Riveene sat upon a wicker chair, a leg over the other as she glared at the Story of one of her many Paladins. In that it detailed her trip to Stormhaven where they found the populace to fallen under the spell of ex-Priest Reginald. Who was then Judged guilty for his crimes, and beheaded in front of the populace.

Unfortunately for them, the townsfolk were so enraptured by the man that, when he was executed, they rose up as one to slay the “Witches and Demons” who took him from them. Which led to them retreating and praying to herself for guidance, because in their minds the populace was lost, and she agreed. Thus leading to the end of Stormhaven, which was then raised to the ground.

This was so, as nothing could show where the anomaly had gone or who they were. Even their Divination Spells failed to find anything. Or, rather, it found only four missing spots in the world. Ones that led to the site where the Baroness of Slaughter was slain, then back to the city of Stonewall where it vanished completely due to the ambient magicks in the air.

Sighing, the Goddess of Light closed the book as she stretched her arms above her head before standing tall and replacing the book on its shelf. “Ugh,” her head rested upon the top of the shelf as an imaginary headache slowly formed behind her eyes, “Why does this have to be so complicated?”

Moving slowly, Riveene's feet took her towards the central hub of the Library of Azzarath where she came upon a curious sight. A Shadow Librarian was arguing with another Librarian, in that the former accused the latter of stealing almost one hundred of their books. Even more so when a Dragon King burst through the doors behind her, and stormed his way over to the counter where he demanded to know where one of his servants was hiding.

“What do you mean by 'hiding'?” her left face, towards the eyes, was scrunched up in disbelief, “You're a 'Dragon King'. No one can hide from you.”

“That's the thing,” he growled with blood red eyes and smoke curling out of the corners of his maw, “I've lost one of my Holy Soldiers, a Kirin who just became of age before he was spirited away by some 'Summoner'.”

“So? Go find the Summoner and make them hand over your soldier,” she pointed towards the door.

The King's foreclaws balled themselves into fists as he tried to keep calm as he forced out between clenched teeth, “I would IF I could find the bastard who took him.”

“What do you mean?”

“The Summoner isn't in the System. Not only that, but my Kirin vanished from my roster earlier this morning.”

“Hah,” barked the Shadow Librarian, who was made up of the essence itself, “Your 'one' servant can't compare to what the Headmaster is feeling right now.”

“What?” he growled at it as it grinned up in response.

“We just lost 88 of our people to a Summoner, too, and then their Stories just vanished.”

“What do you mean by that?” asked Riveene, not at all desiring to know where this was going, but was committed anyways.

“30 Shadow Guards and 58 Personnel, their Stories included, just vanished. Poof. Gone. It's pandemonium back there.” It shrugged as it turned its back towards the pair to address another Librarian. One that could not help them, as they are of a different sector within the System and had their own rules and laws.

“Meh,” the Shadow Librarian shrugged its gaseous shoulders, “It was worth a try. Anyways, good luck to you all.” Upon so saying, it left a stunned Dragon King and Goddess after waving a hand at them.

“What the hell is going on?” Riveene muttered with widened eyes.

*****

“,” Karastak called out as he raised his staff high in the courtyard of their mansion. He wore something more than his faded blue robe, though it was the same type of clothing. Instead, it was of a colour called Midnight Blue, and held streaks of silver flowing throughout to give off the illusion of the night's sky above.

The girls themselves wore gowns of similar colours and designs, but were in the guise of Human children by way of Puella's magicks. This was explained to them that although slavery was common throughout, it was unknown how prejudice the Humans were towards other races. Therefore, they would need to remain in their guises until further notice when outside their new home.

As for what occurred within the mansion after inviting those from the Shadow Realm, Zabartik, and Kirin to his Black Parade System? Well, suffice to say all had opted to join, with the guards and the Shade becoming a race called Living Armour, but in the form of Spartan and Hoplite arms and armours. The latter of the two became their leader as well, with Kirin keeping his Race, but his class became that of a Samurai. He was even wearing a red plated armour set with a demonic and whiskered mask, though the latter had to be stowed away due to frightening Puella.

The Maids each were of a Kin or Beastial race, but their classes were the same called Ninja. Whereas the Butlers took on the form of something that appeared Human, but were not. For their race was called Doppelganger, and their classes centered around the arcane arts. However, their leader, who had attached himself to Karastak's side, took on the class called Necromancer. One that caused Command to try and remove, but was forced to remove itself.

This was due to the fact that Necromancy was seen as an abomination by the Universe they were in. Yes. The class existed, but it was a prestige class that could only be obtained through a long process which resulted in the user becoming something less than ideal. When Karastak pointed out a minour flaw of, “Why is it an abomination Class, if there are Summoners, Conjurers, and Priests who are able to resurrect the dead back to life?”

To which Command responded with, “[Summoners and Conjurers take others from their planes of existences and bring them into their own. The ability to bring the dead back to a full life, though rare, is still an abominable practice. The dead are to remain dead so that they may continue onward within their cycle of life, not be tied down into their former lives for an extended period of time.]”

“You just said something complicated and confusing, Command, but whatever. He will keep his class, you will not touch it and him unless I state otherwise, and his name is Brutus. Understand?”

