空とロマンス

Sola to Romansu (Sky and Romance)

Return of the Legendary Heroes

3rd Arc: Attack of the Nightwitchers

Chapter 52: The Believe some people had and still have.

Airedale harbour, Red´s Pov:

Catching up to Chocolat was quite easy and even though she did lost the Airship out of sight, after she had to dodge a lot of their bullets and after they went invisible, we at least knew where they were heading.

"I hope we still make it in time!" Chocolat stated in a desperate tone as we came close to Airedale.

"We will, I am sure of that!" I assured her.

"How can you be so confident Red, we don´t even know where they will hide…., or do you?!" She asked me sceptically still doubting the success of our mission.

"I have an assumption, but it would be better to ask first my contact-person for confirmation!" I explained to her.

"Your contact-person….., when did you ever have a Contact-person?!" Chocolat asked unbelieving.

"Ever since I made a Job for him, whether I want or not, he tells me all about what's going on in Airedale, all of its dirtiest laundry, not that I really listened to it, but today for once I will…., if we need informations, he is very likely to know something!" I stated while still shuddering of the thought of asking him for a favour.

"We soon will dock on, I just hope your contact is on the Island and not somewhere else, having given up on waiting for us!" Chocolat stated.

"No fear I contacted him beforehand, he is waiting for us at the Harbour, he´s one who is most likely also inconvenienced by all what's going on behind closed doors and I am sure he and a few others will no longer stand by when they know there are criminal activities running in their territory!" I explained to her, as we were about to dock on.

"Just who the hell is you contact Person?" I heard her mumbling.

"Alright, shall I wait or…!" Chocolat asked and for a moment I considered it to be the best of choices, but then again I decided against it, Chocolat had a better handling to get informations out of people than me anyways, especially out of Quebec.

"No, I think it might be better for you to tag along, you can better get along with people than I do, also because we still don´t know what all these things, which have suddenly appeared, are supposed to be!" I stated, as I flew in front of the Cockpits window to lead her inside the Hangar.

With `things´ I referred to the strange devices which had been added, by unknown persons, into the board computer of the Asmodeus as Chocolat was away, for now they still haven´t done anything, so it was unlikely that they came from the Lycanians or else they would have had to simply activate them, while Chocolat chased them.

"I guess that would be better!" She replied.

"Alright then get your butt out of there and let´s meet up with my Contact man!" I stated as she had docked on.

While I landed, I busily reverted Dahak towards a set of red Crystals, without even really knowing how, it just happened, It was awesome and something incredible, to think that Dahaks mind was composed into these tiny crystals.

Meanwhile Chocolat came to my side, looking sceptical.

"This sure is a strange kind of armour…, and this is indeed Dahak, you say?!" She asked, as she eyed me with suspicion, as the last few pieces of the armour dispersed and turned into a red crystal, leaving me in my normal Clothes.

"Indeed, I know it is a little strange but just think of it as Dahak´s own Trance-form, I mean back when I used Human Trance for the first time, Dahak also transformed into giant Float-boots and claws which moved at my will.

And I guess that it is based on the same Technology like White´s Draken, after all this Dahak is supposed to be based on the Original Ancient Dahak, as much as I have read in the Book, the same shall have been my Dad´s first Mecha during the Era of Belligerent States, a giant Mecha as tall as a midsized building!" I explained and she nodded in understanding and awe, it was very likely that she too had seen the Arm of a Beast coming from White.

"Anyways let´s hurry, my Contact should wait nearby!" I stated, although I cringed at the mere thought, and so we went towards the Harbours entrance.

As I walked around the corner I already saw the familiar face and my whole mood went down the drain, but still I kept my composure.

"Well if it isn´t my little Dumpling!" I heard his voice already from afar.

"Wait your contact man…., is Alman?!" Chocolat asked in disbelieve, looking at me with a strange look, as she met the Pseudo trans-gender.

"He´s likely to know most of the gossip of Airedale!" I simply replied, trying not to think too much about it.

"Alman, good to see you….., well about what I requested of you?!" I asked in a hurry, trying to bring this over me as fast as possible and he nodded before eyeing me with one eye closed.

"Always quick to the business, just as I like it…, well of course have I investigated a little further after you told me all about what you suspect and of course I had my own suspicions with this sudden project to renovate the old Harbour.

It was strange, I mean in my eyes it was hardly any necessary to renovate anything, it all was barely 10 years old and should at least hold out for 30 years at most.

But suddenly we were notified about 3 days ago to clean up our crates and all the things we would need before closing down our storehouses, so they would not get affected by the works.

Remember Red, you have helped us yesterday with the last crates, however ever since it has been quiet behind the fence, they even build up a makeshift roof so you cannot see anything and that in less than a Day.

But the strangest is that nothing, not one bulldozer or even a robot has entered to build all that up, but last night I thought to have seen lights shining there, I wanted to get inside because I forgot my Accountant Handbook in the Store and that is something I absolutely need at my side, but I was stopped right at the entrance by some strange and scary looking Men.

