Even though the Valkyries had wings, they opted not to fly. They walked the streets with Silence Ardent striding ahead of them. Occasionally, one valkyrie or the other would glance at his back side then glance over to one of her associates. Knowing eyes would lock together and heads would nod.

It was a known fact. Silence Ardent had opted not to become the heir of the Origin Empire, a title which fell to his sister who was aptly named Origin. Of course, the empire went by another name prior to her selection. However, despite the fact that he chose not to become the official leader of the Ardent family whenever his mother, Era, eventually chooses to step down, he was still a confirmed bachelor of the highest caliber. Any of the Valkyries who followed him at the moment would be delighted if they could so much as sniff his bath water, much less get the chance to spend a little time with him outside of work.

Sadly, the Valkyries were on duty and their role prevented them from gushing like excited fan girls who had spotted a celebrity. Sometimes, being an upright paragon of law and virtue kind of sucked. Even among gods, the ardent family was known to be quite beautiful. As the only male child of that family line, Silence easily rated in the top one hundred hotties on the D-Net bachelor’s lists. Not that the Valkyries spent their free time on D-Net looking for hot, rich, eligible men. No. Clearly, they would not do such a thing.

A squeal echoed from a nearby alley way. Several goddesses rushed the group. Their eyes sparkled brightly, and their hands were extended as though they expected a hug to be inbound.

Silence sighed softly, then continued to stride forward while the Valkyries who were supposed to be escorting him to the Hall of Justice were forced to act as bodyguards to keep away horny local fangirls. They were forced to physically fight off several pesky goddesses who did not care if they received a small fine for interfering. This was their chance! If only Silence would look at them. Surely, he would fall in love at first sight or something.

A short distance away, another high-pitched squeal of joy erupted from a gathered crowd. Another set of fangirls rushed toward him. Daedra sighed loudly then moved to intercept. Did these thirsty fools not see their wings?

“There’s a reason why my family drives everywhere,” said Silence in a manner that almost seemed apologetic. Almost. “Though, my sister Origin will occasionally walk… despite the damage that typically leaves in her wake.”

It took quite some time, and many battles were fought. In the end, Silence was delivered with his integrity and pants intact. The Valkyries, however, looked quite haggard despite their immortal nature. They had seen some things that day. They had seen many things.

Upon reaching the entrance to the Hall of Justice, they were greeted to a sight that immediately set Silence’s teeth on edge. Sax walked through the doors.

Sax looked at Silence, a slight sneer on his lips. “So, you thought that you would attack someone who used to be part of my guild?”

“So, you are violating your restraining order by speaking to me?” asked Silence.

Sax started to respond but his eyes suddenly bulged outward and he dropped to his knees. Pain! Intense, incalculable pain! His body was completely overwhelmed for a few seconds as that pain lanced throughout his entire being.

The restraining order was doled out on something of an honor system mechanic. He was supposed to adhere to its restrictions without being forced to do so. Violations were noted and accompanied by pain.

Silence strode past the gasping deity and entered the building. The Valkyries who were set to escort him spared a glanced toward Sax, but soon followed their charge.

Sax glared at their backs, his expression promising suffering beyond their comprehension. He burned their faces into his memory. Each of them would suffer!

A certain spicy aroma reached his nostrils. Sax looked down then growled indignantly. The punishment cycle for disregarding his restraining order had caused him to piss his pants. It was a momentary issue. He willed the urine away, and with it gone his pants were soon pristine and fresh once more. The memory of the urine’s scent, however, would linger. It would fester inside of him and become just another reason to advance his plans.

Inside the Hall of Justice, Silence was led along a winding path and then over to an elevator. They rode up several floors while cheesy music played, but no one spoke. Eventually, they reached Emeritus’ office. Most of the Valkyries remained outside, but Daedra led Silence into the room.

Emeritus sat up in his seat then gestured toward the seat opposite of him. “Please take a seat, Silence Ardent. I have many questions.”

Silence moved to sit down, but so did Daedra. Emeritus glanced at her then said, “Thank you Valkyrie Daedra. That will be all.”

Daedra poked her lower lip out then huffed a little. She had gone through a lot of effort to get the guy here, and now she couldn’t even hear the good part. She lifted her nose upward then turned and strode out of the room.

Once she was gone, Emeritus looked to Silence. “Silence Ardent. You have been implicated in a significant possible crime. In order to continue further, I must place you under the effects of a veritas spell. Do you comply?”

“I comply, said Silence. “What crime am I accused of, arbiter?”

“Recently, a former member of the guild ‘Corpse Rat’ was found worse than comatose in his home. What do you know of this matter?” asked Emeritus.

“The Valkyries mentioned it. Other than that, this is the first that I have heard of it,” said Silence.

“I see,” said Emeritus. “It is your statement that you had nothing to do with his injuries?”

“Nothing that I know of, no,” agreed Silence.

Emeritus gazed thoughtfully at him for a moment. “The wounds inflicted showed clear signs of being attacked by abyssal energy, while he was logged into the community project if which you chose to take part.”

“That’s the real reason you brought me here. Isn’t it?” asked Silence. “I’m a death god, so I do deal in abyssal energy.”

“Are you admitting to something?” asked Emeritus curiously.

“No. I had nothing to do with that,” said Silence.

Emeritus gazed at Silence for a moment then slowly nodded his head. “You believe that you have nothing to do with this event, however I sense that you have a suspicion regarding the actual culprit.”

“I do, but my non-disclosure agreement will prevent me from saying much here,” said Silence.

“Yes. NDAs are often a concern,” admitted emeritus. “As things stand, I cannot override your contract. Logos Remnant would deny any attempt unless we can use a proper protocol to trigger the removal of the agreement.”

“I should tell you what I can,” said Silence. “Though, that is not much.”

“Go on,” said Emeritus.

“It has been made public knowledge that beta testing for the community project will soon begin,” said Silence. “In my NDA I required the ability to grant full disclosure within the realm I was granted in order to do my job. It is not ideal, but I have considerably more freedom to speak there.”

“I take it that there is a special consideration?” asked Emeritus.

“The time difference between the divine city and that world means that it will be one month in Divine City time before you can insert someone into that world,” said Silence. “That is, unless you can get a warrant.”

“Normally, that is exactly what I would do,” said Emeritus. “Unfortunately, my request for just that was denied.”

“The administrative team has a few free entry vouchers that we can give out. I have not used mine,” said Silence. “I can give that to you, and you can pass it along to an agent willing to temporarily die for the cause.”

“I see,” said Emeritus. He leaned forward slightly, “I assume that the special realm of which you spoke is a twilight realm?”

“Yes, a land of the dead. In order for me to speak freely without prying ears and freedom from my NDA, I need to speak there,” said Silence.

Emeritus considered his words for a moment then leaned back. “Very well. If that is all that you can speak at this time, I will end this meeting.”

“Find me in the project. Just tell me who is coming in advance so I can tag them for personal review,” said Silence.

“The time difference in that world… It is such that nearly a year will pass there before the beta test begins. Correct?” asked Emeritus.

“Yes, a little under one year for them,” agreed Silence.

Emeritus nodded his head. “Thank you for coming in today. I will be in touch with you prior to the date of the beta test.”

“I’m free to go?” asked Silence.

“You are under suspicion. However, you are not under arrest,” said Emeritus. “We do not have enough evidence to hold you for more than a few days. There is no reason to do such.”