Seeing Keshiema's hesitation and nervous fidgeting, Adam chuckled, "what is it, young lady, feel free to air your concerns."

  "It's just, my friends," she looked behind her, sure that they were in that direction, "We left them quite suddenly. I'm afraid they'll be worried if I stay away too long."

  "Friends?" Eve asked. "There are others in the garden?"

  "Oh right!" Azura thumped her forehead, "Asmoday was with you. And a few others too, but I didn't recognize them."

  "Asmoday? The Serpent has returned?" Eve asked with raised brows and a concerned glimmer in her dark eyes.

  "What about Lilith? Is she with you as well?" Adam's distraught was written across his face, his voice thick and hoarse with panic.

  "No," Dásos shook his head, "I must admit I forgot about your promise, but as soon as she realized where we going, she refused to follow and left our group."

  Relieved, Adam let out a deep, self-soothing breath, "Thank the stars." Patting Keshiema's shoulder, he smiled kindly, "Let us greet your friends together. We should properly welcome all of our guests."

  Bringing everyone back to the garden entrance left Dásos fatigued. "Can we avoid anymore teleporting today?" He asked as he collapsed to sit on a fallen tree before immediately deciding laying down was a better choice.

  "Asmoday?!" Azura shouted, giving no warning beforehand. "Azzy!"

  "Holy Hell, Kesh!" Cresil snatched Keshiema and pulled her into a hug, "what the fuck, Dásos?" A deep green aura emanated from the slits of Dásos's barely open eyes. "You can take your bullshit fake name and shove it up your ass! How can you just disappear with Keshiema and a complete stranger like that? We've been scouring the entire forest for her!"

  Merihim returned and immediately pulled Cresil to the side to calm him down. "I told you she was fine. Relax. Go cool off and come back when you're calm enough to be reasonable." Reluctantly obeying the prince, Cresil stomped off.

  "He's right to be angry," Dásos admitted before yawning, his arm covering his eyes, "it was a brash decision, and none of you had any way of knowing she was safe. But Merihim, you should remind him that Impure are under my domain."

  Asmoday crashed into the clearing, followed by Pyro and Gaap, "Ra, you're alright!" He pulled the woman to him and looked her over while the other princes checked on Keshiema.

  "Asmoday?" The Serpent-Daemon froze at Eve's whisper, "is it really you?"

  He knew returning to Eden meant the possibility of seeing Eve again, but it was a risk he had been willing to make to ensure Keshiema was safe. He thought he had prepared himself, but now that she was here, staring at him with those deep obsidian eyes, all of his resolve nearly melted away like a thin frost under the desert sun.

  "You look well," he averted his eyes. "K, I will have a familiar retrieve you in the morning for our training." He waited just long enough for Keshiema's confused acknowledgement before vanishing into the woods.

  Azzy, wait!" Gaap called as he chased after the distressed serpent.

  "Eve, are you alright?" Adam took her hand and massaged it gently.

  "Even though I knew he was here, seeing him was still so shocking." She explained.

  Dásos snored softly from atop the moss covered log with a raised brow, Pyro pointed the sleeping Primordial, "Is he okay?"

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  "He will be." Azura said. "So, you're a Fire-Daemon? Ever worked in a temple?"

  "Azura, you just the man," Adam shook his head at his daughter.

  Remembering the days he had spent with his mother at the temple filled his heart with light and warmth. "I have. Am I to assume you want to do a communion?"

  "Would you mind?" She grinned, almost too excited to stand still.

  Impressed by tenacious candor, Pyro laughed, "sure, but we'll need a bigger clearing that this."

  Pulling him by the arm, Azura urged him away, "I know just the place. Tell me, did you ever meet Fotiá?" Their voices faded as they disappeared.

  "I'm sorry." Keshiema bowed her head to Adam and Eve, "This wasn't exactly the best introduction, was it?"

  "Don't worry, Keshiema," Eves motherly tone comforter her in a way that deeply reminded her of Sarah. "There is always tomorrow. Why not let us show you around? Since everyone else is busy we can at least do that much."

