Cinia Pacifica Posts

lel

Who the fuck cares about those massive plebs anyway

I'm still waiting on this glorious shit

Slowpoke.png

Has a beating heart as sig.

And back to Megaman.

One of the newer retards.

Grumpy face.

(This is a Joint Post Starring:
TheLoneGentleman and Cinia Pacifica.)

As Louise warped into Leona III’s room she found the new queen sound asleep. Her hair was tied up tight so that it wouldn’t be a mess to wake up with. Her black silk sheets only covered her halfway as Louise could see her purple and black teddie that hung precariously too low. The light from Louise’s portal caused her to stir a little from sleep but not enough to fully wake up.

Moments later the door handle began to rattle and turn. Opening slowly with a slight creek Leona’s maid walked in. As her eyes rested on Louise she was startled, but was relieved once she realized who it was.

“High Priestess, were you waiting on my lady?” She asked.

“I fear that those hands may unconsciously rid me of my freedom… hence, I shall leave it in your capable hands to tend to her,” Louise said – her head resting over the back of her hand – from the sofas as she waited on the maid to take care of the Queen.

The maid nodded, and walked to the Queen’s bedside. Rocking the Queen gently, she slowly woke her from her slumber.

As Leona III awoke, she sat up straight in bed, and wiped the sleep from her eyes. “Morning…” she said.

“Morning, my Queen. You have a guest,” said her maid, motioning to Louise. As Leona’s vision cleared – she saw Louise sitting on a sofa. Excited, she sprung from bed before landing right in front of Louise, and sitting on the table. In her risque night gown she was practically nude. ”This youthful body is a lot easier to move around,” said Leona III admiring her own figure. “So, have you come check on me?” Asked Leona.

“Good morning, my Queen. I wonder how a body regains youth from gaining back a spirit,” Louise said as she eyed the body of the Queen who apparently gained back her spirit, and defeated her daughter – to reclaim her throne. “Um, well, yes, I suppose I did” she answered with a half-baked smile as a sweat ran down at the back of her head – seeing Leona III jump over to the sofa next to her like that made her feel rather awkward. She didn’t deny the comical value in it, however.

“The spirit is different…” answered Leona III. “It’s as if all the time it spent away it was growing in ways I couldn’t imagine,” Leona III stood up and sat over the sofa next to Louise. “Who or whatever I have to thank for this, I am grateful. With this, I’m almost at reach of the strength of the first Leona.”

“Is the spiritual power I feel from you – has the addition of your new power – then?” Louise asked, it did seemed much stronger than before. She wondered if Leona III was hiding more power and was thus boasting of it.

“Yes, but as it does feel foriegn… At the same time it feels as if I had it all along. It is a hard feeling to describe,” answered Leona.

The maid walked to Leona’s side. “We are bless that you have made such a substantial recovery,” the maid commented.

Or cursed.

“So you have been busy as of late. How are you doing Louise?” Asked Leona.

“Oh no, putting that aside… how’d you know that you’re close to Leona I’s strength now?” Louise shrugged the other question aside to pursue her curiosity. She knew how rude it was, but she couldn’t help it when her friend had made such a big claim regarding the comparison she made with her very old friend.

“Oh no, you are not slipping out of my question. If you want me to answer. You need to answer my question first,” answered Leona III with a smirk.

“I’m fine,” Louise gave a blatant and plain answer – knowing that Leona III can be stubborn – treating it as a waste of a subject and moving on almost instantly, “anyway, back to my question earlier...”

“Ugh, the same as always huh?” Answered Leona III. “I suppose I shall answer in turn. It is just a feeling I have, is all.” Her maid began to lay out some different outfits for Leona to choose from, Leona however wasn’t near ready to get dressed.

“Ah, just an over-exaggeration, then,” Louise said, so bluntly almost as if it was an insult to the Queen. This raw power was strong indeed, but it was unrefined and felt rather unduly. It meant that the queen was carelessly allowing the spirit to rule her senses, or she just had no true way to control it fully. If it was the latter; then the Queen wasn’t really in a position to show off, at all. “Perhaps you should go back to the basics and re-train yourself.”

The Queen scoffed at her insult. “Keep watching, and you will see what I mean soon enough,” responded Leona as she stood up and walked over to the bed to look at the clothes. “Now which one of these…” Her eyes scanned over a few of them before she lifted one and looked at it closely. A black and white outfit that criss-crossed with different layers of fabric. The top covered her body in a †˜X’ shape, and tied in the back with a large black ribbon. The skirt did the same, but in the back a long cloth hung down almost to the ground. As Leona was finishing getting dressed; her maid was putting the final touches on her hair. Pinning her long ponytail in place with two long black hairpins. Spinning once, she showed off her outfit to Louise.

“How does it look?” Asked Leona III.

“Hmm, so-so, I suppose,” Louise answered. From the perspective of a person from another world – who designed many dresses and saw many dresses; even a fancy attire of this calibre paled in comparison. “Anyway, you really ought to learn to suppress that spiritual energy, soon,” she said, furrowing her eyebrows to make a little frown. Louise tried to restrain herself, however – frowns can ruin a lady’s prized facial expression, after all. Regardless – at this rate – the Queen would simply be out in the field; sticking out like a sore thumb if she left out such a power for others to see.

“You might be right there, but I have a feeling they know I am coming anyways,” answered Leona III. “This war is finally spreading its wings.”

“Think before you speak; in a battle knowing locations is crucial,” Louise stated with an apparent frown, evident by her manner of speech. Even now, she couldn’t stop her face from being ruined like this. “Don’t you think that it’s always better to be able to take initiative in a battle?”

“Of course, but it is also equally important to morale to show a display of power every now and then,” answered Leona III. “I leave the subterfuge to those more suited. Like Krieg for example.”

“Ahahaha!” Louise laughed, holding her stomach. “I must congratulate you – Leona III – for you have almost reached your daughter now,” Louise said. Leona had completely become a lost cause to Louise at this point. As proper control could allow a Queen to show or demonstrate her power only when necessary; power was one thing that could be used as a trump card to turn the tables. However, Leona III seemed to think that having it up for display – all the time – would just be great for morale. While moral could be increased to an extent, only events and sudden news could truly bring it up. Now that her powers became apparent – the spies in Masario may alert the Cursed; thus allowing them to welcome the Queen in the war’s battlefield with proper fortifications. Such a simple thing escaped the queen’s mind, and Louise could hardly believe it.

Basically; Leona III was beginning to stoop down to Leona IV’s level of incompetence.

“I don’t see the humor,” answered Leona III. “You and Krieg seem to be on that same level of secrecy of late. That scandal had all the bigwig’s tongues wagging.”