They seemed like Caninus, at least so they looked to me…., but they were way too aggressive, they told me to get lost and that no one´s allowed to enter, they made fun of me and pushed me around…, I tell you, I am not out of porcelain…, I can handle a little verbal stabbing and also a little rough behaviour, but what these guys did was nearly physical abuse.

But while they mocked me I listened very close to my surroundings, but all I could hear were some shouts, like commands being yelled and strange noises, as if of something big and metallic scrapping over concrete, it did sounded a bit like a construction site but do you really need such airtight security for that, and I never heard of a company who does construction work in the dark of the night, when everybody is asleep and want´s to rest.

I highly assume that there are unclean things going on, most likely something not to see for the normal public..., at the very least not those things, which had been told to us and whatever it is it is nothing good…., do you have an idea what's going on there?!" Alman asked.

"I have the assumption that something illegal is happening in there, the reason why you did not see anyone entering is because they most likely arrived through the sewers, I heard rumours that since a few days at night strange noises are coming from down there, so strange that no one really dares to enter the canals.

However am I sure that they cannot bring all the things they need through the sewers, so has any kind of ship flown inside lately?!" I asked him.

"No at least not in the past few days…, however, now that you mention it…, about 20 minutes before you came, a ship has flown over towards the old Harbour, which I found kinda strange, I asked the others but just as myself, they also have no idea what exactly has been to be renovated at our Harbour in the first place.

It just doesn´t makes any sense, nothing there was older than 10 years and what kind of new things would be so big as to use an Entire Heavy load-Transport-air-ship for bringing it over.

Unfortunately can´t I really answer to your questions this way, since I barely have any clues myself…., however there is a strange fact which does not leaves me any rest, I am deep in the business, so I should know it, however did I not recognized any of the emblems the machines or the Airship wore and I know a lot of Transport company…

From what I could see it seemed to be something with Moon in the name…., or something similar…., at least the logo was a silver Circle with pitch black inside of it and a silver-grey cloud underneath, do you perhaps know who they might be?!" Alman explained and I was most certain that it was all he knew, his eyes were near pleading and he asked me with a confused glance.

"I have a strong assumption who that might be and what they are really doing down there…, but you mentioned the others, who are they?!" I asked confused.

"Well yeah i´m not the only one who has had his Storehouse over there, that much you should know…., a lot of my friends from the harbour and other companies from outside have their storehouses next to mine and all of them, just like me, are equally inconvenienced by this whole ordeal and we all find it as a major bother, during these days we cannot uphold our business, which brings us a great deficit in our Budget.

Anyways I think it´s kinda strange I mean, I told you that they told us that no one was allowed to enter, and even if we are going with your assumption that they came through the sewers…., why would they have to do that, even if it is only barely legal, I mean with illegal workers and so forth…., there is just no need for such a strange behaviour.

They would have no need to be so secretive with what they are doing, they operate in the night anyways, when everybody sleeps, well almost everybody….., well what really bugs me is the question of why an Airship is flying there, when none should even be able to dock on for the time being?!" Alman asked even more confused as well as a little irritated, while keeping his long eyelashes closed while thinking, curling his lips.

"Well…., I don´t know for sure, if and how far they are involved into that crime as well…, at least they are a station in between to their main destination…., but I assume…., the crime they are doing is…., I really don´t know if I should pull you into it?!" I asked him but he waved off.

"I have been in much worse situations!" He stated gesturing me to go on.

"I bet with you over thousand bucks that you haven´t…., since it is about slave trading!" I stated after hesitating for a second, as I told him, I did not wanted to pull him any further into all this mess, which had already began to absorb us, but these friend of his might have good informations for me... and it would be better that they know against what they would have to battle, if they intent to attack before we could stop them.

"S-S-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-slave-t-t-t-t-t-t-t-trading!?" Alman asked in pure shock.

" Sssshhh are you nuts, do you want us to be arrested or what….., Indeed, early this day we just managed to destroy part of a Slave trader Ring at Bassett, many of their victims were people who had been missed since some weeks or even since months, from all across the Republic!" I explained to him.

"Yeah I heard about that and also read in the newspaper…, but slave-trading…, here in Airedale…, oh dear lord!" Alman stated paling even more than his make-up usually allowed.

"We intercepted their plans as they wanted to take up the newest delivery of slaves, only a few hours ago.

"However the Airship with the kidnapped people inside got away, luckily we managed to hack into their system before they could get away too far, so we at least determined that they were flying towards Airedale to fuel up and to reach for their final Destination, right inside the Devil´s Throat!" I explained to him, and his usual quite pale taint was now an even more unnatural colour, nearly snow-white.

All blood vanished out of his face.

"I see….., well then we better hurry, we must tell this towards the others,….., I know you are strong, after all you are a hero who saved the world…, I mean you are `The Hunter of Airedale´.…., but against so many even you might have less of a chance without it being bound to become a huge Chaotic battlefield again, you will need all of the help you can get, for sure!" Alman stated in a hasty way, sweating, as he grabbed my arm and pulled me along.

I would have protested but his glance made me going along with his antics for a while, he truly was shocked to the core.

We walked for quite a time in silence.

"Where are you even taking us?!" I wondered as he led us to a part of Airedale I have never been.

