And we're back. It's been rough these past few months, trying to keep up with numerous stories and school. Needless to say the latter isn't going very well, but that's what happens when I get to throw math into the mix. UGH. Add that on top of a foreign language and a programming class, and the only easy part of this semester is science. Pretty sure everything is going to shit and I really can't do much to stop it. We're halfway through the semester and I still don't have one of the books for a class. Another one I refuse to get simply because it has bullshit cost. Ah, college... taking your money and ruining everything one way or another.

Anyway, assuming everyone has heard the news about Queen's Blade Unlimited by now, how are we feeling about that as a community? I'm torn on the handful of redesigns we've seen thus far. Elina looks good but Leina looks way weird compared to the original. Airi's barely changed, thank God, and Nowa now looks like jail bait. Feeling really irritated about that last one, because there's no need to loli-fy her. We've already got Ymir and Huit for that noise.

On a technicality, Airi was an assassin of sorts. While she had been resurrected by the Swamp Witch to serve, that included the elimination of her enemies. The initial idea behind bringing Airi under her wing was to have a powerful wraith to kill the Swamp Witch's opponents. And while that particular directive hadn't been employed too terribly much since her resurrection, it seemed that it would be now.

The latest orders from her master involved the tournament that was just on the horizon. Queen's Blade had always been an event of great significance for the Swamp Witch, as it was the one thing that stood between her and dominion of the Continent. Of course the Witch had never been able to partake in the battles herself, but there was no rule stating that she could not have her own vassals do it. If one of her servants won, by extension the Swamp Witch would win, and then her conquest could begin, through a puppet if nothing else.

But the Swamp Witch held no delusions about the strength of her servants in comparison to their opponents. There were a great deal of powerful warriors likely to participate in the tournament this year, and even if everyone before the final battle happened to be a complete pushover, the Queen herself was not to be taken lightly. Powerful as they were, neither Airi nor Melona really stood a chance against Aldra in open combat. In a one on one duel she would easily obliterate them, and that meant the use of underhanded tactics was necessary.

Never before had a Queen been assassinated. This was usually because the majority of assassins were too scared to make an attempt, but the few times someone had tried to take a Queen's life they were usually killed. After all, one did not become Queen without being a powerful warrior, making them quite the formidable target for those that would kill them.

But never had a Queen been targeted by supernatural assassins either. Airi and Melona had powers at their disposal that could help them dispose of Aldra before the tournament was even held, and if they did that their most powerful competition would be gone.

Of course Airi didn't think it would be that easy. Even with the powers she and Melona possessed, just sneaking into the castle would be hard enough. But actually getting close enough to Aldra to kill her? The young Queen was a genius, someone that would notice the slightest hint of danger in her midst if it wasn't concealed well enough. And if she discovered her assassins she could easily destroy them.

While these were all true facts, they weren't enough to dissuade the Swamp Witch from her plan of action, and this was why Airi was currently moving through the streets of Gainos, completely lost in thought regarding her next objective. She could have flown above them all or otherwise avoided the hustle and bustle of the crowded street, but she found the contact of humanity to be comforting in its own way, considering her absence from it during death. Melona was off elsewhere, conducting her own investigations, though Airi imagined that she was really just goofing off.

Either way, they thankfully had some time before they had to act. The tournament was still some time away, and the plan to assassinate Aldra would be more effective if it was carried out closer to the tournament rather than this far out. Eliminating the Queen this early before the tournament would cause far too many political complications: if she were killed just before or even during the tournament itself, the government would simply let the tournament run its course to elect a new ruler rather than try to rectify the issue on its own.

So Airi had time. Time in which to think, time to plan, and maybe even time to ask herself a few very important questions.

Lost in thought, the redheaded wraith accidentally bumped into someone as she walked. Such an incident was certainly common enough in this situation, so she paid it no mind, instead simply giving her apology back to the muttered one she heard from her victim. She intended to keep walking from there, but she had not expected the person she had bumped to speak to her beyond an apology. And she certainly didn't expect him to say her name.

"Airi?"

Recognizing the voice immediately now that he had spoken up beyond a muttered apology, Airi whirled on her heels to stare at the man that had spoken to her. The man she had not seen in so very long, and whose absence had caused her to dwell on almost everything about her life.

"Church?"

Having come face to face with each other after such a long time apart, Church and Airi could do little more than stare at each other, shocked to have been reunited so suddenly after all this time, and that it had occurred under such plebeian circumstances. Still, it didn't take that long for one of their brains to work, and Church was the first to snap out of his stupor, stepping forward to engulf Airi in a hug before she had time to react.

"Airi! I can't believe it!"

Only stunned for a moment longer, Airi wasted no time in hugging him back, beaming a wide smile. She had to admit that something about this situation was far too uncanny, but she was not about to question whatever forces had brought them together like this. "Neither can I... Church, I... I can't believe it's you! I-I'm so glad you're alright!"

"C'mon, you didn't think I bought the farm that easily did you?"

Considering the last time she had seen him, Airi certainly did not feel that he should be taking this so lightly. "Church, the last time I saw you, you were falling into a lake with rubble practically on top of you! I... I was really scared that you were dead! We couldn't find you anywhere.

For Church, he knew he could not relate simply because he had been assured of Airi's survival recently after his separation from her. Either way, he was significantly heartened to learn Airi and Melona had looked for him after the incident. "I'm sorry. I looked for you guys too, but I couldn't find you anywhere. I guess we just kept passing each other..."

Airi neglected to mention that she and Melona had only searched for him in one place. It had been out of necessity, but she didn't want Church to think they had only made an obligatory effort. "I-I guess so... to think we'd just run into each other like this, so far from where we were separated..."

Church would have thought it astronomical uncanny as well, but he recalled Daedalus without little trouble. The exiled higher being had made it clear that he could influence the outside world to some extent. He had said directly that he had caused the rockslide that allowed him to meet Alleyne and Nowa, and had hinted at orchestrating his meeting with Nyx as well. He didn't doubt for a minute that he could have had a hand in this reunion.

"I don't question my blessings. But it's been so long! I missed you guys so much!"

Hearing that from him so earnestly made Airi far happier than she expected it to. She had told herself that Church was her friend and nothing more. A friend that she wouldn't have minded exploring the fresh aspects of romance with perhaps, but not someone she was already in love with. And she wasn't, but she had to admit that things like this almost made her feel like she was.

"T-that goes for both of us..."