“Scandal? Did I have one?” Louise asked curiously. Louise could hardly count Krieg putting the entire blame for his own acts of treason as scandal. If anything, it was him who was supposed to be behind bars. Not that Louise would go on a crusade just for that. She knew that there was just no proof to provide, and just preaching facts wouldn’t mean people would accept it. Even if she was the High Priestess; she didn’t wanted to abuse that position’s power. She had used it quite a lot already.

“I suppose you have better things to worry about than what the people of the city are saying,” answered Leona almost talking to herself. Walking back to the couches she sat on the seat across from Louise. Crossing her legs she called for her maid with a beckoning hand. “It’s a bit early, but I would request some wine. After all, I have no idea when I will see my friend again, and it has been too long since we shared a bottle.”

The maid bowed, and left the room to fetch a bottle.

“Mnm, that brings me back memories from when we had wine in this room that one time,” Louise said, reminiscing. That time things turned rather ugly when Leona III wouldn’t let go of her in her sleep, and drooling over her face instead – it was kind of disgusting. Fond memories. Louise chuckled remembering Leona’s face that time.

“And then there was the visit to Margaret’s place… soon after that we had the ball,” she looked back to the time she met Adair. She wondered if he truly fell. For better or worse, things occurred behind her back. What’s done was done, but she was yet to know if it was better or worse for him to vanish. Even if Krieg claimed that he had died; was it really possible to kill such long-surviving avatars of Cain? Perhaps. That was an answer she was yet to find.

“Come to think of it – that was when everything begun in this generation, wasn’t it?”

“It’s weird hearing that now that I have reverted back to this form,” answered Leona III. “A lot of things have happened this year alone. Not too long ago, war was the furthest from anyone’s mind.”

“Indeed,” Louise agreed with a nod. “Usually I don’t notice when time flies as I’ve lived for far too long, but things have been tense recently,” she assessed the past string of events that occurred in this world. Now that she thought about it; Louise was still a person with a curse over Ishtar – so she acted as how she would in her younger days. Slightly embarrassing, in fact. As Louise was as arrogant as ever, and over-confident about herself. In reality, not much had changed, except that she now had a higher sense of responsibility.

World peace was hardly worth a spec of consideration from the Louise of the past, after all.

“My, my, I feel tempted to propose yet another party before we leave for war,” she suggested.

”One last hurrah in case neither of us comes back?” Said Leona III with a chuckled. ”That would be nice.”

Suddenly the door opened and the maid walked in with a black bucket filled with ice. The bottle of wine sat inside getting chilled, and in the maid’s other hand two crystal glasses. She quickly made her way over and placed a glass in front of both of the ladies. Then pulled the cold bottle from the bucket she pulled the cork free and began pouring the glasses.

“Mhm, the final dance for some. More to come for others,” Louise replied, giving the wine one more glance before continuing. “I’m planning to host this one. I’ll host it in a place you’d never otherwise go to.” Indeed. Another world is a place Leona III never went to. This was a good opportunity to feed Kudzu – assuming he does his part of staying low at Origin. She’d show Leona III where she’d really go travelling and adventuring.

Picking up her glass, she smelled the wine for a moment. “Sounds rather exciting. You haven’t hosted a party in a very long time, and it would be good to get out of the castle, I suppose,” answered Leona III. Raising her glass for a toast she smiled. “For an excellent party, and an end to the war!”

“I have organized them quite a lot… just not around here,” Louise replied. “I’ll take you to where I have been hanging around for a long time before I came back here,” she added, giving a smile. She shaked the ice cubes deep inside the glass; bathing in wine. “A place where you can place aside status and responsibilities for some time.” Louise then raised her glass for the toast with a smile. “For an excellent party! But an end to the war…? Do you think we can make it happen?” She asked despite the glasses clashing.

“Who knows, but we have to believe that it will end soon... ” answered Leona solemnly. Bringing the glass of red wine back to her lips she took a deep sip.

“If you just keep fighting plainly there won’t be an end to it,” Louise responded coldly in turn to the notion, before taking sip of her wine, too. “The chain of revenge, and not to mention whoever that decides to take the crown after Cain… if he is ever defeated.”

“Up to this point, what have we been doing, but taking hit after hit. We have lost much, and I know in my daughter’s heart, she sought a peaceful solution. I am nothing like her, and I won’t try to be. If you have another option, I would love to hear it,” answered Leona. III

“See what I mean? That notion of revenge is deadly,” Louise said, pointing the obvious out. However, Leona III had a sound point of her own. “However, I do not exactly disagree in the point that we should fight back. I have an idea but… well, just watch – it may not work, so I do not wish to rouse too much hope up,” she stated calmly with a delightful look on her face as she silently sipped on her glass of wine.

“More things that you are keeping to yourself?” Asked Leona III with a smirk. ”I suppose we are all entitled to our secrets, and you are by no way a citizen bound to tell me anything. I surely have secrets of my own, but I hope that we both still have the interests of the divine in mind?”

“Divine, perhaps in a way I do? I’m considering the entire world with every move I make,” Louise answered with another swing of her wine. In all honesty, Louise would’ve told her plans to Leona III, if not for people always keeping an eye on her. She simply decided that it’s best to keep Leona III in the dark now. She may consider it treason when she executes her plans strives for her objective in open light – but that didn’t matter. She’d cross the bridge when push comes to shove. “I have a responsibility from Ishtar, after all.” This would never be told if it was the good old Louise. However, with her memories returned; Louise’s objectives took a change due to her restored wisdom.

”Sounds too stressful to me,” answered Leona. ”But I suppose when you have lived as long as you have, the problems of just one group may seem minute. I have to say you act differently than before.”

“Well… certain events have happened... ” Louise said, looking down. She had to admit, even if she were blessed with grace and intellect; she was also cursed with madness. Ironically, this madness was what allowed her to come to her senses ultimately. The memories were painful regardless, but Louise was learning to control herself, little by little. “Can you tell what happened the day you gained back your spirit? It is a story that has earned my curiosity as of late, you see.”

”It was a blessing. While coming to meet with Rhea, I was attacked. My power came back to me in the nick of time,” answered Leona III.

“Attacked, you say?” Louise asked; pretending to not know. “By who?” She asked, very curiously. She smile was definitely gone now.

”A man named Adair. He was one of the main supporters of the soldiers. It is a shame to find out he was a traitor. Good thing his money is still useful,” she joked.

“Ahh, that I knew, in a way. What happened to him now?” Louise asked, trying to learn as much as possible regarding the matter.

“He was executed,” answered Leona taking another sip of her glass. She was nearing the bottom of the glass at this point.

“I see,” Louise answered. So it was the same as what Saren said; he wasn’t lying – Louise thought. “With this, at least two of his avatars should be gone...” Louise whispered to herself.

“In our battle however, he did mention you,” said Leona III placing her glass on the table. The maid poured another glass of wine, and Leona III lifted it back up to her lips. “Perhaps another one of your many admirers?”