"About 5 years ago they opened a pub here in a side alley, after they had to close it at their old location, not many people know of it, and it is the place for some not so legal business, nothing dangerous but also nothing all too lawful!" Alman stated.

"What do you mean exactly?!" I asked him as I stopped, ripping my arm out of his grip, standing in front of Chocolat to make sure she´s safe from getting into some unnecessary mess.

"Sigh…., ever heard of FLNB…, the Pirate radio-program?!" Alman asked.

"Yeah, ever since yesterday by a friend, why are you asking?!"

"Well, the pub is where they buy their rumours upon which they investigate, to find out the truth which is sealed behind closed doors, many Maids and Butlers of Rich aristocrats came to tell them the truths, about certain things the government wanted to hide, mostly after being treated in a spiteful way.

Things which were hushed up or under the wraps and the carpets of the Government, no public secrets of course but quite valuable information upon which FLNB is investigating to find out the truth and share them with the public.

This is where their sources are to find, where the leaks in the Government are to be found, so to say!" Alman explained with a whisper, as he came close to me and I nodded in understanding, before I backed away from him again, he had already crossed my comfort zone for far too often.

We began to walk again.

Honestly, as he spoke about barely legal business, I thought about drug deals and any other illegal businesses, I was quite relieved that it was something so trivial as the Information-market, as I said before, the dirty laundry of other people does not really pick my interest if it mustn´t.

"I see…., so it is the Gossip kitchen of Airedale!" I said and he nodded as he stopped in front of a door.

The building was old, but the interior which we saw through the window looked quite new.

"Get inside, even without all of this I was asked to bring you here once I have met you, there are some people, you will need to meet anyways, they told us to bring you here once you arrived, they've been waiting since this morning to speak with you!" Alman stated as he was about to go away.

"Where are you going?!" I asked him in suspicion.

"I gonna go to get my friends and comrades, the people inside wanted to talk to you in private, before we all meet up, no fear they are no enemies!" Alman explained and I became alerted, I know Alman was not the person to rat someone out, unless he would be threatened with something major.

I however had no clue what could threaten him enough to rat someone else out for it…, still if he has a family I would understand, but really…, Alman and kid´s…., a funny thought I must admit.

I was about to push the door open.

"Alright…, Chocolat please, be careful, stay behind me and at my side, no matter what!" I stated as I readied my sword, even if I trusted Alman was I cautious…., you never know.

"Your sword will be not necessary Red, these are friends of you, from Shangri-La!" Alman explained and I was buff, the fact that he knew about Shangri-La was not really what surprised me all that much, there were plenty of legends about a castle in the sky..…, it was more the fact that he apparently knew, that it even would be possible for me to have friends from there.

It seemed that Alman knew more than I thought of him, or at least he tried to avoid that knowledge but was unable to not get caught up in these things.

I nodded to him and so he went away, out of the alley which apparently ended in a dead end right after the Pub.

"Well then, I guess we should no longer let them wait, but even if these are supposed to be friends…, as I said, stay at my side!" I said to Chocolat and she nodded.

With a deep breath I opened the door towards the Pub, it was not as loud as I had imagined to myself and it was quite alluring, the atmosphere was more familiar than I would have thought.

Sure the stench of cigarettes was heavy but the familiar noise of glasses ringing as they hit each other was somehow able to put me at ease, it had the vibe of a nice small Hunter-Bar, like one of those I visited ever since I became an adult and was forced to meet the one or the other time in one with Quebec, at the very least it was not so shady as I thought, but it was definitely a world for itself.

As I entered I was greeted by a familiar voice.

"Aaah, Red, Chocolat, finally you are here, c´mon in, c´mon in, we´ve been waiting for you!" A voice, belonging to none other but Fromage `Flo´ Financier, the Quest Broker, stated loudly in surprise and honest joy.

"Flo…, what are you doing here!?" I asked her dumbfounded, she was the least person I thought of ever meeting here.

"Well I was asked to organize this little ensemble, although I got the news only after I brought you the letter and as I went to contact you, you had already departed.

Anyways this friendly round has been established to respond towards the current situations, since strange things are happening we have to prepare ourselves as best as we can, especially if the threat we are facing is so dangerous, that it would be better to close the Islands defence-shields for the rest of the Year.

At least if that would help in anyways, which most likely is not the case as we have seen yesterday, you must know, I too have seen the Airship, I nearly pissed my pants as I saw them firing at you…, losing you would be the worst possible outcome.

For even in the deepest darkness there is always a spec of light, which shines with all its might, gathering other specs of light together in order to grow….., and I am one of those people, who tries to turn this little spec into a bright flash…., so well I guess the time has come for you to take upon the lead am I right?!" She asked me, but I had no idea of what she possibly could speak of…, however…

"Could she have been one of the envoys my father has send to me, could she have been affiliated towards Shangri-La all along, but…, how…, why…, and since when?!" I wondered as I looked in her smiling face, smiling with honest joy.

"Your thinking is right Red…, my family is deeply rooted towards Lunaris, but ever since the war ended, my family lived here in the Shepherd Republic, but in all this time we stood loyal to our one true king, I was so overjoyed as my sister brought me the letter today, it was the greatest honour for me, to be of help to our Ancient King, Maranell Wolvenra.

