-The Story-

It started as a simple task...to gather the four Dragonstones so that the thieves could go free. But there was one thing Jack, his band of thieves and Therion did not expect...and that was Darius. Now that they knew where their final objective lied, our band of thieves must now not only take down Darius but claim the Emerald and Gold Dragonstones. That is why they have arrived in Northreach.

"Well...I can't believe we're finally doing this...the biggest heist here yet." Jack said as he and the thieves and Therion were now donned in cloaks.

"Nice of those fellas to "lend" us their uniforms." Panther said.

"Yep...the perfect way to sneak in is to look like them." Therion said as they walked right inside and walking past the guards.

"Wow...can't believe how stupid these guards are." Mona said. "Just a couple of cloaks and we blend right in."

"You sure Heathcote will be okay outside?" Noir asked.

"We've seen what that man can do. He'll be fine." Joker said.

"Hey, Jack." Therion said. "I got a question for you. You could've made off with the Dragonstones at any point in time. So why did you stick around to reclaim them all with me?"

"Mostly to get these stupid bangles off...but the rest was for the thrill of stealing." Jack said.

"The thrill?" Therion asked.

"For me, it's not always about the treasure, it's about letting someone know I was the one who took it." Jack said.

"Uh huh." Therion said as they approached two altars. One holding the Emerald stone and the other with the gold.

"There they are, the last two Dragon Stones!" Mona said bouncing to them. "Oh, sweet treasure!"

"I see ya like my collection." A voice said as the group saw Darius sitting on a stone throne. "Well we did spend a lot of time getting them."

"Darius." Jack said.

"Now...how about we just stop all of this. After all...these stones won't do you any good, Therion. I know how to use them properly and you...you're just another loner doing it for themselves." Darius said laughing.

"I'm not doing this for me!" Therion shouted.

"Then who are you doing it for?" Darius asked.

"For...for the people who put their trust in me!" Therion said as Darius was taken aback.

"Those eyes...I hate those eyes. Where were those slits I saw in Wellspring? All hopeless and defeated. But they're like all those years ago. You think you can trust them? You're just gonna get betrayed again!" Darius said.

"You're right. I might." Therion said.

"Do you know what happens when you trust others? They see you for the naif you are and use you all they want. That's how I got to where I am today. I used you to get to the top. And look at me now! I rule this whole town!" Darius said.

"Oh of course, Lord Darius. But I must tell ya...it must be pretty lonely at the top." Jack said.

"You both are such sentimental fools." Darius said.

"Maybe it's sentimental...but trust is a sentiment I want to believe in!" Therion said. "And it's one worth fighting for! Jack, Phantoms, you with me?!"

"You know what, I think I'm starting to like this guy!" Skull said.

"You're all fools. You all are just going to get betrayed." Darius said charging them as Therion and Jack blocked using their daggers.

"Betrayal? Heh...I never had to worry about that one day of my life." Jack said. "Cause we have a bond...one that can never be broken!"

"We might be scavengers of the night...but even we know what trust is!" Therion said as they pushed Darius back.

"Damn you….!" Darius said charging.

"I won't let you touch them." Jack said countering once again.

"Please...these thieves would only end up selling you out once they got high enough." Darius said.

"Maybe that might be true one day...but at least I'm not afraid of trusting others! You're so afraid of being betrayed...you betray many people and don't even care what happens to them." Jack said.

"So what? You're just a powerless little thief!" Darius said trying to lunge at Jack.

"I'm anything but powerless." Jack said jumping off Darius's back.

"Jack...end this!" Therion said.

"Yeah...I will...cause I am a master thief." Jack said as a knife mark appeared on one of his hands. "Huh? This feels strange...but I kinda like it." he said as he lunged at Darius. "Not sure where this power came from...but I'm gonna have some fun with it! Aeber's...Reckoning!" Jack shouted as his knife broke through Darius's sword and stabbed him right in the stomach.

"You rotten… tea leaf… just you wait… those Phantom Thieves that you trust so much? They're all gonna stab ya in the back!" Darius said before running off.

"Darius!" Jack said as he and Joker gave chase. When they eventually came to where Darius went, they saw him with lots of treasure just as a few grunts came in.

"Good. Ya came. Quick, get as much of this out of here as ya can! Do it!" Darius said before one of the grunts stabbed him in the gut. "You...traitors!"

"Traitors? Don't recall ever havin' that much loyalty to ya." one said.

"Pretty sure Gareth was the only loyal one here." another said.

"Look at all this treasure!" a third said as they laughed and looted.

"Someone...help...me." Darius said before he lied there lifeless.

"(I guess it's true what they say. Karma is a bitch.)" Jack thought. "Kinda thought this would be how it ended."

"Really?" Joker asked.

"Those people Darius surrounded himself with...they have no idea what loyalty even is. They're like rats...ready to take all they want the first chance they get." Jack said.

"I see..." Joker said.

"Hey...Akira...you never would have considered betraying me would you?" Jack asked.

"No. I would never. After I had destroyed Yaldabaoth with Satanael, a lot of crazy stuff happened. But...you saving us and us joining up...not one of them. You're one of my closest friends, Jack. Besides, if I wanted to betray you...I would have done it the first day we met." Joker said.

"Thanks." Jack said before a voice echoed in his head.

"Noble Thief...you have proven worthy of my power." a voice echoed. "I am Aeber, the prince of thieves and one of the twelve gods of this land. As a reward...not only have I given you the powers of a thief but also Aeber's Reckoning. Now...there is still one more thing you must do. Head south to Hornburg...all will become clear then."

"Huh...is that so...something tells me the biggest score is yet to come." Jack said smiling.

To be concluded in Final Chapter…