“Perhaps,” Louise said, closing her eyes in a composed manner. So he did, huh…? You two are so alike in what the old Cain felt about me… Louise silently thought to herself. “Do you not remember the time you asked if I had stolen yet another heart – at the end – after the dance in the party?” Louise asked. “That was when I had realized his identity.”

“Well aren’t you a sly one,” said Leona with a chuckle. “Any reason for not killing him there?

“To extract information and learn about Cain himself, of course,” Louise said. That really was the truth. At that time, Louise didn’t wished to inconvenience Margaret and herself by making mess of their party, estate, and properties. She also wanted to find out more about Cain. She had assumed it was Cain itself the first time she met Adair; as she was unaware of the peculiar avatar system that Cain had created. “Lastly… a potential ally. However, questionable a man is – one must objectively judge an individual and see him from every possible angles,” as Louise said – as if quoting words a once-great-man would say – she imagined just what kind of a life Adair may have lived. How many centuries he lived. And how long he spent within the sorry walls of Masario. Just how long had he been leaking information about the Scions… and the church? My dear Ishtar, if only I could ask him about the church.

“Hmmm, well lucky for us he was uncovered before we headed off to war,” answered Leona. “Leaving a dangerous man like that in my city would have been disastrous.”

“I suppose so,” Louise replied with a wry smile before finishing her drink. “Speaking of which, Leona, what of the progress towards †˜going’ for war?”

”Krieg has established the battlefront. We move our forces to increase our numbers there as we speak. Soon, we will spearhead into Agreyus, and move to sever the Serpent’s head,” answered Leona. ”The trek into Agreyus will cost us many of our troops. Scouts have their hands full with monsters, not to mention the Cursed ambushes.”

“Hmm… ambushes huh? I shall try to look into them,” Louise said, taking up yet another work for herself. She didn’t know why she was doing this much for Scions, but she did anyway. Perhaps it was her way to help her friend out. Besides, the †˜ambushes’ could be staged by the Cult of Ouroboros – in which case, it was the same objective as what she had been working on. “Needless to say, we’ll have our hands full over at the headquarters with the strategists.”

“Don’t you think you are spreading yourself a little thin?” Asked Leona III concerned. “You do have people you can trust the small tasks to.”

“Not many that I may trust, unfortunately,” Louise answered honestly, but with her usual shrug. “I do not plan to go to every sight and exterminate; I plan to set some of my best allies up for investigation, is all. This is so that we may identify the enemies lying in wait to ambush as we strategize, you see… and that’s the basics, my dear,” Louise explained. She wasn’t sure who to entrust her work to, but Kudzu and Durran indeed came to mind. She could spill information she comes across to Krieg, too. Krieg and Vejovis was undoubtedly working against the Cursed, and shared an apparently common goal with the Scions; so she could use them to her advantage.

“I see…” responded Leona III. “Well, do be careful. We had not seen much of the cult, but that does not mean that they aren’t here. I have my doubts that all were cleared from the city. If someone like Adair slipped our guard for this long.”

“Rest assured, it shall soon be dealt with, too. Hopefully,” Louise said, the last word was truly said with a hint of hope, as if Louise was somewhere… lost – if that served to describe her current state. Louise was looking for answers, like any other. Regardless of how distinguished, dignified and a celebrated individual Louise was – she too held imperfections in her – like any other. Despite being seemingly inhuman due to her immortality, she retained specs of humanity regardless.

“I will try and stop being such a worrywart,” answered Leona III. ”It would help if you didn’t stay away so long. I get lonely too, you know…”

Louise’s lips quickly reformed her smile. That’s right, it was a fake smile. One made quickly for the Queen’s assurance. She couldn’t show a complicated face of confusion for too long. She almost forgot about it due to her own anxieties. How careless of her.

Even then, it was a perfect smile. One wouldn’t be able to tell apart her fake smiles from her usual ones.

“I must do this… for the sake of the world. Do not worry, I’ll be done with this giant farce… soon enough,” Louise said, beaming a brighter smile.

“I will be waiting,” answered Leona III. Leona III looked the the bottle of wine in the maid’s hands, and saw they were about out. “Perhaps that is where we will end thing for today. I’m half tempted to request another bottle, but I have a few things that I must do today,” Leona III stood up, and handed the glass off to the maid. “Let’s discuss those party arrangements soon,” said Leona III.

“Before you go, though… when one mentions †˜in hell, there’s something only you angels can see’, what would come to your mind?” Louise asked tentatively, not sure if could depend on her friend or not for this.

“Hmmm… ?” Said Leona III before thinking for a moment. “Where did you hear that from, some story book? I guess I would think of hell in the common sense of somewhere hot?”

“Mn… I wonder if there was a hot place I’ve visited before? It’s a puzzle I’m trying to deal with; I have way too much memory to shuffle through, however” Louise said. That Balan left her with a riddle, but she wasn’t sure of a place †˜where only angels could see’. If it’s an expression used with the word †˜hell’, she could remember countless landmarks and locations she’d been to throughout her life.

“One problem with being older than most of the landmarks in the area,” Leona III joked. ”I’ve heard of the winding rivers of lava in the Cursed lands, but †˜hell’ could mean anything really. In books it’s always a metaphor than what you think it is.”

“I… see. I’ll keep those words in mind, Leona,” Louise said, turning around – her smile was finally put away. The fake one, that is. “May we meet again soon, my dear friend...” Louise then took leave of the room via teleportation.

(This is a Joint Post Starring:
TheLoneGentleman and Cinia Pacifica.)

Louise and Durran arrived in Masario just as the sun began to rise. As soon as they arrived they decided it was best that they split up now, and avoid too many people seeing them together. With what Durran was about to do she wanted to avoid being linked if he got caught. Wearing a red button up shirt that he bought to wear while his other one was in tatters. It looked nice enough, but it was of lower quality than what he obtained in the other world.

”Don’t get too drunk now,” said Durran walking off.

“I would if I could,” Louise replied in jest as she left for the castle, and headed through a portal. Despite it being a mere jest; Louise was unable to get drunk regardless of how many drinks she’d have. Her innate ability of rejuvenation is fast enough to prevent something as simple as that. As such; drinking was just like having any other beverage to Louise. At most – it could only make her feel a little more relaxed than usual.

Appearing once again in her room to the displeasure of the maids working in there; Louise successfully teleported into the castle where Leona III – the current Queen – resided in..

”Ayaaa!” Shouted a maid in fright as a portal opened up in the corner of the room as she dropped various things. ”H-H-High Priestess?!” The maid then scrambled around to find the cleaning supplies for what she dropped.

“May I inquire as to where the Queen is?” Louise asked to the maid, not paying her mistakes and over-dramatic reaction any heed. The dropped decoratives was not exactly her’s, so she didn’t scold them. She hardly had the time or reason to reprimand her, either.

