Maxwell Inn, Glenwood, Flashforward one thousand years later

“Big weapons are the coolest!”

Shepherd Sorey yelled childishly at his companions. His green eyes flickered at the exciting thoughts of greatswords, longbows, and great axes.

Dezel, the tall, tanned-skinned wind seraph, whined, slightly repositioning his black top hat, “It’s not the size that matters, kid. It’s how you use it.”

Zaveid, feeling challenged, turned his back at Dezel, crossing his arms, “Shows what you know. The real strength of a weapon lies in how badass it looks.”

Mikleo, the silvered hair water seraph, folded his arms in defiance. He glanced skeptically at the shirtless seraph, “I question that logic, Zaveid.”

Sorey, not paying any attention to their argument, continued with his prolix fuss, “If weapons could, like, change shape? That’s even sweeter!”

Zaveid’s eyelids darted to the top and bottom as he remembered something from the corner of his vast ocean of memory.

Mikleo looked even more annoyed, “Transforming weaponry? What would that even look like?”

“You know! Like, when you’re near an enemy, it’s a sword, but when they run away, it turns into something like Siegfried!” Sorey answered thoughtfully.

Mikleo dived into his mind to digest the notion. The explanation didn’t feel alien to him at least, “You mean Zaveid’s Siegfried weapon? I suppose that might work. Maybe…”

Dezel was irritated even further. Those kids maintained their resistance against what he called logic, “Why transform it? Why not just carry both of them?”

Their ignorance finally forced Zaveid to talk his mind, “That’s because you’re hung up on weapons, Mickey-boy. Think about it… like a badass staff; when you need magic, it shoots thunder and crystalized artes. In close combat, blades conjure on both sides, like a Scythe! You can even throw it, and it will cut anything in its path….”

The others were staring at Zaveid as if it wasn’t right in the head.

“… or even turn into a longbow for faraway targets! Do you see it? An all-out tool for every occasion and fighting style.” His speech ended like a merchant desiring to sell his loot.

Mikleo narrowed his eyes at Zaveid. He seemed too all-knowing, “You’re talking about it like you already saw that weapon.”

Zaveid lifted his chest, looking proud, “I’ve seen it. However, its downside was… it didn’t turn into a spoon.”

“Why spoon?” Mikleo asked, letting go of his arms.

Zaveid’s mouth turned into a wide grin, “To eat curry and stuff. You don’t know what spoon is for?”

Dezel and Mikleo both groaned in frustration, but Sorey was fascinated with Zaveid’s description of that sceptre. His eyes shone with the joy of knowing more, “Could the weapon turn, you know, into a sword, open up and ate the enemies?!”

Zaveid smirked, “It finally did turn into a sword, although not by magical means or anything.”

Sorey’s eagerness to learn was unrivalled as he relentlessly bombarded Zaveid with more questions, “Who was the wielder? Who has the weapon now?!”

For a moment, the smile dried on Zaveid’s face. Poor boy didn’t know what exactly the sword was that he pulled out of stone or its history. But in a flash, Zaveid recalled an image of a Shepherd that went far and beyond for his friends once upon a time. The arrogant smirk came back,

“My good old buddy, Aver—“

BAM!

Out of nowhere, Lailah, the silvered-haired fire seraph, appeared out of her orb in front of Zaveid. He nearly jolted to the back. Zaveid felt her burning fire magic radiated for a second. Lailah pulled a deck of cards from her purse. “Did you say: Avert the disaster? You can always do some fortune telling!”

Lailah’s eyes were pleading at Zaveid. He read all her burdens, secrets, and oaths at that moment.

Alisha Diphda, princess of the Hyland kingdom, ran to her side. She pointed at the cards, “Can I try one?”

Lailah turned to her, cheerfully, “Of course! Please, pick one!”

The thrill in Alisha’s eyes went away instantly as soon as she drew a card, “Oh, this one’s blank.”

Lailah smiled for her, “That means your spirit is pure and virtuous, like this paper!”

The fire seraph’s compliment made the princess blush, covering her face unintentionally with one of the sheets. Zaveid grinned at the scene. His glance shifted between the fervent Sorey and embarrassed princess Alisha.

“You two are just like him… He would be proud.”

Midgand

The coarse, cruel, and harsh voice of the Lord of Calamity reiterated in his mind again and again. It started to overcome all the enthusiasm.

“…Hey! Are you listening to me?”

Avernus refocused his attention to the harmonious voice of his malak, Tia. Nodding gently and preserving his neutral expression, “Yeah, Go on.”

“It was a memorial tomb. For paragons, champions that lived a long time ago during times of Avarost. Humans and malakhim used to undertake pilgrimage and pray to them.”

Shepherds, paragons, champions, daemons, they didn’t matter. According to his deduction, his efforts were fruitless; he couldn’t stop Abbey, hoping to find a correct answer, was getting nil by the seconds, and even Velvet didn’t want him. Avernus’s expression was vacant, and everything lost all meanings. The sense of failure was coming back to him. “So it was a waste of time, after all.”

Tia was tight-lipped, staring doubtingly at Avernus, “No, it wasn’t….”

“Unless it can give us any clue how to beat Innominat, I don’t need to hear it.” The sullen gesture immediately governed Avernus’s language.

Tia faintly smirked. She could guess Avernus’s mind after all these years. Something vile had befallen his vessel, “Do you want to know how you’ve managed to stay alive for three years, recuperating in one of the empty and lifeless sarcophagi that were reserved for the next poor Shepherd?”

Avernus shrugged his shoulders. Tia’s instigating remark counted for nothing, “I don’t know, and I don’t care, why you don’t ask Grimoirh about it? She was the one to put me there.”

Eleanor and Laphicet were already under enough uneasiness and pressure from Velvet’s situation. Her tragedy was hard to swallow; now, Avernus was opening doors to more unidentified painful memories.

Eleanor stared him in the eyes, disquietingly, “Why? Could you explain…”

Avernus folded his arms. Eleanor met with gazes that rivalled the reaper himself and felt a sad signal in their bond. His weighty look prohibited more inquiry, “No, it serves no purpose, and there is no reason for me to waste our time explaining it.” Avernus turned his attention back to Tia, “Anything else useful?”

Tia grunted in displeasure, “There were painting in the temple that indicates all Empyreans blessed them. Probably ancient Shepherds or whatever they were called during those times in Midgand.”

Avernus frowned, glaring at her, “What do you mean “were”?”

Tia paused and glanced at Rokurou. The swordsman began to scratch his head nervously, “I may… did something that… set off traps of some sort. The inner sanctum is now inaccessible...”

Avernus massaged his forehead, looking down, “That’s just great….”

“There was nothing down there anyway. No need to be disturbed about a ruin anyway.” Tia comforted.

“Then why there is a sacred temple near a sacrificial hole and the prison of Innominat?” Eleanor wondered.

“Aball was built on an ancient battleground. There was a huge battle that took place over a thousand years ago on these shores; Shepherds’ successful results guaranteed the world could go on for several thousand years.” Tia explained proficiently.

“Maybe it was a battle against Innominat?” Rokurou suggested.

Tia glanced at him with a condescending expression, “Typical but an interesting observation… but no, I doubt it.”

Eizen walked closer to Tia. The seasoned pirate was aware of how to read everyone’s face. He put his hands on his belt, glaring dangerously, “I was with you down there, and you didn’t tell us anything except watching the paintings on the walls and staying silent. Now, I want answers, Tiamat.”

Tia sighed, shaking her head, “I see that you still don’t trust me….”

Eizen moved his arm in front of his body, hands on his belt, “I don’t trust anyone, not you and not your Shepherd. However, I’m certain of his intent on helping Velvet and Laphicet, but you… I still don’t know your agenda.” Eizen said confidently. Avernus and Velvet glanced at each other for a moment, but they immediately looked the other way. The Menagerie caught their neglecting reaction towards one another, especially Magilou.

Tia gave Eizen a lopsided smile, “All I know is that these battles, these cycles of war existed for thousands of years. Humanity reaches its peek misery, and a battle takes places, the “evil side” is defeated and puts to rest until the next round comes up.”

Velvet suddenly walked away, disregarding their conversation, and groaned in annoyance, “Let’s move. We’ve wasted enough time already on fictional stories and fantasies. I don’t want to hear nonsense from either of you. We’ve got the pops anyway.”

Laphicet quickly took off after her. Avernus noticed that he was carrying a new bag full of books and papers. He approached him, “What’s in the bag, Phi?”

“They’re Laphi’s hand-drawn maps and incomplete books that he has written.” He serenely replied, keeping the bag open to show his mentor the contents inside.

Avernus took one of the sheets and carefully examined it “…Very detailed, even in its unfinished state.” He shook his head. Avernus remembered his promise to Velvet’s brother. He had high hopes for Laphi and how much he could’ve done as a scholar and adventurer.

