Emily stood looking out at the planes ahead. They had not entered them yet, but already, there was not much to see.

  Just endless wastes of open space dotted with small bits of vegetation. If Kael was to be believed there was not much of nutritional value out there either.

  Emily held a brush, which she was using to unmat Cupcake’s pelt and remove dust—not an easy task for a creature so large, but she had time.

  It was currently evening, and everyone was preparing to head out. Emily had been ready for a while, so she had time to discover why they were traveling in the dead of night. Something Alex had once said was foolhardy.

  As it turned out, the plains were situated before the grey sands, and it would take days of travel before they reached them. They moved through the night because it would get way too hot to travel during the day, even more so when they hit the desert. This was a chance to acclimatize for their actual journey.

  Emily was trying not to think too much about it, but she couldn’t help doing last-minute checks on all her gear.

  Emily had never been interested in visiting a desert. It was dry, sandy, and boring, yet if they wanted to get through it, they would have to traverse it. Emily had asked about going around but Alex had just shook his head at the idea. So she could only assume it was far larger than she had first thought.

  Cupcake was panting with excitement but Emily ignored her in favor of calling to the stars.

  After Tehila had attacked her, Emily had hardened her resolve to find a defensive title. Her regeneration was fairly impressive but as things stood her defenses were completely reliant on her blood healing.

  She decided she would feel a whole lot better with something more substantial, so she entered her starry space on a hunch to get a feel for her new titles.

  Betrayer was exactly as it sounded, it felt slimy and yet righteous. It would make double-crossing people far easier, but she ignored it because Emily didn’t need a title to do that.

  Titan Feller was all about the weak trampling the strong. Which was objectively the best one she had but it seemed more focused on offense and destruction than anything else, which Emily would have picked in a heartbeat if Tehila hadn’t almost stopped hers.

  Liberator was an interesting one. It was about casting off external influences but didn’t make it into active title territory because she wasn't sure how much of that was defensive. It would probably work as a good passive but not something Emily would like to dedicate to her active slot unless she were in a difficult situation.

  That only left Experimentee. Just as her hunch had suggested, when Emily pulled down the stars, she felt a profound sense of strength—not just physical, but mental as well. The title radiated endurance, offering the resilience she desperately needed at this moment.

  Still, a small voice in the back of her mind urged her not to take it, whispering that accepting the title felt like admitting she was nothing more than an experiment. But Emily knew better. This title was a means to an end, nothing more. It didn’t define her; she wouldn’t let it.

  She remembered Alex telling her about the Slave title once. At the time, the thought of willingly choosing such a title filled her with revulsion, but now, she understood the concept more deeply.

  A title wasn’t just about who a person was—it was also about who they needed to be. The Slave title was a choice made for survival, a lifeline in desperate circumstances. And now, Emily saw the same in Experimentee: a way forward. A path to survive and adapt to this new, ever-changing world.

  Once her decision was made Emily didn’t waste any time slotting the title into her second active slot.

  The Experimentee’s path has opened to you!

  Rank 1 - New features

  Tested Flesh

  The bearer’s skin has been tempered by pain and endurance, hardening into a thick hide, which the bearer can thicken at will. Strikes that would cripple others glance harmlessly off this fortified body.

  Or

  Acidic Bile

  The bearer’s digestive tract has become a volatile weapon, capable of launching projectiles of corrosive stomach acid. Reflexes and precision are further sharpened to extreme levels, making every movement deadly accurate.

  And

  Eye of the Persecuted

  Twice per day, the user can view other bearers’ information and active titles, revealing their strengths and secrets.

  ‘Day after day, I endured. So too will you.’

  Emily grinned to herself three skills were great, and none of them got eaten by the curse. The system would let her keep two so she looked through her options.

  The Acidic bile gave her pause but she already knew she would not be choosing that one. It might have made her pause if it were her blood too, but right now she didn’t need a skill like that. As things stood Tested flesh was exactly what she was looking for. A constant passive defense that she could rely on, now she would need to find out its capabilities. She selected it and right away Emily felt her skin and muscles tightening like a new sense. Their density hardened to compensate.

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  The Eye of the Persecuted was certainly a surprise, but it was a welcome extra.

  Being able to see people's titles meant that she would be able to guess their strengths in combat, and that was always a welcome skill.

  Emily was still dragging the brush through Cupcake's fur when she fell a smaller presence appeared by her side.

  Tuning away from the preening wolf Emily spotted Ashe standing there clutching her arms to her chest.

  “Hey…” she quietly.

  “Hey,” Emily said with a nod.

  “...Listen, I know I’ve been busy with my sister, but I wanted to make sure we were okay. We haven’t had a chance to talk since escaping from the camp, and I don’t want it to be weird between us.”

  Emily straightened up from Cupcake’s side and shook her head.

  “Ashe, don’t worry we’re good. I know you wanted to save Selia and I accept that. I’m a little pissed at that brat for tying my hands, but I don’t blame you for that.”

  Ashe searched Emily’s eyes as if searching for a hint of doubt but Emily held her gaze until she was satisfied, and let out a sigh.

  “That’s a relief. I thought you were mad at me.”

  Emily resumed brushing Cupcake but Ashe hung around.