”She should still be in her room,” answered the maid. ”She was up rather late these past nights. So she is probably still asleep.”

“After becoming the Queen officially; I figured that she’d at least bother to wake up early...” Louise said tilting her head with a look of disappointment. “Knowing her; she’ll most likely be asleep till her personal maid goes to her… May I know where the royal guards reside?”

”May I ask which royal guard you are looking for?” Asked the maid.

“Saren – I have something to discuss with him.”

”Hmmm, the last I saw him, he was out in the gardens. He is always up before the rest of the guard, and wanders around from time to time,” answered the maid. ”I’d say to start your search there.”

“Very well,” Louise replied, before conjuring a portal to leave for the garden.

---

As she stepped through yet another portal she was outside again, and the sun was higher in the sky then last she checked. The garden was being tended to by multiple landscapers. With a field of flowers that large there was no way that one man would be able to do that job. Flowers from all over the region were grown there, and each needed a different treatment. Though, she was not there for the local flora. Looking around, it wasn’t long before she spotted a familiar towering figure looking out into the distance not too far from her. As her eyes rested on him – he turned his head to her.

”Ah, you’re back? The guards didn’t have to alert me this time,” Saren joked.

“Is it that big of a fuss when I come back?” Pondered Louise out loud as she replied to Saren. She knew that the Church would make a fuss, but didn’t know if anyone else caring as much as they do. In fact, she hardly knows what goes on around here anymore. Not too many days had passed since the battle of Raltese, yet it felt like a long time had passed already. Strange – Louise believed – since she had lived for so long that her sense of time was somewhat warped. Perhaps she hadn’t been bored in a while, that’s why.

”You can’t keep the people from caring about the comings and goings of such a major religious figure. I’m sure you are used to the attention by now,” answered Saren.

“I suppose I am,” Louise said, of course she was; even before coming back to this world. “I feel the want to be even more sneakier just to play with the people now,” she joked with a rather menacing giggle.

”You’ll make the church bite their nails to the bone,” added Saren with a smile before he turned completely to Louise. “So, I take it that you didn’t come here just to share the view with an old warrior like me. Is there something I can help you with?”

“That’s the plan,” Louise winked with a delighted expression. “I suppose it’s about time we place the jokes elsewhere,” Louise said before walking past Saren to face the garden. “How is Leona III now?”

”Hmmm, that is something I wonder about myself,” answered Saren, looking back out to the garden. ”Since that day she hasn’t been the woman that I… knew. I am sure it isn’t just me that feels it.”

“Tch, with his disappearance and her change… what connection is there?” Louise mused. Considering Adair was caught, or even possibly dealt with in some manner – who knows what happened behind the scenes. Louise felt like she needed to know for her friend’s sake. “I’m not certain if she’ll reveal the details even if I ask her.”

”Adair? That Noble? He was put to death shortly after you left,” answered Saren.

Louise cringed. So, it was what she had feared, after all. “Under what charge was he punished?” She asked. Did he attack, or was he simply caught? She could hardly consider the latter. One obvious reason she could consider was simply the act of treason.

“Treason, and attempted murder of not only the Head Priestess, but the Queen herself. I was there myself to witness this. There was no question about it,” answered Saren. ”Why so much interest in this? Is there something I should know?”

“...Have you seen how our Queen gained her spirit back?” Louise asked, turning to face Saren with a serious expression.

”No, it happened when I was not with her,” answered Saren.

“Then that’s another mystery left to be solved,” Louise said, apparently in dismay. She heaved a sigh. Did Leona III perfected her spirit extraction? Or was it something that she wasn’t aware of?

”What'cha talking about?” Said a female voice from behind them. Fenfang walked out to the garden fanning her mouth in a yawn. Looking Louise up and down, she admired her short black dress. “So pretty! How on earth do you deal with Masario’s cold in it though?” Asked Fenfang.

“I’ve grown to be able to adjust to even the harshest of weathers… I suppose it’s something your body learns when you go to various places of differing climates,” Louise answered with a shrug. Cold hasn’t been so much of an issue. The main reason was due to her jet-black stockings being made in another world, where they could make something like the thin materials cold-proof to an extent.

”Ooooh, that is quite a skill… I’m jealous,” answered Fenfang. Saren shook his head at the little things that interested Fenfang.

“I’m sorry that I couldn’t shed anymore light on this for you, High Priestess. Perhaps you should ask Rhea, who was there before me,” answered Saren.

“I have a question to ask still,” Louise said, disregarding the statement. As if the church was trustworthy. “How loyal are you to the Queen, exactly?”

”What kind of a question is that? If I was not prepared to give blood and bone for her life. What kind of a royal guard would I be?” Answered Saren.

“And you?” Louise asked, turning to Fenfang.

”I owe everything I have to the royal family. Even if… she has been a bit… off lately. I will still fight for her,” answered Fenfang.

“I am uncertain as to how long I can accompany the Queen each time to keep things in check so...” Louise’s voice trailed off as if she pondered about something deeply with her eyes closed. “Keep an eye out for the church, particularly Rhea. If Rhea had been with the Queen before you arrived into the scene… Saren; that makes me anxious, truly.” With Rhea having more blood than most wetting her very hands; who knew how the Queen could be influenced by her, and in what way. Leona III’s current behavior may as well be an incomplete product of these influences of the church, so far. Louise couldn’t safeguard the Queen from these anomalies forever. This was made evident by the tales she came across here. Hence, she needed to depend on people hired specifically for her protection and well-being – the royal guards.

”The church? I haven’t seen anything out of the ordinary there, but I can’t say I spend much time there myself,” answered Saren. Looking at Fenfang, she raised them in front of herself and shook them.

”Because neither of you pay attention until the enemy is at your throat…” interrupted Zhou. ”The one day I choose to sleep in, we have a little gathering in the garden?”

“Well, you people as the royal guards will have three enemies – that I must warn about… ” Louise said. “However, this information is confidential even to the Queen; shall I assume that you people are up to the task?”

Zhou shot her a glance and then ran his hand through his hair trying to make it look like he didn’t just climb out of bed. “Shall we find a more private place to talk then?” Suggested Zhou looking around at the workers in the garden. “I can’t say that I trust all the ears present.”

People don't like him a lot.

One of the few cool gaiz.

Injustice?

This is one hell of an avi.

Now that's a good avi.

A lot of things.

Not quite.

I think people are just doing the cropping and resizing in photoshop or paint.

I just changed my avi with that.

(This is a Joint Post Starring:
TheLoneGentleman and Cinia Pacifica.)


Elder Edile sat in her chair next to her fireplace with a fresh pot of tea next to her. She was trying to do anything to calm her nerves, but nothing was having an effect. She had lost hundreds of her people, and their families cried out for war. At this point, she didn’t see any way to calm them now. With two attacks weighing down on the people, doing nothing was not an option. Sliding her hand across the table she sent her antique tea set shattering to the floor.

