The fog in the alley was thicker than by the river, carrying a heavy, briny stench. The closer they came to the Deis Family house, the stronger that smell became, until a faint reek of rot mixed with it.
This strange odor not only signaled a problem with Fish Scale Disease; it seemed that an even more terrifying power from the ocean had followed in its wake.
The Match Girl carrying her basket walked at the front, with Miss Louisa close behind her and Shade bringing up the rear. Silver Moon light shone from both his hands, ready at any moment to meet a possible attack.
Fortunately, it was nighttime. Night was when his combat ability was at its strongest.
When they finally approached the house, Shade noticed faint golden cracks appearing beneath his skin. They were unclear, but they had undeniably appeared.
He frowned at once.
"Dream?"
No, I can be certain this was reality.
"Miss Louisa, look."
The blonde writer turned around. When she saw the marks and golden radiance on Shade's body, she was puzzled at first, then her expression darkened.
"This area may be getting dragged somewhere terrible. I don't know how your 'ornaments' work, but the situation must be extremely bad."
As she spoke, they had already reached the door. Miss Louisa told Shade to step back so she could push it open, but Shade did not retreat at all. Instead, he seized the writer's wrist and pulled her behind him.
"Miss Louisa, I don't want to have to carry you or give you a piggyback ride out of this place."
He was joking, but his expression was resolute.
"I'll do it this time."
He had faced gods head-on twice, chatted and laughed with an Old God from the past in a toy store, contemplated