"Cannonball!" Ace yowled out, running and leaping into the pond, causing a mini tsunami to bellow water out.

"Ace!" The family groaned at the giant oaf.

It was a pretty warm day in Berlim so the doves decided to spend it outdoors. Some of the doves were at a pond behind their home. Trees surrounded the pond, giving the area a sense of security and good shading.

After being splashed, Queen, Parker and Pretty Boy who were sunbathing sat up and glared at the boys goofing around in the water.

"Pass me the ball." King called out to Alche who was holding an orange inflated ball.

Alche smiled then tossed the ball over Triton and K.O's head to King.

The master caught it with a hearty laugh, then tossed it back.

Triton and K.O leap in the water trying to catch the ball as the group played monkey in the middle.

Ace swam over to where Champion was wading around on a floatee tube and Sharmaine was relaxing with her feet in the water.

"It feels nice out here. This might mean something's good about to happen." Ace stated with a gleeful expression.

"Sadly brother, many omens would disagree, that it's a foreshadowing for something dark to come." Sharmaine countered giving the boys a delighted smirk.

"Must you always be so morbid, Shar?" Champion teased at the older sibling.

"She does that shit to ruin my day." Ace grumbled slowly sinking under the water.

Sharmaine just rolled her eyes.

Everyone continued to mess around, enjoying the bright sun until a loud screech of 'KING' stilled the lot. Nara marched up to the pond wearing a deep frown. She glared over at her husband.

"Why is the empress calling you?" She seethed out in jealousy.

King's face scrunched in deep thought. "Ariah?"

"Why is she calling?"

"I don't know," King answered, walking out of the water. Grabbing a fur pelt to dry himself, he looked to his wife. "What she say?"

"She said it was urgent that she spoke to you." Nara responded, then pointed at the master. "It better be urgent too."

34

Money talks

Stepping into his study with Nara on his tail, King approached a crystal ball. Inside of the ball was an image of a beautiful woman with golden skin.

"Ariah?! Hey." King rushed out in a surprise.

Empress Ariah was ruler over a big country in Summer border. She also was a childhood friend of King's, whom he hadn't spoken with in years.

"Oh King. It is so nice to speak with you again." Ariah spoke with a soft voice, beaming a sweet smile.

King chuckled, "Yeah, it really is." He said back and noticed Nara glaring.

"You have something urgent." He then said.

"Oh yes." Empress perked up. "One of our brother countries released an emergency smoke cry. I sent out a team to check it out and what was left of Sandova was horrific. We do not know what attacked the kingdom."

"So, you called us?" Nara finally spoke.

"Hello Nara. You're still looking beautiful." Ariah complimented with an earnest smile.

"She has a point, Ariah." King stated. "With all the 'elite heroes' ya'll have in your border, why call me?"

Ariah let out a sigh. "Sandova called out because they needed help. I called on you because I know you will handle this with your heart. Not with your pockets."

"Risking our life isn't cheap neither." Nara snipped out.

"Nara," King sternly growled.

"This I know. You will be generously compensated, that is a guarantee, but we all know that Dove Clan doesn't lead by greed. Helping people is what you stand for." Ariah reasoned, then pleaded. "I need your help."

King thought it over in his head. They rarely took missions outside of Mid-Holiday for cost reasons. Yet, King had known Ariah way before she was an empress, since which she has helped him out a bind or two. It could be a nice trip.

"Ok, I'll help you. Send me over everything you have. I'll get a team together and we'll leave first chance we get."

"Yes," Ariah cheered like she won a prize. "Thank you so much King and Nara. I cannot wait to see you again."

The image vanished and a pile of paperwork appeared on the desk.

"Sandova?" Nara asked.

"It's some Kingdom where everything is made of sand. Even the dwellers."

Nara burst out laughing. "So, a Kingdom made of sand people is under attack. By what the rain?" She continued to laugh, causing King to chuckle along.

"Grow up. It must be serious if Ariah called us." He pushed out there.

"Oh, it is far more serious than you think." A deep voice interrupted scaring the duo spineless. Stepping from the shadows was Orishae.

