The village of Borg, at peace after a month or so has passed since the attempted robbery, and the chimaera's defeat as well. Busy is its clinic once again, occupied by soldiers within the lobby, waiting for checkups while they laugh and chat about, some already in bed with needles being set in their arms, along with two boys as well, the ones who took on both challenges, television above them playing songs from the 60s.

"Ow...god damn it..." One whispers under his breath, Ezek toughing out a needle going into his arm, not wanting to show the nurse he has a fear of needles, holding his breath as he feels as every inch of it seeps into his arm, exhausting it all as he feels it seep out.

"And we're done," The young nurse smiles, pulling blood into the syringe, rubbing alcohol onto his puncture, giggling while placing a band-aid over it. "That wasn't so bad, now was it?"

"Y-Yeah...totally," Ezek nods, his hand rubbing against his forehead to the after feeling of his arm pulsating.

"Here, have some candy," The lady offers him, Ezek wondering if she's really serious, seeing her genuine smile that disappoints him as he senses she actually is, looking over to Nahshon who also finished his checkup, accepting the gift of candy without a second thought, already opening them up like a child on Christmas day, looking back at Ezek who judges him for it.

"What? It isn't everyday you get free candy from nice nurses, you know?" He challenges, his mouth filled with three already, Ezek believing he may actually be addicted.

"Ugh!" Ezek shakes his head, lying his head at the wall of his bed, looking at soldiers getting checkups as well, many of them taking it like the brave knights they are, leaving Ezek in shame of his squirmish self.

"Huh? Nora?" Nahshon calls, both him and Ezek watching as she enters their room with shaking legs.

"I-I did it. L-Let's go!" She says, her little hand held high with candy wrapped in it tightly, followed by Bjørn who has a lollipop in his mouth.

"Yo! How are you boys holding up? Huh..? Ezek?" Bjørn calls, noticing the crazed eyes of the elf.

"What?" Ezek challenges, Nahshon awkwardly holding his laughter.

"He's not doing so well right now," Nahshon explains.

"Ah! He is a little crankier than usual, yeah," Bjørn says, Ezek hissing at his words, wondering if Bjørn has no sense of reading the room, the boy whistling as he then turns to Nahshon awkwardly staring back. "So...that lady friend of yours--wonder where she is"

"Dude, relax," Ezek chuckles, Bjørn face blushed in embarrassment.

"Hey! I'm an epic adventurer with many knowing me as a hero at 15!" Bjørn sticks his chest out. "Being romantic!? This ain't my first rodeo. I'm a master at it. Ask any of the girls who know me," He proclaims, his smirk of a prideful man in a boy's body, discouraged as he hears their laughter that sticks him like a thousand needles.

"Hendrik! Come here," A soldier calls her friend, pointing on the outside by the window. "Look who showed up"

"By the gods! Is that the Jacqawin??" The friend asks, the other soldiers curious to what was said, Bjørn hand twitching in hearing his name, wondering what he's doing here, reminded of all he's learned at the meeting of the commanders.

"Bjørn? Are you alright?" Nora asks, her hand on his shoulder, looking into his eyes gone frightened, curious of the Jacqawin's appearance as well.

"Y-Yeah..."

"The Jacqawin? The hell is he doing here in such a small village?" Nora turns to the others.

"Ah, Ezek, you fought the goblins and boars with him, didn't you?" Bjørn asks.

"Yeah. He's probably here to get a checkup too, maybe on some other business as well," Ezek figures.

"The first doesn't seem like it, because he just walked past the clinic," Nahshon informs him, looking through the window at the Jacqawin just casually walking through the village with his head turning in every direction.

"Huh? Looks like he's looking for someone," Bjørn watches him, saddened by his presence, wondering how he must have felt that day, the same day his father also changed, and so does another put pieces together, his imagination strong with this one, Nahshon also uneased by his presence as well, his heart skipping a beat, as one person comes to his mind, Isabela, her silver hair and red eyes imprinted on his mind, remembering the night he saw her at the lake.

"I..." Nahshon's voice fades, afraid his suspicion may be wrong, not wanting to trouble anybody because of his wild imagination, but silently he shakes his head, getting up with a deep exhale. "Guys...I think we should go see what's going on?"

"Hmm?" Ezek raises his eyebrow, chuckling as he shakes his head. "What's with the sudden interest? Look, leave him alone. He ain't one for the company. You realize everybody else is staying out of his way, right? What's gonna happen when a bunch of youngsters start interrogating him outta nowhere?"

Nahshon returns to sitting, rubbing his head, his eyes set on the Jacqawin once more, Nora looking to Ezek in wondering what's wrong with the both of them, both wondering what they are up to.

"Hey!" Ezek snaps his fingers, getting their attention. "The hell is up with you two? Is there something you wanna tell us?"

