Soon it was time for everyone to leave. By dusk, all of the airships were ready to depart, and everyone was giving their farewells to Luna and Elizabeth. They now all stood at the edge of the village as Vhlad readied their carriage. Luna wore some light armor along with her damaged hat and long coat, while Elizabeth was wearing a custom-made fitted leather armor and a new fur coat given by Oichi.

"Alright, that’s everything you need for the trip." Vhlad said. "Remember in prison to keep your nose down and mind your own business. Don’t get involved with gangs and don’t touch anything that doesn’t belong to you."

"Thanks Captain. I got it." The big man gave her a big pat on the shoulder.

"Here you are, Luna." Tinkerton-G rode on Vhlad’s shoulder and handed her a tooth.

"Thanks, G." She said as she pocketed it. "Sadly, I still have full rows of teeth, so I can’t hide your explosive."

"Then pull a tooth out and put it in there. Easy. Let me do that for you." G leapt and landed on her and aimed for her mouth.

"I’m good, G. I’m good." Luna picked him up and handed him back to Vhlad.

Gerwulf approached and gave them both a big hug, then gave them some additional medicine and anti-venoms. "This is just a precaution." Gerwulf winked, and both of them hugged her again. "Stay safe, your Majesty."

Elizabeth nodded, and the Doctor curtsied at her.

Shinaki followed and bowed her head to Luna and Elizabeth. "Thank you for rescuing Lady Oichi and also… for returning my sword. Rest assured the spring lotus will hear of your name, Both of you."

"I hope they will only hear good things." Luna smiled back at the knight.

"It will be Lady Luna. It will be."

Alexander was the tallest among all of them, even taller than Solomon by a good foot, with his massive tusks and snout extending in front of him. He bowed towards Elizabeth, then addressed Luna.

"So Luna, if you get arrested, then does that mean I will be the new ruler of Defiance?" He said as both of them shook hands.

"Dream on Alexander. There is already a line of idiots who want to take over, and you are fifth in line. Besides, Annie is written down as my successor, so if I do get splattered, she takes my place. So get used to listening to her." The two of them laughed. "We will take it all back. I promise."

"I know. And you will be there to lead the charge. So don’t die."

Luna couldn’t help but smile at the next two people who came to bid them farewell. Solomon was carrying Quinn while Oichi was carrying Finn. Oichi bent down so Elizabeth could say goodbye to Finn while Solomon and Luna shook hands.

"If I don’t hear anything from you in a fortnight, I am getting you out of there. Whether you like it or not." Both of them just smiled.

"Solomon… Do you still remember Ketil?’

"Of course I do."

"Did he... leave a family behind?"

"He actually had a sister."

"Could you…"

"I already sent men to find her. Rest assured, I will make sure to provide for her so she never wants for anything ever again. And if she wants to move to Defiance as well, we will escort her there with your permission, of course."

"I just hope she won’t hate us for what happened to her brother."

"It is unfortunate, but I swear we will do right by her. We owe Ketil that much."

Elizabeth gave Oichi a hug, and Luna gave her a hug as well. "Take care, you two, alright? Luna If we don’t hear from you, I will tell Solomon to-

"I know Chi." Luna gave her another hug. Oichi then did her most regal bow in front of Elizabeth.

"Your highness I know this is too soon and well ahead, but I want to invite you to their first birthday."

"Yes! I promise I will be there!" Elizabeth said happily, and the two hugged again. Solomon bent down so Elizabeth could give Quinn a kiss on the forehead, which made the baby smile. Everyone said their final farewell as Tinkerton-G hopped on to Luna’s shoulder.

The three of them now made their way to their carriage, where Annie, Baldric, Max, Sylvie, Ada, Willow, Shiny, and Caesar were waiting for both of them.

Annie was the first to go to them, giving them both a big hug.

{Take care, Annie. I’ll miss you.} Elizabeth gestured with her hands.

Annie teared up and gave her a kiss on the cheek and gave her an even bigger hug, which Elizabeth returned happily.

"Your majesty." Max said as he bowed with a flourish. "Remember, if your family asks who helped save you, tell them it was Maxene le Milleur and the Golden Hand Company who contributed the most." He also gave the princess a big backpack filled with sweets, toys, and books, along with a calling card for his guild to give to her family.

Max stood aside as Sylvie brought Ada and lowered her head so Ada was eye level with Elizabeth.

"I don’t normally do this. I never do this actually, but I sent a distress message to all GEA’s in my friendly network to find your mother and to protect her until the morons bring her back. After all, a chancellor and a princess will be great pawns in the coming new world order." Elizabeth smiled as she hugged Ada’s head while Ada mumbled to Elizabeth.

Luna heard that she was telling the child to take care and that she will miss her.

