Fantasy Echoes of Anima

Authors Notes

After the events in Camelot at CABRI, we return to the initial scene where Wyatt reigned victorious over the cocky girl and her Anima on Route 438. Now she must "pay" the victor as Wyatt travels home.

As promised, another chapter before the end of the year. Hoping to have one more as well as I sit down and spend more time writing. Thanks all as always for your support!

Thanks as always to KenjiSato for his editing prowess.

BACK ON ROUTE 438, AFTER THE BATTLE WITH THE LYNEXN

"Keep on taking deep breaths." Wyatt's hand trembled, as he felt guilty pushing his defeated opponent to her back amidst the grain on the shoulder of Route 438. Just a few more meters from his home, the hubris of this girl delayed him. It was time to carry out his charge.

"Eeekk." The girl, who previously was so haughty with her challenge of an Anima battle, now covered her face in shame, as she felt Wyatt slip her jeans down her legs. His cock hung out like the sword of Damocles above her head. The very sight of it made her wheeze, as she tried to come to terms with her fate.

He didn't have to force her; she complied, for the most part, as he guided her to a soft patch of ground and ordered her to lie down for the deed. But, she certainly was not looking forward to it. Her face was redder than the rays of dusk light that showed above them in the sky, and soon sans pants, she began to, teary-eyed, try to catch her breath.

"Hey..." Wyatt ran his hand through her dark hair, trying to soothe her with his touch. This was the first girl he was breeding that had not thrown herself at him. The first girl near his age, as well. Her eyes had a fear to them, one he wished he could eradicate. "Just relax, this won't be that bad."

Beneath him, the girl grit her teeth, her brows furrowed as she glared up at him. There was no love lost for the breeder. To that end, it was time.

Reaching down, he slowly peeled her panties away from her. Her eyes clenched shut, as the most sensitive bits of skin on the girl's body were exposed to the cool air. Dark hair, matching those on her head, adorned her sex, not as neatly or deftly trimmed as the older women he had bedded. Yet, there was a sexiness to this, he certainly could feel the appeal.

Leaning down, he attempted to lighten her spirits, his nose grazing her slit as it moistened for nature's boon to be bestowed upon her. She smelt of sweat and sweetness. After he had tasted Christi, he wanted to sample some more.

It was no sooner than when he stuck his tongue and lips to her bits that she screamed. Her legs pushed him as she closed her thighs tightly.

"What! What are you doing?!" She indignantly shoved him, though not by any means forcefully enough to truly catch him off balance.

Nearby, Requiem snarled, taking a small step forward, sensing his master's frustration through the link.

"It's fine, Req..." He held out a hand, annoyed with the girl beneath him, as he tried to do a nice thing. "Sorry... just wanted to make it good for you is all."

"Make it...? Ugh... just get... get it done." She whimpered and huffed, hands returning to cover her eyes, as she opened her legs again. She knew she had little choice, but clearly, she had no interest in foreplay.

"As you wish..." She struck Wyatt as sort of rude. A briskness that made him want to be done with her, as well.

It wouldn't be long before he indulged her, opening her legs with his hand as he shoved inside of her, just as briskly as she talked. She yelped at the stretching he gave her, and Wyatt felt a remarkable tightness that none of the ladies he had experienced before had brought. Younger pussy, clearly, had its upsides. He felt sucked into this strange girl's cunt with each stroke, groaning his approval as he held her leg upwards, and she cried out.

"It's too big... keep... eehhhaahhh! Just a little!" She pleaded with him, albeit with a rather ungrateful tone.

Wyatt was too enamored with the feeling to indulge any restraint requested of him; instead, filling her with each pass as far up his cock as he desired. She squeezed him for everything he was worth. As he brought her up to a pace, a warmth encroached around her that made her blush even further. Her whole arm was wrapped around her head as she shielded her face from the shame. Yet, just as she whined and protested at how rough he was being with her, her vagina erupted around him, releasing her climax that made her wail in a much different manner.

Of course, her tight snatch constricting around him was all the beckoning he needed, releasing his own, cumming inside of her deep and purposefully.

"Ohhhh... gods..." he exclaimed, pumping over and over ropes of sperm into his defeated Anima opponent. She whimpered, feeling the gooeyness inside of her. Wyatt made sure, just as she requested, to vacate her pussy as quickly as he could after the deed was done.