Church didn't miss the blush on Airi's cheeks, and he wondered if she even recalled the conversation they had shared the day of their separation. It had been a distinctly... beyond platonic affair. If Melona hadn't interrupted them, it was possible that Church would have been separated from someone that was more than just his friend that day. Admittedly, he felt that the event had included a lot of 'heat of the moment' emotions, but the potential there had been the same regardless.

It had been a long time since then though. Airi had definitely had the opportunity to dwell on the things that had been said, to really put thought into what she wanted. Church didn't think he had the proper initiative to bring that day or that conversation back up. So he didn't, even though he was more than curious.

"What on earth have you and Melona been up to since then? I hope you didn't do anything too exciting without me."

Something about the first question being asked of her requiring a deceitful answer didn't sit well with Airi. In fact, it really bothered her beyond words that in her first minute seeing Church again she had to lie to him, but she had no choice. "Nothing much. Just traveling here to the capital to watch the tournament in a few months. It's usually best to get accommodations early."

Church beamed at her, purposefully ignoring the statement Nanael had told him regarding Airi's participation in said tournament. "That boring huh? I wish I could say the same. My adventures were so crazy you wouldn't believe it."

Hearing that Church had managed to get in so much trouble on his own actually amused Airi. "Oh I think I could believe it. You never were one for subtlety. Or caution. I have to admit, I've really missed it."

"I would share, but it would take way too long to do in the middle of the street."

Airi realized that she would have to sell her cover story more convincingly once they moved beyond this point. And that being the case, she figured she may as well start right now. "We have a lot of catching up to do. Why don't we go do it back at the inn instead of out here on the street?"

Of course Airi did not actually have a room at any inn, since she didn't particularly need one. But Church didn't need to know that. She could pay when they got there, and more easily explain that away. If she were lucky, Church would forget about his previous question. She was sure she could distract him one way or another if she had to.

That said, there was another thing to worry about, that being the speed at which Airi's heart was racing. She was confused as to why it was happening. She cared about Church, there was no denying that. He was her friend, and a friend she was admittedly attracted to.

But face to face with him now, her heart was hammering. She was reacting way more strongly than she had expected of herself when she thought of this theoretical reunion.

Was it just the fact that she was so happy to be reunited? Or had she misjudged her own feelings? She didn't think the latter was true, but it was certainly feeling as such. It could have just been because she hadn't seen him in so long. Or maybe she just hadn't accurately remembered how handsome and charming he was.

Either way, Airi wouldn't deny that she was undeniably happy to be in the presence of someone precious to her again. Even if she was only just now realizing how precious that person really was to her. Maybe absence really did make the heart grow fonder.

Naturally Church had no qualms following Airi back to the place she had supposedly set up for herself. He was way too happy about his good fortune in running into her just out on the streets to question anything else. Oh yeah, he had missed her a lot. He didn't even really realize how much until now, when he got to see her again. Sure, the other girls had beautiful hair and pretty eyes, but there was a different appeal to that scarlet red and glorious emerald. Yeah, he'd missed her alright. And he couldn't wait to sit down and catch up on everything they'd missed being absent from one another.

For someone who held herself to the title of warrior, Leina sure did scream like a girl. Granted, she was a girl, but she could have at least not sounded so distraught considering that she didn't even know what she was really scared of to begin with.

Her shrill cry had effectively deafened Mission for about two seconds, but when her hearing finally returned it wasn't the voice of anyone she recognized accosting the blonde. In fact, it sounded like the voice of a child.

"Must you scream so ridiculously loud? I hardly could have scared you, with this light you would have seen me from halfway down the tunnel."

Peeking around Leina's body to get a look at the person speaking to them, Mission had to look far below her waist to spot the speaker. It was a young girl, seemingly no older than ten or so, with long dark blue hair and an irritatingly green getup that looked to be made half out of leaves.

"What is with this... sassy lost child?"

The young girl glanced up at her with an agitated expression. "I am not a child. I'll have you know that I'm twenty-three."

Mission stared at her for a moment. "What's with this sassy lost midget?"

"I am not a midget! I'm an elf you simpleton! How could you not see that?!"

"Sorry, but I don't believe in faeries."

The young girl resisted the urge to facepalm, instead hoisting the blue stone that lit her path to get a better look at the trio that stood before her. "What business do you have here in Sirinael? You're not bandits, are you? This place-"

Risty cut her off from the back of the group. "This place probably doesn't belong to you."

"It's an elven ruin."

"And Gainos is a human city, but I'm not calling the shots there just because of that am I?"

The little elf sighed. "Fine, I suppose you have a point. I can hardly tell you what to do, but I still ask why you are here."

Seeing as how this was essentially her goal, Mission spoke up. "We're looking for a particular item. It's around here somewhere and I need it."

Naturally she neglected to mention that Risty would probably help herself to any other treasures they found, but she figured that was need to know information.

The blue haired girl cocked an eyebrow at Mission. "What a coincidence. I too am here for a particular object. I do hope it's not one and the same."

"Are you here for a smithing matrix?"

"No, no I am not. However, it does seem we have a roughly similar objective. The objects we are looking for are likely in the same location. But I cannot reach it by myself, hence why I was returning outside. But a group of warriors like you are exactly what I need to reach the chamber that houses our treasures."

Risty glared at her. "And why exactly should we help you?"

"Well, do you know where the chamber actually is? Or do you plan on floundering through the twisted passageways of this place until you somehow stumble upon it?"

Risty had nothing to say to that, allowing Leina to take her place. "Well, if you'll take us there we'll be glad to help in any way we can. That sounds fair to me."

"Excellent. If that's so, I believe introductions are in order. My name is Huit, budding genius alchemist."

Leina began to introduce herself, but Huit cut her off. "Perhaps I should have been more specific. My introduction was in order, I'm not quite sure the titles of some vagrant bandits are of much importance."

Huit turned on her heel, leading the way back down the hall with her light, her little cape fluttering slightly with her steps. Risty glared daggers at her back as she went. "Who is she calling a vagrant bandit?!"

Leina cocked an eyebrow at her. "Risty, you are a bandit."

"But not a vagrant one! Isn't a moniker like that better suited to you?!"

Ignoring the short amount of bickering, Mission pushed forward ahead both of her comrades. "Come on, Huey there is getting away."

"I think her name was-"

"I know what her name was."

Considering the fact that Airi had never been to Gainos before and that she had not actually procured an inn on arrival, she did a stellar job of acting like she had done as much all along. Church suspected nothing the entire time, mostly because Airi had made a rather convincing excuse that she had only paid for her first night initially, which was why she had to pay again for a room.

