The artists of Gehenna were graced with an unusual but exciting task. After their representatives came back from H.E.L.L.S.I.N.G; several artisans and designers got to work creating a banner, a flag, or a symbol for Gehenna to unite under. Some went for abstract designs, while others based theirs off of current flags of various countries. Some went straight for a parody of the Hellsing family crest; inverting the colours and applying an alternate saying and a different chesspiece in the corners. Some, however, went for a similar approach, but stopped at the idea of a coat of arms.

While others used their distinctive references for their ideas, these people went straight for books on heraldry at the library. Purple for justice and sovereignty; green for freedom and hope; a heart for sincerity, charity, and goodness; and finally, a lion standing rampant with its forepaws raised, facing sinister. This is what made up the final result that was voted on by the citizens of Gehenna. It was discussed with H.E.L.L.S.I.N.G. that this was the symbol of their town, and the organization agreed to honour it.

Flags were sewn and hung, shirts were embroidered on, and Gehenna's coat of arms began to make its way all over the city. It was carved into wood finishing on benches and into bricks outside of businesses. It was painted on walls and anywhere else that it seemed appropriate. The residents were proud of this banner and waved it with triumph despite the fact that they still had a ways to go. Some who acknowledged it only became suspicious. It seemed too good to be true, while at the same time, what all had changed?

"It's stupid." Said one girl in the craft building late at night. "It's like they're trying to distract us from some of the worst problems…"

"Like what?" questioned Tegwen, tightening some strings on her own project.

"Like H.E.L.L.S.I.N.G?!" gawked the other girl, showing her fangs. The vampire furrowed her brow as she continued. "It's true that they haven't shot anybody recently, but how much time is left until thing simmer down and they do? It's like they're trying to distract us with all of this shiney new stuff so they can make us forget that it's their fault in the first place."

"Hmm…" hummed the elf, her back still to her friend. "Good point. I'm hopeful, though. They've been real cooperative so far, so… Maybe there's been a shift in command or something. The Lion seems to be pretty high-ranking…"

"I'm sick of him… Always prancing around like he knows what we've been through…"

"He wants to understand and he wants to help." Tegwen said. "I've seen it. He's a good man, and we can trust him. Even if H.E.L.L.S.I.N.G. is up to something, he'd help us."

"You don't know that." The vampire stated. "He could turn traitor. The possibility exists."

"And the possibility exists that he won't." the elf replied, picking up what she had made and flipped it over. Turning around, she smiled, brandishing a handmade ukulele before she started to strum it.

"Tegwen, this is serious…"

"I know. I'm just seeing that it works. I like how guitars sound better, but I wanted to see if I could make one of these." Informed the elf as she continued to strum. "Maybe you're readin' too much into it. I don't know nothin' about how that crap works, but I can hope, can't I?"

"Hope doesn't do much in the real world…"

"Ollie~!" sang Tegwen. "Ollie, Olivia, queen of real-life politics~!"

"Tegwen!" Olivia cut off. "I'm serious! You don't know how these people work! I was human once, so I have an idea of it. I'm telling you, people aren't charitable for no reason."

"Sorry…" the other girl sadly answered, putting down her instrument in defeat. Her gaze fell to the floor, wondering what exactly she should say next. It didn't matter, though. The other girl had more to say.

"Aren't you scared?" she asked. "They could come after us at any second! There haven't been too many soldiers around, and the ones that have haven't been carrying their big guns, but they could be hiding something. What if they're waiting for someone to mess things up so that they have an excuse to put us on lockdown again?"

"I don't know…" Tegwen said. "I'm just kinda going with things for now…"

"That's why the rejected your interview, you know…" the vampire said. "You're too laid back…"

"Oh yeah? And you?" questioned the elf. "What about you, huh? You say you're against how things are going, but have you done a successful interview?"

"No…" Olivia replied shamefully. "I didn't even go…"

"And you called me 'laid back'…"

"I don't want to work for them, alright? I'll find somewhere out in London…"

"Ollie, you came here because there was nowhere for you in London…"

"I can try." Spoke the vampire, peering up through her black bangs and over the frames of her glasses. "You're the one who's always hopeful…"

Sighing, she leaned against the edge of the table, picking up her instrument again. Plucking at a few of the strings, she thought for a moment, trying to figure out what the best thing to say to the stubborn girl was. She and Olivia never got along well, but she didn't dislike her.

"Well, then you try your best." Tegwen finally said. "Maybe they'll let you out. Who knows? They already let vampires out for night shifts."

"Yeah…" The other answered, looking down at the floor. She didn't know what exactly to say either. The vampire stared at the floor for the longest time until she heard the sound of an engine.

"That's the bus…" Olivia said. "They're bringing people back from their little workshops…" When she finally looked up, however, it didn't appear as though the elf was listening. She looked on in confusion as Tegwen's brow furrowed, her eyes wide and alert as she stared toward the entrance of the building.

"Something's coming." She informed.

Elves had an excellent sixth sense; one that was almost on par with demons and angels. Had it not been for slower reflexes and weaker bodies, they could possibly match them. For now, however, Tegwen sensed something strange, and she didn't know what. It was a powerful energy that resembled that of a vampire, but was too strong and too different to be one from Gehenna. In addition, there was another strange force that she didn't recognise. It didn't feel like anything she had ever encountered before, and the elf had been alive for almost one-hundred and seventy years. Quickly, she made her way toward the exit, instead standing by the window in order to peer out instead of opening the door.