I was the one sending the reports and upholding the communication since all this time…, how old do you think I am Red?!" Flo asked me.

"Well I would say from your looks…, about 25 to 29?!" I stated and she blushed.

"Really, well thanks you old charmer…., but I must deny that sweet wish of mine, I am actually 10 years older, 35 since last year, 36 in three months.

Me and my sister were barely teenagers as our mother and father gave us the task, given to us from her Majesty, of writing the reports into Lunarian script.

As Shalua got older she received a new order, to go and investigate about the Junos and find a way on how to preserve future peace, through learning from the past, all in order to someday stand at your side with knowledge and advice.

Ever since she is on the search, traveling to various islands and regions all over Tailsworld with her own body guard, Reno-san, apparently her 16 years younger Boyfriend.

I on the other hand received the order to help you with your new job, and so I became a Quest broker, I should help you to grow strong, without influencing it too much, so I gave you quests according to your strength and experience, evaluating it with my own eyes.

My future said that I was supposed to be your counsellor and Strategist.

And then this morning Shalua arrived with the newest order, to meet up with the guests and to provide them with food and drinks and to find a place where they could remain in hiding, until you would meet up with them, a place where we could speak in private!" Flo explained as she led us upstairs away from the strong cigarette smoke and the curious glances of the clients.

"And what about Alman and what did he meant with FLNB?!" I asked her.

"Do you know what FLNB means?!" She replied by asking me.

"Well Freelance Newsburst…, or not?!" I stated confused.

"Indeed…, at least to the ignorant masses.

To be honest FLNB has a completely different meaning….., sure it is a Pirate Radio-Program, but only because it tells the truth, the truth the infiltrated Government wants to hide.

The true meaning of FLNB means, For Lunaris´ New Blood!" Flo explained.

"For… Lunaris´ new Blood.., what does that mean?!" I asked although I had an assumption of what it meant.

"It means you Red, do you honestly think your father has ever left you all alone just because you wished for it, even with giving you Lady Cherrypie at your side as replacement mother, was this a far too dangerous thing to do.

What if you would die early, out of whatever circumstance, for example Baion, what if he would have found you somehow…, or any other dangerous situation, if you would have died, then our King would be left with the knowledge of having you send to your death, and his heart would not be able to bear that sorrow, it has suffered for far too long, we should not add more scars to it.

No Red, no you never were alone…, precisely because you wished for it before you would let Rose seal your memories, he decided against it, he said that he could not leave you all alone, even with your new caretaker, at least not entirely, we did not know when or how Baion would attack the next time he would have confronted you and what he truly planned to do with you.

If he found you once he could have found you twice as well, even worse, what if the Lycanians would have find out about your existence and your heritage, they would have send many killers to kill you for good, and as smart as she is, even Lady Cherrypie cannot defend you from a horde of them.

No, letting you all alone was never an option we could take into consideration, we have always been around you Red, you might not have recognized us or even met us, but we all have been watched over you and your friends and family ever since you arrived here and all of us are eager to still serve you in the future.

We were here to make sure you would not lose the way you wanted to go, we were here to set you on the right course and support you from the shadows!" Flo stated as we arrived in front of a big door.

"I…, I don´t understand, what has that to do with Blood?!" I asked confused about the name of this seemingly larger organization.

Larger than I might ever have expected by its mere name.

"It means your Blood Red.., or better said your bloodline…., as we know is your blood unique, but it still contains part of King Maranell´s DNA, it makes you the rightful heir but also adds a completely new component towards the Bloodline of the Wolvenras, your Father has been the past, just like all the Wolvenras of your Uncle´s bloodline…., but you Red, you are its future and its new Beginning!" Flo explained as she opened the door showing me what was behind, I was amazed as well as sheer astonished by what I saw.

By the whole assemble which had somehow managed to fit into this tiny room.

I saw people of all kinds of races, and all of them seemed to have heard us for all eyes were turned towards the door with anticipation, it was so silent in this room….., grave-silence ruled the room and you could most likely hear a needle, maybe even a feather, falling.

"Red…, is it really you?!" I heard a voice which was strangely familiar and hearing it drove me the tears in the eyes, a woman of incredible beauty stepped forward, with nervous and shaky steps.

She wore a black sleeveless blouse, a brown Skirt and long leggings going over in high, black, high-heeled Boots.

Her long ears sat flat at her head as to signal caution and sorrow.

I knew her voice, I recognized it in my heart and although my memories showed me her only as a little girl did I know instantly who this woman was.

"Haxel…, it´s you am I right?!" I stated and before I could speak anymore, I was embraced by a flying hug.

"He is it!" She cried in my shoulder ad suddenly the Room came to live, I was acoustically overrun by all the murmuring, which this tiny scene had caused.

"There, there!" I stated as I patted Haxel´s back, before a second later a new hand arrived at her back.

"Good to see you Dude, it has been lonely and empty up there, so fully without you!" A Man with a long tail and long ears appeared at Haxel's side

His Stature was of a strong built and he wore Gloves like a boxer.

