What one is ought to be

Supposition

"Heeeeeyyyy."

HUH? WHERE, WHAT?

The serval jolted awake.

Stationed above her comfortable sleep was the leaned over cleric. A few inches separated their eye contact from being skin to fur contact.

One paw tried to push her aside, although unsuccesfully.

"The hell do you want, Cat?" Ari relented. She knew there was no way out.

"An explanation, cat."

"Then go ask her..."

Would she just get out of my face already? She's pissing me off with those peepers.

"You're not as good at hiding as you ought to be. Tell me what this lingering presence is about." Catarina got straight to the point.

"Could you just like... Not bother me about this? It's none of your business anyways." She also knew not to lie, Cat would certainly catch it right away.

Only Ariel knew the chant to make the one spoken of reveal herself, and she intended to keep it safe.

"But that's where you are wrong, dearest angel. Heavenly occurences are to be dealt with by me." Her scrutinous poise finally let up. Cat seemed to only want to sow the seeds and discuss it later.

"Or you could just say screw all that and let me be?" The serval rose from her bedding.

But the presence that would show itself was not the one the cleric so wanted fo get her hands on.

"Morning, gals. What's the commotio-OH SWEET PROPHET'S ASS." It was the worst of them to walk in.

Right in the motion of leaning in, the tall lunar pulled his stature out of the doorway, away from the scene.

What's his deal? Oh... I'm shirtless.

"YOU BETTER RUN FOR YOUR LIFE YOU TALL PEEPING BASTARD!!!!!" Cat ran out of the room after Kazo.

Is it really that scary? Are they not normal?

That unimportant thought had time to fade as she had other things to worry about, mainly getting dressed.

Instead she heard the calamity which confirmed that Catarina was ready to kill.

The place of the prior night's meal was in disarray, a sideways replica of what could be assumed to be Kazo's silhouette adorned the wall.

That one night, before the Monastery.

I've had a something other than a vision.

It was more of a replay. Things said to me, things I have surely heard. Things I said in response.

That sickness must be important, that freak Harae only rambled about that before I shut her up.

Liinei also begged me, to them I promised salvation... In my own way, I haven't admitted that yet.

And then, one I've named sister myself. It had to be the same as the vision in the light, calling the other one brother.

Damn cleric not helping a single bit. I'll have to force her.

She unabashedly dragged her senior back into the abode by the back of her coat. Kazo was in a pile in the dirt, a scene Ari wanted to waste no time gawking at.

"You're gonna tell me what was a sick angel with a brother and a lost sister called." Flat. To the point. Commanding enough to compell a response.

"What, dream about something again? I don't have scripture on me save for my small prayerbook. There are thousands in the broader canon." Cat flashed said book.

"Well that angel is me, so if anything comes to mind you tell me first. Sick angel with two siblings, got it?"

"Yeah got it. Might catch up on it at a church if we happen on one, only one day left down here. And just so you know, an ill angel isn't an uncommon tale to hear of." She left off.

Only a short while was to be spent there, it was clear. Looming not so far in the shaded distance was the way out of the Seventh Layer.

Next on the line of people to confer with to was her captain.

For all the outward extravagance of a red cape and glowing colors, they were good at their profession. Ari swept all the rooms and even the outside but could not happen upon Liinei.

Are they practicing the angel's power? Liinei really can do anything. What a skill to have, it must be such convenient grace.

"Hey Liin-Liin. You here?" She poked her head head in the attic, the one place she neglected.

How could she had not, with the stairs and latches still dust laden?

The creak did not startle them, her steps were not subtle up the weary way. The humble light they fashioned from the faintest trickle of grace revealed their location in the dark upstairs room.

"..."

"Whatcha got there?" Ari curiously looked on as she walked over.

They were nestled in a makeshift study of sorts. Standing out to the serval in the midst of the strewn out research was the letter Catarina was deciphering.

It was the centerpiece between the boring contemporary politics papers and historical texts but captain Liinei was immersed in it deeply.

"Yes. Uh, books I mean. Research." They replied, focus unbroken.

"Are the spiders eating your brain up here? Careful they don't eat your papers." Ari joked without disrespect.

"No, no spiders remain here. Say, did anything stand out to you about the mercenary woman? The one this cape is from?" They referred to that dreary day.

Well she was feline like me, by the way she ran...

"Probably rich. Remember that armor?"

"Oh. Honestly I did not pay that any mind. Fair catch. Take a look at this, though." They invited.

Ariel joined their point of view, the light was expanded and with a little shuffling a pattern of information was laid out.

"All im seeing is no matches, Liinei. What's this all have to do with her, if none of it adds up?" She was unsure.

"It's just the thing, isn't it? She expected to kill us and thus revealed her origin, that being the Sixth layer." Liinei recalled the proverb from her.

Yeah that gross poem. How can anyone be okay with that stuff? Eughh.

"So from that we hit a dead end. The layer right below us left barely any surviving peoples, let alone records."

"What's that mean then? I'm not from there so I'm no source either."

"Our best lead is this cape on my back. I'll have a better look at it in a certain place. One that has plenty of information." They ended off.

So we'll go to some dusty old lunar and ask about a piece of cloth? There can't be anything more to it than the fashion.

She didn't bother taking a second look at the strewn out tidbits of knowledge.

Downstairs she met the rest and focused on preparing for their final day of departure. Liinei inexplicably got ready as quick as the rest.

Ari led up front with the demon mother and son, they were not long for Hell.

Past bound

Happenings of importance are never spread out enough to leave room to breathe.

"I'm still not used to the sunlight. Are my eyes really that bloodshot?" The serval pulled her eyelids down in her close lean.

"You look like a creepy snake with those slit pupils Miss Ariel." Shonas answered uncomfortably.

"I've seen worse. Just keep up, you won't fall over with that big ol' tail balancing." Érenn gruffed.

While the newcomers to the underrealm were dazed from the expedition, there was a real sense of relief from having left it. There was much rest and recompense ahead, as well as the sight of a city in view.

This is not New Aun-Lixa, is it? We didn't go up the same way we went down. The surrounding nature isn't the same either. Or maybe my vision is just still worn out...

"You better make good on our bet." Ari leaned closer to Catarina.

"Only if I can scrounge it up. But don't think my hopes are down, a place as big as this must have a Luna Vis branch." She assured her debt.

"Sure does. Drebule is a checkpoint to the way North. You'll get your wages." Kazo added.

"Oh, then I think we might have stopped by here when I was brought to the capital. My hometown is to the Northwest. Quite far out." Ari said putting two and two together.

"Don't you miss it?" Asked Cat.

"How could I not? But it's not like I have time to take vacations."

I miss Father...

...

Unusally late warmth remained as the last sign of fall, the sun was already setting in the late afternoon. The gates were open for all at the city border. Guards which didn't bat an eye at the uniformed group rolling in from the hellgate's direction.

Only once they spotted the inquisitorial garb was one of them send to intercept.

"You lot. I just need a second." He beckoned briefly.

"What is it?" Liinei showed up in the front.

"The cleric. Would you happen to be Catarina Bauer? From Jasewic?" The man asked.

"Why yes. Is something the matter?"

"Some priest and monk were out telling all the guard posts to have you go to the Temple. It's near the center, you won't miss it. That's all." He explained then let the group go.

As soon as they were out of view of the post Catarina's disdain for the ordeal was made more than apparent.

"The last damn thing I want to do is run errands right now..." She grumbled breathily.

"..."

The rest were silent in understanding.

"I mean they send me to kick a wasp nest and then expect me to hold my arm out to be bit?" Cat stuck her arm out to gesture, the sleeve catching on a fold showed her burns and scars which she quickly hid. "Whoops..."

Comes with the profession I guess. Does she even remember which ones are mine?

The one taste in her mouth was one of regret's memory. By now she formed a vow to never befoul herself in such a way again.

