The party travelled through the sewers and back into the city. Avernus pushed open the hatch to the street, and one by one, the team jumped out of the tunnel.

Avernus breathed in relief, "Ah, finally. Some fresh air."

After a bit of body stretching, Rokurou turned to Velvet, eager to know her idea about the creature they saw back in the villa, “Um. You don’t want to talk about that daemon, Velvet?”

Velvet raised her hand in indifference, cutting off Rokurou and dismissing him, "Who cares. Avernus said that it was a Griffin. Not even the crybaby exorcist seemed to know what it was. So, we don't need to know either."

However, Avernus recalled Velvet’s strange reaction to the invisible barrier as if she was familiar with the magic. Unlike Rokurou, he decided to ask the real question, "Velvet, you said something about that barrier. Do you know what it was?"

Velvet let out a silent groan in annoyance. "Yes. I know that too well. There was the same kind of barrier blocking my prison cell back at Titania, preventing my escape."

Avernus stroked his chin. More events began to pile up that didn’t make sense with the information they had on hand. "I see. The exorcist Eleanor didn't know about the creature. They must have some kind of a secret experimental plan to keep that prison under a castle."

None of it mattered to Velvet as killing Artorius was her ultimate goal. She quickly shrugged it off. “As I said, it doesn’t concern us. Let's head back to Tabatha. It is time to get the last piece of information to get to Artorius."

However, Avernus’s mind was occupied with something else besides killing the Midgand saviour. He watched Velvet as her eyes burned with the desire to get her revenge. Avernus wondered; what he could do to spare her the cruel fate that awaited her?

Rokurou’s abrupt questioning of Magilou broke him out of his reverie. "I still can't believe that you stole a malak from an exorcist. How did you do that, Magilou?"

"I didn't steal him.”Magilou snorted. “Originally, Bienfu was my malak. But he betrayed his rightful mistress and ran away." Magilou pinned the chubby normin under her malicious gaze.

Bienfu sobbed in misery, "Miss Magilou treated me so bad! I couldn't take it anymore." But somehow, his mood immediately shifted, and he beamed as he remembered someone else, "But then I met Madam Eleanor. Living with her was like a dream! I was so happy. She was so much nicer to me. She has an elegant scent to her! And whenever she was emotional, her tears moved my heart and soul."

Avernus smirked and shook his head, "You Bienfu, are an idiot to mention this right in front of the witch."

An evil grin carved on Magilou's face, accompanying her wicked gaze. She grabbed Bienfu in a quick move and poked his cheek, pushing her finger into his soft skin enough to bruise, "Ho ho! I wonder what kind of punishment you should get tonight for what you just said…"

Feeling Magilou’s bony finger digging into his chubby cheeks, his eyes widened in dread, "Bieeeen! The bad days are back again!"

" Stupid malak …" Avernus muttered, staring at Bienfu with a dismissive glance.

Velvet groaned, glaring skeptically at Magilou. "In other words, you're an exorcist."

Magilou chuckled. "That's a big nope, darling. I'm a witch. Bienfu here sort-of enhances my magic power, like a catalyst."

Velvet turned to Avernus for confirmation, "I thought only exorcists could make pacts with malakhim. Isn’t that right, Avernus?"

"If it was three years ago, you were right. But now, with everyone being able to see malakhim, I'm certain that a few more people with a knack for magic can now form pacts with them."

"Hah! What? Did you also make those dull rules?" Magilou mocked, grinning.

Avernus sighed in frustration. "Star of Mysteria! grant me patience, so I don't blast this witch into oblivion."

"Let it go, you two. Holding a conversation with her is a sure way to go mad," Rokurou advised.

Ignoring Magilou, they found themselves at the doorsteps of the tavern. Velvet pushed the door open and approached Tabatha, who was patiently waiting for them behind the bar, arms locked in front of her.

Tabatha welcomed them with a warm smile, "Congratulations on a job well done."

Velvet stopped behind the counter. She wasn’t surprised as Velvet knew who she was dealing with, "You heard quickly."

Tabatha chuckled lowly, "There are times that with these old ears, I can't hear anything at all. But for business, that's about all I'm good for."

Avernus stood beside Velvet. "Don't sell yourself short. A Businesswoman or not, you're still sharp and all in good shape, Tabatha,"

Tabatha let a faint giggle, cupping her hand intuitively in front of her mouth. "Charming and humble." She turned her attention back to Velvet. "Who can let go of such a courteous gentleman, am I right, Ms. Crowe? After all, he went through all the troubles in the world to find you. Meeting likes of him is extremely rare these days. If it weren’t for your revenge, I would've advised you to take him and run away from all this negativity. Life is too short to be a malicious vigilante, young lady."

In Velvet’s mind, it felt like a taunt. She turned away to hide her face, only for a surprised Laphicet to see her flushing cheeks for the first time.

