"Old Eight, not to criticize you as your elder brother, but staying here in this backwater region like Black Iron leads absolutely nowhere!"
"What's the point of acting all high and mighty around these country bumpkins? These people are nothing but mud-legged peasants."
"Like gnawing on chicken bones—no flavor, no meat, just a pain to chew. I can't stand these miserable days. I don't know how you've put up with it for so long!"
"You've got to understand, over in California's big cities, we only dine on tier-4 or higher human awakeners. Eating your tier-3s here—ugh, it's like chewing on garbage!"
"Take my advice, your sixth brother here is telling you—once this little errand is done, come with us to the Wraith Realm. That's where we really belong!"
Amid the endlessly churning black clouds, a massive great ape pounded its chest and roared at the sky, letting out a thunderous, deafening cry.
