I open my eyes to see Kadomon, my grip automatically tightening on the bag in my hand. "But yeah, when you're in Kararagi, I recommend a place called The Garrison."

Mom, from my left. "I'll keep it in mind."

I died. That much is obvious. And this is before we went on the trip. I have a week to prepare. I have a week to try and get over the fact that I took lives. Even though it isn't there, I can still feel blood on my hands. Should I try to warn Roswaal? No, he'd probably think I was going nuts or wonder how I know what's coming. Shit, what do I do? I need to stop that happening.

"Love?"

I freeze for a second. I almost don't want to look at Ram. Taking a quick breath, I slip a grin into place and look to my right. The flash image of her lying there is gonna haunt me. "What's up, Sweet?"

She seems worried. "You looked angry. Are you alright?"

Not in the damn slightest. "I'm fine. Just… tired, is all."

She nods and I run on auto pilot for the rest of the day, mind whirling. There's nothing I can really do right now, nothing that won't worry Ram and Mom, anyway. I'm gonna head back to the mansion with Ram, maybe a day earlier than last time. See if I can figure something out when we get to the mansion.

Then comes the question of who killed me. I'm thinking Lia or Puck, considering the extreme cold. It obviously wasn't Rem. Hell, it might have been Roswaal. Guess I'll never find that out.

The days crawl by and I barely sleep. Every time I close my eyes I see Ram, lifeless, or the two men. I wish I could talk about this to someone. At the same time, I don't wanna talk to anyone. Well, that's not strictly true. There is one person I'd love to have a quick word with. Satella. I've learnt a hell of a lot about her during my time here and I'm now solidly convinced she's the one who brought me here. And by 'quick word' I mean I'll punch her until I'm bored.

The final day of the trip arrives. My nerves are starting to piss me off, big time. It's about ten when we leave, the carriage moving swiftly. I automatically fake a nap, Mom and Ram obviously want to ask me why I've been a bit off this week. After a few minutes it turns into a real one, the fatigue catching up with me.

Thankfully, the nap is dreamless, Mom shaking me awake when we get back to the Capitol. We grab our bags and head back to hers, my mind working again. Rest then head back. If Ram wants to stay an extra night, that's fine. I'm making coffee when Mom walks over, Ram having gone to the bathroom. "I think it's about time you told me what's wrong."

My eyes flick to the bathroom door before finding Moms. "I... I really can't tell you. I wish I could. But... something bad. I'll be heading back soon."

She sighs. "I kinda guessed you couldn't. You'd have said something otherwise. Thought I'd ask anyway." She pauses for a second. "Bad as in dangerous?"

I nod. Another pause, her thinking. "Is there any way you can avoid it?"

"I don't think so. I could just stay out of it but..."

Mom smiles lightly. "That's not who you are."

Ram comes out of the bathroom before I can reply and we all sit and relax for a while. I tell Ram about my plan to return, leaving out the reason, and she decides to join me. We get our things together and grab a carriage, Mom seeing us off. It's probably two minutes before Ram asks the same question Mom did. "What is wrong? Something has been disturbing you this entire week."

I smile. I genuinely didn't expect her to ask. "It's... complicated. I'll tell you when we get back. I need to talk to everyone."

She frowns. "You are not leaving us, are you?"

Despite how tense I am, I chuckle and take her hand. "Hell no. I don't ever wanna leave your side so... you're stuck with me. This is... different."

She lightly squeezes me hand and settles back into the seat. My mind keeps whirling. They're all gonna think I'm nuts. I hope, at least, that they listen to me and prepare. I zone out, possible explanations of how I know what's coming flying through my head. Flashes of the future? No. That seems kinda dumb. Also, I think Roswaal would ask why I've never brought it up before. Hmm. Intuition? No, too far fetched. The old trusty 'I can't say but please trust me'? Might have to be that one. I think the twins and 'Lia might be fine with that. Roswaal might be cool with it if they are.

This is driving me crazy. At least we'll be there soon. I'll have a day to convince them but, even if I can't, they might be more... ready. I don't want to fail again. I don't think I can deal with much more of this before I lose my fucking mind. I'm already too tense and paranoid as fuck. Think I'll spend at least half an hour in Beatrice' library. I found out that, for some reason, it calms me whenever I'm in there. That might help. I hope it helps. I need it to.