"I… don't run away from my resolve. My intentions are clear, and my life is my own to choose. I will kill Artorius no matter what." Velvet declared. She raised her head again, frowning. "As long as Avernus is useful, I will have his skill. I want nothing more.”

Avernus shook his head, “Can we drop this?”

Abruptly, he heard chuckles and giggles coming from behind them. He turned and saw Eizen, Rokurou, and Magilou having sheepish grins on their faces.

“You may have a short lifespan, Avernus. I would not recommend that." Eizen said.

Rokurou had no intention to hide his laugh, "I'm still oath-bound to Velvet. I'm sorry, I can't protect you from her if she decides to discard you."

Avernus pointed a threatening finger at them. “You two… Shut your mouth.”

Eizen and Rokurou fist-bumped each other in victory. Avernus, still pissed off, quickly turned back to avoid further argument.

Magilou nearly flapped her arms in protest, "What about me?! You don’t want to hear what I have to say?!"

Avernus shrugged her off in indifference. “Tell it to Eizen and Rokurou. I don’t care.”

During their argument, Velvet managed to collect her thoughts and slid away from her mess of an emotional struggle and at her original revenge plan. "Have you learned anything about the "key" for passing through the magic barrier?"

"Yes. The key to being able to enter the Empyrean throne is to bring four greater malakhim with you. Only high ranking exorcists use that many malakhims when they travel. This is the strategy the abbey came up with to prevent intruders and normal people from entering their new temple."

Avernus leaned against the counter, "They thought this through. Four greater malakhim to pass the barrier is a little bit too much."

Bienfu, in his light orb form, darted out of Magilou and wheezed over to Avernus, bobbing his head proudly. "Looks can be deceiving, but I'm actually a greater malakhim."

Avernus rolled his eyes, "I already know that, little Normin.”

Bienfu folded his hands together and began to fly around Avernus in joy and excitement, "You do?! Oh, I knew there was something different about you, mister! Your elegance reminds me of madam Eleanor."

Magilou’s eyes flashed with all sorts of wicked intents. "So you want to jump ships again?"

"What?! Bieeen! Of course not, Miss Magilou. I would not dare to leave your side again! And he is a man after all…"

Avernus raised a brow, "Bienfu, you little rake! You want to only pact with women, aren't you?"

Bienfu tanked his harsh words as they came battering his soul, "Why are you yelling at me?! All I did was complimenting you!"

Avernus crossed his arms, squinting at Bienfu, “I have got to say; you’re the first womanizing Normin I have ever seen. Pretty bad at it too.”

Bienfu skipped to Magilou’s side after Avernus’ direct observation shattered his confidence.

Rokurou swept a curious glance over the reaper, "Eizen, you're a greater malak too. Are you not?"

"Aye. That's what others told me. Although I didn't care much about the opinions of the ones who trap my kind into servitude."

"So we have Bienfu, Eizen, and Laphicet. We just need one more Greater malak…" Avernus said as he moved away from the counter. "I'll get the fourth one. I just need to do an errand."

"What errand?" Velvet asked.

"It is a personal request. It won't take long, probably half a day.”

“Do it fast. I want this to be done as soon as possible.”

Laphicet abruptly pulled Avernus’ coat. "Before you go, I want to ask; What makes me a great malak?"

Avernus nodded. "You have near limitless control over the mana. The artes you are using, despite being incomplete, are way beyond your age to cast. Regardless of your physical appearance, you harbor an untapped power."

Magilou leaned curiously between them, “Oh! You have eyes for discovering malakhim talents! You are turning to be more than just a mere traveller.”

Avernus glanced indifferently from the corner of his eyes, “At least Laphicet and I are useful. Unless you want actually to help and come with us . ”

Magilou yawned in disinterest and leaned against the wall, "Do I have to come too? Sounds so boring to me…"

Velvet waved a disinterested hand, "We don’t care about you, but we'll keep Bienfu."

"You really have no manners, Velvet. Wouldn't, " Please come with us, Miss Magilou!" be a suitable response?"

"You know I can just steal him from you," Before Velvet could finish her sentence, she noticed Laphicet slowly walking towards Magilou.

"Um, Miss Magilou. I would like it if you come with us please."

Everyone was surprised by Laphicet's appeal. Magilou paused and grinned in satisfaction, "In that case, I have no choice but to go and pay a visit to the Empyrean's throne. Watching the battle between daemons and the shepherd must be marvellous to watch."

Rokurou moved beside Laphicet, "I still have my debt to repay to Velvet, so I will come too.”

Eizen flipped his coin one last time before joining them, "Melchior will probably be there at your target's side, so we all still share the same goal."

Avernus nodded favorably, "Then we're all in this together. Get some rest, discuss your plans and we will rendezvous on Zekson port tomorrow afternoon."

Velvet pulled the pass out of her back pocket and held it at Tabatha, "I'm giving you back the pass. Our mutual deal is done."

Tabatha refused, "You can keep it, my dear. This token is the sign of our alliance. Call us when your need arises, and The Bloodwing Butterflies will come to your aid."

