. With a deep breath, he confirmed his initial suspicion.
Aena is not present.
Inside the office, Lyceum D'Agostini was alone, immersed in the flickering light of a candle. The dancing flame cast strange reflections on the desk, while the man closed the office door right behind the Blendbreed.
Shirei immediately noticed the yellowish vial resting on the shelf near the window. The rector of the park moved quickly, but Shirei saw his movements were uncertain, almost distracted, as if his mind were elsewhere. The sound of glass shattering on the floor made him shudder—the vial slipped from his fingers and rolled onto the ground, breaking into pieces. Lyceum froze, eyes wide with surprise.
He had been caught off guard and had already made a mess.
"It wasn't the right moment…" Shirei remarked, trying to apologize. He turned with the intention of leaving the office to give the rector some privacy, but before he could take a step, the man caught his words.
"No," the adult confirmed, "you weren't supposed to be here, but I'm glad you came to tell me something, whatever it is."
He motioned for him to sit.
Shirei allowed himself a silent reflection on why Aena, the goddess of love, wasn't present at that moment. He wondered if the strange feeling that accompanied him was due to her, but soon realized that deities acted according to their mysterious will, beyond his partial understanding of things. He was certain that the goddess's absence was no coincidence, but due to the news brought with his return from the Overworld. He decided not to investigate further for now—he would dig deeper into the matter another time.
The Blendbreed apologized for the unexpected disturbance, then made his way to the armchair and settled in.
"So," began the rector, while gathering the shattered pieces of the vial, "what can I do for you?"
"I need a permit to go buy some clothes."
Lyceum, seated behind the solid wooden desk, observed Shirei with an apparent calm, but his scrutinizing gaze betrayed a deep concern.
"I can get them for you without any trouble. Lilies Park offers the option to order new outfits every three months through an agreement."
Mr. D'Agostini returned to the desk with the glass shards still in his hands and made them disappear beneath it—probably into a bin, Shirei supposed. After that, he rummaged through a few drawers and pulled out a pale blue form.
"Fill out this form and bring it back to me. The clothes will be delivered directly to your house within two or three days via Ammirazon."
Shirei tilted his head slightly—it was a new word to him.
"Ammirazon is a company created by Ammir, the god of travel. They handle the supply of any foreign resource across the Otherworld."
After a moment of silence, the son of Cragar nodded.
"So," Lyceum continued, "all you need to do is fill this out, and you'll have a new package of custom clothes with the park's logo."
Shirei politely interrupted him, feeling the urge to explain his request.
"I need particular clothes," he said, his voice dropping. He could still feel the uncomfortable sensation of being watched. "I have to choose them in person, to be sure they fit."
The Blendbreed kept his eyes fixed on Lyceum, hoping he would understand what he was asking and not stand in his way.
The man, after a moment of reflection, accepted the son of Cragar's request.
"All right, you may go. If you need to make important purchases, there's Vylinor. It's a city not far from here, dedicated to trade and commerce," but before Shirei could turn away, Lyceum gave him a penetrating look. "Still… I ask you to be careful."
Shirei nodded respectfully and thanked him for understanding. He wasn't the type to worry, and he struggled to see how a simple trip outside the park could be dangerous for him. However, looking into the marked irises of Mr. D'Agostini, he decided it was wiser to simply thank him for the advice rather than argue.
"If you give me a moment to finish here, I'll show you the way. You can use the portal," said Lyceum, as he began tidying the papers on the desk and cleaning the floor where the potion had spilled.
"Portal?"
"Yes," the man nodded, "it's the entry and exit point between the Mortal World and this section of the Otherworld. Without it, you wouldn't be able to cross to the other side."
Shirei didn't reply and continued looking at him, puzzled.
Lyceum reassured him with a wave of the hand. "Really, just two seconds and I'll take you."
Why would I go to the Mortal World first and then back to the Otherworld? He just said the city is close to this place.
He couldn't understand.
"I don't want to be a bother, I'll find the way on my own."
With a subtle gesture, he allowed himself to be enveloped by the surrounding shadows, letting them wrap around him and carry him through a spectral travel into the Interworld.
Lyceum watched in astonishment as the Blendbreed vanished into nothingness, silently praying for his safety.
With a heavy sigh, he shook his head and prepared to return to his responsibilities.
"These Blendbreeds… I'll need a proper vacation soon."
── ⋆⋅❂⋅⋆ ──
About an hour and a half after leaving Lyceum's office, Shirei finally stepped into the unfamiliar city. His shoes clicked on the cobblestones as he paused to take in the new scene. Before his eyes stretched a tangled weave of winding alleys, buildings with terracotta roofs, and centuries-old churches reaching for the heavens with their spired towers. He was enveloped by the symphony of urban life: the chime of shop bells, the murmur of customers, and the lively cries of street vendors hawking their wares.