Not much later they ended up in the Luna Vis building, which was somehow even less busy than headquarters usually was. Though it was smaller, therefore it didn't seem as empty. Seems there was either not much to scout North, or everyone was out in the field.

It seems they were expected. Their wages laid in wait to be handed over.

Is this right? I really do need that raise... Ari thought.

She glanced over to Cat, who in return grimaced. It was too soon to ask her to make good on her debt.

I'll have to get a good word in, convince command and maybe get promoted?

Though they were done with their official duties, there came up a reason to stay.

"Gave it your all, did ya?" From the lounge, not far off to the side arose intrigue.

It struck them to be called out like that with such a spot on statement. Even with every effort of looking as if they were not beaten down, the signs peeked through cracks the old man who called to them could discern so easily.

"Tell me about it. Whole bunch of rookies this lot." Said Kazo, slumping down across the already settled in Luna Vis team opposite of him.

"Oh I know that face. Yoooouuuuuu're.... Ezisu?" The man leaned forward, attempting to discern who just approached him.

"Ha! You're only off by a single line! You took me for my cousin. You've been around, old geezer. What's the deal?" Seems the recognition was mutual.

A bit confused, Liinei's team also approached.

"Lot of you Kenomas around, but that haircut is not a thing I can forget now."

"I'll let that slide, since I know you couldn't be anyone but Garrigue." A name that would be revered greatly by anyone with knowledge of Luna Vis.

For once someone looks as impressive as they make them sound to be.

There was an opportunity to be taken. One which Ariel would not want to pass up.

"And you'd care to remember such a one and gone guy? Why not someone with a little more grit and finnesse?" She patted on his back while walking over to take the seat next to him.

Kazo's usually huge eyes went to even more massive.

"The audacity! Take your finnesse and shove it, you're lucky you're a Luna Vis." He tried to rebuke.

"Yeah? At least I outlasted the second berserk demon!" As a response she let out a boast.

The effort seemed to only tire out the old man. He had seen this exact scene about thousand times it looked. But his demeanor changed. He wasn't even looking up while Ariel walked into their presence, and the way she looked changed things about.

"Now this is new. In all my years I've never seen a demon give such lip to a Kenoma." He spoke up. "But don't get too much on this one, he's got a hell of a legacy to live up to. Have you got someone of your own to prove worth to, serval?"

To think of it... As of now the angel, but I'd like Father Kanan to be proud.

To become an angel worth her name.

"I'm going to-"

"Nevermind." He interrupted.

Huh????

"Your answer might matter to you now, but the air of you is too young. Whatever you'd tell me is just that, unbaked spur of the moment ideal." Garrigue told her.

Old trash. She thought, only smiling in response.

"We'll have the rest we need. More than enough time on our hands to think. Even with our mutual friend, the visitor." Interjected Liinei.

"Yes, I heard he was in town. HQ told all us team leads to not get bunched up." The old man mentioned.

The old lunar dude who Liinei's getting research help from? What kind of person has the whole force be notified about just being in town?

With the conversation defocusing from subjects of intrigue, so did Ariel detach from being an active proponent.

She was more thinking of what to do with her little income, and how to save it.

A little goes to postage. Father needs to hear from me after all this time. A few more people I need to reach out to as well.

But by the time she wrapped up her budget plans in her head, goodbyes were exchanged, and she had mindlessly waved at the other group she was newly acquainted with.

There was the issue of stay.

"So what now, where do we even go now? Any inn we'll crash at? I guess I can afford it now." Ari's concern was there, though minor.

"Ah. I have failed to mention it. We shall stay at my family's estate." Liinei stepped forward.

"Oh, is it your father's place?" She asked, recalling the man's serious face.

"No, it belongs to me. The Serenfair estate." That raised some attention.

"You own an estate?" Shonas asked in curiousity and excitement.

"You are all welcome for our stay here. Seems Catarina has enough things ahead for another day's stay at the least, not to mention my preference of staying awhile." They explained.

That's that taken care of then. Glad I didn't need to ask.

The captain usually navigated cities as if it was their second nature. This time was no different. The first of the streetlights were still being lit in front of the building they ended up at. Liinei nodded to the lamp lighter as they walked past the untended front garden to the door.

However the entry was not ordinary, as they warned to the rest of the group.

"Now listen well. Without a Serenfair, none can open this seal on the entryway."

With their grace sigil displayed, the seal was briefly undone and allowed entry.

What awaited inside was nothing short of breathtaking to the ones who still drew air.

"This place looks fit for a king, Liinei. You sure are loaded, even more than I imagined you were." Catarina honed in on the fancy decor of the main hall.

"And yet it's been empty for almost my whole life. What would you do with an ungodly amount of inheritance?" Liinei replied in asking.

"Not waltz around in boots like these, that's for certain." Cat answered.

"I'm sure you don't mean it that way, but that makes me imagine your feet are like mine." Ari quipped resulting in a few chuckles.

"No chance her turning Hellwalker anytime soon now though..."

"She'd be quite... hairy by now. Seems she really is immune. Good for her." Érenn confirmed.

The length of stay within hell she endured would be certainly enough to have anyone vulnerable turn to a one.

No thought needed to be wasted on it, and they would not even have an inkling to. Instead attention was paid to the interiors being shown by their host, the captain.

Sleeping quarters were more than numerous enough to house them individually, the study where Liinei would be found sat in a quiet upstairs corner.

All fell quiet as finally there was room and time to withdraw and rest.

Hell was so much less, and so much more than I could expect.

And as I expected, it all felt completely unfamiliar. I am not from there, no chance, nuh uh.

After shutting the blinds, the cushions of the bed nearly swallowed her. Her tiredly sight was pinned onto the patron's sigil on the back of her hand.

Just why do I have to be sick like this? Who in their right mind would respect, revere a demon? Are there even any who deserve it? Even as an angel I'd have my work cut out to change that image.

Still, even Harae called it a waste for me to go. I must try.

Unkind visit

An easy morning. Meager eatings, the final tidings before the day of respite.

It approached the last sunday before winter solstice, undoubtedly the last days before bitter cold.

Alas, it was not the sick and poor that would seek Father Agon out in this wintertime.

Shambling about outside his door, the two interlopers made the holy number of three upon it with knocks.

For all the concealment the lack of direct sight, he knew exactly who was upon his steps. They had to show up, sooner or later.

No sense in not opening up, however.

And as such, the men of the clergy within the small space of the Father's living were also three.

Of the same flock, yet one was prey.

"Salutations, Brother, Confessor." Agon forwarded respect.

The robed one slid out a chair and upon hitting it demanded: "The part."

Not even a second wasted on manners. Proper men of the cloth these are not, just as I have been forewarned.

"Such things are not to be in hands like mine. You are looking in the wrong place, but you are not unwelcome."

As if searching for the subject of their visit, the other one, in more inquisitorial garments, circled the room. Each small object, details meant to be overlooked by purpose. To Father Agon's rightful worry, he carelessly dismantled furniture and even took off decor that was there since the last century.

Preventing him from dissuading, let alone retaliating was knowing better than to do so.

For he knew Bother Balas and Confessor Van Vlack were vassals. Proprietors of Angelic parts, and corrupt ones at that.

"And for how long do you intend to look for what is not reachable?" Agon said in weak protest.

For which the Brother left his seat and made himself close as a successful act of intimidation. The swirling orange-gold surrounding the burning white pupils pierced the Father to the core. What other angelic parts he possessed assumedly primed to kill him on the spot, should he continue.

"Consider our visit a first warning. Balas. Let us go." The other left the premises, knowing the other will not fail to follow.

This left Father Agon on his own to close the door behind them and reassemble most of his household.

There wasn't many a priest in Drebule. It was only a matter of time before they returned. Returned for the Angelic part.

The finger which he hid and sealed by Holy Jasewican rite.

Proclivity of the young

And to think she had grown out of doing stuff like this.

There, in front of Ariel, walking out from within her own room, was Catarian Bauer.