Velvet narrowed her eyes skeptically, "Allies to the ones who are planning to assassinate the world's savior? You might regret it."

"Such a mindful young lady. That little guy's influence surely affected you," said Tabatha as she glanced at Laphicet.

"We might need that help you mentioned right now." Eizen titled his head at the little malak; Laphicet was passed out of exhaustion and was sleeping soundly.

Avernus gently picked him up, "The time has come swiftly for the warrior to rest."

"You can use our rooms again. Make yourselves at home." Tabatha offered.

Avernus, along with Velvet, carried Laphicet to the room and laid him on the bed. On his way back to the corridor, he turned to Velvet, “Feeling better?”

“My hunger is still there, but I have enough strength to go on,” Velvet paused and frowned, remembering the nasty wounds she inflicted on him, “What about your back?

“It’s fine. Nothing to worry about.”

"Take off your coat and your shirt.” Velvet demanded, not believing his tough act. After all, her sharp claws borrowed through the soft flesh of his body. By experience, no creature survived her attack until now.

Avernus raised a brow, but she was waiting there patiently, blocking the doorway. He complied and slowly took off his coat and opened his shirt’s buttons. Avernus stripped off his torso to nothing. Velvet’s eyes fell on his exposed body; under the light, she clung to his chiselled chest and the skin on it that was glowing. For the second time in her life, Velvet was distracted by his abdominals that were sculptured somewhat to perfection as his six-packs popped.

Avernus cocked his head as if he was ready for inspection. His trusting expression to stand there defenceless, made Velvet uncomfortable. She secretly wished Avernus was indifferent like Eizen and Rokurou. But he was not.

But those feelings were obscured by the dark thoughts of rage and vengeance. Velvet dismissed them as passing fancy.

Avernus noticed her ogling. He straightened his shoulders. “See anything you like?”

Velvet grunted at his tease, raising her head to level a glare with him as she was caught. Avernus clung to her eyes that scared off everyone, except it seemed he was unaffected by the weight of all those untamed emotions. Velvet turned her eyes away, circling him to check his back.

Avernus heaved a calm breath, “Because I like what I see.”

He could hear a muffled growl coming from Velvet. Avernus didn’t move, but having his back to Velvet didn’t seem a good idea, especially when teasing her.

“I guess you need to avert your eyes where they are not wanted.” Velvet warned.

“Can’t help it. I have to acknowledge and enjoy beauty .”

Velvet groaned, “You are clearly a deviant and an idiot. Do you really want to get hurt?”

“I’m honest.” Avernus replied, “I think you should be too.”

“ Such gall . Such audacity to tell these things straight to my face .” Velvet mumbled and brushed a hand over his skin where her fangs tore off his flesh yesterday. Her therion arm throbbed as if it started drooling at the touch.

“Aren’t you afraid that I would do that again to you?” Velvet asked. Although, she took full control before her therion arm devoured him whole as it recalled his unique flavor under her tongue, pressuring Velvet to bite his flesh.

“No.”

Velvet sneered at his confident and trusting answer, “Not only are you insolent enough to tease me, but you also lack the better judgement of who you are dealing with.”

“It is because I trust you, Velvet.”

He was impossible. The more she pushed him away from her thoughts, the more he found his way into her mind. Suddenly, catching faint scars on his taut back pulled Velvet from the idea. Velvet squinted at his skin. She spotted a lot more, older scars that were barely visible.

Avernus figured out Velvet had discovered his old wounds and was distracted, “It was not the first time that happened to me. I have fought many battles since I was ten years old.”

“How did you heal them?”

Avernus sneered at Velvet as she underestimated his powers, “Magic, of course.”

There was probably more to magic that he admitted , but she didn’t care at that moment. That explanation was good enough to give her a brief sense of relief. She picked up his shirt and handed it to him,”Put your clothes back on and go back to your room.”

“Velvet… We need to talk.” Avernus requested, his tone sounded severe.

Velvet scowled defensively. She felt she had enough of him for a day. But what bothered her was her emotions .

“What for?”

Avernus calmly bottomed up his shirt half-way, leaving his chest exposed wide open as usual, and sat on the bed in one of the side rooms. She sensed his fatigue that he was holding back was finally catching up to him.

"You don't want to use this bed?" Avernus asked.

“No. I don’t use beds anymore.”

Avernus laid down and sank his head into the pillow, "Then you don't mind me sleeping here, do you?"

Velvet leaned against the wall, crossing her arms in annoyance, “I don’t care.”

After heaving a sigh, Avernus locked his arms behind his head, looking up to the ceiling, “I have got an offer for you.”

“An offer?”

“Yes. After we kill Artorius, I want you to come with me to the far continent.”

Velvet suddenly had a flashback of three years ago; Avernus’ sweet words of his promise to Laphi and her. Bitter memories surged a rageful torrent inside her.

