In the name of her father

Truth can be hard to bear, so be ready to face it.

Lila had been roaming the streets of the free city Munthart. She was lost in her own mind and couldn't stop thinking about the woman she murdered. She had walked away from the Rebels that same night and hadn't stopped since that moment. She just couldn't believe she had defiled her father's rule, which had always been her guiding force. When she passed a dark alley, her eyes crossed those of a bear in despair. Turning back out of curiosity, she noticed a young bear, trapped by a reaper who was raising his large axe. It was enormous and had the shape of a new moon. Though it looked heavy, - it was elegant and he wielded it as if it was made out of feathers - he didn't seem to be ready to strike. The young bear was obviously still a child.

Even though Lila did not understand the situation, she refused to walk away. Her magic was weak, since she hadn't released any souls in a while, but her eyes gathered strength and a lilac glow from her self hatred. With an absent gaze, Lila dropped her necklace. The reaper turned around, which gave the encouraged bear a chance to escape. He looked at Lila in disbelief and lowered his axe. He started leaving and as he passed her, he addressed her in a cynical tone.
"Thanks... That was one of the Soulless' mice. They always carry useful info around."
"His mice..."
She watched him walking away. She hadn't only been blinded by power, but she had been fighting for a monster too. She grabbed her necklace and ran after him because she couldn't afford to lose her chance for reconciliation with her father's rule.

(Written in Syringa Cross; episode 17 of the web story)

Fear's friend

Another chance in yet another battle. Lila's morale was low, but her will to live topped everything. She had been floundering through the mud, trying to hop over corpses and enhancing bear strength in the worst circumstances. The battle had been raging on for hours and the odds finally started to turn in their favor. It was just when the generals were about to enter the city when it struck her. She would never be allowed to regain her title and power by just surviving.

Lila rushed through the gate to follow in the footsteps of her victorious friends. She inspected the conquered citizens and saw the fear in their eyes, fear for her leaders. At a moment when no one was paying attention, she charged a woman who was standing next to a trading cart near the procession. She was wielding a meat cleaver and could just as well have been hiding. Lila raised her short sword and cut a deep wound into the woman's chest. She came to a halt between the dying woman and her leaders, who thanked her gratefully. She couldn't hear their voices but could only think about the butcher's wife she had just killed. Her body seemed to be paralyzed and only one thought raged on: Did she just murder an innocent woman?

- Fear your friends and even yourself, but never fear your enemy. - 

Mennor, leader of the 4th Rebel cohort.

(Written in Syringa Cross; episode 16 of the web story)

The enemy of my enemy

When a treachery proposal is the only possible one, it becomes considerable.

The fatty man sat down on a strong chair made out of stone. He smiled mysteriously.
"My little mice tell me your powers are without limits. Tell me more about them, child."
Lila grinned.
"Well, I am a Reaper and the souls I collect grant me my powers. With those, I can control people's actions. Necromancers and other Reapers are the exception, as they pay their own souls to Death in order to be able to release others. The sad thing is that every power is limited. If I don't free souls, then my powers diminish."
The Soulless rose and slapped her in the face and continued with contempt.
"You things do not free souls. You enslave and kill them. They are a natural element in this world."
Lila rubbed her sore cheek and eye before she answered.
"How can you be sure? I believe something else."
He grabbed her throat and looked her in the eye.
"I think you don't even have a clue what you're talking about and I should kill you on the spot."
Lila pushed away his hand and rose too. She started walking back to her prison cell until the Soulless pushed her against the wall. He came very close, which gave Lila a close-up of his fat face. She was clearly disgusted by it, which the Soulless seemed to take as a compliment. He smiled.
"Still, I know you only have enemies. And those happen to be my enemies too. I heard you're able to enhance Rebel bears' strength. I'll get you the necessary feed, and in return, you help me to create a safe place for the souls. You command and strengthen my warriors. I could use your powers and you could be mighty. "
"You want me to kill my own kind and become a master of your army?"
He pushed her back into the cell.
"Think about the power."