My mind's still in 'What the fuck am I gonna do?' mode when the carriage jerks to a stop, Ram and I almost slamming into the opposite wall. We shouldn't be back yet. I stick my head out and call to the driver, noting the scenery. It got dark quick but I think we're roughly half way. "What's the problem?"

He fights the reins of the dragon pulling us as he speaks. "No idea. Something spooked the thing."

I frown and step out, Ram joining me. "Might be Mabeast. I'll take a quick look, if you want."

He nods and we move toward the forest, my blades drawn. There's a really strange scent in the air. As Ram draws the blade I'm training her with, I know she smells it too. "Any idea?"

She shakes her head. "There is something oddly familiar but I cannot place it. I recommend caution."

I nod and we slowly make our way forward. Shit, even with my heightened senses I can barely see in this damn darkness. Slipping a blade away, I pull out my phone and turn the flashlight on. After a second or two I come across something white. Shining upwards reveals a huge mass. "What the fuck is that?"

"Takara. We need to move."

I barely hear her and continue shining the light along the thing, stopping as I light up a gigantic fucking eye. Dropping my phone, I redraw my blade, backstepping as it starts to move. What the fuck is this thing? I'm suddenly yanked back, Ram taking my place. "Get back to the mansion. NOW!"

I glare at her back. "You're coming with me!"

"No. I will try and hold it here. GO!"

A flash of her prone body. Darting forward, I grab her hand and start running, Ram trying to resist. We make it probably twelve steps before something slams into us from behind, sending us flying and knocking us out.

Ugh, what the fuck? What hit us? My eyes slowly open. Why am I in a cave? I try to move to find I'm in chains agianst the wall. My heart drops. Shit. I think I know who has me. It's the only logical explanation. First things first. Look for an exit. One to the front, a fair ways away. Nothing to the right. To the left... Ram! Chained up too but coming round. I drop my voice. "Ram! You alright?"

She shakes her head before looking around the cave then at me. "I must admit I have had better days. Where are we?"

I attempt a shrug. "Wish I knew. Think I know who our hosts are though."

Her voice is deadly. "The Cult."

"Yeah, I think so. Upside, we're alive. Means we can hopefully escape. Gimme a sec." I flex and strain, pushing almost everything into breaking free. Nothing gives and I stop, panting. "Worth a shot."

We lapse into silence, both thinking. Ram speaks first. "If... If we can somehow convince them to let us go... I mean... They think all demons are dead. Maybe we can..."

She trails off with a frown. I finish for her. " Maybe we can convince them we're human. Considering how bound we are, I doubt they're running on guesswork." Sounds from the entrance as an idea pops into my head. I can use hopefully use my connection to Satella to our advantage but I really am not going to enjoy this. "I have a plan, sort of. Sorry in advance for anything I say or do and just roll with it. I can Return by..." The pain hits and I grin through it.

Ram looks at me with a question as the sounds get louder, two men stepping into the cave. They grin at us and one leaves. I'm surprised with my lack fear right now. I just hope Ram knows how to react.

A minute or so later more men enter the cave, all armed. Then enters possibly the craziest looking fucker I've ever seen. He's about six foot with green hair, pale skin and the most psychotic smile I've ever had the misfortune to witness. And twelve extra arms. They remind me instantly of some anime I watched years ago. Think this might be the boss. He walks right over and stops in front of me. "I've wanted to meet you for some time, demon."

Here goes nothing. I smile broadly, his slipping slightly. "Then you have me at a disadvantage. You obviously know me when I don't know you. I'm Takara, as you probably know. Pleased to meet you. I'd shake your hand but I'm currently a little tied up."

I can almost feel Rams incredulous stare. The man narrows his eyes for a second before bursting into crazed laughter. It ignites the fear I wasn't feeling and lasts for longer than I ever want to imagine it again. Then he stops and sniffs the air. His stare increases in intensity. "You have been touched."

I nod, feeling almost sick as I play. "I have. I would assume you are the leader of the Cult?"

He takes a step back, eyes narrowed and his extra arms almost wrapping around him. "I am Betelgeuse Romanee-Conti, Arch-Bishop of this righteous gathering. And you... Somehow a filthy half-breed has recieved an honour. Why?"