He was dressed in Sport-shorts and a green short-sleeved hoodie-jacket, his long feet were covered in bandages, more to save them from getting wounded by running, rather than patch them up from already inflicted wounds.

"Kangonas?!" I asked and he nodded eagerly.

"Right at it Bro!" He stated as he gave me a hug and rubbed my head with his glove after Haxel let go of me.

"You must be Chocolat Gelato, I thank you a million times for taking care of Red for so long!" Haxel explained as she stepped towards Chocolat, who looked at the scene with interest and maybe a little jealousy.

The same was hopelessly surprised as Haxel took her in a big hug.

"Red Savarin, it is an honour to meet my new Prince and the best Client of my Sister, I hope she has not inconvenienced you in anyway during my absence!" A Woman with Marron hair and Glasses appeared, looking quite familiar.

"Geez what are you talking about Lulu!" Flo stated as she pouted.

"I told you to stop calling me that!" The Woman, most likely Shalua Financier Flo´s older Sister, stated with a frown as she and Flo stared in each other's eyes, partly with fury and partly with fun.

"Anyways let me introduce myself properly to you, my name is Shalua Financier and I am Adventurer and Historian at the order of our King!" Shalua explained and I wanted to reply something, before I was harshly interrupted.

"You sure let us wait here for a long time you know, I've been here since yesterday evening, shortly after the attack at the Harbour!" An annoyed voice stated as our eyes fell upon a small figure between all of the people in here, smaller than anyone and slightly out of place, same as her entire attire and her crossed arms.

Instead of a dress, as I knew her wearing such things usually, she wore a long rose jacket with Shoulder protectors, a brown skirt and high, flat-heeled boots.

Even her hair was so totally different as from before, of a far darker shade and style and her eyes were not innocent and cute, but they rolled in annoyance and they had a depth in them which was normally impossible for a normal person to possess, they spoke of great wisdom and sorrow upon all the things she has seen….

They were so different from her usual look and her usual smile…, to be honest her entire stature was different as I had in my mind, alone her voice was the same.

If I would not have known this voice very well, I might have mistaken, but I was sure to got the right person here.

Though, I barely could believe my eyes as I saw her, neither could Chocolat, but strangely she got tears in her eyes.

"Wait a second, Cocona…, what the hell are you doing here?!" I asked her dumbfounded, as I reminded myself in what kind of establishment we are.

"Well I am logically here to help you!" she stated, confirming our assumption.

"And how would a Popstar / Idol helping us exactly?!" I asked in sheer confusion and doubt, maybe even a little sarcastically, which she instantly felt attacked by.

"Just because I am a Popstar doesn't that mean, that I am so defenceless that I cannot fight back and if you insist I can show you if you want!" Cocona stated with blazing eyes as she grabbed behind herself, towards a trident with a massively sharp Crystal in the middle.

"I…, I think I believe you!" I stated trying to calm her down.

"Anastasia!" I suddenly heard Chocolat whispering as she looked at Cocona with a strange glance, something between longing, melancholy and recognizing.

But before she could speak she was cut off by new louder voice

"Alright next up is me!" A Young Lupycan appeared at my sight and looked at me.

"Do you recognize who I am?!" He asked and I had to think for a moment of all the memories which I have gotten from my Father.

"Could it be…., are you Reno?!" I asked him, as I remembered a male student from my class who always wore a bandana, and he nodded eagerly.

Wasn´t he supposed to be Shalua´s Bodyguard and younger Boyfriend…., remembering back he barely could be any older than myself.

"Reno Redfang at your service, my Prince!" He stated bowing his head.

"No need to be so formal I mean we are old Classmates after all, and even if you all call me like that, don´t I really feel like royalty in any way!" I explained and he nodded.

"Then I will keep in mind to address you casually from now on!" Reno stated.

"I would not have it any other way!" I replied with a smile while we laughed together.

"Guess I should introduce myself as well!" A new voice stated, I turned around as a female Repturui appeared at our side, she looked quite like the Book of Ragnarök had described them.

Green scales, strong build, especially for a woman, and yet an alluring and strong sexappeal, unable to miss.

The Woman before me wore a medieval Armor and a long and broad three-piece skirt, even though she went on bare feet, better said claws, did she wore knee protectors out of metal, on her back was a large broadsword.

She was blonde and her entire body was dark-green, just like one would think of a Reptilian, however this did not mean that it made her ugly or perhaps dangerously, it brought an own kind of beauty to her, and it all was accentuated with her well-alluring female curves.

She must have seen my glances, because she chuckled and blushed, before she spoke.

"I don´t think you really remember me, I was kind of a shy little girl, always sitting in the corner, but your bravery on the day of Helena´s…., you know…., it made me want to change myself and so I did, I trained under many Teachers to come as far as I am now and I hope that my current self can be of any help for you!" She said as she looked deep in my eyes, before bowing deeply and I remembered to have seen her the one or the other time together with Helena as kids.

"You are Lizardia, am I right?!" I asked her and she nodded in wonderment.

"I can remember to once have been told so by Helena…, i´m sorry I could not save her!" I stated and she shook her head eagerly crossing her arms.

