The quaking walls and collapsing ceilings of the catacombs laid out new entries and exits around every corner. Oscar managed to retrace everyone’s steps rather quickly, finding a path and bolting out with his Speed before anyone else got trapped inside.

It took Kalvin all the strength he had to pull Rina out of the catacombs; not once did she stop crying or wanting to turn back after Cairo. Even Mooks helped bite on Rina’s clothes to tug her out, despite spending the longest amount of time with Cairo out of anyone. However, saying his yelps and howls were the same would be a blatant lie. Rina wouldn't dare speak a word as Kalvin pulled her out onto the surface. Distant sobs and tear-dried cheeks kept her mood the same for nearly two weeks after their escape.

King Richard II was found dead, and the catacombs as a whole collapsed under the entire courtyard, sinking half the king’s castle into the rubble below it. Many months would be spent preoccupied with rebuilding a new set of rules and roads to guide the country forward and beyond.

After the return to the surface, Kalvin set out to find Sylvester, notifying him of the news. Luckily, Laena returned to her father with the items, and Sylvester offered for Kalvin and the rest to stay, but they humbly declined.

Leaving Nirvana, Paris and Oscar nacked and teased at each other the entire ride home, completely forgetting the trip the second they left. Mooks never shed a single tear after seeing Cairo fall into the abyss, mainly because he couldn’t produce emotion-like tears from his canine eyes in the first place. However, he howled at the moon for thirty nights straight, no matter the weather, and no matter the stars in the sky. He howled for his fallen friend—his comrade in arms—and his partner’s life.

Mooks ended up staying at the tavern in Worcester, aiding in any sort of needs. And Rina got back to her duties at the bar—most of her nights were spent cuddling with Mooks—but her smile never returned. Not even for a delicious bowl of Fo.

Five months have passed since then, and the cold winter days have begun recrafting the land in blissful layers of ice and snow.

…

As usual, it was a quiet night inside the tavern. The small flame in the lanterns flickered in opposite directions, changing the shadows and bringing some life into this quiet place. The wooden logs crafting the walls and floorboards kept the inside warm and cozy from the outdoor winds. Mugs of tea and pints of beer were passed around like candy, but screams and shouts remained hidden within the backside booths.

Behind the crescent bar table, the young bartender began cleaning some leftover glasses, wrapping up for the night. Her furry white friend helped clean any dishes with his tongue, and the midnight winds whistled through the windows.

“Busy night today.” said Mooks, licking a plate to perfection.

Rina set down a crystal-clear glass, pouring herself a solid amount of red wine, “Busier than usual.” She answered, her face tired and plain. “Have you heard of the recent rumors spreading?”

“Aye,” Mooks glanced around the sleeping drunks remaining. “I hear all rumors,” he said as his ears perked up.

Rina sighed, taking a rather large sip. “Apparently, the Bureau will be taking charge of Harvoria. However they plan to do that is beyond me,” She gulped, swallowing yet another sip and pouring some more wine.

“I just hope they do things right. Ever since Cai-” He stopped, swallowing his tongue. It’s been a while since Cairo’s name was mentioned, and every time it was, Rina would go back up to her room, isolating herself from the world for the remainder of the given day. “I’m sorry… I should—”

“It’s fine.” She stopped him, wiping a droplet from her right eye. “I just can’t help but feel he’s still out there, somewhere in the cold.”

Mooks jumped atop the table, his eyes on hers. “Rina,” He paused. “The catacombs collapsed on him… There was nothing we could do. He gave his life for us to live.”

Rina took another sip, emptying the glass down her throat. “Thank you for staying Mooks. Truly.”

Mooks nodded, his beastly glare shifting towards the window. “Full Moon tonight. Care to join me?”

Rina yawned, resting her arms and head against the table. As hard and prickly the wood was, it felt rather soft with a couple glasses of wine in her system. “I think I’ll pass tonight,” Her nose flushed a daring red tint.

Thuds and stomps came crashing down the stairs, and Kalvin came barging in like a maniac. Heavy bags drooped low below his eyes, and his back cracked more times than a healthy amount. “Wuaah.” He yawned excessively, shuffling dry saliva around his mouth like a dog. “Another sleepless night huh?”

Rina didn’t answer, drowsing off into space. Mooks gave Kalvin a nod, hopping down and preparing his leave for the moonlight. “Kalvin, can you please watch the bar?”

Wiping his eyes awake, Kalvin yawned again, “Yeah, yeah. Can’t sleep for the life of me. That damn moonlight meddles with my head too much. Makes me eerie.”

“Oscar and Paris?” Asked Mooks.

“Sleeping. As usual.”

Mooks licked the tip of his nose, dipping his head and walking towards the front door. However, just as he reached it, it burst open with a loud pop in the hinges. The winds came bursting in with pure force and power, shaking and dimming the lantern lights.

Rina quickly pounced up from the table, Kalvin grabbed the nearest knife he could, and Mooks hopped back with a defensive stance, growling and shining his sharp teeth.

Beneath the moonlight and through the winds, a hooded, skinny-looking figure came barging in. His boots were clean like polished silver, his cloak was new and crafted to perfection, and his presence sent a chill down Mooks’ spine.

Walking in with snow rolling off his shoulders, the figure unraveled his hood and shut the door behind him. Smiling precisely, the stranger sat in an open stool by Rina, giving Mooks a friendly nod.

Rina backed up, her eyes as wide as the sea, “Faibel?” she asked, her voice calm and sincere.

Faibel took off his glasses, dropped his cloak, and let out a deep sigh of warmth and comfort. “Hello Rina.” He said, ice and coldness biting his tongue. “Let’s talk, shall we?”