Chương 13: Stories That Shape Monsters

Every night, Lysithea sits on the dormitory floor with a magical lantern that projects stars onto the ceiling. She tells them about the world outside in a soft voice, but now with more vivid details, as if she wants to prepare the children without frightening them.

"There are kingdoms where boys like Joker are born already treated as princes… and girls like you are sold before they even learn to walk. In Draknar, women get numbers tattooed on the nape of their necks at age five, like cattle. I saw it once, when I was a novice—a little girl with the number 47 crying as she was taken away." If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Joker and Harley listen in silence, eyes wide, but with a new gleam in them.

The others react in different ways: Sylvara hugs her knees in fear. Rina bares her little fangs angrily: "I'll bite anyone who tries to sell me!" Lirien has a nightmare and wakes up screaming, "They're coming with chains! I saw blood on the moon!" Marina nervously releases bursts of hot steam. Astrid just wants to know if she can smash the face of anyone who hurts her sisters. Kuroe smiles sideways: "I've already seen the future. There's going to be a lot of fire… but we'll dance in it."

Joker and Harley exchange a glance. They don't say anything yet, but they've already decided everything. Lysithea hugs them all tighter: "Here we're safe. Lunalie protects us. But one day… you'll have to choose to fight for the world you want."