This Beast-Tamer is a Little Strange

Across the cavern, Zareth wiped the sweat from his brow, his sharp gaze flicking toward Kain. The others were already tending to their wounded contracts, using whatever healing abilities they had to stabilize them. But there was something unspoken hanging in the air.

Zareth was the first to say it.

"They were drawn to you."

Kain tilted his head slightly, his expression neutral and feigning innocence. "What do you mean?"

Zareth gestured to the battlefield. "We aren't horribly injured because they pretty much ignored us as much as they could. Every single one of them was trying to reach you, no matter the cost. That's not normal."

Jamie, who was pouring some kind of unknown liquid on his bear's injurred leg, frowned. "He's right. It was like you were a beacon or something."

Lina also looked up from where one of her contracts was healing her leg. "It wasn't just their focus... It felt like they needed to reach you."

The relatively always silent Pete, the remaining member of Zareth's initial group of 4, even chimed in. His perpetually droopy eyes gazed at Kain in confusion. "Why?"

Kain met their gazes evenly. Then, with a carefully measured sigh, he ran a hand through his hair.

"I have a theory," he began, his voice calm and composed. "In my previous mission, both my contracts and I came into contact with Abyssal energy. It was during that mission that my contract, Aegis, developed the ability to expel abyssal energy—an ability that was likely the reason I was included in this important mission. However, even if Aegis expelled any energy in myself or other contracts, it's possible that some kind of residual presence remains. Maybe these things could sense it. Maybe to them, I'm like an intruder on their territory, something that doesn't belong."

'The best lies are mixed in with a bit of truth…' Aegis did awaken the ability to purify Abyssal energy in his last mission—a skill that all of his previous teammates saw and reported to the Order. However, Kain himself had never been contaminated with any Abyssal energy—atleast to the best of his knowledge.

Jamie's brow furrowed. "That's... not a bad explanation. Since these things were likely created to fight the Abyss, maybe they were reacting to that."

Kain shrugged. "It's just a possibility. But given how they acted, it's the only thing that makes sense to me."

Serena barely resisted the urge to scowl while rolling her eyes. He was lying.

She had spent enough time around Kain to recognize when he was being deliberately misleading. The way his fingers twitched slightly, the way his gaze flickered to her for half a second before returning to Zareth—tiny tells, but ones she'd learned to recognize after all this time.

Not to mention, his tone was too steady, his delivery too practiced. He wasn't even trying to work through the logic of it—he had prepared this answer in advance. He had expected this question.

But the others didn't know him like she did. Jamie, Lina and Pete didn't seem to have any doubts. Or if they did they covered it up very well.

Kain continued, his voice measured. "Regardless, if that's the case, we'll need to account for it moving forward. If these things are naturally attracted to me, then we should assume future encounters will play out the same way."

Zareth didn't look entirely convinced, but after a moment, he exhaled and shook his head. "You're right. We need to be more careful, then. If these things are going to be drawn to you, we can't afford to get caught off guard."

Jamie grunted in agreement. "Next time, we should set up defensive barriers first. Several of our contracts can set up mobile ones as we move. It'll slow down our progress and be draining for them, but safety will improve "

Kain nodded looking very please...with what exactly , Serena couldn't quite tell. "That would be smart."

Serena didn't say anything.

She glanced at him one last time, watching as he helped Aegis repair the damage to his form. The others were settling down, tending to their wounds, their fatigue catching up with them.

For the first time since she had started watching him, she realized how little she actually understood Kain.

The others would brush this off, believe his explanation, and move on.

She wouldn't.

Not this time. Not when she knew the next one being drained might be herself rather than those creatures.

-----------------------

Later.

The cavern had quieted. The others slept, their breathing steady, their contracts curled protectively around them. Only the faint glow of dying embers lit the space.

Serena waited until she was certain no one would wake. Then she moved.

Kain sat against the far wall, his back to the stone, his eyes closed. But she knew he wasn't asleep.

Using both the Starweaver and Balens to set up soundproof barriers as added insurance, Serena began their much needed conversation.

"You're lying to them," she said, her voice low and sharp.

His eyes opened. There was no surprise in them. Just a quiet resignation.

He didn't deny it.

Silence stretched between them. Then—

"I know you saw what happened when I lost control before," he said finally. "The hunger and the way I looked at you probably scared you." His fingers flexed, as if remembering the sensation. "I know that this ability freaks you out, but I can control it—"

"Bullshit!" Serena exclaimed. "You expect me to believe, all of a sudden, that you can just control it like that?" Serena snapped her fingers to accentuate her point.

After a deep breath, she continued, "If they find out—"

"They won't." His gaze locked onto hers. "Because you're not going to tell them."

She stiffened.

He wasn't threatening her. He wasn't even pleading. He was stating a fact.

And that was what infuriated her most.

"You don't know that," she hissed.

"I do." He leaned forward slightly, the firelight casting shadows across his face. "Because if you were going to, you would've done it already."

Her fingers clenched around her dagger, ready to stab him.

Kain didn't flinch. "I'm not your enemy, Serena."

"Then stop acting like one."

Another silence.

Then, abruptly, she turned away.