> Once Grujil and Ibrak went out, Aleran turned to look at Kindrav. Unexpectedly he was looking at his ID with a sad face. " So, you did notice it. You are better at hiding your emotions than me."

" Of course I noticed." The moment he received the ID he had to make a joke because that was the only way to cope with his emotions. Otherwise, he would have attacked without caring about the difference in power.

The face of a poor villager, dressed in what almost looked like rags emerged in Kindrav's mind. The man was fearfully holding a few copper coins with a trembling hand raised at the level of his fearful eyes. And then, he remembered the lines Rogdo spoke before leaving the man alone. "If you don't get us the money soon we will find another way to make use of you."

Looking at his ID as if it was the only thing in the world, Kindrav spoke "We say we wouldn't harm innocent people, but this...Say, Al, do you think that if we hadn't done anything, that man would still be alive?... If I hadn't suggested you join the Crimson Claw if I hadn't spoken with Odre..

"Highly unlikely. Don't beat yourself for something outside your control. They would have killed him for other reason like giving the parcel of land to another unlucky villager. And even if it was because we joined the Crimson Claw that he died, so what? It was impossible for you to know it was going to happen. We did what we thought best for us. All we can do is to try and cover as much we can, trying to think about the possible consequences and act with that in mind, hoping something like this doesn't happen again." Although he said that, Aleran was feeling just as guilty as Kindrav, although he knew it was illogical to hang on that thought. There was nothing they could do anymore.

Aleran patted Kindrav's shoulder and with a hint of obsession that made Kindrav rise his head from his trance, Aleran said. "Want to control everything? You want to make sure this doesn't happen again? Then get stronger, strong enough to make others feel everything is under your control, everything. Past, present, future, their whole lives, their essence...their soul." Kindrav recognized that gaze, it was the same Kindrav saw when he asked Aleran about his future. A mixture of panic, fear, and...greed. Peering into that obsession, Kindrav could tell that whatever it was that his friend had lived through before meeting him, it had left a big mark on him.

"Let's go, we have a few more talismans to put, if we hurry it can be done before the mission begins." Pulling himself out from the guilt, Kindrav started to walk. He did it for himself just as much as for Aleran who seemed to be fine but was clearly not. Kindrav had learned from his time together with Aleran that his obsession was not only one of the things that pushed Aleran forward but also an armor he used when things got out of control.