Opening Song: "Holy Diver" by: Dio/Killswitch Engaged

The entire area surrounding the cemetery and church is fenced in by a massive black iron gate. Outside of the fence is a thick, ominous, white fog that obscures whatever could potentially be out there. I try and look through the gates, but I can't see a thing.

The sound of my boots clicking across shattered cobblestone echoes throughout the silence. To my left, the path comes to an end, the right continues and leads to a set of stairs going up to the church like structure.

Several tombstones with various colored goblets sitting in front of them cover both sides of the path. Some of the inscriptions are still legible while others are completely in symbols. Probably the language the Honored Elders spoke before it evolved into the hunter's tongue we speak now.

There're also several stone fountains that have these small white creatures living inside. Their mouths are constantly open, and they occasionally let out a distorted laugh as they wave various items around. None are dangerous from what I feel. Their aura's feel like they are here to help rather than fight. Which is unusual for something so ugly.

In front of the burnt doors leading inside the building stands a motionless humanoid object with light silver hair. It's wearing a unique looking red bonnet with gold flowers hanging off a draping black band.

A brown shawl with some kind of markings knitted into it rests over the object's shoulders and covers her leather colored coreset and black skirt. It's almost like something a toy from the nineteenth century would be wearing.

A black puddle forms right in front of me and several bizarre creatures immerge from the path. On the cobblestone, bright blue words, "Qui accipit donum Reginae (Accept the Queen's gift) etches itself into the rock.

Several of the creatures pull out three weapons ranging from a cane that looks a lot like the one Oliveria has, to an axe, and then a weapon with saw like teeth. Kind of like the one Gekko had on the train last night. Except this one isn't cleaver shaped. All the gifts look amazing, but I get the notion one is the limit.

I reach out towards the axe. The creatures holding the other weapons sink back into the ground, and the ones holding the axe hand me the weapon. The blade has faded gold decoration burned into the old, worn blade.

The handle has been wrapped in some kind of cloth. Probably strands of yoma leather. There's even a spike on top of the weapon that makes it more like a halberd rather than an axe. Despite being short and bulky, it's lightweight for the design.

As I examine the weapon, I see a small button about half way up the hand-held axe. My thumb pushes it in, and the weapon clicks. The handle feels like it's trying to slide forward. I use my hand to coast it, and the axe doubles in size and locks in place.

Now that it's fully extended, it feels a lot lighter because of the extra leverage. Another button firmly secures the weapon in place to keep it from collapsing on its own. To an extent, it's almost like my old scythe. Let's see what this thing is capable of.

I jump up in the air, twirl around and slam the axe down. A mixture of rock, sparks and dirt erupt from the ground as the black blade bites a huge chunk out of the ground. I slide back, dig my right hand into the ground and spin around three hundred sixty degrees. The axe leaves a faint white trace as the blade slices through the air.

I leap forward and thrust the tip of the spike downward into the ground. The tremor it creates is strong enough that it knocks over a nearby cairn that's suffered some significant structural damage. Oh well. It was already broken when I got here.

"Wow… this thing is cool." I state as I casually spin it around my body and collapse it back into the hatchet size equivalent.

Despite being a little heavier, it handles almost identically to my old scythe if it's extended. As for the folded-up version, I'd have to get used to the bulky and cumbersome design before swinging this thing around in a fight.

For some reason, this eerie feeling that I'm being watched comes over me. I snap around and throw my gaze on the thing standing by the door. It hasn't moved. Nor did I see its neck move in the slightest.

All the yoma senses in my body tell me there's something up with that thing, but I can't bring myself to believe it. Not only that, but it's guarding the only way into the building. The other entrance has been blocked off by burnt debris.

Each step I take that leads up to the thing standing in front of the building only adds to the tension I am feeling. It isn't moving, nor does it appear to be alive. Yet, it's so life like. Not only that, my senses are driving me crazy. It's like there is a soul within it, but it's being suppressed, or maybe it isn't a soul. Maybe it's something I've never encountered before.