Standing up above her, he caught his breath and wiped the sweat from his brow. Putting himself away, he looked down at the bottomless girl, oozing with cum, as she hid her face and breathed deeply.

"Well... you can't say I didn't try to warn you."

A long pause was followed by, "Fuck you."

"Yeah... I guess so." Wyatt pulled out his SEEDEX, thumbing through the apps and selecting the app to record his latest conquest. "What's your name, hun?"

Lying silently, still dribbling with cum, she closed her legs consciously. Though for the longest time, she didn't answer.

"Hey... you know this helps you out, too." He tried to reason with her. Thumbing through his phone again, he wondered if it helped to state the facts to his silent subject lying on the ground. "Says here you get a stipend of two thousand Vel a month, premium healthcare, a flat, and free meals." He scrolled down the list of benefits the government was offering new mothers. It was a very good deal, probably why his own mother was able to afford such a large farm on her own. "You get access to new Anima as well... since you are into that."

She whipped her arm aside to uncover her face. Grabbing her panties that were unsanctimoniously tossed aside, and slipping them back on'til an uncomfortable gooey feeling was felt at her crotch.

The dressing part was Wyatt's favorite; he watched on, as she gathered herself with a large scowl on her face.

"Can you not watch me?" she murmured, as she slipped her legs into her pants.

"Fine... if that's what you want." Wyatt was tired of her. "You know, the longer you take to fill this out, the longer it takes to be rid of me and when you can get back to town."

"Oh, so you are just going to leave me in the wild without an Anima?"

"You didn't bring another?"

She sarcastically smirked at him.

"You are a confident lady."

"Well... look where it's got me." Flustered, she waved her arms to the spot of flattened grain where she had just been fucked.

Shaking his head, he pulled up the SEEDEX app once more, and then looked at her, as she was dressed.

"Name?"

"Liora..."

"Wow... pretty."

"L-I-O-R-A since I doubt you can spell it right."

It was Wyatt's turn to glare.

"Age?"

"Nineteen."

" Okay... let's see... participated... reluctantly... positive implantation..."

Liora blushed at the implantation part.

"Say cheese."

She hardly managed to not look like she wanted to mur*er Wyatt, her arms crossed as the flash of his SEEDEX struck her attractive features.

"There... done... As much as you probably hate me for it... I hope it goes well for you... later." He turned to head off.

"Wow... you're going to abandon a woman probably pregnant with your child in the wilderness with no means to defend herself?"

Wyatt halted, casting back his head in frustration.

"Fine, follow me to Wicketsham then."

"Fuck no... I'm not going to that place. Or with you."

"What then?"

"Call the Ranger Patrol for me... they can take me to the nearest Ranger Post until daybreak."

"Fine."

With a few swipes of his phone, he would do as much. Liora took a seat on the ground with her head in her arms, as she listened to him phone it in.

For the next hour, neither would say anything to the other. Darkness settled in over the route, as Requiem stood guard amidst the echoing sounds of nocturnal Anima. Some crawling, flying, or scurrying through the night might make a great second partner for Wyatt and Requiem, but there was no time for that. Wyatt simply had the company of a girl who looked spiteful of him.

After a long and awkward wait, the distant growl of a four-wheeler could be heard down the path, and lights illuminated them as it approached. The cart was green and red, marked "Route Ranger" the official patrolmen of the various routes within the Anima Adventure. They helped trainers stay safe, offered training, monitored safety, educated about wild Anima, and studied native species in their area. Among these duties, ensuring those trainers whose Anima had been defeated returned to a safe place was chief among them.

"Howdy all!" A female ranger with an awkward smile and stubby legs covered in rolled-up pants stepped out. "Thanks a bunch for staying with your opponent, but you can head on... I...." She jolted once she noticed the massive Requiem sitting on his haunches looking at her through reflective yellow eyes. "I... got it from here."

"Hereee!" A Plumilux sitting in the passenger seat of the four-wheeler echoed, its stubby little arms and blue plump body as worthless in fighting as they were extra soft for more sentimental purposes. Even it jolted at the sight of the large Westorian Noccanis.