Sylvie simply bowed elegantly before the child while Caesar bent down and affectionately nudged his nose at Elizabeth.

Annie joined them in walking towards Baldric, who was waiting by the carriage. Willow and Shiny were waiting with him.

"I’m pretty sure we will meet again, sunshine." Baldric said as he walked and stood beside Luna. "But if not, we have prepared something special for you. So special it will make everyone’s gifts look like crap."

He winked and drew out from his pocket a shadow’s mark, but it was different. He flicked it open, but instead of blood red rubies, it had golden red rubies in the eyes and mouth of the coin.

"It’s a prism. It will help conceal your magic if you do use it in small amounts. Just don’t overuse it. It also breaks easily and is incredibly rare. Luna as the guild leader, would you do the honors?"

Luna picked up the coin from his hands. Annie, Baldric, and her stood formally.

"Elizabeth Balder Van Stahlbut II, You have gone above and beyond to protect and save your fellow bounty hunters, even putting your own life at stake.

As the guild leader of Dominion, the first of Ablan’s shadows, I, Luna, make you an official member of our guild and technically giving you the privilege of the shadow status as well. The title confers all of the rights, honor, and responsibilities associated with your rank. Do you accept?"

Luna handed her the coin, and Elizabeth happily nodded. She did her best to stand formally as well. "I do."

"You have received the brotherhood’s seal and the mark of a shadow, which now means you have to follow the hunter’s code. To officially make you a bounty hunter, I must make sure you know the code by heart. What is the most important rule for a hunter?"

Elizabeth snapped to attention, imitating a guard’s pose, "A hunter will always help those who seek it!"

All of them chuckled.

"You know what, that does sound a little bit better." Max said as he watched from the side.

"And with that, a shadow is born. Welcome to Dominion, Princess Elizabeth Balder Van Stahlbut II." Baldric smiled at Elizabeth, and the child gave him a hug.

She then took Annie, Luna and walked towards Max and pulled him in as well, urging everyone to join in as well. Soon all eight of them were in a big hug, with Caesar even trying to get in, which made everyone chuckle.

As Sylvie escorted Elizabeth onto the carriage, Annie, Baldric, and Max gave Luna one last hug.

"Don’t do anything stupid while I’m gone." Luna said to Baldric.

"No promises." He replied, and they did their intricate secret handshake.

"Remember, Annie is in charge."

All of them smiled, while Annie shook her head. "Also…" Luna slowly took off her engagement ring and gave it to Baldric. "Keep this safe for me."

He gripped it tightly. "Will do."

Luna got on the carriage and everyone waved them goodbye, as Elizabeth waved back as well. As they rode off, Luna looked back one last time, and soon the small village faded from her view.

=0o0=

The next two days of journeying through the Aspana countryside were peaceful and enjoyable for both of them. Fall was finally over, and they spent most of the journey with Luna teaching Elizabeth some hunting techniques, like fishing, and even how to properly wield a bow. Luna borrowed her pendant and both of them followed it to navigate across the countryside.

On the morning of the third day, as Elizabeth slept, Luna found the body of another willow bear cub but with grey fur. The cub was killed by wolves, which Luna mercifully killed.

They were infected as well with the evil Merlin warned her about. She remembered the demon, the end, her visions, but she did her best to get rid of those thoughts for the time being. She brought the body back to the campsite, where Willow quickly entered the corpse and adopted the new body as its own. When Elizabeth woke up, she was delighted that Willow had a new body that she could cuddle without leaving stains all over her clothes.

By the fourth day, they decided to camp near a river. Luna checked the map and they are half a day’s travel to the nearest city.

She also sensed they had been followed ever since yesterday and those following them were growing each hour. Luna knew who they were and it was clear they were Aspana Soldiers and the Chevaliers, the Chancellor's personal army, but they kept their distance. Luna chose this campsite as it was wide open and also to give her pursuers a chance to catch up.

The wind was getting colder now with all the leaves on the trees having finally fallen off. Elizabeth was playing in a pile of leaves with Willow and Shiny when Luna called her for lunch.

Both of them were enjoying their meal of roasted fish and soup when Luna sensed they were now surrounded.

"Elizabeth." She said, putting down her meal.

"Mmmmhmm?" The child said as she chewed.

"This is it. Your grandfather’s men are here."

The child knew what it meant.

"Will… will they… take you away?" She asked as she slowly put her food on the ground, fear clearly in her eyes.

"They will."

"Will they... hurt you?" Elizabeth said as she began to tear up.

"They will."

"But you saved me. Why will they hurt you? Or take you away?"

Luna exhaled softly.

"It’s just how it is. Elizabeth… this maybe the last time I see you, so promise me, promise me you will be good alright."

The child cried as she nodded.