Clear signs of rummaging being quickly hidden, she adjusted her clothing and reswept her hair. All the while not noticing the one who she intruded the privacy of just down the hall.

This time was to be different for our feline.

Be a good recon, they said.

The curtains lining the wall cast enough shadow to blend with the wall of similar dark blue tapestry to provide ample obscurity. Ari took to the side before she could be seen by her teammate as she walked past.

Cat stopped by the unassuming little shrine at the end of the corridoor which funneled the main hall into this branch of the estate.

She seemed to be curious about whom it is dedicated to. In a lunar place of living, especially a House estate such as this, neither her King or her God would be worshipped.

Thus she investigated which of the many Patrons would be of reverence in the House Liinei is from.

To Ariel it was a bit less difficult to discern, as she had been attentive during her divination.

Upon the small altar in the wayside branch they stood in was an effigy in the image of Chancoclour: a sword wielding tall cloaked figure, adorned with the New Moon behind her.

I could see her tearing down such an altar. Might do it myself and pin it on her.....

I'm not a Chancoclour follower by any means.

But to her surprise, Catarina was not about to put such a disrespect in place.

A mere formation of the crucifix and a brisk walk away was the uncounted for happening. In following, Ariel caught the curtain with an unsteady motion and nearly tore it off the rod.

Had it not been the morning, Cat would have been sure to check after tiny commotions like this. The early hour meant she was more for the waking up activities. Her path led to the washroom, into which Ari did not follow.

"Are we going to wait her out, or go in after her?" A whisper came from just behind her.

The unflattering scream that followed wasn't the worst that met the one surprising her, it was the handful of claws across their face.

Had it been anyone but Liinei, the scar would not been as easy as pushing the soft clay back in place, as they were now doing.

"Oh dear you scared me so bad you freak I'm sorry are you okay." Ari blurted out in half a breath.

"I'm fine, really, I'm fine." They replied while having to push her away from trying to 'fix' the wounds. "You ought to get used to me unexpectedly showing up at some point."

"Yeah but not when I'm all focused on hiding."

"Well I'll leave you to it then. You're going in after her, right? I'm going to the other washroom either way." Liinei walked out to the center of the hall.

"You don't use the women's?" Asked Ari.

"Huh? Me? No. Haha. Ha."

"Then go do your makeup in the other one..."

"No it's not the time to-AAAHHH"

They scurried off, embarrassed and all.

Well that's that then. Not following a woman into there either. What's for breakfast I wonder?

Today I want eggs. Hope they stocked this place.

But it would be the scent of something different that caught her honed sense of smell.

Swirling in the air was spice and some kind of dairy. She followed it to the main hall, then down the stairs, then down one of the corridoors, and before she knew she was lapping up at the same door Shonas was invested in.

"What's in there?" She asked, not taking her eyes off the varnished boards of dark wood.

"The kitchen. Mom and Kazo locked me out. Ate too much of the ingredients." He responed while doing nothing but the same.

"Ah."

"Yeah."

"What shall we do?"

"No clue."

"Do we look for a way in then?" Ari asked.

"Uhuh."

An air vent above the door. I could see inside if I was taller.

The same thougth occured to the young canine.

Without a word exchanged Ari was given his shoulders to stand on and peer in from the slit above the door. The scene inside revealed to be a busy pair, tending to a stovetop and rushing between stations, steam or perhaps smoke pouring from several at once. However in the back, in the far corner was a barely open pantry door.

"Okay, got it. Let me down."

Further down the way they were, they happened upon a service corridor. The immediate was the spiderwebs and dust that was incessantly invading their faces. Then the way the dim passageway was laid out became clear: the floor's rooms likely had been built from within this space, and by their hopes the draft they felt was blowing towards the pantry.

Just a little more tunneling later, vaguely in the direction of where she saw the room inquestion, stood a closed door.

"Damn. It's locked." Ariel tried the knob.

"Stand aside." Shonas approached.

"Hm?"

With a tiny flick of his darkish red grace the lock clicked and the door was able to be opened.

"Huh. Why didn't you do that at the front?" Asked Ari.

"They'd just kick me out again."

"Ah."

T'was time to make claim on something to devour.

The scent of baking instantly grew strong once the door was pushed open enough to sneak out.

Kazo was manning the fireplaces and cooking area. Between it and the laid out ingredients was Érenn, hurrying back and forth.

It was eminently clear that Ariel was to be the one in front. Her ears flipped down and the placement of her feet were inaudible from the commotion.

Yet she was the unaware one, being pulled into a cove between tables by her canine partner in crime.

What's he-

Even the thought was cut off by Kazo charging through the aisle, then right back with a ladle in hand. The two peered after him carefully, and spotting a plate laid with heaps of something sweet, toasted and steamy.

Creeping closer the two did not realize Érenn was about to change duties and face right down their direction.

A quick decision was to be made, they split in opposing directions. While Shonas could only move to an intersecting part between the lines of sight, Ari ended up behind where they could see.

Am I clear here? I can definitely go all the way now.

She made her way close, closer than comfortable. Practically in-between Kazo and Érenn who were working with their backs to each other.

One untimely turn could lead to her being found. Speed and precision was crucial.

The only way to grab a piece was to squeeze between, which she attempted. Would have been successful too, if they didn't shuffle and end up too close together for her to fit.

That's when a genius, but risky idea struck her.

As silently as she could, she formed a sort of stick with a hook on the end. The closest thing would be a harpoon, but she wasn't one with marine experience.

With her new implement she inched ever so closely before hooking the food in the corner.

"Hm?" Érenn nearly looked over.

Just at that moment some cookware toppled and fell further off.

Thanks for that, Shonas.

She lifted it awkwardly and swiftly retrieved it in the short while the way was clear.

Holy crap it's done.

With the food in hand she was free to back away and slip into the pantry.

Just as she was finished sitting down and exhaling the stress away, Shonas also made it back.

"That was... too close. Thanks for the help." She smiled.

"Yeah, I got so worried. You sure they didn't notice us?"

"Pretty damn sure."

Now with all that behind there was nothing to do but eat what they retrieved. A waffle.

About as evenly split as a shaking hand could tear anything of the sort.

It's chewy.

"It's so plain. I can only taste egg." Shonas complained.

"Still worth it."

"Yeah."

Disillusion's sow

Catarina called Ariel's name in such an un-stern demeanor that she didn't even recognize her voice.

"Hmhmhn. Huh?" She peered up.

After the comfortable, this time proper breakfast she was lounging in the main hall.

"What can I do ya for?" She asked, since Cat was being nice.

"I had an errand to go on, but this whole business with people looking for me isn't quite right." Cat confided.

"How so? I mean you did say the whole thing you did down in Hell was like a beacon."

"Yeah, sure. I did do just that, but two people are already in waiting for me. I'd like just a little comfort in not being alone having to go meet two strangers."

"Fair. Should I ask Liin-Liin to let us out?"

"Don't call them that."

...

It wasn't unlike Ari and Cat to strut down roads right in the middle.

Especially in places with less carriages to make way for, and this was one of them.

"This city's like a village after New Aun-Lixa." Ari remarked.

"If you saw Heleda Māe you'd be calling New Aun-Lixa a village." Responded Cat.

"I simply have no idea what that word you just said means." Ari said with an obviously forced wide smile.

Cat stayed silent for a second to take in the idiocy.

"The Holy Capital, Miss Mathison. Heleda Māe. Seat of Jasewic." She spelled out.

"Blaaah! My home's Capital is leagues above yours!" She pointed upwards.

"Yeah. Literally. This is cheating. Shut up."

"Hey, I know it as much as you do. If I sprout wing I promise I'll take you there."

Cat visibly skipped a beat.

"Thank you....." For a second the front she put up fell. "But we have matters to attend to before that. We can take a look for leads on you at the Temple, we're not far off now."

The least village looking building soon came into view.

Compared to the rest of the surroundings it seemed to nearly touch the aforementioned sky.