Suddenly, she felt a presence behind her. As she turned two people walked out of a portal. She had no patience at this point. Lifting her hand pranching shot out from the walls in sharpened points. Durran danced around Louise; cutting them down in an instant.

”We mean you no harm Elder,” said Durran. ”Please hear us out.”

“My, how quaint a tea set that was,” Louise commented, lamenting its loss. “What a waste,” with a step; she spoke as if to express her point, before shaking her head in dismay. “I thought the elders exercise a calm face, and a calm manner respectively – why so wrathful?” She asked, taking another step closer with neither hesitation nor fear.

Edile rubbed her head, a headache was starting to form. ”I’m about all out of patience,” answered Edile. She sat back down in her chair, looking down at her destroyed tea set before closing her eyes and sighing. “What do you want?”

“Simply here for a greeting, and a matter regarding one of my subordinates,” Louise answered, putting forth her best mannerisms with a graceful yet terse bow of her head. “I take it you’re free at the moment?” She asked. Obviously, this was her way of asking if they could have a calm and serene tea time.

Edile motioned towards the empty seat to her right before resting her head on that hand. ”Not like you cared to check before teleporting in here. Have a seat,” answered Edile. ”The avatar can stay over there.” Durran looked at her surprised, but said nothing as he sheathed his sword.

“Of course, I didn’t,” Louise admitted with a giggle – that gave away a bit of devilish side – as she took a seat as offered. “I’ll get to the point; are you aware that Kudzu is current here – somewhere in the town?” She asked, still wearing her mask of a smile before the person known as the elder of Origin. She seemed rather hostile to Durran, likely because of the attack earlier. Louise felt that she could relax and perhaps have a ladies’ talk for once. Well, she hoped – it seemed awfully unlikely. Durran seemed to fit as a bodyguard standing there; making Louise pleased, in a rather strange manner.

”No, I was not, but seeing that he hasn’t blown anything up yet. I suppose you are going to tell me he is on some goodwill mission for the representatives?” Said Edile sarcastically.

“He is working under me,” Louise answered sincerely, ignoring the blatant sarcasm. It was a plain and simple truth that she had bothered to expose. Kudzu had long gave up working for the Cursed, anyway. People just wasn’t aware, and most likely do not know even now. “As a bodyguard – specifically – like that avatar over there,” she added, informatively, implying that Edile could relax – she doubted that the enraged elder would, however. “I’d prefer it if you let Kudzu stay here peacefully for now.”

”Why is he here anyways? Asked Edile curiously. “It’s weird enough to have the High Priestess, and an avatar working together. You have a representative with you as well. One that hasn’t been seen in years.”

“I was in Raksana while there was a war here,” Louise answered, she was being as truthful as possible. Sometimes, to forge strong relationships one must refrain from lying – that was Louise’s belief. The belief of the one who lived for a millennium. “There was a peculiar circumstance… ” she added vaguely, reminiscing the old memories risen forcibly from their dormant state by the scientist. “Anyway, he’s here for his son. Moreover, I am unable to keep him in Masario, you’d know why, I assume.”

”His son? In my village?” Asked Edile perking up a bit as she thought about who it could be. ”Are you talking about Razta perchance? That would explain a lot…”

“Indeed I am,” Louise answered. She wondered how Edile took that guess, but perhaps she saw signs. After all, Edile most likely knew Razta longer “He had apparently assumed that his son was dead, until he caught news that said otherwise. Hence, he took a long time to begin pursuing the cold tracks of his missing son,” Louise explained.

“I never would have put those two together,” answered Edile. ”I’ve always figured his parents were dead. What is his goal now? And what is your place in all this?”

“My goal? My place in all this?” Louise asked, repeating her very words, as if asking for specification and confirmation.

”Why concern yourself with an avatar, and representative of Cain. I’m sure the church would be heartbroken if they found out,” answered Edile.

“Because they’re far more superior as pawns. I’ll admit, however, that I was initially not so fond of the idea,” Louise bluntly replied without hesitation. She remembered when the avatars have incurred her wrath – causing Louise to wreck havoc on the grand prison Raksana. However, she knew at the same time that they were warriors beyond the ordinary in the world. They were especially unique for certain. “Besides, the church isn’t really up to any good, either; sneaking around with their devious activities behind my back.”

”So you wouldn’t suggest that I align myself with them?” asked Edile.

Louise shrugged. “I am uncertain if I am in a position to advise you regarding alliances,” she said. She could align with the church by aligning herself with Louise, but that would be a rather strange preposition. The church had a knack for keeping secrets, so if Edile ever asked; Louise would advise against the idea of siding with them. However, on the off-hand; using the church in a sly manner was also an able option – she considered. “The church would be prying at secrets, anyway,” she lamented.

”I wasn’t honestly thinking about it. I merely wanted to hear what you had to say. It’s something to see when some in charge doesn’t trust their own side,” answered Edile with a smirk. Standing up from her chair she walked over to the fire and tended to the coals. ”I have called in for a conference of the villages. We are going to put our stake in this war as well.”

“Well, can’t help it that they don’t respect the leader, and instead treat her as a decoration of sorts,” Louise answered. It really just couldn’t be helped. The members treated Rhea as a leader, and not Louise. There was just nothing more to do there. Louise had thus sought out her own path in all this. She had her own objectives, they’ve changed after she accepted that she was responsible, and chose to work for the world for once. However, it didn’t change the fact that Louise was a free bird who did what she wanted. That would never change.

The next moment, another shrug went off from her. “I thought the Origin was supposed to stay in the neutral zone?”

”I see now we were blind to isolate ourselves from the world. It only served to make us weak, and made it difficult to what the world was truly like. Our first mission will be to wipe out the Cult of Ouroboros that took so many from us,” answered Edile. She spoke in a tone that was the same as she usually did but there was a fury along the lines that was easily read.

“Funny, I had been trying to get the Cult out of my way for a while now,” Louise remarked regarding the sheer coincidence. They had something in common now, indeed. It was as if the world was banding together to mete out the hammer of justice on the evil that was the Cursed. “Masario had been hard on work, trying to be rid of the Cult’s spies.”

”I have had my own men uncovering their nests as well. It would appear that some of my own men were allowing them into the city. The ones we took for questioning all admitted to answering to someone within the city, but none would say who. At first… we thought it to be a guardian of mine. But that turned out to not be the case.”

“So they’re all over the world, after all,” Louise commented, closing her eyes as if deep in thought. “Hmmm… and then there’s Vejovis to worry about,” Louise openly mused. Vejovis along with Balan, another combination to look out for. Balan seemed to be at the top of things in terms of information, and Vejovis’ influence at a level she had reached in other worlds, save for this one. In fact, those men of her’s that answers to a different leader may just be Vejovis.

