Following a day of intense adventure, Van Eltia returned to the hideout. Its hulking anchors fell into the waters, and the pirate ship docked in the first pier. The crew disembarked one by one. Avernus, Tia, Eleanor, and Phi were both occupied talking about the dragons, walking in front of the rest.

“… So how do the dragons fly? Aren’t their bodies too heavy to take off from the ground and keep themselves in the air?” Phi asked.

“Yep, their bodies are heavy but not that heavy. Their bones are hollow, like bats and birds. Most of them jump higher before clapping their wings to start their flight, and nearly all of them use magic to help them fly.” Avernus described.

“Magic?” Phi wondered.

“Yes, Phi. Dragons are furnaces of magic. They use it frequently for nearly everything they do, casting offensive and defensive artes, geolocation, sensing their prey, and the wingless ones primarily use magic to levitate above the ground.”

Eleanor’s thoughts were also solely focused on the topic, “You sure know a lot about dragons.” She remarked.

Tia giggled, decided to shed more light, “Hyland has a long history of worshiping the dragons. They tried to control and command nearly all of the mystic creatures at some point; malakhims, daemons, and even dragons. But their success was mostly about finding more about their anatomy rather than making any progress with their primary goals.” She said.

“But aren’t the dragons evil? I mean, they’re the byproduct of malevolence after all. How your empire even considered worshiping them?!” Eleanor wondered, raising her voice.

Avernus stared blankly for a brief moment; the usual brightness he always had in his expression was gone, “Our…” He sighed, “The Hyland’s history is riddled with dark times and malicious acts. But they tried to change in the last century… or did their best as far as I know. But we did worship Tia.” He explained with a straight face.

Eleanor and Phi both glanced at the sophisticated lady malak. “So people of Hyland worshiped you? Like an Empyrean?” Eleanor inquired.

“Not like an Empyrean. People’s belief in my existence had been inconsistent throughout the ages. The power I would get from their reverence was mostly not enough to help them with the peace that the minority desired.” Tia explained.

Phi began to stroke his chin, “People’s worship can give you power?”

Tia looked at Phi, smiling at his wondering nature, “Yes, greater malakhims can thrive on people’s faith. The more recognition, the more strength they draw from the land. Otherwise, you’ll have a hard time reaching your full potential. In some cases, you will drain yourself of your vigour, and you’ll fall into slumber, like these Empyreans.”

Out of nowhere, Phi felt spiritual apathy. He focused on Eleanor, but she was deeply in thought and didn’t seem to bother by anything. He slowly looked back at Avernus; his face was gentle, but his eyes were looking disturbed.

Phi was looking at the rough textures of the dock. He could sense Avernus’s grief, much like a malak would understand from their vessel. He guessed that it was a side effect of Eleanor’s pact with Avernus. Suddenly, his teacher’s sadness was gone. Phi looked up and saw Avernus smiling again at someone,

“Hey, Velvet! Join us for some lessons about mythical dragons! You may even learn a thing or two about me… I mean us!” Avernus shouted.

Velvet was speaking with Eizen as he was carefully moving their newly acquired pot. She turned to him, shaking her head,

“No. Eizen’s lecture about his rod, this pot, and your instructions for fishing was enough for one day.” She coldly answered.

Avernus frowned, looking irritated, “Suit yourself…” He whispered. His gloomy mood was back. Phi was confident of their new bond.

Tia saw Eizen carrying the pot and went to his side. Avernus, Eleanor, and Phi suddenly found themselves welcomed by Kamoana and Dyle near the entrance to the main hall,

“Hey, you guys! Did you find what you were looking for?” Dyle asked.

Avernus slowly shook his head, “No, unfortunately not. But we’re not going to give up that easily. We have to try harder, am I right, Phi?” He said hopefully and looked at the malak.

Phi couldn’t have been happier. His face was shining, his eyes brimming with hope. He was now in high spirits; Velvet finally accepted him for who he was, and he shared a mental bond with Avernus, opening new possibilities to learn new things. His confidence was nearly reaching its peak.

Kamoana ran towards Avernus and Eleanor. She jumped in joy for reasons yet unknown to them, “Avernus, Eleanor! Dyle said that you two got married yesterday! Is that true? Please tell me it’s true!” she yelled passionately and in her corky voice.

Avernus face went through a rough adjustment. He looked at Dyle with a frown worst than Velvet’s gaze, “Married?! Where did you get that nonsense idea, lizard?!” He inquired abrasively.

The Dyle’s reptilian face went pale, “Well… Umm… the thing that serious lady did to you two… it looked like a wedding oath or something… I thought…” he stuttered.

Avernus covered his eyes and slowly shook his head, waiting and hoping for Eleanor to say something and brighten things up, like a teacher to hear if his student had learned her lesson.

She didn’t say anything.

He turned to her and noticed her flushed face, “Really, Eleanor?! A little help, please?!” he asked, appealingly and shocked at the same time.

Eleanor gobbled, trying to be somewhat supportive. Avernus’s scolding eyes made her falter, and somehow, she failed. “I … don’t…” muttering and floundering in her response.