The most disturbing feature of the thing is its eyes that pierce the atmosphere. It's just a blank stare that can not be broken. The sclera looks like they are entirely crafted out of polished porcelain and each iris has been carefully fitted with a gem that resembles tan moonstone. It looks more like a doll than an actual person.

I stand off to the side and wave my hand back and forth in front of the woman's head to try and get some kind of reaction. Nothing. I inch closer and lightly tap her shoulder. Still nothing. I hold up my index finger and carefully move it towards the corner of her right eye. The feeling of a smooth stone grazes the tip of my finger.

The feeling of a rolling marble drags against my fingertip. Her iris is now in the corner of her eye and staring directly at me. Fear carries throughout my entire body. I gasp and yank back to try and get away.

"Welcome friend. I am a doll, here to look after my precious hunter. Are you here to meet her?" The woman says in a calm voice.

The thing comes to life and begins to walk towards me. As scary as it is, I don't think she's harmful. Otherwise she would have probably attacked already.

"I suppose."

The woman reaches out with her hand and carefully holds my face, "Yes. You are the one. Come. The Queen is waiting."

What does she mean I'm "the one?" I guess I'll find out soon enough. The doll stands off to the side of the entrance. My knuckles rap on the blackened door, and the door frame of the building falls forward. It rips the fragile door down with it and everything breaks like an expensive vase.

"Was that my fault, or was that supposed to happen?" I ask the doll.

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing. Nothing."

Something tells me that in order to talk to this thing, you have to speak to her in a specific manner. Otherwise she has no idea what is being said. A thought comes across my mind. When she said doll, does she mean like the ones Haruka makes? Or something far more advanced? I mean, Haruka has created things similar to this, but not of this caliber. Not even close.

"Sorry about the door! I'll fix it!" I state as I poke my head into the ruined building.

What's left of the walls are scored black. Vintage paintings encrusted with gold are heavily stained with years of heavy smoke damage. Books that managed to survive the raging inferno lay scattered all over the floor as I step inside.

At the other end of the building sits an old man in a wheelchair. Part of his right leg has been replaced with a stilt. He props himself up with a cane to try and prevent from slouching over. The old man's clothes are all raggedy and holes line his burgundy slacks. Scars inflicted by yoma and possibly other people mark his black duster and worn white shirt.

Behind him is a small set of stairs leading up to an elevated platform. Shattered stained glass sparkle under the brightness of the sky despite the cloud of smoke lingering above. Mixtures of green, red, blue and the glow of the celestial moon paint abstract images on the walls.

Upon closer examination, the colors line up and form a mural of some children playing in a field of flowers. Several other scenes follow, but I can't make those out yet because I'm standing at the wrong angle.

"It's called illusionary refraction. My precious hunter's favorite artform." The doll says.

"Certainly. An artform that takes a lot skill and patience. I can barely stay within the lines of a coloring book."

The old man's raspy voice lets out a trapped chuckle as he sits his cane across his lap and rolls up beside me, "This very scene with the girls are the Queen's favorite. She spent nearly two centuries making this story but invested the most time on this particular scene. She said it was the only memory she still had that wasn't cursed. Yet, she would never tell us why."

"Well sometimes the most treasured memories are also the most painful. When the time comes, I reckon she will tell you. Name's Alan by the way." I state as I reach out.

"Gehrman." He replies as his wrinkly hands shake mine. "The Queen is waiting for you." Gehrman points towards the elevated platform.

The woman that was inside the mirror earlier is sitting down in a makeshift throne that's been carved out of a scorched desk. The way the light from above shines on her long debonair blue hair gives it a lustrous appearance brighter than platinum. Her gold irises radiate with majestic strength despite her frayed clothing.

Sitting in her lap is a weapon similar to what Gekko had on the train. The folding cleaver with saw-like teeth. On her hip is nothing more than a great sword hilt. Her hand tilts her head at an angle and her legs are crossed in a comfortable manner. Her feet have numerous faded scars and callouses that form all along her soles. Probably from walking around this place without shoes if she's been here a couple centuries.

"My Queen, this is Alan." Gehrman says.

She remains silent. However, I can tell she is examining me. Like she's looking for something specific. A lot of her attention is drawn to my armor, and the palm I have Kagura's marking in.