Reminds me of the one in the big square in New Aun-Lixa. What'd they make such a big one for here? Hope I don't get swarmed by those people who wrote me all those letters.

"And this here is a piece of Jasewic's history."

Cat stood at the entrance to the behemoth of a church. Even the inlaid statues were larger than life-size, if they depicted humans that is...

"How come there's any of that on the far side of Tavatha? Makes no sense." Ari asked somewhat rightfully.

Cat's pride turned sour on her face.

"The people of the moon arrived later than us. King Jasewic let the Angel Samuel have a proper death within these walls. Now let's go in." She beckoned.

Were it not someone she trusted, Ariel would have hesitated to follow.

Catarina was reminded the serval was the daughter of a priest herself. She properly set her hand in a cross sign and muttered the supposed short prayer under her breath, as one who attended often would.

It was quiet, dim and slightly cold inside. The wood of the seats even harbored a thin layer of dew.

Just like the monastery. No, this is even bigger.

There's the man we're here for. Let's check up with the priest.

"Blessings upon you Father. I am here for my calling." Cat extended proper greeting.

"Blessings." Ari was more shy, careful not to startle him.

Not to great effect seemingly.

"I-I know you're here to try and take something... I've told you people I am not the one who holds it." He said in a terrified state, transfixed on the angelic eyes of Catarina.

"I should have stayed out..." Ari pensively backed away.

"Just one moment now. Father, I am not here to take anything, I am only here to meet the two men of cloth who put a word in searching for me." In explaining, the clergywoman failed to ease the priest once more.

Is this guy okay? Like, in the head?

"Oh! Then.. That could only mean... If you are Miss Catarina Bauer! You must come with me. You're entrusted with vassalhood, but we must hurry. It's not safe, there are others looking for you." He led them away.

"Others? I was sent for two men at the Temple. Where might they be?" She looked around while following him to the rear end of the church.

"Is the Father okay?" Ari was worried.

"Im quite confused to be honest." Responded her companion.

Once they reached the side room off from the altar he stopped and scrambled for something in his inside pocket.

He pulled out a pendant identical to the one that hung around Catarina's neck. Only it was of a darker metal, oxidized as can be.

"This here is the key to what is only to be entrusted to you, Catarina Bauer. I urge you to-" His words caught.

Father Agon finally set his eyes on his tormentors. The Brother and Confessor approached with clear maligned intent.

"Greetings, fellow clergymen!" Cat foolishly attempted diplomacy. "I hear you have met the Father. But I also hear you were looking for me."

"Then you are Bauer. I'll give you the benefit of asking first as well." The confessor began.

He calmly cleared the rows of seats, tracing his hand along them in wait for an answer. His inquisitor garb was scuffed all around, yet his sharp face told of not much recent altercation.

Oh I'm getting in this guy's face that's for sure.

Ari stormed away from the others without a word. Right as she set foot between the sets, however, a thin line, like string got caught in her ears.

Huh?

She could only express confusion while the confessor shrugged, like he knew it would happen.

Ariel's mistake was staying in place after the ordeal. The line, which she could now see only after focusing got tugged until something on the end of it flew and hit her in the face.

The hell's this?

She could only ponder before it was pulled away, tearing her face with it. It felt like being pulled across a gravel path for a mile in an instant. Her fur on the right side of her face was gone, the skin under torn off and bleeding.

"Hey, Ari...." Cat went after in concern.

"Cat, give me a hand. Of course they're not here to talk." Ari growled.

Catarina was conflicted in confronting another of the clergy, but there was no backing out from the encounter.

She obliged while Ari strut close up without another incident. The next thing she saw was Ari getting the lights knocked out of her.

"And what is a demon to do here? You are meant to be beneath, not within a Holy place." The confessor put.

That was my mistake. Hands it is then.

The serval picked herself up and had her claws at the ready.

A distraction in the form of another line moving quick across the chamber almost gave her enough of a skip to get hit again, but a different string caught it out of the air: Catarina's.

The expectation on the blonde bastard's face wiped clear off with an uppercut and a fistful of claws. Once blood was drawn he glowed fainly with grace...

Cat in the meantime became occupied with the Brother. He bumped into her while she cast more string, she quickly drew her dagger to force distance.

"You stay away from him." She went on the priest's defense.

Both engaged in a staring match of angelic eyes.

He charged once more, but this time expecting Cat's impedence. The blade was held against him, but he ripped his own string away which he attached during their first interaction.

Her thick clothing fused with her upper layer of skin with the ripping, but didn't deter her from jutting the blade into him.

Despite this he grappled her and laid his weapon, which was clearly a slip of some material made of his grace on her again. He didn't expect to feel the same pain he inflicted, Cat's eyes made sure that he did.

He feared it was another dagger that was free to be used on him, but his torment was his own doing.

Ari was being fought back to nearly the same place Cat was having her own duel.

I don't want these two to get to fight side by side. Have to hold him back.

She promptly unsheathed her weapon as well. Her strike's result left her dumbfounded, though. With his bare hand he parried the blade and gave what looked to be a normal punch, but felt strong enough to cave her entire chest in.

"Ari!!" Cat kicked off the other man and ran to help.

Spitting up blood she rose, but did not attack. Instead she put her weapon away and raised her hands.

"What are you..." Several present said or thought.

The serval was the only one noticing guards pour in to end the altercation.

Everyone had been swiftly apprehended and questioned.

For obvious reasons the ones first removed from the Temple were the two seemingly troublemaking soldiers, but the other clerics were brought out swiftly after.

"I can't believe those people would jump us." Complained Ari.

"I've heard of it happening but not this soon. I'm barely a vassal... I really have to go to the Father in this case. You okay enough to come with?" Replied Cat.

"Well I puked some blood but I feel okay enough for a visit. I'm with you."

"Great."

Soon they found out the place was not to be entered by anyone until they fully investigate the events.

Is what the priest telling them not enough????

"You. You better let......"

The urge to give a piece of her mind to the one holding them back was cut short by herself.

"It should be fine for now Ariel. We should get home, you're hurt." Catarina said.

"If I see them again I swear. They will see for themselves."

"Enough. It's not your concern."

"Like hell it isn't! That could have been my own father being threatened! I'm coming back, whether you want it or not!"

"..."

To the estate they were bound.

Internum

While Cat's rosy face matched her hair color, Ari's wispy breath matched her own. It was cold even at noon.

"What a sight huh? I still can't believe we get to stay in a place like this." Ari admired.

"Come onnnnn Liinei..... Don't wanna break the rules and mind message again........" Said Catarina, incessantly knocking while shivering.

No answer. The wind was picking up.

"Do you need help with that?" An unknown voice. A hand reaching for the hinge.

"Oh? We have someone coming. It's quite alright, really."

Just about when Catarina finished her sentenced she realized the door wasn't even closed properly. The strange woman with long red hair walked off.

"That wasn't even a lunar, was it? I saw her breath in the cold." Ari noticed.

"You're still dizzy it from being hurt. It was already open. Come on."

The draft ended up shutting the door, almost as if they were being dragged in.

All was quiet. Cold daylight filtered through the curtains.

On second thought this place reeks of emptiness.

Ariel's wounds wouldn't take care of themselves.

"I'm gonna go see Liinei for this I think..." She said.

"Not like that, just look at you. You can't stand straight. I'm taking you, no ifs or buts." Cat made a fuss.

"Sure... Library then....."

"How'd you know?"

"Something research about red lady......."

"Hey, keep yourself concious, okay?"

"I wiiiiiiilllllllllll..."

One hand on the railing, other around Catarina's shoulder, up they headed to the third floor.

Click click click click~

"The hell's that?" Cat was bewildered.

"Mmmmmnyah."

Ari was clicking her tongue to keep herself awake.

Hehe.

After the final grueling step she fell on purpose and splayed out on the floor.

"I'm a puddle."

"Would be a shame if someone mopped you up." Cat threatened, giving her a slight kick.

That got her up. It didn't seem she needed much more help walking.