"Bjørn...?" Nora grabs hold of his arm, Bjørn sighing, looking up at Ezek with his eyes gone serious.

"I'm with Nahshon on this one," Bjørn tells them, Ezek looking at a boy whose determination has grown into something rather respectable, feeling as if his character has done a 180.

***

"Hmm?" The Jacqawin sounds, as in his investigation, he is stopped by one who appears in his way, an old man fixing his glasses with a smile.

"My, my, you are as tall as the stories tell. Ah! Where are my manners? I am known as Mr.Erdric by many here," The old man chuckles, having to look up at his hovering height. "Mr.Jacqawin, it is a pleasure you've come to our boring little village. Say, what business must a man of your calibre need to do in a village like this? Might it be I may be of assistance, adventurer?"

Taking his assistance, a tour the old man gives him around the village, many neighbours greeting the old man with smiles, and the Jacqawin pondering stares.

"I apologize, Sir. You see, I am sure you know you are quite famous. For such a grand warrior as yourself to visit our village, they can't help but take a good look," The old man explains.

"I understand," The Jacqawin tells him, his eyes still peeking around, the old man watching him do so while fixing his glasses.

"Now that our tour has come to an end. Mr.Jacqawin, as I've asked before, what has brought you to our village? Are you perhaps worried after what had happened since that nasty beast almost made its way here? Do you perhaps sense some sort of curse? My, for all the things happening nowadays, you've made this old man more appreciative of your service for our country"

"Hmm...there is someone I'm looking for," The Jacqawin tells him, the old man's interest peaked, looking into his hollowed eyes.

"Well then, there is no one in this town I do not know," The old man chuckles. "Who is it that you would like to see? An old friend? A future ally?"

"A woman, with silver hair and red eyes"

"...I see. You are looking for Dr.Alonso," The old man states, chuckling as he continues to lead the way. "My, my, Dr.Alonso is quite the woman, heh? Her beauty is quite unmatched, for even the Jacqawin wishes to know her. But be careful, you may have a lot of competitions who also wants her attention"

"Hmm..."

"Well, here we are, she's right beyond those doors," The old man tells him, stopping by the gates of an elementary school, the old man going by one of the benches while the Jacqawin stays on his feet, seeing a single teacher with her students, on the playground, all happily circled around her as she teaches them about geography. "I believe you should wait out here, Mr.Jacqawin"

"Hmm?" The Jacqawin questions.

"I believe at this moment she has a session with some of the classes, you see. For such young minds to be greeted by two amazing souls, what would become of their little hearts," The old man chuckles. "She often volunteers at the schools and senior homes here. A helpful hand, she is. An amazing woman, don't you think?"

"I see," The Jacqawin answers, his memories of his village resurfacing, the voices waking in his head.

"Since she came here five months ago, I can say that our little village has been very blessed for such a kind soul like herself to be around us. Once, I had a stroke, all I could see was white, and I could hear was muffled voices. But then, I heard hers, that soothing voice, and her red eyes as she saved me from the clutches of death, so beautiful. She is like an angel," The old man reminisce, a wide smile on his face, laughing as he becomes embarrassed. "Forgive the rambling of this old man. Perhaps it is a hidden rivalry awakening between me and you. Do spare this opportunity for my dear soul. I probably don't have much time, you see"

"Hmm..." The Jacqawin sounds once more, looking to the doors of the hallway, hearing the voices of children excited to go out to the playground, their little feet joining the teacher and schoolmates on the playground, the Jacqawin's eyes catching another behind them, looking as Isabella carries a baby in her arm, the cooing child looking up to her red eyes, her curious little fingers planted on Isabela's mask while rested on her chest as she's rocked to sleep.

"May I ask you this? What it is that you would like to speak to her about, Mr.Jacqawin?" The old man questions, the Jacqawin silent, observing, looking into the eyes of an old man who seeks to protect, the Jacqawin looking over to Isabela once more, realizing as she has acknowledged his presence, smiling in his direction, the warrior leaving the old man's side with his eyes straight, the children getting up in awe in seeing the warrior who comes closeby.

"Sir Jacqawin??" The teacher says, getting up with brushing her pants off from stones her children placed on her.

"Sir Jacqawin, is it that you have interest in what we're learning about today, or are you here for a different purpose?" Isabela ponders, the Jacqawin watching as she strokes the hair of the baby in her arms, with fingers of black coloured nails, as she keens into hollowed eyes of his mask, the Jacqawin feeling as something grabs onto part of his leg, looking down on a little orc girl, curious of his eyes.

"Why are your eyes so dark, Mr.Jacqawin? Are you blind? Can you see?" The little orc asks, the teacher surprised by her curiosity, kneeling as she pulls away the little orc.

"Come on noq, Isolde. You shouldn't ask questions like those to strangers," The teacher tells her.