Shirei felt the gaze of passersby settle on him as he moved through the crowded streets, like a stranger in an unknown land. He wondered if his aura was unconsciously perceived as foreign.
The journey had been rather simple, with no creatures or monsters blocking the way, and it had taken him through a landscape full of pure nature. The only downside had been the time it took—but he had to accept it.
Unfortunately, I can't use spectral travel to reach places I've never visited precisely. I would've had to do it over and over again toward the farthest visible point, but I would've arrived here drained of energy.
He decided to put the thought to rest and focus on finding the shop, planning to use spectral travel as a shortcut on the way back.
Suddenly, a carriage cut him off. Shirei watched the vehicle calmly, even though it had barely missed him, while the elderly dwarf at the reins halted his horses for a moment and started yelling at him.
The Blendbreed narrowed his eyes, but the coachman sped off in a flash, pushing past whatever speed limits governed the city of Vylinor.
Shirei pulled a small slip of paper from his pocket—an opaque ticket his divine father, Cragar, had handed him with care before his departure. His gaze landed on the name written on the note, elegant handwriting pointing him to a shop tucked away among the city's winding streets. Without further delay, the boy walked forward with steady steps, following the directions as he delved deeper into the heart of the city.
Pastel-colored houses lined his path, adorned with flowered balconies and fluttering curtains. The scent of delicious food filled the air, blending with the distant briny tang from the seaside market and the sweet aroma of bakeries scattered across the city.
He had been walking for about ten minutes when Shirei noticed he was being followed by a small group of curious children, their probing eyes watching him with suspicion.
The Blendbreed immediately noticed the ghostly pallor of their skin, which stood out among the city's populace. They were careful to stay in the shadows, and most of them wore heavy clothing paired with sunglasses. The son of Cragar found the combination rather strange; still, their presence faded to the background when his gaze landed on the shop window he'd been searching for.
The sign hung above the shop entrance, gleaming and inviting under the sunlight filtering through the narrow city streets. The golden letters shimmered with an ancient charm, while the image of a phoenix in flight adorned the top edge of the sign. The shop itself radiated a mysterious and captivating atmosphere, distinct from the city's vibrant buzz. Decorated display windows showcased glittering jewelry and all kinds of accessories, offering glimpses of the clothing inside.
The solid wooden door creaked gently as Shirei stepped into the shop, accompanied by the telltale chime of a bell that announced his presence. Inside, a glittering light illuminated rows of garments. He moved quietly to explore the store, his violet eyes falling on a selection of dark shirts hanging on the wall.
He could feel the gaze of everyone present on him.
He tried to ignore the curious looks, but his attention was quickly drawn to the little creatures working inside the shop—creatures he had previously seen while skimming through the manual provided at Lilies Park.
They were known as Tummà: small, agile beings with sparkling green eyes and colorful clothes. Their skin bore a dull fuchsia hue, and their bare feet revealed rather long nails. Shirei's gaze moved to their faces, each crowned with two large pointed ears. The most distinctive feature, however, was a wrinkled proboscis that emerged from the center of their face and extended all the way down to their knees.
The Tummà moved with astonishing speed, busy with their daily tasks. However, as soon as Shirei approached, he noticed how they were eyeing him warily, keeping their distance. The Tummà seemed reluctant to interact with him, most likely due to the ominous and unusual aura that accompanied his presence.
As the son of Cragar drew near the shop's counter, a sudden commotion shattered the calm. The group of boys who had followed him through the city streets barged inside. The youths lunged wildly at the shop's shelves, snatching clothes and valuables with greedy hands.
The Tummà, shocked and outraged by the audacity of the thieves, rushed after them, shouting and flailing their tiny proboscises in a desperate attempt to stop them.
"Stop them!" cried an elderly sprite.
After letting out a chorus of laughter, the boys bolted like lightning.
Shirei reacted instinctively, launching into a frantic pursuit.
Those weren't ordinary mortals—that much Shirei realized from their speed.
Soon, they split up through the streets, clearly intending to regroup once they were sure no one was on their tail.
Unfortunately for them, their pursuer was no ordinary Blendbreed.
Shirei vanished into the Interworld and reappeared just as the oldest boy—about fifteen, with blond hair—was turning into a dead-end alley.
"Don't run."
The Blendbreed advanced toward the boy until the latter found himself with his back pressed against the cold bricks of a building. Shirei saw the boy's eyes searching for an escape, but he was already trapped.
"Oh my, a Blendbreed!" the blonde's voice didn't sound tense at all.
Strange, he thought.
Shirei extended a hand toward him. "I have things to do. Give back what you stole and tell your friends to do the same," he said, taking a step back to give him some space. "In return, I'll let you go. If I understand correctly, theft isn't allowed in Vylinor—so it's in your best interest not to get caught, or you'll end up before Lodal."
The boy lowered his head and began to cry—or so Shirei mistakenly thought. When he looked up again, a grin stretched across the blonde's face, and a pair of blood-red eyes gleamed in the sunlight.