Wordlessly, Liora got up and grabbed her bag, defeatedly marching to the passenger side of the cart, where she plopped herself down without a greeting or word of thanks.

"Well... sometimes not everyone is happy with defeat, but it's how we grow!" The misplaced encouragement of the Ranger certainly came at the wrong time.

Wyatt nodded and waved to the Ranger. "Take care of her." He stood and watched the jolly route guardian get back into her cart and begin to chat up Liora, trying to encourage her from a situation that she had no idea about. Of course, after several words exchanged, no doubt the admission that Wyatt had just bred her, the expression on both the Ranger and their Anima Plumilux's face soured. Eyes turned to him, and Wyatt understood that his new duty did not come without societal resentment.

[Doctor Better]: Don't expect every girl to be waving flags and smiling as you do your job. Comes with the territory. Either think about the good you are doing for society, or just derive pleasure from it like the other breeders! Your call, Daycoat.

"Pleasure..." That was the part he was conflicted about. It felt good just then, to scratch that itch inside the tight hole of a pretty girl. But would his conscience fade away after a time of indulging? Maybe it would take time to get used to it.

Walking through the dead streets of the town of Wicketsham, a small farming village south of Camelot, Wyatt soon approached a familiar sight-- home. It was a ranch house on the edge of town, a distinctive white and blue building paired with a red barn where Wyatt had spent most of his childhood. It was late, probably nearly bedtime for Grandma and Hannah, but a few lights were on as he could see outside.

"We made it, Req..." He stepped on the creaking steps towards the front door. The boards creaked even louder when the oversized Requiem stood upon them, a noise that alerted the occupants inside.

"Who's there!?" Grandma shouted from inside.

The door would crack open, soft eyes surrounded by wrinkles peeking out.

"Grandma... I'm home," Wyatt said, with a smile.

The door swung open further, no hesitation in her smile as the warm granny with her hunched back smothered him in a hug.

"Ohhh, that's my big boy... back home! After all that time." She rocked him back and forth in her arms. "I thought you had left us, that took a lot longer than expected. When the other boys from town came back and you did not, I was worried!"

A pane of guilt racked him since he would, indeed, be leaving. Grandma wanted him to skip the Anima adventure as well. She might take Doctor Better's cake for being into wacky conspiracy theories, but there was no love lost with her and what she deemed as the foolish Anima Adventure.

A waterfall of footsteps down the stairs followed, as Hannah, Wyatt's sister, rushed down and jumped into his arms.

"Wyatt! You're back!" She embraced him lovingly. Her long red hair danced around her as she excitedly greeted her brother, and her scrawny frame fit neatly into his broad shoulders. "Grandma was pretty worried, but I was not." She punched him playfully in the gut.

"What in the blazes!?" Grandma exclaimed, looking at Requiem standing as tall as a horse on the porch.

"Baawoof." Requiem was just as excited to see Grandma and Hannah as Wyatt.

"What have you been feeding him?" Hannah without a sense of nervousness ran to Requiem and patted him on the nose. The Noccanis panted and happily accepted the attention as he loomed high above the girl.

"Oh, it was just a boost that I was given from the medical institute." Wyatt crossed the threshold into the house.

Requiem made to follow, but he didn't get more than a few paw falls 'til Grandma grabbed a rolled-up newspaper and pointed it at him.

"Oh, no you don't. Any beast that big ain't coming into my house."

A stiff whine from Requiem, as he understood through the link with Wyatt what was being said. Even the large and terrifying beast looked sad and dejected when Grandma gave her word.

"Oh come on Grandma, you already told him he can't get on the couch anymore."

"He wasn't supposed to get on the couch at all! When he was dog-sized!"

"Well... he still doesn't deserve to sleep outside."

"Please Grandma, he is so fluffy and big now." Hannah interceded on her brother and Anima's behalf. "He could be a couch!"

"Baawolf!"

Grandma scowled, pointing the rolled-up newspaper at them all.

"All right, fine... but you, beast, better not get on any furniture, or crash through any hallways. If you get the zoomies, you are out!"

Requiem whined his acknowledgment and lowered his head. Grandma had a close eye on him, as they all entered the home.

