Joshua was kneeling with Ashen Sirius in hand, the Freaks that surrounded the building were down. Leaving nothing but him, there was gunfire coming from above but Joshua stayed calm.

Coffin Dancer has defeated the Ultimatums above.

The World of Hatter's Underbelly has been cleared.

Coffin Dancer has understood your call, and your reason for being here. Fitz is explaining things to Laila.

Coffin Dancer has now become a Sovereign that serves you.

Alpha and Omega are now part of your Sovereigns.

Urgent Message.

The Trial of the Seraph is already underway.

Waiver has been used by Supreme Gods to negate Badlands quest.

Silver Gun and Silver Cross are now part of your Sovereigns.

The trial will be in a location.

The Final Judgement has assembled the court for your trial, and your prosecutor and defense has already been chosen.

Location? It will be done in the mountains of Mersia.

A door appeared as Joshua stepped out, where he could see a man in a black 3 piece suit with a scarf resting over his shoulders. Black gloves, this must have been BLack Waltz and the other was a woman in a white suit with the white gloves, White Waltz. Azure Resound was shouldering his scythe with his messy hair and a cigar to his lips.

"So you're the Thorn Maestro. Not bad, you look like you've been to some shit." Azure Resound joked, patting the dust of Joshua's shoulder. Black Waltz kept quiet while White Waltz was actively talking to Joshua. He then turned to see a pair of figures. White hair and glowing yellow eyes. The Alpha and Omega, Alpha was in the olive long coat wielding a claymore while Omega was wearing a suit that was fitted to his body. Carrying a basket hilt sword in one hand. Then seeing Silver Cross who wore a suit with a human sized metal cross hanging by his shoulders, along with Silver Gun who was loading his revolver with the bullets.

"To think the Gods would skip your usual deal with recruiting us.. For this? Now shouldn't we head to the Trial location?" Joshua nodded, turning to see Fitz keeping his pair of gunblades. Then looking at Coffin Dancer who stepped out to nod to Joshua.There was so much more that needed to be done, yet Joshua just could not hide his nervousness. Everything was happening too fast and things were going out of order. Was he prepared for the Trial? Or will he suffer from the trial?

There were a thousand questions flowing into Joshua's mind. He thought the trial would take more time but why was there such a rush to it? What was with the sudden rush? Joshua could see their statuses. All of them were on a different level because when Joshua opened the stats menu or the Familiar menu, the details had turned into either '???' or a brief description.

For Black Waltz it was 'The Strongest of the Ensemble, all around weapon specialist but primarily known for his unique combat style. One that deals with shifting weapons on the fly.'

White Waltz ' Black Waltz's partner and wife. She's also the older sister of Azure Resound, and her fighting style is similar to Black Waltz only she was more refined in her attacks. Always targeting Limbs where as Black Waltz would directly go for the killing blow at all times.'

Azure Resound 'Uses a variety of weapons that have sickle designs, because he prefers the sight of the cut up corpses. Loves to kill. It's also what makes him difficult to handle.'

"We'll take a flight to Mersia." Joshua said, where they stepped out of Mulligan and back to the base. Though the entirety of the base was empty, there was no sign of activity at all. Yet, the peculiar thing that Joshua could see was the stacks of reports and documents, most of it was done mid-way. Left undone, that was unusual. Things were already tricky from here on out, Joshua continued to look around. He tried to reach his Familiars, but he couldn't even access it.

The systems were locked. Joshua stepped out to see everything missing. He can't even reach the Lions or HDF. He can't reach any of his Familiars in Azteris. Everything had a lock on it.

The Seraph's Trial.

Initiated by Final Judgement.

Familiars are no longer accessible.

Only Sovereigns and Covenant members.

Be ready Lord, for the Seraph's Trial is already underway.

Joshua read that, seeing Azure Resound continue smoking his cigar. Coffin Dancer was checking his guns, glancing at Joshua. Giving him a nod, as Joshua, Fitz and the Sovereigns went to the airport, where Joshua and Fitz had their documentation ready. Buying tickets at the counter, Joshua had a bag of cash by his side.

"I need a flight to Mersia."