The world had changed. He glanced at Velvet; She was already changed. The pill that he still resisted swallowing.

Eizen took the map from his motionless hand, inspecting it, “He was very talented….”

Velvet was met with the memories of her deceased brother. She raised her head, looking at the sky, “Every day, even when his fever got too strong for him to read a book, he’d stare at that map for hours. It was his dream to travel around the world. I never understood what made him want to do something so dangerous….”

Eizen gave back the paper to the young malak, “…And you’re living his dream….”

“Ironic, isn’t it.” Velvet replied sarcastically.

“But what about the new book you mentioned?” Avernus asked.

Laphicet pulled the largest one. Avernus’s emerald eyes glinted; it was Velvet’s brother’s hand-written book that he had traded for Velvet’s hair comb. Velvet knew that Avernus would recognize it instantly, “He transcribed it all by hand, and then he sold it. To buy me that hair comb.”

Magilou chuckled, “Pulling not one but two over on the old man, are you? Never a dull moment with Lady Calamity and her Shadow around. Tell me, Avernus, did you beat his ass?”

It appeared to her that Avernus slightly smirked. Even so, his face was all impassive during that morning, “Kind of. He nearly peed his pants, though. I’m proud of myself.”

“…Good.” Magilou murmured.

Eizen glanced at Avernus, looking anxious, “What about that horned monster? Did you kill it?”

“I’ve managed to wound its face and send it into the sea, but I’m not certain that it’s dead or not.”

Laphicet lined up and organized the papers inside the bag and looked at Avernus, “He was a daemon, wasn’t he? Why would Abbey work with a daemon?”

Avernus flinched, his eyelids wrinkled on the sides, “Melchior was controlling that thing. Must’ve been a souvenir arte from far-continent….”

Velvet promptly howled in anger, “The world is better off without you, Shepherds.” She quietly whispered.

A cold sweat fell from Avernus’s forehead. He swallowed a big lump in his throat. No one heard her except for him. Yesterday she wanted to marry him, and now, she wished him dead. Velvet was cruel, ruthless, and in the real sense, merciless at that moment.

Avernus was back at square one.

“…In any case, now we know Melchior has a mean-looking bodyguard in addition to his illusions, even Avernus couldn’t fully stop him….” Magilou said, observantly. Her green, mischievous eyes were fixated on the Shepherd. She grinned, “…Isn’t that right, Avernus?”

He was pulled out of his downhearted thought bubble, “Ha?..., yeah, we’d better watch out.”

“Now you’re talking about an arte that controls the daemons… how does Melchior manage that?” Rokurou asked.

Avernus’s lips barely moved in response, “Mind control….”

Eizen’s cocked his head, “What?”

Magilou’s mouth curved into a smile; she was more enthusiastic about delivering a detailed explanation than the Shepherd. “Let’s say you know your target’s innermost desires. You conjure the right illusion. Show them what would push their buttons in just the right way.”

Laphicet stroke his jaw, staring at the grasses as his small feet passed above them, “If you can create an illusion of something someone wants, you can control them.”

“Exactly. You can force a great burden upon your target’s psyche… Until their spirit breaks, that is. They might become an empty shell; they might go wild with desire….” Magilou moved closer to Laphicet, winking, “Eeny, teeny, spiny, crow…” she whispered to the little malak.

Tia crept up behind Avernus, “Eeny, meeny, miny, moe, Catch a wolf by the toe. If she howls, let her go, Eeny, meeny, miny, moe….”

Avernus looked back; Tia curled up her lips, gazing with squinted eyes. She knew what had occurred upon him. Avernus broke his eye contact and remained silent.

The Menagerie went back to Taliesin. The townsfolk greeted them as if it was the first time they’ve met the team.

Everything was a lie; Hopes, people, and the tenderness that came and gone like a wind.

At the docks, the dog therions; Orthi and Russ ran towards Benwick as he was standing guard near Van Eltia. His eyes caught them. Yelling in horror, Benwick ran back into the ship and retracted the wooden plank, “Dogs?!” His breath nearly escaped him. Benwick gulped. “Look, lizards, no problem. Walking hunks of armour, I can deal with but dogs, on my ship?!” Benwick shouted breathily.

Velvet crossed her arms and cringed, “I take it you’re not a dog person?”

Benwick was clutching the wooden railing with both of his hands. The area of his missing tooth was visible as his mouth gaped open, “I was… bit by one when I was a kid.”

Velvet stared blankly into the horizon, and she let go of her arms, falling into a portion of her mind, “Then you’ve got nothing to worry about. If they’re biting anyone on this ship… it will be me.”

Eizen passed Velvet, gripping his fist so hard that a faint sound of rubbing leather on leather was heard, “Hey! What’s wrong with you?! Release the plank this instance!”

Benwick quickly followed the first mate’s order. The Menagerie walked into the ship with the pups following behind them. Abruptly, Eizen turned back and blocked the entrance. Everyone stopped their walk halfway, “Eleanor, there’s something I have to ask.”

The team members were peaking over each other’s shoulders. The reaper chose a peculiar time to ask questions. Eleanor braced herself for the worst, “What is it?”

Eizen leaned slightly. He was already on a higher elevation than everyone, “Did you leak our plans to the Abbey?” He demanded. Eleanor felt an immediate danger of his interrogation. She bit her tongue and moved a step back. Laphicet struggled to move from the sides of Eleanor’s skirt and ropes of the board. He positioned himself in front of Eleanor defensively. He scowled at Eizen, “Eleanor hasn’t done anything like that.”

Eizen’s death glare challenged the little malak’s protective stance, “Then how do you explain Melchior and his illusion already waiting for us when we got to Aball?”

Eleanor felt Avernus’s hand on her shoulder, gently moving her body to the side, “This is a baseless accusation, Eizen. She’s my squire, and I could sense and feel if anything was out of the ordinary.” He surely declared.

Eleanor accumulated confidence from the support of both Laphicet and Avernus, “I promised you that I would work together with you until I found the truth for myself. I’m not up to any tricks. It’s far too late for that now.” Eleanor replied sincerely.

Velvet, which she was already on the deck, appeared beside Eizen, “Enough. If Eleanor were leaking information, then Titania would surely be under attack by now.”

Velvet’s defence of Eleanor put a pleasant smile on Rokurou’s face, “That’s right. I’m sure the Abbey would love to have those therions back. Also…” He patted Avernus’s shoulder, “Don’t forget about our watchful Shepherd.”

Velvet’s eyes squinted at Avernus, she grunted before turning the other way. Eizen wasn’t entirely content with their answers, “But the enemy was in that village waiting in ambush.” He protested.

Velvet crossed her arms and glared at Eizen, staring at him from top to bottom, looking irritated, “The Abbey isn’t foolish. They’ve figured out by now that we’re rounding up the therions. They’ll have left traps for us with each remaining one. It’s the obvious move.”

Eizen snorted and moved to the side, making the way open for the rest of the team to enter the Van Eltia, “All right, if that’s how you see it, I’ll stand down.”

Eleanor relaxed a bit, “So, you trust me, then?”

Velvet gave her a grimace of exasperate, “No, I’m saying that anything the Abbey tries. I’ll be ready for it.” She proclaimed sternly. Velvet’s hostile expression sent shivers into Eleanor’s spine. The lady exorcist crossed her arms, hugging herself. She felt that she was still an outsider in their company. Suddenly, a warm sensation touched her intuition, overcoming the harmful curtain, tearing it down gradually. She inherently looked to her side. Avernus managed to smile for her. The mild sea breeze swayed his colourful feather earring and his hair to the side, “I fully trust you, lady Hume.”

Laphicet heard it in their bond. Another notion of determination waved itself through her darkness, “I’ll trust you too, Eleanor.”

The young exorcist soon forgot about the reaper’s accusations and Lord of Calamity’s distrustful comments. “Laphicet… Avernus…Thank you both.”

Eleanor wanted to let go of her tears, not because of sadness. Still, because of the joy the people brought to her, who was always there to offer their unconditional support at her moments of vulnerability.

Van Eltia soon sailed for the high seas. Velvet went to another side, leaning on the railing, watching the shore. Avernus couldn’t read her mind. The bond he had made with her was silent, clogged with malevolence. Tia grabbed his arms, gently pulling him to the side. The rest went to rest in their quarters, except for Laphicet, which was staring at Velvet at that moment. The little malak pulled the book out of the bag and went to her side.

Avernus turned to Tia’s elegant face. He knew what was coming up,

“Did she break your heart?” Tia bluntly asked.

Avernus bitterly chuckled, muttering, “If that’s what you want to call it… I’ve no idea what to tell you.”

Tia smiled as if it was the happiest news she heard since they started this quest, “You’ve finally understood what I told you a long time ago.”