"Why get such a boost for him anyways, don't tell me you are going on that blasted Anima Adventure?" Grandma closed and locked the many locks of the door behind them.

Looking concerned, Hannah also turned her attention to her brother.

Wyatt figured it was as good a time as any to explain to them.

"Hey, let's sit down, I have a lot of explaining to do." He looked rather nervously at the only two members of his family he had known.

"I didn't think she would react like that." Wyatt trotted solemnly down the dirt path along the hills beside his childhood home. Behind him, Hannah, his sister came to her own terms with the news about her brother, and what he had become.

Grandma, upon hearing the news, very quietly got up and walked away from Wyatt. No words, no expression, just complete silence. Grandma was not a quiet person, and so the reaction was jarring, to say the least.

"I just... I get it, I hate leaving the farm, too. But I'll be making more than enough money for her to pay to hire farm hands or catch some Anima to do all my jobs."

Requiem, booped Hannah's shoulder with his wet nose after she had stopped petting him, looking more concerned about her brother's state of mind. It was a shock to her, as well, not everyone knew a breeder, much less was related to one.

"I don't think she reacted that way because you are leaving." She caught up to her brother, nudging him with her bare shoulder.

"What? Why?"

"Grandma was saying something to me the other day while you were gone. Since I am almost mom's age when she had you, Grandma was concerned about what I was going to do with my life. I think she is worried I'll end up pregnant and stuck here like mom."

"Hey whoa, Grandma can't be thinking that." Wyatt held up his hands innocently at a fleeting thought.

"No silly. Not you. Ew." She laughed as they approached the crest of a green hill shrouded by the stars. On the horizon, green flashes and dark clouds of a radiation storm far beyond the borders of the green zone lit up the sky. Neo Corvusia was heaven in what was now a very hostile world.

Settling in, brother and sister took a seat amidst the cool greens atop the hill, overlooking the lands south of their home, filled with trees and beyond the desolate wastes of the red zone. There were few places in the world not poisoned by the war of the past. Thankfully, they had this chance in Neo Corvusia to live.

"So, what is she thinking...?" Wyatt, cleared of his conscience that his grandmother would think he would do something lewd to his sister, lay back on his hands.

The beauty of the dangerous storms beyond their lands to the south distracted Hannah for a long moment, as Requiem also settled into a curled-up ball to sleep for the third time that day.

"Hannah?"

"Sorry... honest, I don't know. I think the idea of the breeders, maybe what happened to mom, didn't sit right with grandma. But now you're one..."

Quietly, they contemplated that new reality. Hannah had always looked up to her brother, so when he gave her the news she, at the very least, was excited and happy for him. In fact, the idea that she would be auntie to hundreds of babies was one of the first things she said in response. Yet, for all the years their grandmother raised them, Wyatt never knew her silent treatment. He would only have his sister to confide in for the time being.

"So, what are you going to do then? Six months'til you leave on your adventure? If you chose to..."

Hannah grasped her knees, holding her chin over them as she watched the flashes of light beyond the wastes.

"I don't know. Honestly, I'm kind of afraid to."

"Afraid?"

"Yeah... like there is so much danger out there. Just to think that terrible things lurk just beyond the borders of the green zone, and all of us dumb kids running around playing with Anima in the wild."

She laughed, yet looked towards the wastes where dark and dead mountains loomed.

"The borders are pretty well guarded. I don't think anyone has died from the radioactivity in decades in the green zone."

"Still... when I sit on this hill, the world just seems so big. While home seems so small and secure." She looked towards Wicketsham lights flickering as the small town nestled into a slumber. "But without you here... big brother... it will be just a little less secure."

"Bawwwolf."

"Hehe, you, too, Req." She leaned over to pat the Noccanis on the head once more, his oversized tail swishing in the air.

"You know it's mandatory."

"Yeah... unless."

"Grandma would never forgive you. And how do you plan to even find a breeder to do so?"

"There's an app for that. I'd like to think I'm cute enough for a breeder to make the trip to our small town. Isn't that right, big brother?" She smiled at him mischievously.

"Hey, don't make it weird." Wyatt had already forgotten about the app that interested women could mark themselves on. Perhaps, he should check it before too long, though he was well ahead of his quota.

"How 'bout you, big bro? Any ladies you plan to hit up while you are here?"

