Alaster leaned his back against the stone pillar behind him. The wait was killing him. Not just because there was an army of Demons camped out in front of the city, but because these young adults, his sister's friends, were irritating the hell out of him.

Four of them were loudly playing some card game, yelling and pushing each other in good humor. Another six were lightly sparing against each other. Two of them were not so quietly making out. Each one was doing different things, not one as quietly as they thought they were.

The Station was largely empty, only a few workers preparing for the next train's arrival. That was his only respite, but it also made the sounds from the young ones all that much louder and more pointed.

Alaster lowered his head, rubbing the bridge of his nose as he did. If the train didn't arrive soon, he might just [Swap] away until it did.

'Calm yourself boy.' Belgroth's voice entered Alaster's mind.

'Boy? Its been a while since you called me that.'

'You've grown up, yet now you are acting like one.'

'What do you mean?'

'You are becoming quite short tempered. You need to control it.'

'You speak as if you know the cause.'

'Because I do. It's a symptom of Necrotic Mana, remember? The more one tampers with Death, the less patience they have for the living. This has always been the case for those who dabble in the Necrotic, as well as those who touch the energy of life. Those who touch Life, care less about Death. This leads them to charge headfirst into danger without a care.

Ever wondered why so many die when they follow the command of those who use Life and Holy Magic? They simply don't care about Death, plunging their people into horrible situations so long as they can delude themselves into thinking it serves some higher purpose.

In essence, the Light makes people selfless, to the point that they are willing to sacrifice whatever it takes, whoever it takes to achieve a goal they believe will benefit others, even if it takes costs more than the product is worth.

The Dark makes people selfish, to the point they are willing to sacrifice whatever it takes to achieve a goal for themselves. Whatever it takes, even if it costs what they love most.'

'Why is this becoming an issue now then?'

'Because unlike most others you clung to something so tightly, before you ever even began to tinker in either the Light or Dark. This obsession consumed your mind so entirely, that this Dark struggled to take it.'

'An obsession?'

'In multiple parts. Firstly, your obsession on saving your sister. An obsession that vanished when you accomplished it. Next, your obsession on revenge. A goal you half accomplished when you destroyed Lissura, intentionally or not. However, it is still not completely done because the Duke is still alive.'

'So, what does this mean?'

Alaster felt the Demon shrug, 'Just that you have to be more mindful. These tendencies are just that. They do not control you unless you let them. That is all. Just be mindful, and it'll be ok.'

'Ok? I almost smiled imagining sending a bone spike through one of her friends. How is that ok? Murdering a child just because they were being a little too noisy?'

'Alaster, the Dark just makes your impulses darker. Just don't give in to them. It's really not that complex. I've seen you endure horrific circumstances, deal with impossible odds. Are you telling me you can't control yourself from acting out every little impulse you have?

Just be aware, that this Darkness, as with Light, is constant, it will always be there, pushing you down.'

'Is there a way to get rid of that pressure?'

'Of course! Just have equal amounts of Light and Dark Mana in your soul.'

'Oh, is that all?' Alaster asked sarcastically.

'That's why I didn't really suggest it. It's very difficult to keep a perfect balance. Much harder than merely resisting the temptations.'

Alaster growled deep in his chest, 'Uggh! This is annoying me. Lets switch topics.'

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'And what do you wish to speak about?'

'Your body. When can it be completed?'

'Eager to get rid of me?' Belgroth joked.

'Yes. Because your presence has the chance to end this war.'

Belgroth scoffed, 'I doubt it would.'

'If nothing else, it would cause some internal strife among the Coalition Ranks.'

'And who is to say I would help you? Would it not make more sense to help my own people retake the world your ancestors stole?'

Alaster smirked, 'Because you aren't that dumb. Before, when you thought there was no possible way you would ever manage to escape or get a new body, you did your best to train me so that I could survive just a little bit longer.

At this point, under your guidance, and the guidance of all my other teachers and mentors, I have become too powerful. Even if you were to regain your body as you were all those years ago, you would struggle to keep me down. Possibly succeed, but certainly not easily, and far from cleanly.

If you had your body, and we fought, there would be a large hole where mountain ranges would be. The collateral would be immense. Besides, you wouldn't try.'

'And what makes you say that?' Belgroth asked with a hint of amusement in his words.

'Because you know that this war will sooner or later rage to a point that no one wants.'

