In the infinite expanses of the ethereal space between the floating islands of Zindan, only one creature can make travel the Etherion and reach impossible speeds the the power of Starburst. The Leviathans. Ancient peaceful space travelers that would act as arks in the days before space technology for those who desired or needed transport. Of these nearly forgotten beasts; one was more well traveled than any. No Leviathan had traveled half as far or seen half as many worlds, or carried half as many people as her in their 10,000 year lifespan. Moya was that Leviathan and the reason she was here in Zindan was simply because...that lifespan had reached its end.

All this information came pouring into Kamina's head while Sora was chasing down Esdeath earlier. He didn't know how or why, but he had an idea on WHERE it came from. But why would Moya choose to share this information with Kamina and not the others? Then again; who's to say she DIDN'T? But whenever Kamina tried to bring it up; the DRDs would give him a small shock to his ankle. Why did she want to keep this a secret from them? Why tell Kamina of all people? He didn't like it. "A man doesn't keep secrets from his friends!" He thought to himself. At least Sora should be trustworthy. Maybe he would try to get Sora alone to tell JUST him.

The newest member of the Familia was staring at Kamina a lot. Those gigantic yellow eyes felt like they were prodding him for information without the kid having to say anything.

"This frickin cat is pissing me off!"

Sora covers Niko's large ears.

"Hey! Watch your language in front of the kid, Kamina! Even Esdeath has been doing her best to be appropriate for him."

She chimes in.

"My BEST...isn't the word I'd use. I'm NOT changing my clothes and I'm NOT covering up. End of discussion. What's your problem with Niko anyway, Kamina? I'm supposed to be the one who gives newcomers a hard time."

"I don't like his eyes."

"That's it? Even I'M not that judgemental. I think he's cute..."

Sora pulls Niko behind him and hugs him tighter.

"Esdeath. NO. Bad."

"I mean in pet-like kinda way. What were YOU thinking I meant? Don't be a bad influence on the poor thing."

"ME?! Excuse me?! Hello, Kettle. I'm the Pot!"

"Is that a euphemism for calling me HOT? Are you hitting on me, Sora?"

She teases with a smirk as Sora gets all flustered. He starts babbling incomprehensibly in his defense.

"I...you...UHG! You suck!"

"Only if you ask nicely. Heh."

"..."

It took a moment for Sora and Kamina to get her joke. Kamina laughed hysterically once he figured it out. Sora...not so much.

"HAHAHA! You know, what?! I take back everything I said about you, Esdeath! You're alright by me!"

"I appreciate that."

Sora groans and mumbles to himself. Why did they have to make these jokes as soon as a little kid showed up. He finally takes his hands off Niko's ears who was waiting patiently.

"Hey. Sorry about all this. I wasn't expecting to be the most MATURE ONE HERE."

The last part he said louder as he turned towards the others then back to Niko.

"But we're not so bad. I look forward to getting to know you. And don't worry; I'll protect y-"

"Can I ask you something?"

He didn't even wait for Sora to finish his sentence before he asked a question. It a slight urgency, so Sora figured it was important enough that it should take priority.

"Uh...sure?"

"...How did you all die?"

"..."

Everyone was silent for a while. They weren't expecting such a serious and blunt question from this kid. But of course; lacking any subtlety and gentleness; Esdeath answered first.

"I was killed by an assassin named, Akame with a poison blade and passed on in the embrace of my dead love."

Kamina didn't like to keep secrets and this kid looked like he wasn't going to let him keep them for very long anyway. So he went next.

"I...was killed in battle by one of the Spiral King's generals and passed in my Gurren after landing one final blow with my bro, Simon."

Then they all looked at Sora who was thinking really hard. He was trying desperately to remember. But...nothing. It's like he was trying to paint a picture of something he'd never seen. It felt like he wasn't even present for his own funeral. It was the strangest feeling of confusion he'd ever felt. Niko broke through the funk Sora was in with his words of assurance.

"You don't remember? Well, don't worry. I'm sure you'll remember eventually. As for me...I broke the Sun. I was trying to save the world and bring the Sun back to the Tower, but when I got to the top I just...I just...my friend LIED to me."

A powerful presence is felt by Sora. It wasn't like Esdeath's malicious one, but it didn't feel friendly. It also didn't feel like it came from Niko himself, but rather from...around him. Like the presence was WITH him and it spoke to him in a voice that made no sound. Sora could tell by looking at Esdeath and even Kamina; that they heard it too. It said the same thing. [NIKO...IS...UPSET ] Sora spotted the faintest glimpse of concern in Esdeath's face as Kamina couldn't even comprehend what just happened.