Thankfully, Church had very well forgotten about his questions regarding Airi's whereabouts and activities these past few months, but only because she had made an effort to ask about him instead. That said, now that they were alone in one room, Church had indeed regaled her with all sorts of ridiculous nonsense that Airi nevertheless believed, simply because this was Church they were talking about. Brawls in village streets, road trips with angels, ravine diving with dangerous blonde women, attacked by Eastern foreigners and strange subterranean green creatures: it all sounded like the throes of a children's story, or maybe the tale of a madman.

But she believed it alright. After that madness at the Elven Forest and Vance Castle, Airi had complete faith in Church's ability to get into ridiculous situations. But more than any of that, Airi found herself enthralled by just being able to hear his voice again. It was a strange sensation, to be so happy for so simple a reason, but maybe that was what fresh love felt like? Then again, perhaps it was just because she had not seen him in such a long time.

Either way, Church's story of the past few months was not a short one, and it took him several hours to recount everything that had transpired, as well as all of the people he had met.

Airi found herself unusually put off by the notion of so many other women being around the man she was feeling something for. She was not sure if it was jealousy, but either way it certainly felt unpleasant. She could not help but wonder if the women Church had met were beautiful. He had (wisely) neglected to mention their overall aesthetic appeal to her as he talked, but even so Airi wondered if he liked her more than them. Maybe that was childish or petty but she sorely wanted him to think of her as the most beautiful, regardless of who else he had met.

But they had been separated for such a long time, and even though she was sure Church had found her attractive before, what if he had met someone he liked more? This rather pathetic concern of hers was the only thing that kept Airi from being completely happy at their long awaited reunion.

Still, there was something there in the way he looked at her, the way he smiled when talking to her; though she was unsure of how it felt or looked to be romantically loved by someone, Airi was sure she was special to him somehow, and that was consolation enough for her.

That being the case, she was simply happy to be in his presence as they sat on the beds of an inn room and talked about his adventures. Most people considered it rude for one person to talk about themselves without listening to the other, but Airi was perfectly content to listen: perfectly content to sit across from those shining blue eyes that made her feel so vulnerable yet so warm. She was new to this whole love business, but she really liked it a lot.

By the time Church finally finished telling his story, the sun had already set, allowing night to fall silently over Gainos. It was also about the time that Church's stomach started rumbling.

"Oops, sorry about that... I haven't really eaten anything all day."

He said this with a chuckle and a goofy smile, and Airi tried her best not to melt into a flustered mess at the sight of it. "W-w-well the room includes board as well, so I'll... I'll go downstairs and get you some OK?"

Naturally, Church opposed this idea completely. "C'mon Airi, you aren't my maid-"

Despite her overriding sense of embarrassment, Airi still managed to bring back the old days with an incredulous expression and a cocked eyebrow.

"OK, you're dressed like one but that doesn't change the fact that you aren't my maid."

But I'd like to be.

Airi resisted the urge to react to that very unexpected thought in her mind. She wasn't even sure where it had come from, but it had definitely been hers.

Oh my God, I can't believe I just said, thought, whatever... I didn't even say it out loud and that was super embarrassing...

"I-it's fine Church, I don't mind... besides, you don't really know what to ask or anything right? Just let me do this: you sound like you need to rest after everything you've been through..."

Church still seemed reluctant to agree, but in the end he relented. If there was one thing he had learned since coming to this world, it's that there was no point in rejecting the kindness of others. Turning down someone's offer to do something nice for you was almost insulting really.

"Alright. Thanks Airi, I really appreciate it."

Hearing him thank her so earnestly made it difficult for Airi to think straight, but thankfully she managed to stand up without incident and leave the room without bumbling around like some sort of oaf. When she closed the door behind her, she finally managed to breath a sigh of relief. However, she also noted that she wasn't alone out in the hall. A particular pink individual was leaning against the wall next to the door.

"Melona? What are you doing, how long have you been there?"

The usually boisterous slime looked far too serious for the features of her face. "An hour."

"You've been here that long? Why haven't you come inside? Church is dying to see you again, he-"

"Airi, do you want Church to die?"

The redhead stared at her companion incredulously. "What? No, why on earth would you ask that?"

Melona leveled a severe gaze at her. "Because, that's exactly what's going to happen if you keep this up. Airi, we can't do this!"

"What are you talking about? We've been separated for so long, and now that we're finally together again you want me to just... what exactly? What are you implying? More importantly, why?"

The pink slime pinched the bridge of her nose. "Airi, we're in the middle of an extremely important mission for the Swamp Witch. She's bound to be watching our every move, making sure we don't fuck it all up. If she finds out about Church, if she doesn't know already, what do you think will happen? You think she's just going to ignore it? Just pretend it's not happening? She owns you Airi! As far as she's concerned you're her property! You think she's going to let you develop attachments to someone that might undermine her authority over you?!"

Despite her unwillingness to acknowledge any of it, Airi knew that everything Melona said was true. Now more than ever the Swamp Witch would be watching them, likely without their knowledge of it. How she managed to do so was a mystery, but the powers of such a being were not to be underestimated. But more than that, Airi internally berated herself for not realizing any of this without Melona saying it. She should have known from the start that all of this was true.

She had just been so happy to see Church again. The thought of leaving him so soon after their reunion was almost unbearable, especially with her new feelings for him taken into account.

But Melona was right. The Swamp Witch would not allow her to keep a relationship like this one: one that let her find happiness in something other than servitude. Airi was already on the brink of disloyalty, and she knew that what was happening now could be the tipping point.

And how would she seek to rectify the issue? If she just wanted it over and done with quickly, she would kill Church. She had plenty of methods to do so. But she could do so much worse. She could curse him with some terrible fate for the rest of his days, or kill him only to summon him to her service just to punish Airi for her insolence. There were so many horrible things the Swamp Witch could do to him, and if Airi cared for him even half as much as she believed she did, she had to protect him: even if it would be so unbearably painful to do it.

Melona obviously couldn't read minds, so she couldn't tell that Airi was mentally agreeing with her. "Airi, I know it's hard but-"

"You don't have to say it. You're right... I know that. I... I won't let her hurt him."

The defiance in her words would have been unthinkable in the past. At one time, Airi's loyalty to the Swamp Witch had been absolute. Nothing would have ever taken precedence over it. Things had changed, and now more than ever Airi hated the true nature of her servitude to the Swamp Witch. It was a choice between her own happiness and her service. And she didn't quite feel like choosing the latter.

But she had no choice. The Swamp Witch had her on too tight of a leash. She didn't know if she could one day escape the Witch's clutches. But today the fact remained that she could not. For now, being near Church would put him in danger. And that meant she had to distance herself.