"Oh gosh... what do they say, Hannah? Don't shit where you sleep?"

"Afraid to leave a mark on your hometown, huh? I bet a local boy would be very popular."

"I don't know. I'm probably just Wyatt the farm boy to a lot of these girls 'round here."

"Hmm, never know 'til you try. Not many breeders make it around here."

"How would you know?"

"Girls talk."

"I'm sure..."

A whirling beyond as a helicopter breezed above the treetops and flew towards a patch of light miles away.

"That normal?"

"Lately... yeah."

They stared as the twilling sound subsided and the helicopter became as small as a fly.

"But anyways... you should at least put yourself out there. That way Auntie can have some kiddos to spoil 'til she gets her own." She smiled, grabbing her brother's arm and shaking him excitedly.

"Oh boy... Hannah... you be careful."

"Careful?"

"Yeah... not all of these breeder guys... not all of them are nice."

"Oh?"

"Yeah... some of them are just in it for the pleasure."

"Well... if it gets me what I want?"

"Hannah..."

"All right, all right... I'll be careful." She puffed her cheeks out.

Above them, the haunting sound of an owl startled the pair.

"Whooowhooooo."

Hannah neatly jumped into her brother's lap, as she yelped. Requiem jumped to his feet with a low growl, as he looked at a tree that was nearby.

"What is it, Wyatt?" Hannah held on to her brother's arm as he stood, leaving her alone in the grass.

"Let's see..." He pulled out his phone and opened an app labeled AnimaLens. The camera activated, and through the power of technology, it was able to identify the haunting presence of the Anima above them and to quickly give details. "An Owltross... one of the biggest Owl-type Anima in Neo Corvusia. Known for its sharp talons and fierce fighting instinct."

"Is it going to pick a fight with us?" Hannah hid behind her brother, as she could hardly make out the shadow of the beast in the tree.

"Doubt it, unless Requiem acts suspicious... Req, calm down."

Wyatt's beast of an Anima stood back and calmed its snarling.

"You going to try and catch it?" Hannah poked her red head over her brother's shoulder.

"I don't know, I don't have anything to knock it out with like a tranq dart or a lure, or something."

"Can't Req just attack it?"

"Yeah, but he could hurt it beyond what can be fixed... then that would be a shame."

He raised his wrist, atop which the NEST sat, pointing it towards the tree. "Let's just see if I can catch it off hand." He pressed a button; a blinking light stopped the small box on the chain indicating the snatch was being activated.

A quick moment passed, and the rumble of failure from the NEST indicated he was unsuccessful. The Owltross took flight almost immediately after being hit with the invisible beam of light shot from the NEST, the majestic bird fleeing from the trainer keen to add him to his team.

"Aw, drat." Hannah snapped her fingers as she watched the large Anima sail away in the breeze.

"Oh well... would have made a great addition."

"You need to hit the AdventureMart and get some tools. You are pretty unprepared, big bro."

Wyatt laughed, heartily, his sister joining in after a moment as they shared a tender bond with one another. With a large side hug, Wyatt ruffled her red hair as they savored one of the last times they would share together as youths. Soon, they would both be on to their own lives.

"Thanks, Hannah... thanks for still believing me... after you know... the whole breeder thing."

"Don't worry, Wyatt... Grandma will come around..."

"Yeah... yeah, she will." He tried to convince himself of the fact, as they made the trek down the hill and back home.

There was no bed like your own bed. Wyatt was a creature of habit, and having spent a week in the dorms at CABRI, being home felt heavenly. But that morning, the most peculiar thing happened-- he slept until daybreak. Not in twelve years was he allowed to sleep'til daybreak. Working the farm always required that early morning sweat. It was always Hannah or Grandma that would wake him, yet there he was. Sunlight creeping through the blinds.

"Shit, Req we gotta get up." He sprang out of bed. However, his Anima partner was nowhere to be found.

Throwing on some clothes, he rushed down the hall, looking to see if the others had awoken for morning chores. Yet, all he could find was his lazy Anima partner curled up in Hannah's bed, where no doubt he snuggled with his sister.