"Tell me boy, who are you?" The Queen asks.

"My name is Alan. I was born in an evil clan of shinobi, corrupted at the age of ten, trained to be a hunter and accepted by a family of good shinobi."

"Hold out your marked hand."

I take my gauntlet off and open my hand. Kagura's etching within my palm folds out along with Jonathan's clan marking.

"Gehrman, Maria, I request a private audience with Alan."

The old man, and the doll both nod in compliance. The doll takes hold of Gehrman's wheelchair and rolls him out the front door and down a ramp that leads back around to the cemetery I came from. Now it's just the two of us.

How many beasts have you slain?"

"Excuse me?"

"Beasts, monsters, nightmares, the scourge."

"Well back where I'm from, we call them yoma. Personally, I have no idea. I've killed so many, I lost count around two hundred. Nightmares, maybe seven."

"So the terminology has changed from beast to yoma. Tell me, what made you Kagura's favorite?"

"I think it had to do with defeating the horseman Plague, or it could have been for killing one of Shen's brothers. I personally don't know."

"You are the one then." The Queen states.

I have no idea what is going on, but whatever it is, I don't like it. The Queen mounts her saw cleaver to the back of her belt as she stands up and makes her way down the stairs.

"Tell me Alan. What do you think of Kagura?" The Queen asks as she looks out a nearby window.

"I've never really met her, but she saved me from corruption, and I know she's the one that helped the Honored Elders overthrow the yoma, or beasts as you call them."

"That's about all she's ever done. That fool Kagura spends most of her days in ignorant bliss, and yet she thinks she can keep me under her thumb? We'll see about that." She scoffs.

"What did Kagura do to you that was so wrong?" I ask.

"She sealed me inside this God forsaken place for two hundred years. Which is eight hundred years in the real world, but now that I have you by my side, Kagura will have no choice but to answer for the sins she has committed against me."

The Queen looks at me with her golden eyes and stares deep within my soul, "As for you, you shall be my hunter."

"Why?"

"Because I said so. That's why."

"And what if I say no?"

"Frankly Alan, you don't have much of a choice if you wish to go back and see your precious Asuka again."

The Queen has got me backed up in between a rock and hard place. I can't fight her because if I do, there will be no way of getting back to the real world. Not only that, but I have to find that stone before Oliveria comes for Hanzo Academy.

"Then what do you want me to do?" I ask.

"All I want is a place for the three of us to stay, and for you to find the talilbasha. Since the thing has the capability of killing Kagura. As for that woman herself, you are forbidden from giving her any yoma souls or serving her in any way. Gehrman will see that you obey my commands by serving as your koukla, and if you attempt to break any of these rules I have set, or you disrespect my mentor or Maria in any way, then I will kill all the shinobi. Starting with your bride."

"You wouldn't…"

"You hide and watch." The queen replies.

"Fine…You can stay at Hanzo Academy."

"As long as I have a place to set my throne up and make my illusionary refraction scenes, I won't be a bother. Gehrman will want a place to play chess, but I reckon that won't be a problem. Maria the doll hasn't ever been outside this place, so it will be a good experience for her." The Queen reaches into her pocket and pulls something out, "You might need this. If you want to go back."

Within her hand is a small ring that has a looking glass set as the main decoration. Light reflects from the shiny stone, and an image of Asuka's bedroom forms within the glass.

"All you have to do is think of a place. Once the image is locked within the ring, find a mirror, touch it and you will immediately be transported there. You can also take guests with you as long as they are holding onto you."

"So that's why they call you the Mirror Queen."

"Yes." The Queen says as she reaches into her cloak and pulls out an ancient necklace. Judging by the handicraft, it was something she made or had made for her when she was younger. The beads are carved out of red mahogany and some old animal sinew act as the lace.

"Do you have a name?" I ask as I put the ring over my gauntlet. The ring adjusts to snuggly fit against my index finger and a piece of metal automatically covers the looking glass. Probably to protect it from the environment.

"You can call me M. Tell whoever is in charge of Hanzo Academy that I am coming, and I will not take no for an answer. We don't expect anything elegant or a welcome for that matter. I just want to get Maria and Gehrman out of here."