Avernus didn’t want to hear her claims, but he needed a justification, “What?”

“You insisted that she’s still the same girl, still the same gentle and caring woman that you once met.” Tia raised her hands, holding them open, “And here you go: that childish, pure heart that you have is scarred forever by a vengeful daemon.”

Avernus pressed his lips together, blinking fast, “Get to the point.”

“She is not the same Velvet you knew. All you can do is accept her as she is now.”

The Shepherd looked towards Velvet and Laphicet; the little kid was showing the book to her. Velvet’s eyes were calmer when she was talking to Laphicet.

“I beg to differ, Tia. Look at them. Do you see a cruel daemon in Velvet?”

Avernus instantly took off and went to their side. He didn’t wait for an answer from Tia. She shook her head, “You asked for it.”

The sun was already up. The coast of Eastgand soon disappeared from the view. Avernus stopped beside Laphicet. The little malak looked up and noticed that both Velvet and Avernus are staring calmly at each other.

“I’ll go and talk to Tia….” Laphicet informed them.

Avernus realized that Velvet was holding the hair comb Laphi gave her. She knew why he was there. After all, Velvet owed him an explanation, and she was neither shy nor considerate to not hurt his feelings. Velvet glanced at her comb again. This piece was a reminiscence of two things; it was from Laphi and one that she wished to forget that Avernus used to brush her hair. A delightful memory against her current substance. The recollection that she wanted to purge.

“…Laphi was different from most other kids. He read books a lot because his body was so weak. He studied all the time so that he could be ready to travel the world one day. Until you came….” Velvet looked up, their eyes met again, “You gave him hope. Laphi was so happy that you were there, living with us. He thought that he had a big brother because we were alone...”

Her brows suddenly knotted, her pupils dilated as she firmly gripped the comb, “But I didn’t care that we were alone. We didn’t need you… I didn’t need you. I don’t care that he got scared and ran into my bed when he had nightmares… I just wanted him to live… But you Shepherds, you bring nothing but misery.” Her tone turned to hatred. Avernus was looking at her with a calm face.

People hating him was not something new.

“Celica fell in love with Arthur, and he betrayed us, he betrayed me….” Her golden eyes were fixated on him like a hunter preparing to attack its prey. Each word that came out of her mouth was weighted full of woe and hurt. The rest of the crew began to notice, and people began to gather around them. Eleanor walked closer.

Avernus squeezed the handle of his staff, “That’s absurd, Velvet! What’s gotten into you? Do you believe that I’m going to betray you after all this time? Do you still compare me to Artorius?!”

Velvet shook her head to the sides, "I don't need you... or your love. In fact…” Velvet took one step closer to Avernus. The wolf came out of the darkness of her hiding spot, ready to attack the Shepherd, inflicting one last wound.

“I hate you, and I wish that you died instead of my Laphi!"

Eleanor suddenly covered her mouth intuitively. She let out a faint moan out of shock, blinking rapidly at Velvet.

“I’ll devour as much as it takes…exorcists, daemons, malakhims… I will devour you if I have to! I will have vengeance!”

Eleanor raced to Avernus’s side, glaring at Velvet, “How could you even say that?! Do you know what he went through?”

Eleanor’s voice was silenced in Avernus’s whirlwind of thoughts. He was thrown back to a reality far away in the past. For him, history seemed to be repeating itself; sacrifices and endeavours lead only to more sorrow, more hate.

A heavy silence fell upon the Van Eltia. Pirates stopped their work, scouts froze on the ropes, and others stayed motionlessly on the mast, letting the background noise only consist of creaking and gentle winds.

“I never had a place to call home.” Avernus’s voice was low, emotionless, but it pierced the silence like a sharp blade cutting through thick vales. “I was always travelling like a nomad, taking quests or jobs from people in the day and resting in Inns in the evening. I’ve searched for an answer to why… why the world is filled with needless suffering. Everything I have done was ignored; people labelled me as a monster. I left the far continent to search for solutions to who I’m, what I have to do. But when I found you and Laphi….”

Velvet breathed in and out. She knew him very well. But she was prepared for it, or did she?

“I thought that I was a part of you. I thought that I finally found a place to call home….”

The bandages on her left arm turned red from blood. She was pressuring her fingers in anger. She wondered: “why he won’t stop? Why won’t he go away? Why is he so damn persistent? Why can’t he be like Eizen or Rokurou? Why he wouldn’t leave her alone?”

“But if that’s what you think of me….” Avernus pulled his staff from his belt and held it in the air. He let go of Dreamshadow, suddenly dropping in on the deck. Velvet’s eyes followed his weapon. The loud, metallic sound resonated with everyone’s ear as it rolled towards Laphicet and halted when it gently hit his shoe.

“I wanted you and Laphi to live in peace. I wanted to protect you.” He shook his head in anger as he remembered their unfortunate fate once more. Avernus clenched his teeth, swallowing the sadness in his throat, “I tried to fix it by avenging Laphi and destroying the Abbey. I tried to fix it by keeping you far from the darkness as much as I could.”

Avernus took one step closer to Velvet, then another, “If what you feel is true, if you hate me for all that, then kill me.”

Eleanor ran and yanked his arm, “What?! Are you out of your mind?”

Avernus felt someone was pulling his coat; Laphicet also prevented him from walking towards Velvet, “No! Stop! Please!”

Velvet unsheathed her blade, clenching her teeth in a pained movement, glaring at Avernus as if he was a threat, “Stay back! Don’t come any closer.”

His eyes were harsh, a determined light flickering within them, his voice vivid, and his posture firm, “If I could trade Laphi’s place… I would do that in a heartbeat, Velvet.”

Velvet's eyes widened as she held her blade defensively in front of her face. The sun reflected on the polished edge into Shepherd’s eyes, “I said: stay back!”

Eizen and Rokurou came out of the crew quarters, and their eyes froze at the scene. Avernus was standing in front of Velvet with open arms, inviting the Lord of Calamity to cast away her shadow forever.

“What’s going on?” Rokurou mumbled bafflingly.

Avernus finally vociferated in a fury, “If my death will give you solace… Then do it. I’ve failed you... What’s a Shepherd without his flock? If you want to be the wolf, then finish it. Kill me.”

Velvet’s vision suddenly went blurry. Her eyelids dropped, and she lost control of her body. Her legs were numbed from mental pressure. Avernus dashed at her instantly. She soon found herself at the arms of the Shepherd and not on the hard, cold wooden floor of the deck. Velvet glanced briefly at Avernus’s eyes before fainting in the sea of his emerald sallow.

Pirate Ship Van Eltia at Titania docks, Three Days Later

Velvet strolled in the empty hallways of her mind. Another nightmare and another scene of seeing Laphi staying motionless on the ground was waiting for her. She got used to it after all these years.

But that night was different. Velvet squinted her eyes and spotted a new body on the far end of the corridor. Her heart pounded faster as she recognized Avernus, with his hair fanned all over the ground.

As much as Velvet wanted to drive Avernus out of her mind, she couldn't do it. Velvet kneeled near his body, and a pang of guilt enveloped her lonely soul.

Would the death of her feeling save Velvet?

Her heart was filled with sadness and fright. She jerked awake, screaming Avernus's name for the first time.

Velvet brushed a hand over her forehead. She struggled to suppress her feeling of horror and desperation from the dream. But it wasn't easy and she found no success. Velvet's pulse ran wild and her breath shortened.

Her heart was not going to surrender to her dark side.

Tia twisted the door handle to Avernus’s cabin without knocking. The door creaked on the hinges. Tia saw Avernus sitting behind his table and writing his book. He didn’t complain about knocking. She closed the door behind her.

“It’s strange that you haven’t checked on Velvet. It has been three days.” Tia noted.

“Didn’t you hear what she said, or do I need to repeat her words?” Avernus reminded her without looking back in her direction.

Tia bitterly gibed, “The idea was strange from the start; A man of light falls for a daemon...”

Avernus looked at her from the corner of his eyes. She sensed his disturbed mood.

Tia raised her hand; something small and shiny attracted his attention, “… A Shepherd in love with the wolf who hunts the herd... Catch, Avernus.”

She threw the tiny object at him.

Avernus caught it effortlessly. He opened his hand, examining it.

“It’s a ring….”

Tia put her hands on her hip, “Look more closely….”

Avernus held it near the light, tilting it to the sides. His eyes abruptly widened, “A Brunhilt ring?!” Avernus looked in her direction immediately, “Where did you get this?”

Tia sat down on the bed, placing her arms behind her on the sheet, leaning slightly to the back and crossing her legs, putting one on the other in a relaxed and sophisticated manner. “What did catch your attention when you were with Velvet?... Besides, you know… Her enchanting long hair, or those amber eyes or….”