After staring for a brief moment, she lowered her head and stayed silent. Avernus sighed and managed to salvage a smile from his mixed facial expression for Kamoana, “No, we didn’t get married or anything. That was more like an oath of… friendship.” He calmly explained.

Eleanor quickly raised her head, looking displeased at his immediate and quick dismissive act. She folded her arm and looked the other way, “You could’ve been a little bit subtler about it at least, Avernus.” She complained.

Kamoana’s face shifted from a cheerful look to a gloomy one, “Aw… but you two look cute together!”

Eleanor swallowed, “I… I don’t know, do we?” she asked Avernus, unsurely.

The sorcerer turned to her once more. Now, he was looking indignant. Phi’s eyes were darting from Eleanor to Avernus.

Suddenly, the pack leader intervened, the hair on the back of their neck stood up, “What’s with “cute” and “wedding” talks?” Velvet asked, indifferently but inquisitively at the same time.

Eleanor faked a smile and tried to dismiss the situation, “It’s nothing, just a misunderstanding on Kamoana’s part.” She said with a shaking voice.

Velvet shrugged, showing her disinterest as usual. “Heh, whatever. It’s not like you’re contributing to our mission with these inane talks.” She coldly said and walked towards the main door. Eleanor let a sigh of relief, but she didn’t know that it was too soon.

Phi felt a sense of trouble in his mentor. Avernus shifted his attention back to Velvet; her disinterest and ignorance bothered him again. The tiresome trips, enduring a new squire and a powerful malak at the same time, and Velvet’s disheartening behaviour brought out his only childish aspect; his impulse control.

“Kamoana thought that Eleanor and I got married. She also thinks that we both look cute as a “Couple.”” He told Velvet in an inducing tone.

She stopped for a moment and slowly turned back and looked at him. Avernus moved closer to Eleanor and placed his hand on her shoulder, “What do you think, Velvet? Do we look at the type? Hmm?” He jokingly said, tilting his head slightly to a side closer to Eleanor, grinning closely at what Magilou did most of the time. Kamoana kept nodding. Velvet narrowed her eyes, but he wasn’t going to back down,

Avernus patted Eleanor's shoulder. “Hey, Eleanor, do you want to go and grab something to eat when we get back to Loegres?”

Eleanor was startled and surprised. Her eyes beamed. “Hah?! Me?!...,” but she soon noticed his silly act and shook her head in disagreement, “That’s… I think it’s inappropriate for us.” She quietly said.

Avernus pulled her closer, “C'mon! We will have some fun! It’s not like I’m a strict teacher or something.” He mockingly said.

Eleanor was mildly shaking, melting from the enormous amount of shame she was experiencing. She thought that Velvet would probably be furious now.

Contrary to her expectations, Velvet's eyes were widened, blinking rapidly, and more in shock than anything.

The sorcerer suddenly sneered and slowly shook his head, “Who am I kidding… you don’t even care.” He said in a bitter and quiet tone.

Velvet gasped as she sensed an overwhelming sadness; her frowning was back, and she felt her heart cracked inside of her chest. Seeing him with another girl was one thing, and accusing her of not caring about him was another blow she wasn’t expecting.

She looked down, her eyes seemed to be saddened and disturbed, but they soon vanished behind her hair.

Unfortunately for Avernus, he was wrong in his assumption.

“…you’re horrible.” she quietly whispered.

She quickly turned towards the entrance. Her lengthy hair floated higher in the air and followed her, like a long, black trail of sorrow and beauty. Velvet went inside, heartbroken and Phi quickly followed her. “And to think I wanted to cook something nice just for him… hah! In your dreams!”

“Do you think what you did was right?” Eleanor said in a scolding tone. Avernus turned and saw her frowning. “You must go and apologize. Now.”

He gritted his teeth and clenched his fists. Eleanor was right; he might’ve gone too far. He immediately left Eleanor’s side. Looking indifferent, he straightly walked to the door, trying to contain his mixed feeling, “I’m going to get a drink.” He emotionlessly said.

Now relieved, Eleanor put her hand on her chest and breathed. Eleanor stood there, thinking about Avernus, Velvet, and Phi, the strangest family she had ever seen. But it didn’t last, for the main door was shut with a loud bang, pulling her out of the brief moment of distraction.

Avernus walked inside the newly established kitchen area. He desperately went through crates and boxes for something to drink, but the crew hadn’t unloaded the main cargo yet. There were just freshly caught daemon fishes for the therions. He pulled a small chair from below the main table, groaning and sitting on it.

Avernus felt like a total jerk, an awful person. He had lost his coolness, but it was too late to make up for it. The damage had been done. He was lost in different scenarios and thoughts until,

Kikikiki-ki-ki-kuk...kuk...kuk...kuh.

He heard the loud, high-pitched scream of Griffin coming from the top of the cupboard in front of him. He looked up and smirked, “Are you looking for something to eat, Griffin?” he loudly asked.

The bird stared at him in the eyes and let out another scream. Avernus rubbed his chin, thinking, “I guess there should be a newly caught daemon fishes that Benwick put here in the box for you, with the remainder of malevolence still fresh inside of them.” He said and went through the crates and picked up an ugly and terrifying-looking demonic fish.