I tilt my head slightly for Ram. Time to step up, Babe. "Satella instructed me to seek you out and help you. I decided to hide out, so to speak, until I had enough information to find you. Made some discoveries along the way."

Ram speaks, sounding honestly furious. "How could you? All this time and I thought you were our ally!"

A wry grin slips into place as I turn to her. "You did. You were wrong."

Before she can retort, Betelgeuse speaks again. "But why would she choose you?"

"A question I have asked myself. That is, until I just accepted it and realised I could do some genuine good. I figured out early on that your most likely target would be Roswaal Mathers. So, for the last few months, I've been finding out his secrets. He's not as powerful as you'd believe."

He paces for a couple of minutes, muttering and giggling to himself as Ram struggles against her chains. I take the time to breath a mental sigh. Not bad, considering I'm winging it. The next part is going to be a little awkward though. We get out of these chains, I doubt we're just walking out of here. We're going to have to fight. We're going to have to kill. As much as I don't want to, I know we have to. Otherwise it's us. I quickly scan the crowd. Twenty six men, including the nutjob. Regular humans, by the smell. He doesn't seem that quick but, considering the arms, I'm guessing he's a mage. If we work fast, we might be able to take him. I don't know if that'll stop the rest but we can try. After that, who knows.

He snaps his head toward me as he stops pacing. "What do you want?"

I frown. "Want? I want an end. An end to creatures like that." I flick my head toward Ram and she growls. I lower my gaze a touch and adopt what I hope is a self loathing expression. "I can't change what I am but I can stop it happening again. With your help."

He points to Ram. "And what of her?"

I meet his eyes. "I wanted to take care of that problem myself. I'm faster and stronger than both of Mathers pets so... it shouldn't be an issue."

The lunatics eyes narrow again as he looks away from her, his smile back in place. "This creature hates you now."

"Good."

He looks at me for a long moment before turning to one of his men. "Release her."

A few seconds later my feet hit the floor. "So, what happens now?"

His smile becomes somehow more sinister. "Now you deal with that."

An initiation of sorts. Alright. "I'd like my personal weapons, if you have them."

"You may use a sword from one of these men."

Hmm. "My father always told me that the best weapon in a fight was a familiar one. Plus, I've never used a sword. I'm not anticipating her to put up any resistance I can't deal with but I prefer my own knives."

The Arch-Bishop glares at me. I meet it with a passive face. "Very well. Bring her weapons."

As we wait I think. He isn't dumb but he seems to be relatively easy to manipulate. Although that could be down to me technically being sent to him by his God or whatever. He breaks the silence. "How did they survive?"

Guess he means the twins. "Luck. Which has run dry. I wasn't there."

He starts to giggle again. I swear I'm going to be hearing that for years. He throws his head back and arms out as it evolves into full laughter, several of his men being knocked back or over by his extra arms. I notice something curious. The ones hit didn't even try to defend themselves. Can they... not see his arms or something? If that's the case then why can I? I'm broken from that train of thought by a man coming back with my daggers. I take them and slowly inspect the blades as I think on how to proceed. I need to get Ram free and somehow make a plan of escape with her. Got it, hopefully. Half turning, I look to Betelgeuse. "Can one of your men let her down? As much hate there is, she's treated me well. She deserves to die on her feet."

"And if she escapes?"

I tilt my head again. "The worst she can do is hit us with magic. And, considering she lost her horn when you hit her village, she's about as strong as a useless child. She could use her full power and only make me take a step back. If by some fluke she dodges me, you don't have anything to worry about."

They let her down and I turn toward her, hoping she knows what to do. She glares at me. Now I have the chance, everyone else behind me, I flash her a wink. "Y'know, I almost feel bad about this."

Rams glare intensifies. Fuck, if I hadn't seen her looking this pissed before, I'd be worried as hell. "I do not care. Do what you must."

His voice from behind. "We do not have all day. End the wretch."

Here we go, Babe. I grip my daggers and dart forward, missing Ram by millimetres. The second I'm beside her she lashes out with her magic, cutting down some men even as I flick a knife into the air. I turn quickly and throw the other right at the fucking Arch-Priest, following it and grabbing a sword from one of the fallen. Takara, don't think. I take a split second to aim then sprint forward, his arms having deflected the dagger, the point of the sword finding his throat.