"That other guy was a liar too."

"Hmm? What other guy?"

"When I came into THIS world...I wasn't in Moya like the rest of you. I was drifting in the Etherion and when I woke up; this guy took me in and told me about Zindan. Pit came to get me not long after, but that guy made sure he was gone before Pit showed up."

"What did this guy look like?"

"He was about your height, Sora. He had purple hair and eyes, wore an all white uniform with straps on his arms and legs, and he wore a checkered bandana around his neck. Actually, he kind acted like you too, Sora. But I got the feeling it was just that. Acting."

Sora looked back and forth between the others for any clues but they both shook their heads.

"Did he say anything else?"

"He said a lot of things. But the last thing he said was stuff about how he was called the Ultimate Supreme Leader...but he was also a liar and I shouldn't trust him. Gozet said I shouldn't worry about it."

They nod in agreement before they suddenly realize.

"WAIT?! You talked to Gozet?! How?!"

"Uh...I just close my eyes and focus. It's how I talk to God all the time."

Kamina tries to do the same thing in the background, but the others ignore him. Esdeath continues the questions.

"You've talked to Gozet BEFORE coming here?"

"No. Another God. It's complicated."

"Well, what did Gozet tell you?"

"Not much. His true name, when Pit was coming to get me, some stuff about Leviathans..."

Kamina opened one of his eyes for a moment but went back to concentrating shortly after.

"...and about our Familia's last member."

Now Kamina was fully paying attention as the other two leaned in.

"Who is it?"

"Well, he didn't say her name. But he did say that she was an angel like Pit."

Kamina pumps his fist up in victory.

"YES! A woman! A REAL woman!"

Both Sora and Niko looked at Kamina with pitiful eyes. As if to say: "Rest in Peace, friend." Kamina quickly looked over to Esdeath who was wearing a fake smile as you could see the veins in her forehead.

"Uh...well, what I meant was..."

She pinched his lips closed with two fingers as she got very close to his face.

"How would you like to be tortured? Boiled in oil, drawn and quartered, or sat on a pike with no clothes on? I don't know what woman let you get away with this kind of talk, but I assure you...it will not happen at MY expense EVER AGAIN. Are we clear?"

He nods his rapidly since he can't open his mouth.

"Wonderful. Because next time it will be your head. And I DON'T mean the head on your shoulders."

She releases him. As a sickening look of dread overshadows his face.

Niko timidly speaks up.

"A-anyway; he said that she would be here soon and that was when I was away, so it should be any minute now."

Sora claps his hands together.

"Well? What are we waiting for? Let's go back to the room with machine thing so we'll be there to welcome her."

"Yeah! I don't know where that room is though. I didn't spawn in there like the rest of you."

Sora picks up Niko and gives him a piggyback ride as he runs down the hall playfully. Kamina tries to follow them, is stopped by Esdeath's hand on his shoulder. He instinctively covered his privates on reflex.

"W-what?! What did I do now?!"

She looks at him very seriously.

"...Sora trusts you more than me."

"I'm...sorry?"

"Don't betray that trust by keeping secrets. If you build up his trust only to...drill a hole in it. It will backfire in the WORST of ways."

"...Is that a threat too?"

"No. It's a...promise. I hear Sora likes making those a lot. I plan to have him make one with me in time. But I DON'T plan on you ruining his beliefs or tainting his purity...that's MY quest."

"My friends are nobodies tools, ya hear me?! You can threaten ME all you like; but you don't touch him. Period. If you do...you'll regret it. That's MY promise to YOU."

Esdeath gets a slight chuckle out of that.

"Hmph. You've got bluster to spare when it counts. Then we both have promises to keep and this time...death won't allow us to escape."

She struts out of the room, leaving Kamina alone. But not completely alone.

"Did you get all that, Moya? You were right to suspect her of foul play. But it's...uh...a different kind of foul. Crazy bitch. Don't worry, I won't tell HER. That's for sure. But I gotta let Sora know."

...Niko...too…

"Are you sure? Something about that kid is...off."

…

"Fine. If you say so. But I'm waiting until that new angel arrives. Who knows; she might be trustworthy too...I hope."

*Niko is certainly going to be an interestingone for me to write because of the "Meta-ness" of his source material and [The Entity]. Kamina and Moya have formed a secret connection. Esdeath has her own plans and Niko seems to be harboring some resentment towards the world as well as some septicemicthanks to "Mr. Ultimate Liar".*