"No one, not one soul of us makes you responsible for it, even though you brought her in safety, was it Helena´s own wish to save you, even if she knew she would get herself in grave danger, I know for sure that she would not have liked to see you making yourself guilty of her death, even more so after all this time!" Lizardia explained.

"Yeah but I…, I have forgotten…!" I wanted to reply but she put a scaled finger at my lips, shaking her head with closed eyes.

"We all know that even though you forgot her face and name, your heart always yearned for her and was lying often in deep melancholy, we got told so from Lady Cherrypie´s reports during your days in the Orphanage, you even seemed to have called her name the one or the others times in your sleep!" Lizardia said as she suddenly embraced me, it would be nice if only she would not wear a steel-hard armour, which hurted quite badly upon being pressed on me.

"Alright I get it!" I managed to squeeze out of my pressured lungs, before I was able to retake my breath as she let go.

"Anyways allow me to formerly introduce myself, as the ethical code of Shangri-La, for pledging ones loyalty to his or her master, requires it.

My name is Lizardia Commodore-Veran, at your service!" Lizardia stated, bowing deeply again.

"Oh Right I haven't truly introduced myself either, even though we all know each other, but for the sake of form and ethic, we better follow the proper protocol!" Haxel stated and Kangonas nodded behind her back, having a hand on her shoulder.

"As you know am I Haxel Highwind, currently Navigator and Test Pilot at Shangri-La and this is my boyfriend, Kangonas Onepunch, at your service as well!" Haxel introduced herself and Kangonas to me and I must have seemed astounded upon hearing them both to be a pair.

I still remember them bickering all the time.

"Many things have happened as you were away for so long…, I was in deep sorrow, but Kangonas always stayed at my side…, and someday I just fell in love with him!" She simply replied with a shy smile, to my questioning look, while Kangonas smiled brightly, gently squeezing her shoulder.

"Anyways I guess I should also introduce myself for real…., you might know me as Cocona Brightlight, but my real name is apparently Anastasia Gelatorias Garontrias!" Cocona/Anastasia explained and I nodded although I found the name a little familiar…., hasn´t White spoke about them before…., what did he said again…., I think he said they were from Valhalla.

"So I take it that you are a Kumear, am I right?!" I asked and she nodded in surprise.

"At least it seems you made your homework, if even just halfway, I am the oldest of the new two Princesses of Valhalla…., or rather have been the same, and even though I am busy with my own problems did I took myself the time to help you guys, because of something your father has promised to me and my family, after we conclude the current messes!" Anastasia explained with a huff.

"Anastasia…, is it really you?!" Chocolat asked to our all surprise, as she walked up to Cocona and looked deep in her eyes, the same backed away a few steps, unsure of Chocolat´s sudden approach.

"Yeah I am Anastasia…, but who are you?!" The same asked confused.

"I know you might not recognize me….., and to be honest I still cannot quite believe it myself, I only regained a few of my memories, not enough to tell them as truly credible…., and yet…, I hope that at the very least this tells you something!" Chocolat stated as she grabbed within her clothes before holding a necklace from around her neck in hands, a Locket, with the same she went over to Anastasia, showing her what hung onto the necklace.

"This is all I got from a past I still don´t truly remember!" She said as she showed her the, as I now recognized, burnt locket.

I only could see that once there must have been a crest on its cover.

"This is the…., the Royal Crest…, of my Family…., this is impossible, there should no lockets nor any other sign with it remain but mine and…, but no…, can it be….…., how…, for so long I've been searching for you and then…, you suddenly appear…, here right before me…., out of nowhere!" Anastasia explained overwhelmed, as tears began to stream into her eyes.

"I know…, I know it since I've heard your new songs, before I never really recognized it, I just found your voice beautiful…., but ever since I heard them, I recognized this voice as far more familiar to me than I thought, suddenly my mind was flooded with memories of old times, good as well as bad ones, but I have yet to let the rest being unlocked by a certain someone!" Chocolat explained and I smiled.

Although I did not quite understood much from what was happening, I at least understood so far…, Chocolat managed to find a lost puzzle piece of her former life, before she arrived at the Orphanage.

"Choco-Vanil, I've finally found you little Sister!" Anastasia cried bitterly in Chocolat´s shoulder holding her close, better said nearly squeezing her to death.

"There, there, I missed you too big sister, I still miss you since I can barely remember anything from before, but I am sure that as soon as I regain all of my memories, I will be able to embrace my old life as well!" Chocolat stated and Anastasia nodded as she let go but held Chocolat by her hand as if not to lose her ever again.

"Isn´t that nice you´ve found something you have lost, i´m happy for you Sis!" I stated to her and she nodded with a happy smile, while Anastasia suddenly stepped in front of her as if to shield her from me.

"I appreciate what you have done for her but don´t forget that she is originally my Sister, Red Savarin, I will not give her up, for nothing in the world, never ever will I end up without her by my side again, got it?!" Anastasia stated with an aggressive hiss and I nodded sweat dropping.

"No fear I will not take her away from you, that was never my intention at all, Chocolat and I, we once promised to not stand in the way of our destinies, if she or I were to find our family or at least clues about them, we would not stand in the way of the one who wants to pursuit that lost piece of our past, not that it would change everything, even if she finds her real family, I will remain as her brother as long as she lets me!" I explained and Chocolat nodded with strong conviction, although with tears in her eyes.

