“...broke through the boundary...” someone explained in the distance, prompting Luna to slowly open her eyes. “...several thousand? Maybe more?” they continued and Luna groggily sat up straight. Below her was a dark blue mattress with even darker bedding over top of it. She planted her feet on an opaque, crystal floor which released a pulse of light like a ripple in a clear lake. The tiny room itself was nearly barren save the lonely bed, a clean mirror mounted on an azure concrete-like wall and a black TV tray holding a full plate of hot food.

Luna stood up and attempted to crack her knuckles. Her right hand, squeezed into a fist, hovered into her field of view but the left was nowhere to be seen. She sneaked a peek down about her hips where her other arm dangled like a wet noodle, her hand black as coal and withered with ebony veins running up to her shoulder. While watching it intently, she tried to lift it up to be level with her head but it refused to budge. She then grabbed it with her right and pulled it up in front of her stomach and made a conscious effort to keep it suspended but it only flopped back down with a slap against her waist. Luna clicked her tongue, “Useless already, huh?” She ran her fingers through her hair, scratching furiously at her skull as she approached the hanging mirror. She gawked at her own reflection and placed a finger on her left cheek, staring at the completed Ríastrad.

“It isn't your fault.” Stella's words echoed in Luna's ears, forcing her to wince. The mirror then released a series of blinding flashes, the face looking back at Luna being different each time.

“You failed.” Fearg laughed directly into her mind as the reflection turned into Aileen who smiled even as a crimson trail ran down her chin.

“You failed.” Te sobbed as her and the Butcher's mangled bodies clutched one another.

“You failed.” Ryan spat and reached towards her with his smouldering stub.

“You failed.” Liz cried, covering her face and kneeling over top of a bloody puppy.

“You failed.” Cosain wailed while holding onto a woman's disembodied head.

“You-”

Crash!

Luna knocked the TV tray to the floor, spilling bits of corn, steaming soup, and cuts of chicken all over the place. She looked over the mess she had just created in silence. She squinted and looked away from it, mumbling, “You don't need to remind me.” She then stomped out into the hallway, clenching her fist so hard that blood dripped through her fingers.

“...defensive line here...” She heard Idel suggest and honed in on his voice, mostly as a means to distract herself.

As she got closer, she heard an unfamiliar woman reply, both of them getting clearer with each step. “We'd be fine if defence was all it took to repel an attack like this but as for all we know, they could have unlimited resources. We would most certainly lose if it became a battle of attrition.”

“Do you have a forward force that's capable of defeating that many Lilims?”

“Are you kidding? I'm the only one left who has ever even stepped outside of the forest. No one else has any experience hunting anything but wild animals. Fighting an army of demons with our already insufficient number of troops would be pushing it.”

Luna stepped up to a wide door frame and peeked inside. Idel and a short lady with shoulder-length black hair stood on opposite ends of a wide, glass table. The woman leaned back and crossed her arms. She wore skin-tight ebony pants that extended down and wrapped around the arcs of her feet, leaving her toes and heels bare. Her arms and shoulders were left exposed and the remainder of her torso was covered largely by a white shirt similar in design to a corset but lighter with violet stitching going up its front.

Idel sighed and placed both of his hands flat on the table, putting all his weight onto them. “So you're saying that without a group to take the fight to them, we're sitting ducks. At the same time, you're saying we don't have a group that is capable of doing so? Are we screwed then?”

“Pooling my resources alone, yes, that's exactly what I'm saying. What about you 'Master Mage'? Don't you possess magic that can disintegrate entire armies?”

“Archmage, and yes but no. If I could predict the exact second they cross, then I could wipe out their initial force. If they come in waves though it would take me far too long to prepare another Colossal class spell. Not to mention I'd have to divide my focus in order to keep both the barrier and this marble intact.”

“My people are more than capable of keeping a defensive barrier active.”

“Your barrier only covers the forest. I have to keep a separate barrier active over the university.”

