“That worked without a single hitch. Well done..’Mr. Hellsing’.”

I called out to Kane from the doorway, making sure to shut the door on my way in. Thankfully, the guild hall was rather empty. With only one group to avoid.

“I did merely what was necessary.” Kane said in return, shedding the cloak he wore so often. The gray blouse that he wore underneath never saw the light of day due to it. Underneath that old and ragged cloak, was a truly regal gentleman. “It is gladdening to see you were not spotted.”

“Gladdening indeed. I will have to thank the stonescales for their generous contribution.”

“There are no nearby humans that my ears can detect. You are safe to reveal yourself.”

With his assurance, I shed my own cloak of invisibility as well. The dragon that hid underneath came into form next to his attendant. My scales returned to their natural red hue.

When the stonescales swore their undying allegiance. They naturally became part of my hoard. When Granite first pledged her life, it became clear to me right away that I had attained a new power, like I had with telepathy.

Chameleon. The ability to make my scales reflect the environment around me. I had seen Granite use this power inside the burrow, to hide herself from the spiders. It’s a natural ability for stonescales, to allow them to hide in plain sight from more dangerous predators. With the stonescales now under my control, their power became my own! At will, I can reflect my scales and disappear from plain sight.

Kane did warn me however, that chameleon would only hide me from plain sight. Anyone who could detect magick energies could see my energy clear as day, as Kane proved when he could find me no matter where I hid. Humans were not naturally able to see magick energy, so I should be fine from there. I also was still able to be heard, smelled and felt. Because of this, I had to watch my step carefully, and be careful not to get close to anyone. Fortunately, the doors were large enough for me to fit in!

Now I could finally see what the human world was like!

“We have to wait a day to start any adventuring jobs, right?”

“That is correct, My King.”

“Perfect, I want to go out for a bit then.”

Kane turned his head towards me, just as he was unbuttoning his blouse. “For what reason?”

“I’ve never been in a human town. I just want to look around.” My head gestured towards the large window that sat on the far wall. “I can use that to get in and out without being seen.”

Kane had seen the window as well, with only a handful of buildings along the hillside that stood in its view. As long as Ruin stayed hidden, there would be little risk of being seen…

“Very well, but I still must advise caution. While your chances of being seen are little, the chance you are still caught by other means is still present. I would like for you to avoid any unnecessary risks, and to return here before long.”

“Right! I won’t do anything reckless, I promise. I’ll see you in a bit.”

Just before I was able to open the window…

“Wait.”

Oh no.

“While you are gone, I ask that you avoid that adventuring company should you see them in the town, the Dandelions.”

“What for, Kane?” It was an odd remark to make. The humans they met in the hall didn’t seem to be anything more than a simple group. I remember the look he gave to them when we first entered the building. The silent stare he shared with one of their members.

“The leader is harmless. A man far too confident for his own good. The one known as Danewick would not be an issue either, her sharp eyes still won’t see the unseen. The issue lies with the third of their group. Ophelia Horne.”

Ophelia Horne? The blonde haired one with the sharp eyes. She was the quiet one of the trio, reserved while the one called Deacon tried to recruit Hellsing. His toothy grin took most of the attention away from her. What about that girl caught the eye of someone like Kane?

“The leader and the markswoman are irrelevant, their strength too pathetic to register. However, the moment I entered the room, I was blinded by an immense holy energy. The source of that energy? The Dandelions cleric.”

“Was it dangerous for you to be near someone like her?”

The attendant shook his head. Removing his blouse completely. His pale bare chest was not something I had not seen before, scars lining his skin from his centuries of service to the Dragon Queen. The worst of them was a large patch of scarred skin that reached from his neck to the Vampyr’s shoulder, the only source of color on his otherwise pale white skin. Each one had a history, a story to tell, of which I am sure.

“Not unless I were to be attacked by the woman.” Kane replied. “But the danger does not come from the mere existence of the cleric, rather, it is in the unnatural power she seems to possess.”

“Just how much power do you think she has?” I wondered, Kane has had to have fought hundreds, possibly thousands of people in his lifetime. Every hunt he has gone on with me ended without a sweat on his brow. Even on the night I first saw his ferocity, I knew I hadn’t seen all he was capable of. I couldn’t imagine in my mind what kind of person it took to make him wary.

“From what I saw, it rivals that of the one that gave me this.” His hand traced the burn scar that spread across his left shoulder. “The only individual who defeated me in the time of your Mother’s reign.”