"One moment. Are you a Venerator?" Joshua showed his S-Rank card to the lady by the reception who nodded.

"We have the option of providing all of you on a private flight on Estrel Airlines. It'll be on board of a plane that can accommodate your heavy gear and equipment. A retired C-130 that the military had once used. Since you are an S-Ranked Venerator. There is no need for you to have a Visa to go there." Joshua nodded as he paid the money for it. Roughly 10 million for the entire thing, whereby there was a set of fees for them to use.

They headed outside to the airplane, where they boarded in. There were a stewardess that were present, serving drinks and food for them. Coffin Dancer didn't touch any of them, clasping his hands together and resting his head on it. Black Waltz, White Waltz and Azure Resound was enjoying their drinks that was being served. Alpha and Omega were eating some of the peanuts that was being offered. It was going to be an 18 hour flight. This time, Joshua was fiddling his thumbs, while Fitz was just relaxed.

The 18 hour flight was filled with silence with everyone of them checking their weapons. Alpha and Omega were whetting their blades, the three Ensemble members were checking their weapons. Silver Cross and Silver Gun was enjoying some of the inflight cuisine that was being offered. Joshua only had a nibble, he was still trying to keep his appetite satiated.

The nervousness of the unknown was kicking in, what was this supposed to be? When the plane landed, they stepped out as people took a moment to glance over. They headed through the airport, whereby people took a moment to glance at Joshua.

"Are you Joshua?" Joshua looked at the man who held a sign for him.

"Is there an issue?"

"No. It's just that a special Spire had appeared. Where it only allows you to enter. It's at the capital."

"Take us there." The man nodded, leading Joshua to a convoy of trucks with various Venerators inside. Joshua and the Sovereigns stepped inside, with Fitz joining the other trucks. The Venerators stepped out to make room for them.

Joshua didn't like knowing that there was a Spire at Mersia's capital. The drive was quiet as they spoke in another language that Joshua could barely understand. Jet lag was not an issue, when the truck entered the capital. Joshua felt the air change, an intensity was building up in the air. The trucks stopped, Fitz looked at Joshua.

"Mechanical failure. We'll have to walk." They stepped out, seeing the sky turned into pure black. The rain that was falling was crimson drops of blood. The people were all hiding in their houses as the other Venerators didn't feel much from it.

Joshua could see the Final Judgement, One Winged Seraph and the other 11 Seraphs that were present. Seijuro made himself known, standing beside Joshua wielding his blade.

"I suppose I too must join you to aid you."

"So you've come, Lord of Thorns." Final Judgement spoke as he raised his hand. Joshua saw his Familiars, they were in pain. Gasping for air, as Commander 151 wielded his blade. Tripping at his steps.

"The trial begins." The words of the Final Judgement sparked the battle as Joshua's Familiars charged at him. Coffin Dancer, Silver Cross and Silver Gun kept on firing their guns. Breaking the charge first. Ace was swinging his blade at Joshua, where it was stopped by Azure Resound.

"Why don't you play with me?"

"Damn you!" Ace roared back, Joshua felt the powers of his Familiars attack him. He was paralyzed in Fear, he was in a state of panic. Iacus and Donovan got close, swinging their blades. Stopped by Alpha and Omega.

"The Guardian and the Counselor. Now isn't that cute, turning your blades against your Lord of Thorns."Alpha said.

"Shut it demon! I'll be sure to have your head!" Donovan was in a state of rage, something that Joshua had never seen.Alpha kicked Donovan back, then going after Donovan with the blade.

The other Familiars were the same. As the Skeller Fireteam fired at Joshua, their shots were intercepted by Fitz who went at them with his gunblades. Joshua was still in a state of shock. The fear and panic had set in, his stats were higher but there was a reason for this.

The Lord of Thorns shall be susceptible to attacks and powers of his familiars.

The town will not be harmed but the Lord of Thorns. May suffer extra damage depending on the state of the town.

A damaged building from a Cobalt Python's shot, caused Joshua to fall to his knees. It was a large sting over his leg, like something had hammered his knees to submission.

"Damn it." Joshua cursed as Black Waltz and White Waltz provided cover for him with their blades. Stopping the attacks from a mad Commander 151.