Summary: Credo struggles to establish himself as the head of the Holy Knights while also juggling his new responsibilities as Kyrie's guardian. When Nero comes under the scrutiny of the Order, he must choose whose side he is really on.

A/N: This is a two-part fic, please enjoy!

Credo drums his fingers on the table of the conference room, looking around at the other council members. Sanctus is running late, and of course nothing can begin until the Holy Father is present. The others talk amiably, some business, some personal, but Credo only nods in acknowledgment when someone looks over with a greeting. He is still not entirely comfortable here, and after adjusting the high collar of his coat he pours himself a glass of water to sip and cover his unease.

Finally Sanctus arrives, and Credo hurries to his feet with the others. They wait until he takes the head seat at the table before returning to their own chairs. He pulls his in and sits up straight, hands folded on the carved stone as the meeting begins.

They run through the typical items on the agenda: infrastructure, health and safety, reports from the records department, the sheriff, emergency services. The treasury reports doing well, with Fortuna preparing to make several investments to help with its sustainability plans. The Order has been granted even more freedoms that move it towards being its own city-state, free from the red tape and politics of the central government. It also keeps them out of the Order's business, which they are not ready to reveal to the world just yet.

Credo smooths his hands down his own report: just a brief update on their numbers and weapons. His department is not very large, and Credo has only served as head of the guard for about six months, unexpectedly nominated after his father's untimely death. He had assumed the role with a heaviness, feeling unworthy of filling his father's shoes but glad that he had security within the Order and the capacity to provide for Kyrie.

As the youngest and newest member of the council, his plan is always to remain under the radar of the others, leaving their political maneuvering to them and focusing solely on his department. Their sole task is serving as security for the temple and the council members, most importantly Sanctus himself. Credo will give his few remarks as usual, wait for the end of this monthly meeting, and head back to his office to run things as best as he can.

Yet when it is his turn, he is interrupted before even beginning. "Credo, I understand it is time to begin recruiting cadets, correct?"

He blinks in surprise at the one who spoke: Eder, the man-at-arms. Technically Credo's guard is under his department, but the defense of the temple and the council deemed important enough for its own branch. Eder and his father had not often seen eye-to-eye, so Credo also regards him with caution. "Recruitment has begun," he answers. "Applications are already in and we are reviewing them now. We will have the finest class yet, I'm sure of it."

Eder snorts. "Your first recruitment as head of the guard. Do you need assistance?"

Credo shakes his head. "I appreciate the offer, but—"

"It just so happens that I have the applications here, perhaps we can go through a few?" Eder gestures to an aide who hurries over with a large folder, and Credo watches in shock as he begins to thumb through the stack of papers. "Many of our finest young men are here," he observes. Then he stops on one and smiles. "I see my Ethan has his application in, and approved. That is excellent news."

Credo watches in annoyance as he holds up the application paper, the red seal affixed to the top corner, as the others around the table murmur their congratulations. "He was evaluated as all the other applicants," he says. "We found him suitable to start training."

Eder gives him a smile that does not quite reach his eyes. "As I said, that is excellent news. My family has been waiting for word, since your office has the list held so closely."

"I've instructed them not to give any information to anyone," Credo replies through gritted teeth.

"Well I am glad you found my son suitable." His tone is clearly laced with warning, but then Eder's brows draw up. "What is this! The Parson girls have applied again?" There is a bit of tittering around the room as the others clearly find this amusing. "This is the fifth year in a row they have applied. When will they learn the guard is not a suitable place for young women?"

"I was actually going to review their applications personally," Credo says. Eder looks at him sharply, but he turns to face Sanctus directly. The leader's eyes fall on him, his expression a cool indifference, but Credo forges on, "They are from a good family, and from what I've observed they are fine soldiers. The threat is building, and we could use members of the guard who are strong, no matter the gender."

Sanctus' expression remains its passive state, and Credo's heart rate quickens a bit as he waits for word from the holy one. But again Eder speaks first, and he must bite his tongue as he says, "Nonsense. There is no need for women on the guard. I'll be happy to send a rejection if you are unable."

Credo flushes with anger. "I don't think I need to remind you that the threat to Fortuna is growing. More and more demons are being spotted every day, and it is only a matter of time before they begin attacking. Until we figure out why these creatures are manifesting here, the emergency will only grow."

"The demons are under control," Eder counters.