Seeing the strange mix of sorrow and determination on her face, Melona questioned her redheaded friend. "What do you plan to do?"

Glancing back at the wooden door that was the only barrier between herself and the object of her current affections, Airi tried her best to set an expression akin to determination. "I'll figure something out."

Church was by himself for a good five minutes or so before Airi returned to the room. But even in so short an absence, something was notably different about the way she carried herself. She seemed more reserved somehow, though Church couldn't possibly imagine why. Either way, she wasn't smiling the way she had been before she left.

"Airi? Did something happen out there?"

The redhead hid her hands behind her back, wringing them together out of Church's sight. "No, I... Church, there's something I really need to tell you."

Church noted that Airi hadn't returned with any food, but that was hardly his concern at this point in time. He rose to his feet, fully aware that something wasn't right. "Airi, what's wrong? What happened?"

Not giving an immediate reply, Airi took a step towards him, looking more tentative and shy than he had ever seen her before. She didn't look away from him though. "I... do you remember, that day after we left the forest? When you said you didn't care about what I wanted more than what was best for me?"

Church most certainly did recall that particular day. It was the day both he and Airi had openly expressed some level of affection for each other, as friends if nothing else. But for her to mention it now made Church uneasy, because he got the feeling Airi was going to say or do something he wasn't going to like.

"I do..."

"And do you remember what I said to you?"

That made Church more worried than anything else. She had said that there were some things she wouldn't tell him even though she cared. And that she wouldn't let certain things hurt him. To recall those things now couldn't mean anything good.

"Airi, what are you about to-!"

Before he could say anything further, Church found himself tugged forward by the collar of his shirt. His brain told him what was about to happen but even so it still went into complete shock when he found Airi's soft lips pressed against his own. Initially he couldn't even feel happy about it, simply because he could barely process the fact that it was happening. A gorgeous woman with an amazing personality was kissing him, and that was something he had never actually thought would happen to him.

It became especially hard to think when the redheaded maid gently pushed her tongue forward, silently asking if she could go further with the man whose neck her arms were currently wrapped around. Hardly able to think straight, Church nevertheless answered on instinct, letting Airi explore as she saw fit. He managed to place his hands around her hips at some point, if only because some instinct in his mind told him he should, and right about then was when the euphoria set in.

He couldn't believe this was happening to him. Never had he thought he would be so lucky as to share his first kiss with a woman this downright amazing. He especially had never expected said woman to make the first move. This meant Airi really, really liked him right? Just the thought of it made him feel like the luckiest man alive.

The feeling of her tongue intertwined with his was intoxicating, so much that she was doing all the work really. But she didn't seem to mind. She seemed content to have her way.

At first, Church couldn't feel anything but joy and pleasure. But after the first few moments, he began to feel something strange, something that certainly didn't belong in this situation. His legs were feeling a little weak, more so than from mere shock. The tips of his fingers were feeling a little tingly too, and as engrossed as he was with the visage of the girl in his arms, he noticed his vision was getting a little darker.

Make out virgin or not, it didn't take a genius to figure that such a thing was not supposed to happen. Loathe as he was to do so, Church tried to pull away, but Airi only pulled him in tighter. And as great as that was, the longer Airi held her kiss with him the more fatigued he felt. Almost like he was passing out, but he couldn't tell why it was happening.

His struggle to break Airi's grasp grew even more futile in but a few seconds more, when his arms began to feel like jelly. He was definitely losing consciousness, but he couldn't tell why. He couldn't do anything but focus on the quiet sorrow in Airi's emerald eyes as he slipped entirely into unconsciousness. He thought he might have heard her say something as he left the waking world, but his awareness was too far gone to tell if it had been anything more than a trick of the mind.

What was strange about Huit was the way she carried herself despite her size. Her voice was that of a child, but the way she spoke had far more experience, and Mission found it kind of unsettling. She supposed that she would not be bothered so if she simply put some stock in her identity as an elf of some sort, but Mission was still trying to retain some of her sanity in this world. Still, it was a bit strange to be following someone scarcely three feet tall through what was essentially a Final Fantasy dungeon.

She was the one with the magical glowing blue rock though, so perhaps there wasn't anyone else to consider for the position. She had already lead her trio of new allies past a plethora of traps that she had negated on her own earlier, and for that at least Mission was grateful that she had been here.

"So, Hugh..."

"Huit."

"Right, Huxley. What exactly are you here to find?"

The diminutive individual glanced back at her. "Why on earth would I reveal that information to you?"

"I told you what I was here for didn't I?"

"Yes, which was quite foolish on your part. If you knew the worth of what I'm here for, you three would turn on me the moment it was in your grasp!"

Mission cocked an eyebrow at her. "Geez Hubert, don't be so paranoid."

"It's Huit!"

"Whatever you say Huckleberry."

Huit decided against trying to correct the silver haired girl again, seeing as how it was completely pointless to do so. She knew her name, she was just determined to keep making fun of it.

"Well, to your great fortune, I have already dismantled every trap on the way to our destination. There is but one obstacle that requires more brawn than brain left to block our path."

Leina, now behind Mission rather than in front, peeked out from behind the silver haired girl. "Some sort of defense for warriors? Ancient fighters maybe? Some sort of beasts? Oh, this is so exciting!"

As the group of four entered a rather large chamber, Huit cocked an eyebrow at the blonde. "What are you talking about? Something like that would be ridiculous."

"Then what do you need us for?"

Huit pointed at a large chasm in the middle of the chamber. "That."

The three warrior girls ( a term generously applied to Mission and Leina), followed the direction Huit's finger was pointing. There was a large gap between their end of the chamber and the other, with a drawbridge of sorts up on the other side. Risty was the first to comment on this. "And what the hell do you expect us to do about this?"

"Throw me, of course. I can hardly make such a jump by myself."

All three girls stared down at the little elf incredulously, with Leina voicing their unified thoughts. "This is what you needed us for?"

The girl stared right back at them. "I assure you, shapely as my legs are, they cannot propel me across this chasm. I need a brute to-"

Risty snatched up the girl by the collar, preparing to chuck her across the chasm.

"Hold on I'm not ready this is not-!"

With an angry snarl, Risty hurled the tiny girl that weighed hardly fifty pounds across the chasm, her shrieking wail echoing off the stone walls around them. Needless to say Huit had not been prepared, because she essentially face-planted when she landed.

"Ow! You insolent brute, I wasn't ready!"

"Just drop the damn bridge already."

Though she grumbled about it, Huit nevertheless did just that, locating and pulling a lever on her side of the chamber that lowered the bridge for her temporary comrades. The moment it was down, Mission and her companions made their way across it, finding only a wooden door now in their way. Naturally, this door was locked.