The street was lit as always, and people were walking down the sidewalk in order to go home. The only ones who stepped lightly were the elves. They must have sensed something on that bus as well. Eventually, she saw it too, and became more confused.

A woman with blond hair stepped off of that bus. Her arm was strange. It looked as though it were fashioned by some sort of black energy. That's the sort of thing Tegwen had only read in science fiction books, but judging by the fact that she recognised the uniform, she knew it was real. It was a red H.E.L.L.S.I.N.G. uniform—one worn by vampires. This woman was the source of the strange, massive amounts of vampire-like energy.

With her was a young man, with brown skin and short, black hair. He was skinny—almost malnourished like he hasn't been eating, with gold eyes that seemed lifeless as they carried dark, heavy bags underneath them. A H.E.L.L.S.I.N.G. uniform covered his frame, shielding him from the cold night air. The man trudged along, carrying suitcases as the woman with him led the way.

One day in the near future, Tegwen and Olivia would learn his name. It was Preston Omid, and the man had been granted permission to live off-base in order to be an observational agent. He was not allowed to carry weapons, but he, himself was a weapon. His condition made him miserable, and it was becoming a hindrance to the organization. Thus, it was decided that the man should have some freedom.

Seras walked him up to a building that was refurbished into a residency. Preston would have the entire place to himself, as no one else lived there, but he could invite people in at his leisure. It was unlikely, given his personality, but it was possible. Stepping inside, he found that it was empty, aside from the essentials. With a sigh, he set his belongings down on the floor and looked around. It was nice, but he was still unhappy with his treatment.

"We'll be sending some of the things from your apartment over the next few days." Seras informed. "You know how to contact us, right?"

"Yeah…" answered Preston, unwilling to put up a fight. The man was tired. He was always tired, now. Yet, he was a little hopeful, given this arrangement. In response, the woman offered up a smile and handed him the key to his new home.

"Call us if you need anything or don't understand something." She said.

"Right… I'll do that…" the man absent-mindedly said. His life was over, and now it was starting again? Just like this? It was hard for him to wrap his head around. In truth, he didn't know exactly what he was supposed to be passing on to H.E.L.L.S.I.N.G; but if it would get him out of that accursed basement, then he was up for anything. With a small nod, Seras turned to leave, showing herself out.

"Goodnight." She called.

"'Night…" he answered back softly, unsure if she heard him and not really able to care. Hearing the door close, however, he followed the woman's trail and locked it. He stayed there for a moment, just taking it all in as he pressed his forehead against the door's wooden surface. It was like he couldn't be bothered to move, or simply couldn't.

When it became too much for him, however, he force himself to walk away, despite the fact that he didn't know if he could. Lazily, the Omid gentleman scanned his new living arrangements, finding nothing but plain white walls and grey carpet. Occasionally, he'd come across something of interest, like the appliances in the kitchen or the facilities of the bathroom. When he found his bedroom, he found nothing there but a bed, a desk, a chair, a closet, and a window. "Supplying him with the basics" was right. There was nothing but the bare essentials to be found.

The man didn't want to put away the contents of his suitcases for now. He didn't want to sleep, or do anything, really. He was too overwhelmed. Preston had spent months working under H.E.L.L.S.I.N.G. They put him to work after he calmed down a bit from his first imprisonment, and he gained small victories and freedoms along the way. They came with doing what he was told, even if he didn't think he could take following the order.

Combat was the worst. Preston was not made to be thrown into the den of beasts who devour humans. It wasn't in his nature. Yet, he somehow survived it all by blocking out everything. Sitting in silence had become a normal pastime of his. Even now, he sat in the chair next to the desk and stared blankly at the wall.

What was he supposed to do here? He didn't know. No one had issued him a very explicit order. He had been told to monitor the supernatural activity in the area, but he didn't know what exactly he was looking for. Really, it just seemed that H.E.L.L.S.I.N.G. simply wanted him out of their hair. Preston had no complaints about that. In fact, it seemed like a massive improvement.

Golden eyes shifted from white walls and over to the window, looking down at the lamp-illuminated streets of Gehenna. Purple and green flags with golden lions fluttered in the breeze as the bus that drove him into town drove by. People with pointed ears, fur, fangs, or a combination of, walked along sidewalks as they made their way to their homes. For the most part, it seemed quiet. Ordinary. Normal. Dull. Still, the sight was far more stimulating than the view of his room in the basement at H.E.L.L.S.I.N.G. headquarters. It was nostalgic, somehow. Just how long has it been since he was able to stare out a city street? How long has it been since he was able to sit without discomfort, not worry about anything, and take in the scenery? It seemed like an eternity.

The thought made water build up in his eyes. It's been too long. Preston didn't know if he could take anymore of H.E.L.L.S.I.N.G. and reliving hell each time he had to go to work. He had enough of that to last a lifetime back at Castle Krampus! Now what was he to do? He was free to come and go as he pleased! Preston was free.

Tears began streaming down his face as his smiled. He couldn't tell if he was laughing, sobbing, or a combination of the two. Preston didn't care, though. It didn't matter. None of it mattered anymore. All that mattered was that he was here. He wasn't kept immobile by either disease or by walls. Preston was, in theory, a free man.