"Sure thing."

I stand in front of a nearby mirror and think of Asuka's room. The piece of metal covering the looking glass slides off, and the ring begins to glow. The mirror in front forms a reflection of her bed room. I reach out and touch the glass. My mind skips, and the moment I regain myself, I'm standing in Asuka's room.

"Wow. This thing is pretty cool, and I can go anywhere, anytime. HOWEVER, with great power, comes great responsibility and power like this is a heavy burden I must carry for the sacred name of justice."

I immediately think of a specific mirror in the bathroom. A thick layer of steam covers Asuka's personal shower stall. She's sitting on a stool underneath the running shower head. Beads of water drip down from her naked body and in between her breasts.

"NICE!" I state as I ball my fist up out of impulse.

Asuka's not doing anything though. She isn't washing her hair, nor her body. Normally when she does this, she's stressed about something and wants to be left alone. She wipes the side of her face and lets out a heavy sigh that sounds like it's stained with sorrow.

"Enjoying the new power?" I hear an old raspy voice state.

I turn around and see that Gehrman is sitting directly behind me in his wheelchair. The image of Asuka bathing fades away and Gehrman rolls himself over to me.

"Come on old man! Don't pretend you weren't my age at one time! Besides, that girl is special to me."

"Well I know a thing or two about special people." Gehrman chuckles as I take hold of his wheelchair and roll him out of the room. Despite being from the nineteenth century, the thing is very sturdy and rolls without grinding to a rusty halt. The last thing I need is for a wheel to catch on something, and I dump the poor old man out onto the floor.

"Do you now? Were you a lady's man back in your prime?" I tease.

"Actually, no. I wasn't. I was… you could say socially awkward. I spent more time reading and hunting. I was also a teacher at one time."

"Really?"

"Ah yes. Back when the Honored Elders were trying to find more effective ways of slaying beasts, they needed someone to test a new theory, using souls and blood to upgrade their weapons. Me being young and ambitious, volunteered."

"So you're like a pioneer for the Honored Elders transitioning into hunters?"

"You could say that. I'm what they called The First Hunter. Shortly after, I made my first weapon called the burial blade. After that, I was in charge of training people to become hunters." Gehrman states as he pulls out an old schematic. Most of the writing is in symbols, but I can make out a few words and measurements here and there.

"Incredible. A collapsible scythe. You know Gehrman, at one time, I actually used a scythe myself."

"Really?"

"Sure, but because times are changing, I had to pick something new up. So anyway, who was this special someone you were talking about?" I ask as I roll him into Mr. K's office.

"A question for another day. Let's get the introductions out of the way." Gehrman says.

Mr. K, Astoreth, Daigon, Octavian and all the girls except Asuka are inside the office. Even Jonathan is here and dressed up in his armor.

"Alan!" Hibari yells as her and Astoreth rush over and throw their arms around me, "It's good to see that you are alright!"

"The same could be said about you." I reply.

"Where the hell did you go?" Octavian asks.

"I have no idea but I'm sure glad to be back. Anyway, I found a couple people there and they are staying here. No questions." I say.

"Jonathan has already explained the circumstances to us all, and we have no issue with them staying." Mr. K sighs. The way the words roll out of his mouth sound like he didn't want to say that, but much like me back with the Queen, he didn't have much of a choice.

"I promise my students will stay out of your way, and the three of us will help pull our weight around here with the upkeep of this academy." Gehrman says as he looks over at Octavian.

He studies him for a couple seconds then looks at Jonathan. It finally comes to him and he makes a friendly hunter gesture, "You must be the descendants of our predecessors, the Honored Elders."

"You must be Gehrman, the First Hunter. It's an honor." Jonathan says as he kneels before Gehrman. Octavian kneels as well and just because they are kneeling, I walk around and kneel because I'm part of their clan. All I know is if Jonathan kneels, then I have to kneel.

"Are these your sons and daughters?"

"No master Gehrman. I have two sons, and the eldest boy had fallen into bloodlust and was released."

