Kariah-Belle Nadire fought back tears. She and her comeades stood outside the tavern.

Her friend, Mae Lu was in the clutches vympiri.

Letting out a scream of anguish, the young woman's Mana exoskeleton flared to life as she punched a nearby lamppost so hard it bent to an odd angle.

"Riah," Aya began moving closer. "Calm down."

"Calm down?" She said whirling to facing Aya. "You expect me to be calm when those fuckers kidnap my friend?"

She peered through teary eyes and Aya took a step back. "How do you expect me to accomplish that when those bastards could be doing who knows what to her as we speak!?"

There was mix of pain, rage and hate in her eyes. This was a side of her that her new team hadn't seen over the months they'd been together.

In truth they were surprised. Sure they had seen her angry but the wrathul young knight in front of them now seemed foreign.

"Those bastards." She whispered softly.

Thoughts of Mae Lu began floating around in her head. Her shy smile, the way she adjusted her trademark goggles before she went into battle, the missions they went on as university students.

Those images shifted as her imagination began to run wild with things from her nightmares. Vympiri torturing Mae Lu, draining her Lifeforce but leaving just enough for her not to die and treating her like an animal fit only for consumption.

Nausea briefly washed over her before dread filled her, then rage. She screamed once more before punching the lamppost. This time it snapped landing with a clanck on the dirt road.

Iris stepped forward. She stared at Kariah-Belle and stared back through the tears.

With a quick movement Iris whacked Kariah-Belle on top of her head.

"Ow!" Kariah-Belle said holding her hands to the spot that was hit. "What the hell?!" She asked glaring.

"I understand your anger, your frustration." Iris told her as she placed a hand on her shoulder. "But we both know nothing will change just because you throw a tantrum, don't we?"

"Then what!" Kariah-Belle snapped. She then looked to her feet, closing her eyes as the river of tears continued to flow. Her voice became a whisper again as she asked, "What am I supposed to do, Master?"

Culdan needed to be transported back to Laviria's capital. Kariah-Belle knew it was her duty to see the mission through to the end. Besides that, the vympiri seemed determined to get their hands on her and she didn't know why. She didn't want to abandon her comrades but she couldn't forsake her friend either.

The young woman bite her bottom lip. Her heart aching and her stomach churned.

"Isn't it obvious?" Iris said lifting the young woman's head to meet her eyes. "You go rescue your friend."

Kariah-Belle's eyes grew wide. "R-really?" She asked in disbelief. She didn't know if it was the alcohol talking or what?

"R-really?" Iris mocked earning her a look from Kariah-Belle. "Of course really. Your friend is in danger. If I refuse to let you go, you'd more than likely sneak off sooner or later."

Kariah-Belle's face lit up. "Thank you, Master! Thank you so much!"

"All of you get some rest." Iris said looking at everyone including Lax-Rim. "Tomorrow will be a loooong day."

When the sun arose the next morning​ Kariah-Belle, Aya and Kaden were packing. Iris had decided that Aya and Kaden would accompany Kariah-Belle​ and she was glad for it. It would be reassuring to have her old friend and her new ones by her side.

"Okay team." Iris called still in her pajamas. "Gather round."

She had a Holopad placed upwards on the floor. A holographic projection of a woman in bandages around her arms and head was waiting for the four Master Knights.

Amoria Sentech was Lax-Rim's and Mae Lu's Master.

"Good morning everyone." Said the holographic projection. "I trust Lax-Rim has told you the bad news."

The group nodded.

"He was persistent on going to you personally." She continued as she looked over to Kariah-Belle. "He told me the three of you were good friends."

Kariah-Belle nodded.

Amoria must have sensed that Kariah-Belle was eager to get down to business because she quite the small talk.

Clearing her throat she spoke again. "We were on a mission. Just a simple delivery mission for a city some ways away from the capital. We were ambushed by a group of vympiri. Vympiri that wielded Mana."

"So they were mature?" Iris asked.

Kariah bit her bottom lip as a knot formed in her stomach.

Amoria continued. "Yes. They caught me off guard while I was trying to protect my rookies. Hint my sorry condition." She said gesturing to her bandages.

"Okay, so why would they go through all the trouble just for a rookie? It's not like she'd have the lifeforce needed to sustain a mature vympiri for long." Kaden asked.

"To get their hands on her." Amoria said pointing to Kariah-Belle. Everyone looked to her. "They had a message: Tell the Nadire to meet us at Demon's Peak before the sun sets on the sixth day if we ever want to see her again."

Everyone turned to look Kariah-Belle, whom stared at the holographic projection of Amoria.

"So now the question is... What do they want with her?" Kaden asked jabbing a thumb at Kariah-Belle​. "She's just a rookie, too. I mean sure she has above average Lifeforce but she's not the only one. This is the fourth time the vympiri have tried to get their hands on her. What makes her so special?"

Kaden was right. Counting Kariah-Belle's​ very first encounter with vympiri they had tried for her again during a previous mission and again just yesterday. Kariah-Belle had remembered what the vympiri had said each time.

"Her Lifeforce." Aya said still watching Kariah-Belle. "It's special somehow. We just don't know how."