"It's fine," The Jacqawin tells her, his finger pointing at his helm for the curious orc to see. "These aren't my eyes. This is just the helmet I look through. It protects my head from damage"

"Jacqawin!" Another shout, a boy who jumps towards him with his fists raised. "My daddy tells me you fight really strong monsters. Have you fought a wyvern before?"

"I have"

"Really? What about goblins??" The boy questions, a flash of that night coming back to his mind, followed by the other children bombarding him with questions, hearing Isabela laughing through all of it as she gives the teacher the baby.

"Alright, children. Save your questions for later. Don't scare him off...not yet," Isabela winks, the children freeing him from their clutches.

"Come on then, it's break time. How about we leave these two to have their little chat?" The teacher says, nodding to Isabela as she leads them to the other side of the playground, the Jacqawin looking behind him to see the old man still sitting by the bench.

"So, Mr.Jacqawin, how may I be of your assistance today?" Isabela questions. "Have you come to me for advice? Maybe 'another curse' has been inflicted upon you?"

"Why are you here?" The Jacqawin questions, cutting to the chase, having enough of the small talk.

"Well, what do you mean by that question, Mr.Jacqawin?" She giggles. "I moved here some months ago. I work here. I am a doctor"

"Is that so?" The Jacqawin says, looking around at the children playing. "From what I've heard, you're a talented doctor, and yet you chose a small village like this to work in?"

"Ugh! Please, you're making it sound like I'm wasting potential here or something. Those big cities are all too noisy for me, I couldn't take it. My stay here has been nothing but wonderful because of these great people. I love it here"

"I see"

"Now, my turn. For what reasons do ask me these questions?" Isabela challenges, the Jacqawin quiet for a moment pass.

"... 11 Years ago, a small, peaceful village like this in the mountains was attacked. Like this, the people were gentle and kind, until one day it went all up in flames; Monsters one day attacked, their homes were burnt down...many massacred; some barely escaped with their lives. And just like this, it all started...with a woman suddenly appearing," He tells her, Isabella sensing on her skin, the presence of the goddess of darkness looking right at her, perceiving his malicious thoughts like knives that try to penetrate her skin.

"Hmm...such a sad thing, it must be. But tell me, what does it have you gain by telling me all this? What...am I like this woman, Jacqawin? I would love to know"

"...Take off your mask," He orders, hearing as Isabela begins giggling as she checks her nails, rubbing her thumb against them. "Show me your teeth"

"Now I get it...but I'm asking you to put your suspicions aside. I have no such intentions. And this is an elementary school, so it's best you calm that malice of yours," She continues giggling. "You have to understand, Jacqawin. Times have changed; people of all races are more equal than ever. And that is...if only we could all understand this"

"...Yeah...if only," The warrior sounds, Isabela quickly catching as the Jacqawin reaches under his cape, quickly dashing with her hand covering her face, a groan she lets out, her mask dropped to the floor from the Jacqawin grabbing at it, the woman on to her knee from the tube of dust the Jacqawin threw at her.

"What are you doing??" The old man gets up, quickly going over to them, the playing of the children stopped as they grow worried and confused, the teacher quickly going to Isabela's side, grabbing her shoulders with asking if she's alright, frightened, wanting to know what the Jacqawin has done, as from Isabela, she hears the sizzling of her skin burning. "Mr.Jacqawin!!"

"Sol cinere; when thrown against the skin, it causes severe burns and boils, weakening whoever inhales it as well. But this doesn't affect normal people whatsoever, in fact, it protects you...from particular types of monsters," The Jacqawin explains, the tube held in the clench of his fist, his malice growing stronger. "Which could only mean...that she too is a monster...a vampire"

"Ngh! What are you saying??! Did you hurt her just based on your suspicions?? And that's impossible! Look above you, the sun is high in the sky and there's barely any clouds either. If she is what you say she is, then why is she walking around in broad daylight??!" The old man argues, this conflict bringing about attention, as many gather around them, words murmured in wondering what the fuss is all about.

"We should ask her. Why is that, vampire, why is it that you're walking around in the sun?" The Jacqawin turns the old man's question to her, the old man and the teacher startled, seeing that the Jacqawin's suspicions were right, as uncovering her face, her skin burns with boils on her face, and her fangs revealed, sharp canines that she flashes at the avatar of darkness before her.

"Dr.Alonso..." The old man calls, his hands shaking, all watching as her skin quickly heals, the Jacqawin surprise by how quick it was from being hit with the sol cinere as her eyes turn to the children behind her who cuddle in watching what's happening, their little eyes afraid with the Jacqawin pulling his sword out, the old man fist clenched, watching as the warrior steps forward.

"Move," The Jacqawin commands, the teacher by her Isabela's side, his sword dragged against the dirt with his stance like a wolf on hind legs, the woman hesitant, her grip on Isabela's shoulders tightened, but pushed away by Isabela, her smile telling that everything is alright.