"My deepest condolences Lord Jonathan. I too know how it feels to lose family to the scourge." Gehrman says as he takes his hat off and gives a small salute.

"Now who are the girls? Are they hunters?"

"No. They are what's called shinobi. They follow a different set of regulations then what the hunters do." Mr. K states.

"I see. Kind of like those foreigners that occasionally came to Yharnam to hunt. I'm guessing they are currently the top beast hunters."

"Not exactly. Because those in charge have tried to stem out any beliefs relating to the Old Blood, both hunters and shinobi have not been disposing of the yoma properly, leading to uncleansed beings." Jonathan says.

"Sounds like we need a purifier then." I hear M say as she walks into the office with both of her hands placed behind her back. Hibari walks over beside me and kneels down. The act catches M's attention and she walks over towards Hibari.

"Tell me, what is your kind kneeling for?" She asks.

"Scio qui sis. Legenda est ad Paleblood tui nomenue absentis detulisset (I know who you are. The Legend of the Paleblood told of your forthcoming.)" Hibari replies with a calm tone as M runs her hands through Hibari's pink hair.

"A shinobi that can speak hunter's tongue? Who taught you this?"

"A hunter named Amber." Hibari replies as she reaches down her white shirt and fishes out the pink topaz that was formed from Amber's ashes.

"What is your name?"

"Hibari."

"I like you Hibari. You possess something many don't have. Quod sit quod facit specialis (That's what makes you special)."

"Gratias tibi. Maesteatem tuam (Thank you. Your Majesty)."

M folds her hands back behind her back and continues forward where she examines all the Hanzo girls closely except Asuka. Gehrman motions that we can stand, and the four of us line up against the wall.

M holds out her hand and Ikaruga's sword comes out of her sheathe. Ikaruga starts to get scared, but M signals that it's okay. The sword floats through the air and M looks it over as she holds it in mid air with some kind of telepathic power.

"No runes, no inscriptions and no hexes. This thing hasn't even tasted beast blood yet. Still, a beautiful sword. Almost like the Chikage blade I had at one time." M states as she sends the sword back into Ikaruga's sheathe.

She proceeds over to Yagyu and takes her umbrella. The fact that it actually has been stained with Razorback blood enthralls the queen as she sniffs the places where there is still some spatter left.

"So you are the only one that's killed something that's been blood starved?"

"Well Alan helped me kill it, but I guess you can say I have experience." Yagyu replies.

M lets out a sigh of disappointment as she pulls the hidden sword out of the umbrella's cane, "Still though, you got some experience when dealing with a real threat. Well done." She slides the sword back into the cane and hands her the weapon back.

"You girls have a long way to go before you are ready to tackle any of the real beasts out there, but you are making progress, and that's something."

M begins to walk out of the room. As she passes by Astoreth, M suddenly stops and casts her gaze at her. Astoreth bows her head and remains quiet. She pulls her bonnet over her face and tries to ignore the fact M is onto her.

"Astoreth isn't it?" As M gets closer. She flips the bonnet off of her head. "Yes. Astoreth of Sepculus. One of Shen's top servants."

"I gave that life up. Now I live to serve my true master Alan."

"You're lucky that's the case too. Otherwise I'd kill you right now." M states.

"Leave Astoreth alone!"

"Don't worry Alan. I think it's cute when beasts like her renounce their old ways and decide to contribute to mankind. I'm just letting her know that if she ever betrayed the people that gave her the second chance she never deserved, I'd happily finish what Kagura, and the Honored Elders couldn't." M replies as she walks out of the room.

Astoreth's face starts to droop and a speck of water streams down the side of her face. Daigon tries to comfort her but Astoreth bursts out the room.

"Astoreth! Wait!" Daigon yells as he runs after her.

"Well that was uncalled for." Gehrman sighs as he picks up his cane and uses it to balance himself within the wheelchair.

"Mr. K, same plan. Me and Ayame leave tomorrow morning."

"Alright Alan."

"Come on Gehrman. I'll show you where you will be staying." Jonathan says as Octavian grabs hold of his wheelchair and follows his father.