“You’re a piece of work…”

Avernus tilted his head at Velvet. He saw her eyes burning with anger.

“What, you think you can solve all my damn problems?” Velvet grunted, glaring furiously, “Who the hell do you think you are?!”

Those harsh words would’ve sent shivers through a normal human, but they didn’t flinch Avernus. He calmly looked at her, and it made Velvet even more anxious.

“A dreamy man, living in a fantasy inside your head. You think of yourself as a high and mighty prince who charms and rescues the damsel in distress, huh?” She taunted. “Time to wake you up, Mr. Prince charming; the world doesn’t work like that.” Velvet growled, staring intensely. “And I don't need your sympathy, nor I welcome anything you throw at me. All I want is my revenge .”

Avernus reached to one of his pockets and pulled out a pendant, ignoring her harsh words.

“Catch.” Avernus tossed it, and Velvet effortlessly caught it beside her ear. The lid popped, and she saw a small portrait of a smiling, red-haired woman.

“Not everyone could see her. When they asked who your mother was, I always showed them this.” Avernus said, his gaze fixating on the ceiling. “Her name was Rosalia. She was a fire malak. A powerful one at that. She was several thousand years old, but her face didn’t show age.”

Velvet unintentionally surrendered to her curiousness about his past life, “Why?”

“Malakhim’s physical age is connected to their thoughts. If they want to play the old, wise people, they can and will age more. But she had a fiery soul, and those kinds of malakhim won’t age that much.”

“What about your real mother? Wasn’t she around?”

“No. I didn’t even know her. After I was born, she left me, and Rosa took care of me instead and brought me up in the Hyland castle. After my training, she was the best part of my life. She used to glow with pride and joy.”

Avernus' tone suddenly changed for the worst, "But when I got older, I became selfish. All those talks of savior and god among men from my father and his circle of squires turned my attention away from her. I was always fighting, killing, and celebrating with my friends, forgetting about the only person that cared about me. Those times that I returned to her, I always complained about my daily life, and she would always listen to my whining and gave me courage in return. I never showed the love she deserved.”

His voice slowly began to show the signs of breaking down.

"By the time I was given full authority over the squires, she was dismissed. Rosa would send some letters from time to time, asking how I was doing. But instead of a full response, I answered them with short messages.”

Velvet didn’t interrupt. She could’ve just walked away, but something from deep inside her heart told her to stay and listen.

"Five years ago, they brought me the news that the area she was staying, was hit hard by a horde of daemons. I rode for several days, but when I arrived, there was nothing left. I knew she didn't make it. There was nothing left to mourn. Just a memory and a lifetime of regret. For the next year after, I abandoned my duty and hunted the horde to extinction. I slaughtered, killed, and tore apart through their ranks until I killed their leader. But it didn’t change anything. My mother was gone, and nothing would bring her back.”

Avernus’ voice reverted to his usual tone.

"Rosa never wanted this life for me. She taught me to love and be kind, but instead, I pursued glory ignorantly. I forgot what was real to me until I lost it. No matter how many daemons fell, how much blood I spilled, or how much I screamed into the night, I couldn't bring her back.”

He suddenly turned to Velvet, "So to answer your question, no. I’m not living in a fantasy, nor have I lived a comfortable life as Prince charming . I’m fully aware that you are no damsel in distress. But I’m here to help you. However, my help has a price...”

Avernus slowly shut his eyes, and he stopped talking. Velvet skeptically glanced one last time at the portrait before closing the lid and walking toward him. “You are a smooth talker, but the only revenge that I’m interested in is mine. I don’t need-”

Velvet paused and narrowed her eyes, noticing he fell asleep instantly. In Benwick’s words, he was a one-man army killing machine, but he looked innocent, like a baby boy when he was sleeping. Her eyes scanned all his facial features again. A little probing wouldn’t hurt when no one was around.

In the meantime, Magilou quietly entered the room. Seeing Velvet watching Avernus, she slowly slid to her side, "You know, Velvet, you can blink once in a while, and he will still be here."

Unfazed by her tease, Velvet turned to her, “What do you want?”

Magilou stretched her body as if she had a heavy workout, "Nothing, just taking a break from my punishing session."

Bienfu cried from the other room, "My poor, bruised body!"

"You better not kill our key." Velvet advised.

Magilou smirked as she looked over Laphicet, "Look who's talking! Better not eat your own precious key, Velvet! Avernus is here, so consider eating him instead of Laphicet.”

Velvet suddenly remembered his taste under her fangs, the sour, delicious taste of the perfect meal. Her arm shuddered at the desire to just nibble from his smooth skin one more time. But Velvet managed to redirect her craving away from Avernus. "Or I might eat a meddlesome witch for the midnight snack. How’s about that?"

Magilou giggled and stepped closer to Avernus, "Oh, you take things so seriously." She then looked at Avernus with approval.

"Your act of watching him sleep was kind of creepy. But I understand; good looks, manly shoulders and handsome. Most of the girls have so much desire for such a man."