“The First of the Four Heroes, The Saint.”

The weight of those words were clear to me. The Four Heroes, the only ones who were able to take arms against my Mother, and defeat her. It took their combined might, but with them all, their victory was assured against the weakened Dragon Queen.

But just one was capable of defeating Kane? Either I had been overestimating how much power Kane possessed.

Or I underestimated how much power one Hero alone could wield.

“…You make the danger clear as day, Kane. Thank you. I won’t go near Ophelia or the Dandelions.”

With his simple nod, I opened the door to the window and slipped out into the town. Fading into the background.

Kane then went to the baths of the guild hall. He was in need of a bath.

____

“Well that was an incredibly uneventful search.”

Deacon sighed, hands clasped behind his back while the two Dandelions headed through the town of Pinewood. A village nestled in a small, relatively flat land at the base of the Lysick Mountain, deep within a dense forest of Pine trees, hence it’s name. Houses and buildings spread across the hillsides with winding dirt and gravel roads cutting between them. There was no clear town square for the village of miners and outskirt adventurers, each guildhall between the local merchants, pitmans, and hauliers all spread to different corners of the sparse village. If you stood in one end of the town, you wouldn’t be able to see the other side past the thick foliage and hilly terrain. Which gave Pinewood its own sense of privacy for each of it’s residents.

Still, people had to gather somewhere. To trade and meet. Especially with the abundance of ores, minerals and stone collected at the quarries set up nearby. Thus, the Pinewood Train Station had become Pinewood’s premiere place to gather and mingle, and where Deacon had hoped to find more information about their newest prey.

Alas, he came up short, with only a location to speak of. Deep in the Highland forest.

“At least we know where to look…would’ve loved to know more about the thing. Size, general demeanor, how fluffy the fur is. Anything would help!”

Ophelia had been following a short distance behind the ever talkative hunter. The man was escorting her back to the inn after they did their rounds talking up the local businesses and townsfolk about the rumored Pan. She hadn’t spoken a word since coming to take part, only speaking up to greet the folk they approached. Deacon talked enough for the two of them.

“Of course these out of town contracts have so little information to work off of! The requestee’s someone in the capital, so no surprise. Looks like that’s all we’ll have to go off of tomorrow.”

For Deacon, this conversation was hard. Ever since he met Ophelia at the inn a week ago, he had a hard time cracking that shell she seemed to put herself in. He got her to accept his offer to join the Dandelions, needing a replacement cleric after Hilda had left, but nothing else after that. He was hoping to learn a bit more about her on this walk…but he just didn’t know how to start!

So, he kept on walking…and she kept following.

“Hey, Ophie?” He asked, turning his head back to look at the cleric. “I know we haven’t known each other that long and all, but do you mind if I ask you somethin?”

He came to a stop on the hilly path they walked up, the inn not too far away. Ophelia had to halt her path in his wake. Her gaze was as sharp as ever, those dazzling green eyes were what caught Deacon’s attention first. How they stared straight through whatever smile you gave her. He liked that about her, and wanted to know more.

“…I suppose.” She said. The monotone way she spoke hid every bit of her feelings underneath. One day, I will make her smile. He thought to himself.

“What made you decide to come to Pinewood and be an adventurer?”

Ophelia stared at the young fool, no words. A small bead of sweat went down his forehead.

“I-I mean, you’re a skilled cleric and all. Could probably get a job at any temple or church in the kingdom, if you wanted to. Must have a pretty interesting reason to take such a different path.”

Still no words, he felt her gaze more than ever before…

“…W-Well, you don’t have to answer, of course. But for me? My dad’s a big game hunter back in the capitol. Been the huntmaster for multiple lords, councilors, even the big King himself. Made a name for himself from the hunts he led. I figured, hey, I wanna make a name for myself too.”

Deacon smiled warmly, thinking of his father. His kind smile, his diligent training, the way a commoner like him could grip the attention of every man and woman in the room no matter the title or status.

“I wanted to be like my old man, but not exactly like him. Wanted to tread new ground, explore new horizons! So, I thought, why not be an adventurer? Explore the unexplored, take on great dangers, be the first feet on the ground of the newest and exciting stories. The name that will be associated with them? Deacon Folo and the Dandelions!”

As if to bolster his statement, the curly haired hero struck a pose with his sword in the air. Though even he realized the silliness of his actions. Letting out the first genuine laugh he gave all day.