“I can handle the front lines.” Luna spoke up and entered the room.

“You're awake already?” Nao asked and landed beside Luna.

“Where were you even hiding?” She inquired instead of answering.

“No, no, no, no!” Idel snapped, interrupting them. “Absolutely not. I haven't had the time to put together a strong enough seal for your eye, nor do you even know what we're talking about. You do not get to volunteer for a suicide mission-”

“That would be a huge relief.” The woman cut Idel off, placed a fist over her chest, and bowed slightly.

“Don't make that decision by yourself Eve!” Idel cried and formed an 'X' with his forearms. “It is much too soon and too reckless to be throwing her into a fight immediately after awakening.”

“We've still got a couple more days before they're even capable of crossing the boundary, right? It should be plenty of time for her to recover. Besides, who else would be better to fight a bunch of Lilims other than a direct descendant of Lilith?”

Idel shot Luna a sideways glance, leaned in close to Eve, and aggressively whispered, “Have you already forgotten what happened to Stella and Aileen? You really want to throw her out there not only without a seal but also when she's already emotionally on shaky ground?”

“I assure you, as a fellow guardian it is nearly impossible for me to forget what happened to them. I have also already taken into account Luna's mental condition. I have the utmost confidence that letting her out to blow off some steam will be far safer for us and far more worthwhile for her than brooding here.”

Idel flinched. “That's not exactly encouraging healthy coping mechanisms.”

“Neither is allowing the voice in her head to get louder and louder until it decides to take matters into its own hands again. In any sense, she's still our best option. Situations like this are the exact reasons why the Wolf Guardian became a thing in the first place.”

Luna cleared her throat, drawing the attention to her. “So who am I going to war with?”

Without looking at Idel, Eve gloated, “See? She agrees with me.”

Idel bit his tongue and his upper lip quivered for several seconds before he finally sighed, “Fine.” Then signalled for Luna to look over the table. On it was a large, unlabelled map if it could even be called that much. “Do you remember Sandalphon?”

“Not enough to put a face to him.”

Idel tapped the blank map and it blended into the furniture's crystal surface, becoming instead several circles within each other. Just beyond the outermost perimeter, the northern or upper portion of the display became a vibrant spectacle of colours whereas everything below remained black. Just inside that same perimeter was two blinking red dots, gradually moving eastward. Idel poked one of them and a picture of a massive man with four white wings took up half of the table. “It's like a radar on a touch screen monitor.” Luna observed and canted her head.

“Focus please.” Idel requested bitterly. He then pointed at the mugshot and explained, “Sandalphon was the counterfeit -or angelic familiar if you prefer- who Stella and Aileen fought while you were recovering from going berserk. We suspect he is also the reason why you went berserk.”

“Right. And?”

“I can't say for certain who the person with him is, but I do strongly believe that one of these two is indeed Sandalphon. The part about it that confuses me though is that he's moving away from us. I highly doubt he still thinks we're in the city after what happened just the other day.”

“Again. And?”

“Here.” Idel stated dryly and snapped a finger at the shifting colours to the north, specifically at an additional red dot barely visible behind them. “If we assume that Sandalphon is in fact moving away from us instead of hunting you down, it would most likely be because he has failed his mission and is being discarded. With you having defeated the other sins before they got to their full strength, it is possible that 'God' is getting nervous and is now getting more actively involved in your demise. To that end and in order to prevent demi-humans from pushing the humans back towards Heaven, a new hunter may have been chosen and is now preparing to invade Síochain. There are two ways to cross between dimensions: one is a tunnel of sorts that has a fixed entrance and exit but can only hold at best two people at any given time. The other method is through a mana intensive ritual we call, 'crossing the boundary'. If you think of the divider between worlds as one giant door, the tunnel is a hole drilled through it but the ritual opens the entire thing, allowing them to pass any number of being through and from any point in the sky.”

“So this rainbow here is mana, I presume?”

“Correct.”