Huit stepped up to it, flexing her fingers as she did so. "Alright, if you'll just give me a few moments..."

Before Huit could even begin working on the door, Risty's mace crashed into it, smashing it into a dozen pieces. "There. Problem solved."

Huit looked distinctly irritated by this method, but Mission found it to be a lot more effective, not to mention less time consuming. Either way, what the group found on the other side of the door was somewhat different from what they had all been expecting.

The room was not full of golden piles or artifacts or anything that looked even remotely valuable to the common person. In fact, the small square room they found themselves in was completely barren. Only the walls had strange slots in them. Naturally Risty was none too happy about this.

"What the hell is this?! There's nothing in here!"

Huit waved her hand dismissively. "Calm down, the valuables in this chamber are in the walls. Honestly, who just piles up wealth on the floor?"

The redhead grumbled something about how she did exactly that, but decided against saying it in favor of moving to ransack the strange stone drawers in the walls. Huit went to do the same, albeit less brusquely, while Leina stood patiently near the door, not caring for what might be here unless it had something to do with being a warrior.

As for Mission, her dilemma was a different one. She knew what she was here for, but she did not even know what it really looked like. What the hell even was a matrix? Aside from the movie Mission had never even heard the word used.

But as always, she didn't need to truly know what she was looking for, as she could practically feel it. It was no doubt the work of Daedalus, leading her to her objective. With this strange force guiding her, Mission walked directly towards one of the sockets in the wall. Quickly figuring out how to pull the drawer from its resting place, Mission peered inside to discover a piece of rolled parchment. It didn't look like much, but upon unrolling it, Mission laid her eyes on all sorts of extremely technical drawings and notes in a language she could not read. It almost looked like one of those Da Vinci design sketches. Though Mission could not make heads or tails of it, she could see how a blacksmith might need this, though only for an extremely complex weapon.

Risty was still tearing through the different drawers when Huit finally found what she needed, some sort of stone that didn't look all that different from the one she had already brought with her, though it must have been special for some reason. However, before she could either leave her newfound companions or otherwise state that her business was concluded, Leina called out to them from the doorway.

"Um, guys? I think they're might have been some guards after all..."

Mission and the others came to stand beside the blonde at the doorway, spotting numerous figures shambling towards them. They were strange, mechanical contraptions, humanoid looking automatons, though they looked more like a steampunk nightmare to Mission. Their skeletal iron bodies were covered in rust from head to toe, making them look a lot scarier than mere machines. They all carried iron weapons of some sort in their hands.

"What on earth are these things?"

Huit, being the most knowledgeable on the subject, answered. "The ancient Calibara Elf Tribe was well versed in alchemy. These days they are experts in little more than combat, but regardless many of their creations live on. It seems we have disturbed those that remain here."

"Can we kill them?"

"Well you can't truly kill anything that does not live, but yes, they can be destroyed. It may be difficult without more appropriate weapons though..."

Mission cocked an eyebrow at the machines. "Ledge 'em."

"What?"

"Ledge 'em. Why beat them into scrap with our weapons when we can just throw them into the chasm there? Unless they weigh a ton we should be able to push them at least."

All of the other girls looked at each other, then shrugged, with Leina voicing her thoughts. "Yeah, I mean... it seems kind of dishonorable, but if they're standing near a ledge who wouldn't do that?"

Risty shrugged again. "They're bots anyway. Who cares about honor?"

"Fair enough. If they were real warriors I guess it would matter, but..."

"Yep. Alright, let's just throw them into the chasm. Whee!"

Church had no idea how long he was unconscious, but when he finally woke up, soft morning sunlight was now pouring into the window of the inn room. Before he actually cracked open his eyes, there was a surging moment of joy as he recalled what exactly had transpired before his little nap. However, his thoughts quickly turned sour when he concluded that something bad had happened, and moreover, that Airi had intended for it to happen, somehow.

Shooting out of bed to confirm his fears, Church saw that Airi was indeed absent from the room. No trace of her remained: except for one of her black ribbons in his hand.

Resisting the urge to curse, Church glared down at the ribbon in his hand, not angry so much as frustrated. He didn't know how Airi could have forced him into unconsciousness, but after everything he had seen in this world Church wasn't going to question that. What he did question was why. She had been so happy to see him. They spent hours enjoying their reunion and company. So why this? Why disappear on him again, intentionally this time?

Of course, Church wasn't an idiot. He thought back to what she had said last night, about the words they had shared in the somewhat distant past. She was trying to protect him from something, but there was something she wasn't telling him as well.

Not that it was really a surprise. He had suspected Airi and Melona of being more than they let on for awhile. But he had never doubted that they were his friends, and maybe something more in Airi's case. Even now, he knew they were involved in something dangerous, something they didn't want him to have a part of, but dammit he would have preferred to be endangered than to be separated again a thousand times over.

Still, some part of him told him he should question what they were up to. Regardless of what it was, good or bad, Church knew he would still call them his friends, because only something truly atrocious could possibly wipe that away, and he knew they weren't bad people.

On the other hand he was still furious. He almost wondered if Airi had only kissed him specifically to somehow knock him out, however the hell that worked. Maybe it was a distraction from whatever she was really doing to put him to sleep. But he got the feeling that wasn't the case. What he had experienced last night was real passion, especially from her. Either that or she was the most amazing actress ever.

Somewhat seething for what he almost considered to be a betrayal, Church stormed out of the room and out of the inn altogether. He had no idea where he wanted to go or what he was going to do, but he was a lot angrier than he thought he would be, especially considering that his anger was directed at Airi. Even so, he clenched that lone black ribbon so tightly that his knuckles turned white. If he couldn't be near her, he would at least keep what he had close to him.

That said, he resumed what he had been doing the other day: wandering. Gainos was a huge city with all sorts of sights, but for the most part Church was fuming more than anything else. Had he been paying more attention, he might have noticed that a certain maid that he walked by looked unusually familiar, though the tan skinned woman chose to heed her cats over him. She did find his presence curious though, especially since he was without two Hinomoto women.

Either way, Church was not accosted by her nor anyone else as he moved along the streets of Gainos, only half paying attention to what was around him at best. This lack of full awareness is what caused him to bump right into someone standing in front of him, and being nearly a head taller he was worried that he would practically bowl her over.

However, despite the smaller stature of his victim, Church felt like he ran into a stone wall. She barely budged an inch, while Church practically stumbled two steps backwards. She had some wicked poise, that was for sure.