“I have no such desires.” Velvet defensively said.

Magilou slowly walked out of the room, wearing her wicked smile as she winked. “You know, there is no harm in enjoying a bit of life while you’re out there killing the Shepherd.”

Velvet shut the door in her face and went to a single room. She found a dark corner and sat quietly on the ground. She rested her face on her arm and guided her thoughts away to her what she knew better: Her revenge.

In the morning, Velvet woke up as the sun shined fully on the room. Strangely, she didn’t have a nightmare last night, her first good sleep after three years of torture and hell. She entered the main hall and saw Laphicet still laying on the bed, but Avernus was gone.

Laphicet suddenly opened his eyes and scrambled out of bed. “Oh, I’m so sorry! I slept too much!”

“There is nothing wrong with being hungry or sleepy. No need to be embarrassed about resting. Even Avernus and I were so tired."

"Velvet, are you okay? You were hurt last night." Laphicet wondered.

A forgotten feeling bloomed amidst the dark as she heard Laphicet’s concern, "I'm fine. It was nothing. Such minor setbacks can’t stop me if I want to kill the Shepherd and have my revenge."

Velvet held open the door, ”I think the others have gone ahead to port Zekson. Let's join them."

After arriving at Zekson, they found that the rest of the group was discussing plans and strategies for scouting different Islands and unknown frontiers. For fast and quick communication, the pirates used Sylphjays. Those birds were the only guaranteed way to carry new orders and letters.

"Hey! You two! Come over here, quick." Magilou called to Velvet.

"What is it?”

"We're going to use two new Sylphjays that just are old enough to carry out their missions."

Eizen wrote some orders on a paper and placed it on a small cylinder, attaching it to one of the birds. "This one is for getting a new order to the scout ship. We're going to send the next one to Avernus. He specifically requested to send one to him to evaluate them in action and to show him how effective they are." Eizen then handed the pen and paper to Velvet,

"Write something, Velvet."

Velvet hesitated and blushed for a second, “W-Why me? Why don't you do it yourself?”

“It’s because he said he wants you to write to him. What? You don’t know how to write?” Eizen asked.

“I can write, but…” Velvet shook his head, sighing. “That man. Very well, I’ll think of writing something short.”

Tabatha’s Mission - Avernus and Tia

Avernus's task was to reach and help a small village community that belonged to an architect and his family. The place was situated somewhere between Aldina plains and Gallas lake, on top of a hill. Avernus and Tia were already at Gallas lake and en route to Aldina plains on foot.

Avernus sighed as he scanned the long road, "I would have thought saving people from the daemons would have involved less walking and more killing," Avernus complained.

"Getting tired, Avernus? Maybe you needed more rest than I realized.” Tia said.

"I don’t need more rest. But these people should use horses.”

“You do need to take it slow. Velvet was right. You lack a better judgement, Avernus.” Tia said. “I’m serious. You literally left yourself open at the hands of a glutton daemon. I was ready to jump and blast her the moment she was checking you out. I could feel a burst of emotions and primal craving running through her.”

“Burst of emotions?” Avernus smiled bitterly, “Shame the time is not right, or I would’ve liked to know her better. Velvet is a diamond in the rough.”

Tia glanced from the corner of her eyes as the wind blew her bright blond and pink hair. She recalled his brief teasing but knowing him, it was a genuine show of interest, and it bothered her greatly. “I heard what you said to her last night. I have to be blunt, Velvet is attractive, but it is too much a gamble right now to-”

Avernus disrupted her, “I know, forget it. I spoke my mind, that was all.”

Tia felt his emotions tingling his soul through their bond. He was clearly lying. “Very well. But it didn’t explain why you stood there half-naked with your back fully exposed to her.”

“Velvet is trustworthy. I knew she wouldn’t strike me down.”

Amidst their talk, Avernus saw a messenger bird approaching, flying towards them.

"Ah, there it is. One of the recruits."

The Sylphjay landed on his shoulder. After petting the bird with a brush of his finger over its fluffy head, he reached for a small cylinder, pulling out a small rolled paper.

"Oka,y let's see what's happening while I'm gone…"

Tia put her hands on her hips and smirked, "If we're lucky, that dysfunctional team is already broken apart."

"Do you hate them that much?"

"No. I don't hate them, Avernus. I can't hate those who are beneath me. I only feel pity for them, and I feel all of this is just wasting time."

"If you really would’ve acted on your pride, I had already turned into a daemon a long time ago...Okay, let's see…Hmm… What…" Avernus frowned and narrowed his eyes at the message.

"What is it?"

"You forgot your pendant, dumbass." Avernus flipped the paper, looking for more. But there was none.

"Was that from Velvet? Did you forget to pick up your pendant? You would never go anywhere without it." Tia said.

"I didn't forget to pick it up. Velvet was holding it firmly, and she was sleeping. I didn't want to wake her because of that.”