"Hey, lazy, get up, what kind of farm folk are we?" he chided his Anima partner. Requiem was just as surprised how late they had slept as Wyatt. He boofed and whined when he realized Hannah had left him, but quickly and chaotically got out of the creaking bed not meant for a beast his size.

"Ma? Hannah?" Wyatt called down the stairs, expecting his family to be rather perturbed that he had so readily missed morning chores. But silence was the only response, the old ranch house just as creaky and homely as ever. Throwing on some shoes and a T-shirt, Master and Anima descended the stairs, hoping to find some answers as to why he was allowed to slumber. The faint scent of a breakfast gone by was in the air, but not as pungent as the freshly fried bacon or boiling gravy on the stove he would be used to.

Landing on the ground floor, nothing was as expected, nor was his family present. Instead, he was greeted by the sting of unfamiliarity.

"Mr. Daycott, good morning."

Requiem growled at a mysterious man sitting at the long farmhouse table, sipping on some coffee. He wore a grey military uniform, badges, ribbons, and stripes adorning his jacket. The symbolism on his jacket was familiar with that of the NPSA (National Public Safety Agency), the secret police of Neo Corvusia.

Wyatt froze, but ordered his Anima to calm down through their silent link. Standing on guard, he looked for signs of his sister or grandmother, but they did not seem to be around. Odd for this time of day, the worst came to his mind, that they had been disappeared. There was little discontent in Neo Corvusia, things were good, so the people played along. But that didn't stop small and dark rumors about the NPSA's methods.

"Oh, please, apologies for my intrusion on your morning. Your grandmother makes a wonderful coffee so I could not refuse, and had to partake."

"Where are they?" Wyatt asked pointedly.

"Oh, apologies, they both said they had errands to run. They went to the market and elsewhere, and said that I could wait here. Such a nice family you have. They offered to wake you, but I expressed that given your profession you needed as much rest as possible."

While relieved that his family was, allegedly, still going on about their lives, Wyatt was still guarded.

"Okay... can I help you?" He still stood defensively next to his oversized Anima.

"Please, I am simply here to introduce myself. Would you join me? Your lovely sister left a breakfast for you."

Sure enough, a wrapped plate with a note lay steaming at the table placed across from the agent of the NPSA. Wyatt nodded, ordering his Anima to be on guard as he joined his strange visitor at the table. Picking up the note, he unfolded it to read his sister's artistically calligraphic writing. "Morning Brother, eat up, sorry for not waking you, the 'nice gentleman' wanted you to rest."

"Please, eat as we talk, I do not mind."

Looking up at the agent from the tops of his eyes, he indulged, folding back the tinfoil from his plate to reveal a tasty breakfast. The bacon was shaped into a heart with eggs inside of it and a nice pair of biscuits and gravy.

"Very sweet. I can tell you must be a good big brother to be worthy of such affection."

"I try to be." Wyatt consciously tried to not be as rude and guarded, out of some instinct to not be suspicious.

"Do you intend to bestow upon her a special gift?" The agent slyly smiled, as he sipped his coffee.

Nearly choking on his food, Wyatt's expression soured as he looked tersely at the agent.

"Apologies, it was a joke in bad taste. You are, indeed, a good brother as I can tell. I have observed many breeders over the years, and some do not exhibit the same discretion and restraint as you do."

While Wyatt was not surprised by that little factoid, it was still unsettling to hear. A long awkward silence ensued as Wyatt nibbled at his breakfast, a wary eye on the agent, and his "guest" sipped his coffee while sizing him up.

"Are you recovering from your ordeal well?"

"Yeah, really was fine for the most part."

"I heard you took a heavy hit from a Lithogre, no small blow."

"Well, it was more like a stool, luckily the security forces got there when they did."

"Indeed, but your bravery was certainly noted. You saved Mr. Fenwyn at risk to yourself. Had you not held back the terrorists, no doubt either of you would have made it out. That would have been an even larger tragedy."

Something told Wyatt that this agent with a hooked nose and discerning eyes' definition of a tragedy was more of the lost genetic potential than the loss of life. He didn't respond much, the conversation hanging on by a thread as he nibbled at his breakfast as an excuse not to talk.

Neatly setting his coffee cup down, the guest folded his hands and smiled. "I want to assure you, Mr. Daycott, my presence here is not ill-fated. In fact, largely you are an important ally of the NPSA, with your station as a breeder."