In the span of roughly three seconds, we've cleared most of the cave and their boss is down. The others recover from the shock and weapons are drawn as Ram reaches my side, knife in hand. Their caution gives us a moment to think. "Good plan."

I nod. "Suprisingly. Let's get the fuck outta here."

We step forward, me quickly retrieving my thrown blade, as the men ready themselves. It lasts for a second as Ram lets loose another blast of magic, tearing through them and leaving the cave clear. Despite my relief at the easy exit, I frown. "No more magic."

She looks at me as we walk out. "What? Why? I know how much I can use."

I slow at the mouth of the cave. "Because the chance of these being the only people here is very fucking low. If we're getting out we both need to be able to move quickly. Hopefully we can sneak past."

"Fair..." We both stop as we look out at the field. Hundreds of men and women, all armed and coming toward us. They must have heard the commotion. And... there's a giant whale in the sky. Was that what we were looking at earlier? Pushing my surprise away, I take another look at the people. This is a fucking army. Shit! There goes my plan. I speak to Ram as I keep an eye on them, hating the my scared tone. "What do we do?"

There's a slight quaver in her voice, revealing her own fear. "Fight. It is all we can do."

I nod, quickly scanning as much I can. "It looks like the herd is thinnest to the left. If we can push through there, we may stand a chance of escape. Then we hightail it to the mansion."

"Agreed. Shall we?"

We launch at the soldiers, weapons flashing. Four go down almost instantly. As we push I realise the wall of people isn't as thin as I thought. Ram takes a stray fist to the jaw, the force pushing her into me. I slip round her as she recovers, switching places. Then I see something that freaks me the fuck out. Arms suddenly burst of of one of the men in front of me, his face taking on the same insane look as the Arch-Bishop. The arms swing, clearing out a small space around him. He can switch bodies? The crazy eyes meet mine. "Did you think it would be easy?"

I summon my horn and charge, throwing everything I have into strength. He anticipates my attack, swatting me aside. As I hit the floor I roll, regaining my feet as two men close in. "AL FULA!"

Two heads roll even as the psychos arm's reach for me, quicker than I realise. They stop inches from my face, even before I have a chance to try and dodge. Looking past them I see Ram, dagger plunged into his neck, before she moves on. She just saved my damn life through pure luck. No time, Kara. Quickly, I sprint to her side and rejoin the fray. She speaks quickly. "I am going to use a little more magic. Just to clear us some breathing room."

"Go for it. Just be careful."

She grins and a small blast throws people backward, leaving us with some space. We're both breathing hard. Ram looks around quickly. "I think we need to keep going this way. But we will have to keep an eye on our rear now."

"Right. Let's.." A wave of dizziness strikes me and I swear I hear that insane chuckle. For some reason I feel power start to build inside me, more than I've felt before. The laughter gets louder as I vaguely hear Ram say something. It gets even louder, almost driving me crazy, until it suddenly stops.

"Did you learn nothing?"

What? No! My horn glows brighter as more and more power erupts in me. My thoughts are becoming even less clear as the voice gets louder. The surrounding soldiers are back up, weapons in hand. Some of them are looking at me, almost confused.

Ram is suddenly in front of me. "Takara?"

I stare at her, my own eyes don't feel like mine. "... Run. Runrunrunrun! It's not going anywhere! Get the fuck outta here! You will suffer as the rest did! GET OUT OF MY HEAD!You are mine!"

Suddenly, I'm almost watching from afar. Several hands move from behind me and grab her, lifting her up as she screams. The voice talks to me again. "Hmm. Half breed demons are stronger than I thought. But that matters little. Now you get to see it die."

Two hand move to a leg, gripping and pulling hard. I can't even close my eyes as it's torn off, Rams screams piercing the night. As the arms move to the other leg I see her face, contorted in agony and concentration. I think she's summoning up all her magic.

The voice appears again. "That was satisfying. I do hope you hate this."

Her other leg is ripped away and, in the scream, she unleashes her power.

I'm sorry about the massive delay. Life happened.