As the strange figure was wiggling in Faust's tight grip, Nila came closer to the thing called morph and dispelled the leash of light that enveloped it. After she had done that, Faust gasped and threw the morph upwards and made a few steps back, then it landed on Nila's palm.
"B-better kill it now, young lady!" cried out the merchant and Riaz made a few forceful nods, but she did not listen to them and instead turned to me, "You do not know what a morph is, Dusk?"
I shook my head, to which Faust rubbed his chin and said, "Then stories about them are not common in the Schöltum region? Morphs are basically rare parasites that hide in the shadows of living beings and learn their behaviour. Then, they take the form of the host and replace them! Well known fireplace spooky story!", all while the morph was motionlessly standing in Nila's hands. Suddenly, I wanted her to get rid of it as well, but she did not rush the disposal for whatever reason.
She turned to Faust and tilted her head, "Fireplace spooky story? Even though morphs are real?"
"Well, they are rare enough for that, as I never saw one before." replied Faust and glanced at both merchant and Riaz, his friend spoke, "Neither did I, to be honest the concept of being replaced was always… quite unpleasant. Nila do you really have to hold it this close to yourself?"
Not only did Nila hold the morph in her arms without a care in the world, but she was actively poking it, which triggered some high groan from the black-as-night being. After she extended the morph to me, I could have a closer look despite my evident lack of interest, as I frowned and pushed my back against the carriage. Then, she smiled and declared, "There is no need to worry, have a look around the carriage."
I raised my brow and descended my gaze to the floor of the carriage. Faust, Riaz and even the merchant curiously observed it as well, as if in search of some valuables. After a while of pondering, I finally realised what she meant, but I kept quiet, thus my lead was overtaken by Riaz who hummed, "Oh, our shadows are hidden under shadows of supply sacks and creates."
"That is correct, moreover, this little thing is terrified of being exposed and right now all eyes are on it, so it is safe to handle it."
Her explanation loosened up the tense atmosphere as the merchant and Riaz exchanged awkward smiles, remembering terror within their eyes. Faust, on the other hand, made a few brave steps forward and snatched the morph from Nila's hands. It squealed a little once Faust raised it about his head, "Fascinating! Then it is safe to handle, huh? How about we keep it as a talisman?"
"W-what are you saying, Faust!?" protested Riaz. I also crossed my hands in disbelief, since Nila clearly said that the morph was safe only due to lack of light around, as our shadows were not exposed to it.
Nila agreed with my silent condemnation by exposing a weary sigh. She snatched the morph back, now making it dangle from her own hand. It was crying out as if fully aware what fate was awaiting it. She extended it out of the carriage, made her staff dissipate in thin air and pointed her free hand at the morph with words, "It can't be left alive, a pest remains a pest."
As she finished talking, a sharp gust of wind escaped her hand and cut the morph in half. It did not squeal any more, instead, its body fell to the ground with a splash, as she also dropped its lower half to the ground. No one really bat an eye at her brutal display of magic, only Faust looked away in displeasure once he understood what Nila was planning to do. Despite that, he kept silent, despite his idea earlier, he was likely aware of potential threats morphs pose.
I leaned over the carriage to have a closer look at its dead body. Black blood was gushing out of it, but since the whole being had been of the same colour, I could not differentiate its intestines from external body parts. However, one simple fact stuck to me, as I was looking at it with my mouth open.
"Its body does not dissipate."
Nila sat down to her spot and opened the book she was reading previously, then she finally said, "It's because morphs are endemic to the human realm."
After a short while of calming down, we finally moved forward as if nothing happened on the way. Nobody seemed to be bothered by this display of this world's wonders, in fact, Riaz and the merchant were happily discussing some other beings, although endemic to the monster realm like darewolfs, fanged eagles and soil worms we did not get to see. There was only one person who was thoughtfully observing the sky, contrasting his usual cheerful chatting. Faust glanced at Nila and said with a slight doubt in his voice, "Do you think there was a way to kill it more humanely?"
"Maybe there was, but I could not be bothered." she explained dryly and turned the page of her book. Faust only scoffed at her lack of tact and smiled, "Since it is endemic to the human realm, maybe it did deserve a better end rather than being left halved on the side of the road."
"Maybe it did." replied Nila, ending the conversation, but I could let his words slide. I raised my brow and asked, "Endemic to the human realm?"
"Yeah! As Nila said, it did not dissipate since it is endemic to the human realm. Perhaps, morphs are not too different from us, if you know what I am saying."
Faust giggled while he explained his position, however, I did not take his words lightly. I frowned and raised my voice, "So you are saying that its life has more value for being part of the human realm, even though Nila, for example, is an elf who is endemic to a realm different from ours! Does it mean she is less significant than that nasty thing?"
My words struck the wrong chord and everyone fell silent. Even Nila stopped ruffling pages of her book, although this sound returned shortly after. I did not care if my words sounded harsh, since Faust was the one who foolishly divided the value of individuals by class!
Despite my attempt to call him out on his views, Faust only looked at me dumbfounded, but then laughed and bowed his head in apology, "Oh, did my words sound like that? I am really sorry, I didn't mean to divide the value of others by their realm of origin." Then, he leaned onto the carriage wall and looked at the sky with a peaceful smile, "I believe all life is equally beautiful."
His words echoed under the clang of horse hooves. The silence remained within the carriage, but not a tense one, rather peaceful as Faust's explanation was solid and did not bring up any more questions, despite my attempts to dig further down in this direction. Soon enough, however, I gave up and sighed, as we were approaching the village ahead of us. It was not yet the city of Ultur, but the merchant still suggested having a quick stop there. And while we were getting closer to it, Nila finally closed her book and glanced at Faust and me with a smirk, then she said, "No offence taken."