Her gait evened out and she even let go of the banister.

It wasn't long until another happenstance almost stopped her heart...

Haunting the estate, in front of them, from within the very library they were headed to emerged a demon. Sheathed sword carried in hand, fur and hair as white as snow.

Thathhatfa you've got to be kidding m-m-m--me.......

Cat and Ari both had their hands shaking just above their weapons' handles but the moment of a strike being plausible just wouldn't arrive.

Frozen between fight and flight, they were easily approached and... walked past?

As if they weren't even flies on the wall. Utterly disregarded.

If he was in there.... Oh Heaven...... Liinei....

The one thing allowing her to slip out of the crushing fear was her bodily state. A stumble was enough momentum to run off to the library.

Each step she felt her hair and fur stand involuntarily...

Not from fear, from an external source. Was it luck that she made it past him?

All the heat was left to Catarina.

Grasping at her experience at Telken with the foreign terrorist, she managed to pull her dagger and try to lock stares to link their senses.

The sharp spiral hilt dug into her hand.

Then how was he not swayed?

Might it be that he didn't return the look, never truly crossing sight?

"Had enough yet?" He said, stopping. He felt it all.

Catarina lost the little courage she had built up. This intruder could have been too much for her alone.

"I forfeit." She raised both hands. "A little hand pain's nothing we can't forget about, eh?"

Her hand with the dagger was snatched in an instant by a grip she could not fight against.

"How many are you willing to forfeit?" The demon held her hand up against his maw.

"H-Hold on.... Let's not go that far...." She wearily responded.

"And what of your crime of trespass? How come you and that other walk into the estate of the Serenfair as if it was nothing?" Said the demon, confusing her to no end.

"You... what are you even saying?"

"Kira, sir." "Uncle Kira!"

The commotion drew Liinei with Ariel from the library, and Shonas from downstairs.

Uncle? Who could this man possibly be?

"Oh well..." He let go of the hand and dropped the tense demeanor. "There you are, kid."

Whilst he went off to the young dhole, Cat retreated to her squadmates with her fingers intact.

"Who the hell is this guy? Would anyone Please tell me what's going on?"

"You did not hurt each other, did you?" A casually dressed captain answered.

Lunar apparel was strange in all ways to others.

"No, but he damn well nearly ate me."

"He's no harm, I promise....." Liinei sheepishly admitted.

Kira, the demon was seen by them giving the sword he held to an overjoyed Shonas. It really was a misunderstanding after all. Scruffing his fellow canine's head, he seemed to look past and notice something he had not before.

Within a moment he shifted away and began circling the Luna Vis with curiosity.

"Stop it, freakshow!" Ari was agitated.

"...Yandra's sigil... That's one thing..." He muttered, pondering. "But all this angel scent... Not just from the Jasewican...."

"Eh?"

"Serval. Who might you have scuffled with? Show me your teeth, should they be stained." Kira questioned her.

"Aaaaah."

Why did I oblige?

"Yet stranger..."

At that moment Ari also began circling, matching the other's movement.

"So what about you, huh? Weirdo who shows up at the estate. You eat any angels or clerics recently?" She began posing questions of her own.

"Heh. Look at you now. No, I've not had the pleasure as of recent." He grinned.

"And what even are you? You damn near look the same as me, if not for the snout and full white fur." Ari compared.

"Let's say... Dog. That fine to you, serval?" Kira replied.Ari squinted.

Makes sense. Why'd he be unsure thought?

"Liin-Liin. Why's he here in the first place?" She slowed down.

"Kira is here to help us with the investigation into that foreign group. Sorry for not mentioning certain things earlier. He is respected as a lunar after all..." Liin-Liin explained then apologized.

"What sense does that make?" Cat was infuriated. "How in the world can one of them be considered one of you?" She stepped away.

"The story is longer than you can bear. Not that you deserve to hear-" Kira was cut off.

"Oh really? Then what do you see me as?" Ari took the other side.

To her word being taken, Catarina boiled over in frustration.

"My vows were not for the likes of him! You'll never understand how much I already overstep for you!" She shrieked and stormed off.

The rest were left to shake off the unease amongst each other. The clearest place to let go of all the tension was the lounge.

Across the sprawling building and on the opposing end to the library it sat. It wouldn't be long before the others from Kenoma checked in as well.

This time everyone was bored to death from Kazo and his endless run of mouth about familial relations and house troubles.

Whispering through it to Ari was Shonas.

"Hey. Hey Ariel. You've been saying some stuff about grace and training, right?"

"Yeah, why? Wanna go out and let me practice on you?" She responded.

He rolled his eyes.

"No dummy. You could ask Uncle Kira. He's incredible." He put forth a lead.

Whatever could this kid's weirdo friend help me with?

Well, not much of a selection at my disposal. Might as well go for it.

She spoke under a low tone to the other side like a child conversing in secret during class.

"Kira. Hey Kiiiiraaaaaaaa."

He uncaringly raised his tired head from the briefest rest he was afforded. As expected this much attention was enough to make her go on. The less effort the better.

"I heard.... I mean Shonas says..... You can train grace." She emphasized each word with a loud whisper.

"I'm not deaf you know. So what do you have in the ways of not being useless?"

Ari grew nervous. Since that last time when she stood in the light, grace use has been different for her. Her attempt to see if she could make a sword earlier went just fine, but only because she barely formed it. The thing was as dull as a butterknife.

Whatever. This guy's not worth wearing myself out for.

Juuuuuust a little... Let's see...

A simple demonstration would be sufficient. An easy manifest of a mace.

Push to hand, don't let too much out...

Gold translucense pooled in her slightly outreaching hand, from which extruded the handle as the weapon formed.

"And just what the hell are you up to?" Kazo stopped his preaching to confront her, startling Ari.

With a messup, she managed to overdo and underdo her intended usage: the end of the mace formed shoddily, but her grace also flowed back onto her focused hand creating a glove of armor.

"Nothing!? I was bored! Mind your own business!!!" She ran out with the one she wanted to raised interest on her tail.

"The audacity..." Was the last thing she heard before Kira shut the door behind the two.

He sighed as one would over an unforgivable failure.

"I'm sorry. That was embarrassing." Ari was pensive.

The tinge of a headache washed away by momentary placing of his hand over his scrunched up face, he looked more used to this than anything else.

I couldn't have been worse than the kid, right?

What's he coming over here for?

She felt a hand land on her shoulder, giving her comfort.

I see. He must understand. What a great guy-

The wind in her hair registered quicker than her other senses; she was tossed over and falling from the balcony. Split second decisions were not her forté, but her body responded by twisting her to arrive feet first instead of landing on her head.

Awful pain shocked her legs and ankles after falling more than a story.

"ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR DAMN MIND?!?!" She screamed back up at him.

But her direction was wrong, as strangely he made it down by her before she could comprehend.

With him, the fur-raising feeling also returned. This time he did not put in effort to suppress his cloak of light red grace. The air crispened with static.

"No wings to catch yourself with? Whatever happened to angels these days?" Kira approached.

"What is your problem, guy? I'm not here to fight!" Ari tried to calm the situation.

"Name your Archangel." He demanded something unknown to her.

"Myself? I don't know. I've never even met another. Leave me the hell alone." She hissed.

Ariel backed away towards the window. To fight back, or escape if needed, not sure if that would even work with the estate's barrier.

"And lastly. Who are the Revacchiatte to you?" He laid out.

A wave of dizzyness immediately washed over her, blurring her vision and weakening her stance.

No... Not now. Not now, please. A flash.

"I've never heard of....." She muttered lowly.

Strength faded in the hand which she still clutched the gauntlet of armor in, dripping down and pooling beneath.

"So you say..." Kira said, observing.

For the grace within the puddle turned a sickly green as it bubbled and began to form.

Why now... I've not felt this sick within this lifetime.

And from the grace emerged a snake, slithering its way across the floor and down the other end of the hall.