“We can predict to an extent when they'll pass through, but not specifically. As of now, the best we can say is that they'll be here by this time two days from now.” Eve declared. “Defending the forest itself using spirit magic shouldn't be too difficult but not many demi-humans have experience in live combat. With your return, motivating them to train again shouldn't be a concern however there's no way any of them can be battle-ready in just a couple days.”

“Gotcha.” Luna replied. “Do you have any idea how many Lilims are expected to be coming?”

“Roughly ten thousand, plus one unknown commander.”

“You said before that a proper descendant of Lilith was the best weapon against them. What exactly is a Lilim?”

“Counterfeit succubi.” Eve stated. “Just as the counterfeit angels are familiars designed in the image of the true angels, Lilims are lesser beings built in the image of your mother who was recognized as one of the strongest demons.”

Luna raised an eyebrow and half-closed one eye. “That's... intriguing I suppose.”

Idel then wiped his face with both hands and shook his head from side to side. “You really don't have to do this Luna. I'll find another way. There's no need for you to stick your neck out like this when you must already be exhausted. Ten-thousand Lilims against one person is way too much.”

Luna rolled her eyes. “Watch us.” She then paused. “Us?” She echoed and started scanning the room while the other three watched. “Watch... me?” Luna covered her left eye with her hand, took a deep breath, and said, “Me, yeah. Watch me.” Afterward, she released her eye and looked at Eve. “By the way, judging from what you were saying earlier, would it be accurate for me to assume that I'm home?”

“Home?”

“Síochain.”

Eve grinned, signalled for Luna to follow her, and stepped out into the hallway. As they approached a balcony, Eve stated, “At present, we are actually above Síochain.” Luna leaned on the guard rail and gazed upon the skyscraper-like trees below, their leaves rustling loudly in the faint breeze. The thick foliage made seeing straight to the ground impossible. The horizon itself was concealed by a dense, green mist. “I trust you are already aware that Síochain was moved into a separate reality marble to prevent further damage from the humans? To ensure the entire forest was moved over, the plane extends out roughly a kilometre past the perimeter on every side. The mist you see in the distance is where the marble ends. The building we're in now is the Arcane University which your uncle put here on enchanted, floating Earth.”

“For the record, I brought it here to maintain the dimension.” Idel claimed as he joined them.

“Or so he says.” Eve muttered under her breath. “In any sense, we can get down there via a gateway in the structure's centre, kind of like a portal.”

Idel then grabbed Luna's shoulder to which she barked, “No touching.”

He backed away startled but cleared his throat, “I believe it would be best that you not join this fight and instead go spend some time with Stella and Aileen.”

Luna froze. After several seconds of uncomfortable silence, she inquired, “Where are they?”

“In the med-lab. It's on the next floor up, right above the room we were just in.”

“What are their conditions?”

Eve looked away, Nao began twiddling her thumbs and Idel stumbled on his words. “Well, they're not... uh... they won't be...”

“Are they conscious?”

Idel didn't respond. “They're both in comas.” Nao declared in his place.

“Any signs that they'll ever wake up?”

No answer.

“I see.” Luna scowled at Idel. “You're prolonging their suffering.”

“We're trying to save their lives.” He countered.

“They're already dead.”

“Don't make that assumption without even first going to see them. Look, just go visit them, keep them company while you recuperate. I'll figure out a way to defend Síochain in the meantime.”

“If I did that, another demi-human down there could wind up six-feet under even though I'm already capable of protecting them.”

“If that's your only reason, then if I assure you that absolutely no demi-humans will come to harm, will you see reason and focus on resting?”

“Sure, I could do that.”

Idel dropped his shoulders and let out a sigh of relief. “In that case-”

“But,” Luna snapped and glared at him with the Ríastrad, “If even one demi-human gets killed,” she pointed towards the fairy, “I'll put her head on a pike overlooking the graves of the people you let die. Given that condition, are you still willing to make that promise?”