"We promised and I will not break that promise, if she would choose to live forth at your side, than I would be dammed to not wish her off farewell with a smile!" I explained and Anastasia slowly nodded having understood but still being cautious.

"That's all nice and sweet of you Young Prince, but I guess for now we should continue!" A new Voice explained.

Another familiar voice and although I had her with a harsher, more lecturing tone in my memories, was her familiarity undeniable and very welcome.

"It has been a long time and I surely must have been a burden on you…, I must have probably been the reasons for many of your headaches lately.

I want to apologize to you for all of it, especially to see me raising without proper ethic codes and all the best manners a prince should possess.

I am aware of my mistakes and I am ready to receive your punishment, once we are back on Shangri-La, my dear Lady Burmilla!" I stated as I turned around, and greeted the still young Head-maid of the Wolpalaca, and basically my foster replacement Mother, before Director Cherrypie, with a bow and an old-fashioned but well-received hand-kiss, which even made her blushing like a young maiden in love.

"Well I can say with every right that it has been a single rollercoaster ride of emotions, to have heard about your raising…., and I admit there were certain moments I wanted to get down there and beat some manners into your brain.

Then there were moments, when you succumbed to sorrow, in which I just wanted to hold you so tight, so that you know that someone cares a great deal about you.

It surely was a rocky path, but even with all these ups and downs, in the end I guess it was all worth it, all the Joy and happiness as well as all the pain and hardships.

After all you´ve became a fine young man, a Prince I can be proud off, my young Liege!" Sherezade Burmilla explained, as she stood before me, just as I had her in my memories, only a little older, she curtsied with so much Gracie, that it was undeniable that she had learned it all her life.

In response I bowed as best as I could.

"Hmmm, well I guess we will have a long session about how to properly bow before a Lady…, but I think for now this must do!" She stated with a smile and I snickered sheepishly, while she embraced me making me blush.

"I´ve missed you so much, although I had much work up there did I always worried about you…, it's good to see you growing so tall and strong, even without my constant care!" She explained and I nodded with a blush.

She was a beautiful White Felineko, perhaps around 40-45 with a Bushy tail, bright green eyes and pure, snow-white fur.

She wore female knight-attire consisting of a red vest and a one piece dress in Black and white, she wore high socks and, like most of the females, high boots, at her hip hung a Rapier ready to be drawn.

In her hair she wore a ribbon with a little Crown, a crest embedded into this crown, which designated her relation to the High society, I remembered to have read that her family once had been Abyssinian Royals, the Duke-family of Duchessilia and that she was married with a Lunarian nobleman at the age of 20, before this war began.

The same unfortunately died in the war as he defended her from a Bullet, however a later inflicted wound could have taken her life and that of her unborn Child, unable to save both, the doctors decided to save her life over that of the still undeveloped foetus.

It was clear, even to me and even today, that Lady Burmilla never overcame the pain of having lost anything to the war and moreover to the Lycanians.

Father told me once that she needed a new purpose in life after having lost anything or else she would have succumbed to self-hate and eventually commit suicide, that and her intense hatred on the Lycanians made him offering her to train the Warrior-Maids of the Wolpalaca.

A Mission which needed dedication and enormous patience as well as a good portion of knowledge.

And the result of that mission stood right behind her, as a few girls looked shyly behind her back, even though they looked like delicate flowers, could I hear the familiar clanging of metal as their skirts moved, the sound of hidden weapons.

"It´s good to see you Nikki, Nuka, Sora and Sera!" I stated and the four Felineko women, who cried tears of happiness as they restrained themselves with iron determination, from jumping at me to embrace me.

"Prince…, young lord…, you are finally back!" They stated their voices hoarse.

"Now, now, my young Ladies, you must not lose your composure, we are in his young Masters presence and we shall show him that we are strong even in his absence, also we are supposed to fight the enemy in a few moments, so dry your tears and stand steadfast, as though you are facing the enemy already yet!" Lady Burmilla ordered them and the four heeded her every word, drying their tears and standing stiffly in a row saluting and smiling proudly, I bowed before each one of them, while Lady Burmilla looked with a critical eye, still she was keeping her comment to it in check.

As I stood again, I felt someone standing right next to me, looking at me with narrowed eyes and a fake frown on her face.

"How come you once again remember the Felinekos the clearest…, oh yeah I forgot, they are your fetish!" Haxel nudged me playfully.

"Well I've got no comeback for that I guess, both of my Girlfriends, Helena which I had and Elh which I now have, are after all Felinekos!" I nodded smiling as Kangonas laughed.

"Well then let´s go on or else we will running out of time!" A new voice stated as a tall Caninu stepped forward next to another one, which most likely was his brother, from the look of it.

"My name is Buster and this is my brother Belsio, we are the Chewbone Brothers, Mechanics and the underlings of Lady Seraphina Million, send to assist you, and before you ask, yes it has been us who were ordered to upgrade the Asmodeus a little, to help it seeing through Lycanian Disguises, So that something like yesterday evening will not happen again.