Still, even though he had apparently not harmed or even inconvenienced her, Church figured he still had to apologize. The apology itself was only delayed momentarily by the cloaked nature of the person he ran into. She looked like a freakin' Jedi, brown robe and hood all up and whatnot. Strangely enough, she didn't look all that suspicious, but maybe it was the expression that was so absolutely passive that it almost appeared docile. A fringe of snow white bangs hid her right eye, and her left was crimson, though a more robust red than that assassin woman Church recalled from that one encounter.

"Ah, sorry... I'm not sure where I'm going..."

The girl leveled her gaze at him, her expression completely unchanging. "You're lost?"

"Heh, more or less. But that's no excuse for running into you, sorry."

"Nonsense. It was foolish of me to stand in the path of a pedestrian."

Church was about to ask why she had indeed been standing roughly in the middle of the street, but a quick glance to his right confirmed that she was looking at a particular statue in a square on a slightly lower level of the city. It was obvious that this girl had been looking at this statue, which depicted a young woman adorned in a lot more straps and pointy objects than Church thought was necessary, including a really, really weird one between the legs. The horned crown thing was pretty bad ass though.

"Who is that supposed to be?"

The girl gave him a look that may have been construed as incredulity, but it was hard to tell considering how slight the change in her expression was. "That's the Queen."

The mention of queens got Church thinking about some far in the past conversations he had shared with others. "Oh, um... what was her name? Alice, uh... Aldra, that was it. Yeah."

"You're not from this city."

It was a statement more than a question, probably because it didn't take a genius to figure that out. "Yeah, I'm from pretty far away. This statue is actually the first time I've ever seen the Queen. She looks so... severe."

This remark actually brought a minute frown to the girl's face. "You think so? I've often wondered if the citizens that walk by it think the same."

While it was truly hard to tell considering how well this girl controlled her voice that was somehow toneless yet not without emotion, Church got the feeling this notion did not make her happy. "Well, it's not all that bad. She does look very serious, but... she's also quite beautiful."

"Is she now?"

"Well I think so at least..."

The two strangers fell into silence for a few moments, but the girl eventually broke the quiet again. "You said you were lost. Is there somewhere in particular you were trying to go?"

Church glanced at the sky, recalling why he was doing what he was. "Not really, no. I was just kind of wandering really. You know, sightseeing."

"I see. Is there something in particular you would like to see then?"

Not catching on to any kind of offer yet, Church took in the skyline of the city that he could see, and spotted the massive church and castle that towered over all else. "I'd like to see that cathedral. It looks incredible, even from this distance."

The girl looked over to the building he had mentioned. "It would take you until nightfall to reach that, not accounting for distractions and the crowds. There is a small church nearby that is built in a very similar style. Would that be sufficient?"

"Ah, well... I don't think any amount of directions could help me find it."

"I will take you. I do not mind."

Church wondered why a stranger he had ran into would make such an offer. "I can't ask you to do that."

"It is rare indeed to have a foreigner in the capital. It would hardly do to let you wander without seeing some of its greater aspects. Besides, sightseeing is supposedly more rewarding with company, yes?"

"I... suppose it is... well, if you really don't mind, I would be grateful. But, uh... may I ask about the hood...?"

"I'm very pale. I burn quite easily. I assure you that no one will bother us because of it."

While Church was still just a little suspicious, he ended up accepting that answer for what it was. "Alright... um, my name is Church. It's nice to meet you...?"

"It's nice to meet you as well. Now, let us be off."

The girl walked away, leaving Church fumbling since he had expected a name in return. She was weird, that was for sure, but she didn't seem like a bad sort at any rate. Maybe just a bit... eccentric.

Of course it would be easy to lose track of someone in the crowded streets of this city, so Church wasted no time in catching up to his guide. "So, uh... what do you do around here?"

"Isn't it obvious? I'm a tour guide."

There was the slightest hint of humor in her voice as she said that, but it was still just as hard to tell thanks to her interesting yet somewhat infuriating ability to make her tone as difficult to interpret as possible. Either way, Church got the feeling that was supposed to be a joke.

"Is business good for tour guides?"

"Oh, not at all. There are very few foreigners here. You see, the last time we had foreigners in Farillia we didn't get along so well."

"Are you referring to the war?"

The girl glanced back at him, though she managed to navigate just as successfully as before. "You are a foreigner that knows of the war with the North Realm yet struggles to recall the Queen's name? That strikes me as quite odd. Where exactly are you from?"

This was the question Church always trouble answering whenever he met someone new. But, it wasn't like this girl was the only one that could play word games. He could be honest without being straightforward, right? "Trust me, you wouldn't believe me if I told you."

"You'd be surprised at what I will believe. There are a great many strange things in this world of ours."

"Anything as strange as alternate dimensions?"

"Oh? A dimensional traveler? A true rarity indeed. That explains why you are unfamiliar with some common knowledge."

Once again, Church couldn't tell if she were joking as he had been or if she was actually being serious. "Uh, yeah... I only know what the people I've met have told me."

Weaving through the crowds with ease, the woman he followed never lost her pace. "Then perhaps you should start asking more questions. I promise I can answer almost anything you may ask."

Seeing that she was very well taking this seriously, Church decided to capitalize on it. "Well, in that case... does this Continent actually have a name? I've never heard anyone refer to it by a proper name..."

"There's a question more people ought to ask. It's quite bizarre that an entire nation could go unnamed simply because everyone has forgotten what it was called. If you want the original name from the supposed beginning of time, this land is called Praerhiel. It's gone by several other names as different power have ruled it, but as of today it is officially known as Farillia."

"Well that sounds way better than just calling it 'the Continent."

"Indeed."

As the two of them continued to walk, Church tied Airi's ribbon around his hand, just to make absolutely sure he wouldn't lose it. "I've been told there's some sort of tournament here in Farillia that determines who rules. Why is it all female?"

The cloaked woman shrugged. "Who can say? There are many supremacists that think it is because men aren't fit to rule. That's utterly ridiculous of course: I daresay women are less suited to rule if only because the majority of them let emotion dictate their actions and decisions more than logic. The tournament and it's all female roster is likely just some aspect of our society that no one desires to change. It's been around for so long, it would cause quite the upheaval to suddenly shift it. Besides, I imagine the men of this country have little quarrel with the notion of scantily clad women fighting one another."

She's got a point there. It's like the Superbowl but waaaaaaay better.

On another note, Church was glad that his guide was such a sharp conversationalist. Not that any of the women he had met so far were stupid or anything, but this girl definitely seemed to have some air of intellect about her. Then again, maybe she was a just a good speaker.

"You don't have any issue with it?"