”Vejovis? Who are you talking about?” Asked Edile.

“Oh my, you do not know? That is a surprise,” Louise replied, frankly displaying her expression of surprise. She assumed that the elder of Origin would know of such beings hiding under her home. In fact, she thought that she had allowed Vejovis to stay hidden in exchange for support, or something. It wasn’t like Louise intentionally let a secret slip, this time, at all. She was simply surprised.

Durran walked over about to help explain but Edile raised her hand. A wall of thorny branches blocked his path.

”I told you to stay over there,” said Edile before turning back to Louise. ”Who is this Vejovis? Sounds like someone I should be worried about.”

“If you don’t know. Then… hm,” Louise pondered how to describe him. “Let’s just say that he has control over Origin, more so than you, and the influence far extends to both the Cursed Lands and that of the Scions.” If she didn’t know, then this may likely hold even more truth than one may believe.

”With what I have uncovered so far. I can’t say that I don’t believe you. A man with that much influence can be more dangerous than the cult. Where is this man?” Asked Edile. ”Is he in my village?

“He should be,” Louise answered frankly. “I have met him in person, after all. Albeit, he should be no danger to Origin, as he aims for true balance, apparently. I fear that he may hinder the process of evolution and advancement due to such a goal, however.” So as to maintain the balance – Vejovis may just bump a side down whenever said time comes.

”I still don’t like the idea of having him here, and I have never met him,” answered Edile. ”Right now I don’t have the time to search for him, however. My sister is on her way.” Durran tensed up a bit, but didn’t try to get any closer to them. He could easily make it past the vines, but wanted to avoid angering her again.

“He’s probably been here longer than you,” Louise replied, shrugging again. How many times had she done this today? She herself wondered. “Well, if you do wish to meet him; I could take you there sometime,” she said nonchalantly. “Sister, you say?”

”I would like that. I think meeting him would help put my hand at ease. answered Edile. ”My sister is not the type of person that will let something like this slide. So I think that we should keep this a secret from her.”

“Mnm… sounds like a person who likes to create conflict when peaceful terms are still application?” Louise took a guess. The way she spoke of her sister spelled trouble, somehow. It was as if Edile was telling her that a storm was coming.

”She is similar to me in many ways. Her views on the Cursed is not one of them,” answered Edile. ”Kudzu is free to stay in my city so long as he doesn’t become a problem. I will give him and Razta that time they deserve.”

“I thank you in place of my guard,” Louise said, with yet another terse bow of her head. “I suppose that is all I’ve come for,” Louise said. It was unfortunate, Edile seemed to be a remarkable conversationalist, but Louise had no more reason for idle chit chats now that she conveyed what she needed to, and learned what she could. “I bid you farewell,” she then stood up, her expression decorated with but her usual charming smile as she reached for Durran. “May I request for him to be freed?”

”I almost forgot about him…” answered Edile lowering her branches from around him. Durran sighed and looked at the two women. He knew that she had her reasons, but it still didn’t make it feel any better. ”Alright then, we'll talk again later about Vejovis. I suppose it can wait a little while longer. If he really isn’t a threat like you said.”

“He probably is a threat, but dealing with him is something to be left for another time,” Louise nonchalantly said. Dealing with Vejovis would be a large load of problem in itself. He wasn’t being a huge issue of danger every moment like Cain right now, after all. “We shall take our leave, now, Edile – shall we meet again.”

Louise soon casted her teleportation spell after raising her wand, and they vanished from sight thereafter.

(This is a Joint Post Starring:
TheLoneGentleman and Cinia Pacifica.)

As Louise arrived in Raltese, she noticed a different feeling than the last time she was there. Most of the destroyed buildings and walls were repaired, and soldiers were diligent in patrolling the streets. As soon as she appeared in the garden in front of the castle she was greeted by guards.

“High priestess,” said one of the guards as they both bowed. “What can we do for you?” Louise handed the guard the still sealed message from Krieg, and he gently took it from her before breaking the seal. As soon as he did the paper began to disintegrate so he read it quickly.

”Alright, please follow me,” said the guard. ”I’ll take you to the device. Then you can decide what you want to do with it.” Turning to the other guard he said something quietly to him. The other guard nodded and then turned to Louise giving her a respectful bow before running off.

”Right this way,” said the guard as he turned, and waited for Louise to start walking with him. Louise gave a nod, “very well,” she uttered, and followed after the guard. Walking through the garden and through the large doors, Louise remembered the ash that once covered those floors. The debris from the catapult raid was all cleared, and the castle returned to its former glory. Walking over to a corner of the grand hall; the guard guided Louise to an area that used to be the dungeon. It had been cleared out and was being used as a makeshift lab of sorts. In the back laid the amplification device disassembled.

”Most of it is still intact. With the notes it shouldn’t be too hard to reassemble. Would you like us to start on that or leave it like this?” Asked the guard.

“It’ll do to have it disassembled,” Louise said in response to the question fairly swiftly. “I’ll need it the way it is, for now,” she then walked over to the device, looking over it. A female scientist with long brunette hair noticed her looking over the device.

”I didn’t think that the High Priestess would be interested in things like that,” she said looking over the device with her.

“Everything has it’s use. Now, if you’ll excuse me… ” Louise said, she drew upon her wand again. Making tiny portals appear under each of the pieces; they were teleported immediately, she then conjured a larger rift for herself to go back to Origin.

”What, she is gone already? Said a voice entering the lab. A man with short reddish hair looked around noticing that the device was gone. “I heard that she was hard to pin down, but geez…She could have stayed for dinner or something.”

”What should we report back to Krieg?” Asked the guard.

“Eh? She just took that hunk of junk. Not like that was anything important to us. It was headed to the scrap heap anyways. As long as it performs I don’t care where she takes it,” answered Veldin.

”Yes sir.”

---

Durran listened around town for a while. Getting the gist of what happened he wondered what the cult’s purpose was for trying to get Origin into the fight. If anything that would make it a harder fight for the cursed. After trying for a while he decided he would just ask somebody. Though in his other worldly clothes he wasn’t expecting many people to trust him. Stopping an elderly woman he bowed slightly and introduced himself.

”Well aren’t you a dashing fellow,” said the older woman with a chuckle. Durran smiled, he would have to thank Louise again for lending him that outfit.

”Do you know where I could find a man knowledgeable about spirit technology. I have a project I’d like to hire them for,” asked Durran politely.

”Erm… well you could always try the college, but they are busy helping around town…” answered the woman. ”There was another person that could help you...what was his name again…” Durran hoped that she could scratch together what was left of her memory.

”Leon… Darek? answered the woman unsure about her own answer. ”Either way he never leaves his house. Tough cookies trying to get him to do anything.”

”I’ll just have to hope I am luckier in this than I am in matters of the heart,” answered Durran.