“[...Acknowledged...]”

For the final staff, the Cooks, they each became Draconic in nature. Opting to do so so that they could each handle a specific part of the kitchen from the ice box to the oven, as well as not needing to use additional fuels whilst performing their duties. Or rather, that is what they told him, and before they caused an explosion in the kitchen.

*

“What is Mr. Kar making?” mewed Puella as she stared with wide eyes as iron wheels with odd grooves, spokes, and spring were conjured into existence by way of Karastak's magicks. These were then attached to metal bars to form the base of some sort of cart, perhaps.

What came next, however, was anything, but an ordinary cart. Instead, a metallic box formed around and atop the base, and their eyes watched as other “things” appeared within the walls. Things which were weapons and contraptions that did not belong within such a thing, especially when they were to be headed off towards a party with the Regent for the evening. However, they were still there, and more being added to it whilst blending seamlessly within the walls and roof until it gave off the appearance that they were never there to begin with.

Followed by this, was Karastak hand his staff off to Brutus, who handled it as though it were a holy object, and used both of his hands in order to work his magicks to reshape the cart. The sound of warping metal was nonexistent as he performed this task, which was surprising to a few including Lupa. However, the shape of it all was what truly startled her.

“Tha-that's,” she stammered with widened eyes as her right index finger pointed at the aerodynamic structure. Instead of completing her thought, she scampered over to Karastak's side just as he had finished, and tugged on his robes with a whispering-shout of an accusation, “You're from Earth!”

“Hmm?” he hummed in response before lifting her person into his arms, “That I was, Lupa. I take it you are as well?” When she bobbed her own head, continued to ask as he retook his staff from Brutus in order to direct everyone within the vehicle, “Which part of the world are you from?”

“Kyoto, Japan,” she replied instantly as Puella stared up at them with great curiosity whilst being lifted inside by the Head Maid of the household, who then pulled herself within. Brutus soon followed suit, as Kirin was bidden to open the front door of the vehicle and sit upon the offered cushion. Upon doing so, the door was shut just as Zabartik took up a position at its head with four other guards surrounding it, one on each corner.

Karastak and Lupa, on the other hand, went around to the other side where another door was visible. Here, however, a steering wheel was present with a pair of pedals where a person would rest their feet. Such a sight caused the white-haired girl to widen her eyes and turn towards himself as he smiled softly.

“Yes,” he nodded slightly, “this is a car. Or, more specifically, a modified Sedan with tinted windows to hold everyone within.”

“Where are you from?” her hands took up the belt upon the cushion between himself and Kirin, who looked about with wonderment.

“Texas,” he replied slowly as he sat himself down and strapped himself in with the belt. After which Lupa just stared at him as he pressed a button which caused a part of the door to open up so that he could signal Zabartik and the other Living Armour to begin to move off towards the Fourth Ring of Stonewall. First, though, he had to swipe away at the annoying placard which showed up unannounced.

Congratulations!

You have created a modified and weaponised cart (Sedan) with your magicks!

Grade: Unknown

Durability: Indefinite

“Texas?” her face scrunched up as though smelling something awful, whereas he simply spun the wheel towards their open gate and pressed one of the pedals down slowly. Of which caused the vehicle to move forward at a slow pace, and with the grooves on the wheels, the pace was as smooth as it should be.

“Yes,” he commented slowly, his eyes more focused on the road ahead, “Texas.”

“What's 'Tec-ses'?” Puella leaned over the cushion.

“A small country full of the nicest and most vindictive people you would ever know,” Karastak smiled softly, and stopped the vehicle in order to gently push the illusory, dark haired girl back into her seat.

Behind them, the trio of Maid, Brutus, and Puella stared about themselves whilst making similar curious sounds as more than a few heads turned in their direction on the streets. Each speaking of what they're witnessing the evening, as the group continued to parade towards the Second Ring. Within that one, there was more traffic due to many of the nobles of Stonewall being invited by the Regent to congratulate them on the slaying of the Baroness of Slaughter.

The sight of all the nobles caused an errant thought to run through his mind as he turned towards Brutus, “I have a scenario for you, Brutus, and will pose a query once through.”

“Yes, Lord?” he responded as his physical appearance became that of an old man with much wisdom to be shared amongst the younger generations.

“Heh,” Karastak shook his head as his attention was directed towards the cobblestone road ahead of them, “When one is instructed to attend a gathering with a multitude of those who are within the 'upper class' of society, it is required of the attendee to know what to say and what not to say.” Behind him, the Doppelganger's head bobbed once with a frown upon his lips, whereas the vehicle itself turned into the First Ring's gate. Here, they waited until the Guard stationed there took their identifications and party invite to verify them.

“Then I ask my query, Brutus,” he turned slowly to stare into his Necromancer's eyes, “If they did not send forth someone to teach us their ways, nor did we ask or prepare ourselves for the venture, then how will we stop them from acting out against our interests?”

As the Guard walked back, waving them through the door, Brutus shook his head with, “I don't know, Lord.”

“If we do not know their ways, and they expect us to know them, then we shock their minds with wonderment until they can no longer think.” Upon so saying, Karastak turned his attention back towards the road. Of which led them into a small haven that appeared to their eyes to be a fantasy made real.