“Yeah, the reality ain't so grand. Lots of escortin merchants and exterminating local varmints. But hey, with this job, we could really start something big. So I just wanted to know if you were a bit like me.”

Maybe if he opened up a bit himself, shared his story, she would feel more comfortable sharing hers!…Or so he hoped, but she stared at him quietly all the same. Defeated, he turned around to continue on.

“I don’t have a special reason for it like you.” Ophelia said, just as his gaze turned away from him. Snapping back to attention was a surprised Deacon, she spoke!

“I didn’t do it for fame or for glory. The pay is good, that is it. I’m sorry I don’t have more of a story to tell.”

That was all he needed, a warm smile building on his face. This was the first genuine conversation he actually had with her, it felt good.

“No, that's okay. That’s as good a reason as any. The pay is pretty good, you got that right. Helps a lot when you have to take care of your sister i’d gues-“

Within mere moments, Deacon had lost all the ground he had gathered. The way her eyes narrowed felt like daggers into his chest.

“Sorry, sorry. None of my business…” Just as he thought he got somewhere with her.

Though, even Ophelia could tell his earnesty. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Letting out any defensive thoughts she had when her sister was brought up.

“Yes. I want her to feel safe and comfortable here. I’ll do whatever I can to make sure of it.”

Once again, Deacon was the sight of relief. “That’s good…you know what? When we finish that job, you can have part of my share. Use it to rent out a room at the Branch. Rooms are nicer there than in the inn. I’m sure she’d like that.”

“What?” She says, confused by his unsolicited offer. “Why would you do that?”

“Oh, well…uh.” Suddenly, Deacon had felt very sheepish. That offer came out of his mouth in the moment. He hadn’t thought that far ahead “It’s the largest reward the Dandelions would ever get. Losing out on ten gold when you already have forty isn’t too bad.”

“No, no thank you, I will have fifty gold myself won’t I? I won’t be needing your share to do that.”

“Ah, yeah that’s right ain’t it? Sorry, guess that came out of nowhere.” Just brush it off, Deacon. Ain’t the first time you said something silly. Turn around and keep walking her towards the inn. Try again next time, you’ll get it next time.

“Hey.” Ophelia called out to him.

Hm?

“That was kind of you to offer, thank you.”

Well, at least it wasn’t a complete failure.

“Any time.”

The duo then headed to the inn, where they said goodnight and parted ways.

But that didn’t account for the one that had followed them.

…

I know what Kane said, if you see the Dandelions, stay away. There was no telling what the cleric was capable of. It was too much of a danger! I shouldn’t risk it!

…But my curiosity got the better of me. I saw them walking up the path alone together, and overheard what the one named Deacon asked her.

“What made you decide to become an adventurer?”

I hadn’t meant to stay there, to eavesdrop on their conversation, but here I was. Hidden in plain sight in front of the Pinewood inn. The leader of the Dandelions brushing right by me, without a hint of him noticing me.

“…what is that smell?” He asked, scrunching up his nose as he left the inn.

I didn’t like that human.

Ophelia Horne…a woman that supposedly held the same power as one of the legendary Four Heroes, The Saint. She seemed like a normal girl. What was interesting about her however? Ophelia was a cleric, a skilled priestess specializing in holy magic used in the protection of others, or in the elimination of the unholy.

I learned from Kane that clerics were a specialized form of priesthood that were uncommon even hundreds of years ago. In today’s day and age, they were rare to ever find outside of the various religious groups that exist throughout the world. With the evolutions in medicine, combat, and warfare, clerics were not needed to fight in the front lines. The world also served to have far less unholy creatures that were far more common in the Dragon Queen’s reign.

So clerics could only be seen in two places, as members of a clergy, or adventurers.

Her reason for adventuring seemed to fit, working for the money after leaving the church she trained in. But why did she leave it? Why would any church let loose a woman with power that rivals an ancient Hero? Do they not know what holy magic she holds?

The endless questions that raced through my head caused me to unconsciously take a step towards the door of the inn. I had to snap back to attention the moment my ears caught the loud laughter coming from inside. The glass pane on the door gave me just enough of a view to see the room filled to the brim with men and women relaxing in the late afternoon, drinks in hand and stories to share.

If I tried to go in there, there was zero chance I could get by undetected. It seems my curiosity would be cut off here.

…

Unless..

____

BOOM!

The final cry of the elk in Lily’s sightlines was drowned by the sound of her own long rifle’s discharge. It took longer than she thought it would to track down. Patiently hunting for most of the day, now as the sun began to set, she finally got the kill she needed.