He extended his arm, wiggling it, “Here you go, your majesty.” He jokingly said and offered the fish.

The hawk made softer croaking noises, swooped down and landed on his gauntlet. Griffin’s beak pierced into the fish’s flesh and began consuming it. Avernus kept watching the Griffin eating its share for a while.

Abruptly, the giggles of a witch disturbed his solace. The sorcerer slowly lowered his arm and glanced at the Magilou as she was leaning against the door frame with a small bottle in her hand,

“Have you feel this lonely that Griffin feels like a better companion now?” Magilou said jeeringly.

His eyes turned back to the bird, “Maybe. For a therion, he’s pretty much laid-back,” He replied derisively.

“Where is your “Big sister Tia”?”

Avernus sighed, “Tia’s spending time talking to Eizen. It seems that they have a lot to share... and a lot in common.”

Magilou slowly walked towards him. Avernus skeptically looked at her as she smirked.

“I’ve to say, you Shepherds, are heartless. Or it’s just our own “evil” personalities are rubbing off on you, corrupting your well-behaved soul into a rebel child.” She said and winked.

“I don’t care what you think, Magilou.” He indifferently said, his eyes were still on the hawk.

“Listen; I know you’re frustrated and tired, but a word of advice from your loveable and noble wicked witch; Never, ever do that to a girl, daemon or no daemon. That was like the worst thing you could ever do to someone.” She informatively said.

He looked up and stared her right in the eyes,

“Want a word of advice from a heartless Shepherd? Never. Ever. Meddle. In my affairs, nosy witch.” He said to her in a threatening voice.

“Then, don’t find it strange when you end up in her stomach.” Magilou mockingly replied.

“Better to endure your nonsense…” Avernus whispered to himself.

Magilou moved closer, “But the main question is, just why? What is the problem to be like us?”

Avernus growled in annoyance, “What do you mean by us?”

“Eizen, for example, I don’t see him trying to get too close to everyone, besides his lectures about history or some bizarre object. Or Rokurou, that free spirit that no one can hope to control. He doesn’t care about anything, except for times when he wants to cut everything down to pieces. Even Velvet doesn’t concern herself about being involved with anyone. Why not just finish your work here and go back to your kingdom and enjoy ruling over peasants and normal folks? We’re not some interesting bunch to get attached to.” Magilou inquisitively asked.

Griffin was finished with his meal, let out another scream, and flew away. Avernus leaned back and put his arms behind his head, closing his eyes,

“I just… I want to enjoy every second of my life. Especially when you know that you don’t have much time.”

Magilou sighed, “That’s nonsense. Each of our lives is in danger as of now, and you’re no exception. That’s not a good excuse to go crazy over some daemon girl, or maybe I got the wrong impression that you’re “mature” enough to not add drama into this.” She mockingly said.

Avernus smirked, “Nonsense, ha? Well, strap in for a long tale.”

Magilou raised her brow, “Oh, please do tell!”

Avernus laid back on the chair, put his feet up on the table,

“Our creed had a lot of secrets that we kept from the public. Those secrets were even kept from me for some time. When you’re a Shepherd, you’ll be forced into making decisions for everyone, decisions that are going to scar your soul no matter what. You’ll have to live with the consequences and carry all those burdens so others won’t have to.” He blinked and stared into Magilou’s comical gesture,

“That’s enough to corrupt you with malevolence, but we endure it by believing in our hearts that what we’re doing is going to benefit everyone. However, during times of chaos and darkness, this is different.”

“How so?” she asked, now listening seriously.

Avernus swallowed as he remembered the first time he heard it from Tia, “When misery falls upon the people, the daemon lords will prey on the weak. Sentient figures who can control and coordinate hordes of daemons or dragons. The corruption of malevolence will spread among the population at a faster rate than normal. Those Shepherds that are unlucky to be active and entangled by these events will have their souls mauled and torn by the infinite amount of malevolence they have to deal with. They also forced to do some dirty works too.”

Magilou eyes flashed. Those words were familiar to her.

Avernus pushed his hips as far back as he could on the chair and sat straight. “Even if the Shepherd survives the battles, their soul will forever be marked and tainted. They would watch themselves ultimately succumb to malevolence, in forty, thirty, or even ten years, they would turn into something they trained to kill.”

“Was there a solution?” Magilou asked as the bottle in her hand kept rotating on her finger.

Avernus bitterly smiled, “No, there wasn’t a solution to prevent the turning, because as long as you remembered what you did, your heart would always generate malevolence from the negative emotions of despair, hatred, and cowardice, no matter what. But there is a poetic way to finish it yourself; the process of turning into daemons begins with nightmares and bad omens, then you can sense the darkness and your well-being will deteriorate.

When the signs intensify, the Shepherd will promote his first squire and is celebrated by his comrades and families. After saying his goodbyes, he travels to a dragon lair of his choosing, to fight their one last glorious battle and to end it on their terms."