Avernus stood up. “sarcasm won’t make it better, Tia.” He approached her slowly, “Did Velvet have it?”

Tia began to gently nod, “Yes, and before you ask when she acquired it or where is it came from, I have the answer.”

Tia was enjoying Avernus’s expression: Never serious and always too serious. Too Cold and too sensitive. Sometimes shined like a star to brighten the darkness, sometimes he dispatched the light to bring the void, like a collection of paradoxes. He was trained to kill the daemons, but he fell for a daemon lord in the end. His heart was broken, but his conviction was strengthened.

“Do you remember Velvet told us about how Seres offered her body to her? She didn’t lie. Seres willingly gave herself to your little daemon.” Tia explained.

Avernus wasn’t surprised by her clarification, “…Go on.”

Tia opened her hand the ring flew back from Avernus’s grasp, “Abbey tied more than half of Armitization arte into this ring.” Her pale brown eyes scanned the ring then, they focused back on Avernus, “Which means I can use the Siegfried formula with this ring to finalize the perfect Armati.”

Avernus stroke his chin, “So, Abbey wanted the Siegfried and the original book of Innominat for that very purpose; because Seres robbed them of the arte.” Avernus quickly darted to the exit. “I need to decipher the book more quickly; we can’t afford to lose more time.”

“Wait... you don’t need to worry about anything. I’ve already completed the arte.”

Avernus instantly halted his movement. Progress that fast? He was baffled, “What? How?”

Tia jumped off the bed, extending her arm towards her vessel.

The room lit up, different magical and colourful symbols formed out of thin air, floating around Avernus. A circle appeared above his head and gradually enveloped his body. He didn’t have time to think nor to react.

For a brief moment, Tia’s long hair floated in the air. She mumbled an unintelligible phrase, and the symbols sank into Avernus’s body. The scene returned to normal, except for Avernus. He kept checking his mental psyche for an extraordinary change.

“That’s it? It isn’t as extraordinary as I thought.”

Tia’s hair fell back on her shoulders. She smiled, “Yes. My body is tuned with yours to make the Armati possible. The process is not going to be easy, but it won’t make any problems for you either.” She shifted herself closer to him, staring intensely into his eyes, “Now, we can defeat Artorius and leave behind this small chapter of your life, Avernus.”

Avernus felt her overwhelming gaze, and the unspoken truths queued behind them, “Then we need to give them at least the good news that we’ve gained a new weapon against Artorius.”

“No.”

“What? Why?”

“You’re still gullible, my little one; nobody cares about you or me in this gang of misfits. They don’t even trust us. We’re still strangers to them. They see us as tools and nothing more.” Tia said to him confidently. She expected that he would complain and oppose her cynical notions as usual. However, he walked towards the bed and let himself loose on the mattress, sitting and leaning forward like a hopeless underdog.

Tia got closer to taciturn Avernus. She was well aware of his broken heart.

“You’re my family, and you know that, little one?”

Avernus snorted at her, “heh, it is strange when an ancient malak declares you as her family.”

Tia smirked but quickly snatched his head and trapped it on her chest, caressing his hair, “Now, now! You wanted to cry in Velvet’s bosom, and now you can do it here….”

Avernus instantly escaped, “I’m not a little kid, Tia!” He protested. The malak returned his blushed and innocent glance with a smile, “We need to find Artorius and end it. Then, we will go back to the far-continent without wasting time.”

The red marks on Avernus’s cheeks went away. Now, everything was solemn again, “No, goodbyes?”

“No, it will be much easier for you.”

Avernus stared blankly at the wall, “What about Eleanor and Laphicet? I can’t just leave the boy here….”

Tia settled down beside him, “I don’t want to push your emotions more, but believe me; the kid would be better here beside Velvet, Eleanor, and his big brothers.” She frankly explained. “Laphicet has a lot of potentials. You can’t always look after him, Avernus. He needs to be his person. Phi can’t grow if you’re constantly hovering over his head like a chained dragon.”

Avernus lowered his head. His long hair stands drooped over his shoulder, “So I’ll be alone again….”

Tia pinched him in the waist, looking mildly irritated, “Then what am I to you, you little dweeb?! You can’t always get away saying stuff like that.”

Avernus let out a prolonged sigh and stood up, walking towards his drawing table. He remorsefully picked up his notebook.

Avernus flipped the pages one after another; it was full of memories of all their adventures, new artes he learned, strategies he laid for the team, the encyclopedia of all the daemon they encountered. Some sketches of ruins and temples were among them, with the occasional illustrations of a long-haired girl in between accompanied with Laphicet or sitting on the railing or staring into the horizon with her hair floating around, oblivious to the one who always looked after her.

Avernus overlooked Tia beside him. She placed her hand on his left shoulder,

“Time will heal everything. You need to let go.” Her melodious voice gratified his mind, but…

Neglecting his emotions was the hardest part.

“… I want to give this to Phi,” Avernus said as he closed the book, looking back agreeably at Tia to acknowledge her advice. Tia, satisfied that he finally listened, nodded again at him, smiling. Stillness brimmed the room until…

The door handle twisted, and someone ran into the cabin, “Aww, stop it! I want to cry!” Magilou dashed towards them, ready to embrace the two travellers from afar.

Avernus was stunned, with his eyes wide open and frowning at the same time. Despite Magilou’s intrusion, Tia was relaxed. Avernus glanced at her unpredictable malak, “Did you know she was eavesdropping on us?!”

“On you…” Tia corrected him, “And yes, she’s one of us. She knows better than any of them how important this journey is.”

“One of us?! Are you kidding me? Magilou is the least trusted one in the whole group!” Avernus complained soundly, but Magilou quickly seized his notebook from his hands and opened it. Looking rascal as she skimmed through the pages, feeding her peculiar sense of nosiness, “Oh, let’s see… I always wondered what was going on in that pretty head of yours … bunch of long verses for wind artes… temple specification, Velvet sitting on the deck, more malak instructions, Laphicet was carrying two apples, Velvet bandaging her arm, Velvet doing hair flip… that’s nice, and you doodle Velvet nicely.”

Avernus snatched the book, grunting in displeasure, “You meddlesome, witch. Those are not for your eyes.”

A scoundrel-like smile appeared on Magilou’s face, “You know, Shepherd. Velvet never had a place for any man in her heart. But you know, you tried to force your way in, kissing her when she was vulnerable after Empyrean’s throne. Then, she drifted away towards her vengeance, and you again persisted that you still want her at Yseult’s beach.”

Magilou could see Avernus’s teeth, but she continued with her recounting, “And then Tia and I decided to make things interesting, which worked, and Velvet decided to give you a chance… A chance to accept her as she is now… But you messed up.”

“How did I mess up?”

Magilou leaned against the wall with her hands behind her head, “You still clanged to the past, my dear. Even she had a taste of her previous life, and she didn’t want you again. Because you are a constant reminder of a terrible memory.”

Magilou was met with a death glare from Avernus, “Mind your own business.”

“I’m repeating this: You should’ve accepted her as she is now.” Magilou continued to speak without care for his threatening tone of voice. “Sometimes, you can’t bring back the past. You need to acknowledge and move on. Fate is a cruel thing, Shepherd.” She put her index finger on her forehead, smirking, “Besides, when we’re speaking to Velvet, she’s always talking about Laphi did that or was like that… it’s not about her first love or her crush. Let’s be real, and she’s not into romantic stuff anyway.”

His brows stayed knotted, but he couldn’t oppose the truth. Whatever Velvet had was gone, and nothing could’ve brought those moments back. No amount of goodwill and good intention could change the reality.

Sounds of heavy footsteps woke him up from his daydreaming. Kurogane was standing in the door frame, “Velvet wants to make something for the dinner. She was wondering what you people want.”

Avernus let out a silent sigh of relief, “So she’s finally awake...” He shook his head, “No, I don’t want anything.”

Magilou raced towards the corridor, “But I’m so hungry! I’ll have some stuffed giant squid, or prison crab dumplings, or a sea snake bowl!”

Avernus walked past Kurogane but moved in the opposite direction of where the team was supposed to be, “Inform me when the team had their lunch. I’ll be waiting on the deck.” He informed Kurogane, leaving the headless daemon stunned by his response.

An hour passed. The Menagerie was holding a meeting near the Titania’s main entrance. The large, metallic doors screeched against the ground as Avernus entered the chamber. The team had circled Laphicet,

“… I found one. But it’s far, way up in the northeast.” The little malak notified them, although with a stiff expression on his face.

“If it’s that far out, it has to be in Endgand,” Eleanor suggested.

Eizen corrected the position of the pointy knife on his collar, “Endgand is a collection of small islands. There’s a comparatively bigger one called Lionel Island, but that’s the exception….” His eyes caught Avernus approaching, “Oh, Avernus. We were waiting for you.”