”A looker like you?! You just need to find that girl for you. I have a few grand daughters I’d love to introduce you to,” advised the woman. Durran smiled to keep up the appearances and thought of a way to politely decline.

”I already have my eyes set on someone. I’ll keep them in mind however,” answered Durran.

”Oh that is too bad!” Answered the old woman disappointed. ”Best of luck then,” Durran nodded and walked off to try and find out where this Leon was staying. After asking around a little bit more directions, he finally found himself in front of a rundown-looking laboratory with overgrown foliage taking over the entrance way.

Stepping up to the door he knocked firmly, and waited for an answer. Durran stood there for about a minute before knocking again, but to no avail. Knocking angrily the door swung open. The lock for the door clattered to the floor. Ooops… thought Durran looking at the damage he had caused. Looking into the darkness his eyes began to quickly adjusted as his eyes became slit like a snake. Walking into the house there was a glow beneath him. Lines of the light filled the house and traveled to the ceiling. Durran prepared himself for a trap of some sort, but at the end of the display the room simply lit up with lamps.

Breathing out he looked at the piles and piles of book around, and randomly picked one up. Flipping through its dusty pages; he found much of the stuff was out of his league, but it was obvious that this man was what he was looking for. Walking through the lab, he noticed a man sound asleep on a table. He was working on some sort of chemical concoction. The burner was on and everything. How has this man lived this long?! Thought Durran walking over and turning off the burner. Leon sprung awake and his gauntlet sprung to life as he aimed it straight at Durran.

”Easy, I mean you no harm, Leon,” said Durran raising both his hands covering his upper body. Leon stared him down his trigger finger getting itchy.

”What are you doing in my lab?” Asked Leon still skeptical of Durran.

”I have come to hire you for a job. I have some military-grade technology I would like you to take a look at,” asked Durran.

”Thats it? I have seen a lot more interesting than that. Go ask someone else,” responded Leon clicking something on his gauntlet that made the electricity start arcing.

”The pay will be substantial, I assure you,” Durran said trying to persuade him. Leon’s patience was up. Clicking the trigger a bolt of lightning shot off. Durran tensed up and a shield of blue appeared between his hands absorbing the spirit off the attack, and glowing brighter. Pushing forward Durran spun, kicking his gauntlet arm to the ground. The light lines around the lab began to glow bright as the spirit energy was sent into them. Stomping on the gauntlet he kicked with his other foot sending Leon flying and separating him from his toy.

Leon slammed into a pile of book and they fell on top of him burying him. Durran sighed as he walked over and began helping the man out. Leon reached out grabbing Durran by the arm, and attempted to shock him. Durran grabbed him by the forearm and stopped the flow of spirit energy to his arm. Leon stared stunned at his arm. His forearm felt numb.

”I have a woman who will be very upset if I ruin this suit. Now can we be civil?” Asked Durran. ”My name is Durran, pleasure to meet you Leon.”

---

Durran and Leon sat at a table looking at each other. Durran had made sure that there were no more surprises coming from equipment around the room, and began to relax. Leon sipped on some tea that he had made and kept glaring across the room at Durran.

”Amplification of that scale isn’t possible…” answered Leon. ” If it were, the Cursed would have had technology like that far before the Divine. They are experts on veils. Even Cain has a bigger influence on his veil than whatever Xinia they are on now.”

”We don’t need it that big. We just need it strong in the area that we move it in,” answered Durran.

”What is this all for?” asked Leon. Durran thought of how to answer. This man wasn’t in it for any sort of honor. He knew a great deal about Cursed and Divine tech-standards. So it was to be assumed he had little allegiance to each.

”Self-defense. We are tired of this war business, and just want to live our lives in peace. Me and my wife,” answered Durran.

”You sure don’t act very peaceful...” said Leon feeling his wrist.

”I taught myself to fight in order to protect her. I am sorry for my strong arm tactic. We are desperate for this…” replied Durran crossing his fingers.

”Alright enough with the sap story. Where is this stuff anyways? Asked Leon.

”If you follow me I will take you right to it. We have only just arrived in Origin so we don’t have a house or anything. We stored it somewhere safe for the time being,” answered Durran. He had sensed Louise’s return earlier, now he just had to hope she had the device with her.

(This is a Joint Post Starring:
TheLoneGentleman and Cinia Pacifica.)

Kudzu stepped out into the village amidst the clean up from the battle. Dressed in his suit it was hard to believe that he was from this world better yet the cursed lands. This played out to his advantage. Behind him Louise and Duran stepped out laying eyes on the chaos as well. Louise remembered this from the recent attack on Masario.

”They hit here too already?” Said Durran. He closed his eyes for a moment and tried to sense out for something, but it came up empty. She isn’t here, but her puppet is...Interesting. thought Durran. His face showed curiosity as he looked around at the streets filled with bodies.

”Razta!” said Kudzu running off into the city in search of his son.

”Should we go after him?” asked Durran.

“No, I shall let him have his way here; he is here for his son, after all,” Louise answered with a shrug. “...And for his safety… perhaps.”

”I guess there isn’t too much that he could do wrong around here. We can get done what we came for while he is visiting with him. Lucky for us that he didn’t drink as much as we thought.” answered Durran.

“Him drinking would most likely cause a loss of wives, we wouldn’t want that,” Louise spoke in jest before moving onwards. Durran laughed following behind Louise down the side streets.

”I didn’t think the oaf had it in him.” answered Durran.

“Yet Margaret was glued to him... ”

”I am trying to forget about that you know?” answered Durran with a chuckle.

---

Simply being in Origin Louise could tell that a battle had taken place, without seeing the various cleanup crews. The air was heavy with the residue of miasma. A feeling that she never wanted to revisit. It reminded her of that presence she hated for so long. Durran nudged her out of those thoughts and lead her into an alley nearby. Kudzu had headed off to find his son, and talk with the elder. Neither of which Durran wanted to be a part of. This week was about getting everything that they needed into position. That, Durran and Louise could handle without Kudzu.

”You doing alright in there?” asked Durran. ”Balan is almost here.”

“Ahh… yes, I shall deal with it, I can’t face him if I am unable to handle at least this much,” Louise said, holding her temple with an annoyed expression, she didn’t think she’d be greeted with this such miasma after coming here. She thought about how peaceful and comfortable a place Masario can be, sometimes.

”We’ll I haven’t had to deal with you for a while Durran. To what do I owe the honor? Asked Balan appearing from the shadows of the alley. Wearing his mask over his hair like a hat. ”Or should I say, what is it that you want to know?”

”Tell us what the cult is up to recently,” said Durran. Balan smirked at Durran and his eyes then drifted to Louise with a grin.

”They are one person that I won’t just give up the information on. Not even for you Durran. Certainly not for her. The cost for that I don’t think either of you can afford,” answered Balan. “How did this… ” asked Balan pointing at the two of them, “happen anyways?”