“That… sounds…interesting.” She plainly expressed. “But, I think Abbey found a way to combat this unpleasant side effect.”

Avernus narrowed his eyes in skepticism, “You seem to be a lot informed, Magilou… mind if you tell me what that is?”

“I’ve my methods to acquire information… like Bienfu!” She sarcastically said.

“Bienfu was having access to highest Abbey’s secret… that’s just absurd. But I don’t care, tell me what it is.” Avernus demanded.

Out of the blue, she extended her arm and offered him the small bottle, “Before telling you anything… Here, drink it.” She said sincerely.

Avernus glanced at the bottle and then at the witch herself, “What is this?”

“I told you, it’s a gift. A regular smoothie to soothe that pain you’re enduring.” She said poetically.

The sorcerer narrowed his eyes at the witch, “A drink from a witch? Are you taking me for a fool?”

She waved her hand, “Nope, nothing evil or foul at play. I promise.”

Avernus shook his head, “I will not drink this mysterious concoction you brew out of nowhere, Magilou.”

Tia suddenly entered the kitchen, “It’s safe, just a delicious smoothie. I know how she made it. You don’t need to worry about it.”

Avernus sighed, nodded. He took the bottle and examined it from up close; it contained some crimson liquid. He opened the cap, and reddish steam came out of it. Avernus brought his nose closer to smell the drink,

“It smells of rosemary, lilac, lily, and primrose… I put my trust in you, Tia.” He raised the bottle and sipped it up.

Magilou and Tia both smirked at the same time. Avernus put the bottle on the table and violently shook his head, “That was good, Magilou. Tell me about the solution.”

Magilou leaned back against the wall once more, “A shadow.”

Avernus raised one of his brows, waiting for her to say the rest.

“As you probably already know, your sincerity and conviction alone could not save the world. To remain free of malevolence, you need someone to do those dirty works for you. A shadow.” She answered thoroughly.

“How this shadow won’t generate malevolence themselves?” Avernus wondered.

“No, their belief in the exorcists as the saviours of the word is pure and unyielding, even more than Shepherd and his exorcists. A mountain of ice that will neither boil nor melt nor break. People with frozen hearts to be precise.” She said comprehensively.

Avernus remained silent for a few moments, “Well… I guess I can’t be a frozen man. I’d rather live passionately than to survive with a senseless and a frozen heart. Thanks, Magilou.”

The witch extended her arm in an imperious gesture and stared proudly into the horizon, “I’ll accept gifts as compliment, young one, or you can try to go crazy for me too!”

Avernus cocked his head, moving his pointer finger to the sides in the gesture of “No.”

Velvet suddenly entered the room, first, oblivious to Avernus’s presence. She wiggled some paper in front of her face,

“Has any of you lost a letter recently?” Velvet asked, and as soon as her eyes met with Avernus, she gasped and frowned.

Tia slowly shook her head, looking at Avernus and Magilou. They followed her movement,

“No. Does it say who the sender is?” Tia asked.

“Phi read a name… Uzfmiwuw Uexuv or something like that.”

Tia grinned like she knew who it was, “Go and give it to Eizen. He knows what to do with it.”

“Oh, that was helpful.” She indifferently said and, without uttering another word, left the room. Avernus let out a prolonged sigh and slowly stood up, “See you later, girls, and thanks for the drink, wicked witch.”

Tia and Magilou kept their smiles as he left the kitchen. After a brief moment, they both burst into laughter. “I can’t wait to see the results! I’ve never tested a working love potion before. Thanks for the formula, though!” Magilou held her fist closer to her chest as her eyes flashed with wicked thoughts. Tia giggled and slowly walked to the door.

"This love potion is different. Instead of other people drinking it, Avernus will have his pheromones working perfectly. His presence will put nothing but love into their hearts."

“Hey, Tia, one question,” Magilou called out to her. Tia stopped, waiting, “What Avernus sees in Velvet?” Magilou asked in a severe tone.

Tia turned her body towards her, “He sees an Alpha Wolf.” Tia frankly answered.

Magilou raised her head, “What?” She was more intrigued than before.

“Avernus is a Shepherd. His primary responsibility is the safety and welfare of the people, using his rod and staff to protect his flock.”

Magilou snapped her fingers, “So that’s what his look represents! Just like a normal shepherd!”

Tia frowned, “Don’t interrupt me!” she said in her scolding and a raised voice. Magilou grinned and stayed silent,

“Anyway, the difference is, he’s not protecting a group of defenceless sheep this time, he is working with wolves. Velvet is an alpha female wolf, a leader, and she’s one with herself, both physically and emotionally and most importantly, she owns her life. Velvet is confident, radiant, and she makes no excuse for her authority.” Tia explained slowly and tolerantly.

“A pack leader…” Magilou said, quietly to herself.

“Precisely. Although self-sufficient, an alpha female wolf is devoted to her family. I understood that she’s caring, at least when it comes to Phi, Eleanor, and even the dense man himself. But each alpha female needs an alpha male. Avernus indirectly wants to fill that role, even so, he doesn’t know it himself; the role of an alpha wolf male is knowing what’s best for the pack and has a calming effect for the rest. They are even more tender than their female counterparts.”