Avernus took his pen and wrote something short. The Sylphjay took off with a new message in tow.

"Now that's settled, what are we looking for?" Tia asked.

"A code-red daemon. Locals call it "Blackout". If it's in the area, people's vision will be affected by illusions until they go blind. Those who escaped reported that the daemon burned others into dark crystals. The Exorcists would come after and collect those crystals." Avernus explained.

"Black crystals usually tie to high-quality stored malevolence. If a daemon could perform such a gathering procedure, it means that it's artificially enhanced." Tia observed.

Soon, the cliff came into view. Avernus pointed out to the upward road, "The village is after the junction. Stay sharp, and we will make this quick."

Back at the Zekson port, the Sylphjay arrived and landed on Velvet's shoulder. She opened it and unrolled the tiny paper. Eizen sneaked behind her and snatched it out of her hands. "Alright! Let's see…"

Rokurou and Magilou joined Eizen in a hurry.

Anger and confusion bubbled inside Velvet. She instinctively readied herself for a pouncing attack. “What the hell is wrong with you?!”

After a brief second, the faces of Eizen and Rokurou hazed with defeat, growing anxiously at the paper. However, Magilou screamed in victory and threw a fist in the air, "Yes! I won! The true and powerful all-knowing greatest witch that ever lived finally stands triumphant over these puny creatures!"

Eizen seemed to be controlling his anger as he read the whole letter.

" Don’t lose it.”

Velvet narrowed her eyes at Eizen, wondering why he was worked up about something that wasn’t his business.

Eizen raised his head. His brows knotted to their limits, “Do you know that it's because of the work these birds do for us that we're able to stay one step ahead of the Abbey. And you two wasted two runs just to send nonsense to each other?!"

Magilou tapped Eizen's shoulder, overextending her hand, "You're just angry that you lost the bet. Now 50 gald, pay up."

Rokurou groaned in frustration, "I hear grilled Sylphjay goes pretty well with a nice glass of alcohol."

Furious, Velvet marched toward them and whipped her therion arm, ready to unleash it as her baffled eyes jumped from one to another, "Tell me what is happening, or I will devour all three of you right now!"

Magilou chuckled, glancing at Rokurou’s and Eizen’s defeated faces before returning to her. "When Avernus asked Eizen to send a Sylphjay for field testing, we came up with a bet. Eizen and Rokurou said that you two would probably exchange some heartwarming juvenile love notes, but I said that you're too tense and heartless even to understand the concept of it."

Velvet sighed and brushed her hand over her scalp, “You are all immature. Avernus means nothing to me.”

“Come on. A good laugh won’t hurt from time to time.” Rokurou said.

Velvet crossed her arms, drumming her fingers on them anxiously, “Next time, if I hear anything regarding him coming from you I-”

Laphicet suddenly interrupted her, “But Avernus is a good man.”

Velvet gasped, and her frown broke for a moment, glancing back at Laphicet’s innocent face. Magilou giggled, counting the gald coins she won from Eizen and Rokurou, “Oh, your little pup has spoken!”

Velvet waved her hand, dismissively, “Whatever.” She turned back toward the pier, sighing as she redirected her thought to the hatred and her mission: Revenge at all costs.

Back at the village entrance, Avernus and Tia found the front gate empty.

Avernus prepared his staff, and Tia’s hands glowed and charged with magic. The whole village was a single road with a set of houses built along with it. In the distance, there was a large mansion on the top of the hill.

"We'll start from the first house on the left. Then clearing each one until we reach the top mansion." Avernus ordered, pointing to houses with his staff.

Tia nodded, and they stormed each house. The first two were empty. In the third one, they found two unconscious villagers hanging from the walls, and strange, clear dark crystals were forming around them. Avernus opened his palm and moved his hand near the first one. He closed his eyes, checking for any signs of life.

"They're alive. Come on, help me break the crystal." Avernus yelled. With the help of Tia's magic, they managed to shatter the crystals and free the villagers. They appeared to be a daughter and father. The man was still unconscious, but the girl woke up. She jumped up and screamed, running towards the wall for cover.

"Where is my mom?! Mom! Where are you?!"

"What the hell is wrong with her?" Avernus asked

Tia walked to her side and waved her hand over her face. Her eyes didn’t track her hand as if she was blind.

"The girl is under the influence of the daemon's spell. She can't see us." Tia observed, "I think your purifying flame will dispel the effects."

Avernus clawed his hand and aimed it at the girl. Silver strings of mana formed and washed over the girl. Her tensed face calmed, and she began to check her surroundings as if she was woken up from sleepwalking. "Where am I? What is happening?"

"We have come to help. You were under the influence of a daemon." Avernus explained.

"A daemon? But-"

"Tell us what happened, girl." Tia immediately asked.

"I-I am not sure. Everything suddenly went to black, and I saw my mother in the darkness."

"We only found your father, but we didn't see your mother."

"She died a long time ago. Killed when she tried to protect me from a group of wolves."