The rest of the group turned their heads towards Avernus, including Velvet. Avernus stopped, glaring at them with a hit of inconvenience, “Really? It looks like you started without me.”

“We were discussing the location of the final therion. Nothing particular that piques your interest, Shepherd.” Eizen bluntly responded.

Avernus laughed bitterly, shaking his head as he slowly walked towards them, “Of course, because I’m a dumbass Shepherd.”

Magilou chuckled, “Yeah, being a dumbass has a charm of its own, Avernus.” She glanced at Velvet and was greeted with a deadly stare, “Or had… anyway, those waters near Endgand are haunted by ghost ships, you know.”

Laphicet started to tremble from fear, “G-ghost ships?!”

Suddenly, Velvet moved to his side, “We’ll be fine. A ghost ship, exorcists, whatever comes along… We’ll be the ones to administer their last rites.” She declared stridently.

Avernus groaned and walked back towards the door. Eleanor and Laphicet scrambled to reach him, “I know you’ve stalled our bond, but I’m here for you.” Eleanor comforted him.

“Yeah, and you can count on me too.” Laphicet proclaimed, walking tall and side by side his mentor.

“Thank you. But this is not the time, nor the place.” Avernus expressed coldly.

Eleanor abruptly moved in front of Avernus, stopping him. She squeezed her fists, “Stop it! Just stop it!” she urged him and slowly sobbed.

The rough expression was gone from Avernus’s face. He noticed her watery eyes.

“I know you always try to shoulder the world’s problems. I know that you feel responsible for everything that has happened…. I know when I see a broken heart, but you’re not alone. We’re…”

“You don’t need to worry about me. I’m good,” Avernus reassured her before she decided to delve deeper into his psyche.

She moved in front of Avernus, stopping him, “No! You’re not!” Eleanor disagreed, but before exchanging more words, they realized Kamoana was running towards them.

“Avernus! Eleanor! Medissa’s being mean! She keeps telling me to dry my hair after my bath, but I don’t want to!” she cried with her sharp and croaky voice.

Avernus, Eleanor, and Laphicet instantly forgot about their talks. Eleanor took a step closer to Kamoana as Medissa approached them, looking angry.

Eleanor massaged her forehead in frustration, “Is that all you’re arguing about?”

“This is important! Just because she’s a therion doesn’t mean she can’t catch a cold.” Medissa said in a reprimanding tone.

Kamoana hid behind Avernus, jumping up and down, “But I won’t! I won’t catch a cold! I swear! I don’t want to take mom’s yucky awful medicine! So I’m not going to get sick!”

Medissa walked past Eleanor, her snake eyes flickered, “If you insist on being so stubborn, we can do this the hard way.”

In the middle of the argument, Avernus touched Kamoana’s wet hair. His hand flashed, and all of a sudden, her hair dried up. Medissa glared at Avernus, now angrier than ever, “What are you doing?! You’re spoiling her!”

Kamoana bounced in joy, having her hands up high in the air. She danced around the Shepherd, “Yay! Thanks, Avernus! You’re the best!” she then took off towards the courtyard to join.

Medissa moaned silently, “I hope next time she decides to dry her hair. We don’t even know what’d happen if a therion catches a cold. Little knows how to treat it. But look, I get it. I know you feel responsible for her.” She sighed, staring at the ground, “…You even feel responsible for anyone, even for someone like Velvet. Going through all sorts of trouble to keep malevolence in check in all earthpulses, that’s was a selfless act.”

Avernus eyes widened, “How do you know?”

“Laphicet told me about them,” Medissa replied.

The little malak lowers his head nervously, “I’m sorry… But I thought Medissa should know, just in case.”

“It’s okay, Laphicet. I had a plan to tell her all of it myself. But you seemed to do it for me, thanks.” Avernus held his closed fist near Laphicet, inviting him for a fist bump. The little malak happily obliged.

Avernus’s kind remarks eased Medissa’s notion. She felt that his compassion for Kamoana and Laphicet was the sweetest thing among their misery, “I need to apologize to you, Avernus.” Medissa said sincerely. Avernus skeptically gazed at her.

She firmly gave him a grateful look with her snake eye, “It is unexpected, but I admit: I was wrong about you. I understand everything now, and even it’s all too tragic for words. The stories Laphicet told me… You came through for everyone regardless of what and who they were. I guess that’s what people call a “Shepherd.” Someone to look after them...”

Medissa’s thankful expression was lost in his bruised heart. Avernus did his best by nodding in response, but his mouth was sealed. Velvet heard Medissa’s praise and decided to intervene and end their annoying discussion, “You all are going through an awful lot of trouble and talk for a selfish kid.”

“All kids are selfish… They’re selfish, but that’s what their families, and their mothers, should be there for. Don’t you have any memories like that yourself, Velvet?”

Velvet, uncaring, glared at Medissa, “Sorry, but I rather just keep them to myself.”

Eizen, along with Benwick and his crew, moved between them and marched towards Van Eltia, “That’s enough, get onboard. We’re going to Lionel Island.”

The team swiftly followed the reaper to hunt the last therion.

Five days passed since their departure. Their destination was close, and the crew was ready for any new and unpredictable threat.

Velvet was probing their surroundings through a binocular, “No ghost ships in sight.” She handed the field-glass to Eizen.

“You don’t need to worry about anything. I had the Bloodwings spread a rumour that we were raiding an Abbey compound far, far from here.” Eizen confidently ensured them.

Rokurou grunted, “All this secrecy and swashbuckling. Give me a good old frontal assault any day.” He declared boldly.

“First mate, sir! There’s a ship drifting ahead of us!” Benwick shouted from the top of the mast.

“Yes! Finally, like a ghost ship!” Magilou yelled, grippingly.

“No, it’s an Abbey ship! Look at their flag! It’s a distress signal!” Benwick quickly jumped down close to Eizen, waiting for orders.

“Understood. Commence approach.”

Velvet, doubtful of Eizen’s decision, joined them on the bow of the ship, “Are you going to help an enemy ship?”

“A ship signalling distress has neither allies nor enemies. That’s a code all seafarers abide by.” Eizen explained.

Velvet scowled, “It’s an obvious trap.”

“Not even pirates would use a distress signal for a surprise attack.” Benwick told Velvet, but his eyes suddenly widened, “Of course we rescue a ship. We still strip them of everything they’ve got.”

Avernus positioned himself closer to the front, reading his staff, “If it’s a trap, we will take them out.”

Velvet groaned in annoyance, “Ahh! A waste of time, if you ask me.” Her voice was even harsher than before.

Van Eltia approached Abbey’s galley from the side. The pirates shot several harpoons at the vessel. The hooks collided with the ship and locked into the railing.

Avernus checked the deck for activity as the crew reeled the vessel closer. Avernus pounced towards the ship, and the other stormed afterward.

Avernus took a deep breath as he inspected the deck; numerous unconscious exorcists have littered the ground.

“Is it because of corsair scourge?!” Eleanor questioned in horror.

Eizen groaned, “Yeah, probably. Hey, Benwick! Do we still have any sale’tomah left?”

Benwick counted the number of exorcists, “Yes, sir! If this their full crew, we should have enough on board to treat them.” He confidently answered.

“But this is a small crew. If this is an Abbey ship, they must have a larger number of sailors.” Rokurou observed.

Avernus quickly turned towards the back as he spotted someone; a young girl was limping towards them,

“These were all who were aboard when I hijacked the ship and made them set sail.” She informed them in her frail and shaking, low voice.

Eleanor's eyes widened in shock, “Teresa?!”

“I knew I was reckless, but I never expected we’d run afoul of the corsair’s scourge, but you know? I’m glad we did since it brought me to you.”

Avernus and Velvet both crossed their arms, looking unmoved as she was in no shape to attack them, “You seriously plan to fight in that condition?” Velvet taunted as she gazed upon Teresa.

“No, no, I know you’ve won this one. Use me as you will.” Teresa proposed.

“Use you?” Laphicet inquired, bafflingly.

“Don’t bother asking, and it’s a trap.” Velvet said boldly.

Teresa hopelessly glared at them, “Lionel Island is where you’ll find Dis, a therion. My brother Oscar is guarding over it.”

“We can handle him just fine.” Velvet reacted uncaringly.

Teresa swallowed and gathered a few more energy, staring into Velvet’s eyes, “You should know that Oscar has acquired a powerful new arte, its formula developed by Lord Melchior and Lord Lucian.”

Avernus was alerted to her claims as the rest did, “Did they finish Armatization?” he asked his malak, but Tia remained soundless.

“The arte heightens a malak’s power far beyond its normal limits. The effect is incredible. Normal artes don’t even compare. Even were you to win, you wouldn’t come away unscathed.” Teresa continued to explain.

Velvet still couldn’t trust her, “Why are you telling us this?”