"For the general population, perhaps, but I am tasked with guarding the temple and His Holiness. I don't want to risk losing either over gender politics."

They glare at one another as Credo feels heat on his neck, his collar suddenly too tight. This is an issue that he knew his father had been pressing, pushing for more equality among the ranks. He had felt that having women join the guard would be an important first step, but was stymied at every turn; now that he is in charge, Credo is determined to continue pushing for the step. So when Sanctus finally speaks, his stomach sinks with every word. "Having women in the guard will only be a distraction," he says. "They lack the strength and spirit for the work. Reject the application."

Credo bristles, trying to think of an argument. "Sir, I must… if you would reconsider…"

"What is with you, Credo?" Eder laughs. "Are you looking for more oddities to collect? Your father had a few of his own… speaking of which, here is an interesting application."

He doesn't have to wonder whose it is as Eder plucks a leaf from the pile, smiling at the document. "This Nero, he's that boy from the orphanage your father took in, isn't that right?"

Credo clears his throat. "Yes. He's not living with us any longer, the guardianship revoked when my father was killed. But I don't see—"

"I see you gave the recommendation yourself. Aren't you afraid of playing favorites, Credo?" Eder smiles.

"Not at all," he replies. "I recused myself from that applicant. But Nero shows a great deal of promise."

"So I've heard," Eder replies. "I've heard some other things as well." Credo presses his lips into two thin lines, bracing himself for what is sure to come, and is not disappointed. "He is rash, reckless, has a foul temper and fouler mouth. Does not get along well with others. To top it off, the abandoned bastard of a prostitute?" The other council members murmur to one another, and Credo stiffens, refusing to react. "Do you really suppose this is the best representative of our people? Would you trust such a young man to protect the others, protect His Holiness?"

Credo swallows around his dry throat. "It's true that he has had some issues, but if you take into account his upbringing, and the losses he's suffered—"

"Although I have heard he has demon blood," Eder interrupts.

That gets another reaction from the others, and Credo's eyes go wide. Even Sanctus sits up a bit at that, leaning forward to ask, "Demon blood?"

"Just a rumor, surely nonsense," Eder explains. "The story is that Nero saved Credo's own sister and some of the little ones from a demon attack. His strength and reflexes were not to be believed. Killed one himself, after it had overcome three of our own men."

Sanctus considers. "And we know nothing of his origin?"

Eder smirks a bit at Credo as he takes a deep breath and replies, "Unfortunately, no. It is true that he fought and killed a demon, but was hurt doing so. He is hardly anything more special than any other sixteen-year-old boy with the strength and spirit of youth."

"Killing a demon single-handedly is not something to take lightly," Sanctus chastises. "Bring the boy here this afternoon so I can look at him properly."

All eyes fall on Credo, who nods curtly. "Very well, Sir," he replies, promptly taking his seat.

He does not speak again through the rest of the meeting, until the rest are dismissed. He tries to make a quick exit, but Sanctus calls him over. "I'll be in my study. Come by in two hours with this boy. I'll be able to determine if there is anything supernatural about him."

"Yes, Sir," he mumbles, and when Eder gives him a smug look, Credo shoots him a cold one in return.

Nero is not at the orphanage, in any of his usual hangouts, or at the office where Credo has him working a few hours a day to keep him out of trouble. That only means one thing, and with something twitching in his brow, he heads to the house he shares with his sister, Kyrie. He says a silent prayer to Sparda that Nero is there on a respectable errand, and will find them sharing some hot chocolate, or even better, saying goodbye.

Instead, he stands in the doorway to the kitchen to find Kyrie pressed against the pantry, her hands on Nero's shoulders as he kisses her. He holds her in a tight embrace, his good arm around her waist, the injured shoulder still wrapped on the other side. Nero tilts his face to deepen the kiss, and for a split second Credo wonders if Kyrie is in trouble. But her hands slide up to drag through his hair, and with a roll of his eyes he gives a loud clear of his throat.

They jump apart instantly, both panting and staring at him with wide eyes. Kyrie sags against the pantry door, her cheeks flushed a deep pink, while Nero looks back and forth between brother and sister. "We weren't doing anything! Just talking! I had to bring you some forms, uh, they sent me here to uh—the forms!" Nero pats his pockets frantically. "I have them here somewhere."

"They're on the table," Kyrie manages, slipping past Credo and heading into the front room.