"Sweet Arithe, pops. Use a door." King yelled out, trying to calm his beating heart.

"What are you doing here?" Nara gasped out.

"What attacked Sandova is far more dangerous than anyone you've ever faced King. He is son of the Underlord. A demon by the name of Dax the dealer."

"Dax the dealer? The myth you used to talk about?" King asked, lifting a brow.

"He is no myth, son." Orishae said. "A long time ago, Dax broke loose to roam free on the planet. I along with a few other celestials enchanted a spell so powerful it sealed Dax back into the underworld and kept him there. The deeper question is who released him."

"That's outragous pops." King waved the older man off. "I mean, the underlord's son?"

"It is true. Don't forget I've been around for so long. Longer than you all can imagine. The Gods once roamed these lands blessing us with our divine gifts. You two need to open your minds, because it is some evils out there, more sinister with blood on their mind."

"Then how is he out and how do you know he is the cause of this mess?" King asked, trying to get a full understanding.

"When I sensed the smoke call, I went over to Sandova to do my own little investigating. I had a little chat with the slain king's daughter and that's when the clues added up. What worries me more, my son, is who released him from the Underworld." Orishae paused with a grim expression. He was put away with such powerful magic from wise elders. Suddenly, Orishae looked off as he felt something overcome him.

"Well, you've caught him once, you can do it again, right?" King asked.

"No," Orishae whispered out, but it didn't seem like it was directed at King.

"Excuse me?" King questioned, but his father however cleared his throat.

"Um, I'm sorry son, but something has suddenly come up." Orishae said with a tight face. His eyes were zoned out as a troubled expression took his face.

King frowned. "Everything okay, pop?"

Orishae nodded, but his mind was elsewhere. "Yes, everything's fine. I'll leave Dax to you, son. Take your best men. He cannot be killed, but I have faith that you'll be capable to slow him down." He stepped towards the corner and just like that was gone.

Shit

King and Nara just stood there blinking in silence for a moment, trying to soak in all the information. Nara stepped to King's study desk and grabbed the stack of notes that Ariah sent over. Her eyes scanned over the pages as they calculated the damages the boy created.

"He did quite the number on the place, despite them being made of sand." Nara muttered intensely with a hint of sadness. "And your dad surely painted this Dax to be a monster."

"Story has it, he is. He's considered a devil, which means he technically can't be killed. There's also not enough of us to be able to seal him back up. All of this just got ugly really fast, especially when I was having such a good morning." King stated with a deep frown. Fuck his dad for leaving him like this.

Nara looked at the master with a serious face. "What are we going to do?"

"Family meeting."

The guild hall...

After gathering the members who were available, King started to inform the family of the situation at hand. It started with laughter about the sand people, but it ended drastically after hearing about Dax.

"Legend has it, Dax is one of the Underlord's sons, which means this guy is strong. Stronger than anyone we've ever encountered and even more dangerous because we don't know what he's truly capable of. So, with knowing this, I will not force anyone to come with me, but I am asking." King stood tall as he looked at their faces. "If anyone will join me in battle, I will need all hands-on deck."

The guild was short at the moment. Maya was still in Fluer and Danny was out on a different mission. His other members, like Starr and Quint were stationed on different planets. Being shorthanded didn't make things better, but he had faith in his family, no matter the numbers. He would put himself on the front line before he lose his family.

"I'm down, no questions asked." Ace accepted boldly.

King nodded.

"I'm in too. I mean sand is my name." Ivy spoke next.

"Sign us up as well." Champion said for him and Queen.

"Alche? Ricky? I need my right-hand men." King said.

"We would, brotha, but we received an urgent beacon from the Onlookers on planet Merit." Ricky stated with a grim look.

"We could call them off. Family comes first anyway." Alche offered out, but the master shook his head.

"No, no. If they called, they need you. You guys handle that." King stated surely.

"We'll head over soon as we can." Alche spoke out.

"Understood."