While Deacon and the new girl just had to walk around and chat up the locals. All while she had to do all the hard work and get the bait for the real hunt. It was the usual with the Dandelions. Deacon was all the talk, and Lily did most of the work. It was different with Hilda.

The hunter had her kill, and now had to haul their bait back to town for tomorrow. She slung her rifle back onto her back and walked towards the still elk that laid across the grass. Dragging the sled she prepared across the ground towards it. A blue linen blanket laid out across it.

When she arrived at her kill, she picked up and wrapped the elk in the blanket. Lily ensured every piece of the animal was kept tight inside of its fabric. Only after she tied the whole thing up did she step away and hold out her hand above it.

“Freeze.”

When the hunter spoke the command word, the blanket’s magick came to life. A sudden, freezing wind passing through the wilderness. The blanket itself became ice cold to the touch.

That would keep the elk preserved. Hauling the frozen sack onto her sled.

“I could always tell where you were hunting, Dany.”

If anyone else had said it, she would have already been aiming her rifle at them. But the voice she heard only left her hiding a smile while faced away.

“Back from your spider job so early?” Lily said, only turning around after wiping the grin off. To face the young cleric that stood behind her. The robes she wore dirtied after a day of traveling the wilds. Messy, short brown hair adorning her head, a silver circlet with a citrine gem at its core just below the end of her thick locks. Smooth, dark skin without a single blemish. Her blue eyes catching Lily’s attention more than any other could.

Hilda.

“It was very uneventful. Someone got to the cave before us.”

“Someone stole the job?”

“No idea. Whoever it was, they did quite a number to them. The bottom half of the cave was complete rubble, not a single spider to be found.”

“Explosives for spiders? I need to meet this fellow.” Even the thought of a spider made Lily’s skin crawl. Explosives seemed like the correct answer. That response, of course, only brought Hilda to laugh.

The way she laughed, the snorts she unintentionally did. Lily always enjoyed listening to it. When Hilda finally calmed down enough, they continued.

“How has it been since I left?”

“It’s been rough without you. Deacon found your replacement.”

“Ah, the blonde haired one?” Hilda asked, her arms crossed and brows furrowed. She heard of this newcomer, the only other cleric in town. It only left her wondering. “How is she?”

Lily’s scowl made that answer clear as day.

“I don’t trust her.”

“Because she’s Deacon’s new fancy, or because she isn’t me?”

“Neither.” Lily shook her head. “She’s hiding something, I know it. It doesn’t sit right with me.”

The short haired cleric knew how distrustful her favorite markswoman can be, but she never outright spoke her distrust out loud. Not even to her.

“…You know, there’s a rumor that an acolyte of the Church of the Saint has gone missing.”

The rope tied to her sled was now slung over Lily’s free shoulder. Eyes watching Hilda with interest.

“Do you think she is that acolyte?”

“I wouldn’t know, just a rumor of course.” She always did play these games with her.

“…I’ll have to look into it then, I have a job to take care of first.”

“Oh? You woke up early enough to get one?”

“Screw you, it’s an open contract. An A rank.”

“A rank?” That piqued Hilda’s attention, not in interest, but in concern. “We never attempted an A rank when I was a part of the group. Are you sure about following him with this?”

“Nope.” Lily said, there were no mincing words with her. “Though it isn’t like I can follow you, instead.”

“Lily, you know why I-“

“It’s fine, you don’t have to repeat yourself Hildy. I’m not angry.” She wasn’t angry, but Hilda saw straight through her.

She was lonely.

“Stay safe on the hunt, I want to hear about it when you get back.”

“Mhm.”

With a pull on the rope, Lily began her trek back into town.

___

My eavesdropping session had ended short, unable to enter the inn even while invisible. I wouldn’t be able to follow Ophelia inside, so there was no more to learn.

Or was there?

Around the back, a very convenient set of old crates just happened to be where I needed them. With them able to hold my weight, I could reach and look into the second floor window of the inn. I’d have to thank lady luck for this!

I got the perfect view to see Ophelia enter her room. The inside dark save for the small amount of fading sunlight that crept into the ajar window. She leaned her quarterstaff against a dresser that sat next to the door, and placed her gun on the desk beside it. No weapons were needed here.