"So what? We just waltz right into their lair? That sounds like a genius idea. We all know what's waiting for us at the cliff is a trap."

"We know." Said Amoria. "And we are prepared. Lax-Rim." She called.

The young man reached into his bag and pulled out five necklace​s. Each with blue gems that seemed to change different shade of blue.

"Lifeforce cloaking gems." Iris said nodding approvingly. "With these, you can get close to vympiri without them sniffing out your Lifeforce. Even those with sensory abilities won't be able to detect you. Very difficult to get your hands on. Not bad, Amoria."

Amoria's projection gave a low bow. "Thank you Lady Titania. I have also requested for reinforcements. I will be sending the coordinates to your holopads. I had intended for your whole squad to accompany Lax-Rim but had no idea you were in the middle of an assignment."

"It's not a problem. I can handle the rest from here. My students are capable. This will be a great exercise for them. They won't be expecting an infiltration. However," She then glared at each and every one of them. Lax-Rim included. "If things become too much, retreat and head for the city of Vinclyn and await further orders. Understood?"

"Ma'am." They all said in unison. Letting their superior know they got the message.

Iris nodded. "Finish gathering the needed supplies and meet back here in three hours."

Kaden and Lax-Rim headed to Nylin's shopping center to gather essentials. Aya stayed to try to gather more intel on the vympiri that attacked the Divine Knight. Kariah-Belle wanted to be alone so she decided to explore more of Nylin.

A few minutes later Kariah-Belle decided she needed to release some frustration via training. Realizing she left her blade back at the inn, she headed there.

She stopped at the door when she heard Aya speak.

"Other cargo export teams have been attacked in the past months. Not just Vyrmm but across all the for nations. Aside from that, they know Kariah-Belle is of Nadire blood. How would a vympiri know that? Do you think it has anything to do with the mole from the evaluation exam?"

"I think so." Said Amoria. "If my hunch is true then the mole would have to be someone high up in command for that kind of Intel to be leaked."

"Agreed." Iris stated. "Maybe someone on the assignment bureau, high ranking knight... Or someone on the council."

"A traitor on the council?" Amoria said to herself. "I hate to admit it but you just may be right. In any case, I'll be sure to inform your queen and fellow knights. I must tend to what's left my squad. I bid you farewell Lady Titannia. Frozen Gun."

"Farewell Amoria. Be safe." Said Iris.

"Same to you."

Kariah-Belle heard the projection shut itself off. So a traitor​ had been the reason Jet died and the reason Mae Lu had been kidnapped. She clenched her jaw.

It was quite for a moment before Iris spoke.

"Spit it out Aya. What's on your mind?"

"... Kaden and Kariah-Belle." She said with a pause before continuing. "They are related by blood but that isn't the only reason you specifically traveled to Vyrmm to recruit her is it, master?"

Kariah-Belle had always wondered that herself.

The visions, the shared family crest, the uncanny resemblance. She'd wanted to discuss the matter with Kaden but didn't know how to approach the subject.

Yeah, deep down Kariah-Belle knew the answer. Her gut told her.

There was another silence. Kariah-Belle heard her teacher take a gulp from her flask, no doubt tasting alcohol.

"I wondered which one would be first to question. I didn't think it would be you. Kariah-Belle," She called and the young knight's hazel eyes grew wide. Her teacher had superb awareness . "care to join us? You must have questions as well. Come."

Kariah-Belle pushed the door open and entered the room. She looked to her friend who gave a small smile. Kariah-Belle sat beside her and they both waited for Iris to speak.

"You're parents," Iris began. "Were once great Knights. The four of them. Lilith, Eliyah, Evellyn, and Memphis."

Kariah noticed how Aya inhaled deeply every time her father was mention.

Kariah-Belle remembered their names. Lilith Nadire was her mother. Eliyah was her father and a biohuman shrouded in mystery. Even the archives had almost nothing on him. The two were knights of great renown. She knew that much even though she barely had any memory of their time together.

The doctors said it was due to trauma. Kariah-Belle however was still unsure. She knew of Evellyn Felicity but had no idea she was Aya's mother.

So that's how she died... Because of the same man who had slain her parents. Aya's father was a horrendous man.

Iris continued. "We were very close when we were younger. Even Memphis before he accepted the darkness."

"Wait you knew my parents?" She asked.

"Yes. As I've just said, we were close. If ya want answers, I suggest you hold your tongue until told otherwise." Iris stated firmly. "We were all close. Even put on the same squad when we became knights. For a while things were good. Until Kaden came along. As you no doubt know, the boy is a biohuman. The two life forces and DNA used to birth him, were your parents, Kariah-Belle."

Kariah-Belle just stared at her teacher as she held her breathe.

"Before Kaden, Memphis was in love with Lilith. Everyone knew it but Lilith was too focused on an very important assignment. A project along with Eliyah. So he married his second love."

"My mother." Aya whispered.