I will find them this time. Through Heaven and Hell I will search for my siblings.

She followed, only collapsing after the snake itself finally dissipated.

"That is a fair answer you have given. Take my hand, angel." The demon reached down for her.

What she would find is the serpent led her right in front of the shrine she saw in the morning.

The shrine in the image of Chancoclour, the Usurper Saint.

Becrowned

It's... I mean it's not hogwash... But how am I supposed to put it into practice?

Time was running short.

Anything could have already happened by now; she found that Catarina left the door open on purpose when they went back to the estate.

Now she could be up to a miriad of things. But the only place she truly would be was back at the Temple.

Thus while running, Ariel had to quickly figure out what the unknown prayer Kira relayed could be of use for:

"Only at one's own behest can reformation occur." Whatever that means.

Back at the place of worship all the guards were dispersed enough to slip by. Maybe she really was becoming a better recon.

The very last of dusk's preceding sunlight shone through the stained glass windows, although yet dimmer from the angle.

But where were the people?

Aside from the scale, the building was very much like the one she was brought up in. She knew to seek out the quarters of the priest.

She already had an inkling of what to look for. The miasma of old death swept through from a draft just up ahead.

There in the midst of a ravaged living space she found her clue: an open hatch.

A dust laden passage to which the descent was eased by a ladder was the only way ahead. Once she got down she realized what sprawled under Drebule: Catacombs from the ancient times of the clergy.

The mildew down there was even worse than above. Perhaps for the better, as it stuck the dust down to the surfaces, of which there was no shortage of. Caskets, tools left for centures to be used, and of course the skeletal remains. Most were in piles, but at a crossroads one way was decorated all round with skulls.

Not even bats would live down here. Maybe rats? I'll freak out if I see a big one.

Crossing it sent a shiver down Ariel's spine. It was eerie, but she was upset by the sounds coming from deeper within as well.

Despite it being quite dim, an oil lamp was emitting a soft orange glow down the way. What hurried her was the dancing of shadows and sounds of a scuffle. One with Catarina's voice distorted into shrill hollering.

So toward she went, without a single bit of attention to her closest surroundings. She was an easy target from behind.

The first mistake of the one who grabbed her from the shadows is not incapacitating her right away.

The second was that they did not estimate her to have fought of a large bloodlusted demon before.

As such, she wrestled hard against the one holding her from behind until she could turn and face him. It was one of the clergymen from earlier, the one with the string and tape.

"You're getting payback for tearing the fur from my face." Ari growled.

"Insolent whelp. I'll be showing your crushed head to that other weakling."

"Like Hell you are."

Thus she engaged the other who devoured angelic flesh.

Shit. He's trying to grapple me again. I won't be as lucky as before.

Instead of playing on the Brother's terms, she made use of what was at hand: dust and darkness.

She swept hard with her foot, taking him off his legs before he could trap her in his clutches. Without intending to risk anything, she doused him with her Patron connected ability: Yandra's chains.

That'll hold him for long enough.

Though as she tried to walk off, she noticed the slightest tug.

T'would have been senseless to whip around and be a fool once more.

He stuck me with it again... But just how many are there on me right now?

Indeed, she felt more places being adhered to by the cleric's slips than she didn't.

With the delicate turn of her head she was able to see a multitude of hair-thin strings connected to her from head to toe.

"Going somewhere?" Balas asked, knowing how precious each second he gained truly was.

What he was about to get in turn is a piece of Ariel's enragement at the prospect ahead. Catarina could have been in grave danger.

She struck at the subdued man with her sword, only to have it stopped by the chains of her own making.

Thus she attempted reaching behind his protected areas, only possible by getting closer. Obviously she had to walk right into his trap, which she did with a plan in mind.

After all, how could an unarmed man harm someone with a shield?

This time Ariel's grace did not run up her hands, but fully materialized a round shield, the weight of which she used to crash onto Balas.

Though smart, it wasn't wise enough of a move to know his vision reached around corners. Each bit of string he laid and connected tore at her from the angle he could perceive through his kind of angelic sight.

Fuck that hurts! You're done. Ari was a hair-thin line away from deciding to replenish her injuries with his flesh and blood. It's only fair to take it back...

Though not completely done with the shield idea, she hoisted it and threw the not-so-helpless man across the floor instead. Several altars and sites were broken through before once again the tearing began.

Who wouldn't flinch at their eyelids' skin being ripped?

The serval's one moment of hesitation was not passed up. In the instant that her body was overtaken by instinct of pain and self preservation, she was pulled into a leglock.

Real risk of her bones being snapped was on the table now, or even worse...

Haven't given myself up completely yet. Let's see how this fares...

Reformation... He could have had a point, but my forte is Formation.

With that she thought back to her failed demonstration: creating armor. To do so she needed to overshoot how much is needed to be output while making a weapon from her grace.

Having limited space was an advantage in this case, the smallsword nearly burst from all the extra grace pushed inside it. And with it appeared a coat of the same metal of hers, repelling her opposition and freeing her from the deadly grasp.

The motion stood him up, but his tackle towards the serval would prove to be his end: the sword skewered his chest whole, his heart beat its last thump. A foolish end for one who could see every angle but account for none.

Clad in plate and pauldron up the arm and over her chest, Ariel was the most angelic visage one could envision in the darkness. Time wasn't there to be wasted with Catarina and the Priest on the line.

Footfall.

Decay older as old as the dirt that surrounded the bones that which housed the matter that only lingers as the smell of stale death.

No longer did she feel like she was the sick one.

For the next thing she saw convinced her fully: Jasewicans are truly insane.

What in Heaven's bloody name is this?! She thought, and without realizing also said.

That invited the staredown which percieved all truth.

By the steps of a raised altar laid a battered, slashed open and overall disfigured inquisitor. There was no chance he was drawing breath for long, if he still was.

His own blood dripped to him from the drenched hand of Catarina within which was the dagger that did this. In her other hand, threatened by the blade was the priest lifted into the air by the collar.

Those eyes. Those are inhuman.

Father Agon was clearly harmed. It was not a stretch to imagine that the one whose grasp he was within was the perpetrator. An extrortion was taking place, it seemed.

"Don't mind the cat. The part is to be given to me, for I am truly worthy of attaining further holyness." She uttered in cold command.

"A-at once... Here..." He sheepishly answered.

Wiping the blood out from his eye, he took off his olden pendant of the faith and inserted it at the bottom of the mausoleum display.

The whole chamber shook, dust fell from age old crevices. A look of sheer delight and satisfaction spread wide across Catarina's face.

Ari knew nothing good would come from the compliance. Not an ounce of her trust was going towards Catarina, she had to act.

"Step down, Cat. It's not the time for this. We have to let someone know what happened first." She interjected.

If looks could kill...

Perhaps with hers it is in the realm of possibility?

With their pain linked, Ariel sure felt it was. This was the first time since her Patronic lashout on the Harae church, and back then she wasn't concious to feel and remember it.

Holy..... That's a bit of hurt for sure.

But... Now I can tell where she is hurt.

Head's been knocked. Right hand sprained. No, that feels broken.

And... This burning, searing pain behind my eyes...

"Youuuuuuu......" Cat's voice trilled with contempts. "Things will happen as I say they will happen."

"I'm not having it. You've had your chance to abide." Ariel was more than ready.

She confronted her directly, knowing her grace was weak in defense, and her physicals worn down.

As if a lesson had been learned, Cat's preemptive response was already in place: a set of her string to catch and trip whoever came after her tightened to a razor's edge on the way to her.

First was her leg being caught in it. Ari stumbled, but made sure to fall onto her armored side. A hazard avoided, for Cat tipped her right in the direction of a pile of sharp pointed bones sure to impale her.

"Just what do you think you're doing? You're not quite there, are you?" Ari said with a mix of concern and hostility.

Though the next occurence which set off her senses was the transfer of Catarina's senses. It seemed that this was the moment the Father would attempt to make his stand.