“Also, remember everything we taught and said to you, alright? Especially about your magic. Never show it to anyone, not even your grandfather Nikolaus. You can only use your powers when you see your mama or aunty Cath again alright."

"Don’t go. Don’t go. Don’t go." Elizabeth said as she cried and held on to Luna.

"It’s going to be alright." Luna hugged Elizabeth back. Willow and Shiny began to rub themselves all over her as well.

"Shiny watch over Elizabeth alright. Stay close to her always. Willow, you too. I know you can understand me. Never reveal your true form until Elizabeth is in danger, alright? Don’t-"

"Hands in the air now!"

A large platoon of Aspana soldiers and young-looking Sentinels emerged from the trees. The Aspana soldiers' long grey coats were a contrast to the armor of the sentinels, which was shiny metal armor with a bright blue cloak on top. Luna quickly looked around and saw there were forty people, and each one pointed their guns at her.

"Careful she's a shadow!"

Leading them was Amelia, with her revolver drawn, while beside her was the ork sentinel that had his handheld repeating cannon aimed at Luna.

"Get away from the princess!"

"Elizabeth." Luna said softly. "Elizabeth, I need you to let go now."

But the child cried even harder and refused to let go.

“Elizabeth, please. I will be fine. You need to let go now."

"Get away from her!"

Luna and Elizabeth instantly recognized the loud booming voice. It was the warden commander herself, Elizabeth’s aunt, Princess Diana.

The princess was taller than Luna by a full foot and towered over the crowd.

Her wavy long raven black hair was braided like those of the shieldmaidens from the nordlands. She had beautiful sun-kissed tan skin, a beauty mark underneath her brown eyes, and an incredibly muscular and athletic body. She wore a dark blue open cloak underneath a pristine polished steel cuirass and finely crafted shoulder armor molded with the head of an eagle.

She wore a bright blue and gold tabard on top of her armor; it had the symbol of the sentinels on it, the eagle with the tricross underneath. On her head was a crown molded into the tricross that complimented her primal beauty. With all her features, it made the princess look elegantly intimidating.

She shoved the soldiers aside as she made her way through. The warden commander was absolutely enraged as she made her way forward, and Luna felt her hands and fingers twitch in fear.

On her arms were massive iron gauntlets that were half the size of her body. The spiked knuckles on it were burning bright red while it let out hisses and jets of steam. As she looked at the warden commander, her body seemingly remembered the burns she received from her as they began to ache. Luna knows that if Elizabeth will not let go, Diana will murder her on the spot.

"Elizabeth, get away from her now!" Diana charged at her.

"Wait! Wait! Wait! Wait!" Luna raised her hand, and Diana stopped.

"Elizabeth, please. Please. You need to let go now. You need to go to your auntie now. I will be fine. I promise."

Luna did her best to put on a smiling face as Elizabeth slowly began to let go.

"Take willow and shiny with you. I will be alright. I promise."

Everyone watched as Elizabeth slowly walked towards Diana, with Willow and Shiny following her.

"On the ground now!"

Elizabeth looked back and saw Luna starting to kneel on the ground. The child stopped halfway and ran back to Luna as fast as she can.

"Elizabeth!" Diana roared as the child gave Luna a big hug.

"Weapons down!" Someone yelled.

Elizabeth grabbed Luna’s hand and helped her stand up. Then Elizabeth, still holding on to Luna, began to walk towards her aunt.

"Elizabeth, get away from her now!"

Luna stopped them both, and Elizabeth pulled, but Luna did not budge.

"Elizabeth. You need to go ahead. I will be fine. I promise."

Elizabeth looked back one last time, then slowly made her way forward. As Luna lowered her hands, she felt the child’s pendant in her pocket. She slowly reached for it before she forgot to give it back to Elizabeth.

"Sunshine-"

"Weapon!"

"Wait!" Diana yelled, but it was too late. A gunshot rang into the air as a bullet hit Luna in the lower right of her abdomen, and she crumpled to the ground.

"Luna!" Elizabeth turned and ran towards Luna, who was gasping in pain and trying desperately to stop the bleeding. Elizabeth started to use her powers, but Luna stopped her.

"Don’t. Don’t. No one must know."

Luna slipped the amulet into the child’s hand before Diana came and grabbed Elizabeth away from her. Luna saw Elizabeth crying and struggling to get away from Diana as she called out to her.

She saw Amelia trying to restrain Willow, the cub, trying to wiggle free violently. Luna reached for her amber serum in her pocket, but the ork sentinel kicked her in the mouth, took the syringe and stepped on it, the contents spilling on the ground.

"No! She needs it! She needs it! Luna! Luna!" Elizabeth cried.

Luna watched as Diana held on to her niece. The soldiers and the sentinels piled on top of her, forcing her to the ground. Despite the immense pain, she smiled.

She’s safe now. That’s all that matters.