  "That sounds wonderful! I'd love to-"

  A visceral scream echoed through the forest, chilling them all to the bone. The scent of deadly nightshade filled the air, evoking a sense of dread in Keshiema. "Eury!" She ran towards the cry, fueled by adrenaline and a primal instinct to protect; Her fear of the Reaper-Daemon momentarily pushed aside for the haunting thought of losing a friend.

  Following the aroma of blood and berries, she reached a terrifying scene: Eurynome, covered in blood lay in moving, a tiger with red stained claws, and Hiro, sword drawn, the only thing between them.

  With more practice navigating the garden, Adam caught up to her quickly, despite her speed. "TIger," he shouted, "back down! They are guests!" With a viscous roar, the beast turned toward Adam, tense, hackles raised, ready to fight. Standing his ground Adam commanded again, "I said back down!" After another angry growl, the tiger bounded into the trees.

  "Hiro!" Keshiema hugged her friend. Adam leaned over Eurynome to check his vitals. "STOP!" Keshiema screamed, the order filled with fiery Primordial power, cinders escaping with her radiating aura. Putting up his hands, Adam slowly backed away. Shaking off the panic induced fury, Keshiema explained the outburst, "He's a Reaper-Daemon."

  "I'm fine," Hiro nudged her towards Eurynome, "please, tend to the Prince."

  As Keshiema carefully healed the jagged wounds across Eurynome's chest, The rest of their group found them. Save for Dásos, who was still passed out on the log.

  "What happened?" Cresil asked Hiro.

  "I'm not sure, exactly. Prince Eurynome was attacked by a tiger."

  "Within Eden no animal would attack without provocation." Asmoday looked at the Reaper, suspicion written in his eyes.

  "Asmoday," Adam cut in, "perhaps this conversation should be had somewhere a little less crowded." He darted his eyes, to indicate them to at Eurynome who was.just gaining consciousness.

  "Noted," Asmoday ground his teeth.

  "Tonight, at the Headwaters. Only bring those you can trust." Adam bowed respectfully as Asmoday left to check on Keshiema.

  "K, I can take him from here."

  "He's still a bit delirious from the blood loss." Standing, she dusted herself off. "I was able to recover a what soaked into his clothes, but he still lost quite a bit. Can you make sure he eats soon?

  "I will take him hunting tonight, but it will delay your training."

  "I'll manage. Thank you, Azzy. Please make sure he eats enough. His appetite seems rather aggressive lately." The underlying message was clear. She was sure the tiger had a reason for attacking.

  "Kesh," Cresil took her hand as Asmoday helped Eurynome. "I'm sorry about earlier. About what I said to Phorest. Your an adult, you can protect yourself."

  "You were worried," she patted his shoulder. "I get it. But I care about Dásos, so I need you to be civil"

  "Yeah, I'll try. He's not so bad these days I guess. Its his connection to Nergal has me on edge. That sack of shit killed someone special to me, using power he borrowed from Phorest."

  Unsure what to say, Keshiema hugged her best friend. She had guessed a long while ago that he lost someone he cared about, but he kept most emotions close to his chest, opting for humor, sarcasm, and occasional aggression to get him through most social interactions. "Cress, if you ever want to talk, I'm here."

  Wrapping his arms around her, Cresil took in the soft comforting lilac scented aura. The pain welled up from deep within, creating a pressure he could no longer fight. "Her name was Amai," he choked, desperately trying to force the words out. "my soulmate, my everything."

  "I'm sorry, Cress," she squeezed him, All to familiar with the world shattering grief of losing someone so special, and spending years knowing their murderer was still out there. And in their case, the culprit was one and the same.

  "He's gone now, I killed him myself," he growled. "but it doesn't change that I failed to keep her safe. I don't want to fail you too."

  "Nergal was a master of manipulation. I know I wasn't there, but I don't think you have any reason to blame yourself."

  "Just, please be careful, Kesh. Please."

  "I haven't always been the best judge of character, but I trust Dásos, and I need you to have a little faith in that."

  Wiping their tears they returned to the glenn to find Dásos still asleep. "He worked himself ragged for you, Keshiema, I'll give him that."

  " Will you help me move him?"