The rest of the girls all dissipate and go their own ways. Hibari heads into the living room while Yagyu, Katsu and Ikaruga return to their rooms. Ayame and I walk out of the room at the same time and head in the direction of Astoreth's room. Ayame rounds the corner and bumps into M.

Both her and Asuka are staring each other down, and anger rages within both of them. Asuka looks like she is seriously mad while M has a sarcastic grin across her face that radiates with pride.

"I haven't been here ten minutes, and I can already tell I'm going to have a problem with you." M sneers.

"M! Leave Asuka alone!" I yell.

"I'm not doing anything wrong. I was simply minding my own business and this privileged little kitten puffed up like she was going to do something."

"Liar! You were trying to take my swords away!"

"I was just seeing if it contained any power. Of course, I shouldn't expect much out of you."

"Why you…" Asuka reaches for both of her swords.

M teleports directly in front of Asuka immediately and places her index finger underneath Asuka's chin before she can get halfway through her draw. Shock grabs hold of Asuka as M pulls both her katana and wakizashi out of her sheathes by simply holding her hands up. M snaps her fingers and both of the weapons wedge themselves into the wooden floor behind Asuka.

"I've put novices like you underground in my sleep." M says as she grabs the saw cleaver off the back of her waist. The locking mechanism scratches against the metal pivot and locks shut as she flicks her wrist. The weapon has doubled in size and the bizarre etchings on the blade glow a bright yellow.

I fully extend the axe I received as a gift from earlier and swing. M spins around and blocks the incoming attack. The grip on the weapon remains unmoved but the beard of my axe locks with the teeth of her cleaver. Metallic grain from both weapons grinding against each other emit a small photon of light, "That's my bride woman. Back the hell off."

"Your emotions clouded your judgement so much that you forgot the most important rule of a fight." M replies as she firmly presses a flintlock pistol into my gut.

"M! Leave the girl alone!" Gehrman yells as he rolls up in his wheelchair.

"Put the weapon away Alan!" Jonathan shouts at the same time.

"Forgive me master Gehrman. I was trying to explain to…Asuka here why we will be staying." M replies as she squeezes the lever on her cleaver. The lock releases the pivot and M folds the weapon up in one smooth transition.

I release the button and fold the axe back up as M makes her way to the dojo where the girls normally train indoors. Asuka bends over and pulls her katana out of the floor while I grab the wakizashi.

"How come you always get the jump on everyone?" Asuka asks as I hand her the weapon back.

"One, she about blew my stomach out, and two, I don't go around starting trouble."

"I didn't start anything!" Asuka flairs up.

"I believe you Asuka."

"If for some reason I did do something, would you have still intervened?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because M would have hurt you either way and not thought twice about it, and it would be irresponsible of me to stand by and not do anything."

That's all I got to say. M was relatively respectful to the other girls despite her somewhat spiteful attitude. Whatever her problem with Asuka might be isn't the issue. I may have had my intestines painted all over the walls, but it wouldn't have stopped me.

"Hey Alan…"

"Yes?"

"Thank you…"

"You're welcome Asuka."

"I have to admit Alan, that was pretty cool." Ayame says as we continue down the hallway.

The door to Astoreth's room is slightly cracked open. Daigon is silently sitting in a chair he carved for Astoreth. It looks like he wants to say something, but doesn't know what. Astoreth's head is buried into her bed and her pale arms shield the sides of her face and muffles her huffs in between tears.

I softly knock on the door and walk in. Astoreth continues to mourn. Ayame kneels at the door while I sit down on the bed beside Astoreth. Despite her repentance for the life she once lived, the past still terrorizes her. It's the fierce ghost even gods face.

I reach out and place my hand on her back, "Astoreth?"

"Why can't people let by-gones be by-gones? I'd never turn on humanity." Astoreth sniffles.

"Let me explain something to you. You've killed many people out of selfishness and avarice. It's a similar cross the both of us have to carry on a daily basis. But I believe in the short time you've been working at the hospital with Jonathan, you saved more lives than you've taken." I state.

Ayame clasps her hands together and a huge smile grows across her face. Daigon slowly reaches over and runs his hand through Astoreth's white hair, "There's a beautiful woman inside you that's fighting with a demon that refuses to let go, but I know you have the strength to overcome it."

