Author's Note: Hi there. My stories are still alive, I'm just awfully slow. Have a good read!

It would be an understatement to say that everyone was astonished, surprised, by our leader's wounds. Very few demon-beasts, up until now, in the GSA history, had been able to harm this fine warrior in such a terrible manner, or, from what I've been told, his predecessors. Hence the diversed reactions throughout the base. People were beginning to fear what Nightmare had in store for us… In the passing months, my own wounds healed, and I was able to return to the battlefield with my comrades. It seemed to me that the number of battles had increased, as we were close to the ennemy's conquered space, but still in our territory. Or rather, the Star Warriors' territory, for I never could say it was mine. I didn't really know where I belonged, yet… I felt at home with my friends and companions, but my eyes, my reflection in the mirror, the wings on my back… everything was there to remind me of my origins. So, no, I was not a Star Warrior, and I would never be.

This was still strange, however, what I felt each time I slayed a demon-beast. It felt like I was drinking a horrible mixture, a putrid poison that seeped into the bowels of my being, darknening my so-called soul one demon after the other. But… on the other hand, there was also this feeling of great satisfaction flowing in me each time a demon's life ended. I was avenging a mortal's death. All those who were slaughtered in the name of my old master's nightmarish goal, I was avenging their lost souls, their lost voices, reduced to whispers in the silence after a bloodbath. Yet, I remained a demon-beast myself.

This world was not mine to protect, but the other side was not one I wanted to fight for either. As confused as I was, I was in the right place, the only place that needed, or wanted my presence.

I came back from a rather small battle, exactly four months after Sir Arthur was injured. This battle had been easy; we were able to get rid of the menace in the afflicted city, hiding in the sewers and preparing an attack. The natives had been lucky to witness proofs of their presence before the actual attack. In the trip back to the HQ, Jecra sneezed rather loudly and rubbed his nose with his arm.

"By Nova, that stench!" he exclaimed. "It's burning my eyes!"

I couldn't help but chuckle a bit.

"It is quite gruesome a smell," I answered. "This is what happens when you fall in the waters of the sewers."

"I didn't see that gap!" he protested, resulting in many laughs from the others around him.

It was like someone suddenly slapped me in the face with a chair. I didn't know why I didn't realize it sooner. Yes, this was where I was needed. I was not here because I picked a side, I was here because I felt good. Had I felt good in my previous life? Before the memories were taken from me, had I been happy as well? There was no way to know, but… I didn't want to know either.

We came back an hour later. Upon coming out of the ship, I unstrapped my mask, which I had made an habit of wearing quite often even between battles. I guess it grew up to me. As I breathed out deeply and rubbed my tired eyes, I saw, on the other side of the hangar, Sir Arthur, up and about, speaking with Jecra. He was not wearing his usual armor and was still wrapped in bandages all around his round form, there was also a nurse, not far behind, scribbling notes on a small pad, probably because he was not supposed to be out so soon. Even if I tried to block it, a small smile stretched the right side of my lips upward. If he was up, he was out of danger. I honestly didn't know what it was in that man that calmed me this much. Ever since the first time, his presence had been… relaxing. Even now, seeing him alive and well relieved my heart.

I walked over to them as I saw Jecra walk away after a quick salute, probably listening to a particular order. I honestly hoped it was to take a shower. Sir Arthur turned over to me and his smile seemed to brighten. His moves were slow as he held up his arms and briefly hugged me. Very few of his skin was shown, so I didn't insist on the welcoming hug, for I wished not to hurt him and the nurse was giving me a weird look.

"Ah, Meta!" he greeted me cheerfully. His voice was definitely healthier. "I heard your mission went quite well, even if a bit smelly."

I couldn't stop that chuckle from escaping me, and I replied:

"Yes, Sir, it did went quite well, to borrow your words. Luckily, not all of us fell in the foul waters of the sewers. I am happy to see you well, Sir. I didn't know you were already able to leave the hospital wing."

His smile widened, as if he was restraining from laughing.

"No need to speak so formally with me, boy! In a normal situation, I am supposed to stay in bed, but I needed to breathe some fresh air."

He leaned forward and, holding his hand close to his mouth, whispered:

"This is why Miss Ana over there watches me… I think I am stressing her out…"

I tried to be subtle and look over his shoulder over at the nurse: despite her head tilted toward her notepad, her eyes were up and watching us closely. I looked back down. She was kind of scary, I wouldn't hide it. Sir Arthur's hand landed on my shoulder pad, and I looked back at him.

"Don't worry," he told me, "I'll soon be able to go back to my office. I just need some more rest."

I nodded in agreement:

"And we will find the demon-beast that did this. Nightmare will not be the strongest."