“Well...” Idel clenched his fists and stared at the ground.

Luna scoffed, “I didn't think so either.” She then faced Eve, “Where can I find this gateway?”

* * *

“Things here don't look terribly different from how I-I?” Luna covered her left eye again. “From how dad remembers them.” She observed as she stepped off of the crystal platform and onto the lush grass.

“With the exception of our floating guest,” Eve kicked the platform and then stepped beside Luna, “Nothing here should have changed much. There are far fewer of us now than when your father was here so some paths might be grown over and some huts deconstructed but we're not interested in developing technology or anything of the sort. If it can't change naturally, it's not going to around here. That being said, the mentality might be woefully different these days. It was before my time but as I understood it, demi-humans were at least willing to interact with the outside world at some point or another. After getting gassed though, and granted that a lot of the survivors only lived because they were away as slaves, they've become content with being secluded. Outsiders are assumed to have evil intentions and if one ever found their way in, they'd likely be kicked out without a moment to explain themselves. Perhaps even killed on the spot if they have any weapons on them.”

“I don't blame them. So, what do they think about me?”

“Worry not. You're the spark of hope that will rekindle the fires in their hearts that were snuffed out by fear many moons ago. Not one soul within this woodland wouldn't be willing to give their life for you if it ever became a necessity.”

Luna clicked her tongue. “Like that would ever happen. I won't allow it.”

“That sounds like something Cain would say. That reminds me though, I haven't properly introduced myself.”

“There's no need. Your appearance has changed a bit, but I still recall you from Dad's memories.”

“Yes, your father knows who I am but you and I don't actually know each other. Besides, it would be rude if I made only you introduce yourself.”

“But you already know who I am as well.”

“I know you're Cain's daughter, that's about the extent of it. Proper etiquette would suggest we introduce ourselves anyway.”

“Etiquette?” Luna rubbed the back of her head. “I guess you did have that kind of upbringing. You really haven't changed much in that regard. Fine then.” She sighed and held out her arm. “Luna Cathasaigh, Wolf Guardian.”

Eve shook her hand enthusiastically and with an ear-to-ear grin. “Eve Réitigh, Panther Guardian. It's a pleasure to finally meet you.”

Luna's ears stiffened up briefly. “I recall you having a different last name.”

“Naturally, as I had it changed shortly after you were sent away. I used to be Eve Pendragon, but I longed to leave that life behind me.”

“Is that right?” They released each other and Luna lazily pointed her finger in different directions around her. “Sorry, by the way, about leaving you to watch this place on your own for so long.”

“Oh, it wasn't so bad. It would have been dangerous for you to be here within this reality marble without having first awakened anyway. Risking accidentally scorching the human world was definitely the better choice.”

“Fair enough.”

Eve then lead Luna towards the village while asking, “How are things going with your mixed memories?”

“It's strange, to say the least. It used to be very clear what were my own and what wasn't but now I have to actually think about which ones I myself experienced.”

“Just out of curiosity, have you ever tapped into his memories about-” She hesitated.

“About?”

Without making eye contact, she continued, “About you?”

“I feel like if I did, I'd see far more than I ever wanted too.”

“True.” Eve giggled. “We're here.”

Luna followed her gaze to see a cluster of huts, scattered along a scrambled dirt path. The houses themselves were made of animal skins pulled taught between stiff vines for each wall, leaving a small gap on either side of every corner. The ceilings were constructed the same way but made at an incline to allow water to drain during rainfall. In place of doors, they only had large brown curtains separating the indoors from the outdoors.

“It was a bit of a culture shock when I first got here.” Eve began to say. “They may not shy away from privacy but they don't absolutely require it either. I'm not sure what took more getting used to: changing in a place where anyone could see you if they happen to be walking by -not to mention the baths here are all open-air, public and non-divided- or having people see you changing but not even bat an eye. I didn't know whether to be embarrassed or insulted the first time a man walked in on me getting dressed and started casually discussing farming methods while I was in the nude. It was beyond nerve-wracking at first, but now I find it rather comforting.”

