Chapter Seven

Brotherly Disregard
On request of Santiago, Maria met Fang's older brother inside a pub, after he became aware of the woman's interest in their family. Despite Maria's insistence that she is Fang's friend, the man refused to acknowledge their bond, brushing it off as a work deal, seeing as there was payment involved. Wanting Fang to be able to decide over his own life, Maria inquired about the chains and their effect on Fang in relation to his curse, yet was met with more disregard for her concern, as Santiago did not believe his brother to be deserving of living a normal life. Referring to him as a beast that deserves to be locked up, he enlightened Maria that Fang's blood was replaced by the dark matter of his curse, leaving him unable to put down the artifact chaining him. He continued to explain that his little brother had never been given a choice, locked up and left to die, and that he did not know better, plagued by his own damaged psyche. Maria, wanting Fang to experience a life with a group of people who care about him, proposed a deal with to find the person who forged Fang's chains and replace them with a different artifact, a mission Santiago did not take too seriously despite suggesting it himself. However, as he would receive money for it, he accepted, albeit with doubt in his mind. Upon being asked if she should relay a message to his brother, Santiago asked Maria to keep quiet about their meeting.

The First Ancient
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Queen of Angelou
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Red Light and White Lies
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Consequences
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