“They’re taking care of their pup Phi alright…so, a shepherd falling for a she-wolf and turning into another wolf himself… you know that wolves are monogamous animals; if they pair with each other, they mate for life,” Magilou observed.

Tia’s look went pale and stared blankly into the wall, “Yes, unfortunately, I know that too… But they’re different people, although, sometimes I think he was a wolf himself all along or he had the potential to be one. But I’m still not sure if there is something else he sees in those yellow eyes?”

Back in the docks, Avernus found the group getting ready for their departure to Midgand in the morning. Rokurou and Phi were standing far from the group and waving their hands at the sorcerer,

“Hey! Avernus! Did you know about Eizen’s letter to a lady friend?” Rokurou subtly asked.

“Nope.” He said, popping the p.

“He was sending a gift with a letter to someone. A polite one with incredible penmanship!” Phi described it, his cheeks heated up.

“Yeah, I didn’t know old Reeps had it in him!” Rokurou said, smirking.

Avernus shrugged but unknown to them, Eizen was standing right behind them, “I can hear you three, you know!”

Phi and Rokurou dashed to the gates, but they were too slow for Eizen’s hands, and soon they got hit by two backhands, courtesy of the reaper himself. Avernus sighed, looking down and unimpressed. Eizen came to his side and signalled Rokurou who was rubbing his back. Phi was watching them, but the swordsman said something, and he went back in the base, alone.

Avernus picked up that something was up. Eizen and Rokurou wickedly smiled at him, “We’ve got something interesting planned for tonight. Just the three of us, plus Benwick of course.”

The sorcerer’s glance jumped from the reaper to the swordsman, suspicious. “O-okay, what’s this plan of yours?”

Eizen walked in the direction of the second dock on the other side of the Titania, “Follow me.” He confidently said.

The trio traversed the ruined path behind the prison and finally managed to get to a secluded wooden pier. Avernus focused in the darkness and could make a silhouette of a man holding some rope.

When they approached, Avernus could hear something hissing quietly.

“You’re late, the first mate!” the voice of the unknown man identified him to be Benwick. He moved into the light. Avernus noticed that he was shirtless and his face was red from excitement.

Eizen smirked and with Rokurou and Avernus, moved to the other side of the dock.

Avernus eyes widened in shock, “What the hell is that?” He slowly asked.

It was dark, but he saw a creature that resembled a young woman with curves in all the right places; an hourglass figure, large breasts, round hips, but with several tentacles as legs. She was stuck in a large net and hissed louder as they got closer.

“That Avernus, is one of the wonders of the seas, “The Kraken Queen.”” Eizen introduced, having his hands on his hips.

“The Kraken… what? That’s more look like a mermaid but… an octa mermaid… and why she’s in a net?!” Avernus suddenly frowned, feeling that they caught her deliberately.

“Relax, she got trapped when we were catching regular fish. Benwick was going to free her, but I wanted you to experience one of the pleasures of sailor’s life.” Eizen explained, but it didn’t help the chevalier soul of the shepherd.

“Pleasure… oh, no… release her in this instant!” Avernus demanded, pointing out to the creature and nearly shouting.

Eizen and Rokurou both laughed, “You sound just like Eleanor! Don’t worry… it’s not what you think.”

Avernus lowered his arm, still focusing on the reaper. Eizen began to take off his coat and Rokurou, his top robe.

“Listen, we thought that you needed some “manly” activity since you spend too much time playing family man and “the patriarch” of the group. And, I sensed your frustration a few hours ago.” Eizen said, and started at Avernus’s torso, “Take off your coat and your vest.” He told him, but Avernus folded his arms, stood firm and defiant.

“Why? What are we going to do?” he asked, defensively.

Eizen shook his head, “You keep getting the wrong idea, Avernus. What we’re going to do is to approach her and let her whip our back.”

Avernus pressured his lips and raised his brows, “Hah? What? Why?”

“Her tentacles secrete some pleasure-inducing substance. When they touch you, they’ll give you pleasure beyond anything you’ve ever experienced.” Eizen passionately explained.

Avernus calmed down, “So, we’re not going to hurt her?”

Rokurou chuckled, “No, of course not. She is the one who’s doing the “hurting.””

Now Eizen entirely shirtless, he slowly walked to the creature and sat close to her, turning his back. His eyes were watching Avernus, “Don’t fear the pain, Shepherd. Consider this to be training for the future. You need to enjoy the pain if you want to embrace a “daemon’s love.” I hear Velvet’s fangs, and claws are sharp.” Eizen mocked and placed a cloth in his mouth, between his teeth.

“Is that supposed to mean something?!” Avernus asked as if he didn’t know but it wasn’t something that he could hide anymore.

Suddenly, the Kraken queen hissed louder and screamed like a banshee. She raised her tentacles and landed a quick hit on Eizen’s back. The reaper jolted and moaned. Another strike hit his back. Her arms whistled through the air and continuously slammed him. He spat the cloth, “Ah… yes! That’s it!”