“Bathing with and being walked in on by strangers is comforting?”

Eve shook her head. “It's not like they're strangers anymore but that's not the point. Let's just say that it always felt like humans had way too much to hide.”

“I'll vouch for that.” Luna quietly agreed. “Where is everyone anyway? It seems kind of barren at the moment.”

Eve scanned the area and hummed. “The men are probably out hunting, the women preparing meals, and the children are probably split between them or out playing elsewhere.”

“Do demi-humans operate based on gender roles nowadays?”

“Oh, certainly not. Usually, I would join in on the hunting but I got pulled into that strategy meeting with the human up there. Were you hoping to meet everyone?”

“Not just yet.” Luna stated and attempted to cross her arms, recoiling when she remembered that one of them wasn't working. “I haven't readied myself for conversation and endless questions. I don't think I could play the part of a 'spark of hope' so soon after getting out of bed.”

“I understand. Would you like to check out your father's old place then? I would occasionally go in there to clean it in preparation for your arrival but other than that no one else goes there. It's a bit secluded from the rest of the village so that his work at the forge wouldn't bother anyone if he kept at it into the night. Well, anyone but Lilly that is. It should be the perfect place to go to if you're looking for alone time. I can show you where the bath is while I take you.”

“Please do.”

“As you wish. This way then if you will.” Eve marched through the village with Luna following close behind. “It's a shame though, the bath here has gone cold ever since Cain passed.”

“What do you mean?”

“Exactly as it sounds. The bath was like a hot spring with a slow current but these days it's just a regular river. Your father used to heat it up using spirit magic but the contract, so to speak, was terminated after his death.”

“Can no one else here use fire-based magic?”

“They could but not legally. I'm sure you're aware that demons can only use magic within their affinities but humans can use all types. They just improve and learn their affinities faster. Demi-humans on the other hand struggle to control other affinities so we only allow them to try it in specified locations or during emergencies. Fire is especially frowned upon since one bad spell could burn down a significant chunk of the forest.”

“I see.” They then continued down a branching path, stopping along the edge of a shallow river. On either side of it, two smouldering flowers were planted each. “Spirit anchors?” Luna asked.

Eve nodded. “Correct. They've been gathering spirit all this time with no one able to manipulate them.”

Luna pondered to herself in silence and hesitantly lifted her hand. Eve watched patiently as Luna snapped her fingers and each flower released a cluster of embers. A thin layer of steam began to form over top of the water's surface. Eve squatted down and poked one finger into the liquid then excitedly exclaimed, “It's warm!” She turned towards Luna and inquired, “I thought you could only use Lunar and Ecliptic magic?”

“Fire is one of the governing aspects that make up my Lunar and...” She paused, “Ecliptic?”

Eve blinked twice, stood up, and canted her head while cradling her cheek. “Did the exalted up there not tell you about it?”

“No. He was very adamant about the fact that I only had Lunar and my innate abilities as a succubus.”

“How strange.” Eve mumbled and looked up at the university. “He was the one who told me about it. I can never figure out what he's thinking. Well, I guess in the end it doesn't make much difference knowing now. Since your right arm serves as the catalysts for Lunar, your Eclipse would require your left arm but it doesn't appear to be in any condition for that.”

“I suppose so.” Luna stated, her voice distant.

Eve gave her a sideways glance then pointed at the water. “I always find a bath helps me relax. It's been so long since I've had a hot one as well, I'm itching to get in. Care to join me? You seem to be bothered by something so we can discuss it while we soak.”

“Hm? Oh, maybe later.” Luna replied and put her good hand in her pocket. “I'd rather stop by Dad's old place first.”

Eve's shoulders dropped slightly. “I... see. Yes, of course. How silly of me.” Her tone suddenly became very cheery and her grin abnormally wide. “Shall we get going?”

