The elderly woman’s Intelligence detached from her Core, and she looked around in shock.  “Huh?” She glanced down at her body. “Huh?” Her vision finally fell on Sora and Nathan.  “HUH? Nathan, dear, is that you? I don’t—I don’t hurt? Am I dead?” Her eyebrows shot up as she did a closer examination of Sora, ears twitching self-consciously.  “Well, aren’t …

Nathan leaned back, looking up at the purple sky as the sun continued its descent.  “You’re saying that we’re inherently violent?”  “Mmh,” Inari smiled softly as her orange irises moved up to examine Nathan.  “Do you remember the examination we made of children and house or when you played marbles?” Nathan nodded. “Okay, create a circumstance.  Let’s put a bunch …

Nathan’s Change; Sora’s POV Sora looked around as she appeared on the sidewalk in front of a large building; she quickly recognized it as the Southern Miami Beach Police Department.  Oh, wow, this brings back memories…   The building had many windows lining it to provide natural light during the day and stood four stories.  Many of the lights were on, …

A frown creased Ashley’s lips as she studied the floor; she was seriously considering the possibility.  She turned to her son with sad eyes. “No, I don’t think I can make a deal with a demon. I’d only put my family in even more danger, and he’s not the strongest potential ally I have.”  She stated, turning to Inari. “Oh?”  …

The sun was dipping low in the sky; Sora was standing in front of a nice white themed house, the many windows showing bright lights inside.  The front yard had large four-foot bushes that fenced it, and to their left, a gate led around the side of the house; some kind of fern grew on the bars, showing brilliant light …

A slight shift was made in Inari’s design, and they appeared in a new location; they stood in a void, blackness all around them.  No matter where Sora looked, there was nothing. “What’s going on?” With another tweak, Sora watched the illusion of a giant planet take shape below them.  It was massive, showing three moons that circled it, red, …

Sora found herself on an open street, her aunt and Mary beside her.  She slowly began cutting off the sustaining energy, keeping Mary stable.  It was dusk, the street lamps along the sidewalk showing their soft glow. Large gnarled trees lined both sides of the road, shadowing the pavement. “Where are we?”  Sora asked. “My house,” Mary muttered, “on Coral …

Sora’s POV; Mary’s Core Awakening Sora opened her eyes as she finished sending Wendy and her copied Intelligences to Jane’s location; the clones were gone.  “So, umm, is that it?” “Wait, really?”  Wendy asked, brow furrowed as she examined herself.  “I don’t feel any different?” “No, you won’t,” Inari smiled.  “You just sent your cloned Intelligences to the Human Realm …

Kari’s POV Kari closed her eyes, head resting against her arms as she thought.  Where did it all go wrong?  Was it always wrong to begin with?  I don’t know… She sighed as Holonie swallowed softly, her fearful scent tickling Kari’s nose.  “I guess I should start with the basics; those fox twins, Luna and Rayla, they said they weren’t …

Kari’s POV Following the meeting with Mimi, Kari walked at the group’s tail, Olivia leading them.  Kari was operating on the last fumes of hatred she felt for her brother, the hope that he was alive so she could end his existence herself.  She did her best to silence the torrent inside by listening to their guide answer questions, but …