Avernus took off his coat and vest. His eyes were wide from shock, watching Eizen shouting in joy and painful pleasure. He was squirming. A scene that Avernus wanted to unseen, but he couldn’t.

After whipping Eizen for a few minutes, the exhausted Kraken queen stopped. Eizen, smiling and gasping for air walked back to them. He fell on his butt hard, not caring about no pain, he breathed heavily and looked at Avernus, “The pain will make you a man; a better man Shepherd.”

Rokurou was the next for the whipping. Avernus looked at the body of Eizen as he was laying on the cold sand. “Wow Eizen, your skin is white as a ghost. Heh, you’re haunting Van Eltia with your whiteness, first mate. You need some tan, just like Rokurou and me.”

“Was that one of those dad jokes, Avernus? That’s the reason I need to toughen you up.” Eizen mocked him, talking in short breaths.

Rokurou was back from his turn, sweating and having a satisfactory smile on his face.

Suddenly Eizen hit Avernus in the back hard, throwing him towards the creature and nearly losing control of his balance. Avernus slowly went towards the queen and sat with his back turned on her. He swallowed and patiently waited for his whipping. His eyes were on Eizen and Rokurou. They both looked wasted. Their bodies were laid on the ground. He waited for one more minute, but no scream or hissing sound was heard, and no tentacle attacks came at him.

Instead, he heard a squeezing sound that was getting closer. He sensed something slippery moved around his back and towards his arms. Avernus slowly tilted his head to look and saw several tentacles were slowly circling his body.

“Um… guys. Is she supposed to do that too?” Avernus asked them in an uncertain tone.

Soon, the queen was beside him. The shepherd swallowed. The creature’s face was more apparent from up close. Her dark eyes weren’t angry anymore. She seemed to probe Avernus with great interest. At the heat of the moment, he noticed that she freed herself from the net as well. He looked at Benwick and found out that he passed out from exhaustion.

“Guys… this doesn’t look so good.” Avernus informed them.

Eizen abruptly sat as soon as he noticed the situation, but it was too late; The Kraken queen’s arms were tightened around the Shepherd, and she jumped high with baffled Avernus in her tentacles.

“Shit!” Avernus helpless and caught off guard, held his breath, and closed his eyes before he hit the water.

Eizen and Rokurou ran towards the dock, but Avernus and the Kraken queen disappeared beneath the waters.

“What happened?!” Rokurou asked, scanning the area.

Eizen gasped and glanced at Rokurou, “She kidnapped him.”

Rokurou quickly turned his head towards Eizen, stunned. “What for?!”

“Probably she liked him too much.” Eizen guessed, uncertain.

They both ran to grab their clothes, “Benwick! Ready the rowboat! We’re going after them!” Eizen shouted and strode towards their boat nearby.

Inside the walls of Titania, Velvet was checking the supplies in the absence of Eizen. She noticed Magilou leaning near one of the crates. She smirked, “Have you been practicing your dove impression, Velvet?” she asked, colloquially.

Her face wrinkled, “What?! Heh, no.” She rudely answered, nearly sneering at the question.

“Now, now, a performer in Magilou’s Menagerie has to be more diligent than that! What if we’re stopped at a checkpoint, and the guards ask you to perform a trick?” Magilou said in a bubbly and enthusiastic tone.

Velvet looked irritated, “If that happens, I’ll show them my trick where I devour an entire witch faster than the blink of an eye… or even a sorcerer, or even both of them at the same time.”

“Oho! I see that you’re still angry. But seriously, if you ever want some magic tricks up your sleeve, let me know, and I’ll teach you some. Just 10000 gald each. Or, you can go to Avernus and take part in his private lessons. I think he’ll teach you free of charge.”

Velvet groaned in displeasure and left her side. She went for her back belt and pulled something from under it; the enchanted rose that Seres gave her along with the hair comb. “A gift from the heart.” Suddenly she heard Phi and Kamoana laughing.

“Laphicet! I spy, I spy!” Kamoana yelled in her corky voice.

Phi’s face went red, “Aww. I can’t, Kamoana, I’ve got stuff to…”

Kamoana ignored him, “I spy with my little eye… Something that starts with “V”!”

Phi sighed, “Okay, I’ll try.” He looked around them, his eyes caught Velvet’s smiling face, “Uh… is it Velvet?” he said unsurely.

Kamoana’s cheerful expression suddenly turned into a sombre one, “It’s not fair! How did you do it so fast?!” she started to wail.

Phi was caught off guard by her shrill sound of crying, “Wait, Kamoana, I’m sorry! You don’t have to cry!” He pleaded.

Velvet stood near them, watching and smiling at Phi’s flustered face, but Kamoana suddenly noticed the rose in her hands and immediately recognized it. Her heterochromia eyes widened, “That’s Avernus’s rose! I made it for him! He was going to give it to his princess! You stole it from him!” she abruptly screamed in anger.

Velvet frowned and shook her head, “I didn’t steal it from him.” She denied it, confidently.

But Kamoana’s crying streak went on, “No! You stole it from him! Why?! I hate you, Velvet! I hate you!”

