500th Time Reborn, A World Only Known By Women: The Karma System

After removing the board that was blocking it, I headed back out to the now even sunnier streets of Bramma with a big old smile on my face.

While I still didn't know what was causing all the problems with the two people, I was starting to like this place a bit more. There were no roving bands looking for me, but I had also gained a new form of disguise that I could use on the guards and everyone else. This one I would be keeping more secretive, unlike my other fluffy white form that I was sure, was starting to gain popularity.

I was about to grow some wings, but then I remembered Mishal. It would be pretty mean for me to leave her here after bringing her, and if I was not mistaken, the Temple was pretty close. I could hear the faint strains of music and chanting as I made my way through the streets, dodging people and animals as I went.

There were a lot more people out, but after remembering Tallia's warning to stay out of trouble, I decided not to bother anyone. Better to catch people in private where they can speak freely.

I turned a corner and then stopped, staring at the crappy little building that Mishal had brought me to before. It was hard to believe that this place was a temple. It looked more like a homeless shelter.

p I was debating whether or not to just leave when I heard someone calling my name. I turned and saw Mishal running towards me, a big smile on her face.

"Galio! You're back!" she said as she threw her arms around me in a hug.

"Yeah, sorry about that," I said as I returned the embrace awkwardly. "I got sidetracked."

Mishal hadn't been like this before, so I could tell something was off. I decided to play it cool and waited to see what she was going to do.

"It's okay, I understand," Mishal said as she pulled away from me and grabbed my hand. "Come on, let's go inside."

She led me into the Temple and down a corridor to what looked like a makeshift bedroom. There was a bed with frayed sheets and a thin blanket, along with a table and chair that looked like they had seen better days.

Mishal sat down on the bed and patted the spot next to her, so I obliged and sat down. We were silent for a few moments before I finally spoke up.

"What is going on? You are acting weird," I asked, and Mishal nodded.

"Please don't leave me here. I am sorry that I am acting strange, but I thought that you had left. I wanted to make sure that you took me with you from this city. This is not my home, and I am willing to give you my body in payment to return me," Mishal explained, and I blinked at her.

"As much as I might like to take you up on that offer, you are coming back with me regardless. I have had my fill of fun for now, but in the future, I might be interested. Why is it that you are stuck here now? You don't really seem like the type of person to be held down, right?" I asked curiously, and Mishal rolled her eyes, letting out a huff of exasperation.

"It is a long story, and I do not want to bore you. Just know that this place is my prison, and I want nothing more than to leave it," Mishal said bitterly, and I frowned.

"I see. Well, like I said before, you are coming with me when I go. I will take care of you, but in return, you must do as I say. Can you agree to that?" I asked sternly, and Mishal nodded eagerly.

"Yes! Anything! Just please get me out of here!" she cried, and I stood up from the bed.

"Fine, then let's go. We can talk on the way back to my place," I said as I grabbed her hand and pulled her up. Mishal stumbled a bit but quickly regained her footing and followed me out of the room.

We made our way back through the Temple, and I could feel Mishal's hand shaking in mine. It was clear that she was nervous, but I wasn't sure why. Surely she had been in worse situations before if she was acting like this.

We turned a corner, and Kira was there, a smug smile on her face.

"Leaving so soon? I thought you would at least stay for the night," Kira purred, and I frowned.

"I have had enough of this place. I am taking Mishal with me, and you are not going to stop me," I said firmly, and Kira's smile faltered a bit.

"And what makes you think that I would want to do that?" she asked, and I glared at her.

"Why are you keeping her here? I brought her as a guide, not one of your temple dredges," I growled, and the woman turned up her nose to me.

"This girl belongs to the temple!" Kira snapped, and I gave her a look that asked if she was serious.

"I do not see a collar or anything else indicating that she is owned by anyone. Mishal is coming with me, and you are not going to stop me," I repeated myself, and Kira's face turned red with anger.

"You dare challenge me?" she asked, and I could see the power swelling up in her. It was time to end this before it got out of hand.

I stepped forward and grabbed her wrist, squeezing tightly as I met her eyes. "I am not challenging you, but I will if that is what it takes to get Mishal away from here. Now let us go before things get ugly."

Kira tried to jerk away from me, but my grip was firm, and spell circles burst from around my arms, wrapping tightly around her in a vice-like grip. Kira's eyes widened in surprise and then narrowed in anger, but she didn't try to fight me anymore.