Renee hadn’t been aware that the Grandmaster might not be aware of Nate’s nature. Neither of the women locked onto his arms were going to last very long with exposure to such dark energy. Of the two there was only one that she had a chance at moving.

  Running forward her small figure plowed into Karah. Though mighty in strength she was after all small. With little effort she was dislodged from Nate’s arm. Dark storm clouds dissipated from around her wrists. She shook her head clearing the fog that had filled her mind as she was latched on his arm.

  “Get the wolf, now!” The Grandmaster ordered.

  The ten year old clearly wasn’t capable of toppling the seven foot tall werewolf. The deep black carried on up to her elbow as she remained motionless. Deep within her eyes a struggle was occurring as she fought back against whatever it was that Nate was doing. Fur furled down her spine as she did so.

  The fully Blackened spirit scraped away at the Grandmaster's shield. She let out an interested sound as twenty more pinprick sized holes covered the surface of her shield. The Spirit was of some interest and worth. Dismissively she cast away thoughts of simply eradicating it on the spot. It would be better to have her apprentice clean up his own mess.

  Karah had regained some of her senses as Renee pulled her in the proper direction. Mind still clearing off the black substance that had filled it, she clamped down onto Lupita’s arm. Careful not to touch Nate. Giving a tug she expected the hand to come free with ease but that was not the case.

  Pulling her hand back she looked at it for a moment in surprise. Something was wrong with her strength. A feeling of sluggishness and weight pushed down upon her. Karah was not someone who gave in that easily. It was fading but her full strength wouldn’t return before the dark energy climbed all across Lupita.

  Summoning up her energy she recalled the feeling she’d had when saving Nate the day before. Sounds of thunderclaps resounded within her mind as she felt herself fill with a small amount of energy. It wouldn’t be enough to help the werewolf if she spread it across her whole body. She focused it all into her arm.

  A mighty tug of her arm finally unlatched Lupita from Nate. The moment that she did so she fell to the ground curling into a ball, her body reverting into only a brown skinned girl. Her fluffy wolf ear laid flat and tail tucked under her. Having been exposed longer she was completely out of it.

  “ARRGHH” Nate yelled.

  Eyes going wide his body rushed off toward the Grandmaster. He smashed his fist into the shield with a flurry of blows. His summon redoubled its effort slamming its head into the shield with good effort. The sound of cracking sounded throughout the room. A small hairline crack began to form amongst the pouring holes.

  “What do we do?” Karah asked.

  “It’s corruption none of us can touch him.” Renee replied.

  “Corruption? Theodora, get out here now.” Karah said.

  Purple lights twinkled out around Nate as the queen appeared. She embarrassed him from behind unlike the others; her touch did not turn her flesh black or any other color. Within her arms his body grew still she was delving into his mind. Her lips parted as she whispered something into his ear only he could hear.

  Slowly the energy that had been prevailing his body loosened. His grasp of the spirit smashing into the shield weakened. Just as it began to fade it thrashed wildly. In a last ditch attempt it once more slammed it’s head down into the shield.

  *CRASH*

  A deafening sound of glass shattering prevailed in the space. Just as the spirit faded away back from whence it came, the shards of shield littered the ground. Nate’s slumped body was to be peppered by the fine pointed shards of magic. Boudica formed in front of him a slimy purple shield forming to protect the three of them.

  “What happened to me?” Nate asked.

  “Did you not check his nature? I thought that’s why you had made him into a Necromancer. Do you never consider others when making your decisions?”

  When Renee had left Teddy down stairs he’d asked her to look after her brother. Whatever the reason was, he had known the Grandmaster wouldn’t act carefully. The Grandmaster turned her gaze to look down upon the young girl.

  “His Nature? Yes, I suppose it’s clear now that he has an affinity for corruption. This is a useful development. I shall discuss with Wayne on how best we might tailor this to our plans.” The Grandmaster said.

  “You didn’t know? One wrong move and he could have ended up dead.” Renee said.

  Karah was incensed at what the girl was saying. Nate would have said or done something but his mind was too muddled. Theodora had pulled him into her bosom as she stroked his head. Boudica looked none too pleased at what the queen was doing but didn’t move to stop her. Instead she moved to Lupita’s side. The Werewolf slowly grumbled and growled as the two conversed in quiet voices.

  “Renee what is this about his nature? I haven’t felt something like that before.” Karah asked.

  “A soul can have natural abilities. Mine allows me to influence people, it's just not strong enough on those with spirit energy. Within the realm of those powers are those who have strong connections to different types of things. Nate’s soul showed clear corruption the first time I met him.”

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  “The Little one is correct. Even if her explanation is lacking. Nate’s soul converts spirit energy into a form of corruption. Similar to those two spirits there. Using the power will increase your own abilities by many times their power. With this I believe we can successfully defeat that scoundrel.” The Grandmaster said.

  “Not going to tell them about it killing him?” Renee asked.

  “He is a Necromancer, that won’t happen.” The Grandmaster Responded.