She covered her eyes and wept. Phi grabbed her by the shoulders and tried to comfort her. Velvet sighed and quickly cleared the scene.

Velvet eyes noticed Eleanor. She was standing in a corner, thinking deeply.

Velvet approached her and heard her murmuring, “Hmm… what else do they have in common?”

“What are you up to?” Velvet asked.

Eleanor raised her head, “I’m compiling everything we know about earthpulse points. Starting with what the ones in Warg Forest and Palamedes have in common. I’ll compare those points with the ones that didn’t have therions. Then I’ll factor in everything I currently know about Abbey’s deployments. Once that’s done, I’ll match all that information against what we know about the locations Laphicet was able to sense. When that’s completed, we should be able to tell which locations are more likely to house a therion.” She explained, exhaustively.

Velvet looked surprised, “You’re really going all out, aren’t you?” she observed, skeptically.

Eleanor scowled, looking serious, “Must you sound so doubtful and silly? One thing that I learned from Avernus is that if you’re going to do something, then give it all you got. There is no other way to live!”

Velvet was taken back from her reaction, “R-Right. Then I’m counting on you, then.” She stuttered.

Eleanor maintained her frown, “I’m not doing this for you. This is for me, Laphicet, and Avernus, who keeps cleaning the mess you leave behind. If you’re going to make life harder for him, I’m going to help him to lessen the pressure that he’s receiving from your actions! Do you even understand why Laphicet and Avernus are both trying so hard?” Eleanor said, furious and angry.

Velvet moaned, “Yeah, I do…”

She left Eleanor to her thoughts. Her focus was back at Avernus. All of sudden, she noticed that there were no signs of Eizen, Rokurou, or even Avernus himself. Her eyes caught the blacksmith working alone in the corner,

“Do you know where the men are?”

The headless blacksmith’s voice echoed, “Rokurou said something about testing something Eizen cooked up. He also mentioned a name… Kraken… Kraken lady or queen or something like that.”

Velvet’s eyes flared up, the golden hue burned brighter, “The Kraken queen?!...” she groaned in irritation and quickly went for the front pier.

It was already midnight, there were no signs of anyone outside, nothing but the calm sounds of the wind and sea waves hitting the stone barriers. Velvet walked to the edge of the dock, watching the dark ocean, trying to detect the lost team amidst the pitch-black waters. Even so, she was still angry, Velvet couldn’t ward off the feelings of concern for Avernus when he was not near her.

Suddenly, she heard a shrill scream of a hawk. Velvet looked up and saw Griffin, transformed into his daemon form and passed above her head, clapping its enormous wings and flying towards the ocean.

Under the sea, Avernus held on to his breath, the creature was pulling him hard, he could feel the pressure of water getting harder to tolerate. He thought about conjuring his spirit blades and cut the Queen's tentacles clean off, but she wasn’t a malicious animal. Avernus closed his eyes and his body disappeared into a dark mist.

The queen stopped and uncontrollably searched the area around her. Avernus appeared a few meters above. The water density prevented him to warp higher. Avernus quickly swam to the top with the Kraken queen hot on his tail. He reached the surface and quickly raised his arm to call the Dreamshadow, but he couldn’t feel it, he was too far from the Island. Suddenly, a tentacle wrapped around his neck, pulling him harder underwater. He could see the queen’s face now annoyed and irritated. Avernus eyes began to glow white, “gulp Colossal… Surge!” he barely managed to gargle his arte underwater, his words were lost amidst the infinite number of bubbles that came out of his mouth.

The area became dense, the flow of water changed and both of them forcefully shot out of the ocean.

“Sorry, lady. I’m not interested!” He yelled, angrily.

Waves after waves swept the region. Eizen, Rokurou, and Benwick saw the waves approaching their boat, shaking it from side to side. They barely managed to hold on to it.

“He’s there!” Rokurou shouted and pointed.

“Damn it! He’s using his artes! We can’t get close!” Eizen shouted, annoyingly.

In the whirlpool, Avernus hit the surface again. He quickly searched the area for the persistent creature. Behind him, a pair of tentacles grabbed his shoulders,

“Geez, you’re not my type! Don’t force my hand, I don’t want to hit a la…”

She pulled him under again. Avernus was annoyed, his hands were engulfed in magic, ready to cast, but the Kraken queen shot a black liquid from its mouth, dousing the area around them. The sorcerer quickly closed and covered his eyes to protect them from the black ink.

Out of nowhere, he felt something heavy dived into the water behind them. A pair of large claws clutched his body and he was pulled from the water. He opened his eyes and heard wing clapping and a chill wind on his skin.

“Am I flying?!” He wondered and looked up. Avernus noticed the feathery body of the Griffin.

“I can’t believe it! Griffin! Thanks, buddy! I owe you one!” surprised, he declared. The therions screamed back in response.

Avernus could see the queen, floating on the surface of the water, watching him as he flew back towards Titania.

“I’m sorry for the trouble! I wish that you’ll meet someone… nice and tolerant one day!” He yelled, humorously.

Avernus was enjoying the flight, even the grip was tight around his body, the sensation of wind passing around, he felt that he was close to the stars and to the moon.