Tia nodded, "I see..."

Avernus looked at Tiamat, waiting for an explanation.

"The daemon is using "despair" to disorient and trap people and extract malevolence through the crystal cocoons.”

"Then we will need to move fast and free as many people as we can." Avernus turned to the girl, "Stay with your father, don't come out or show yourself, do you understand?"

The girl nodded and sat beside his father.

Avernus and Tia moved to the other houses, freeing more people from the crystals and directing them to take shelter at the first house.

After advancing toward the middle of the village, they spotted a tall shadowy figure standing on a rooftop, gazing at them with its three red eyes.

"That's the daemon," Avernus said. Tia conjured a set of glowing blue swords in mid-air, rotating circularly with their sharp ends aimed at the dark creature.

"Omega Barrage."

The swords flew towards the daemon and hit the rooftop. The house exploded and destroyed it in a white blast. The area shook, and debris rained down around them.

"Did you kill it?" Avernus wondered, waving his arm to clear some of the dust. Tia slowly shook her head and pointed at the middle of the road; a large group of very thin-looking and shadowy humanoids were staring at them.

"Shades!"

The horde stormed their position. Avernus gestured toward a house nearby.

"Tia! You go on the rooftops and cover me from the above. We'll try to clear a path to the mansion!"

Tia flew, and Avernus let go of his staff. The Dreamshadow began to levitate in mid-air.

"Alright, it's a three-person job now. BLAZING WHIPS!" Two fiery long lashes began to stretch and appear from his arms. Avernus started whipping them on the ground and charged the shades head-on. Tia began to rain down magic attacks from the rooftop, and Dreamshadow was shooting bolts of lightning from behind.

Avernus fiercely cut and slashed his way through the shades. His whips tore through the horde and disintegrated a large group of them with swings after swings, but they kept coming one after another with no apparent end to their numbers.

" I don't know how much longer I can hold. We barely moved up! We need to kill it now before it generates anymore of them," Avernus yelled.

"I can't see the daemon. But I can sense there are some fully activated crystals in those houses." Tia sensed. “I can shatter them, and they should stop their summoning.”

Avernus guided the Dreamshadow with his telekinesis power, using it to carve a dozen with its blades, “But the villagers inside them will be killed!”

“They are already gone. We can’t save them!”

Avernus bit his lips and growled in anger, "Damn it! Go ahead and destroy those crystals. We can't risk the lives of the people in the lower village. We must cut the feeding line to these shades."

Tia disappeared and warped into the remaining houses. Avernus heard crystals shattering, and with each break, the shade number dwindled. He pushed on along the levitating Dreamshadow as they mowed down the remaining shade summons.

Tia reappeared on the outside and was greeted with only Avernus standing on the pile of gray goo. They nodded at each other.

"You fought well, Avernus. Taking on that amount of daemons like that. It is a shame that no one was here to witness this. Your friends might learn a thing or two."

Avernus gasped as he grabbed the floating Dreamshadow, "There is nothing to learn here, Tia. Let’s go. The daemon must be in the mansion. I can sense its vile presence."

They both cautiously entered the manor, arms ready to cast spells at the sight of anything hostile. Their surroundings suddenly caught avernus off guard; the building’s inside was decorated with different statues and miniature mock-ups of castles and towers.

"An architect's house. That's what I always expected, small little houses." Avernus said, smiling.

Tia rolled her eyes, "You're still a child, Avernus. Keep your head in the game."

"Don't tell me you don't like them. These are so tiny!"

"Your whole world is tiny when I soar through the skies from above."

"Can you morph into a dragon for real and spare us the headache? Destroy the Empyrean throne so we can go home."

Tia sighed. Avernus raised a brow,

"Oh, my bad, I forgot. You can't do it. You probably need some poor bastard to sacrifice his soul for you like Innominat. My apologies." Avernus joked. But little did he know, he wasn’t far off the truth.

The duo suddenly heard a muffled sound coming from the main hall. They rushed and spotted three crystals with people still trapped inside them. The man in the middle one was still awake, calling for help and bashing against the glass. Avernus cast his silver flame, and it melted the crystals, freeing the prisoners. Avernus recognized the man had to be the owner as he wore a high-quality outfit with an artist hat.

"Get out of here. We will deal with the daemon." Avernus advised

"Did blood wings send you, young man?"

Avernus nodded, "Yes. They sent me to track this "Blackout" daemon. Why are you asking?"

"You must know this. The Abbey. They sent an unknown and unmarked crate to the village. We opened it, and then it spawned this hellish creature." The architect explained.

"I had my suspicions. This made it clear that Artorius and his cronies won't cross any line to get to whatever they want. Architect, get your family and go outside. We will handle it."

Suddenly Tiamat shouted, looking at the ceiling, "Watch out!"