This time Luna blinked at her. “Are you... alright?”

“Never been better.” She said as her knuckles turned white.

“You definitely haven't changed.” Luna sighed and started pulling her shirt over her head. “Just a quick dip then.”

“Oh, no. We mustn't-”

Luna hung her shirt on the nearest branch and threatened, “You've got fifteen seconds before I toss you in the water, clothed or not.”

Eve's grin returned to normal size and she hurriedly loosened the laces on her top. Luna looked away and reached up to undo the clasps of her bra, only to freeze. She held her hand up in front of her, scowling. From behind her, Eve undid it for her. “That would be difficult to do with one hand. I had heard that it would damage you quickly but I never imagined it would take an entire limb so soon.”

“It's certainly inconvenient.”

Eve folded all of her attire neatly and draped them over the same branch while Luna merely hung them as they were. Luna dropped down into the water and Eve gradually lowered herself in and declared loudly, “It's been so long! With very few exceptions, I haven't had a hot bath since my days in the castle.”

“Does that have anything to do with you not liking Idel?”

Eve's eyes widened then she laughed in embarrassment. “I didn't realize I was making it that obvious.”

“You haven't addressed him by name at all today. It's been our guest, human, or the exalted since I woke up.”

“Sorry. I realize it's ill-mannered to speak poorly of one's family in front of them.”

“Forget it. I'm only related to him by blood and even that in of itself is squeaky. I haven't known him long enough to even consider accepting him as my uncle. Besides,” she peered at her left arm through the corner of her eye. “I don't think too kindly of people who try to keep secrets from me, regardless of the reason.”

“I had a feeling you'd say that.” She put both hands on the back of her head and leaned against the wall. “I was like your father in the sense that I wasn't a demi-human initially.”

“I could have guessed that even without Dad's memories seeing as you have human ears and no tail.”

“Just so. If it wasn't for Cain I'd have most likely died trying to lick the bottom of my brother's boots. He got to be king because of that damned Excalibur meanwhile my sisters and I got stuck doing all the dirty work. We were paraded as a powerful team of clerics but when we weren't on a campaign, we were effectively cheap maids. We had also been taught from a young age that demi-humans were savages and no different than the stereotypical demons you hear about in folklore everywhere. I got to see the depravity of humans first hand every waking second of every day. At some point, Arthur left on an important mission and came back with the Master Wizard in tow.”

“Idel?”

“Yes. One of the higher-ups had decided that we needed his knowledge to achieve one of our end goals. He worked alongside the royal alchemist and they began developing beast bane. As far as I'm concerned, the forest being gassed and Cain being consumed by the Ríastrad is all blood on that bastard's hands. Perhaps his actions today are to make amends for his sins, or he's just trying to put us in his pocket so that we don't attempt to exact our revenge.”

“I wouldn't put it above him. He's already admitted to me that at one point in time, he tried to kill my father. Now my other uncle has attempted to kill me but murdered one of my caretakers instead. An accident is an accident but the prick treated it as though nothing more than a plank of wood had blocked his shot. What kind of fucking family do I have?”

“One that was torn apart at the seams a long time ago.” Eve adopted a poker face and half-turned her head to face Luna. “We'll follow you no matter what your decision is. Even if you were to say you wanted him dead.”

Luna lightly bit her lower lip and glared at the university for a number of seconds. Eventually, she closed her eyes, stood up, and started to climb out of the water. As she reached for her clothes, she said, “Let him continue watching over Stella and Aileen for now.”

Eve stepped behind her and quietly responded, “As you wish.” She then flinched and clawed at her clothes, shrieking under her breath, “That wind is cold!”

* * *

“That was refreshing!” Eve exclaimed with a stretch.

“We should have grabbed towels or something else to dry off with first.” Luna complained and the pulled the collar of her shirt away from her neck. “Everything is sticking to me now.”