Iris nodded. "One day the four of us were sent out on a mission. A mission where only two would have the chance to live and the other two would be sacrificed. I gave my life willing for my friends. So did Memphis for the sake of the project that his two friends were working on, for the sake of Lilith's life. We stayed trapped in an underground labyrinth for almost two years. We thought we were dead. Everyone did. However we manage to make it out of that maze alive. When we returned home there was Aya and Kaden."

The two younger women looked at each other in surprise. Aya raised an eyebrow. This was something she hadn't known either.

"I know what you're thinking. He looks just older than Kariah-Belle. The answer: he was the project Kariah-Belle's parents had been working on. You see, the power that resides in Kaden... The one that activates when he enters the Fallen Place... It can't be used by normal humans. In fact it would rip apart any who tried. Only a biohuman created by special conditions could wield it. Once they learn to control it that is. Eliyah was the one to bare it before Kaden. Lilith and Eliyah had gotten married and had Kariah-Belle a year later."

"So... My father became an enemy of mankind out of spite?" Aya questioned. She sounded almost disgusted.

Iris bit her bottom lip. "It's not as simple as that. Memphis truly did care for your mother. When we escaped out the labyrinth, Eliyah had been captured."

"Captured? By whom?"

"The Darkness."

The two young women gasp.

"The 'nearly wiped out humanity from existence' Darkness?" Asked Kariah-Belle

Iris nodded. "See what they don't teach in the schools is that the Darkness serve a master, the evil being inside of Kaden. They attempted to take their master back. Memphis was apart of the rescue squad sent to retrieve Eliyah. Only the two of them made it back. Whatever Memphis saw drove him mad with fear. Eliyah and Lilith knew what was out there and the thought of his childhood friends keeping such a secret was an act of betrayal to him. It drove him to despise the two. My dear Aya, that is why your father seeks power so desperately. That is why Memphis has it out for Kaden and Kariah."

Kariah-Belle looked to Aya and saw tears slide down her cheeks. Kariah-Belle couldn't image how the news was affecting her.

Iris took a swig from her flask then continued on. "This is why I picked you during your evaluation at the university, Aya. That's why I have been with Kaden from the very beginning and recruited him days after he entered​ Amilia. That's why Kariah-Belle, I was at your school to pick you too. I promised your parents that if anything happened to them I'd watch after you. I intend to keep that promise and train you for the part ahead."

Silence fell over the room. It was a lot for Kariah-Belle to take in. The three of them... Aya, Kaden and herself had been connected through their parents. She had a big brother who she hadn't remembered at all. Or maybe that vision from all those months ago was her mind trying tell her that she had known Kaden all along.

The legendary Star Titania has been something of a godmother for her entire life. It all felt too surreal.

"I take it Kaden doesn't know?" Aya asked, breaking the quiet.

Iris shook her head. "That boy may be a genius in combat but he's as dense as a doorknob outside of fighting."

Like someone else, I know. Kariah-Belle smiled inwardly as she thought about Lax-Rim.

"So why doesn't Kaden remember me?" Kariah-Belle asked.

Iris bit her bottom lip. A look of regret decorating her face before she quickly replaced it with her usually nonchalant demeanor.

"His mind had been...altered." She told them. "After The Nadire massacre his memory of his past were erased."

"Altered​? By who?"

"The Supreme Council."

Aya and Kariah-Belle grew wide-eyed. The Supreme Council were what ruled over the Knights of Four Nations. They​ even went over the queen and king of each nation.

"The Council knows about the power Kaden harbors inside him?" Aya asked.

"Yes. In fact, they were the ones who authorized Kariah-Belle's​ parents to start the project to put that dark power inside him. It was an important assignment. One that may benefit humanity one day."

"Okay, but why mess with his memories?" Kariah-Belle asked. "What would that do?"

"They thought it would be easier to use Kaden as a weapon if he felt as if he had no past. They were worried he'd seek you out. I would've stopped them but I was too late. They had immediately taken him to have his memory messed with after the incident. The only person on the council to oppose was your Stoneheart friend's uncle. Still, they went through with it. Luckily I was able to convince them into handing Kaden over to me."

The woman then gave the two younger women a very serious look. A look that Kariah-Belle hadn't seen from her till today. "listen. The reason I keep Kaden close is to protect him from the council. They'd take him and weaponize him. What the fools don't know is that he could easily be lost in the Fallen Place forever if he doesn't have the right anchor. No matter what, we cannot let the council get their hands on him. Especially now when they might have a mole occupying a seat. I'm not telling you. I'm not asking. I'm begging, if something should ever happen to me please protect Kaden."

Kariah-Belle saw a tear slid down Aya's cheek as she made a promise with her master. This must have been a lot for her to take in, too. The two had always been close judging from the stories they shared with her. Kariah-Belle knew the woman beside her would die of it meant Kaden could live.

Kariah-Belle​ eyes held her answer before she spoke it.

"He's my brother." She said. "I'll do whatever it takes to keep him safe."

Iris nodded and gave a soft smile. "I knew I'd be able to count on you two. There's just one more thing..."

The two Master Knights exchanged a glance.

"There's more?" Kariah-Belle asked.

Iris chuckled A sound that seemed a bit forced. She looked at Kariah-Belle and said. "My dear, you have no idea."