Teresa coughed, barely able to stand on her feet, “The arte is still untested and imperfect. There’s no guarantee its caster will survive the effects.” She focused on Velvet, “I don’t want anything to happen to Oscar!” she proclaimed stridently.

Velvet was quiet; both Teresa’s unconditional love for his brother and lack of a better proposition from the exorcist made her wait for a better offer.

Teresa’s voice began to change to a more tender and cooperative one, “If I’m your hostage, Oscar won’t move against you. This will afford you a window to snatch the therion and make your escape.”

“You’re willing to betray the Abbey?” Velvet coldly asked.

Teresa fell on her knees; her strength began to fail. She lowered her head, and sadness began to govern her, “There’s nothing in this world that could ever replace Oscar.” She wept and sobbed, but she regained her composition shortly.

Brother, protection, and family love were the only emotions the lord of calamity could relate to. Velvet appeared to be distracted, hesitating to accuse her more.

“I know you can’t trust me… So don’t give me your medicine….” The last ounce of stamina left her, and she fell to the deck, “I’ll place my life in your hands… Just save Oscar…”

Laphicet and Eleanor ran to her. Velvet slowly nodded her head, “If true, this information will be of use to us. For now, let’s bring her aboard and give her the medicine.” She unexpectedly glanced at Avernus, “Do you know anything about the arte she mentioned?” she asked him indifferently.

Avernus was glued in his place. He promised not to tell anyone about Armatization. He was a Shepherd, a pure, selfless figure who could not lie or keep his friends in the dark. But Velvet addressed him with a stoic tone like a casual grunt demanded to report to his superior. Avernus noticed Eizen and Rokurou’s inquisitive looks, waiting for an answer.

“No.” He replied in the same, uncaring tone without adding anything to the conversation.

Velvet grunted silently. Avernus left them and joined Laphicet and Eleanor, waiting for Benwick to bring sale’tomah and administer the cure to Teresa.

The next morning, Van Eltia reached Lionel Island, an ordinary, quiet rock situated in the middle of nowhere. Pirates disembarked, and soon they established a small base near the pier. The Menagerie gathered around the main camp.

Magilou turned to Velvet, “So, it seems you’ve believed her story.”

Velvet remained silent. Little known to them, she didn’t fully believe Teresa’s tale, but she believed her conviction to save his brother.

Rokurou clenched his fist with a new face, “An arte that boosts a malak’s power far beyond its normal limits… it sounds like we might be in for a real fight.”

Eizen nodded, “And she said that Melchior developed it, too.”

Magilou raised her finger, “Maybe this explains why he was so intent on acquiring that Siegfried relic.” She caught Avernus by surprise by switching the topic to him, “Isn’t that right, Shepherd? Anything Melchior and Lucian related is your specialty.” She grinned maliciously.

Avernus remained calm and unmoving, “It might be something new. The best you can do is stay sharp and do what Teresa says. In that case, you will never see it used against us.”

Magilou squinted her eyes. Her attempt to provoking him didn’t work once again.

“Yeah, Avernus is right. If this is all true, then a frontal assault might not be the best idea.” Eizen endorsed his notion.

“I don’t get it; why is Teresa willing to go so far to protect Oscar?” Rokurou wondered, stroking his jaw.

Eleanor was more than ready to satisfy Rokurou’s curiosity, “Oscar is the second son of the Dragonia family, aristocrats with ancestral ties to the Asgard royal lineage. From what I understand, he was sent to the Abbey in the hopes of strengthening his family’s ties to the group.”

The process was too familiar to Avernus, “That’s a political norm, and it’s good for future generations too. But how does Teresa ties into this?”

“Teresa followed after him, joining the Abbey, where she’s been his constant saviour, even if she’s kept it from him.” Eleanor continued.

Magilou sighed and glanced at Avernus, “So she is another noble too. Couldn’t have an easy life if she’d just kept in her place.”

Avernus’s brows knotted, “What do you mean by “an easy life”?”

Magilou looked the other way as she was ignoring him, smirking, “You people could live a peaceful life, away from death and misery in your castles.”

Eleanor shook her head, “No, Teresa is different. She was conceived outside of formal marriage, and her mother was not a high standing individual….”

“It happens more often than you might think.”

The team turned towards the voice and watched Teresa, who fully regained her health, was coming down the wooden stairs.

“My mother died, and my father’s wife never cared for me, so I merely served the Dragonia family as a maid.” She stopped near Velvet, folding her arms, hugging herself, “Those were dark, lonely times for me. But Oscar was the only one who called me his sister and embraced me as a family.” Teresa stared Velvet in the eyes, “Does a sister need any other reason to want to save her brother?” she said to her confidently.

Magilou poked Avernus’s waist. He leaned a bit towards her, “Hey, Avernus! Did you see their reactions? If you acted like a brother to Velvet and not someone who’s trying to get her in bed, she would’ve loved to stay with you...”

She noticed the space between his brows wrinkled, groaning in anger, “This is getting annoying, Magilou.”

Velvet blinked once after pausing, collecting herself. she glared at Teresa coldheartedly, “So you’re back on your feet.”

Teresa bowed her head slightly, “My sincere thanks for the medicine….”

Velvet remained cold, “I can’t use you as a hostage if you’re dead. Where’s the therion?”

Teresa raised her arm and pointed at a passageway on the other side of the pirate camp, “Ahead through the Braid Marsh are the ruins of an ancient kingdom. There you’ll find the earthpulse point, along with Oscar.

Laphicet turned to Teresa, “What happened to Number One?” he innocently asked.

Teresa remembered her meeting with the legates. Her face took a sad expression, “Lord Artorius took Number One away from me, as it stands, I’m without the powers of an exorcist. As such, whether I live or die is for you people to decide. Once Oscar is safe, you can do whatever you like to me.” She stated woefully.

“…We’ll do as you wish. All of it.” Unexpectedly, Velvet ensured Teresa. The lady exorcist’s eyes were calmer. Velvet took the lead, and they all went towards the ruins.

Avernus moved closer to Laphicet. Unknowingly, Velvet did the same. They looked at Laphicet, “Don’t let your guard for one second, Phi.” They both warned him at the same time. Velvet glanced at Avernus, blushing as he quickly turned his head the other way. Laphicet’s eyes darted from Avernus to Velvet and vice versa, “I-I won’t.”

Eizen waved at one of the guarding pirates, “Send a sylphjay if anything comes up.”

“Sure thing, boss. But why would the Abbey build anything out here?” The sailor asked.

Eizen looked at Teresa, waiting for an explanation. She complied, “This Island may be uninhabited now, but judging from the ruins, we can tell that civilization has flourished and fallen here many times. This island lies at a focal point of air and sea currents and the flow of the earthpulse. That means that malevolence gathers here, too.”

“Is that why civilization has risen and fallen here before?” Laphicet wondered.

Teresa nodded, “Yes, the malevolence of those long-dead people pours through the earthpulse, a catastrophe happens, and then all fade away until the next time.”

Magilou stroked her chin, “The more the people prospered, the greater their loss of life was. So, the malevolence lingered.”

“Normally, this sort of thing could not be ignored. The malevolence here should have been dealt with in haste….” Teresa demonstrated some concerns, but Magilou grinned in return,

“Because the Abbey is scheming to resurrect Innominat, there’s no way they’d want to waste such a bounty. But we have our wanna-do-goody Shepherd.”

Teresa quickly looked at Avernus, the rogue one, “Yes, I heard that you destroy temples and earthpulse points wherever you go.” She said to him, boorishly.

The green-eyed Shepherd glanced at her, “I sealed the earthpulses to suppress the malevolence from pouring out. The after-effects are not in my control.” He relaxingly said.

“Why?” Teresa inquired harshly.

“Because that’s my duty.”

Teresa frowned, showing her teeth in anger, “Lies. I know how you manipulated Lord Artorius’s Malak to turn on him. And how you masterminded her escape and used lord of calamity into sabotaging Abbey’s efforts to save people around the continent.”

Avernus stared at her taciturnly. Eleanor walked towards Teresa, “That’s not true. I’ve seen, and… felt what he had done for the people, for us.” She wholeheartedly said to her.

“Eleanor, the traitor. We haven’t seen each other since the throne… But that doesn’t seem like so long ago to me. Is it because of him that you betrayed us? Is his song so alluring that you have forgone your duty as a patrolling inspector? You should’ve known better than to be deceived by a false Shepherd.”

Eleanor swallowed, shaking her to the sides, “No! That’s not it.”

Magilou face-palmed herself, “No, idiot. That’s the wrong girl. You need to….” Eizen delivered a painful blow to her back, and then she was silenced.

“…Oscar should have been the one to take on that role. He had already been selected for it. But you wanted it so very badly, and that sweet, naïve man that he is, he let you take it.” Teresa said sternly.