  Karah reached out and gently placed a hand on Renee’s shoulder. The little girl felt an icy shiver run down her spine. Nate was still out of commission, it appeared the responsibility of taking care of things was passed to her. Grinding her teeth she attempted not to yell at either of the people there.

  “Is this going to kill him? If so I don’t see how this will turn out well for anyone.”

  “Worry not girls. His health is assured by the stars. I congratulate all of you on another step toward power. I shall send Wayne to continue the training when he returns. The calculations need adjustment.”

  The Grandmaster strode away toward the steps passing right along next to where Nate had been pulled into a laying position. Theodora was happily keeping him pressed into her lap. Telling him it was medically necessary and not to squirm too much.

  “Hey, you can’t just…” Karah started.

  Renee put a hand up and shook her head. She was more then aware that the Grandmaster was not willing to negotiate with them nor apologize for what she said. It was better for them to save their breath until after they had resolved everything. Only then would they put her in her place.

  Much to everyone’s surprise the Grandmaster stopped only a few steps away from Nate. She bent only a small amount at the waste gazing down at him. Her face still uncovered was strewn with a mask of unknowable emotions.

  “I did not mean what I said.”

  She spoke the words almost as if in a trance. Quick steps carried her further away and down the steps. Renee was left utterly bewildered that someone like that would apologize, even if it wasn’t sincere. It was utterly out of character for her.

  “Something is up with her.” Renee said.

  Karah only gave a nod in confirmation before making her way over to Nate. Lupita had been picked up by Boudica and hauled next to him. The wolf girl curled up at his side like a kicked puppy.

  Boudica with an unhappy face faded from the room unwilling to see the Queen dote over him any further. The Queen’s own face was playful as she watched her friend fade away back into the Spirit house. On Karah’s approach her smile only widened further.

  “My, my, you must be more careful with our contractor. Don’t you know his death would mean the end of us. The poor boy was being reprimanded so harshly. Shouldn’t you have done something sooner.” Theodora teased.

  “I’m actually alright now I can get up.” Nate said.

  “NO, you will rest here a little longer or did you not truly need my help.” She pouted.

  Nate appeared caught in a conundrum as he wasn’t what had triggered the corruption effect. It was convenient that Theodora had been able to stop the process. He did not want his body to go out of control without his permission. The thought of keeping her out for an extended period passed through his mind.

  “Can you help him control it?” Karah asked.

  Theodora was genuinely surprised at the question. She had expected some glib remark from the girl or a punch to the face. Either would have been fine as an excuse to demand more time with Nate or compensation. The earnestness in her question took the wind out of her playful sails.

  “Fine, if you truly require my great and prestigious selfs help, then so be it. Nate my lord we shall start as soon as you're ready.”

  “Give me a minute to shake out the weird feeling. Lupita, come closer everything is alright.” Nate said.

  The wolf girl had buried her head in her arms and now looked up. Tears stained her face as she dragged herself into Nate’s arms. She whimpered low and whiningly about how bad it had felt. All her fears had been seeping into her mind, everything was going to be taken from her all over again. Karah hadn’t realized it had affected the girl so much. The Infurriating girl was usually like an annoying sister, now she looked fragile.

  Reaching down, Karah stroked Lupita’s back as she snuggled down up to Nate. She determined allowing the wolf to do so just this once would be fine, so long as she didn’t make a habit of it. Theodora watched with a kind but bemused expression.

  Renee seeing the heartwarming scene made herself scarce. She found herself next to Dr.White who was still reclined and injured. He gave her a small smile and nod of the head but made no other movements. It had been the same during the corruption incident.

  “You didn’t help.” Renee said.

  “If you think that the Grandmaster would need help over something like that then I have a unicorn to sell you.” The doctor replied.

  “It’s not about her, it’s about him. What if it had become worse? It could have damaged your hospital.”

  “Then I would have brought it upon myself, simple as that.”

  ***

  Wayne had been informed by Teddy that everyone was practicing on the roof. The young boy looked content where he was with the books, and formulas. Thinking he might enjoy that type of thing he left a few of his own behind. Magic circles on the pages littering the boy’s desk were enough for him to know he had potential.

  As he ascended the steps his mind wandered to thoughts of teaching both brothers. Those thoughts were cut short as he ran straight into the Grandmaster. Her face is slightly pale. Her own mind had seemingly been far from this place.

  “Master?”

  “Wayne, something hast been undone. I must, away to my chambers. There is something that fate has not written and let be known to me.”

  “What of Nate’s training? Surely, we can’t stop now.” Wayne asked.

  “He is stronger then needed, no, beyond what your fate had said. The experiment was not meant to make such an impact. Teach him attack magic he is ready. Manifesting a grade one spirit with such ease is no simple task. Beware of his corruption.”

  The Grandmaster pushed past him lost once more into her thoughts. Wayne watched her curiously. She had put on her modern voice to grow closer to the children yet now it was garbled. Was this truly just her being congenial or was there something more occurring?

  He wanted to follow her but he knew she would not talk further. Normally she would have floated away or teleported. If she was walking away that meant nothing good for anyone. Answers would have to come from his student and those above.