Disclaimer: Nothing is what I own.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! This chapter is my gift you! ^_^

I'm going away for about a week for a holiday trip, and then school starts up again. This might be the last chapter for about a week and half, not that waiting for chapters is anything new to people who've been following me for a while. But I promise to get the next one up as quick as I can.

Age 3

"Rivan, good, you're here," the Dark Liege said as Rivan entered the room. "I need you're help."

"Of course, my Liege," Rivan replied. "What do you need?"

The Dark Liege fretted, apparently unhappy with something. "Well... you heard about that big base of outlaw demons we found, right?"

Rivan nodded, uncertain of where this was going.

"We think there's something odd going on there, odder than some outlaw demons banding together. We think it has something to do with the Cerberus."

"Arina?" Rivan replied, surprised.

"Well, maybe not particularly Arina. We don't think anyone outside of the headquarters knows about her yet, thankfully. But somehow it's gotten out that Nora disappeared. We think this base is either trying to find him and kill him, or that they have some other plan involving a lack of a Cerberus. We're really short-staffed lately too, so I need your help with this—especially since you know more about the Cerberus situation than anyone except Kain and I."

"You want me to go there," Rivan replied, finally seeing where this was going, cutting through the Dark Liege's ramblings.

"Yes. I need you to go there, but don't clean it out right away. I need to know what they're doing, I want to know every single demon that's involved, and I want to know why they're doing it. I want you to take their organization apart, and give me the results before we destroy them."

"That won't be a quick job, my Liege," Rivan said. "It could take years."

The Dark Liege nodded. "I know, but you're the best person for the job. I trust that you can do it without getting killed."

"When does my mission start?"

"As soon as you're ready. I'll let you settle your affairs and say goodbye and such, but after that... well, you should start right away," the Dark Liege replied.

Rivan nodded and left the office.

Arina ambled over to Rivan as soon as he got through the transfer gate into the Elite Area. "Hey there, Arina," he said, and petted her head. He crouched down. "I don't have time to play with you today, unfortunately." Arina whined a little, sad that he couldn't play.

Rivan knew that Arina probably wouldn't have cared if he had said goodbye or not; she would forget about him soon enough. He was going to be gone for a long time, and she was still young, after all.

"Goodbye, Arina," he said. "I'll see you again... one day."

Rivan got up and left quickly after that. He had to get stuff ready, and he had to find someone to take over as general while he was gone. He didn't have time to stay here and say goodbye to a pup who wouldn't remember him anyway.

Still, he gave one last look over his shoulder before stepping back into the transfer gate, watching Arina, seeing the necklace he gave her still dangling around her neck.

If you're stumped on what to get me in return for this chapter x-mas present, I would like to say I love reviews (hint, hint!)

Seriously though, you should all review :P

Happy Holidays!
~Moql