The white-haired woman glanced back at him again, this time ducking under the burly arm of a drunk that was motioning wildly to his friends. "With the tournament?"

"Well, yeah. I mean, it's a bunch of women wearing hardly anything at all fighting one another for entertainment. Practical purpose of the tournament aside, you don't feel that, I don't know, it's objectifying them or something?"

"Is that how you feel about it?"

"What? No, no... but where I'm from, man, something like this would never fly. Half the women in the world would be wailing and whining about it, crying about how it was victimizing women or objectifying them or something."

"How strange."

Church cocked an eyebrow at her. "Strange?"

She nodded. "Strange indeed. Why would other women ever detest an event such as this one, where women prove their strength and beauty to the whole world? If they were concerned for their image as a gender, would not something like this be the absolute best thing for them? Showing all of society that women can be strong and beautiful, and proud of both?"

Church nodded in return. "Yes, thank you! That's how I always viewed stuff like this. I mean, if a girl is proud of her looks, what's wrong with her being open about it? People shouldn't have to hide or bury their strengths just because others might not like it."

The girl that led him throughout the city chuckled, just slightly. So lightly that it was difficult to hear. "Appearance is a strength?"

"Ah, well... I mean, yeah, isn't it? I get that some people are just born good looking, but no one stays in shape without working for it right? I've met a lot of women since I came here that are in incredible shape. Obviously they had to work for that level of fitness, so why shouldn't they show it off? Everyone deserves to be proud of the things they work for."

She glanced back at him again, giving him a look that could best be described as sly. "Or perhaps you are one of the aforementioned men that sees no reason to complain about such women in the clothes they wear?"

"To be fair, can I not have a valid philosophical reason and a carnal one for the same belief?"

"You most certainly can. It adds more depth to your character. Admittedly few people think on such a level, which is a true shame. It's so hard to find intelligent conversation these days."

"Ain't that the truth..."

Before another conversational tangent could be brought up, Church's guide stopped in front of a building that he definitely recognized as a church now that he looked at it. It had a steeple and everything, though the top was adorned with some strange cross or axe type symbol. From the outside it didn't look like much, but it did have a circular stained glass window in between its two steeples. He imagined the inside would be more interesting. His guide took this moment to speak again.

"This church is built in the same style as the main cathedral. The interior is quite breathtaking."

Figuring that his tour was over with some great amount of disappointment, Church nevertheless gave his thanks. "Thank you for bringing me here. I really appreciate it. Though I wish we could have talked a bit longer."

"Were you under the impression that I was not coming in with you?"

"I- uh, yeah, I kind of was. It's already getting late, I don't want to keep you all day..."

"Nonsense, you're the best conversation I've had in weeks. I'd hate to part company so soon. Besides, how often do you meet a dimensional traveler?"

"OK, I thought you may have been joking the first time, but do you actually believe that?"

She cocked an eyebrow at him. "Were you lying?"

"Well no, but-"

"Seeing as how you've done nothing to earn my suspicion or doubt of your honesty, there is no reason to not believe you. As I said, there are a great many phenomenon in this world, I do not believe that alternate dimensions are beyond them."

Church just stared at her for a moment. "Well...alright then. Do we just walk inside?"

"Indeed. I know the nun here. Follow me."

She led the way to the door with that, pushing them open with ease. "Melpha, I've brought a guest."

Church ignored the first words his guide offered to whoever was in the building in favor of gawking at it. It was a beautiful interior, full of stain glass windows depicting all sorts of things, from angels and battles to knights and dragons. A lot of them depicted women in the nude however, though Church had by now figured that this society was rather fond of exactly that.

The domed ceiling stretched far above him, framing the dark yet inviting atmosphere of the large building that was supported by numerous stone pillars. "Wow, this place is really great."

"The house of God is far more than that, but yes, it is."

Church looked back down to earth to see the nun that his guide had called a moment ago. Upon seeing her, he was struck with a familiar notion that he recognized from the first time he saw Cattleya.

The blonde woman before him was massively proportioned in the chest area, that was for sure. But then again, maybe the white tights that covered her entire body further accented her assets. Still, even though those particular things were way too big for Church's tastes, she was a pretty woman, with glasses framing gentle blue eyes and a welcoming smile. The white and light blue motif kind of reminded him of Nanael. She addressed the white haired girl with him after coming towards them, bowing to her as she did so.

"It's good to see you again. Is this a business matter?"

"Not at all. My friend here simply wished to see the architecture. He's a foreigner."

Melpha turned towards Church. "Is that so? You're a very lucky man to have a guide so... well-versed in the capital's features."

Church got the feeling that he was being left out of the loop on some particular piece of information, but he had no clue what it could be. Any logical deduction pointed to the fact that he didn't know the identity of the woman he was traveling with though, because that seemed to be the inside joke.

"Well, she's certainly good company. Still don't know her name though."

"Oh, I think you'll know soon enough. After all, the entourage is here."

Both Church and his guide turned back towards the door of the church, where a noble looking old man in stuffy dark robes was practically storming towards them. Standing behind him was someone Church recognized from before, though she was dressed in a far less revealing outfit than the fur lined black and green that had shown so much of that sleek caramel skin. Church was about to question her presence here, but the words of the man coming his way cut him off.

"Your Majesty, what are you thinking? You disappeared without a word to anyone!"

Church cocked an eyebrow at him, then at the girl he was with. "Your Majesty...?"

With a sigh, the cloaked girl next to him removed her hood, letting her hair fall in a somewhat more normal pattern than it had been previously. Were it not tucked into her cloak it would have gone down to her waist, but moreover Church could now see the strange metal eye-patch her bangs had been hiding before.

"As always, you seem to have impeccable timing when you least need it Jauffre. Could you have perhaps surveyed the situation before being so blatantly obvious about my identity?"

"Your Majesty, the fact that you conceal yourself in public is only evidence of how bad of an idea it is to be out of the palace. You are vulnerable without anyone to protect you."

Aldra cocked an eyebrow at the man. Without her crown she lacked a little of that imposing appearance, but it was truly only slightly diminished. "I assure you I am in danger from anyone. The Queen had to earn her place through combat, if you recall. Moreover, I assume you found me because Irma sold me out?"

From the door of the Church, Irma bowed apologetically.

"Ah, your betrayal wounds me. Jauffre is already too dutiful for my tastes, but when you are both responsible it's truly tiresome. I assume you have come for me because something requires my attention?"

The man, Jauffre, folded his arms. "Indeed, your Majesty. The merchant guild has made another petition for more leeway in the market, and-"

Aldra raised a hand to cut him off. "Say no more. Just listening to it is frustrating. I'll deal with it when I return. However..."