"Sheer poetry…" Ayame whispers as Astoreth sits up.

Daigon dries the tears from Astoreth's face as I lean over and put my arms around her. Daigon wraps his arms around the both of us.

"I love you both." I say.

"And we love you Alan." Astoreth says.

I back out and let Daigon caress Astoreth in his arms. He begins to rock her back and forth while singing some kind of nursery rhyme in Greek. I motion with my hand and Ayame exits the same time I do.

"You ready for tomorrow?" I ask.

"Of course, I am! We're going to get that stone back!"

"Hell yeah! But if it's not there, maybe we will find out who took it!"

"Oh it will be there! I can feel it! Anyway, I'm going to go get a good night's sleep! I'll see you tomorrow!" Ayame states as she heads into her room.

"Good night!" I wave as Ayame closes her door.

At least the kid is confident in the mission. That's more than I can say about myself. Personally, I don't want the stone to be there because that would more than likely mean Yumi is plotting against Oliveria, and that is a terrible idea.

Most good shinobi, especially these young guns, they think Oliveria and her girls are nothing more than a joke because they don't have an academy that's fully constructed yet. Oliveria minds her own business, and that's what makes her so dangerous. She doesn't like to be messed with and will show no mercy to anyone that crosses her or tries to hurt her girls.

I can hear Hibari laughing to the point she can barely breathe. There's no telling what that girl has gotten into now, and it sounds like it's coming from the living room of all places. Great. I'll have to try and sleep through her mannerisms of hysteria. Hibari gives a small bow and bursts into laughter.

"What is going on in here?" I ask.

"It's Maria! She's awesome! Hibari giggles as she makes another gesture and the doll bows.

"How do you know her name is Maria?" I tease.

"She whispered in my ear! Now watch Alan! Watch what she does!"

Hibari sits down and crosses her legs. The doll grabs the flounce of her dress and spins around in a graceful manner while laughter spews from Hibari. She stands up, balls her fist up and lifts it up into the air. The doll puts her unglazed bisque hands together and claps.

"She does it every time! Not only that! She talks too! Maria!" Hibari bows.

"Fairest Hibari. May I ask what you are?" Maria replies as she bows.

"What do you mean?"

"You're not a hunter like my creator or my queen."

"I'm a shinobi! Hunters and shinobi are different in many ways, but similar in others!" Hibari replies.

Maria tilts her head to one side and stares at Hibari with a puzzled look, "Where do these creatures called shinobi come from?"

Hibari is now confused on what Maria is asking. To be honest, I don't even know how to answer some of these questions. It never occurred to me that someone that's been sealed away for nearly eight hundred years would be asking these kinds of questions.

"Well Maria, much like how the hunters came from the Honored Elders, the shinobi probably had a predecessor too. Although I don't know what they were called. Probably had something to do with shadows." I state like I'm some kind of genius.

"Tell me Alan, are the shinobi your creation?" Maria asks.

"What? No."

"But these creatures called shinobi love you and don't all creations love their creators?"

"Just because they love me doesn't mean I created them. It's a very difficult thing to explain. Maybe the Queen knows the answer." I reply.

"Very well. I must learn everything I can about these creatures called shinobi." The doll states as she walks down the hallway and towards the dojo where Gehrman and M are staying.

Well that was an awkward and somewhat uncomfortable subject. I have to give her credit though. At least Maria is going to keep things interesting around here. Nothing like having someone wanting to learn about the world around them.

I sit down on the couch and put a pillow underneath my head. Tomorrow is the big day for me and Ayame, and probably the last chance we are going to get at finding the stone before time expires. Hibari turns off the living room light and waves at me, "Good night Alan."

"Good night Hibari."

As she leaves, the doll comes back with a blue blanket, "Are you cold?" She folds it out and drapes it over me. Since it's insulated, it should keep me extra warm tonight.

"Thank you."

"You are welcome. May you find your worth in this world." Maria says as I close my eyes and drift off…

Ending Song: "Stillborn" by: Black Label Society