Three days have passed when Aya Felicity and the others made it back to Katrina. The capital was still being rebuilt.

Aya was told that there were four pods that fell from the massive air ship. Only at least sixty or so enemies yet they manage to wreck large chunks of the capital. Aya was surprised that a small force could cause so much damage. If there hadn't been any holy Knights around things would've been much worse.

Aya, Kaden, and Lax-Rim stood in the briefing room of one of the barracks that survived the attack. Akio, a Drakon, a biohuman, Sir Van, Master Iris, and Queen Ahmeal stood with them. All of them gathered around a chrome table.

Everyone was silent.

Mae Lu went into critical care as soon as they reached the capital. The Vympiri had been leeching her life force at an alarming rate. She now had clots in her flow of life force. Doctors were tending to her wounds and working to unblock the clog.

Lax-Rim faced the wall, trying to fight back tears. Aya had just debriefed the others.

Gloom befell the room.

Akio despite her calm exterior had rivers flowing down both cheeks.

Kariah-Belle would talk about the Stoneheart woman often. The two were like sisters so Aya knew the news was chewing her up inside.

The image of Kariah-Belle's being carried off replayed over in her mind. She closed her eyes when her scream sounded in her head.

The Felicity felt sick.

"Master," Aya started as guilt gripping her. "I apologize. I was careless."

Iris raised a hand in dismissal. "If anyone's at fault here it's me. I didn't expect one of Dracula's Royal guard to make an appearance. Nonetheless, the mission was a success."

"A success?" The green-haired young woman was irritable. "My friend is in the hands of those monsters and you call that a success." She peered at master Iris. "Are you sure you aren't working for the Vympiri?"

"Akio," Van said, moving closer to the young Knight. His voice was stern.

"I understand your frustration, Akio," Iris commented, gesturing for Van to back off. "But fighting amongst ourselves will solve nothing. We will come up with a plan. We will get her back."

"What if it's too late?" Akio questioned. "What if they've already killed her?"

Ahmeal and Iris exchanged looks. Aya was around long enough to know that when her superiors did that, they knew something and weren't going to spill the beans.

"They won't," Iris said confidently.

"How can you be so sure."

"Let's just say, some things are best kept for a later date." Iris folded her arms and raised an eyebrow. An indication that this conversation was over.

Akio looked as if she wasn't finished. She clenched her first then signed in defeat. She wiped a tear and relaxed.

Iris gave a small smirk to Van. He grinned then shrugged. Her master was impressed by the boldness of Akio. Aya was impressed as well. Iris regularly gave out harsh punishments to those who challenged her.

"Master..." Kaden finally spoke. "I... I transformed but... Memphis, he was nowhere to be found. At least I don't think he was. The only thing I remember before blacking out is the feeling that came with seeing Kariah-Belle's lifeless body. When I thought she had died it felt as if my heart had stopped. I thought I would die too."

Aya saw the three higher ranking Knights exchange glances. Aya chewed her bottom lip.

"She's my trigger, isn't she?" He finally asked.

Iris nodded.

"Why? What makes her so special?" He inquired.

Iris hesitated. "Because she's..."

"My sister?" Kaden finished.

Iris nodded.

Kaden nodded in return. He closed his eyes and took a shaky breath. Aya noticed he clenched the scabbard which held his sword.

"I always had the feeling we were related somehow. It was easier to ignore the signs...l...I feared what I would become if I knew the truth... If I acknowledged what Memphis did to my-... Family. Some brother I am." he said, a tear sliding down his cheek.

Guilt hit Aya's gut like a punch to the stomach. She knew she couldn't have left Kaden in the Fallen Place. She had sworn to him and herself to never let that thing have him. Nevertheless, the memory of watching Kariah-Belle get carried away weighed heavily on her heart.

"Kaden..." Aya extended an arm to rest a hand on her friend's shoulder.

Kaden turned away. "I... I just need to be alone right now." His voice cracked at the end as he fought tears that threatened to escape.

Kaden headed out of the briefing room. Aya could only watch as he did so. A frown painted itself on her face.