“My bad, my bad. In my defence, someone threatened to throw me into the drink if I took too long.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“I'll bring some next- huh?” At the unexpected pause, Luna gave Eve a sideways glance and followed her gaze into the sky. Directly above them, coming from the direction they were heading was a dense cluster of pink petals floating in the breeze. Eve smiled and brushed some stray strands of hair away from her eyes. “Looks like it's happy to finally meet you as well.”

“It?” Luna echoed, startled by Eve suddenly grabbing her wrist and pulling her down the dirt path. They didn't so much as slow down until they entered a large, open clearing that transitioned into a shallow pond. The ground rose up again towards its centre, creating a small, separate mass of land that housed a thick cherry blossom tree. The pink petals it released sizzled when they hit the water, shortly fading away like large embers.

“Lasair was a timid little thing when she first came to the forest as I understood it. Due to the assumed nature of persons with an affinity for fire being violent and destructive, she had often cursed herself for being a 'monster'. I don't know her story, but for whatever reason, she seemed to think that if she used her power, she'd undoubtedly hurt the people she cared about. So, if only to put her mind at ease, Cain 'grew' this tree using his fire magic exclusively to prove that it could also be used in creating or even saving a life, not just taking it.”

“That's sweet and all but why would it be happy to know I'm here? Does it even possess emotion?”

“I'm sure it thinks of you as family just like any resident of the forest does.”

“A tree?”

“A living tree, in a different sense than the rest of the trees here that is. I wouldn't go as far as to say it has human intelligence but it does have some degree of instincts. Watch.” Eve pointed at it as a gust of wind knocked off more petals. Instead of condemning themselves to the breeze, they all flew directly at Luna and formed a cocoon around her limp arm. “It noticed you were injured and is now trying to heal you. If it deems the injury to be beyond its assistance, however...” The petals all fell off one by one, leaving an ebony glove in their place. “It'll try to shield you from further pain.”

Luna used her good hand to lift the other, inspecting the glove carefully. Without looking away from it, she asked Eve, “My father's workshop is still on the other side of this tree, right?”

“It is.”

“How likely are you to take a second bath today?”

“Yes? I have been deprived for a while so I guess the chances are rather high.”

“Good, because I'm probably going to need another one once I finish up with this. When we get to it, I'd like to hear some of the specifics that have changed over the years. For now, I've got some work to do.”

* * *

“Are you sure you want to go out now?” Eve inquired as Luna checked over her equipment. “You could probably rest for another twenty minutes at least and still get there with time to spare.”

“I have another errand to attend to before they show up. It won't take me long though so don't worry about what to do if I don't make it in time.” Luna declared and leaned over the pond, eyeing her reflection. Her right arm, shoulders, and back were bare while a half-cloak concealed her left arm and the front of her torso by a black corset-like top, similar to what Eve wore. The area below and just above her belly button was left exposed and an ivory stitching held her shirt together. A thick belt separated her upper attire from her lower, that being leather shorts like daisy dukes with plating on their front and back of each leg. Extruding from the belt was an open slit skirt that stopped just as it reached her thighs. Ebony sabatons protected her from her feet up to just above her knees.

Eve remained silent for a moment, smirked and crossed her arms. “Well, I don't have any doubts about your capabilities. Especially when you're dressed like that. It's nostalgic to see someone else wearing one of Cain's designs after so long, even if it is a bit modified. I'm not sure how he'd feel about you wearing those shorts instead of greaves or at least pants.”

“I figured these would both be lighter and easier to move around in.” She then turned around to face Eve. “How are things looking here?”

She placed a finger on her chin and hummed, “Well, it seems that if nothing else, everyone is a bit nervous. That being said, they're also excited to finally step up and grasp their first notion of fighting back. I don't foresee any problems happening on our end.”

“Good.”

“You might want to give everyone some words of encouragement before you go though.” She stated and pointed towards the growing crowd of demi-humans. “I think what they're most worried about is not what will happen to them, but what will happen to you so soon after returning.”

“They're much too attached to someone who's only been here a couple of days.”