"I have your back too, honey." Nara said. Manna cleared her throat from Nara's side then looked off subtly. "And Manna too."

"I'm coming too, dad." Rockie said with determination as he stood to his feet. His face was still puffy from the fight and his vision wasn't 100 percent yet.

"No, Rockie. You have to sit this one out." King stated to the pouting boy. "Now is the time for you to practice patience. K.O, Parker, and Belle, you're coming with me too."

"Yes!" The blonde cheered.

Parker and Belle however jolted in surprise and squeaked a timid, "Me sir?"

King gave the young girls an encouraging smile. "You've both proven yourself more than capable of holding your own. Will you join me?"

"Yes master." They nodded.

The sound of metal jingling had the guild turning to see Baytah Dude standing to his feet. "I too will join you all on this voyage."

The guild only stared, blinking at the teen.

"Uh, you and I both know why that's not happening." King said.

"Alright. Let's pack it up. We have business to handle."

Doc's clinic...

King marched through the beads and into the clinic with a determined mind. Doc was stirring a liquid mixture in a metal caldron. Doc paused once he sensed the master's presence and gave the younger man a look over his shoulders.

"Okay, Doc I have a lot to catch you up on. First I need to gather a few things." King said, and marched around searching his domain for anything he could use. As he went about, he retold their situation to Doc who listened with an intent face. "Pops said he's a strong one."

"Yes, he is." Doc finally stated. "One uh Underlords four spawns. He be uh powerful foe."

"Yeah, which is why I need all my good hands." King said, turning pleading eyes on the older man. "You have been with my family since before I was born and have been a warrior over these lands for even longer."

"Which is why me must decline, young master." Doc said with a steady voice. "'ve fought fuh many, many years. Hands forever stained with blood. Body marred with battle tattoos. It be time when one realizes he's seen his era, and to pass torch down to the generations. Besides, it's been while since I went out. If your father trusts this uh you, me too."

King nodded, "I respect your choice."

"Me hav someting to tell you too, King. It's about Rockie." Doc stated, giving the master a pressing look.

King bristled at the mention of the kid's name. He didn't know what to expect, but from the grim expression on Doc' face he knew he had his answer.

"Good news?"

"'friad not. I took uh a sample uh him blood. There is sometin disturbing going on inside him. 's like him infected or cursed." Doc stated.

"Infected? Like with a disease?" King asked.

"More like evil curse." Doc explained with a deep frown. He long face seemed to grow longer as he pondered on the thought. "Him changing. His body tis fightin' a force so dark that's taken him hostage. 'm 'fraid what this could cause. Him been acting okay?"

The questioned stilled King. Rockie has always been headstrong, but as of late the boy has been exhibiting some troubling behavior. Especially with that border dilemma. He'd also be a fool to ignore how strong the boy has gotten. Rockie has so much potential with his magic and had a long way go at fully learning to control it. Yet, if his behavior was because of some evil infection, Rockie could become a danger. What was going on?

"Is there a way to stop it?" King instead asked.

"Me not sure. It's stronger than I've seen, but 'm working on uh remedy."

"Okay. Just keep an eye on him while we're away. With him still recovering and his punishment he shouldn't leave the house, but we all know that kid always finds a way." King said.

"'ll do muh best." Doc said with a nod, then grabbed a jar filled with blue balls. "Take these on your journey. Eat one and your bodies will be covered during battle."

King grabbed the jar and packed them up with the rest of his items. When he was done, he tied up his bag and turned to leave. "Wish us luck."

Doc smiled at the master. "Most definite."

King exited the tent.

... Brain break ...

Dove clan family

Ivy

age: 20

weight: 176 lbs

height: 5'3", cm

eye color: baby blue

hair color: baby blue

likes: solitude and fighting

dislike: socializing

Ivy spent the better half of her early childhood running the streets with a group of bandits. Because of this, Ivy became very strong at a young age making her almost untouchable. The bandits were the only family she had until Dove Clan found her at the age of 11. Since then, Ivy has mastered her ability for a different cause and a new family. A good family. If only she would truly let them in.