Before continuing, Aldra turned to face Church, who was still fumbling to grasp the situation. "Ah, uh, your Highness, I mean, Majesty, uh, I'm sorry about the things I said, I had no idea I was in the presence of royalty..."

He almost squeezed out an awkward bow, for fear that he was he said or done something offensive in his unwitting time with the Queen of the entire nation. However, the young ruler cut him off before he could make a fool out of himself. "Come now Church, turning to formality after the time we shared today is completely uncalled for. I'd go so far as to say we're friends of a sort at this point, so I'd really prefer it if you didn't follow the example of dear Jauffre here."

Speaking of that particular man, he did not seem too happy about this particular situation. "Your Majesty you spent the day with this... commoner?"

"Indeed."

"You should not sully yourself with the presence of those beneath you!"

"Well if you believe that you most certainly won't like this next part."

With that, she turned towards Church again. "Being a foreigner that is supposedly from a different dimension, I imagine that you've little direction at the moment. How would staying at the palace suit your tastes?"

Church mentally fumbled for a moment as he realized the Queen of this entire nation was inviting him to stay in her castle. Just one day after his make out session with Airi. Seriously, his luck was actually making a massive one eighty. "I, uh, I mean, that's-"

Jauffre cut him off before he could stutter out a reply. "Your Majesty you cannot invite some peasant into the castle!"

Aldra finally glared at the man that was her advisor. "Jauffre, need I remind you that I am the Queen? I will do whatever I please whenever I want. I appreciate your devotion to protocol at times, but never presume to tell me what I can and cannot do."

Sufficiently admonished, Jauffre fell silent as Aldra looked to Church again. "So? It is only an offer. You may refuse if you wish."

Church mentally asked why on earth he would refuse such an offer. On the other hand he was a little nervous about it, but not so much that he wouldn't accept it. "I uh, would be honored-"

Aldra gave him a look that clearly referred to the use of formality.

"Er... glad to? I'd be happy to. Thank you."

A ghost of a smile crossed over Aldra's face before she moved towards Jauffre, removing that brown cloak as she did so and revealing the crimson attire and straps that Church had seen on her statue. She tossed the less noticeable item of clothing towards her advisor to carry, and Church noticed that one of her arms was strapped behind her back. She was more of a unique character than he had initially thought, that was for sure. And yes, that snow white hair did go to her waist.

She motioned for Church to follow her out, though he noticed that Jauffre was giving him a suspicious glare. As for Irma, she simply nodded at him, though he could see it in her eyes that she was slightly amused by the situation.

That situation got many times better when they finally got outside. Because there were so many different elevations in the capital city, there were stairs everywhere, and since Aldra was leading the way, she went up those stairs first. Directly behind her, Church got a view of what he was certain was the most amazing ass he had ever seen whenever a sufficient gust of wind blew. And all things considered, he'd seen a lot of ass since arriving in this world.

Damn... God save the Queen.

Resting on an aqueduct far above the rooftops of Gainos, Airi gazed out over the city and wondered what the man she had decided to love was doing right now. She had initially planned on watching him from afar, but Melona had convinced her that was a bad idea as well. She was right of course. If the Swamp Witch was going to keep a close eye on them, even observing Church would endanger his life.

But Airi found it painfully difficult to maintain her distance. Needless to say, her most recent encounter with Church had made quite a few things very clear.

Going into that kiss, she had still only considered himself somehow she liked. He was her friend that she was attracted to, her friend that she didn't mind entertaining thoughts of romance with, and because of those two reasons she had been willing to share her first kiss with him. She could not think of anyone better to experience something like that with.

Yet it had become much more almost immediately. Naturally, Airi had decided to satisfy her romantic curiosity while also putting Church under with her unique abilities. And she had greatly enjoyed the first part. The physical intimacy, the heat of intertwining her tongue with someone that thought her beautiful was exhilarating.

But that wasn't what had enthralled her. No, it was the very part she had expected to be painful. Draining his life force, Airi had expected to taste something awful. Betrayal, fear, indignation... she had expected something of that nature.

What she had received was nothing of the sort. For the first time, she had the blessing of tasting affection. Care, concern, even love: she had received it all as she kissed him into unconsciousness in that room. It was by far the greatest experience Airi had ever been through. She had drained energy from dozens, maybe even hundreds of people over the years, yet none of them had enticed her so utterly as Church had in the few short moments she had tasted him.

She had almost failed to pull away. The flavor of love had been so intoxicating she had barely been able to restrain herself. Only the gravity of the situation had kept her grounded enough to do what must be done and leave.

But the experience had still changed so much for her so quickly. As she gazed out over Gainos, Airi knew for certain she was now in love. She couldn't afford not to be. She craved that flavor she had experienced. She wanted more of it, to understand someone's desire and affection for her in the most intimate way possible. Even now, less than a full day after their kiss, Airi was struggling to hold her own impulses in check. She couldn't stand being away from the catharsis.

Not to say that her new intense feelings for Church were purely carnal. Because she was able to experience the emotion of others in their rawest form, she was able to truly understand how important she was to Church. She could feel how much she really mattered to him. She held a unique position in his heart. She couldn't be replaced. No matter who else he met or who else became close to him, she would always be special. And understanding that spurred Airi's feelings for him beyond what they had been. It wasn't a matter of just entertaining fantasies and daydreams of a possible romance. She wanted it for sure now. She wanted to be right there with him, special to him, loved by him, desired by him.

And that newfound desire of her own amplified her other desire to be free of the Swamp Witch. It was very clear now that the Witch was holding Airi back from the things she wanted. The resurrected wraith wanted more than her station allowed. She wanted to live life again. She wanted to experience the freedom she had not been allowed in mortal existence. She wanted to do all the things being a slave did not allow. Adventure, freedom, love... these were all things she could not have with the Swamp Witch as her master.

And so, as she struggled to suppress her craving for the man she now loved, Airi firmly settled on determining a way to free herself from the Swamp Witch's fell control.

Church: 1

The Rest of us Losers that Wish we Could be Him: 0

We finally move into a new arc of this story, and definitely a major turning point as we take our first steps towards the endgame, though that is still quite a fair distance away. So our boy Church hasn't gotten laid yet, but he's gotten the next best thing, and I for one would be perfectly content to settle for that.

Quick question for Queen's Blade Unlimited: all of the characters are getting redesigned to some extent, so who do you think needs one the most, or who do you just want one for the most?

And anyone who spots the reference to a recently released multiplayer game gets a box of internet cookies.