"So, I guess you're going to kill me now, huh?" Isabela laughs, getting off her knee, yet blundered, growing weak from the effect of the dust still in her blood, her body leaned, her eyes focus, as she dodges a swing of his sword, the Jaqawin pushed by the sheer force of her aura, a force he battles to escape from as he rolls across the ground, as Isabela then looks towards the children once, a fear that she has disappointed them, hearing the cries of the baby held seated in the sand, Isabela knowing she must try her best to not make it worse, retraining herself from going all out, quickly moving on her feet as his onslaught of swings grows stronger in his want to cut her down who dodges every strike, some in the crowd arguing that they are children nearby, begging for it to stop, the Jacqawin twirling with a devastating punch that rushes wind outward, blocked by the hold of Isabela's strength, his body then tossed into one of the benches by the vampire who wishes for it to stop as well.

"Enough!! Do you have no care for how these children feel??" Isabela hisses, the Jacqawin pushed onto his knee by the pressure of her aura weighing on his body, her eyes like a scarlet sun that shines magnificently, flushed in anger she continues fighting to restrain, the Jacaqawin feeling like a man put under a whole truck, but still he fights to rise from her clutches, his breathing like a beast's, his armour vibrating, with the ground crushing beneath his feet.

"You should have never come here in the first place," The Jacqawin tells her, his laughter evil in the face of such power, Bjørn and the gang arriving to see the situation gone dire. "You monsters are the reason why this country has become so unsafe these days. Why this world will never no peace. You believe you're all of higher than everybody else, that somehow you're on top of the food chain! Thinking you can do whatever you want! I can see why your own goddess turned on you, and made hounds like me!"

The ground shattered even more, set free is he from her power, Isabela stunned, her hands shaking and eyes lost, looking into the eyes of the goddess that possesses him, the Jacqawin quickly picking up his sword over Isabela who has lost her grasp, her hand raised with her hair going afloat as she comes back to her senses, both halted, the tension shattered, as between them appears a brave one who stands between them, Nahshon and Ezek also on both sides of the Jacqawin with weapons drawn.

"You're the monster here, not her!! So why are you bullying her, you big meanie??" the little boy between them screams, his arms stretched like a wall between them, turning the Jacqawin attention to him who stands protecting Isabela from his sword, looking into his hollowed eyes, a boy definitely afraid, yet trying his best to look brave in front of the woman he has definitely fallen for.

"Hey buddy, I'm going to need you to put the sword down and relax," Ezek tells him, the Jacqawin acknowledging his presence by the click of his gun.

"Chimaera slayer," The Jacqawin sounds, looking at Nahshon as well, the boy's lip folded, nodding to the warrior.

"Arvid! Get out of the way!!" The teacher calls for him.

"H-He's right! You can just do things like this!" A citizen shouts, joined by her fellow villagers who work in defending the vampire, the Jacqawin’s head then jerked by something that hit his helmet, looking at another boy who had thrown a stone at him quickly getting behind his teacher.

"All of you..." The Jacqawin mutters, angered by the laughter he then hears ringing in his helmet, these voices disappearing, as on his arm, is the hand of the old man.

"You need not worry, Jacqawin. I can tell your heart is in the right place, but you need not worry. She has been here with us for five months as I've told you already, a very long time," The old man explains, his warm smile releasing the Jacqawin from the grasp of his anger.

"And what if she ends up turning on all of you someday?" He asks, the old man simply chuckling at his question.

"Then that will be our responsibility. It doesn't hurt to trust another, you know. She may be a vampire, but she is still a person, and you accused her without proof, as I can see. So, killing would do you know good, only a life of darkness would await you, you would be put in prison"

"I..." The Jacqawin sounds, his eyes down to his palm, realizing what he has done as his prejudice had gotten the best of him, Bjørn fist clenched as he only watches, knowing why he did this.

"It is best you leave for now. And when you've collected your thoughts, you can return and apologise to this lovely lady right here," The old man says, his hand stretched to the Jacqawin's shoulder, and so the Jacqawin walks away, the crowd separating as he passes, walking right past Bjørn who sets his eyes to the ground, the boy at that moment sensing as he cannot do anything for him, Nahshon looking at Isabela who greets him with a gentle smile, now confirming what he saw that night he first met her.

"That man had already lost himself, just a shadow of who he once was. Poor soul, looked up to by many, but it seems he always fights alone. A lot of things must have happened in his life for him to go to such drastic measures. I only hope he may find peace someday," The old man says, Nora nodding in agreement, her hands clasped as she begins praying,

"You did a good job, kid. She would've probably died if it weren't for you," Ezek smiles, the face of the boy blushed as his head is then patted by Isabela, but stands Bjørn who's soul feels is tormented, watching the back of Jacqawin who fades away.