'Good. That is all correct. You have been listening. I would attempt to serve as mediator. I have seen firsthand the strength of Humanity and its Gods. If my people pushed them into a corner…too much would be lost. I have no doubt that the Coalition would come out the winners. But there is a difference between winning, and being victorious.

As for your earlier question? Uncertain. I suspect a month or two. But I am not certain.'

'You don't know?'

'Hey! You have already created two bodies for yourself. I have never even tried before, and my soul is a lot more complicated than yours.'

Alaster rolled his eyes, 'Just let me know if you need anything. If you haven't noticed, there is a war going on, I might need a bit more time to get whatever you need.'

'Ideally, I shouldn't need any external materials. Though I suppose it wouldn't hurt. I will keep this in mind.'

Evelyn skipped over, excited to finally be doing something else beside paperwork, "The forward outpost in the tunnel just sent the signal. The train should be here in about three minutes."

Alaster nodded, "Good. Get your friends together, I don't want any of them to get lost or carried off in the chaos when they begin unloading."

Evelyn giggled, "They aren't children you know. They know how to handle themselves."

"I know, except I have plans for all of you, and I do not wish to locate all of you."

Evelyn's smile seemed to reflect the Mage Lights in the Station, "Finally! What are we doing?"

"I will tell you after the train is unloaded and I meet this mysterious guest."

"Guest?"

"Technically three, but I know who two of them are and am expecting them. I was not expecting the third." Alaster had not told her about Tom and Mike, wishing to leave it as a surprise.

"Is the mystery guest a threat?" Evelyn asked, resting her palm on her sheathed blade.

"Unlikely. At least not a known threat and they would be foolish to reveal their hostilities around a train full of soldiers. Besides, I know of only a single person in all of Galmore who would dare to dream to be capable of injuring me, let alone killing me. And he is my mentor."

"Will I get to meet him someday?"

"Had you gone to Galmore like I wanted, you would have been living in his house under his direct care and protection." Alaster glanced accusingly.

Evelyn stuck out her tongue in response, "So we don't know who this third person is?"

"No, however, the two I do know would not have allowed anyone who might have ill will towards me or the defense of this city on the train. So relax, and know that should the need arise, I will handle it."

The train finally came into view, already slowing down to a light jog as it came around the sharp turn.

When constructing the tunnels, they had intentional built as few turns as they could, except at the stations, where it turned a full ninety degrees for any potential defense.

The train billowed white steam from its chute as it chugged along before finally coming to a halt at the end of the tracks.

The Station Workers rushed forward, placing small steps at each of the doors and moving to the storage cabins while others jumped down to the tracks and exchanged the track sections to redirect the train back to Galmore when it began moving again.

The doors opened and Galmorian Soldier after soldier stepped out, each one carrying a small pack and long dagger. It was not space conscious to have each soldier carry their weapons in the carriages during the trip, but it was foolish to leave them completely unarmed should the worst happen. So, daggers became standard issue among the Galmorian Soldiers.

The Station quickly filled with noise and chaos.

Evelyn waved over all of her friends and they surrounded Alaster and the pillar he was leaning on, an unmoving island in Sea of ever moving currents.

Luckily, the soldiers' officers quickly got the soldiers moving together. Neat lines were made alongside the train allowing the soldiers to grab their equipment in an orderly fashion. The line moved quickly as they shuffled past, grabbing their packs, and forming their small units before being marched up and out of the Station.

But there were still a lot of bodies to move and even more equipment and supplies.

It was still nearly twenty minutes before the last unit was forming up and marching out. And even then, the workers were still unloading the storage cabins at the back of the train. But Alaster's attention was on the three people only now exiting the train.

Tom jumped out and stretched his back, ever the large man, his muscles looked strange as they fought back against the Galmorian Officer's Uniform he wore. A Uniform that fit much better in Mike who lightly kicked Tom out of the way of the door.

Evelyn's brows were scrunched together in concentration, "Wait a minute…Mike? Tom? Is that you?"

The two men looked up at their names, their facing lighting up as they saw Evelyn.

His sister ran forward, launching herself into the open arms of Tom as Mike waited for his turn, but Alaster was not paying any attention to them.

It appeared he underestimated the grit of his mentor. Not that he was unhappy.

Alaster smiled sweetly, all the previous dark thoughts vanishing from his mind as his shoulders and back relaxed for the first time in months, "It's good to see you, Lunaria."

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