He smiled an odd smile, eyes softened and clear. His voice was but a whisper.

"Thank you son…"

I barely heard it come out of his mouth that he let go of my shoulder and scratched his head, adding quickly:

"Hum, I mean… You know what I meant. Just be careful if you meet that demon-beast. If it was able to do this to me, it can do this to you."

I nodded again. I didn't really mind these mistakes. I knew I looked like his son, and in his weakened state, I knew he could only think of his family. After all, he had been close to see them again.

I was unable to sleep that night. It was only a thought, a word, but it kept creeping into my mind, bringing weird images from the depths of my imagination. Family. Like I said, it was just a thought of some unreal future, of a forgotten past, of a possible present, but this thought was an overwhelming one, like fungus on a dead tree. Maybe I had parents of my own, waiting for me, looking for me… Did demon-beasts have parents? Or people that counted as substitutes? Or perhaps I had been all alone… These embarassments kept echoing in my head even though I tried to block them, so, sleepless, I got up from the chair I had been sitting in, at my small window, and walked outside, maskless. All I had was my cape, which I wrapped around me. It made me feel safe and warm, like… a mother's arms… Dear Nova, stop it with these thoughts! You don't have a family! So cut it out!

Angry with myself, I walked around, trying to clear my head. The silence was complete. The sound of the engines was muffled, for I was far from the machine rooms. The lights were dim, as a sign for soldiers coming back from missions that it was night-time in the HQ. It happened just… so fast. I was walking in a long corridor that had quite a few intersections, and I was quite slow, lost in my own thoughts. The distant memory of this day speaks to me of a shadow, fast as lightning for my tired eyes, passing in a single blink in the darkness of the distant hallway in front of me. If I had started sleepwalking, it woke me up instantly. Bloody hell, what was that? Lead by curiosity and nothing else, I quickened my pace to a slow run and silently made my way to the end of the hallway, where I turned in the direction the shadow had left. There was nothing… I looked at the post on the wall. Medical Bay. There was an arrow pointing in that direction. This time lead by something more, something much greater than mere curiosity, close to instincts, I silently ran down the hallway. I was armorless, so it was perfect to spy on whatever had passed by.

Soon, I arrived in the medical bay. There was no one awake at this hour, even the nurses had all retired to bed. Had it been Sir Arthur? Or maybe some injured soldier that wanted to get out badly? Neither of them made sense, not at such a ridiculous hour… I squinted my eyes to ajust to the darkness and silently made my way in the long corridors of the medical bay. I could hear some snores coming from the rooms, but nothing else. However… above the strong smell of medicine, there was something else… Something… Nightmare? Confused and worried, I quickened my pace toward Sir Arthur's room, listening carefully. Not a sound… The door was not closed completely, but there was no light either. Something was clearly not right. Careful, I tip-toed over to the half-open door to peek inside. I saw it again. A blur in the darkness, hovering over the bed… It raised a long, sharp object… A sword! An assassin! Grabbing the knife I always carried with me, I slid through the opening in the door and leaped, aiming at the supposed back of the thing. However, whatever it was spun around at the last second and deflected my blow with its weapon, before backing away toward the nearest wall. Two red eyes stared right back at my own, two gems glowing with madness. A demon assassin. Of course, why hadn't I thought of that? What was it doing here?

I lost no time in questioning, for the beast came rushing at me, still silent, and I could only leap out of the way at the last moment, sending it crashing in the door to open it fully. The noise must have woken a few for I heard a gasp from the bed, followed by Sir Arthur's surprised voice:

"Who's there?!"

"Sir, don't move!" I called, my turn to hover over the bed.

My vision was quickly adapting itself to the darkness, so I was able to make out a shape… but… it was impossible. The creature turned once more and, eyes blazing in the dark, used its own wings to hover above the ground. It pointed its sword at me, in complete silence still, before spinning around and rushing out of the door in the darkened hall, disapearing from sight. I flew after it: I couldn't leave an assassin to run around the ship freely! But, as I arrived in the hallway, the shadow was gone, without ever leaving a trace of its presence. I landed back on the ground, utterly confused. What was a demon doing in the ship? I turned back when the lights of the room behind me opened: the emergency call button next to the bed was shining bright, meaning that guards and doctors would soon come running.

"Meta? What in Hell was that thing?"

His voice was loud and angry, not even showing that he was gritting his teeth because of his wounds he had moved too quickly. I looked back at the hallway, putting my knife away.

"An assassin, Sir…"

I was unable to say more, as many people stormed the place. Watching as they secured the place and helped the wounded soldier get out of bed, I became aware of a sting on my cheek. My glove hovered over it and I looked at the blood it had absorbed: a cut… but… I had evaded the attack… I was sure of it.

There was now an assassin on the loose.