"Really?" he asked with a laugh.
From the rooftops of the adjacent buildings, the rest of his group dropped down.
"Fear the power of the century-old vampires!"
The elder Tummà caught up to Shirei, but the son of Cragar showed not even a hint of fear. After all, he was staring at what looked to be nothing more than a bunch of teenagers.
"Century-old?"
"Yes! We died young, but you'll still suffer our thirst!" the one Shirei had labeled the leader shouted again.
One of the boys beside him tried to stop him. "Boss, it's morning."
"We're weak in the morning," added another.
"Silence!" barked the leader. "He's just a lone, defenseless Blendbreed! He won't be able to defend himself from us—the famed vampires of Trani's bloodline!"
"Ah! You… don't… want… to… do… that… boys…"
Shirei ignored the creatures and turned to the mysterious sprite who had just spoken.
The voice had come from his proboscis, which sucked in air each time he had to form a word.
"This… one… yes… he's… someone… you… should… be… afraid… of…"
"And we're vampires! I bet his blood even tastes great!"
Shirei shot a dark glance at the boys and summoned his spectral harpies. The creatures emerged through the cracks in the bricks of the surrounding buildings. They shrieked at the startled vampires, who clearly hadn't expected anything like this.
The son of Cragar turned toward the shopkeeper. "How do you know who I am?"
The sprite hesitated. "Yesterday… a… letter… arrived… at… the… shop… It… warned… us… about… a… Blendbreed… who… had… escaped… the… Scarlet… Dominion… We… were… to… instruct… him… to… return… to… him…"
"To who?" Shirei asked, checking the situation behind him.
The Tenebrae had overpowered the vampires, who had dropped the stolen clothes and were now looking for a way to escape the spectral beasts.
"He… signs… as… the… Severe… One…"
Shirei grimaced. "And he's talking about me?"
"In… the… letter… there… is… mentioned… a… son… of… Cragar… a… boy… with… violet… eyes…"
"Why should that be me?"
"Your… stench…" said the sprite, looking him in the eyes. "You… reek… of… death… You… are… the… one… who… escaped… the… Overworld…"
Shirei recalled his spectral harpies into his ring and ordered the vampires to vanish. When their leader tried to say something in return, the Blendbreed summoned the Blade of Discord into the palm of his hand.
"Let's go, boss. That guy's dangerous. Might as well turn ourselves in to the police at this point."
"Either way, we'll end up before Lodal. Better to run no matter what!"
The leader of the night creatures widened his eyes and ordered the others to flee. Shirei heard them bickering about how they shouldn't have risked being out in daylight—especially with how likely their sun artifacts were to shatter.
There's a police force in this place? he wondered curiously, before turning to the shopkeeper.
"Thank you… boy…" said the elder sprite, trying to gather up the scattered clothes.
Shirei stepped closer to help him.
"Was it my scent that made you all stare at me in the shop?"
The creature nodded.
"Can I see the letter and still hope to buy some clothes?"
With a firm nod of his tiny head, the Tummà smiled.
"With… great… pleasure… I… kept… it… I… apologize… for… the… way… we… treated… you… We… were… unsettled… because… you're… a… Forbidden Heir…"
Shirei paused to reflect, promising to return to the shop shortly. The Tummà thanked him gratefully and disappeared from view.
"What's going on?" he murmured, puzzled.
What did he have to do with a third-generation god who was supposed to have been dormant for millennia? Shirei hadn't the faintest idea.
As he prepared to follow the Tummà back to the shop, he was interrupted by a sudden, startling vision: before him appeared an unknown figure, majestic and swift in its presence.
The deity stood tall before the son of Cragar. His short, ash-blond hair was slicked back, fluttering lightly in the breeze. His face was partially hidden behind a half-mask reminiscent of a Japanese tengu, with an extraordinarily long nose that gave him a rather mocking appearance. His sharp, amber-orange eyes, tinged with gold, shone with divine light. He wore light sandals and a crimson cloak that floated behind him like a mantle of flames.
"Shirei, son of Cragar," he spoke in a shrill, youthful voice that echoed through the surrounding air.
"Do we know each other?" the Blendbreed asked politely.
"I know you," the deity smiled. "Ammir, god of journeys."
Shirei kept his gaze steady on him. "Why are you here?"
Ammir checked his nails, ensuring they were clean. Only then did Shirei notice he was floating slightly above the ground.
"Curiosity. I wanted to see for myself the one bold enough to reject my service in favor of a Tummà shop."
"So that feeling from before…"
The god chuckled lightly. "No no, the others are keeping an eye on you, but I don't want anything to do with the infamous Forbidden Heir."
Shirei picked up on the message clearly. However, before he could ask any more questions, the god of journeys was no longer standing in front of him.
"See you soon," he whispered from behind, "and next time, order through me. I promise I'll be fast."
With those words, the deity vanished, and the son of Cragar found himself alone once more.