Alvina watched Hitori disappear behind a shower of silver blades. Or rather she watched the body of Hitori disappear, the fate of the boy himself was in question. Whoever that was knew Alvina’s secret, but Alvina herself had no insight into the strange character.

Part of her felt she needed to go after him, to prevent the woman from possessing both the Ex Stone and the Reaping Stone. There were a lot of great and terrible things that could be done with them. On the other hand, her mysterious enemy made a good point. She had far too often let short sighted impulse guide her actions, to disastrous result.

For now, at least, she would regroup, and gather what intelligence she could. She looked to the emaciated body of the young Seitojin girl. Perhaps Virgil could get something.

She turned her head, taking in sounds from the distance. There was a great splash of water, and a rhythmic beat in the air. She tapped behind her jaw, opening a channel with her Templar.

“Satiah,” Alvina said. “What’s the situation?”

“Whatever impetus drove the Leviathan is gone.” The voice carried no further than her ear. “It has returned to the sea. The team is mostly intact, asides from Isesu’s missing arm. Virgil just passed overhead, flying high, and should arrive shortly. We will rendezvous at your location in five.”

Alvina looked to the sky. Sure enough, she spotted a helicopter approaching from above. He’d gone far out of the way to avoid potential attacks from the monstrous sea creature. The aircraft descended slowly, eventually taking a position above. There wasn’t enough room in the clearing to land, so they’d have to get in and out by jumping.

“Virgil, I’m going to send Satiah up to take the controls,” Alvina said. “I need you down here to check on something.”

A short time later the Templar were assembled. Alvina quickly described her recent experience.

“What happened to Hitori!” Virgil said.

“I am unsure, but we can discuss that later, for now there’s something I want you to do.” Alvina motioned to the Seitojin woman on the ground. “Can you get any information from her. Yes, I know, normally you can’t get memories, but she died only recently so a few might be intact. We need to know as much as possible before our next move.”

Virgil gave her an apprehensive look, but nevertheless took a knee next to the girl. He pinched a spot near his neck, as though plucking an invisible needle off a translucent string. A faint glow shimmered in his fingers as he brought his hand to the base of her skull. He closed his eyes and canted his head as though in thought.

After a few seconds he turned to Alvina, a puzzled look in his eyes. “She’s not dead.”

“What do you mean?” Alvina said. “Her Vital Net is completely gone.”

Virgil leaned his ear down to the girls chest. “Her heart’s still beating, just barely.” He sat back up. “As for her head, well, there’s something going on in there, but I couldn’t tell you what.”

Alvina frowned, studying the young Seitojin woman with a mix of concern and curiosity.

“Do you think we can save her?” Virgil said.

“I doubt it. This girl needs intensive care to survive long enough for her Vital Net to reform. I doubt anyone has the necessary supplies and equipment, except maybe the White Temple.”

Virgil glanced to the side, then back. “Nova has decent facilities, or at least they did twenty years ago.”

Alvina looked around. Whatever force captured the Nova Mercenary could be taking him, and the stones, almost anywhere. She was worried what the mysterious woman might be up to, but it would take time to figure out how to use the stolen artes to any great effect. She sighed. “Very well. We’ll probably need their help anyway.”