  “So we’re heading into the desert. Are you and Selia thinking of sticking around?” Emily asked as nonchalantly as she could, never taking her eyes off Cupcake’s fur

  The pause that came after that was long and Emily was just about to turn around again when Ashe answered.

  “I did bring it up with Selia. When Kael made it clear that this mission was optional, a lot of people thought it over, myself included… She decided she was staying.”

  Cupcake pushed her head into Emily's chest, which she petted calmly.

  “And you?” she asked quietly.

  Ashe took a breath.

  “I don’t have many options. It's either moving forward, going back the way we came, or wandering around in the wilderness hoping to find a settlement. Of those choices, I think following you lot is the best I can do.”

  Emily let out a little sigh, she wasn’t aware that she cared about Ashe leaving. But apparently, she did.

  “So you said people were thinking of leaving? How many that you know of.”

  Ashe glanced back at everyone.

  “As far as I can tell only a couple of people are leaving, but Gerade has decided to resign as leader of team three. Rumor is he’s following us to the desert and we’ll part ways there.”

  Emily's brows lift.

  “He’s conscious enough to make that decision?”

  Ashe shrugged.

  “I think so, he’s been getting better as time moves on and I think he feels guilty for not being able to help. There’s also the fact that his partner died… Luckily a leader leaving is not swaying everyone too much because Kael is still here.”

  Emily hummed to herself. The Wandering Fang's hierarchy had taken a hit in the last few weeks. With Marth dead and gone it had left a power vacuum. Emily also noticed Kael had not yet asked her about the man, even though she was certain he had his suspicions.

  If Gerade left too then it would leave them at even more of a loss.

  Emily didn’t like the sound of that but she also had no control over what happened with their internal structure, so she filed that information away for later.

  Emily had just finished brushing Cupcake down and was about to ask Ashe another question when a call went up from the tents.

  Emily could not see the speaker from here but she was certain it was Kael

  “Alright people! The Wandering Fangs are moving out in two. Remember stay close. Those unaffiliated please make room for us, and may you all be safe.”

  More than half of the people staying here had no relation to the mercenary group, but they looked worried at everyone gathered.

  It was to be expected and Kael clearly felt bad for them seeing as he left a small amount of coin with them, but they were all unwilling to enter the desert. Of course, no one blamed them but they would have to find their own way now.

  Emily hopped onto Cupcake and leaned down to hold out a hand for Ashe. She took it and they trotted towards the front of the camp.

  There, she saw the Wandering Fangs gathering—and, to her surprise, a smaller second group alongside them.

  The young man from the gate was among them, along with half a dozen others. Most of the guards who had escaped had decided to stay here, but these few stood out—they looked determined. Emily guessed that Kael had offered them a place among the group, though where that path would lead them was another story entirely.

  Straightening her back, Emily realized this was the perfect opportunity to test her newest skill. She focused on the guard at the front of the smaller group and activated Eye of the Persecuted.

  A flash of light consumed her vision, and the stars in her mind surged to the forefront, brighter than ever before. To Emily, they were almost blinding, but as if aware of being seen, the stars dimmed, lowering their intensity. Only then could she begin to read them.

  Name: Dunham Farseer

  Second Bridge Opened.

  Title: Sentinel

  Blinking away the lingering blur, Emily focused on the young man again. As though sensing something was wrong, Dunham’s gaze turned toward her, locking onto her with a sharp, sullen expression.

  Emily thought back to the skill’s description. It hadn’t revealed exactly what she was hoping for, but it had provided valuable information nonetheless. She considered the possibility that Dunham, like her and Alex, might have slotted the Mercenary title in a passive slot.

  While the test had been useful, Emily still didn’t have the answer she was looking for. Even so, the skill had revealed enough to deepen her understanding of both Dunham and her abilities. For now, that would have to be enough.

  Ashe glanced up at Emily and then over at Dunham.

  “Why do you think they’re following us?” she asked.

  Emily shrugged.

  “Well, the city’s fallen. If they don’t have family left here, the next best thing is to get as far away as possible. I have no doubt that once Sam’eth finishes conquering the city, they’ll send out search parties.”

  Ashe pressed her lips together, her gaze drifting toward the people they were leaving behind.

  Before she could say anything, Emily continued.

  “I’m sure Kael made them aware of this. But they’ll need to move soon. There’s only so much we can do for them.”

  Ashe looked back at the stragglers trailing through the camp lost, her fingers tightening on Cupcake’s saddle. She lowered her eyes, her voice quieter now.

  “I know... it just feels wrong.”

  Emily smiled faintly at her comment, but when Ashe noticed the smile, her expression soured.

  “It’s not a bad thing to care about people!” she snapped, her voice sharp with frustration.

  Emily hesitated, her smile fading. When she finally spoke, her tone was softer but resolute.

  “It’s not,” she admitted. “But I’ve learned that if you want to care, you need to be powerful—and ruthless—enough to make sure no one dares to touch what’s yours.”

  Ashe looked like she wanted to say something and even took a breath but then let it out slowly, unwilling to argue.

  By that time all of the Wandering Fangs had gathered and Kael took the lead with Atticus and Alex at his side, kicking off the first leg of their journey.

  Blood points: 342