Wyatt was surprised to hear that. While he knew his role in society was important, it had hardly been defined as it was cut short.

"Typically, on one of your last days of classes, I would have visited you fine young gentlemen and Doctor Caldwell to highlight that important friendship we have. But this time, I am meeting up with you all individually. I was able to meet with Rudeth and Percival in the hospital, but I'm told you left a little early."

"Well... it was a bit longer of a stay in Camelot than I expected."

"Indeed. Lots have changed, I am sure, for you."

"Sure has."

"You, as a breeder, and myself as an agent of the NPSA, we have a special relationship. I'm sure Doctor Caldwell outlined some of the dangers you face?"

"He did."

"Yes, and I want to assure you that the NPSA will be looking out for you, diligently."

"How?"

"We track your location, all classified to ensure your safety. Our agents are spread throughout, so at the sign of a threat we will ensure your security."

"Seems like a lot for little old me."

"You are one of less than a hundred, Mr. Daycott, truly a rare asset that must be guarded."

"Well, I have Requiem here with me."

The stoic Anima stood on his haunches, silent and just as discerning as the NPSA agent at the table. His yellow eyes followed the stranger's every move.

"Certainly. Of that I am confident." He tipped his coffee cup to the Anima; Requiem narrowing his gaze in response. "What is it you plan to do next? Where will you go?"

There was a cold feeling in the man who looked down at him with eyes that pierced straight through his heart. Somehow, he didn't think telling him what his plans were would matter, he would know somehow.

"Well, I'd like to wrap up some things here, and make sure my family is okay on the farm."

"Admirable, I can, of course, have my associates check up on them from time to time, too."

A shiver went down Wyatt's spine. "Uhhh, I am sure they are fine."

"No, no, it's no trouble at all. The well-being of our breeders and their families is a priority for the state. We can't have you worried about things here at home while you are doing your job out there."

Having the NPSA keep an eye on his family frankly sounded more frightening. Even so, almost like there was a vague subtext of "we're watching you".

"Well... I guess I am going to go back towards Camelot, maybe try some of the Anima challenges there."

"A great opportunity for certain. A breeder could spend much time in Camelot while fulfilling their mission. And this time of year, with the adventure beginning for so many, there will be plenty of young female trainers around for you to service."

He said it so eerily scientifically. It put a pit in Wyatt's stomach, despite eating his grandmother's special sausage gravy.

"I caution staying in one place for too long, however. Best not to build a routine for those will ill-intent to follow."

"Like Team Purity?"

"Yes... like the terrorists, best not to legitimize them by using their chosen name."

"Oh... Okay...." Wyatt didn't see how it mattered.

"You will do your best to look out for such individuals. While we may have arrested close to a dozen associated with the attack on CABRI, there are many more out there. And even some who casually spread their propaganda. That is also how you can help the NPSA."

"How?"

"See something... say something. On the road, you will witness many things... and it would be ideal to let us know if you witness any... subversive activity."

"Yeah... yeah, I can do that."

"Good." The stranger scooted back his chair with a wooden whine and stood. "I will leave you to it then. My number and the NPSA hotline number are in your phone should you need our assistance, you are encouraged to do so as much as needed."

"Uh... thanks." Wyatt wondered exactly how his number got in there. "But... what contact are you even under?"

"Ah... my apologies... I never gave you my name. It is Umbra, special agent of the NPSA." He folded his hand over his heart and bowed his head."

Somehow, Wyatt figured he still had not given him his name.

"Please be careful out there, Mr. Daycott. A lot rides on you and your... efforts." He donned a grey combination cap and straightened it atop his head as he made for the exit. "And one more thing... as a breeder, you are going to gather wealth, influence, and power... see to it you use such things for the betterment of Neo Corvusia." His eyes, this time, felt full of warning, as if he expected Wyatt to be swayed to his own devices beyond the rule of law. "We will be watching you; you can always count on the NPSA being not far behind."

With a whine of the front door and a click of the knob, he was gone. Leaving Wyatt to wonder, over his lukewarm breakfast, just what exactly he would be getting himself into. Something in the pit of his stomach, a thought lingered that he felt no safer than before.​