"I'll take care of it." Queen Ahmeal said. "Leave it to me." With that, she followed after Kaden.

Aya clenched her fist in frustration.

I was powerless to protect my mother. I was powerless to protect Kariah-Belle. Now when Kaden needs a shoulder all I can do is leave it to someone else.

She looked over to her master who was eyeing her. Am I cut out to succeed you?

******

Kaden sat alone staring at a waterfall that fell into a spring. The scenery was beautiful. Exotic rocks decorated the landscape. Small critters scurried about, gathering food and drinking from the spring. This was a secret spot built under the northern barracks. A spot built by the previous king of Lavaria.

The young man was trying to use nature to ease his troubled mind but all he could think about was Kariah-Belle. The vision from months ago made sense. It was telling him that Kariah-Belle and himself were connected. Yet he ignored it.

"I thought I'd find you here." Ahmeal approached from behind. "This was our favorite spot when we were younger. I'd kick your butt here every time we sparred."

Kaden snorted. His mood shifting ever so slightly. Kaden knew it wouldn't be long before Ahmeal worked her magic on him. The older woman always had a way of getting him to smile even when he didn't feel like it.

Right now, Kaden really didn't feel like it.

Ahmeal sat next to him and for a time the two of them gazed at the flowing water in silence.

"Did you know?" Kaden asked, eyes still on the pond.

"...Yes. For a long time." Ahmeal answered after a moment's hesitation.

He looked at her. She must have seen the betrayal in his eyes because hers held guilt and sorrow.

"Why didn't anyone tell me I had a sister? That I was a Nadire?"

"We hoped if you never found out, she'd never act as a trigger. We couldn't have you going after Memphis either. If you'd have killed him for hatred you'd be lost in the Fallen Place. If he ended up killing you... We kept it hidden to protect you. Both of you."

What she was saying made sense. In his younger years, Kaden had been irrational. He probably would've ducked Iris supervision to hunt down Memphis. He'd most likely have struck any deal he had to in order accomplish that goal.

Needless to say, he mellowed with age though he was still known to fly off the handle.

Eventually he spoke again. "I get that but... I've known Iris my whole life. She's kept Kariah-Belle hidden from me for years. Who knows what else she's kept? I don't know what to think anymore. Now my sister has been kidnapped by Dracula of all people."

Tears started to fall as he thought about the story's he'd heard about the cruel Vympiri lord.

Dracula was rumored to have killed one of the seven swords of justice. Kariah-Belle couldn't hope to match him.

Ahmeal cupped Kaden's cheeks with both hands and stared him in the eyes. She spoke to him in her soothing voice. "We'll get Kariah-Belle back. Iris is coming up with a plan of action as we speak. As for Iris... Whatever else she's keeping from you I'm sure she'll reveal it to you when the time comes."

"Are you hiding anything else from me?"

She shook her head as she wiped his tears with her thumb. Kaden nodded and she smiled softly, making his heart skip a beat. She then kissed his forehead.

She took off her watch and a holographic pad popped up. She hit a few numbers and a song started to play. It was the song they had played the first time they'd ever made love atop Amilia university. The day Ahmeal was crowned queen.

Kaden raised an eyebrow. "You're gonna play that song out y'know."

"Says you." Ahmeal said, laying back on the grass while pulling Kaden on top of her.

Kaden chuckled. The two kissed, taking in each other's warmth, scent and taste. They got lost in each other's company and lost track of time.

*********

A few of Laviria's finest divine Knights as well as Iris Eloclipse and Van were trying to come up with the whereabouts of Dracula's hideout.

No one had any leads.

"Do you think anyone in the Underground has any clue?" Van asked.

"Doubtful." said Lady Ratilla. "Even if we were to capture a Vympiri it's not likely they'd give up their leader's location."

"Agreed." said Sir Jericho stroking his beard. "They're fiercely loyal to their lord."

"I think I might know someone who could help." Iris spoke. "Will she help is a whole other story."

The other Knights looked at her. Their faces asking her who she had in mind.

"The Serpent queen."

Everyone's eyes went wide.

Sir Rey-Quil spoke. "You don't mean..."

Iris nodded. "Medusa."