He turns his frown to Nero, who is looking everywhere but him, his good hand rubbing the back of his head. "Uh, I gotta get back to the office, so—"

"You're not going back to the office," Credo replies coolly. "You're coming with me."

Nero looks up in alarm. "I am? Why? I mean, where?"

"I'll explain on the way." Kyrie returns with the folder of documents, which he snatches from her hand. "We'll speak about this later."

She nods, not meeting his eyes, and Credo strides towards the door. There is a brief bit of whispering behind him, but once he steps outside Nero is thankfully right behind him, almost stumbling to stay on his heels. "Hey, Credo, uh…" he begins sheepishly. "Look, I…"

"Let me be clear about one thing," Credo says, turning to regard him coldly. Nero straightens up, his eyes widening in alarm. It's almost comical, and under other circumstances perhaps Credo would simply laugh this off, or at least just give them both a talking-to. But the meeting earlier has worn on his nerves, and the strange off-ness of the Order since his father had died is becoming harder to deny every day. The last thing he needs now is for Kyrie to be caught in some sort of scandal, particularly with Nero of all people. The attraction between the two lovebirds is undeniable, and he supposes its progression inevitable. But that doesn't absolve him from his duty as Kyrie's older brother… or Nero's pseudo-guardian.

Nero waits for him to continue, his face drawn into a wince, and Credo sighs. As much as he wants to be harsh with him, he must admit there is affection for him, especially knowing how his father and mother had been so keen on helping him. Out of all the children in the orphanage, Credo could never understand why Nero stood out so much. His charm is certainly obvious, and he once again frowns as he thinks of that charm wrapped around Kyrie's waist.

"What I just… witnessed," he says, sternly and quietly, "cannot happen again. If you won't think of Kyrie, and what her reputation would suffer, then think of yourself." Nero cringes a bit as he continues, "Your application for the Order guard is currently under review. You are already being scrutinized, and add on top of that your connection to this family. What do you suppose people would make of it if you were caught in some sort of passionate moment with the commander's sister?"

Nero makes a strange wheezing noise, and Credo nods. "Exactly. Everything you do is up for debate, scrutiny, judgment. Even what you do behind closed doors. And Kyrie…" Credo sighs. "Her future is even less certain than yours, simply for being born female."

Not wanting to say more, Credo turns and begins walking back to the buildings where Sanctus lived and worked. They travel in silence, and he can tell by the tension in Nero's shoulders that the boy is thinking deeply. Glad for it, he is relieved Nero isn't chatting his ear off; until they are within sight of the building and he asks, "Are you taking me to be punished or something?"

"No," Credo answers. "His Holiness has asked to see you."

"His Holiness!" Nero stops in his tracks, and when Credo turns, he finds him gaping. "What? Why? Because of Kyrie?"

"No," Credo huffs. "Because of your application. He wants to review it and meet you personally."

Nero frowns in pure confusion. "But why? Is that normal?"

If it had been up to him, Credo would have let him walk into the appointment innocently enough. But he makes a calculated decision and steps closer so only Nero can hear him. With his hands clasped behind his back, Credo says, "I want you to listen well. Your application for the Holy Knights is being carefully considered for two reasons. One, your background is unknown, and that is of interest to His Holiness." He hears the catch in Nero's breathing and sighs. "Secondly, your acts several weeks ago, while admirable, caught his attention. He wants a look at the boy who slayed a demon."

He peers up at Nero to find him white as a sheet. Credo's brows draw in, wondering why he is having that reaction. "Do you object?"

"No, I…" Nero makes a strange face, reaching up to grab his injured arm that is still bandaged by the shoulder. "I don't have anything to tell… I don't know who my parents are and I don't know what happened with the demon… Credo, you gotta get me out of this!"

"Get you out of this?" Credo hisses. "This is His Holiness. When he calls, you answer. You expect to be a Holy Knight and then disobey your first order given?" Nero blanches, and Credo nods. "I don't know what he wants. I don't know why he wants to see you, other than to question you. So I recommend you answer his questions truthfully and succinctly, or you will see your dream of becoming a guard, and any hopes of being with Kyrie, evaporate before you even begin."

Nero offers a weak nod, and once more they are off. Credo leads him through the maze of hallways, not pausing for even a moment until they reach the inner sanctum. Once they reach the vicar's private rooms, the guards move to allow Credo to step up and rap on the huge oak door before carefully opening it to reveal the extravagant study inside.