Eleanor closed her eyes, sighing, “I had no idea. Oscar had already been chosen?”

“Yes! And after he passed on it, he was stationed on that dangerous island where he sustained that awful injury. And now you accompany the monster that nearly killed him and serving the one man who orchestrated it. I feel I have a right to some answers!”

Eleanor gathered herself, now calm and composed. She looked back at Teresa, “My desire to save humanity has not changed. Avernus showed me another different path than the Abbey’s.”

“Obeying a rogue Shepherd? I don’t find that answer acceptable.”

“I didn’t think that you would. I know very well that you offer no compromises when it comes to Oscar.”

“You’re right. I don’t. Be sure to inform your new master of that fact.”

Tia instantly appeared out of thin air. Teresa took a step back. “Ah, you little pretty thing. You have no idea how this is meaningless to him and me.” Tia teased her. She raised her hand and checked her shiny, amber nails, “Know that Avernus is your only chance if you want to see your Oscar come out of this alive.” She said to her condescendingly.

Teresa managed to keep her ground, glaring at the Shepherd, “Avernus, I need you to trust me to save Oscar.”

Velvet marched past Avernus, frowning at Teresa. “I’m the one who hurt your precious brother, not him.”

Teresa shifted her focus to Velvet, looking furious and saddened at the same time, “Yes, you hurt him. You scarred his face and his honour and his heart.”

Velvet narrowed her eyes as if she didn’t care, “Still holding a grudge, hen? Well, at least you won’t be able to kill me in my sleep.”

“With no Malakhim, I’m an ordinary woman. How could I threaten the Shadow and the Lord of Calamity? I’m painfully aware of my weakness.”

Velvet walked past her, “Good. Try to keep out of the way, then.”

The rest followed Velvet, and Teresa tagged along behind them. Laphicet left Avernus’s side to join Teresa. Tia merged with his body, “She is determined to protect his brother.” Tia said to Avernus.

“I know, but If he decides to use Armatus against us, I have no choice to unleash our own as well… but I don’t want them to die.”

“Why? They’re our enemy.”

“There are only three people who need to die in the Abbey: Artorius, Melchior, and Lucian. Not these young people. They’re misguided. Besides, if I can’t save them, then what kind of Shepherd I’m?”

“Hey, Avernus!” Laphicet shouted as he streaked to him. “Look, lady Teresa found a beetle for me!”

Avernus inspected the creature while it moved over his hand, “Let’s see what this creature is.”

Rokurou suddenly appeared behind him, looking over his shoulder, “Look at this stag beetle! Eizen, come over here!”

Eizen squinted his eyes, “It’s a two-horned rhinoceros….”

Laphicet gripped his fists, “Listen! If you’re going to get in another fight over this, I’ll just say it’s a new type of drone beetle.”

Avernus looked back at Rokurou and Eizen, smiling, “He figured us out.” All four then burst into laughter.

Teresa nudged Eleanor’s side, “You didn’t make him say that to them, didn’t you?” She asked dazzlingly.

“I did not. I’ve made a pact with him as a vessel, but he isn’t tethered to me.”

Teresa's eyes widened, “A malak acting so human.” Her eyes quickly returned to normal, scowling even, “Don’t tell me it’s because of “him.”

Eleanor smiled, “No, not fully, at least. Malakhim possesses free will, just like humans. But meeting Laphicet and Eizen taught me the truth. Even Rokurou too. They laugh in joyful times and cry in sad times. Their stomach even growls, too.”

“Their stomach growls?!” Teresa asked astoundingly.

Eleanor chuckled, “malakhim, daemons, and therions have their thoughts and feelings. Avernus showed me more.”

“The Shadow? How?” Teresa asked.

“He doesn’t discriminate, and he looks after Laphicet not as a little brother but as a father. Kamoana, too, even she’s a therion, there is no hesitation in his emotion. He loves them unconditionally. Avernus treats everyone as a family. Even so, he’s so young. He’s don’t shy away from showing his feelings...”

Teresa suddenly hurried to Avernus. He noticed her rushing towards him. The smile went away, his eyes locking on to her.

“I wanted to make a request; if what Eleanor says is true about you, if you care about people, then make sure no harm would befall Oscar.” She directly demanded.

Avernus stared her in the eyes, pausing, “I’ll see what I can do.” He replied calmly.

Velvet then joined them, concentrating on the exorcist, “Teresa. Let’s review our plan before we go in; we’ll tell Oscar that we’ll release you if he gives up his weapons and malakhim. We’ll then tie him up, collect the therion, and then head for the docks once we’re aboard our ship and ready to sail. We’ll release you. You’ll be free to do whatever you want.”

“Very well. I hope that you listened to what I asked from your Shepherd.”

Velvet frowned, “I’m not Avernus… and that entirely depends on Oscar. I’ll defend myself if I have to.”

Eleanor and Laphicet ran to her side, “Please, do it for us, Velvet.”

Velvet moaned, “Teresa if you want to save Oscar, you need to make him listen. Put your own life on the line. You’re his sister. Do whatever you have to protect him.”

“… I will. Even if it means my death.” Teresa firmly declared.

The team walked into the ruins and passed an enormous archway, and a vast plain came into view. Avernus noticed a figure standing in the middle, sword in the ground and waiting.

“That’s Oscar,” Tia whispered to Avernus.

“I knew you’d come, Velvet.” Oscar confidently spoke. He slowly turned towards the group. His eyes widened in fear; Velvet had put her blade under Teresa’s neck. “Sister?!”

Velvet bitterly smiled, “As plain as day. Now put down your sword and let go of my therion. If you don’t, I’ll kill her.”

“You coward!” Oscar yelled furiously.

Eleanor dashed near Velvet, putting away her spear, “I’m sorry to do this, Oscar! I’m searching for the truth behind Abbey’s talks of so-called “reason.”

“And your idea of reason is to threaten my dear sister’s life?” Oscar shouted in return.

Avernus walked in front of the group, extending the Dreamshadow, “It’s better than your idea of “reason” that sacrifices innocent lives to prove a moot point. Now, drop your sword….” The shining blades began to form on the top of the sceptre. He slowly placed it on Velvet’s sword, together forming an X under Teresa’s chin, “…or she dies.”

Teresa exhaled, holding her head a little higher to avoid the sharp edges of their blades, “I’m sorry, Oscar… I’ve become nothing but a burden.” Teresa said.

Oscar’s grip on his sword handle became loose, “Teresa, no… it’s not like that….”

He gradually raised his arms in surrender, “All right. I’ll put down my sword.”

Velvet’s eyes followed Oscar’s movements; the exorcist checked both her and Avernus, switching back and forth. “Stay sharp.” Velvet quietly mumbled to the Shepherd.

All of a sudden, Oscar tossed his sword at Velvet. She smoothly hit the sword in mid-air. Avernus noticed that Teresa bobbed her head and ran towards Oscar, positioning herself behind him.

Avernus moved his head up and down, signalling Teresa. Oscar grimaced at him. Before he could react, a significant blow from behind scrambled all of his senses. The exorcist fell on a batch of white flowers, sleeping unconsciously.

Teresa gazed upon his brother with a regrettable expression, “Forgive me, Oscar… This is the only way I can protect you.”

Velvet sheathed her blade, “…We’ve kept our end of the bargain. Take him and get out of here.”

Teresa shut her eyes, breathing deeply into the air, “I can’t do that. It will reflect poorly upon him.”

Avernus twirled his staff, “Don’t try anything stupid, Teresa.”

“Have you forgotten? You’re just a powerless human.” Velvet reminded her harshly.

Teresa slowly walked towards the therion. The creature sensed her approach and slowly began to wake up, “You’re right. I’m a weak, worthless human. But he has shown me the light! And it shines! My body is receptive to Innominat’s power!”

The succubus therion stood up. Teresa turned her back at it, opening her arms, “…And with it, I can protect everything I care about!”

The daemon bit her neck. Teresa screamed in pain and agony as a dark cloud enveloped her body.

“What’s she doing?!” Rokurou shouted.

The team stared at the scene, unprepared and shockingly, they witnessed a new creature coming out of the cloud; the transformed body of Teresa, with black wings and dark purple armour-like plates around her body. Her half-mutated face sent shivers into Laphicet’s body, “Did she turned into a therion?!”

“No, that ignorant woman fused with it!” Avernus yelled stridently, squeezing his staff in wrath and rage, “Why did you do it?! Are you out of your mind, woman?!”

Teresa levitated above the ground, readying her spear, “I’ll kill you all! Anything to protect Oscar!”

“This will not help your brother! Do you think he wants to wake up and see you as a daemon?!” Avernus shook his head while maintaining his gaze, “You doomed yourself and Oscar!”

“I won’t matter once I’m done with you!”