“I wish Velvet was here with m…” He was cut off from his thought as the sense of vertigo and dizziness overcame his mind. Griffin dived towards the ground below and gently released him near the dock. Avernus landed on his feet. He raised his head, he was shocked to see someone, unexpected,

“Speak of the de… Hey, Velvet.” He greeted her, casually.

Velvet was standing there in front of him. Arms folding and her legs were crossed, tapping the ground with her left feet in a steady rhythm. Her eyes were looking vexed, but that wasn’t something new and intimidating to him.

“One moment.” He said and raised his hand. His soaking wet body was flashed orange for a second and dried from water drops. Velvet sighed and moved closer, slowly and step by step. There was no place to hide or to retreat. Avernus stood in his place, staring her in the eyes, waiting for a scold or a nag even.

A gust of wind blew as Griffin landed beside them, their long hairs floated away.

Velvet's eyes suddenly widened, her angry expression was gone. She reached within the touching distance. There was a calm air about her now. Avernus sighed and loosened his tense gesture,

“Listen, Velvet. I know I went too far today. You didn’t deserve it. I’m…”

Suddenly, Velvet placed her hands on his cheeks. He could feel the hotness of the skin of her right hand and the cold sensation of the bandage clothes of her left hand on his face for the first time. She began to touch and moving his head around as if she was examining it.

“Um… as I was saying, I’m sorry for what I said earlier…”

Her hands went from side to side, checking his ears, his eyes, and even squishing and pinching his cheeks. Avernus narrowed his eyes, “Are you okay, Velvet?”

Out of nowhere, she blushed, “Have you done something to your face recently?” she asked, uncertainly but in a soft voice.

“Besides swimming in the water…no. Has something happened to my face?”

Velvet ignored him. "You were playing with Kraken queen, weren't you?" Her voice became sultry and lower than usual.

Avernus swallowed. The hairs on his body were instantly stood up because of her immense touching and stirring.

Caught red-handed, Avernus acknowledged. "Yes, that's right."

"Why?"

"Because that's more exciting."

Velvet gazed into his eyes. "What do you mean? Exciting how?"

The potion was now in full effect and was raiding Velvet's nerves relentlessly.

"We're attracted to some chaos and unpredictable characters!" Avernus blurted out. "Fluff and no action? Nah, that's not our way."

Velvet’s eye fixated on his lips, she didn’t know what to do with this strange feeling she developed out of nowhere. She wanted to punish him, she was angry, but something about him made it inconceivable. Their height difference was impossible for her to reach his mouth without jumping. She was close to his chest and she could hear his heart beat faster. But he didn’t flinch.

Suddenly, a dangerous glint in Velvet's eyes caused him to swiftly back away from her with caution.

Her amber eyes glanced at his neck. Abruptly, her hands gripped his neck and backside harder. Avernus could feel her breath close to his skin. "Is this... unpredictable?!"

“What are you doing-”

In a flash, her lips pressed against the tender skin of his neck. Avernus instantly tried to push her away but he was no match for the hungry wolf, she latched her legs around his waist and pressed herself against his shirtless torso. Her aggressive biting and sucking made him nearly yell in pain. He could feel her mouth, her watery tongue and even her teeth against his skin. Velvet felt the delicious taste of blood, his smooth skin, and his warm body against her own chest and stomach.

His face wrinkled, “Ow! Ouch! That hurts!”

Griffin opened his wings and raised his head, screaming loudly into the night sky of Titania, obscuring any cries for help from Avernus.

After thirty seconds of intense suction, Velvet let go of his skin, pulling off her lips as her saliva stringed between her mouth and the spot. She gasped for air, having a satisfied look on her face. “You wanted a painful pleasure, well, here you go…”

Avernus quickly escaped from her embrace and ran towards the water. He dropped to his knees and checked his reflection; a large reddish bruise mark was forming on his neck.

“You… you just gave me a hickey?!” His voice shriek as he said the last part. He looked back at her, his eyes were filled with annoyance and anger, “How old are you?! Fifteen?!”

Velvet was licking her lips, sensually. She glanced back, maliciously grinning and frowning, like a contended villain that proved her dominance. “Until I can forgive you for what you said earlier… I had to mark my own territory so you don’t go around, playing with ideas about other women in your head.” Feeling triumphant, she slowly walked towards the main fortress. Avernus held his neck and his hand began to glow a greenish colour.

Velvet suddenly stopped, “If you heal the spot…our relationship is over, for good. Consider this a mark of our “Trust” between us.” She said in a threatening but smoky voice.

Avernus moaned and cancelled his arte. He looked back at Griffin, feeling irritated.

“You could’ve just dropped me in front of the door you know!” He complained. The therion let out a whining sound. Nevertheless, Avernus hugged his large head and patted its soft and smooth feathers, burying his head in them. “I was joking… don’t get mad… Thanks, buddy.” Griffin feeling appreciated and loved, screamed in happiness.

Avernus noticed Eizen, Rokurou, and Benwick approaching him. He sighed,

“Now, we need to find a scarf to hide this Velvet’s “love bite”.”