“As I told you before, you're their spark of hope. When you get out there, make sure you burn so bright and so intensely that the heavens themselves will have no choice but to show weakness.”

“Naturally.” Luna then looked up at the university. “Have Stella and Aileen improved at all?”

Eve frowned and slowly shook her head.

“I see.”

“Are you sure you don't want to go visit them quickly before leaving?”

“I'm positive. It's not like my being there will magically make them feel better.” She then started marching towards the tree line. “But, if something happens to me...”

Eve placed one hand on her chest and dipped her head slightly. “I understand.”

“Thank you.” Luna whispered quietly and sprinted into the heart of the forest.

“Wait!” Idel yelled and started chasing after her from somewhere in the distance. As he passed Eve, she grabbed him by the collar and threw him onto his ass. “What are you doing?” He spat. “I haven't finished refining a seal for her yet.”

“She doesn't need it.” Eve said confidently. “She'll only go berserk now if her will resonates with the Ríastrad. The only way that'll happen here is if they get into Síochain anyway.”

“Don't you think you're being too careless?”

“Don't you think you're being too careful? Think a little more before you start trying to smother the poor girl. She won't lose, not to 'God', and not to that pesky voice inside her head.”

Meanwhile, after getting roughly a kilometre away from the village, Luna halted abruptly. “If you were going to sneak around, you should have taken a shower and brushed your teeth first. Your breath alone could knock a herd of buffaloes out from a mile away.” She yelled out and put her hand in her pocket.

“Between you and your father, I'm getting really tired of all the different variations of 'you stink'.” Someone replied and a pale hand grabbed a nearby tree. Styx emerged from within the light foliage, his frozen bow at his side. Luna glared at him through the corner of her eye, her face expressionless. “What? I thought you'd be a little more excited to see me? The fun uncle escaped the jaws of death and has returned to tease his idiot niece once more. A touching reunion, is it not?”

“Get to the point or get lost. I don't have time to deal with bad jokes.” Luna told him calmly yet venomously.

“What's the hurry? A few thousand demons are nothing-” Luna turned her back to him and began jogging towards the forest perimeter. Styx's eye twitched and his lips curled maliciously. “Am I being ignored?”

“Not quite.” Luna yelled back without stopping. “I said it once already, you're too weak to bother with. Go kill some more innocent doctors or something.”

“You seem to be woefully underestimating me.” He spat and nocked an icy arrow.

“Cheap talk from someone who can't see through an illusion.” Styx's eyes widened and his body froze as every vein bulged beneath his skin. Luna stood behind him, her palm placed flat in between his shoulder blades. Red, crack-like markings spread through his every limb and in an instant, even his voice was beyond his control. “Too bad I'm still in a hurry, else I'd watch you squirm some but I have to make this quick so open your ears and shut the fuck up. I accept the blame for Stella's fall, that goes without saying. I failed to keep my wrath in check and it cost me dearly.” Luna clenched her fist so tight, her knuckles cracked. “But, what happened to Aileen is entirely on you. Make no mistake, I'm not going to kill you for that. I'm well aware that the only way to fully kill you is to kill both you and your wife at the same time, else you'll just revive each other. What I am going to do though, is seal you away in the space between dimensions. It'll likely only hold you for a few years before you find your way back. In that duration, I am going to slaughter every goddamn vampire on this sad planet.” She removed her hand and the ground below Styx rippled like water as he sank into it like it was quicksand. As he got lower, Luna continued, “Shaffra's father... Theodore, was it? Fret not,” The Ríastrad flared up as a crimson spark danced across her eye, “I'll be sure to deliver his head to her on a silver platter with a note explaining how you're responsible for all the blood that I'll spill.” As the last segment of Styx's head disappeared underground, Luna put her hand on her hip and mumbled, “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, evil for evil.”

At that moment, the earth began to shake and the sky turned a light pink. Luna sighed, “I guess it's time for the main course.”