The daemon jumped down and smashed the ground in between them. The force threw Tia, the architect and his family towards the door and Avernus to the other side. Avernus scrambled to his feet and noticed a purple barrier was engulfing the house. He quickly cast a wind arte to push Tia and other people out of the house before getting trapped.

Now it was only him and the daemon.

The monster slowly turned to him, eyes burning in blood. It whispered directly into Avernus’ head.

" Dead...Thing... I... Sense...Your dark... Murderer... Killer ."

Tia began to scan the shield for weaknesses.

"Come on, Tia. This thing is crazy."

"Then maybe you shouldn't have pushed me out with the humans!"

"I swear I aimed for them, but you were too close."

The daemon’s arms twisted and extended into two sharp blades,

" Hollow... Empty... Shell... Come... And...Die... For...Last...Time ."

Avernus conjured a spirit blade with his left hand and crossed it with his staff, moving into his fighting stance, "Then bring it on!"

Back at the port, Velvet noticed Laphicet sitting alone near the pier, eating an apple. She joined him. Laphicet beamed and offered a second apple, "Here. You can have this one, Velvet."

"No, thanks. I won't be able to taste it anyway."

He quickly remembered the fact about Velvet's condition and decided not to eat his own apple anymore. She sat beside him, looking at his compass that was on a nearby crate,

"You sure like the sea," Velvet said.

"I'm afraid of the sea: the sharks, huge waves with all the strange fishes. But at the same time, it's huge. I feel the excitement when I think about what might be over the horizon."

Velvet remembered something. She stared into the distance, "My brother loved the sea too."

"Really? Your brother?"

"Most of the time, he would sit on the cliffside, just staring at the sea. I told him he'd catch a cold in the ocean wind, but like always, he never listened to a word I said. Your way of looking at the world is so much like his."

Velvet climbed down from the crate and walked closer to the edge, "Then one day, Avernus came. He promised to take him... no, he promised to take us both to the sea. My brother was so happy. I wish we could have travelled together as he wanted."

For a moment, there was total silence between them. Then at that moment, Velvet thought that She could spare Avernus from the danger. It was what Laphi would have wanted.

Her eyes glittered, "I know what I have to do." she muttered to herself. Velvet turned to Laphicet.

"It will be dangerous from now on. You know you don't have to do this if you don't want to. You have no reason to follow me any longer."

Laphicet, surprised, raised his arms and looked at them. He clenched his small fists in confidence, "The rudder of my life is mine to steer. So... I will follow you, Velvet!"

"I see." Velvet nodded and went to Benwick.

"Hey. Give me another paper. I need to write something.” Velvet said. “And prepare another Sylphjay.”

Back in the mansion, Avernus was holding his ground against the daemon’s relentless attacks. His shouting of artes and magic swirling around the corridor echoed all around the building. The daemon pressed on and crossed his blades against Avernus. With a sudden slash, he threw the staff out of Avernus’ hand.

The daemon dashed for a final blow. Avernus conjured another spirit blade and blocked its attack. The ground cracked beneath his feet as daemon pushed against using his guard. Avernus quickly controlled the Dreamshadow using his mind and commanded it to pierce the daemon’s back.

The monster shrieked in pain, and Avernus used this window of opportunity to slice off both of its arms. As the dark blood painted the ground, the daemon warped into thin air.

"Where did that piece of shit go?" Avernus gasped for air as he checked around the room for any signs of the daemon. Suddenly, his visions went blurry, and soon the darkness wailed over him. Whispers and demonic voices flooded his head. He proceeded to use his artes, but the techniques and words escaped him. All he could remember was his failures and his life’s tragedies.

"Damn it. I can't think..."

He shook his head to clear the visions, but the voices grew louder. He turned in the dark and saw Velvet, screaming at him, "I hate you, Avernus! You left my brother and me to die! I lost my life because of you."

Avernus pressed his hands over his head in despair, “Damn it! Get out of my head!”

Then, another voice caught his attention; Rosa, her mother-figure, "You disappointed me, son. I always thought you to be noble. But you turned into a heartless murderer."

Avernus' eyes burned with anger. The daemon’s psychological attack backfired. He gritted his teeth,

"Silver Flame!" finally managing to focus his mind. The area glowed with the silver light, and his vision was cleared instantly. Rosa cried, and her form shifted into the daemon. Avernus scrambled towards it and shouldered the daemon to the ground, jumping on top of it.

"My mother always loved me. Even when I failed her, she still loved me. You should’ve never used her memory against me! Never, you bastard!" Avernus pulled his coiled fist and smashed the daemon's head with an incredible punch that shook the ground. He screamed and screamed and continued to slam its face into nothingness. Rage blinded him, and his emotions took control. His fists were numb, and as soon as he came to his senses, there was nothing left of the daemon’s head. There was just a broken ground with a hole and dark remains splattered around the tiles.

Avernus snapped out of his rage, and the headless body began to disappear into nothingness. The ward was gone, and Tia, along with the architect, rushed into the mansion. Avernus turned to them slowly.

"It's... dead."