Both Luna Vis felt the forceful wrenching of the girl's hand and head. As much as he was a man, he was one of non-violence. That which was to happen to him for the transgression was anything but that.

"Insolence."

It was swift. This was a place of Decay, and it willed there to be more to consume.

Catarina fumbled her broken hand to unsheathe her other dagger. It had to be done, she left the other one sideways through the priest's skull.

"YOU SICK FUCK!" Ariel couldn't help but scream.

And for the first time since Harae's church, she began to shift to a demonic berserk state.

She lunged, weapon trained at her target and out to impale. The growls she let out in the midst of going at her afterwards were not of her volition.

Full panic had set in. First for Catarina's remnants of rationality. Second for Ariel, for whom the crazed state has not fully set in.

For but a moment they recognized the madness in each other, and each other in the madness.

Naturally opposing yet the same. A viscious exchange was what followed. Each one held back from true killing intent by sanity, but the sanity is what kept them focused enough to strike well and true.

Was there a purpose to Catarina's wielding her blade in her ruined hand? The blows she gave Ariel with her empty fist did seem to keep her at bay. Madness only grew.

Ari kept devling deeper into it. Being struck no longer mattered, so Cat felt her choices ran out.

She had to push deeper. Further still, into those crazed yellow eyes. How foolish. What was there for her to see?

The truth.

No tricks, no illusions.

The most tainted of them all, appearing once more the very realm atop Hell.

The angel within Catarina's vassal self was terrified of the persence it was forced to peer at, and thus it withdrew.

Puny was the attempt to resist what would come right after, for now both their minds holds were relinquished. Ariel was shining.

At last, it became reality. For an angel would on this day wear her Halo for the first time.

Ariel's grace sigil appeared when the armor coated her further, reaching across her chest and down her other arm ending in a shield.

Cat's desperation ended up in failure from the protection that Ariel afforded herself, then pushed back and wrestled her down until submission.

"...And of her fractured self became...

...Three shoots of Angels... Though opposite of Holy...

...For where they arise, all shall burn...

...You hear that one before?... Daughter of Auriel..."

Catarina muttered a strange excerpt of wild implication.

"You better damn stay down. You're on my terms." She said full of conviction. "I'd hate to have to lose you. Don't force blood onto my hands."

"...angel... ...you've finally..." Cat was confined. Her restraints went as far to have her not move a muscle.

There were a thousand steps to take from this moment of time. But the ones Ariel took were of her own: to kneel down and shut the Father's cold, empty eyes. Hers were welling up however.

"...I was not ready... Seeing this... Never should this ever happen." Softly whispered Ariel.

"...Then... ...Make it so..." Cat was uninvited to respond. "Did you really not know... Who you are?"

Stepping back to her, Ari knelt down.

"The Hell do you think you are saying? Any explanations? Huh?"

"Get... The angel part I was promised... Then I'll Divine you... Tell you what's what....." Catarina uttered, right before feeling herself dragged by the hair to the altar.

Taking out the part from the now opened crevice, she pocketed it for herself without letting the cleric even see it, along the Father's pendant. At the very least she afforded her the courtesy of sitting up. There was more to demand.

"So then. Let's say I let you leave alive. Then you're my personal religious advisor?"

"Well... I take it the angel's part is on the line for this now? Then I suppose I can." Cat responded to much dissatisfaction.

"Listen here and listen well Catarina Bauer. You swear this on the life you took. Only then will I even consider letting you have this part." Ariel was the one to lay the terms.

This hard bargain was not to be negotiated.

"I swear..."

"Good."

Trust, although not enough to get her hands untied, was established. It was time to return home.

What a mess that was. All the little things to be glad about, bittered to the smallest bit.

Brevity of comfort

"Fair above, Light below."

Fading into visibility to have a short encounter was Sapieha, the angel-kin met all the way in the Seventh Layer monastery.

"All those escapades. AND ONLY NOW YOU SUMMON ME? YOU RECKLESS FOOL!" She screamed without regard for alerting others in the building.

Shaking around so much also blew the leaf off her head, and so the tails appeared with a tiny flame on the end of each one.

A long sigh "Finally..." No regard was paid by the serval.

Instead of her words being heeded, Sapieha recieved Ari's whole weight falling facefirst into her mass of tails.

"Mmmhf comfy......."

"THAT'S NOT WHAT THOSE ARE FOR!!!" The fox-like woman scrambled to retrieve her leaf.

With the tails retreating Ari fell on the hard floor instead. That seemed to knock sense back into her.

"Oh yes. The real matter at hand." Ari showed her palm.

And within it laid the severed finger of the angel Samuel.

"Oh. That horrid thing. I saw you return with it. I'd toss it, personally."

"That's not really what I'd like. Would you hold onto it for me please? For just a while." Ari requested.

That painted a fresh coat of disgust over Sapieha's face. She poked at it and squeamishly picked it up before tucking it somewhere it wouldn't be in the way on her flowing outfit. Someplace where there would be no chance of it making contact on accident. Yuck.

"Thank you. It really means a lot-" Interruption by means of the whole building shaking.

What now? That was to be seen.

The fox-angel disappeared and the serval one went to investigate.

"Madness! Madness I say!!!" Was heard across the atrium.

What on earth? I've never heard Liinei this upset. I really hope it's not Catarina.

I beat her up pretty bad. She should be resting for now.

Coming down to the gound floor was a single person, while others audibly scattered throughout the other floors.

His looming figure met her at the base of the stairs.

"Mathison! We saw an outsider. Did you happen to see anyone suspicious?" Kazo raised alarm.

"So? Get rid of them. I'm too tired to deal with this." She groaned.

"You don't get it. It was a witch. This is an utmost concern."

"Oh? Could we not just talk to them and have them leave?"

"I see you're clueless of what they are like. Whatever. Have you seen anyone suspicious around? You've came and went several times today."

"Uhhh... One time the door was unlocked. There was a weird looking lady, but she walked away and we shut the door after."

Kazo pondered at this. He knew of no ways to undo such a foolproof lunar seal, especially by a witch.

"So you might have seen her... The ones in most danger are us lunars. No witch would pass up a chance to rid the world of us."

"So what, I'm your shield? Give me a break."

I can't even rest for a second in this madhouse.

"I'll... I'll be hiding I think..."

"What a Lieutenant you are..." She muttered quietly before leaving.

It took until the third floor until she ran into her own team lead.

Or rather, they ran into her. Quite hard. Nearly hard enough to send her back downstairs.

Though even after Ari was revealed to clearly not be the intruding presence in question, her Captain was not relenting and letting her go.

"What's this about? You go crazy too?" She questioned. "It's like everyone's lost it. There's what, seven of us Uvica and one idiot who broke in?"

"Ari. You are Ari right? No, what am I saying. This is just unacceptable. In my own home?" They were in actual hysterics.

"Calm! Down! Now! It's not that big of a deal!" Ari insisted.

They trailed off, letting go and looking around with a haunted expression. And just like that they were running off alone.

What unneccesary fuss. I'm running around like a headless chicken after my friends. Or maybe we are all headless.

Why am I thinking so much of....

Headless was what she saw.

The very same pink color which blew away the hell-blighted town beyond Telken was shriving outwards from the palm of the woman.

Though of lesser scale it was none the weaker, directed right at Kazo, who was none the wiser to the white clad witch behind him.

And thus Ariel's premonitions of one's missing head became reality.

"YOU UTTER MONSTER!!!!!" Liinei screamed.

A lunar's death is always harrowing. Ariel's greatest wish in the moment was to not have to witness it twice, so she grabbed after Liinei's hand. Having held them back, the witch had a moment to reply.

"Oh? Seems I got the wrong one. This one wasn't the Serenfair." Said the witch before going up in a plume of smoke of the same color.

"Let me go Ariel! Right now!" The Serenfair demanded.

"No... I won't let you leave me..." Ari begged wistfully, tears welled in her eyes

But she did notice. They were not breathing heavy.