“Light.” The words rang out, and the room’s candles came alight. Their soft glow illuminated the room, and revealed the young teenage girl that slept inside. The short blonde hair on the young girl is identical to Ophelia’s. She rested quietly inside, with barely a sound coming from her parted lips. She breathed, albeit softly.

Ophelia approached the bed, softly resting against the side. With a hand she reached out to hold the girl’s shoulder in her arm. In her grip, she gently shook the sleeping lady’s body.

“Mell, time to wake up.” Ophelia said in a whisper, her voice soft, tender. Stirring the young Mell awake. The two looked nearly identical, but a clear difference was shown when her eyes opened. Ophelia’s eyes were sharp, but Mell’s were soft.

“Welcome back, sister.” The awakened girl smiled with a warmth that could bring flowers into bloom. Slowly she sat up in her bed. One other difference became clear when she did. Where Ophelia was healthy and filled out, her sister was thin, very, very thin.

“Did you tire yourself out today, Mell?” Ophelia had to ask, sleeping before the sun began to set in the summer was not usual. Except for when someone gets tired easily.

“The innkeep let me help out in the kitchen today! I cut the vegetables and stirred the pot. He didn’t have a chair for me to sit on though. He helped me back upstairs, though!”

“That was sweet of him, but you can’t overexert yourself, you know that.”

The frail girl sighed and bobbed her head along. “I know, Ophie, I know.” For how feeble and fragile this young girl looked. Her eyes spoke of a brightness deep inside, a desire to go and do more. Only to be held back by her physical limits. “Do we have to do it again today?”

“Yes.” She replied, the satchel she held tight to her side now opened in her lap. “The more we do it, the better the chance it will help.”

“But it makes me feel all tingly!”

“That just means it’s doing something, right?”

“Riiight.”

Ophelia reached into her bag, and from within she brought out a brilliant crystal. A white circle gemstone, larger than her hand itself. A gold frame around the crystal creating a handle to hold on both sides. The moment it came out from her satchel, its white center glowed gently in their shadows.

Mell had brought down the blanket she covered herself in. The night dress she wore was pulled up to expose her stomach to the white glow. The frame of her ribs clear as day against her skin. Ophelia took the handles into her two hands, and faced the gem towards her bare skin. One deep breath, then, she spoke the words.

“Under the light that I command, I grant you the power of the Saint. To heal your wounds, and grant you strength!”

The glow of the gem brightened, drowning out the light of the candles in its radiance. The colorless light enveloping the frail girl in its warm embrace. Until her form was a pure white silhouette.

The then magick faded, and the girl still remained.

“How do you feel?”

Mell didn’t respond right away, her eyes closed, nose scrunched up.

“…Tingly. Do I look different?” One eye shoots open, looking at Ophelia. The defeated gaze she gave her sister. Nothing happened again.

“I’m sorry Mell.” Ophelia looked away from her, barely able to keep herself from falling to tears. “…This should work, it should work! But yet…but yet.”

“Hey…Ophie.” Mell held her small hands out and gently wrapped them around her. “It’s okay, we can try again! And if it doesn’t work, that’s okay too. I’m just happy to be with my sister again.”

Ophelie returned that soft embrace, careful not to grip on too tight. “I’ll find a way, I promise you Mell. No matter how long it takes”

“I know you will. Nobody can stop my big sis.”

The giggle the feeble sister gave out brightened Ophelia’s sullen feelings. Maybe not today, but she would find a way.

CRASH!!

The cleric jumped to attention, eyes out towards the window where the sound of the crash came from. Seeing the window ajar, she looked down to see a pile of crates that sat underneath their room. The bottom crate crushed under the weight of the crates on top of it. The innkeep had already rushed out to see this as well, its contents spread across the dirt and grass.

“…Did you leave the window open, Mell?”

“Yeah, it was really hot in here, and the breeze was nice.”

“Alright, let’s close the window before we go to sleep from now on…” Their voices trailed off, the window to their room shut and locked. All while the innkeep wondered what caused his crates to break apart…

___

It was a customary thing for Adventurers and their parties to mark the contracts they were taking part in. So that others could see where they were or if a job had enough people already. The next morning, Hilda stood in front of the Wall, along with many others in the guild. It was a busy morning, but Lily was nowhere to be found.

So she read the contracts, and searched, and searched. Until she found it.

A Rank Hunt, The Demon Wolf, Pan. DEAD. [150 G]

And underneath that contract, in Deacon’s scratchy handwriting.

THE DANDELIONS.

And underneath that name?

Hellsing.