Shani's Fallen Virtue: A Slow Walk to the Far Shore of Night
Madam Cecilia's faded stone statue shattered.
By any measure, her statue was a fallen object that had to be disposed of. But the vampires felt little over this literal "grinding her bones to dust"—it was simply a part of their lives.
Femis stayed strong.
She told Murphy she was fine and could still take part in the Gray Expedition. She could even remain in Mist City to deal with the wolf-vulture blood-maddened vampires Cecilia had left behind. But at Triss's insistence, her good friend Little Potato personally escorted her back to the Midnight Tower in Transia.
She needed rest.
After killing her last remaining family member, even the strongest person needed the comfort of time and solitude.
"But you heard Femis's final goodbye to Cecilia too, Murphy."
As they left the Wolfsbane meeting hall, Triss toyed with the right gauntlet of the Fallen Virtue in her hand and said:
"Femis has accepted the mission she must bear, deep down. Whether this 'seed' of hers takes root and sprouts will directly determine the future of vampirekind.
"I'd thought you might be the best person to complete this rite with Femis. But then I realized you really do care for her only like an older brother. And for all the ways you're abnormal, your tastes are surprisingly normal—you know how to appreciate a stunning beauty like me.
"So shouldn't you have some requirements for Femis's future partner, or set aside some time to focus on the matter?"
"What are you thinking?"
Murphy shook his head.
"That's Femis's business. No one gets to interfere, and I won't allow anyone to. If the future of vampires requires Femis to sacrifice her entire life, then even if someone manages to create that future,