“I’ll be judge of whether the cost is possible to attain or not… and, what may you be speaking of?” Louise stated, then asked as he pointed at them.

”I’m guessing that the cult is a thorn in your side? Correct?” Replied Durran.

“I suppose so, they’re definitely irritating, to say the least,” Louise said, trying not to furrow her eyebrows. Frowning ruins a woman’s face, after all.

”You get rid of a problem for me, and the information is yours. Sound like a fair deal?” Answered Balan.

“Let’s hear it,” Louise said tersely, her ears wide open for the details of the deal.

”Kill that bitch Rhea for me. She has been getting in the way of my business for far too long, and I can’t get close to her. You can,” answered Balan. “I’ll have everything you need to go after the cult,” Balan leaning against the alley and smiled. “Is it a deal?”

“Hmm, I see. That Rhea of the church… What does she actually do, anyway?” Louise curiously asked. Been out from this world for years upon years, she’d hardly come to contact with the church before becoming a High Priestess once again. She didn’t know what Rhea had been doing behind the scenes. What she knew was that Rhea wasn’t an ordinary Head Priestess. There were more than what met the eye.

”Heh, what doesn’t she do?” Answered Balan. ”She has more blood on her hands than even I do,” Balan took his mask off of his head and placed it on half of his face. “Of course she is seen as a saint for many,” said Balan with a sweet face on the shown side. Then he moved the mask to the other side of his face. This side shown his eye open wide with a sick grin. ”She is truly an enigma. While her true purpose is to find the three great divine, I have no idea what the hell for. Her activity became sporadic after you came back into the mix, and she started sending her goons far and wide.”

“Funny, a lot of the saintly people have a lot of blood,” Louise commented, considering the amount of blood in her hands; she didn’t particularly loathe Rhea in that regard. “The three great divine huh… in the text of the old days – there were three gods – spirits who’d be carried by fated individuals, one of them happens to be me,” she said, placing a hand under her chin. “The church is a mystery indeed. They keep an eye on everything I do, and happens to panic and scold Krieg’s men every time I teleport… what do they truly want?” She mused. Despite being the High Priestess, they had the gall to keep her in the dark; using her as but a decorative jeweled gem – it was as if they were mocking her behind her back. It made Louise frown uncontrollably.

”So! What is your choice? I got other things I need to do today,” asked Balan.

”Give us a moment,” answered Durran. Balan sighed and turned around, putting hands behind his head. Louise and Durran stepped out of earshot range.

”So what do you want to do? If you want I can do this for you, but...I will be unable to accompany you further. I don’t see a way I can take her out without being detected,” whispered Durran.

“Can’t think of another way, in all honesty. If I am seen drawing Rhea’s blood then that would be cataclysm,” Louise stated, “in more ways than one. Once we’re done finding a technician; we may have you pursue her,” Louise said, she then reached for his ear specifically. “Try to find out what the church is truly up to while you’re at it. If you feel that it’d benefit me for Rhea to be alive, leave the job be,” she said, with a rather sly expression. Louise was sly, as so was Rhea. She felt that only one such player was best left alive.

”So what do we tell him? Durran asked again. ”He won’t give us this chance again.”

“We’re obviously accepting the deal,” Louise answered with a nod. “If we won’t have this chance again, it doesn’t matter whether we fully go along with the request or not. If we’re able to convince that she’s dead, he may provide us what we require,” she said with a light menacing smile. May as well try to trick him if worst comes to hand. “However, I am not telling you to keep her alive even if she proves to be useless and an eyesore to my activities. The fact that they survey my actions are particularly irritating, after all.”

”You two done yet?” Said Balan getting impatient. Durran turned and walked over to him.

”We will take the deal,” answered Durran. Balan eyed him up and then peered passed him to Louise.

“That is honestly very surprising,” answered Balan. ”I guess I’ll give you a taste of the info. I’ll make it a little cryptic so you can have fun too,” Balan laughed and placed his mask firmly on his face. ”Start where you lowered your numbers. In hell there is something only you angels can see.”

“Is this supposed to be a riddle to solve?” Louise asked, tilting her head, confounded.

“That has always been his thing. It’s just annoying really,” answered Durran.

“Of course its a riddle,” answered Balan.

“Sounds interesting,” Louise replied, shrugging. “In hell, hm? So it’s obviously a place you demons can’t easily traverse into?”

“But he said hell… ” answered Durran.

“It may go both ways. Hell is supposedly a torturous place where the residents are purged, and demons usually get a tough time in Masario,” Louise presented her theory.

“Brr... you are pretty cold there, and Masario is way too chilled to be hell,” said Balan with a snicker. ”But thats the only hint you get. Good luck!” Balan vanished in a flash of flames.

Louise looked at Balan with a blank face, then turned casually back to Durran, almost ignoring disgusting smirk. Almost. “Hm, Masario is a place where people like you can still live through, I suppose,” Louise stated, pondering closely. “If he said an angel, it may be possible for only me deal with this specific area.”

”What do you think he meant by start where you lowered your numbers?” asked Durran

“When I lowered my numbers, huh? That would be… when I left that squad? Or left behind the priests of the church I was aided with in the battle of Raltese?”

”Come to think of it wasn’t there an underground area where you left your escorts? Perhaps hell means something under the earth?” answered Durran.

“Yes, that’s the squad I was referring to… wait, how do you know that?” Louise asked, forgetting for a moment that she has quite an assortment of guests stalking her – always.

”The church isn’t the only one keeping tabs on you,” answered Durran. ”But at least you can see me following you.”

“...A pretty flower will always be stalked, I suppose,” Louise said, sagely nodding with her eyes closed, to herself. She was definitely letting her ego speak for herself now. “I suppose he could refer that to hell. What concerns me is how Rhea is connected to this. Next thing we know; she’s concocting illegal experiments underground and needs massive spiritual powers to fulfill her strange desires?”

”That sounds like something from out of a play,” answered Durran with a chuckle. ”When should we check that out? We still need to find the technician in this town. Or what’s left of this town anyways…”

“Once I get back from Raltese, and find us a technician and finalize the matter of it; we may begin with Rhea. Oh, but I would love to have a chat with the elder here regarding Kudzu, too,” Louise replied, before she smiled. The elder seemed to have piqued her interest, she only hoped that she was someone wise. “I trust that you’ll do fine in trying to find someone in here with expertise in technology.”

”Consider it done,” answered Durran. ”I’ll head out now and look around. You know how to reach me if something happens.”

“Then I’ll be moving on,” Louise said, taking up her wand to teleport herself to Raltese. Durran turned and walked out of the alley straightening out his suit. While Kudzu was settling things with his son he finally had some time to himself. Even if in this time he had some work to do he appreciated the solitude.

Meh.

Not worth the effort.