You nearly died on us little Miss Chocolat and we cannot have that, your future is still too uncertain to be predicted and yet is our King sure that something huge is awaiting you, for sure.

Anyways I must say that we did a good job on the upgrade, didn´t we Belsio!" Buster stated and his Brother nodded.

"Indeed, Buster after all we made that Upgrade in about 20 minutes, a new personal record for us….., although I think we should have left a manual there, the poor miss Chocolat had thought that the devices were bombs, it must have freaked her out like hell.

So on behalf of the entire Technic team will I apologize for this failure of us.

But still Buster is right, a new record it was indeed, such an Upgrade…, in only 20 minutes, before we headed here towards Airedale, while Lady Million went with Her Majesty towards the Kingdom of Prairie, to help out with strategies…, I hope she will be proud of us.

Just as you are, aren´t you, young Prince?!" Belsio explained as he hit me in the back with a bright smile, making me stumbling.

"Well i´m definitely glad to have you on board, but yes, you should have left a Manual there, it really did freak me out to think Chocolat was flying with Bombs, luckily it weren´t such things, I though had an assumption that I weren´t bombs, after all the Lycanians hadn´t even known about our ship before we attacked them on Bassett, and still…, even if they would have had to just let the Bombs explode, but they did not, because they couldn´t!" I explained and they nodded.

"Nice Detective-work Prince!" Kangonas stated with a thumb up.

"Anyways I think we aren´t yet through with the introductions, are we?" I asked before the next one came up to me.

"I am Suren Stormborn, I am your scout and your Swashbuckler!" The Raptkin who came to me introduced himself, curtly but with respect in his voice, although I had no idea what he actually meant with that.

"It´s nice to make your acquaintance and I hope we can be of mutual help to each other!" I replied and he nodded.

"I am Mayven Cherrypie, Maka´s mother, I thank you for always having played with Maka back then as you still were up on Shangri-La!"A beautiful Felineko Woman introduced herself, perhaps of the same age as Lady Burmilla, as she kneeled before me.

She had bright grey and white mixed fur, brown hair and 2 golden piercings in her right ear, she wore a blue tunic under a light scarlet plate-armour, of a style similar to Gren or Calua, only for Females, she wore a skirt consisting of various silk-towels patched together.

She wore a necklace with feathers and a gold-stone with a strange foreign symbol inside, perhaps a different Language.

Her beautiful icy-blue eyes looked at me with much curiosity and a bit of childish funk.

I remembered to have seen her the one or the other times together with Rose and Maka, Alexia´s best friend.

Apparently she was Director Cherrypie´s niece which she raised, as Mayven´s parents died during the war.

"It nice to see you again Mrs. Cherrypie, how´s Maka doing?!" I asked her and she smiled.

"She has become a lot braver and even more beautiful and cuter than before, you might not instantly recognize her but I can say for sure that you will be not disappointed…, its though a shame that you are already off the market, I bet you and her would make quite the couple!" She replied with a bright smile as if she was on a marriage-proposal to another family, for marrying off her daughter.

Still the sword on her hip made clear that she would not take any insults towards her family.

"Well, I cannot say I would not have perhaps considered it, if I was still single, yet I don´t know how well Father would have taken that idea!" I stated with a chuckle and she nodded.

"Probably he would have sent you to the moral correction unit!" Mayven explained and I nodded shivering.

The next one who came to introduce herself was a Foxune female with a long sabre strapped on her hip, she wore an open blouse, unable to hide her very alluring female features, and as if to not miss the bandwagon she too wore high brown leather boots, added towards leafgreen pants.

She wore a ponytail with a green ribbon flying loosely inside her hair, just to hold it together.

"Greetings Prince Red Wolvenra, I am Rekani Suwa, 16 years old and youngest Daughter of Princess Shewani of the Foxune Folk, we are living in the exile on Shangri-La ever since the War.

But we wish to get back to Ragnarök as soon as possible, so we can free our folk!" Rekani explained and I nodded, I was sure that she must be very sorrowful to know her folk suffering, but she looked strong and determinate, a discipline which was quite remarkable.

"Then we shall make sure that you and your Family soon can roam through your land without restrain once more!" I stated as I bowed before her and she nodded with a bright expression.

"I thank you very kindly for these words!" She stated.

"Nothing to thank, for now we must focus on driving the enemy out of the Shepherd Republic, the more Regions we have freed, the more bases we can build ourselves and so better observe the enemy.

In the same instant we can build up our own army.

After that is done we can plan strategies on how to invade and liberate Ragnarök!" I explained and she nodded.

"That will indeed be the best of actions to take!" She replied nodding to herself before she stepped back.

"Well then guess it´s my turn!" A male Caninu, the tallest I have ever seen in my life, stated, as he nodded, stood up and came across from the table in the corner he sat, which made him even more giant.

He was giant, bearded and had a strong melancholy in his eyes as if he was looking at something far away, without hoping to ever be able to find it.

Still the massive presence he bore, once he activated the same, was incredible, it seemed that only with him this whole room seemed full to the brim at all.

I had to gulp as I looked up to him, feeling myself quite tiny all of a sudden.

To be continued...