This was not panic, but rather conviction.

"I-... I still can't have you go alone..." She sighed deeply. "Fair abo-" That was as far as she got with the chant before being interrupted.

"Get Kira." Came the interjection. "He was the last I was going ask for help, the rest of us are hiding."

Whatever that guy could do may be enough... So be it.

"He's on the top floor somewhere." They directed.

"Okay..."

Hell will freeze over before I find him. Fuck this is too urgent to mess up.

Old wounds must bleed

Of all the written works, all the word of mouth and stories made to instill fear, the Witch was the most terrifying concept to Lunarkind.

After warring with them for centuries, the lunars overthrew them and categorized them by usage of specific grace spells.

Such as the ones that alter matter to their whims.

Or ones who distort the world around them.

This one is a witch who replicates occurences of nature. Specifically fire and all such phenomena.

Liinei was hot on her trail. There was strategy behind her retreat, but without enough depth to it to deter the Serenfair.

On the second floor there was not much aside from storage. Clear disadvantage for the intruder, one whose expertise lays in grace rather than tool use.

So then why run to the armory?

By the time Liinei reached the room the answer was clear.

The whole room was engulfed in flame, but the witch in the far corner was concerned not. A plume of hot air and grace sent her floating upwards through a hatch to reach the floor above. The wide brim hat protecting her brown hair... Was Ariel wrong, or just misremembering?

Liinei was out of time to reach her here. The most they could do was retract whatever they could of the grace they prepared for an attack.

Brief consideration to douse the fire crossed their mind, but the armory room was insulated well enough to make shutting it be enough to not burn the whole estate down. The better solution would be to extinguish the true source of the fire.

There was no quicker way but to follow.

But why go up there? This floor has more routes to escape...

Going the long was yas clearly the wrong choice. More lives would be at risk, especially Ariel's.

After her it is.

Assuming hard state to endure both the fire and the obvious ambush which would surely occur as soon as they arrived above.

Rest assured they were blown across the room and out into the hallway through the wall before even touching the ground.

"Have you any idea... How deep your transgressions run?" They emerged.

"Why are you talking to me?" The response came.

Excuse me what?

"As if you have the right to question me... After you trespass into my own home to slaughter me and my kin..." Rage was engulfing Liinei's every facet.

"Transgression... Trespass... All things some dead clay dares to spew, as if it has the right to such liberty..." Said the witch, fully putting an end to the momentary halt in the engagement.

A lash of fire sizzled through the air towards Liinei. Though disregarded for being mere fire, which their clay provided immunity to, the very corporeal whip hidden inside grappled their leg.

But with fire present, ash of course, would follow. For Liinei was now utilizing the smoke ability of the Roskilde family.

However it was not some weak, unreformed and haphazard spraying of it like Tesu's. It was of some more experienced user of the grace technique, one who formed it to act as a limb.

Liinei's first order of business with this ability was to close the distance and slam into the witch with it. The hit was taken but the turn to retaliate was not wasted either.

With a hard step forth another spell was cast: a flaming thrust of her leg to kick with immense force.

I see. With the fire ineffective, she's using it to cover her attacks that can work on me.

Next up was a jab also covered with flame, though this one was expected. Liinei took the limb of smoke and scattered the flames with it and revealing the true attack hidden within: a short curved knife heading right for their Lunar mark.

Heh. If only she knew...

Going for the only one broken of my five marks?

To the least of expectations of the witch, the broken part of clay presented just the right ridge to get a knife caught inside.

"Approaches need to be different I see..." The witch breathily murmured.

Liinei manifested a solid wall in front, because the witch drew another blade to try for the other marks.

What they forgot was the witch was at the retreating end of the engagement; by the time they peeked out from behind cover the witch lodged the exit to this room shut.

Goddamn it. I'll have to go back down and run back up here. Will I have time?

//---

Having brought some time, the Witch knew to make haste and stay undercover.

The serval has already seen her, but whomever else was in here could still be gotten past if need be.

Sultry lunar. I might have overdone it there...

She flipped out a silverine pocket watch from her breast pocket, then hit it with the slightest burst of grace.

The minute hand spun backwards, the hour hand twisted all the way until 11.

Near empty. I can't keep it up for long like this.

Decisive or dead, Alefin.

As soft as she was able, she turned the knob to the library and stepped inside.

Immediate dread washed over her. This is what she was warned of the most.

Uvica's white death.

Kira sat there, slumped over a most comfortable looking chair, his snores filling the entire section of the building.

Now I'm either quiet or a dead woman.

Fortunately for her the noise was loud and often enough to flutter on her tiptoes under its guise. With each step her goal drew closer.

At the very back, tucked away in a corner it sat. Unremarkable to most, but certainly not all.

An old and tattered book bound by black stained leather. A certain Serenfair secret lay inside.

All this just because I owe a stupid favor to her...

But I see the merit. To make one capable of deepening Soul Surrogacy is worth it all.

There was only the matter of leaving this place left.

It seemed like getting out would work the same way as making it to the end of the library.

Timing, light steps, timing, reach the door.

Her hand hovered over the hinge waiting for the next good opportunity, but that would not come.

Instead it was someone from the other side who barged through. Ariel finally found where Kira was, and just so happened to trample the witch in the process.

Instead of having the chance to be captured or most likely killed on the spot, she acted quickly.

Bursting outside the room and past, cutting off Ari's attempt to call out, slamming the door and melting the latch into place. Alefin then jumped down to the ground floor and stopped her fall with hot air. Her hat and dress were wide from catching so much of it landing her gracefully.

The final stretch, all there was to do was disappear.

---///

There she finally was. Mere feet from Kazo's corpse. Unaware she was in the same predicament she placed the lunar in.

Without time to brace against the attack the witch was sure to be charred to a crisp. Liinei's use of fire grace wasn't something to be scoffed at either, as they met many users who held such abilities.

This time it was one close to heart: their adoptive father's.

One that had seen the Hell that now lays in abandon. One that bore down against the witches kin in their failed rise.

One hand sign. One circular motion. One fan gesture by hand. One push.

Radiant Flare of the Full Moon.

"You're-" Is all Alefin could get out before being enveloped.

A Full Moon of grace so dense with flame it glowed white even with Liinei's darkish blue.

The windows cracked and the curtains and carpets set ablaze from the sheer radiance, the Moon was several meters in radius.

Now I just hope I've done it close enough.

As it turned to sparks the aftermath was revealed soon enough.

The witch, burnt down to her exposed blackened flesh still lashing with white flame. Wearily limping away towards the door which was unlocked somehow.

"No escape! You will draw your last breath here and now!" Liinei was ready.

With a mere few steps left to leave the premises she turned back. She had to guard against Liinei's pursuit.

And just as they reached for their sword, she was making contact. She touched their cheek.

"Turn to your rightful form, lifeless being." The witch recited to the lunar.

The lunar who crumbled to a pile of clay. One with the earth once again.

She donned the outfit of the lamp lighter then she rushed out and disappeared into the night for good. Nobody would care if she of all people looked burnt.

How foolish she was to assume that would work on Liinei.

Never would I have thought I would need to rely on this so early in life.

For they were Moonfolk, their body unlike a lunar's shallow approximation of clay, they were fully formed instead of overtaken by it.

And now they crawled from the earth next to the garden outside. A contingency millenia old saved yet another of Change's ilk.

Approaching was the two pairs of slow footsteps.

The aftermath was a horror scene but Ari trusted they were alright. Kira was also one to reassure her.

"What in the bloody hell are you doing down there halfway in the dirt...?" The serval asked without any enthusiasm.

"Enjoying some much needed cold." They replied.

"Never do this again." She knelt down next to them. "Please."

"I don't plan on it. I'm not-" Interruption.

Just a short kiss. Kira turned away. "Typical."

"That seals it."

"Fine..."

Pretty bastard better not leave me.

I've got things in mind. Things to take care of. And not alone.

So I can make sense of it all.