Focusing on Velvet, she flapped her wings, appearing near lord of calamity within a mere second. Velvet stepped to the side, evading her sudden strike, “Merging with a therion… Do you realize what you’re doing, Teresa?”

Teresa started to laugh uncontrollably, like a maniac, “Hehehe, a trivial sacrifice! I do anything for my Oscar!”

The exorcist sensed someone racing towards her,

“Maelstrom!” Eleanor pushed her spear into Teresa’s back, stabbing her armour plates constantly with her spear. Teresa circles around her, opening her wings and raising her weapon. All of a sudden, the wind around her was perplexed. She turned and watched three crescent-looking wind blades coming at her. She dived towards the ground, but they pursued and caught up, slashing her wings.

“Wind Cutter!”

Eleanor rushed to her position, thrusting her spear into Teresa. She quickly put her guard up, deflecting her attacks. Eleanor gritted her teeth and shoved one last, powerful attack, breaking her guard, “Here it comes! Pierce! Spiral Hail!”

Wind gales formed around her spear, travelling like a rabid tornado towards Teresa.

“Gotcha!” Eleanor yelled in confidence.

Flower petals and dust filled the air, obscuring the area.

“Eleanor Hume!” Teresa screamed and launched from inside the cloud, having her spear pointed at her. Eleanor's eye’s widened in fear. She put up her weapon in front of her, guarding herself.

Cling!

To Eleanor’s surprise, Teresa was hurled to the side. She saw Velvet, pouncing across her, having slashed Teresa’s waits with her claws. A part of bloody armour shell fell off, and Teresa slid across the flowers on the ground, screaming in agony.

“I can’t lose… not here!”

Velvet reverted her daemon arm, “Stand down, or I’ll devour you piece by piece.”

Abruptly, Avernus noticed Oscar, having already woken up from the commotion, was walking gently at her sister. He crouched, “It’s okay, Sister… You’ve done enough.”

His hands went for Teresa’s cheeks. She quickly turned away in shame, “No, don’t look at me. I’m so hideous.”

“When I was growing up, the only one my mother and father ever paid any attention to was my older brother, the heir.” Oscar kindly said to Teresa as he held her hand. “But you Teresa… You noticed me when they didn’t. You looked after me. Supported me. Smiled for me.”

Oscar delicately touched Teresa’s chin, raising her head, meeting her weeping eyes, “I could never thank you enough, my sister.”

Tears streaked on her face. She sobbed, calling his brother’s name. Oscar slowly stood up, “Now, keep watching over me, Teresa, as long as you’re looking after me… I can vanquish even the lord of daemons!”

Oscar turned back, facing the Menagerie. His malak appeared beside him, “Take a good look: this is armatizaton!” his chest brimmed with light. The malak sank into his body, and the area flashed instantly.

Velvet frowned; Oscar emerged from the light. He had changed; his hair was brighter with blade-like wings on his back.

“Here, I come!” He cried at Velvet.

Magilou promptly took a deck of guardian papers out of her pouch, “What happened to him?!”

Oscar flew towards them at a rapid pace. They moved out of the way. His bladed wings nearly slashed Velvet as he managed to dodged his attack. She was quickly back on her feet, “Did he merged with his malak?!”

Eizen and Laphicet shot their arte at Oscar, but he launched himself straight up. The artes missed their target by a large margin.

“We can’t hit him!” Laphicet yelled.

Oscar placed himself near the fading sun. Avernus eyes widened; several shining dots began to appear around Oscar. “Move it, people!’ The Shepherd warned them.

A hissing sound was heard, and a sharp blade made out of mana hit the ground near Velvet. Then another. She zigzagged and dashed to the sides as the wind blades rained down on her.

“We’re doing it,” Avernus whispered to Tia.

“Now?”

Avernus firmly nodded.

Velvet turned towards the last batch of blades. She swung her sword rapidly, taking out each blade one by one until a blinding light sparkled behind her,

“Osovam Rismov!”

Velvet looked back, covering her eyes, “What….”

The illumination ceased to shine. Velvet eyes grew three sizes. Laphicet and Eleanor's legs were motionless along with their half-opened lips, “Avernus….”

The tiny sparkles started to fall. The Shepherd had changed drastically; His blond hair was reaching the ground, braided with large blue feathers. His white coat was even brighter, and the glass-looking obsidian parts reflected the lights more clearly than before. His pale green eyes were now blue, flickering brightly.

Avernus smashed the end of his staff on the ground. A pair of ethereal wings erupted from his back, emitting a chiming sound as they came into reality.

“Another armatization?!” Eleanor said unbelievingly.

The image of Avernus mirrored in Laphicet’s eyes, “That’s incredible….”

Oscar squinted his eyes at him. “No, you don’t….”

Avernus glanced at him and disappeared, creating a whirlwind as he darted towards his adversary. The team covered their eyes and mouth, losing track of the Shepherd.

Oscar conjured a blade right before Avernus hit him with his staff. Their weapons clashed. They both stared into each other’s eyes, but Oscar couldn’t resist the higher power of Shepherd’s armatization. Avernus pushed him away. Oscar looked back and noticed the stone archways behind them. They both crashed into the ruin. Avernus kept flying forward, smashing Oscar's body into more walls and gates, demolishing them.

The team watched the debris and smoke erupting from the remainders of the old temple.

“Woohoo! Look at him, go!” Magilou yelled excitingly.

The last standing wall shattered, and Oscar was thrown towards the ground. Avernus gently landed on his feet, “Stand down, Oscar. You’ve lost.”

The exorcist struggled to stand up. Eleanor put away her spear, moving closer to him, “Oscar, stop! This has gone far enough!” she pleaded.

Oscar barely managed to stand, “No. It hasn’t… you people hurt my sister…” all of a sudden, light burst from his chest, screaming in pain as he covered his head.

“He’s losing control! That thing inside him is turning into a dragon. Tia, is there any way to separate them?” Avernus hastily asked.

“No… just kill him.” Tia said.

Avernus frowned, “What? No!”

Magilou held her arms high in the air, “Quick, Velvet! Devour that thing!”

Laphicet shook his head, “No! he’s still….”

Oscar dashed towards them. There was no time to think, no time to hesitate. Velvet took charge and met his onslaught. The sloppy, uncoordinated strikes of Oscar were no match for the graceful movements of Velvet. He missed his attacks one after another. Velvet saw the opening and vaulted over him, slashing his back with her demonic arm.

Oscar cried in agonizing pain and fell to the ground. His bladed wings were gone, and his body returned to normal, albeit now devoid of life.

Velvet wailed for a second. The truth suddenly showed its bitter taste to her. She stood motionless, staring at her red claws that emanated malevolence. Her eyes shifted towards Avernus. They weren’t cold and rough anymore. Velvet didn’t know where she was or why it had happened at all.

Teresa limped towards the corpse of his brother, “You… killed him.”

Her saddened expression was enough to pull Velvet back into reality. She reverted her arm to normal, “No…I….”

But Teresa wasn’t listening, “He was a good kid. He gave me this pair of earrings for my birthday. They’re family heirlooms that were supposed to go to his fiancé…but he didn’t know that at the time…” tears began to fall one after another, “I told him he should give them to the woman he cares most about in the world… And you know what he did? He smiled at me and said I was that woman. So sweat… So innocent…”

Teresa’s glared targeted Velvet, “And you took him away!” She screamed from the bottom of her throat. “You killed my Oscar!”

The lord of calamity didn’t move. Her demons came back to haunt her mind. The unjust, unfair destiny was caught up with her again. She watched Teresa flying towards her. Her bandages came off, and the dark red claws of her nightmares appeared again. She gathered enough energy to attack.

Something passed her side like a meteor. Something flashed. Velvet could make a figure, meeting Teresa head-on.

A painful scream filled the plains. Teresa’s body went down near Oscar.

Laphicet, Eleanor, and Velvet looked towards the scene; Avernus was still in his strike pose, having hit the Teresa with his bladed staff.

The exorcists crawled to her brother’s side, “You’re so hurt. I’ll get you all fixed up…” Teresa extended her hands, trying to reach Oscar’s face, “Don’t cry… You’re strong… You’re so strong….”

The breath left her lips, and her head fell to the ground. The last drops of her tears fell on the ground as their hands met for the last time.

The winds blew, the flower petals landed gently on their bodies. Amidst the silence, sounds of flowers being stumbled upon insulted the calmness of the plain. Avernus walked towards them. His wings started to disappear. His body flashed, and Tia was forcibly thrown outside.

He dropped to his knees near Teresa and Oscar, “… I’ve got carried away… I played around too much…” Avernus grabbed his head, leaning to the front, “That’s why you ended up like this… I was too hasty….”

The remaining flower leaves fell on his shaking body as the tragedy repeated itself like it did countless times before.

Humanity was doomed to repeat the endless cycle of death and misery.